As the new year commences, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service is set to deliver a robust wave of new titles to its extensive library throughout January 2024, aiming to enhance its value proposition for subscribers. The month’s additions are headlined by two critically acclaimed games: Ubisoft’s sprawling Viking epic, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Capcom’s highly praised survival horror remake, Resident Evil 2. These significant inclusions are part of a broader content strategy designed to maintain subscriber engagement and attract new users, reinforcing Game Pass’s position as a central component of the Xbox ecosystem. The influx of new games, however, is accompanied by the scheduled removal of several prominent titles, a standard practice within the subscription model that necessitates a dynamic content rotation.
The Xbox Game Pass Model: A Strategic Overview
Xbox Game Pass, often dubbed the "Netflix of gaming," operates on a subscription-based model, offering access to a rotating catalog of games for a monthly fee. Launched in June 2017, the service has grown exponentially, evolving into a cornerstone of Microsoft’s gaming division. It provides access to a diverse array of titles, including first-party Xbox exclusives on day one of their release, a selection of third-party games, and a growing library of classic titles from Xbox’s past generations. The service is available across various tiers—PC Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for Console, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which bundles both console and PC access with Xbox Live Gold and EA Play. This strategic offering aims to lower the barrier to entry for gamers, allowing them to explore a wide variety of genres and experiences without the upfront cost of individual game purchases. Monthly content updates, featuring both additions and removals, are critical to keeping the service fresh and continually appealing to its millions of subscribers worldwide. The carefully curated selection for January 2024 reflects Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to delivering a compelling and diverse gaming experience.
January 2024 Additions: A Detailed Chronology
The rollout of new titles for January is strategically staggered throughout the month, ensuring a continuous stream of fresh content for subscribers.
December 28, 2023 (Early Access): Close to the Sun
Kicking off the month slightly ahead of the official January calendar, Close to the Sun became available to Game Pass subscribers. This first-person adventure game, developed by Storm in a Teacup and published by Wired Productions in 2019, immediately drew comparisons to the acclaimed BioShock series due to its atmospheric setting and narrative-driven gameplay. Set in an alternate 19th century aboard the colossal research vessel ‘Helios,’ a haven for scientific minds led by Nikola Tesla, players step into the shoes of journalist Rose Archer as she searches for her sister, Ada. The game’s narrative delves into themes of scientific ambition, horror, and mystery within a meticulously crafted art deco environment. Upon its initial release, Close to the Sun garnered a Metacritic score of 75 for its Xbox One version, with critics frequently commending its immersive atmosphere, intricate story, and strong voice acting, despite some minor criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics. Its inclusion offers subscribers a narrative-rich experience that emphasizes exploration and puzzle-solving over combat.
January 4: Hell Let Loose
Marking the first major addition in the new year, Hell Let Loose brings large-scale, tactical World War II combat to Game Pass. Developed by Black Matter and published by Team17, this multiplayer first-person shooter distinguishes itself through its realistic approach to warfare, featuring 50 versus 50 battles across sprawling, historically accurate maps. Unlike many contemporary shooters, Hell Let Loose places a heavy emphasis on teamwork, communication, and strategic objectives, rather than individual heroics. Players can choose from various roles, including infantry, tank crews, and support units, each contributing to the larger war effort. The game’s meticulous attention to detail extends to its ballistics, resource management, and the crucial role of supply lines, creating an authentic and demanding combat experience. With a Metascore of 84, it has been widely praised for its immersive atmosphere, intense gunplay, and the satisfaction derived from coordinated team play, offering a compelling option for players seeking a more hardcore and strategic shooter experience. Its demanding learning curve is often cited, yet the rewards for mastery are significant.
