The second wave of January 2026’s Xbox Game Pass additions has arrived, bringing a collection of critically acclaimed titles that many subscribers would consider a win. From Hideo Kojima’s divisive walking simulator to the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40K, this lineup represents a solid effort to fill out the service’s catalog with proven hits. However, there’s a notable absence that’s becoming harder to ignore: where are the day-one releases?
The Headliners
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II (January 29)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
One of the wave’s most substantial additions, Space Marine II delivers brutal, visceral combat in the Warhammer 40K universe. Players take on the role of legendary Space Marine Demetrian Titus, purging relentless Tyranid swarms across a spectacular campaign that can be played solo or in three-player co-op. Beyond the story, the game offers endlessly brutal PvE and PvP modes with six playable classes, ensuring plenty of replayability for those who enjoy Warhammer‘s over-the-top grimdark action.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut (January 21)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Hideo Kojima’s polarizing post-apocalyptic delivery simulator returns to Game Pass but this time for Xbox consoles as well. Players become Sam Porter Bridges on a mission to reconnect a fractured America, delivering hope to humanity one package at a time. Whether you see it as a meditative masterpiece about connection and isolation or an overly indulgent walking game with occasional action, there’s no denying Death Stranding is a unique experience that benefits from the additional content in this Director’s Cut version.
The Talos Principle 2 (January 27)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
This thought-provoking first-person puzzle game expands on its predecessor’s philosophical themes while delivering increasingly complex challenges. Set in a world where biological humanity is extinct but human culture persists in a city of robots, players explore a mysterious megastructure hiding enormous powers. For puzzle enthusiasts who appreciate narrative depth alongside brain-teasers, this is a standout addition.
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (January 21)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
From the team behind Blasphemous comes a brand-new side-scrolling entry in the legendary Ninja Gaiden series. This spectacular platformer reimagines the classic saga with thrilling, challenging ninja action that respects the franchise’s brutal difficulty while bringing modern sensibilities to the formula.
Indika (February 2)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
A story-driven adventure set in an alternative 19th-century Russia, Indika follows a young nun on a surreal journey of self-discovery. Blending dark humor with serious themes like faith, morality, and religious authority, the game mixes exploration, light puzzles, brief action sequences, and symbolic RPG elements. With retro-style arcade flashbacks and a strange companionship with the devil himself, Indika pushes conventional game design boundaries while balancing comedy and tragedy.
Anno: Mutationem (January 28)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Step into a neon-covered cyberpunk world where 2D meets 3D in this action-adventure game with RPG elements. As Ann, a highly skilled combat-trained lone wolf, players navigate a giant metropolis filled with sinister mega-corporations, mysterious fringe groups, and bizarre creatures that defy description.
Additional Games
- RoadCraft (January 21)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass (PC Only) - The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle (January 22) – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
- Drop Duchy (January 28)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - MySims: Cozy Bundle (January 29)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (PC Only) - Final Fantasy II (February 3)
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (Available Now)
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (PC Only)
Notable Updates
- Grounded 2: Toxic Tangle Garden Update (January 27)
- Dead by Daylight: Stranger Things DLC (January 27)
- Sea of Thieves Season 18, Act 2 (January 22)
Games Leaving January 31
Don’t forget to wrap up these titles before they leave the service:
- Shady Part of Me
- Cataclismo
- Starbound
- Lonely Mountains Snow Riders
- Paw Patrol World
- Citizen Sleeper 2 Starward Vector
- Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap
Final Thoughts — Where’s the Day-One Content?
January’s second wave of Xbox Game Pass delivers a solid collection of well-reviewed games that fill gaps in subscribers’ backlogs. Space Marine II and Death Stranding Director’s Cut are legitimately excellent additions, while The Talos Principle 2, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, and Indika provide interesting variety across different genres.
However, the elephant in the room can’t be ignored. With Xbox promising 75+ day-one releases per year—a commitment made while justifying the 50% price increase to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate—subscribers should expect a steady stream of new launches. Yet January has delivered only one day-one title across both waves. With two waves per month, Xbox needs to average around three day-one releases per wave to meet its annual goal. January falls drastically short.
There’s a small glimmer of hope, though. Xbox’s Developer_Direct event is scheduled for January 22nd, and these showcases are known for featuring a surprise game that gets shadow-dropped immediately. If Microsoft follows this pattern, we could see another day-one addition slip into January at the last minute.
The backlog additions are appreciated, and there’s genuine value in accessing titles like Space Marine II without a separate purchase. But for those who subscribed specifically for day-one releases—one of Xbox Game Pass’s most compelling selling points—this month feels like a letdown. If this pattern continues beyond January, Xbox will need to address how they’re delivering on that 75+ day-one commitment. February will be telling.
