Microsoft has commenced 2024 with a significant refresh of its Xbox Game Pass library, introducing a diverse array of titles designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of subscribers. The January additions are headlined by two critically acclaimed and commercially successful games: Ubisoft’s sprawling Viking epic, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Capcom’s masterful survival horror remake, Resident Evil 2. These marquee inclusions are complemented by a selection of independent gems, competitive multiplayer experiences, and sports simulations, reinforcing Game Pass’s value proposition. However, as is customary with subscription services, the month also marks the departure of several prominent titles, most notably Rockstar Games’ enduring blockbuster, Grand Theft Auto V, and two beloved Japanese role-playing games, Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden.
A Detailed Look at January’s New Arrivals
The influx of new games began promptly at the start of the month, with subsequent releases scheduled throughout January, offering subscribers a steady stream of fresh content.
Available Now: Close to the Sun
Kicking off the month’s offerings is Close to the Sun, a first-person adventure game developed by Storm in a Teacup and published by Wired Productions. Released in 2019, the game immediately draws comparisons to the iconic BioShock series due to its atmospheric art deco setting and narrative-driven gameplay. Set aboard a massive, mysterious ship named the Helios, built by Nikola Tesla for scientific research, players assume the role of Rose Archer as she searches for her sister. The game garnered a Metascore of 75 on Xbox One upon its initial release, with critics frequently praising its intricate atmosphere, compelling storyline, and strong sense of tension. While it foregoes combat in favor of exploration and puzzle-solving, Close to the Sun offers a rich, immersive experience that stands out for its environmental storytelling and distinctive aesthetic. Its inclusion provides Game Pass subscribers with an immediate, high-quality narrative adventure.
January 4: Hell Let Loose
Marking a significant shift in genre, Hell Let Loose joins the Game Pass library on January 4. Developed by Black Matter and published by Team17, this World War II tactical first-person shooter distinguishes itself with its uncompromising realism and large-scale warfare. Unlike many arcade-style shooters, Hell Let Loose emphasizes strategic teamwork, communication, and historical accuracy. Players engage in massive 50 vs. 50 battles across sprawling, authentic maps inspired by real-world European battlefields. The game’s intricate class system, resource management mechanics, and emphasis on combined arms tactics necessitate a collaborative approach, where individual heroism often takes a backseat to coordinated squad movements and objective control. Upon its release, Hell Let Loose achieved an impressive Metascore of 84, with reviewers commending its intense, immersive gameplay and unique blend of strategic depth and visceral action. Its arrival on Game Pass offers a robust and challenging multiplayer experience for those seeking a more authentic portrayal of wartime combat.
January 9: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Figment
January 9 is a dual-release day, featuring both a major AAA title and an acclaimed indie game, showcasing the breadth of Game Pass’s offerings.
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Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Ubisoft’s latest main entry in the long-running Assassin’s Creed franchise takes center stage. Released in 2020, Valhalla plunges players into the brutal and beautiful world of 9th-century England during the Viking expansion. As Eivor Varinsdottir, a fierce Viking raider, players embark on an epic journey to establish a new home for their clan. The game expanded upon the RPG elements introduced in Origins and Odyssey, offering a vast open world filled with exploration, combat, settlement management, and a rich narrative rooted in Norse mythology and historical events. While Destructoid’s original review described it as "Okay," its broader critical reception was generally positive, earning a Metascore of 80. Critics lauded its expansive world, engaging combat, and the depth of its narrative and side activities. Valhalla has sold over 20 million copies globally, demonstrating its immense popularity and commercial success. Its addition to Game Pass represents a significant value proposition for subscribers, granting access to hundreds of hours of high-quality open-world gameplay.
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Figment: In stark contrast to Valhalla‘s historical grandeur, Figment is an indie action-adventure game developed by Bedtime Digital Games. Released in 2017, Figment takes players on a surreal journey through the whimsical and often dark landscapes of the human mind, inhabited by musical monsters and abstract creatures. The game is celebrated for its unique art style, imaginative world design, and innovative musical elements, where environmental objects and enemy attacks often form parts of the soundtrack. Figment received generally favorable reviews upon release, with a Metascore of 77, praising its creativity, atmospheric storytelling, and engaging puzzle-solving. Its inclusion provides a distinctive, artistically driven experience that stands out within the Game Pass library.
January 11: Super Mega Baseball 4, We Happy Few, and Resident Evil 2
Another packed day of releases arrives on January 11, featuring a sports title, a returning narrative-driven game, and one of the most highly anticipated additions of the month.
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Super Mega Baseball 4: Available via EA Play (which is included with Game Pass Ultimate), Super Mega Baseball 4 is the latest iteration in Metalhead Software’s popular arcade-style baseball series. Released in 2023, the game offers a fun, accessible, yet deep take on America’s pastime, balancing exaggerated character designs and lighthearted humor with solid baseball mechanics. The series has consistently improved with each entry, refining its gameplay, expanding its roster of customizable players, and enhancing its various modes. It serves as an excellent alternative to more simulation-heavy baseball titles like MLB The Show, providing an enjoyable experience for both casual fans and seasoned players. Its Metascore of 83 reflects its strong critical reception.
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We Happy Few: Compulsion Games’ dystopian survival action-adventure title, We Happy Few, makes a return to Game Pass. Originally released in 2018, the game is set in a retro-futuristic, drug-addled 1960s England, where citizens are compelled to take "Joy" pills to maintain a state of blissful ignorance. Players navigate a world where conformity is enforced through disturbing means, exploring themes of societal control, memory, and rebellion. While its launch was met with mixed reviews (Metascore of 63), We Happy Few is lauded for its unique art style, compelling premise, and unsettling atmosphere. Its re-addition provides another opportunity for subscribers to delve into its distinctive narrative and world.
