Xbox Game Pass set for a strong end to January — Death Stranding Director’s Cut, Space Marine II, and more

Despite its 50% price increase drama last year, Game Pass continues to assemble a fairly compelling line-up. Xbox has framed the higher cost as a way to support more frequent day one releases, particularly within the Ultimate tier, while also extending Xbox Cloud Gaming access beyond its previous limits.

That expansion does come with some compromises, with Microsoft set to introduce advertising to Xbox Cloud Gaming later this year. Still, the more immediate focus for subscribers is what Xbox Wire has just revealed, and there is plenty for Game Pass fans to look forward to as January 2026 continues.

The second half of the month is shaping up particularly well, with Death Stranding Director’s Cut leading the charge when it arrives on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on January 21, 2026. While it may not be for everyone, fans can expect the familiar Hideo Kojima spectacle, built around deliberate traversal, striking visuals, and a world that rewards patience as much as progress.

Here’s a full rundown of everything coming to Xbox Game Pass and when:

Looking ahead to the end of January, the Game Pass line-up leans heavily into variety, with several very different games landing in quick succession. Death Stranding Director’s Cut is the obvious headliner, arriving on January 21 across Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. It remains a divisive game by design, but for those who connect with Hideo Kojima’s slower, more deliberate approach, this is still one of the more distinctive worlds you can explore on Xbox.

That same day also brings Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a side-scrolling revival of the classic series from the team behind Blasphemous. It looks set to appeal to players who miss tightly designed, punishing action games, while RoadCraft goes in the opposite direction with a slower-paced construction sim focused on rebuilding disaster-stricken environments, either solo or in co-op.

Things continue to pick up later in the month with The Talos Principle 2 on January 27, a thoughtful follow-up that expands on the original game’s puzzles and narrative themes. January 28 then adds Anno: Mutationem and Drop Duchy, offering a mix of cyberpunk action RPG combat and roguelite strategy, respectively.

Perhaps most exciting for me, even though I already own it, is Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, which arrives on January 29. It is easily one of the strongest games on the list, bias fully acknowledged, and its addition to Game Pass makes it far easier to jump into co-op with my friends, which is where the game truly shines.

Other little tidbits

Xbox Wire also highlights a few additions that some players may have missed, including Quarantine Zone: The Last Checkpoint, which is available today on PC Game Pass. The game places players in charge of a checkpoint during a zombie outbreak, tasking them with inspecting survivors and preventing the infected from slipping through.

Grounded 2 fans can also look forward to a new update on January 27, with the Garden update introducing a Community Garden biome packed with new areas to explore.

Alongside new additions, several games are set to leave Game Pass on January 31. These include Shady Part of Me, Starbound, Lonely Mountains Snow Riders, Paw Patrol World, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap.

Overall, the late January line-up does a good job of showcasing the breadth of Game Pass, blending high-profile releases with smaller titles that cater to very different tastes.

Don’t forget, Xbox has their developer direct on January 22, which will showcase upcoming releases this year, including Fable, Forza Horizon 6, Beast of Reincarnation, and maybe more, so make sure to keep your eyes out for that.

Which of the late January Xbox Game Pass additions are you planning to try first? Share your picks in the comments below or vote in our poll:

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