January 9: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
One of the month’s headliners, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, makes its debut on Game Pass, offering subscribers a chance to immerse themselves in the world of Viking raiders. Released by Ubisoft in 2020, Valhalla is the twelfth major installment in the venerated Assassin’s Creed series. Players assume the role of Eivor Varinsdottir, a fierce Viking warrior, as they lead their clan from Norway to settle in Anglo-Saxon England during the 9th century. The game features an expansive open world, blending historical events with Norse mythology, allowing players to engage in raids, build settlements, form alliances, and embark on a grand saga of exploration and conquest. Its gameplay incorporates elements of action RPGs, stealth, and combat, allowing for diverse approaches to objectives. Upon release, Valhalla received generally favorable reviews, achieving commercial success and further cementing the series’ evolution towards open-world RPG mechanics. While some critics, like Destructoid, offered an "Okay" rating, citing its expansive but sometimes repetitive nature, many praised its compelling narrative, vast world, and engaging combat, especially its unique focus on Viking culture and mythology. Its inclusion on Game Pass provides access to hundreds of hours of content for subscribers.
January 9: Figment
Arriving alongside Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is Figment, an indie action-adventure game developed by Bedtime Digital Games. Originally released in 2018, Figment is notable for its whimsical, hand-drawn art style and its unique premise: players journey through the whimsical and often surreal landscapes of the human mind, battling nightmares and restoring courage. The game blends exploration, musical puzzles, and combat with an overarching narrative that explores themes of mental health and overcoming fear. Its distinctive visual design and original soundtrack, which features fully voiced musical boss battles, earned it considerable praise from critics. Review aggregators showed a "pretty favorably" reception, with many highlighting its creativity, artistic merit, and engaging storytelling as significant strengths. Figment offers a refreshing contrast to the larger, more action-oriented titles, providing a thoughtful and artistically rich experience.
January 11: Super Mega Baseball 4
Subscribers with Game Pass Ultimate or a separate EA Play subscription gain access to Super Mega Baseball 4. Developed by Metalhead Software and published by EA Sports in 2023, this arcade-style baseball game is the latest iteration in a series renowned for its accessible yet deep gameplay mechanics. It offers a vibrant and often humorous alternative to more simulation-focused baseball titles like MLB The Show. Super Mega Baseball 4 expands upon its predecessors with improved graphics, refined mechanics, and a roster that includes over 200 legendary players, allowing for dream matchups between current and past stars. The game is celebrated for its customizable leagues, engaging career modes, and robust online multiplayer, which contribute to its strong replayability. Each new entry in the series has consistently built upon the foundation of the last, steadily enhancing the experience and solidifying its reputation as a beloved arcade sports franchise.
January 11: We Happy Few
Also making a return to Game Pass on January 11 is We Happy Few. Developed by Compulsion Games and published by Gearbox Publishing in 2018, this action-adventure survival game is set in a dystopian 1960s England, specifically the retro-futuristic city of Wellington Wells, where citizens are forced to consume a hallucinogenic drug called "Joy" to maintain a state of artificial happiness. Players control three different characters, each with their own story, as they attempt to escape the city’s oppressive regime. The game blends elements of stealth, crafting, and psychological horror within a procedurally generated world. While its initial reception was mixed, with Destructoid offering a detailed review upon its original release, We Happy Few has cultivated a dedicated following due to its unique premise, distinctive art style, and exploration of dark societal themes. Its return to the Game Pass library offers a second chance for players who might have missed its initial run.
January 11: Resident Evil 2
One of the most anticipated additions of the month, Resident Evil 2, arrives on January 11. Developed and published by Capcom in 2019, this title is a complete remake of the classic 1998 survival horror game. It masterfully reimagines the terrifying events in Raccoon City, placing players in the shoes of rookie police officer Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield as they navigate a zombie outbreak. The remake meticulously rebuilds the original game from the ground up, utilizing Capcom’s RE Engine to deliver stunning photorealistic graphics, updated over-the-shoulder camera controls, and deeply atmospheric sound design. It retains the core tension and puzzle-solving elements of the original while introducing modern gameplay refinements. Resident Evil 2 was met with universal critical acclaim, earning numerous Game of the Year awards and achieving immense commercial success. Destructoid’s Chris Carter famously deemed it "superb" in his review, praising its terrifying atmosphere, compelling narrative, and masterful execution as a remake. For subscribers who have yet to experience this modern horror classic, its inclusion is a significant draw, offering one of the most polished and frightening experiences available in the genre.
