January is often a quiet month for new game releases, but 2025 is shaping up to be an exception! In fact, we think it’s the best January for new Xbox and Game Pass releases for many a year.
Get ready to kick off the new year with a diverse lineup of exciting titles hitting Xbox and Game Pass. From snowy slopes and ancient battlefields to culinary adventures and dystopian futures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated games coming to Xbox and Game Pass in January 2025. You could call them must-players…
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
From the creators of the hit indie, Lonely Mountains: Downhill, comes Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, a thrilling skiing adventure set in beautiful mountain landscapes. Carve your way through snowy slopes, glide over icy lakes, and launch yourself off spectacular jumps as you explore the serene wilderness.
But you’ll also get to challenge yourself with daredevil tricks and time trials, or take a more relaxed approach and discover hidden shortcuts. Further to that, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders also introduces online multiplayer, allowing you to race against friends or work together to conquer the mountains as a team.
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders promises an exhilarating experience for both solo players and those seeking a social adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a newcomer to the slopes, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is sure to provide hours of snowy fun.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Dynasty Warriors: Origins throws you into the heart of the Three Kingdoms era as a nameless hero, offering a fresh perspective on the epic saga. And you know what that means? Yep, you’ll get to experience exhilarating battles against massive armies, where your strategic prowess and combat skills will be put to the test.
This latest addition to the Dynasty Warriors saga boasts the most thrilling action in the series’ history, with vast battlefields and dynamic combat that captures the intensity of ancient warfare. Forge alliances and fight alongside iconic heroes as you shape the destiny of the Three Kingdoms.
But also witness the grandeur and intrigue of ancient China through the eyes of an original protagonist, a nameless warrior who rises to prominence amidst the chaos, all as you carve your own path through the legendary Three Kingdoms period.
Tales of Graces f Remastered
Tales of Graces f Remastered invites players on an epic journey through the vibrant world of Ephinea, where Asbel and his companions embark on a quest filled with unforgettable characters, shocking twists, and heartwarming bonds forged through a childhood promise.
This remastered version of the classic action RPG features enhanced visuals, quality-of-life improvements like auto-save and encounter toggling, and all the downloadable content from the original release. As you would expect of a remaster, really.
Delve into a world blessed with lush landscapes and ruled by three powerful nations, each wielding the power of Eleth. Unravel the mysteries of Ephinea, master the Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System with its dual Artes and Burst combat styles, and customize your characters with over 100 unique titles.
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist, the sequel to the acclaimed Metroidvania ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, plunges players into a post-apocalyptic world where artificial life forms known as Homunculi have been corrupted by mysterious fumes.Â
As Lilac, an “Attuner” with the power to purify these beings, you must uncover the source of the corruption and restore hope to a crumbling kingdom.
Explore a hauntingly beautiful world filled with challenging enemies and corrupted bosses. Defeat these bosses to cleanse them of their affliction, gaining their friendship and unique abilities in the process. With 30 abilities to collect and customise, you can tailor your combat style to suit your preferences.
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist promises a Metroidvania experience unlike any other, with a melancholic atmosphere, challenging combat, and a poignant story of redemption and hope.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada thrusts players into a dystopian future where humanity struggles to survive in a world ravaged by toxic rain and monstrous creatures. And after our time with the Closed Beta, we have high hopes.
As a Drifter, you’ll venture to the perilous surface to collect valuable AO Crystals, battling xenomorphic Enders and navigating treacherous environments. The best bit? The opportunity to pilot your customisable CRADLECOFFIN mecha, a versatile vehicle designed for the harsh terrain, and cooperate with your Magus, a personalised AI partner who provides support and unleashes unique abilities in combat.
SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada promises a thrilling blend of action, exploration, and survival, set in a richly imagined post-apocalyptic world.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap returns to the beloved orc-slaying action of the series, this time with a roguelite twist!
After the brilliance of Orcs Must Die! 3, you’ll now discover the opportunity to step into the role of a powerful War Mage and defend your castle against relentless hordes of orcs and other monstrous creatures. Again.
