Over 200 Hours of Survival Gameplay Arrives on Xbox Game Pass

Key Takeaways

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The Long Dark, a survival game developed by Hinterland Studio, has returned to Xbox Game Pass on March 30, 2026, and is now available for all membership tiers except the basic Essential plan.
The game can be played across PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, offering an immersive experience in a vast, desolate region of frozen Canada after a geomagnetic disaster.
Hinterland Studio is set to release Episode 5, The Light at the End of All Things, the final chapter in Wintermute, on March 31, 2026, and is currently discussing a potential sequel, Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2.
The game offers significant longevity with its numerous secondary activities and survival challenges, boasting an 89% approval rating on Steam and over five million copies sold since its release in 2017.

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The Long Dark has returned to Xbox Game Pass. On March 30, 2026, Microsoft added the survival game to its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC libraries, allowing subscribers to explore its frozen wilderness on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Developed by Hinterland Studio and originally released in 2017, The Long Dark helped establish the survival genre. The game challenges players to survive in a vast, desolate region of frozen Canada after a geomagnetic disaster, blending survival mechanics with an episodic narrative campaign called Wintermute. While the main story can be completed in around 20 hours, the game’s scale unfolds as players explore its numerous secondary activities and survival challenges. The community has praised this longevity, with the title boasting an 89% approval rating on Steam and over five million copies sold since its release. The return to Xbox Game Pass comes as Hinterland Studio prepares to release the sixth episode of the main story. The studio is also in discussions regarding a sequel, Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, potentially launching through early access this year.

The Long Dark Returns to Xbox Game Pass with Discount – Final Chapter Arrives March 31

Hinterland Studio will release Episode 5, “The Light at the End of All Things,” the final chapter in Wintermute, on March 31, 2026, at 10 AM PT, 1 PM ET, 5 PM GMT. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers can also access the game with current discounts. Until April 9, 2026, it is 90% off on Steam and 66% off on PlayStation. The Long Dark is now available on Xbox Game Pass for all membership tiers except the basic Essential plan. With Xbox Cloud Gaming, it can also be played on supported devices. The game currently has a 4.4-star rating on the Xbox Store and an 89% positive review rating on Steam. In other Xbox Game Pass news for March 2026, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard arrives on March 31, while Peppa Pig: World Adventures and Mad Streets will depart the same day. Once added, The Long Dark typically remains available for about a year. Subscribers to Microsoft’s service can also purchase the game with a 20% discount for a limited time.

In Case You Missed It

As we dive into March’s gaming extravaganza, don’t miss Sophie Laurent’s insightful roundup, “Big Video Game Releases from March 23 to 31”, published on March 22nd. She guides us through the final stretch of the month, highlighting not-to-be-missed titles like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Life is Strange: Reunion, and Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, ensuring your gaming queue stays bustling! Big Video Game Releases from March 23 to 31 In other gaming news, Sophie has just dropped a heavyweight list of games joining the Game Pass roster in late March and early April. From critically acclaimed Disco Elysium to nostalgic Final Fantasy IV, there’s something for everyone. Check out her latest post ‘Your Game Pass Just Got a Lot Better: See the Heavyweight New Games for the End of March’ Your Game Pass Just Got a Lot Better: See the Heavyweight New Games for the End of March to see what games you’ll be adding to your playlist! While we’re on the subject of gaming goodness, have you heard about Sophie’s latest post over at Players for Life? Published just last week, ‘New Arrivals on Xbox Game Pass: Disco Elysium, Resident Evil 7, and More’ New Arrivals on Xbox Game Pass: Disco Elysium, Resident Evil 7, and More gives you the lowdown on some fantastic new additions to Xbox Game Pass this month, including ‘Dreamworks A Magical Gabby: Party Ready’ and ‘Final Fantasy IV’, there’s plenty to get excited about!

Specification
Official Name	Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2
Brief Summary	A year after the Aurora’s appearance & the world went dark, the people of Harmont & its vast wild environs struggle to survive the Quiet Apocalypse. Survive alone or with others against a host of new hazards & a fresh new survival sandbox from a pioneer of the genre. Live together. Die alone.
Platforms	PC (Microsoft Windows)
Genre	Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Play Modes	Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Genre	Hinterland Studio Inc.
Genre	Hinterland Studio Inc.