October 2026 arrives with one of the most stacked Game Pass lineups in recent memory—and, frustratingly, a wave of departures that will sting just as much. Microsoft may have been a few hours late publishing the list, but the wait was worth it: ten games join Ultimate, seven of them arrive on day one, and two more bolster the Premium tier. Essential subscribers, however, get nothing new this month. So what exactly is worth clearing your schedule for?
The Day-One Standouts
The headline act is undoubtedly Valor Mortis, a first-person action soulslike from the creators of Ghostrunner. Launching October 13 on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC, it casts players as a fallen soldier of Napoleon's army who rises from death wielding supernatural powers against horrifying monsters. The premise—unraveling a conspiracy that threatens all of humanity—sounds like a grim, stylish twist on the genre. Could this be the sleeper hit of the season?
Joining it on October 13 is Deep Dish Dungeon, a survival exploration game blending metroidvania and crafting elements across a hand-crafted, puzzly dungeon. Solo or online co-op, it invites players to unravel enigmas in the depths. Meanwhile, October 15 brings Chained Beasts, a 1–4 player co-op gladiator roguelike where you literally chain yourself to friends and use those chains—or the arena itself—to creatively batter foes and win over a bloodthirsty crowd. Physical and mental injuries are part of the bargain.
For families, Bluey's Happy Snaps lands October 15 as a photo-powered adventure across familiar spots from the show, playable solo or with a second player. And PC players get a curious day-one treat on October 16: a city-builder set on the back of a Space Whale, complete with intricate supply chains, alien encounters, and cosmic mysteries.
The Time-Bending and the Heartfelt
October 8 delivers a double dose of day-one creativity. First, a knowledge-based metroidvania where time is your greatest resource and secrets are your only upgrades. As the last Weaver, players exploit time-altering anomalies and use what they learn to break an unraveling loop. Then there's a single-player road trip adventure following Alfred on a journey north for redemption—capturing memories with a camera, meeting characters, and making friends. It's a quieter counterpoint to the month's blood-soaked offerings.
Returning and Available Now
Already available are Shape of Dreams, a fast-paced top-down roguelite with chaotic projectile battles and up to four-player co-op (plus its Starless Path anniversary update), and Minecraft Dungeons II, which sends players into the Sift for uncharted lands and unfamiliar threats. Gears of War: E-Day is also live, offering a gripping origin story set 14 years before the original, as Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago face the first Locust eruption. On October 8, Neon Abyss 2 brings pixelated cyberpunk roguelike action to Cloud, Series X|S, and PC. Battlefield 6 arrives October 13 for EA Play members and Ultimate subscribers, complete with deployment packs and seasonal rewards. And Asphalt Legends is available today across all tiers.
The Departures That Hurt
Here's the bittersweet part: nine games leave the service on October 15, and the list is brutal. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—one of the most acclaimed RPGs of the generation—departs alongside A Plague Tale: Requiem, Evil West, Pacific Drive, Donut County, Crime Scene Cleaner, The Casting of Frank Stone, Superball, and Nova Roma (Game Preview). If any of those have been sitting in your backlog, the clock is ticking loudly.
| Date | Game | Platforms | Tier Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 8 | Neon Abyss 2 | Cloud, Series X|S, PC | — |
| Oct 8 | Time-loop Metroidvania | Cloud, Series X|S, PC | Day One |
| Oct 8 | Alfred's Road Trip | Cloud, Console, PC | Day One |
| Oct 13 | Battlefield 6 | Cloud, Series X|S, PC | EA Play/Ultimate |
| Oct 13 | Deep Dish Dungeon | Cloud, Series X|S, PC | Day One |
| Oct 13 | Valor Mortis | Cloud, Series X|S, Handheld, PC | Day One |
| Oct 15 | Bluey's Happy Snaps | Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC | Day One |
| Oct 15 | Chained Beasts | Cloud, Series X|S, PC | Day One |
| Oct 16 | Space Whale City Builder | PC | Day One |
Final Thoughts
October 2026 is a month of contrasts. On one side, a generous helping of day-one launches spanning soulslike action, co-op chaos, family-friendly photography, and genre-bending city-building. On the other, the loss of Expedition 33 and several cult favorites. Is it worth resubscribing just for Valor Mortis and Chained Beasts? For many, the answer will be a quiet, immediate yes. 🎮
0 Comments