Choose from a variety of unique heroes, each with their own weapons, abilities, and traps, allowing for diverse playstyles and strategic team compositions. Face ever-changing challenges with randomised buffs and debuffs that impact your hero, traps, and the environment itself.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap retains the series’ signature humour and charm, with witty dialogue, ridiculous ragdoll physics, and a high-energy soundtrack. Whether you play solo or team up with friends in co-op mode, prepare for an action-packed adventure filled with orc-slaying mayhem.
Sniper Elite Resistance
Sniper Elite: Resistance is a thrilling new entry in the acclaimed series. It arrives on Xbox Game Pass Day One, offering a gripping espionage adventure set in the heart of occupied France. Experience a hidden war as Harry Hawker uncovers a deadly Nazi Wunderwaffe that threatens to turn the tide of World War II.
This standalone campaign, running parallel to the events of Sniper Elite 5, features intense sniping action, stealth gameplay, and tactical third-person combat. Multiple kill list targets, infiltration options, and extraction points provide unparalleled freedom to approach objectives and define your playstyle.
Of course, you’ll get to witness the visceral X-ray kill cam in all its gruesome glory, showcasing the devastating impact of your shots as bullets shatter bones and rip through enemy bodies. And you’ll also be able to master authentic WWII weapons, customising your loadout, and utilising advanced gunplay physics to land the perfect shot.
Sniper Elite: Resistance promises an adrenaline-fueled experience for both solo and co-op players. We’ve high hopes for what Rebellion can offer.
Eternal Strands
Eternal Strands, the debut title from Yellow Brick Games, invites players to explore a fantasy world where magic and environmental interaction intertwine. It sees you harnessing the power of the Mantle, a magical cloak that grants control over fire, ice, and telekinetic forces, to overcome challenging enemies and unravel the secrets of a lost civilisation.
Included in Eternal Strands is a revolutionary gameplay system where heat spreads, cold chills, and destruction unfolds in real-time, creating dynamic combat encounters.
Wield enchanted weapons, craft armor from fallen foes, and combine your powers to create a unique combat style. But also face colossal adversaries in epic battles that will leave their mark on the land, as you scale their massive forms, exploit their weaknesses, and manipulate the environment to gain an advantage.
Eternal Strands may well be something a bit special…
Cuisineer
Cuisineer serves up a unique blend of dungeon crawling and culinary delights, tasking players with rescuing a struggling restaurant by venturing into dangerous dungeons for the freshest ingredients.
Step into the shoes of Pom, an adventurer-turned-chef, and explore procedurally generated biomes, battling monstrous creatures with your trusty cooking utensils.
Yep, that’s right. In Cuisineer you’ll get to wield spatulas, smackerels, and even a Konpeito Fist to defeat enemies like giant chickens and fire-breathing peppers. Gather rare spices, exotic meats, and valuable vegetables to cook over 100 different recipes from around the world. And master the flavours of fighting, utilizing Salty, Sour, Sweet, and other elemental powers to unleash devastating culinary attacks.
Cuisineer offers a delightful blend of action, adventure, and cooking, with a charming art style and a dash of humour. It should well be a flavorful experience.
The Zebra-Man!
The Zebra-Man! is a hyper-charged action game that throws you into a retro-inspired pixel art world filled with brutal combat, time paradoxes, and a healthy dose of Grindhouse flair.
As a genetically modified Zebra-Man, you’ll unleash furious fist fights, spill blood in your wake, and unravel a conspiracy involving mad scientists and a mysterious raccoon-masked ally.
The game features live-action cutscenes, a karma system that impacts your playthrough, and an adaptive difficulty system that ensures accessibility for all players. But for many it’ll be the vibrant soundtrack, striking visuals, and over-the-top action that excites as The Zebra-Man! Looks to deliver a thrilling and chaotic experience that pays homage to classic top-down action games and cult cinema.
With a mix of thrilling adventures, nostalgic remasters, and innovative new experiences, January 2025 is packed with exciting games for Xbox and Game Pass.
Whether you’re craving snowy escapades, culinary chaos, or epic battles, there’s something to satisfy. So, clear your schedule, grab your controller, and get ready to dive into a new year of gaming goodness!
And as always, let us know what you’ll be playing. The comments are below.
