Xbox Game Pass kicks off 2026 in a way that doesn’t feel routine. This isn’t a month padded out with curiosities and back-catalog additions. January leans heavily on mixing recognizable blockbusters with thoughtful indies and a few releases that demand real time and commitment.
At the center of it all are a handful of games doing the real work this month: a major Warhammer sequel, one of the most divisive blockbusters of the last decade, a modern survival-horror standout, and a philosophical puzzle game that quietly rewards patience. Everything else builds around those pillars.
If you only play one or two things this month, this list helps you choose wisely.
Emmanuel Umahi
January Game Pass Headliners You Should Notice First
Before getting into the full list, these four releases define January’s tone on Game Pass:
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II – The month’s biggest crowd-pleaser, built for co-op chaos and spectacle.
- Death Stranding Director’s Cut – A meditative, conversation-starting blockbuster that still feels unlike anything else.
- Resident Evil Village – A modern horror hit that balances action, dread, and atmosphere.
- The Talos Principle 2 – A slower, smarter experience for players who enjoy puzzles with philosophical weight.
If none of these speak to you, the rest of January may feel optional. If even one does, you’ll find plenty to dig into.
Available Now on Xbox Game Pass
/1. Death Stranding Director’s Cut (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S)
Hideo Kojima’s sci-fi epic drops players back into a fractured world held together by fragile connections. The Director’s Cut refines the original experience with new content and mechanical tweaks, but its core remains the same: deliberate pacing, quiet tension, and systems that reward patience rather than reflexes. It’s not for everyone, but for the right player, it’s absorbing.
/2. Resident Evil Village (Cloud, Console, PC) — Ultimate, Premium, PC
One of the strongest modern entries in the Resident Evil franchise, Village blends survival horror with blockbuster momentum. Its eerie European setting, memorable villains, and steady escalation make it an easy recommendation for players who want tension without committing to pure horror.
/3. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S)
From the team behind Blasphemous, this side-scrolling reimagining of Ninja Gaiden leans into precision, speed, and punishment. It’s unapologetically challenging and clearly aimed at players who miss tight, skill-driven action.
/4. MIO: Memories in Orbit (Cloud, Handheld, PC, Xbox Series X|S) —Ultimate, PC
A handcrafted metroidvania set in a decaying world overtaken by machines and nature. MIO stands out for its atmosphere and environmental storytelling, rewarding exploration and curiosity more than brute force.
/5. RoadCraft (PC)
In the aftermath of natural disasters, RoadCraft challenges players to rebuild shattered environments using a fleet of over 40 authentic construction vehicles. Clear debris, restore roads and bridges, and tackle physics-driven environments solo or in co-op across large-scale maps shaped by destruction and recovery.
/6. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (PC)
Command a checkpoint in a collapsing city where every decision could mean survival or catastrophe. Screen survivors, manage scarce resources, and hold back the undead in this tense strategy experience where mistakes carry brutal consequences.
Coming Later This Month on Game Pass
/7. The Talos Principle 2 (PC, Xbox Series X|S) — January 27
This ambitious sequel expands the philosophical puzzles and breathtaking environments of the original. Set in a future where humanity has vanished, but culture lives on through robots, players confront existential questions while solving increasingly mind-bending challenges tied to a mysterious megastructure.
/8. Anno: Mutationem (Cloud, Console, PC) — January 28
Set in a neon-lit cyberpunk world that blends 2D and 3D visuals, Anno: Mutationem follows Ann, a combat-trained lone wolf navigating mega-corporations, fringe groups, and strange creatures. It mixes action, RPG elements, and narrative exploration into a stylish sci-fi adventure.
/9. Drop Duchy (Cloud, Console, PC) — January 28
A refreshing hybrid roguelite, Drop Duchy uses block-dropping mechanics to collect resources, recruit troops, and defend against invading armies. Every block placement shapes your kingdom’s fate, blending puzzle-solving with strategy-driven combat.
/10. MySims: Cozy Bundle (PC) — January 29
Two charming classics return in MySims: Cozy Bundle, inviting players to rebuild towns, befriend quirky characters, and enjoy creative adventures across cozy, retro-styled re-releases of MySims and MySims Kingdom.
/11. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) — January 29
One of January’s biggest drops, Space Marine II casts players as legendary Space Marine Demetrian Titus battling relentless Tyranid swarms. Play solo or in three-player co-op through a cinematic campaign, then dive into brutal PvE and PvP modes featuring six playable classes and nonstop carnage across the Warhammer universe.
Early February Additions Worth Flagging
/12. Indika (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) — February 2
Set in an alternative 19th-century Russia, Indika follows a young nun on a surreal journey of self-discovery. Blending dark humor, religious themes, light puzzles, and symbolic storytelling, the game delivers a uniquely unsettling narrative experience unlike anything else on the service.
/13. Final Fantasy II (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) — February 3
This remodeled 2D version of the classic RPG brings the second Final Fantasy adventure back with updated visuals and modern quality-of-life features. Follow four orphans caught in war as they journey through tragedy, rebellion, and fate in one of the franchise’s most experimental early stories.
Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass Soon on January 31
The following titles exit the service soon, jump back in, or grab them at up to 20% off: Shady Part of Me, Cataclismo, Starbound, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, PAW Patrol World, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
DLC and Major Game Updates This Month
- The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle (PC) — January 22
- Sea of Thieves Season 18, Act 2 (Cloud, Console, PC) — January 22
- Grounded 2 Garden Update (Cloud, Console, PC) — January 27
- Dead by Daylight — Stranger Things DLC — January 27
How to Approach January’s Game Pass Lineup
January is about choosing the right experience for the time you actually have, rather than sampling everything. Want pure spectacle and co-op energy? Space Marine II. Looking for something reflective and slow-burn? Death Stranding. In the mood for tension and horror? Resident Evil Village
With more announcements expected soon, Game Pass continues to stack its catalog with experiences that reward both curiosity and commitment, making it harder than ever to run out of things to play.
Emmanuel Umahi
