Xbox players can now download a major game scheduled for 2026 for free, without needing an Xbox Game Pass subscription. A rare opportunity, when the majority of free content offered by Microsoft generally remains reserved for subscribers.
Available on Xbox Series
An unexpected spin-off of a 2022 hit
The game concerned is Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors, more simply called Vampire Crawlers. Unlike the roguelite shoot’em up that made Vampire Survivors successful in 2022, this new project takes a radically different direction. It is a turn-based deck-building game incorporating roguelite elements.
The principle is based on leveling up to unlock new cards, then on optimizing your deck in order to chain fights efficiently. The objective is to combine the right cards to trigger powerful combos and progress against ever more formidable opponents.
Despite this change in gameplay, the universe remains familiar. Players will encounter iconic environments, monsters, skills and weapons from Vampire Survivors.
A free demo accessible to all
The Vampire Crawlers demo is free to download via the Microsoft Store. No Xbox Game Pass subscription is required to access it, making it available to all Xbox and PC players. This trial version offers a condensed overview of the final content, allowing you to test deckbuilding mechanics, roguelite progression and the general atmosphere of the title. With a weight of around 1 GB, downloading remains light and fast, even for modest connections.
A 2026 release already confirmed in Game Pass
The full version of Vampire Crawlers is planned for 2026, although no specific date has been announced yet. What is already confirmed, however, is its integration into Xbox Game Pass from the day of its release. The game will be available as a day-one for subscribers. This strategy is part of a broader dynamic by Microsoft aimed at strengthening the number of major releases immediately integrated into the Game Pass catalog.
An example of the Xbox strategy for 2026
Day-one releases on Xbox Game Pass should continue to increase in 2026, after the reorganization of the service carried out last year. Vampire Crawlers perfectly illustrates this approach: offering a free demo accessible to all to generate interest, before integrating the final version into Game Pass upon launch. For Xbox gamers, this means more accessible experiences, with or without a subscription. While waiting for its official release, the free demo already allows you to get an idea of this ambitious spin-off.