Xbox Free Play Days is back from April 23–26, offering four games for Xbox Game Pass subscribers at no additional cost. The highlight of this weekend event is the newly released MLB The Show 26. This promotion allows players to try out games for free before deciding to buy.
Alongside MLB The Show 26, players can dive into Age of Mythology: Retold, a revamped version of the classic 2002 RTS by Forgotten Empires. The game currently boasts an 89% positive rating on Steam with nearly 11,000 reviews, making it one of the most appealing titles in recent Free Play Days. It’s priced at $29.99 on Steam.
Since its launch, Age of Mythology: Retold has attracted a consistent player base, with 3,701 concurrent players reported this week. That’s impressive for a strategy game outside a major update cycle. It shows the game has managed to retain players rather than just experience a temporary surge.
The timing of this event is interesting. Windows Report notes that the Free Play Days span Thursday to Sunday, maximizing Microsoft’s weekend visibility. Age of Mythology: Retold also enters the spotlight amid some community tension. The game recently released paid DLC, which sparked pushback from fans who felt the content should have been part of the base game.
Historically, Free Play Days serve two purposes: boosting Game Pass subscriptions and encouraging purchases for games nearing the end of their commercial life. Including a title facing DLC backlash is a bold move—it could either mend relationships with players or intensify criticism, depending on how newcomers perceive the current content. Microsoft hasn’t shared its criteria for this week’s game selection.
| Free Play Days Window | April 23–26, 2025 |
| Games in Promotion | 4 |
| Age of Mythology: Retold — Steam Score | 89% positive |
| Age of Mythology: Retold — Steam Reviews | 10,974 |
| Age of Mythology: Retold — Current Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Age of Mythology: Retold — Current Players | 3,701 |
Despite the DLC controversy, the community’s response to Age of Mythology: Retold is generally positive. One Steam reviewer, who has spent considerable time with the game, described it as “one of the best remasters I know of,” while another stated it’s “even better than it was back then — if you like Age of Empires-style games or RTS in general, you can’t go wrong with this.” This goodwill gives Free Play Days a solid chance to convert trial players into buyers.
What To Watch
- Watch to see if Age of Mythology: Retold experiences a noticeable increase in player count during the April 23–26 period. A strong bump would confirm Free Play Days’ role as a genuine discovery tool for older strategy titles.
- Keep an eye on how MLB The Show 26’s Free Play Days results affect Sony’s cross-platform publishing strategy, considering the franchise’s unique status as a PlayStation Studios title on Xbox.
- Monitor if Microsoft responds to the paid DLC backlash regarding Age of Mythology: Retold, especially if new player reviews lean negative on the content value during or after this promotional period.
Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb covers esports, competitive gaming, and community stories for Explosion.com. A former semi-professional Counter-Strike player, Marcus transitioned to journalism 5 years ago and has since covered major tournaments including The International, League of Legends Worlds, and the Valorant Champions Tour. He brings a player's perspective to competitive gaming coverage and is known for his data-driven analysis of player performance and meta shifts.
