Xbox Game Pass is arguably one of the best deals in the gaming industry. For about $10 a month ($15 if you purchase the Ultimate plan that comes with Xbox Live Gold), Game Pass offers access to a Netflix-size library of video games. While some of those games will inevitably leave as monthly library rotations occur, many more are always waiting to take their place. You never know what new craving you might find thanks to Xbox Game Pass. That’s actually part of the reason that some Game Pass titles, like Naraka: Bladepoint, are getting a little more attention than they may otherwise receive.
For those who have never heard of the game, Naraka: Bladepoint is essentially a cross between a battle royale and a hero shooter. As is pretty much standard in the battle royale genre, each match consists of 60 players dropping onto an expansive map and fighting each other while trying to stay inside of an ever-shrinking safe zone. Unlike other battle royales, though, Naraka: Bladepoint is built around a surprisingly elaborate melee combat system. Instead of scouring the map for guns, players need to cobble together a collection of swords and utility items in order to survive. Combat is fluid, frantic, and most important of all, challenging. Even better, Naraka allows players to choose from a small pool of characters, each with their own abilities.
On June 21, the official Xbox news website announced the latest lineup of titles that would launch on the Xbox Game Pass, which is probably around the time that most people first heard about Naraka: Bladepoint. However, the truth of the matter is that Naraka: Bladepoint has been slowly building quite a following ever since the game debuted on PC last year. While there are clearly quite a few Xbox gamers that are excited to discover what all the hype is about for themselves, many of those same gamers are currently confused about when Naraka will actually be released via Game Pass.
What we can tell you for sure is that Naraka: Bladepoint will be released on Game Pass on June 23. The confusion about the battle royale’s Game Pass debut seems to be related to its specific release time. While most people and outlets assume Naraka: Bladepoint will launch at midnight in their time zone, most of the information we’ve found suggested that it will actually launch at 3 am on June 23 in whatever time zone you’re in. Our own US-based Game Pass apps indicate that the game will be available at that time, and users in the UK and elsewhere have reported seeing a similar expected launch time relative to their respective time zones. So while it seems like the game should be ready to go sometime early in the morning, the good news is that you can pre-load the game via Game Pass. That being the case, your best bet is to install the game now and check on it when you wake up on the 23rd. It should be ready to go at that time.
On its own, Naraka: Bladepoint’s insertion into the Xbox Game Pass library would be noteworthy enough, but that is only the beginning. This launch will coincide with the introduction of a new weapon type: Dual Blades. Plus, players can soon expect an all-new campaign mode that lets teams of three take on AI-controlled enemies and bosses.
Unfortunately, even though Game Pass subscribers will get to play Naraka: Bladepoint as part of their membership plan, they won’t receive the full package. The game will also launch with paid DLC such as extra characters, weapon skins, and even loot boxes. One piece of DLC, the Awakening Bundle, is even exclusive to the Xbox version since it will include Xbox-themed headwear.
That’s basically all you need to know about Naraka: Bladepoint’s impending Xbox Game Pass launch. But, if you would rather own the game outright, you can purchase it in $20, $35, and $50 editions, each with incrementally more add-ons and DLC.