The open beta for Mistfall Hunter is live right now on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, giving players a full week to jump into the dark fantasy extraction ARPG before it hits full release on July 29.
What the open beta actually covers
The beta window runs from June 15 through June 22, and it sounds like a substantial slice of the full game rather than a stripped-down demo. Players can access the Microsoft Store listing for free right now, with no purchase or Game Pass subscription required to download and play during this period. The same beta is also available on Steam and the PlayStation Store, so this isn't an Xbox-exclusive window.
Here's the thing worth knowing before you sink hours into it: all progress gets wiped when the beta ends. Every piece of gear, every resource, every upgrade you earn disappears. The one exception is cosmetics earned through special in-beta events, which carry over to the official release, but only if you play on the same account.
The game itself: extraction ARPG with a dark twist
Mistfall Hunter drops players into Weavereach, a shattered world where the gods are dead and a creeping corruption called the Gyldenmist has taken hold. You play as a Gyldhunter venturing into this corrupted realm either solo or with up to 2 companions, fighting twisted creatures for loot and potentially hunting other players for theirs.
The extraction loop is the heart of it. You go in, collect spoils, and then have to locate a hidden extraction point and ring the Soul of Return bell to get out safely. Die before you extract, and you lose everything you were carrying. The Gyldenmist can obscure multiple exits, which adds a layer of tension to every run that goes longer than planned.
It's a PvPvE setup, meaning the threat isn't just the environment. Other Gyldhunters are in there with the same goal, and the decision to fight them or avoid them is entirely yours to make.
Why the timing matters
Mistfall Hunter is confirmed for Xbox Game Pass when it launches on July 29, which makes this beta a preview of one of the platform's bigger summer additions. The timing of a free open beta one week before the month of launch is a smart move: players get to form opinions before committing, and the developer gets real load data across all three platforms simultaneously.
For anyone who has been watching extraction ARPGs pick up momentum over the past couple of years, this is one of the more distinct takes on the genre. The dark fantasy setting separates it visually from most of its competition, and the ARPG combat layer adds character build depth that pure extraction shooters don't typically offer.
The beta is available now. If you want to go in prepared, the Mistfall Hunter guides are a good starting point for understanding the extraction mechanics before your first run. For broader tips on getting up to speed with new games quickly, the gaming guides hub has you covered across the board.
The full release lands July 29 on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, day one on Game Pass.
