Ethan Crossfield 
Xbox’s latest Free Play Days promotion gives players a short window to try two very different multiplayer games at no cost. Sea of Thieves is available to all Xbox players, while Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is reserved for Xbox Game Pass members. Both offers run through Sunday, September 20, giving players the weekend to sample a pirate sandbox and a large-scale tactical shooter.
What happened
Free Play Days temporarily unlocks selected paid games through the Xbox Store’s subscriptions tab. Players can find the promotion by opening the store, selecting the subscriptions section, and scrolling to Free Play Days. The access period ends on September 20, after which the games will no longer be playable through the promotion unless purchased or accessed through an eligible subscription.
Sea of Thieves is the promotion’s Free for All title, so an Xbox Game Pass membership is not required for the trial. Rare’s open-world action-adventure game centers on sailing, treasure hunts, island exploration, enemy encounters, and battles against rival crews. Cooperation is central to managing ships and completing voyages, while character and vessel customization provide longer-term progression. The game is also temporarily discounted to $13.99.
The second title, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, is free for Xbox Game Pass members. Developed by Expression Games and published by Team17, it launched on August 13, 2026. Its battles place 50-player teams against each other across large jungle maps, with roles covering infantry, reconnaissance, armor, mortars, and helicopters. The North Vietnamese Army can construct tunnel networks, while US forces use helicopters for movement, support, and supply drops. It is temporarily discounted to $35.99.
Why it matters
The pairing gives Xbox players two distinct ways to test multiplayer gameplay before spending money. Sea of Thieves is built around shared ship management, exploration, and a mix of player-versus-environment and player-versus-player encounters. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam instead emphasizes coordinated combat, specialized roles, and battlefield positioning on a much larger tactical scale.
That contrast makes the promotion useful for players deciding where to invest their time, particularly those who have not previously tried either game. Sea of Thieves can serve as an accessible entry point for cooperative sessions, while Hell Let Loose: Vietnam targets players looking for historically themed, team-focused PvP. Both games are also available for free on PC during the stated window, according to the source information.
What to watch next
The immediate deadline is September 20, so players should not treat the offer as a permanent addition to their libraries. Progression and interest built during the trial may provide a reason to consider the temporary discounts, but access ends when the Free Play Days period expires unless the game is purchased or otherwise available through the relevant subscription.
The promotion also highlights two different stages of a game’s lifecycle. Sea of Thieves, released in 2018, is an established multiplayer sandbox with a broad identity built around crews and voyages. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is the newer release, arriving in 2026 with a focused tactical premise. Comparing the two during the same weekend offers a quick look at both a long-running multiplayer format and a recent military shooter.
Key details for players
- Sea of Thieves is free for all Xbox players through September 20.
- Hell Let Loose: Vietnam requires an Xbox Game Pass subscription during the promotion.
- Both games can be accessed through the Xbox Store’s subscriptions tab under Free Play Days.
- Sea of Thieves is discounted to $13.99, while Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is discounted to $35.99 for a limited time.
Free Play Days comparison
| Game | Access | Genre | Developer | Temporary price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea of Thieves | Free for all | Action-adventure sandbox | Rare | $13.99 |
| Hell Let Loose: Vietnam | Xbox Game Pass required | Large-scale tactical PvP shooter | Expression Games | $35.99 |
Expert View
This is a well-balanced Free Play Days lineup because the games appeal to different multiplayer audiences rather than competing for the same players. Sea of Thieves offers the broader cooperative hook, while Hell Let Loose: Vietnam gives Game Pass members a timely opportunity to assess a new 2026 release before buying it. The short access window creates urgency, but the discounts give interested players a clear next step.
