XBOX is back with another Free Play Days weekend, and this one includes a big bonus for players without Game Pass. Sea of Thieves is free for all XBOX members to play on XBOX and PC from September 17 through September 20, while Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is free for eligible XBOX Game Pass members over the same period.
It is a solid mix for anyone looking for a new multiplayer game this weekend. Players can either build a pirate crew in Sea of Thieves or head into the jungle for large-scale Vietnam War combat in Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.
If you want to see what XBOX offered last week, check out our coverage of XBOX Free Play Days with NBA 2K26, Ghost Recon games, Wax Heads, and more.
Sea of Thieves is free for all XBOX players
The headline game this weekend is Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition. Unlike the Game Pass-restricted part of the Free Play Days promotion, this one is open to all XBOX members. You do not need XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential to download and play during the event.
Players can jump into Rare’s shared-world pirate adventure alone or with a crew. The game lets you sail across the open sea, chase buried treasure, battle rival pirate crews, take down skeleton ships, and fight massive sea monsters.
The free weekend also gives players a good chance to check out the game’s latest content. XBOX says Sea of Thieves Season 20 introduces Custom Seas, which gives players tools to build their own unique game modes and challenges for friends and content creation. The update also changes the game’s seasonal reward setup to make progression more consistent and easier to understand.
Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition normally costs $39.99, but it is currently discounted to $13.99 in the XBOX Store. Any achievements, Gamerscore, and game progress earned during the Free Play Days event will carry over if you decide to buy it.
This is not the first time Sea of Thieves has appeared in an XBOX Free Play Days promotion. Earlier this year, it was included alongside Hell Let Loose, Trailmakers, and several other games. You can read more in our previous Sea of Thieves XBOX Free Play Days coverage.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is free with XBOX Game Pass
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is also available to play from September 17 through September 20, but there is one requirement: you need an active XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential membership.
The tactical multiplayer shooter takes the Hell Let Loose formula away from World War II and into the Vietnam War. Players fight across thick jungles, mountain gorges, and waterways as North Vietnamese forces clash with the US military.
The game focuses heavily on squad coordination and large-scale objectives. You can use historically accurate weapons, construct tunnel networks, fly helicopters, operate patrol boats, and work with teammates to take control of the battlefield.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is optimized for XBOX Series X|S and supports XBOX Play Anywhere. It normally costs $39.99, but XBOX currently lists the game at $35.99 for a limited time.
The game was also recently featured in the September XBOX Indie Selects lineup, alongside titles including Dispatch, CULTIC, Duskfade, The King Is Watching, and more. You can catch up on the latest releases through our XBOX and gaming news section.
How to download XBOX Free Play Days games
To install either game, head to its individual page on XBOX.com or open the XBOX Store on your console.
On XBOX One or XBOX Series X|S, follow these steps:
- Open the XBOX Store.
- Select the Subscriptions tab.
- Scroll to the Free Play Days collection.
- Select Sea of Thieves or Hell Let Loose: Vietnam.
- Install the game and start playing.
You must be signed into the Microsoft account connected to your XBOX Game Pass subscription to install Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Sea of Thieves does not require Game Pass during this event.
As with other Free Play Days events, the promotion is only available for a limited time. XBOX says the games are free to play through Sunday, September 20, and regional availability or discounts may vary.
For more weekend gaming deals, keep an eye on our latest XBOX Free Play Days coverage and the rest of the latest Microsoft news on MSFT News Now.
XBOX Free Play Days lineup: September 17–20
| Game | Who can play? | Platforms | Current XBOX Store price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition | All XBOX members — no Game Pass required | XBOX and PC | $13.99, down from $39.99 |
| Hell Let Loose: Vietnam | XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members | XBOX Series X | S and PC |
Discover more from Microsoft News Now
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.