Xbox Game Pass adds two games next week – including a highly anticipated release
Fans of simulation games can look forward to Farming Simulator 2025, which will join Xbox Game Pass next week. The bigger draw, however, is likely Grounded 2, which enters Early Access on July 29 and will be available through Microsoft’s gaming subscription on the same day. According to SteamDB, the co-op survival game currently ranks 53rd among the most wishlisted titles on Steam.
Grounded 2 - July 29 (PC, Cloud and Xbox Series X|S)
Grounded 2 picks up right where the first game left off. The group of teenagers is still shrunk to the size of ants, but this time the adventure expands beyond the backyard into the vast Brookhollow Park. Players can expect new biomes, hidden research labs and deadly creatures. The goal remains the same: uncover the cause of the shrinking and find a way to return to normal size.
Gameplay-wise, Grounded 2 sticks to the familiar blend of co-op survival and base-building, but everything feels bigger and better. You can now build in new environments, use updated gadgets, interact more with NPCs and explore a deeper, more intricate world. Crafting, foraging and story missions are more tightly integrated into the experience, and solo players will benefit from improved support. That said, Grounded 2 is launching in Early Access, so expect the occasional rough edge.
Farming Simulator 2025 - August 1 (PC, cloud and console)
Farming Simulator 2025 is the latest installment in Giants Software’s long-running farming series. As always, it delivers a realistic farming experience with authentic machinery and a wide variety of activities, including crop cultivation, animal husbandry, forestry and logistics. Whether playing solo or in co-op, players plant, harvest, fertilize and manage their farm through changing seasons.
A range of upgrades sets Farming Simulator 2025 apart from its predecessor. Two new maps are introduced, including one set in Central Europe, along with over 400 authentic machines and tools from more than 150 manufacturers. New additions include rice farming, spinach crops and water buffalo, with Asian-inspired fields making their debut. The game’s engine has been overhauled to deliver enhanced graphics, more realistic lighting and deeper soil mechanics. The helper system is now smarter, and the economic mechanics have been expanded for a more immersive experience.
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