The Ascent releases on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass on July 29

The Ascent Hero
The Ascent Hero (Image credit: Curve Digital)

What you need to know

  • The Ascent is a gorgeous isometric RPG from studio Neon Giant and publisher Curve Digital.
  • The game is planned to launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Game Pass simultaneously.
  • Today, it was revealed that The Ascent is officially launching for Xbox and PC on July 29, 2021.
  • We recently previewed The Ascent, and it's set to be "one of the best independently released games of 2021."

The Ascent may not grab headlines like larger "AAA" games, but it's still an incredibly exciting isometric RPG that could scratch a big itch for lots of players. We previously knew that The Ascent had been delayed until sometime in 2021, but we now have an exact release date. The Ascent launches on July 29, 2021 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and PC. Oh, and it's launching into Xbox Game Pass day one, granting millions of players access straight away.

The Ascent will be Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, supporting up to 4K at 60 FPS on the Xbox Series X. The game also fully supports Xbox Smart Delivery, meaning you'll get the best version of The Ascent for your console completely for free and with zero hassle.

If you're not familiar with The Ascent, it's an isometric RPG that features beautifully designed levels with a focus on exploration and verticality. There's in-depth player customization and multiple ways to approach the game. 4-play co-op also means you can play through The Ascent's campaign with your friends for extra fun. The Ascent already makes a strong case for itself, but releasing day and date on Xbox Game Pass makes the deal even sweeter.

Those who'd prefer to purchase The Ascent can pre-order the game starting today, and gain access straight away when The Ascent launches on July 29, 2021.

Our own Jez Corden recently went hands-on with The Ascent, and he concluded that "The Ascent may...be remembered as one of the best independently released games of 2021, if the full game is anywhere near as good as...the fairly limited demo" with its breathtaking cyberpunk-esque visuals and addictively challenging gameplay.

It's still a little early to tell for sure, but The Ascent could join our list of best RPGs for Xbox, as well as one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass.

Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.