The 3 Best Xbox Game Pass Games Added in January

Xbox Game Pass regularly offers subscribers a variety of new games each month, ranging from lesser-known titles to major, highly anticipated releases available on day one. While January 2026 didn’t have many brand-new, day-one releases, the standout addition was the indie game MIO: Memories in Orbit. The service still included several excellent games from recent years that are well worth checking out.

Even though Xbox Game Pass got more expensive last year, it still offers a great deal for gamers. Each month, many high-quality games are added to the service, making it perfect for those who want to try new and popular titles without buying them individually. The recent additions of several top games prove that Game Pass continues to be a worthwhile subscription, offering access to some of the best titles in various genres.

The Talos Principle 2

Check Out The Talos Principle 2 on OpenCritic

Added to Game Pass on January 27

If you enjoy puzzle games like Portal and The Witness, The Talos Principle 2 is a standout title you won’t want to miss. It challenges you with cleverly designed puzzles that use interesting physics – think manipulating gravity and even transferring your mind – all while prompting you to think about big questions about consciousness and what it means to be human. With its stunning and varied environments, it’s no surprise the game has received an impressive 89 rating on OpenCritic.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Check Out Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound on OpenCritic

Added to Game Pass on January 21

The Ninja Gaiden series has become popular again recently. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was unexpectedly released at the beginning of 2025, and Ninja Gaiden 4 arrived on Xbox Game Pass last October as the newest main game. In between those releases, Ragebound offered a throwback to the original Ninja Gaiden games, updating the classic side-scrolling action for Ryu Hayabusa. Fans who enjoy Blasphemous will likely appreciate Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound too, since both games were created by The Game Kitchen.

Death Stranding Director’s Cut

Check Out Death Stranding Director’s Cut on OpenCritic

Added to Xbox Game Pass on January 21

After finishing the Metal Gear series, Hideo Kojima created Death Stranding, which first came out on PlayStation in 2019. In 2024, Death Stranding Director’s Cut became available on Xbox Series X/S, letting even more players experience this moving story. In the game, you play as Sam Porter Bridges, traveling across a broken America to reconnect it using a special network after a devastating event. Gameplay involves a lot of peaceful exploration – walking and climbing – but also includes sneaking and fighting when you encounter enemies. The Director’s Cut adds extra content, like new ways to fight, items to collect, and things to build.

Xbox Game Pass’s February 2026 Line-Up is Already Looking Strong

Indika — February 2 (Series X/S, PC, Cloud)
Final Fantasy 2 — February 3 (Series X/S, PC, Cloud)
MENACE — February 5 (PC)
High on Life 2 — February 13 (Series X/S, PC, Cloud)
Death Howl — February 19 (Series X/S)

February is shaping up to be another great month for Xbox Game Pass, following a strong January. The month starts with the addition of the popular indie horror game Indika, and the classic Final Fantasy 2, which joins the service after its original game was added last month. Players can also look forward to new titles like High on Life 2, the sequel to the hilarious shooter from Squanch Games.

Quiz

5 Questions

Test Your Game Pass Savvy: January Highlights & February Teases

Your Top Score

—

Attempts

—

Report Error

Found an error? Send it info@gamerant.com so it can be corrected.

2026-02-01 06:04