Get ready for a gaming bonanza, Xbox Game Pass subscribers as this week marks one of the biggest changes to the service in ages, with a diverse lineup of exciting new titles joining the already impressive library. There are many games that are being removed too!
If you’re an Xbox or PC Game Pass subscriber, you’ll know all about the movers and shakers. But this week is possibly one of the most demanding for a while, with a host of games landing on the service, many of which are Day One debutants. From action-packed shooters and strategic dungeon crawlers to atmospheric adventures and thought-provoking narratives, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
But as with all things in life, there must be balance. As new games arrive, we also bid farewell to some familiar faces leaving the service.
New Arrivals on Game Pass
- Eternal Strands (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Jan 28th: Dive into a post-apocalyptic world filled with mutated creatures and challenging battles in this action RPG. Explore a vast and atmospheric environment, gather resources, craft weapons, and fight for survival in a world ravaged by a mysterious disease. Our full review is on the way!
- Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Jan 28th: Unleash your inner defender and build elaborate traps to fend off hordes of orcs in this tower defense and action-strategy hybrid. Experiment with different trap combinations, upgrade your defenses, and protect your fortress from the relentless onslaught of green-skinned invaders. We loved the previously released Orcs Must Die! 3 and have huge hopes for this one.
- Shady Part of Me (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Jan 29th: Make sure you read our review of Shady Part of Me, all before embarking on a journey through a world of shadows and light in this puzzle-platformer with a unique twist. Control two characters simultaneously, a young girl and her shadow, as they navigate intricate levels and solve mind-bending puzzles.
- Sniper Elite: Resistance (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Jan 30th: Become a master marksman and infiltrate the Nazi-occupied French countryside in this tactical third-person shooter. Experience the thrill of long-range sniping, stealthy takedowns, and intense close-quarters combat as you complete missions and disrupt the enemy’s plans. Yep, Sniper Elite is back – and it’s on Game Pass Day One.
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – Jan 31st: Another Day One drop and this time we get to return to the captivating world of Citizen Sleeper in this narrative RPG set aboard a sprawling space station. Forge alliances, make difficult choices, and shape your destiny in a world filled with intrigue, danger, and the complexities of human relationships.
Bidding Farewell (January 31st)
As we welcome these new additions, we also say goodbye to a collection of games leaving Game Pass on January 31st. If you haven’t played them, click through to our reviews – but be quick about it, once January has ended, you’ll need to pay to play these games:
- Anuchard – 3.5/5 review score: “All in all, Anuchard is a solid adventure which should keep most invested until the end. Despite some balance issues, there’s no getting away from the fact that all the components are here for an engaging and enjoyable experience.“
- Broforce Forever – 4/5 review score: “You can slice, shoot and smash your way through enemies to your heart’s content in Broforce Forever, in an over the top romp that does just about enough to avoid weariness setting in.“
- Darkest Dungeon: This challenging gothic roguelike RPG will test players’ resolve as they venture into the depths of a dark and dangerous dungeon.
- Death’s Door – 4.5/5 – review score: “Death’s Door on Xbox is fantastic. Its mysteries are alluring, its world is uniquely sensitive and funny, its combat is harsh and fast. It feels like stepping into a dream space with all of its fantastical designs, elevated by one of the best soundtracks of the year. From almost every perspective, Death’s Door is a game that compels you to keep playing. You’ll be powerless to say no.“
- Maquette – 3.5/5 review score: “We loved so much of Maquette. Its many-layered puzzles are sensational. They are so good, in fact, that they carry a game that fails to get the other stuff right. The story sputters, and the controls and guidance buckle under the game’s weight. There is so much thought put into Maquette, but we wish that thought was spread evenly over everything else that it contains.“
- Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem: This action-packed first-person shooter unleashes a chaotic and explosive adventure against hordes of enemies in a frozen wasteland.
What’s Next for Game Pass?
And from there we move into February. We’re expecting another bumper month for subscription players, and we already know that Far Cry New Dawn will land come Feb 4th, fast followed a week or so later by the hugely anticipated Avowed.
A Diverse and Ever-Evolving Library
Xbox Game Pass continues to be a haven for gamers who crave variety and value. With its ever-changing library of titles, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy. Whether you’re a fan of action, adventure, strategy, or narrative-driven experiences, Game Pass offers a diverse selection of games to suit every taste.
So, as we bid farewell to some familiar faces and welcome a new wave of gaming goodness, let’s celebrate the diversity and value that Xbox Game Pass provides. There’s no better time to be a Game Pass subscriber, with a world of gaming adventures waiting to be explored! Just let us know what you’ll be playing – the comments are below.
