Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds Day-One Sequel to Critically Acclaimed Game

Summary

Xbox Game Pass Ultimatemembers can start playingLonely Mountains: Snow Ridersas part of their subscription starting today, January 21. This day-one addition to Microsoft’s service is the fifth title to reachXbox Game Pass Ultimatein January 2025.

Two and a half months afterLonely Mountains: Downhillleft Xbox Game Pass, its sequel is now here to take its place. As has been the case with all day-one releases on the service since summer 2024,Lonely Mountains: Snow Ridersis only available to PC Game Pass and Ultimate-tier members. The off-road racing game can also be streamed via Xbox Cloud Gaming, an exclusive perk of XGP Ultimate.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Snow Ridersshares a similar concept with its predecessor, challenging players to descend a mountain with both speed and style. But instead of doing so on a bike, players are now expected to control a skier. Navigating rough terrain and flying off cliffs is still an inherent part of the gameplay experience, withLonely Mountains: Snow Ridersrewarding quick reflexes and bravery. As was the case withLonely Mountains: Downhill, completing challenges inSnow Ridersunlocks new gear and locations.

Standard

Console

Day-one release; exact release date TBA.

When Will Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Reach Xbox Game Pass Standard?

Back when itannounced Xbox Game Pass Standardin July 2024, Microsoft said that the new budget tier of its service may receive XGP Ultimate’s day-one titles after a delay of six to 12 months. And while the company noted that the exact release timings will vary on a case-by-case basis, it has mostly stuck to that original promise ever since. Therefore, it’s possible thatLonely Mountains: Snow Riderswill find its way to the XGP Standard library as early as July 2025.

In the meantime, several new titles are coming to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate before the end of the month. The first of those areStarboundandGigantic: Rampage Edition, both of which are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, January 22. They will be followed byEternal StrandsandOrcs Must Die! Deathtrapon January 28.Shady Part of Meis then slated to reach the service a day later.Xbox Game Pass is also losing half a dozen titles on January 31, includingAnuchard,Darkest Dungeon, andSerious Sam: Siberian Mayhem. More Xbox Game Pass news may surface on January 23, when Microsoft’s third-ever Xbox Developer Direct is taking place.