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Resident Evil 2: Arguably one of the biggest draws of the month, Resident Evil 2 (the 2019 remake) arrives on Game Pass. Developed and published by Capcom, this title is a masterclass in modern survival horror, meticulously rebuilding the 1998 PlayStation classic from the ground up. Featuring stunning photorealistic graphics, an over-the-shoulder camera perspective, and refined gameplay mechanics, the remake thrusts players into the nightmare of Raccoon City as rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse. The game earned universal critical acclaim, boasting an exceptional Metascore of 93, with Destructoid’s Chris Carter famously deeming it "superb." Reviewers praised its terrifying atmosphere, grotesque creature design, innovative level design, and the palpable sense of dread it cultivates. Resident Evil 2 is not just a faithful remake but a definitive modern horror experience, and its inclusion is a significant boon for Game Pass subscribers, particularly those who have yet to experience its chilling narrative. The game has sold over 13.9 million units worldwide as of December 2023, cementing its status as one of Capcom’s most successful titles.
January 16: Those Who Remain
Concluding the initial wave of January 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, a man tormented by his past, as he finds himself trapped in the eerie town of Dormont, plagued by shadowy creatures. The game employs a unique light-and-dark mechanic, where venturing into the dark can lead to terrifying consequences. While it attempts to deliver a chilling narrative and atmospheric experience, Those Who Remain received middling reviews upon its release, with a Metascore of 54. Critics noted its intriguing premise but often cited issues with pacing, clunky mechanics, and a lack of consistent scares. Given the simultaneous presence of the critically lauded Resident Evil 2 in the same month, Those Who Remain might find it challenging to capture the attention of horror aficionados on Game Pass.
Notable Departures from the Game Pass Library
As new titles join, others rotate out of the Game Pass library. January sees the removal of several high-profile games, a standard practice for subscription services to maintain a fresh and evolving catalog while managing licensing agreements.
January 5: Grand Theft Auto V
One of the most significant departures of the month is Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto V. Despite being initially released in 2013, GTA V remains an industry titan, consistently topping sales charts and boasting an enormous player base, primarily driven by its immensely popular online component, Grand Theft Auto Online. The game’s critically acclaimed single-player campaign, featuring three interwoven protagonists in the sprawling satirical world of Los Santos, is regarded as a masterpiece of open-world design and storytelling. Its removal is a substantial loss for Game Pass subscribers, especially those who enjoyed its enduring multiplayer experience. The game has sold over 190 million copies globally as of November 2023, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. Its presence on Game Pass, albeit temporary, served as a powerful draw for the service.
January 15: Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden
JRPG fans will feel the impact of the January 15 removals, as two highly regarded titles from Atlus’s beloved Persona series, Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden, exit the service. These titles are revered for their compelling narratives, unique blend of high school life simulation and dungeon crawling, memorable characters, and stylish presentation.
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Persona 3 Portable: Originally released on PSP in 2009 (and later ported to modern platforms in 2023), Persona 3 Portable introduced the option to play as a female protagonist, offering a fresh perspective on the game’s dark and mature themes of death, existentialism, and the passage of time. It holds a Metascore of 89.
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Persona 4 Golden: First released on PlayStation Vita in 2012 (and later ported), Persona 4 Golden is often cited as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time. Set in the rural town of Inaba, it follows a group of high school students investigating a series of mysterious murders tied to a supernatural "Midnight Channel." The game is celebrated for its heartwarming story, unforgettable cast, and engaging mystery. It achieved an exceptional Metascore of 93.
The departure of these two Persona titles, both critically lauded and beloved by fans, will be keenly felt by subscribers who were either experiencing them for the first time or revisiting these classics. Their removal underscores the transient nature of third-party titles within subscription services.
The Strategic Importance of Xbox Game Pass in 2024
The January 2024 lineup, with its mix of high-profile AAA games, diverse indie titles, and strategic removals, highlights Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to evolving the Xbox Game Pass ecosystem. Since its launch in 2017, Game Pass has emerged as a cornerstone of Microsoft’s gaming strategy, offering a compelling value proposition that aims to attract and retain subscribers across Xbox consoles, PC, and cloud streaming.
The inclusion of major titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Resident Evil 2 is critical for maintaining subscriber engagement and demonstrating the service’s continued appeal. These games represent significant investments in licensing and content acquisition, reinforcing the perception that Game Pass offers access to a premium library. For developers and publishers, Game Pass provides an avenue for increased visibility and player acquisition, potentially extending the lifecycle of older titles or introducing new audiences to niche genres.
The rotation of games, while sometimes disappointing for players, is an essential aspect of the subscription model. It allows Microsoft to manage licensing costs, introduce fresh content, and encourage subscribers to try new games before favorites depart. The departure of titles like Grand Theft Auto V and the Persona games, while significant, also creates anticipation for future additions and helps maintain a dynamic library.
Looking ahead, Xbox Game Pass is poised to continue its expansion, integrating new first-party titles from Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda on day one, as well as an ongoing stream of third-party and independent games. The January 2024 lineup serves as a clear indication that Microsoft intends to keep the service competitive and engaging, ensuring that subscribers have a constant flow of high-quality gaming experiences to explore as the new year unfolds. The strategy is not merely about quantity but about curating a diverse, compelling selection that solidifies Game Pass’s position as a leading force in the digital gaming landscape.