At last, the much-anticipated follow-up to a highly successful game available on Xbox Game Pass has unexpectedly appeared on Monday mornings, and can now be played on both Xbox and PC platforms. This new version is accessible through the Xbox PC app as well as Valve’s gaming platform for personal computers, Steam.
The game in question that often receives applause is Descenders – a sports game focused on downhill racing, released in 2019 and significantly boosted by Game Pass. Its latest installment, Descenders Next, is an extensive project from developers RageSquid and publishers No More Robots. Originally slated for launch on April 9 this year, the release has been postponed indefinitely to incorporate modifications based on playtest feedback.
Similarly to its predecessor, Descenders Next is now accessible through Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview, with RageSquid aiming to refine it into a full-fledged version (1.0) over the next two years. At present, it’s playable on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Xbox PC app, and Steam. However, it is also planned for release on Sony’s PS5 and PS4 consoles at some point down the line.
On the Steam page for the sequel, the studio expressed that Early Access was an exceptional method for us to develop Descenders collaboratively with our community, molding the game together. Although Descenders Next is currently in a stable state, we are brimming with ideas and aspirations. We can hardly wait to embark on this journey with you, and we can’t conceive of a more suitable approach to shape the game than Early Access!
Instead of focusing on biking, the game Descenders Next primarily concentrates on boarding sports. Upon launch, you’ll find both snowboarding and mountainboarding to explore, practice, and excel in. Four distinct biomes are included for its randomly generated open-world maps, showcasing “untouched mountain slopes that interconnect into tight, winding parks, and breathtaking vistas.
Gradually, the creators intend to incorporate fresh environmental settings, multiple player interactions, and modifying options that are officially endorsed, along with additional sports – such as skiing (which I’m particularly excited about). Moreover, a wealth of customization possibilities will be introduced, enabling players to tailor their Descender and incentives to strive for during gameplay.
Unlike most Early Access games, Descenders Next won’t go up in price from its current $29.99 once it’s fully released. Plus, the developers are committed to making improvements based on player feedback, so they encourage fans to share their thoughts about the game through the official Descenders Discord server, forums, and platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Descenders, a highly praised downhill racing game, is renowned for its exceptional controls, realistic physics, and high-quality procedurally generated maps and courses. Critics and gamers alike have showered it with praise. In 2020, its addition to Xbox Game Pass resulted in triple the sales, making it the eighth most-played game in the service at that time. RageSquid reports that since 2019, over 30 million players have given it a try.
As a researcher delving into the gaming world, I must express my anticipation towards Descenders Next is sky-high. The dedicated team behind this project has shown an unwavering commitment to crafting “the ultimate extreme sports game,” and I am confident they will not only meet but surpass these expectations. Although I’m primarily focused on genres outside of sports/racing, the allure of Descenders Next compels me to give it a spin, if just for a brief while.
At last, it’s wonderful to find the game available in Early Access, adding a splash of excitement to an otherwise gloomy “If only it were still the weekend” Monday. You can dive right in with PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate; the latter offers playability on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Alternatively, you can purchase it directly from Xbox, the Xbox PC app, or Steam for $29.99.
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2025-07-21 19:09