UPDATED 12:15 EDT / JANUARY 21 2016

NEWS

Witcher 2 is free on Xbox to celebrate latest round of backwards compatible games

If you had a blast playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and want to revisit the previous game in the series, now is a great time to do so, as The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is currently free for digital download on Xbox 360.

Developer CD Projekt RED is giving the game away for free from now until February 5 to celebrate its newly announced backwards compatibility on Xbox One. Since backwards compatible digital downloads can be transferred directly to the Xbox One, this effectively makes The Witcher 2 free on the newer console as well.

While The Witcher 2 did not enjoy quite the same financial success or universal critical acclaim as its sequel, the game still holds up remarkably well. What it lacks in openness compared to The Witcher 3 it makes up for in a more focused story filled with a number of interesting characters.

Microsoft’s compatibility plans

The Witcher 2 was not the only Xbox game to get backwards compatibility this week. Other games added to the roster include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Skullgirls.

The list of Xbox 360 games available for Xbox One currently numbers well over 100, and Microsoft says that it has many more on the way.

“Since we kicked off Xbox One Backward Compatibility in November, we’ve been extremely happy with the response and engagement,” Microsoft said on the official Xbox blog. “Fan feedback is essential in shaping the Xbox experience, and it was integral in making Xbox One Backward Compatibility a reality. To date, millions of your fellow Xbox gamers around the world have already logged more than 21 million hours playing Xbox One Backward Compatibility games – and we’re continuing to listen.”

Microsoft also announced that it is launching a new section on the Xbox blog specifically dedicated to backwards compatible games, which will include roundups of the latest releases along with spotlights of specific games.

“We hope these changes give you even more opportunity to relive some of your favorite Xbox 360 titles on Xbox One,” Microsoft said. “As always, we look forward to hearing your feedback.”

Users can visit xbox.uservoice.com to vote for games they would like to see with compatibility support.

Image courtesy of CD Projekt RED via Steam Store

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