Xbox Free Play Days Is Back With NBA 2K27, Crusader Kings III & More This Weekend (Oct. 15-18)

It’s Thursday, and we have yet another Xbox Free Play Days lineup to check out. This weekend, Microsoft is bringing NBA 2K27 into the mix alongside four games for Game Pass members. There’s also a three-hour trial of The Alters that everyone can access without a subscription.

NBA 2K27 headlines this week’s Xbox Free Play Days

Starting today, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can play Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch for free through October 18.

NBA 2K27 Standard Edition joins the promotion on Friday, October 16, at 12 PM PT. Players can create a MyPLAYER, explore The City, build their career in MyCAREER, and take on NBA and WNBA stars in Play Now.

Meanwhile, Crusader Kings III lets players shape medieval dynasties through strategy, politics, and warfare. Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop offers licensed buses, two open-world cities, and online co-op. Soccer Story brings a quirky football adventure, while Ravenswatch delivers roguelike combat with solo and four-player co-op options.

The Alters offers a free trial to everyone

Here’s the best part for players without Game Pass. The Alters gets a three-hour timed trial from October 15 through October 18, with no subscription required. The sci-fi survival game challenges players to create alternate versions of themselves while managing resources and surviving a hostile planet.

There are discounts worth checking out, too. Soccer Story is available for $2.99, down 85% from $19.99. Ravenswatch costs $10.49 instead of $29.99, representing a 65% discount. The Alters is also listed at $15.74, down from $34.99.

Remember that NBA 2K27 starts a day later than the other Game Pass titles. The free-play event ends October 18, so you’ll need to jump in before the weekend wraps up. You can also purchase participating games at promotional prices and keep playing after the event.