January 16: Those Who Remain
Rounding out the month’s additions is Those Who Remain, a psychological horror game developed by Camel 101 and published by Wired Productions, released in 2020. The game follows Edward Turner, a man struggling with personal demons, who finds himself trapped in the eerie town of Dormont, a place shrouded in darkness and plagued by mysterious entities. Players must navigate between light and shadow, as staying in the dark for too long leads to dire consequences, exploring themes of guilt, morality, and the choices that define us. Those Who Remain aims to deliver a narrative-driven horror experience with puzzle elements and a focus on atmosphere. Upon its launch, the game received middling reviews, with critics often citing its intriguing premise and unsettling atmosphere as positives, but also pointing to some gameplay inconsistencies and narrative pacing issues. Given the simultaneous availability of the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 2, Those Who Remain faces stiff competition for the attention of horror enthusiasts on Game Pass.
Key Departures: The Evolving Game Pass Library
The dynamic nature of Xbox Game Pass means that while new titles are added, others are periodically removed. These removals are typically due to licensing agreements expiring or strategic decisions by publishers or Microsoft. For January 2024, several significant titles are slated to leave the service, prompting players to complete their playthroughs or consider purchasing the games outright if they wish to retain access.
January 5: Grand Theft Auto V
One of the most notable departures for the month is Grand Theft Auto V, a monumental loss for the Game Pass library. Developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games in 2013, GTA V remains one of the best-selling video games of all time, celebrated for its expansive open world, compelling narrative involving three distinct protagonists, and its hugely popular online component, Grand Theft Auto Online. Its presence on Game Pass provided immense value, offering countless hours of content across its single-player campaign and constantly evolving multiplayer experience. The removal of such a high-profile title underscores the temporary nature of third-party games on subscription services and highlights the ongoing negotiations involved in content licensing.
January 15: Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden
Mid-month, Game Pass subscribers will also lose access to two beloved Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs): Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden. These titles, developed by Atlus and published by Sega, are highly revered entries in the Persona series, known for their unique blend of high school life simulation, social links, and dungeon crawling with turn-based combat. Persona 3 Portable, originally released in 2009, introduced a female protagonist option, while Persona 4 Golden, a 2012 PlayStation Vita exclusive, expanded upon the original Persona 4 with new content and quality-of-life improvements. Both games received critical acclaim for their engaging stories, memorable characters, innovative gameplay mechanics, and distinctive art style and music. Their relatively recent inclusion on Game Pass, particularly for PC and modern consoles, was a significant event for JRPG fans, and their departure signifies a rotation that, while expected, will be keenly felt by many players. The removal of such well-regarded and time-consuming RPGs emphasizes the importance for subscribers to prioritize playing games that might be leaving the service.
Strategic Implications and Broader Impact
The January 2024 Game Pass lineup and removals collectively illustrate Microsoft’s ongoing strategy for its subscription service. The inclusion of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Resident Evil 2 demonstrates a continued commitment to bringing AAA titles from major third-party publishers to the platform. These games are known for their high production values, critical success, and broad appeal, serving as powerful incentives for both new subscriptions and retention of existing members. The addition of diverse genres, from tactical shooters (Hell Let Loose) to indie adventures (Figment) and sports titles (Super Mega Baseball 4), caters to a wide spectrum of gaming preferences, reinforcing Game Pass’s image as a comprehensive gaming library.
The rotation of titles, particularly the departure of games like Grand Theft Auto V and the Persona entries, is an inherent aspect of the subscription model. While these removals can be disappointing for players, they are necessary for managing licensing costs and making room for new content, maintaining a dynamic and fresh library. This constant flux encourages subscribers to play games promptly and can even drive direct sales for titles leaving the service.
From an industry perspective, Game Pass continues to exert significant influence. Its aggressive content acquisition strategy puts pressure on competitors and shapes how publishers view the distribution of their games. For developers, inclusion on Game Pass can mean a broader audience and a guaranteed revenue stream, potentially fostering greater creative freedom. Microsoft’s ongoing investment in the service underscores its long-term vision for gaming, positioning Game Pass as a central pillar in its ecosystem, aiming to reach as many players as possible across various devices. The January offerings affirm this commitment, providing a robust start to the gaming year for Xbox subscribers.