Unexpected Release of Xbox Game Pass Sequel's Earliest Access Version on Xbox and PC platforms
The much-anticipated sequel to the popular downhill extreme sports game, Descenders, titled Descenders Next, has been released. This exciting new instalment promises to build upon its predecessor with a variety of planned features and updates, offering an even more immersive and adrenaline-fueled experience.
Core Gameplay Expansion
Descenders Next introduces snowboarding in addition to mountainboarding, expanding the sports on offer. It already includes as much content as the original game, with full online multiplayer, a wide range of tricks and grinds, and multiple large, diverse biomes to explore.
Integrated Procedural and Hand-Crafted Terrain
Unlike the original, which had separate procedural tracks and hand-crafted parks, Descenders Next combines these elements into a more natural experience. Players will traverse procedural off-piste mountains seamlessly connected to tightly designed parks and scenic vistas, creating a richer riding environment.
Diverse Challenges and Modes
The game includes various gameplay focuses such as fast mountain descents with friends, trick performance and landing precision, and scavenger hunts that encourage thorough mountain exploration and unlock special rewards.
Boss Runs Feature
Responding to fan feedback missing the original’s roguelike challenge, Descenders Next introduces boss runs. After completing enough nodes on the map, players encounter secret boss nodes located in challenging mountain regions. These runs recreate classic Descenders elements with a map to traverse, lives system, medic camps, danger nodes, and fire nodes. Successfully completing these boss jumps unlocks new riding locations, adding adrenaline and challenge to the experience.
Content and Customization
Players earn reputation points to unlock new boards, kits, helmets, goggles, and other customization options for their riders, enhancing personalization.
Soundtrack
The game features a soundtrack from Monstercat, known for drum and bass and electronic music, which adds to the immersive atmosphere of the slopes.
Early Access and Ongoing Development
Descenders Next was released with minimal build-up in early access in July 2025. The developers aim for continual updates over a long term, gradually adding more adrenaline-fueled extreme sports activities beyond the current snowboarding and mountainboarding. Major updates and patches are anticipated, with the first notable update released shortly after launch.
Platform Availability and Xbox Game Pass
The game is out on Steam and Xbox, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with cloud gaming support, providing broad accessibility at launch. Over 30 million players have played Descenders since its release in 2019, and with its addition to Xbox Game Pass in 2020, it tripled its sales and became the eighth most-played title in the program at the time.
In summary, Descenders Next plans to expand upon the original’s appeal by blending procedural and crafted environments, introducing new sports, boss runs for roguelike challenge fans, rich multiplayer and scavenger hunt modes, deep customization, and ongoing content additions through early access and updates. This sequel aims to be a comprehensive extreme sports experience with evolving features over time.
- Microsoft, through its Xbox gaming platform, offers Descenders Next, the sequel to the extreme sports game Descenders, as part of the Xbox Game Pass program, and also on Steam.
- The Xbox Series X and other gadgets, including smartphones, can access Descenders Next, thanks to cross-platform play.
- As part of the release, Descenders Next is available for early access to fans, with continuous updates and new extreme sports activities planned over a long period.
- Descenders Next promises an updated gaming experience with snowboarding to add to the original game’s mountainboarding, alongside a variety of tricks, grinds, and customization options.
- Smartphone users can also stay engaged with the evolution of Descenders Next, as updates are planned for a wide range of devices besides PC and gaming consoles.
- The immersive soundtrack of Descenders Next, produced by Monstercat, showcases electronic and drum and bass music, contributing to the game's exciting and adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.
