XBOX Game Pass remains one of the industry’s most compelling subscription services thanks to its promise of Day One releases, allowing Ultimate members to dive into major first-party launches and select third-party games the moment they launch entirely for free. It’s a core feature that sets Game Pass apart from its competitors, but it now comes at a pivotal moment for XBOX.

Following sweeping layoffs, studio closures, and a major corporate restructuring, Microsoft has signaled a renewed focus on its biggest franchises and long-term profitability while continuing to position Game Pass as a cornerstone of its gaming strategy. Although the restructuring has led to canceled projects and uncertainty surrounding several studios, subscribers continue to receive a steady stream of Day One additions.

One such Day One release just dropped today, Monday, July 13, 2026, and is available to play now for free for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate subscribers (via XBOX Wire).

Ascend to Zero is a brand-new release that XBOX Ultimate Game Pass members can officially play today as a Day One release. It’s a sci-fi action roguelike from Flyway Games that blends fast-paced combat with unique time manipulation mechanics, challenging players to master increasingly difficult encounters through repeated runs.

Described as a “time-bending roguelike,” the game revolves around freezing and manipulating time to gain the upper hand in battle while experimenting with different avatars, weapons, and item combinations to create powerful builds that evolve from one attempt to the next.

The story takes place in the year 2225 after a disastrous experiment with time travel unleashes a mechanical army that devastates humanity. Players assume the role of the “Chrono Child,” (sorry, no relation to Chrono Trigger) humanity’s last hope, who is sent through time after an attack on the Time Lab leaves civilization in ruins.

Stranded in a broken future with fragmented memories, she must journey across time, defeat the invading machines, and rewrite history before the apocalypse becomes inevitable. Available on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Xbox Cloud, the game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere and launches today as a Day One title on Xbox Game Pass.

Number of Devices Concurrently

Standard subscription plan allows two accounts playing at once, with four accounts playing at once on Friends & Family plan

Highest Resolution

1440p streaming

Number of Accounts

~35 million subscribers

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, PC, ROG Xbox Ally, Android, iOS, Samsung & LG TVs, Meta Quest, Web Browser