Microsoft added Resident Evil Village to Xbox Game Pass today, launching a major January wave that includes Death Stranding Director's Cut and Final Fantasy II. The update brings a dozen new titles to the subscription service through early February, timed to build anticipation for Resident Evil Requiem's February release.
Resident Evil Village arrived January 20 across cloud, console, and PC platforms for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC subscribers. The eighth mainline Resident Evil title follows Ethan Winters into a European village years after Resident Evil 7 biohazard, positioning it as a strategic addition before Resident Evil Requiem launches next month.
Death Stranding Director's Cut joins Game Pass January 21, bringing Hideo Kojima's open-world delivery simulator to cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. The definitive version includes quality-of-life upgrades and new racetrack features, originally released on PlayStation 5 in 2021 before coming to Xbox Series X in 2024.
January 21 also delivers Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, a side-scrolling platformer from the Blasphemous development team, and RoadCraft, a construction vehicle simulator for PC. The Talos Principle 2 arrives January 27 with its thought-provoking first-person puzzles, followed by cyberpunk action-RPG Anno: Mutationem and block-building rogue-lite Drop Duchy on January 28.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 hits Game Pass January 29, bringing the 2024 hit's cooperative campaign and PvP modes to cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. The same day adds MySims: Cozy Bundle for PC subscribers, bundling two retro MySims titles.
February additions include Indika on February 2, a surreal adventure set in 19th-century Russia, and Final Fantasy II on February 3. The 2D remake continues Microsoft's Final Fantasy catalog expansion after Final Fantasy I joined Game Pass last month.
MIO: Memories in Orbit launched January 20 as a day-one Game Pass title, offering a hand-crafted Metroidvania experience across cloud, handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. Polygon called it "a masterclass of game design" and "a worthy Silksong contender" for 2026.
Seven games leave Game Pass January 31, including Citizen Sleeper 2 Starward Vector, Starbound, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap. Subscribers can purchase departing titles at 20% discounts before removal.
Microsoft reportedly plans an ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier launching this year, according to Windows Central. The free tier would offer one hour of ad-supported play per session for users without Game Pass subscriptions, expanding access as hardware costs rise. Microsoft's ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier is expected to launch in 2026.
Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming hours grew 45% year-over-year, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said recently. The service currently requires Game Pass Ultimate but could soon reach non-subscribers through ad-supported access tested in 2025 with two-minute preroll ads.
Sony's PlayStation Plus adds Resident Evil Village January 20 for Extra and Premium subscribers, creating cross-platform availability. The PS Plus catalog also includes Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, and Darkest Dungeon II this month.
Microsoft's January Game Pass wave arrives during a traditionally slow release period, providing subscribers with major titles before February's Resident Evil Requiem. The strategic timing positions Game Pass as essential for horror fans while expanding Microsoft's cloud gaming accessibility through upcoming ad-supported options.
