Microsoft discounts Xbox Game Preview games for ID@Xbox Game Fest

Microsoft is currently celebrating ID@Xbox games with its month-long ID@Xbox Game Fest. Many smaller games are on sale throughout the Xbox Store but Microsoft specifically discounted Xbox Game Preview titles. For those unfamiliar with the program, Xbox Game Preview is like Steam Early Access but before you purchase the game, you can try it. Microsoft also promises that all Xbox Game Preview titles will make it to proper release.

Games like Slime Rancher and Subnautica are currently available for even less than their Xbox Game Preview discounted price. The titles receiving the discounts are as follows:

• Ark: Survival Evolved

Ark: Survival Evolved launched at the end of 2015 and was an immediate success. In the game, you’re dropped on a strange island populated with dinosaurs and other humans. The game is an intense survival experience which is available at a 50% discount. If you really love the game, you can purchase the Scorched Earth expansion which is discounted by 25%.

• Astroneer

The recently-released Astroneer is currently available for 20% less. The game is a lot like Lego Worlds where you go exploring from one planet to the next. You can craft items and gather resources. The longer you play, the more diverse environments you discover. The game is still quite low on content but has a lot of potential. Plus, the developers are aggressively supporting the game ever since it entered Xbox Game Preview.

• The Long Dark

Have you played Kona on Steam? The Long Dark is an intense survival game which takes place in an isolated, frozen setting. You mission is to survive for as long as possible. While the game doesn’t have a single-player campaign as of now, the developers have promised to add one once the game leaves Xbox Game Preview. The Long Dark is currently 30% off.

• Pit People

Pit People is currently 15% off and comes from the creators of popular games like Castle Crashers, Alien Hominid and Battle Block Theater. However, unlike these games, Pit People is quite different. It’s a turn-based co-op adventure which is surprisingly deep given its hysterical aesthetics. The beta garnered tremendous praise from critics and gamers alike a few months ago.

• Rivals of Aether

Rivals of Aether is a fighting game along the lines of Super Smash Bros. It’s absolutely frantic and requires a lot of skill to master. The game revolves around the elements and each character can use abilities like control over wind or earth to vanquish their foes. It’s currently discounted by 50% on Xbox One.

• Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher is an addictive farming game…except you’re farming slimes. Yes, slimes! The cute little critters have to be caught, fed and their byproducts sold to grow your farm and unlock new regions of the rather expansive world. While Slime Rancher may not seem like a game a hardcore player may want to try, it’s a lot of fun and already extremely polished and complete. The fact that it’s currently 33% makes this purchase a no-brainer.

• Subnautica

Last but not least, Subnautica is another survival game but this time it takes place under the ocean instead of a frozen wasteland. Subnautica has massive frame rate issues even after months so take that into account when making the purchase. However, the developers have promised to fix the game once it launches. The game is discounted by 33% as well.

Be sure to check out these intriguing Xbox Game Preview titles on your console if you get the chance. Early Access seems to be the new trend in the gaming industry and even though Microsoft isn’t allowing a wealth of content, the experiences available are second to none.