In numerous discussions, enthusiasts continue to ring the death bells for the Xbox brand. Xbox was recently outsold by a platform few have heard of. Platform-specific outlets began covering on PS5 topics as a new development. The past year represented a period of total upheaval for Xbox and Microsoft. Yet, based exclusively on the titles headed to the service in 2026, it's evident that Microsoft continues to plan to draw people in with strong games on its key platform.
A pair of titles currently accessible today, Brews & Bastards and Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, are not the headliners. The true anticipation is for the upcoming titles to Game Pass over the next few weeks that's worth getting excited about.
Starting January 13th, the platform will add the underrated Star Wars Outlaws, a vast exploration title that refreshes the standard Ubisoft formula with an intergalactic heist adventure. Another big get is Resident Evil Village with its iconic tall vampire, which our 2021 review called "the perfect cocktail of frights and fights."
But even the smaller games coming to Game Pass soon deserve recognition. Lost In Random: The Eternal Die, the criminally overlooked roguelike that's a blast to play, arrives January 7th — and it merits a playthrough whether or not you experienced the first Lost in Random game.
The game set in a ruined Britain from last year could captivate you within just a quarter of an hour.
Atomfall, a survival title with stealth elements by the makers of Sniper Elite, is another one to watch. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers also have Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition to get excited about.
Ultimately, these aren't the most groundbreaking additions to Game Pass, nor are they tentpole Microsoft studios games that validate the subscription alone. Yet, this selection are exceptionally strong. It offers a healthy blend of older titles you may have skipped and new-ish games that failed to receive the spotlight they warranted upon launch — which makes them perfect candidates to get a second chance on Game Pass.
Hope you're ready to bid farewell to The Grinch Christmas Adventures, however.
An avid explorer and travel writer with over a decade of experience in documenting remote destinations and outdoor adventures.