A nostalgic puzzle game called Microsoft Jewel has been added to the Xbox PC app as a freebie, offering special perks for Windows users who also have a Game Pass subscription. Xbox Game Pass already includes a large library of popular AAA and indie titles, which could easily overshadow Microsoft Jewel‘s release. Still, Xbox gamers looking to earn extra Microsoft Rewards Points and Gamerscore won’t want to miss it.
Microsoft Jewel is a household name for many PC players, having long been part of the Microsoft Casual Games lineup on the MSN Zone website. For those unfamiliar, Microsoft has hosted a wide range of free browser games over the years, including the puzzle game in question and the well-known Solitaire collection. The downside was that players had to deal with ads while playing these freemium titles.
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Microsoft Jewel Is Ad-Free for Game Pass Users
Released on May 6, 2026, on the Xbox PC app, Microsoft Jewel is the latest freebie game for Windows users. While the gameplay remains the same as in other versions, Jewel includes two extra perks on its new platform. For one, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will not see any in-game advertisements, giving them the premium experience. Second, Game Pass subscribers who play Jewel will receive “extra bonuses,” which the publisher has not specified, though they could include additional Microsoft Rewards Points and similar perks.
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Jewel‘s gameplay is comparable to games like Bejeweled, revolving around matching gems. In the Microsoft game, there are multiple quests and daily challenges that help keep the gameplay loop fresh and boost replayability. Jewel also features a skill system that allows players to create different gem-smashing combinations. Despite its simple premise, Jewel cannot be considered an easy puzzle game. At higher levels, progression slows down significantly, and tackling challenges becomes a nearly impossible feat, most players say.
Image via Xbox Game Studios
Many have already been using Jewel to collect Microsoft Rewards Points and complete Game Pass Quests. However, the latest release also adds 28 Xbox Achievements to the game, worth a total of 1,000 Gamerscore. Even better, most of these achievements are fairly easy to unlock, making it a good option for Game Pass users looking for quick ways to earn Gamerscore.
The good news is that Microsoft Jewel can run on almost any Windows 10 device, as it is not a demanding PC game. That said, it requires Windows 10 version 18362.0 or higher with an x64 architecture. As for file size, Microsoft Jewel takes up less than 500 MB of storage, with a download size of around 240 MB.
