Microsoft revealed new content for five upcoming Xbox Game Pass titles at the New Game Plus Showcase this week, with Towerborne making the most dramatic shift from free-to-play to premium pricing.
Towerborne, the side-scrolling action RPG from Banner Saga developer Stoic, will launch February 26 as a $24.99 buy-once title after spending over a year in Early Access. The game abandons its original free-to-play, always-online model for permanent ownership with offline play and online co-op.
Stoic CEO Trisha Stouffer confirmed the change in an Xbox Wire post, stating the shift required "deep structural rebuilding over the past year" to transform systems designed for constant connectivity. The 1.0 launch adds a complete story with final showdown, two new bosses, a revamped world map with coastal biome, and reworked difficulty system.
The full release hits PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Game Pass simultaneously. A Deluxe Edition costs $29.99. All cosmetic purchases have been removed, with items now earned through gameplay.
Avowed, Obsidian's 2025 fantasy RPG, receives a free anniversary update February 17 alongside its PlayStation 5 debut. The update adds New Game Plus mode, photo mode, three new playable races (Aumaua, Orlan, Dwarf), and new weapons.
Grounded 2 expands its Early Access with Brookhollow Park in the next major update. Players can ride ladybugs through the community garden area while facing new threats including returning Black Ants, Wasps, and the series-first Cricket enemy that can kick players backward.
DON'T NOD's sci-fi adventure Aphelion, confirmed as a Day One Game Pass title, showcased new gameplay with music recorded using the grand organ of Saint-Eustache Church. The composer Amine Bouhafa's score evolves dynamically with gameplay on the icy planet setting.
Fireshine Games' Denshattack! brings extreme sports mechanics to a dystopian Japan setting, with players performing tricks in subway cars to reclaim railways. The title launches Spring 2026.
The New Game Plus Showcase featured 45 games total over three hours, with Microsoft positioning 2026 as a stronger year for Xbox following a challenging 2025. The company announced an upcoming Xbox Developer Direct later this month focusing on Fable and Forza Horizon 6.
Towerborne's business model reversal reflects growing player preference for complete experiences over live-service monetization. The Banner Saga developer spent a year rebuilding systems to support offline play and remove ongoing purchases.
Early Access players retain progress and earned items but are encouraged to start fresh saves for the redesigned experience. The shift follows community feedback requesting "a complete, polished experience without ongoing monetization mechanics," according to Stoic.
Microsoft's multi-platform approach continues with Avowed's PS5 version, while maintaining Game Pass as the subscription anchor. The simultaneous PC, console, and subscription launches represent the company's current cross-platform strategy.
The February 26 Towerborne launch includes new music from Journey composer Austin Wintory, quality-of-life improvements, and bug fixes. The complete package aims to deliver what Stoic calls "the best version of Towerborne" without live-service grind or pay-to-win systems.
