Xbox Game Pass consistently provides subscribers with new games to experience every month, including everything from hidden gems and deep cuts to day-one AAA releases. January 2026 was a relatively quiet month for brand-new games released day-and-date on Xbox Game Pass, with the only one of note being the indie metroidvania MIO: Memories in Orbit. However, the service still added some fantastic titles from the past few years that subscribers won't want to miss out on.
Despite the price increase for each of its tiers last year, Xbox Game Pass remains a fairly solid value for gamers looking to experience a wide variety of games. The number of high-quality games being added to Xbox Game Pass month after month is perfect for gamers who want to try out a popular game without the commitment of paying full price. The recent additions of these three games show that there is still a lot of value in Game Pass, granting access to some of the best in their respective genres.
Xbox Game Pass Adds 2 Games with 'Very Positive' Reviews to Round Out January 2026
Two more titles with 'Very Positive' reviews join Xbox Game Pass, marking the 17th and 18th new additions to the service in January 2026.
The Talos Principle 2
Check Out The Talos Principle 2 on OpenCritic
- Added to Game Pass on January 27
For fans of puzzle games like Portal and The Witness, The Talos Principle 2 is a genre-defining must-play title. Along with solving hand-crafted puzzles using unique environmental physics like gravity manipulations and mind transference, The Talos Principle 2 also takes players on a philosophical journey that explores the idea of human consciousness and what it means to be alive. The game is wrapped up in a beautiful world that features a diverse slate of landscapes, it's clear why The Talos Principle 2 has earned its 89 OpenCritic rating.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- November 2, 2023
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Alcohol Reference, Language
- Developer(s)
- Croteam
- Publisher(s)
- Croteam
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Adventure
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Check Out Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound on OpenCritic
- Added to Game Pass on January 21
The Ninja Gaiden franchise has seen quite a resurgence in the past year, with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black shadow-dropping in early 2025 and Ninja Gaiden 4 launching on Xbox Game Pass as the next mainline entry in the series in October of last year. Between these games was a return to the old-school days of Ninja Gaiden with the release of Ragebound, which takes the retro sidescrolling action of the classic franchise and modernizes it for protagonist Ryu Hayabusa. Fans of the Blasphemous games will especially enjoy Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, as both were developed by The Game Kitchen.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
- Released
- July 31, 2025
- Developer(s)
- The Game Kitchen
- Publisher(s)
- Dotemu
- Franchise
- Ninja Gaiden
WHERE TO PLAY
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Check Out Death Stranding Director's Cut on OpenCritic
- Added to Xbox Game Pass on January 21
Hideo Kojima's first post-Metal Gear project initially released in 2019 as a PlayStation exclusive title, but Death Stranding Director's Cut opened the door for more gamers to experience this emotional epic when it released on Xbox Series X/S in 2024. Now, Game Pass subscribers can take on the role of Sam Porter Bridges as he journeys across the United Cities of America in an effort to connect the country to the Chiral Network after the titular apocalyptic event. Gameplay for Death Stranding is a mix of meditative walking and climbing alongside moments of stealth and combat when players are faced with enemy MULEs and BTs. The Director's Cut adds even more features, including new combat options, new equippable items, new structures, and more.
Death Stranding
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
- Released
- November 8, 2019
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action
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)
Following some of the highly-rated titles added to Xbox Game Pass in January 2026, February is set to deliver a similar level of quality. The month kicks off with the acclaimed indie horror game Indika joining the Game Pass line-up, as well as the classic Final Fantasy 2, which follows its predecessor in joining the Game Pass library last month. There are also some notable new titles available for players next month, such as High on Life 2, the sequel to Squanch Games' 2022 comedic shooter.
