Terror and puzzles highlight July 2023’s Xbox Games with Gold

Microsoft has rolled over into a new month of freebies for Xbox Live subscribers, with Darkwood and When the Past was Around.

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The Xbox is such an interesting platform where goes the world of ‘free’ games, isn’t it? On the one hand, you have Game Pass. While that service definitely isn’t free, it delivers a massive pile of games for subscribers to play on a monthly basis, including brand new titles that hit for it day-and-date with retail. And then on the flip side, you have Games with Gold.

We haven’t reported on these drops in a few months, mainly because they’re pretty boring. Free games are good no matter what, and we’re not saying they’re not. But even so, it’s tough to get excited for what the Xbox has served up in the GwG arena. Because while it used to be a hotbed of cool stuff to add to your digital library, it’s now… well it’s now the likes of Darkwood and When the Past Was Around.

Not that we’re knocking those games, but ‘big name’ they’re not, and they saw release in 2019 and 2020, respectively. So, you know.

Darkwood

Roam by day, survive the night. Darkwood is a different type of survival horror game that builds tension through slow-burn atmosphere without relying on jump scares. While the sun is out, explore an open world of the corrupted woods to scavenge weapons and materials. Once the sun dips, you’ll need to hole up surrounded by whatever traps and barriers you can build and pray you can hide from or fight the creatures that emerge in the dark. Good luck making it through the night with your body and mind intact.

Xbox Newswire

When the Past was Around

Discover the touching and bittersweet love story of Eda and Owl. Unlock the puzzles in a beautifully rendered point and click adventure with hand-drawn art and a magical score that will stick with you for days. This is a calming, meditative game that reflects on love and loss in a surreal world made up of disjointed rooms from memory and time.

Xbox Newswire

Free is still free, so if you’re a subscriber and want to grab either or both of the above, head over to your console and hit that button. Both games should be up for grabs right now.

Source: Xbox Newswire