Xbox Game Pass is gearing up for another busy week, with a varied mix of deep thinkers, neon-soaked action, strategic puzzling, cosy creativity, and all-out brutality landing across console, PC, and cloud.
Alongside the arrivals, however, a handful of titles are also preparing to leave the service, making this a good time to revisit anything left unfinished.
From philosophical puzzle-solving to chainsword-fuelled carnage, there’s plenty to get stuck into before January wraps up.
New Games Coming To Xbox Game Pass This Week
We’ve got a number of new games landing on Game Pass this week, some of which really should be played pretty much pronto. Whether you’re going to be taken in by MySims: Cozy Bundle though…
The Talos Principle 2
- January 27th – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
- Playable on PC and Xbox Series X|S
The Talos Principle 2 builds on the cerebral foundations of its predecessor, offering sprawling environments packed with intricate puzzles and philosophical weight.
Set in a world where humanity is long gone but its ideas live on through machines, the sequel leans harder into narrative choice, ethical dilemmas, and player-driven outcomes. New mechanics add extra layers of complexity, while its quieter moments encourage reflection as much as experimentation.
It’s a game that rewards patience, curiosity, and a willingness to question everything placed in front of you.
ANNO: Mutationem
- January 28th – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
- Playable on Cloud, PC, and Console
ANNO: Mutationem drops players into a striking cyberpunk world that blends 2D combat with 3D exploration.
You play as Ann, a highly trained fighter navigating a neon metropolis filled with secrets, side stories, and stylish chaos. Fast-paced combat, RPG-style progression, and a surprisingly personal narrative sit at the heart of the experience.
Between slicing through enemies and uncovering what lies beneath the city’s glossy surface, ANNO: Mutationem from the Xbox Store offers a distinctive rhythm that constantly shifts between action and atmosphere.
Drop Duchy
- January 28th – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
- Playable on Cloud, PC, and Console
We’re super excited for this one, mostly as we’ve played far too much of this on Steam already.
Drop Duchy puts a clever spin on familiar block-dropping mechanics by turning them into a kingdom-building, roguelite strategy experience.
Every placed piece matters, influencing resource generation, army strength, and long-term progression. With multiple factions, branching paths, and deckbuilding elements layered on top, each run feels meaningfully different.
The Complete Edition includes all previously released expansions, making this a substantial package that rewards experimentation and long-term planning rather than quick reflexes alone.
MySims: Cozy Bundle
- January 29th – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
- Playable on PC
The MySims: Cozy Bundle brings together two charming classics focused on creativity, community, and relaxed exploration. Whether you’re rebuilding a town or helping quirky characters solve problems, the emphasis here is on expression rather than pressure.
Customisation options, light puzzle-solving, and a friendly tone make this an ideal change of pace. It’s an easygoing addition to Game Pass that’s perfect for players looking to unwind rather than compete.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II
- January 29th – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
- Playable on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S
Space Marine II delivers relentless third-person action set in the brutal Warhammer 40K universe. Playing as the legendary Titus, you’ll carve through overwhelming Tyranid hordes using a mix of savage melee combat and heavy firepower.
The campaign offers bombastic set pieces, while PvE and PvP modes extend its longevity with class-based progression and cooperative play. It’s loud, violent, and unapologetically intense – a perfect fit for Game Pass subscribers craving pure action.
Check out our full review too – we gave Space Marine II a 4/5 score and said ‘Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a solid and enjoyable blast-a-thon with a good story to go along with the gory action. The Tyranids make a great foe to fight against, the action is literally visceral and the whole thing feels incredibly solid. The challenge is real too, with so many enemies swarming at once that every fight feels like a real battle for survival. And then the PvE and PvP modes complement things well.‘
Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass On January 31st
Several games will be departing the service at the end of the month, as is very much the norm.
If any of these are sitting unfinished in your library, now’s the time to jump back in – or take advantage of the Game Pass discount to keep them.
- Shady Part of Me (Cloud, PC, Console) – ‘While Shady Part of Me doesn’t quite reach the heights of a Limbo, Inside or Little Nightmares, it more than belongs in that illustrious group of puzzle platformers.‘
- Cataclismo (PC) – ‘The world has been devastated, but all hope is not lost.‘
- Starbound (Cloud, PC, Console) – ‘Starbound is a must-play for fans of sandbox games, RPGs, and anyone who enjoys the freedom to explore, create, and forge their own path‘
- Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders (Cloud, PC, Console) – 4.5/5 score – ‘More of the same, but brilliantly different, is probably the best way of summing up Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders.‘
- Paw Patrol World (Cloud, PC, Console) – 3.5/5 score – ‘PAW Patrol World isn’t made for us adults. It’s Adventure Bay and surrounding areas, with all of the barriers removed. It’s a glorious playset, the entire TV series ready for kids to reach in and enjoy.‘
- Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Cloud, PC, Console) – ‘Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, refining the dice-rolling mechanics, expanding the narrative possibilities, and introducing new features like the contract system and class-based abilities.‘
- Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Cloud, PC, Console) – ‘Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap feels close to being a bit of a must-play for fans of tower defense games, action RPGs, and anyone who enjoys a good dose of orc-slaying mayhem.‘
Whether you’re in the mood for deep philosophical puzzles, neon-lit cyberpunk action, or the sheer brutality of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, this week’s Game Pass update has something to pull you in.
With several solid titles also preparing to leave the service, it’s one of those weeks where timing matters – dive into the newcomers, wrap up unfinished business, and make the most of what Game Pass is offering before the end of January rolls around.
