By The wait is over — Descenders Next is finally here!
- penned by Fraser Gilbert
Several months back, we reported that Descenders Next ran into a last-second postponement right before its intended Xbox Game Pass landing; today, it resurfaced as an unannounced shadow drop — meaning you can start playing immediately!
The publishing team says Oblivion Remastered’s surprise launch last month encouraged them to let riders shred on 21st July, and they’re revealing everything live over on a Descenders Day stream on YouTube.
If you’ve missed the pre-release chatter, Descenders Next bills itself as “the definitive extreme-sports experience,” tasking you with dominating peaks on either a snowboard or mountainboard while tackling sprawling lists of objectives, unlocking nodes, and scoring fresh gear.
The new release is the successor to 2019’s two-wheeled phenomenon Descenders — a title that’s soared in popularity on Xbox Game Pass since launch, eventually earning an “Overwhelmingly Positive” score on Steam. Not only is the sequel debuting, but the original game is also receiving its most substantial update to date, rolled out alongside today’s hype train.
Before you rush off to carve digital powder on Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, and Windows PC, be aware that Descenders Next launches in “Game Preview” status — essentially early access that will expand and polish significantly over the coming couple of years. The additional intel on today’s stealth Game Pass addition waits just below.
Descenders Next (July 21)
It’s time to dominate extreme sports. This is Descenders Next. Strap on a snowboard and shred steep winswept slopes, or blaze rugged green trails with your mountainboard! Looking for squad goals? Team up with your pals and riders across the globe to tackle courses together! The mountain is summoning — will you answer its call?
Eager to dive into this day-one surprise addition to Xbox Game Pass? Share your excitement in the comments below.
Fraser serves as Pure Xbox’s News Editor, spending his days chasing the largest stories in Xbox land and farther afield.