Those who are signed up for the Ultimate tier of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service have three free games in total that they can claim for their digital libraries this month. Xbox gamers have a number of different subscriptions to choose from. The Xbox Game Pass service is generally considered a "must" for anyone that games on Xbox consoles regularly, with those that really want to get the most of their subscription signing up for the Ultimate tier.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is really a no-brainer for Xbox gamers as it folds Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold together into a single service. This means that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get access to all the games that are available through Game Pass, plus online multiplayer, exclusive deals, and of course, the monthly free Games with Gold games. Since the focus is always on the games that are a part of the Game Pass library, though, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can be forgiven if they didn't even realize that they can snag the free Games with Gold games as well.
As a result of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offering the same benefits as Xbox Live Gold, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have three free games that they can claim in the month of July 2023. One of these is a leftover of the June 2023 free Games with Gold games, The Vale: Shadow of the Crown. It will be available to claim until July 15. Subscribers also have Darkwood to claim between now and July 31, while When the Past Was Around is up for grabs starting July 16 and until August 15.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Free Games This Month
- The Vale: Shadow of the Crown (until July 15)
- Darkwood (July 1 - July 31)
- When the Past Was Around (July 16 - August 15)
For those unfamiliar with the free games that are currently available to claim, The Vale: Shadow of the Crown first launched in 2021 to mostly positive reviews. It's an "audio only" fantasy RPG, making it one of the more unique games in the lineup.
Darkwood, meanwhile, also earned mostly positive reviews from critics. An intense survival-horror game with permadeath, Darkwood's grisly world has been turning heads for years. Being able to play it for free is definitely a steal, so horror fans signed up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate should be sure to claim it while they can.
And finally, When the Past Was Around rounds out what is overall a very solid month for the Xbox free Games with Gold program. It's a narrative-driven puzzler that should make for another solid game for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers to try this month.