In one way you could say that Xbox Game Pass went out with a bang for all of the folks that canceled their subscriptions due to the price increase initiated by Microsoft last week that put day one access to the likes of this month’s releases such as Ninja Gaiden 4 and Double Fine’s Keeper behind an even higher paywall of $30 a month in the United States, (and it may cost even more in other countries,) beginning on November 4. So, at least there’s a lot to look forward to if October happens to be your final month on the day one tier of the service.
After its surprise announcement at the January 2025 Developer Direct Ninja Gaiden 4 is a direct sequel to Ninja Gaiden 3 and Developed by Team Ninja in conjunction with PlatinumGames, it sees the return of main protagonist Ryu Hayabusa along with a second playable character Yakumo. The game brings the usual style and substance of hack n slash gameplay, brutal boss fights with the customary difficulty and flair.
The game is set in a Cyberpunky world overrun by the Dark Dragon and the dual heroes must run through the Underworld to figure out what’s happening. There’s a lot excitement around the return of the franchise to big time 3D title on console and PC for the first time since 2012. Thankfully, the wait won’t be much longer as it releases on October 21.
Keeper is the latest title from Double Fine Productions and Lee Petty. Playing as a literal walking Lighthouse and accompanied by a Bird in a worldless tale about the power of friendship. Double Fine’s games always have this fantastical world that you want to explore and Keeper offers this in spades. Anyone intrigued by what they’ll find on this adventure can check it out when it releases on October 17.
Ninja Gaiden 4, Keeper, Ball X Pit & More Coming Between October 8-21 to Xbox Game Pass
Here’s the full list of what’s coming in the first wave of October 2025…
- Supermarket Simulator (October 8 for PC, Cloud & Console) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions (October 9 for PC, Already on Console & Cloud) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- The Casting of Frank Stone (October 14 for PC, Cloud, & Xbox Series X|S) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- Ball X Pit (October 15 for PC, Cloud & Console) (Available on PC Game Pass & Ultimate Only)
- The Grinch: Christmas Adventures (October 15 for PC, Cloud & Console) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (October 15 for PC, Cloud & Console) (Now on Game Pass Premium)
- He is Coming (October 15 For PC Only) (Now on Game Pass Premium)
- Eternal Strands (October 15 for PC, Cloud & Console) (Now on Game Pass Premium)
- Pax Dei (October 16 For PC Only) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- Keeper (October 17 for PC, Cloud, & Xbox Series X|S) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- Ninja Gaiden 4 (October 21 for PC, Cloud, & Xbox Series X|S) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
- Evil West (October 21 for PC, Cloud & Console) (Available on PC Game Pass, Ultimate & Premium)
Source: Xbox Wire
