The Games Coming To And Leaving Xbox Game Pass In January

Microsoft have kicked off 2022 by announcing their line-up of games we’ll be playing this month on Xbox Game Pass. Leading the charge is last year’s Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which bundles together the original Mass Effect trilogy and gives it a shiny, next-gen lick of paint.

The first of these games release today across console, PC & cloud services and are made up of three indie titles:

• Gorogoa
• Olija
• The Pedestrian

Each offer something unique and are well worth the time. Gorogoa’s unique hand drawn visuals is especially something to be in awe over as this award winning game not only looks beautiful but will have you scratching your head as to how to solve each puzzle.

From the 6th January, you’ll find:

• Embr (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Mass Effect Legendary Edition (Console and PC)
• Outer Wilds (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is being added through EA Play, so it is available through Game Pass Ultimate subscribers or those with an EA Play subscription only. This does mean if you have an EA Play subscription through PlayStation or Steam, you’ll also be able to play the trilogy.

Finally, from the 13th January players can enjoy on either console or PC platforms:

• Spelunky 2 
• The Anacrusis (Game Preview)

The Anacrusis is a new cooperative first-person shooter from Stray Bombay and is set aboard a massive starship stranded at the edge of explored space. Fighting against alien hordes to unlock perks, weapons is the order of the day. This is an early access title but the full release will be available on Game Pass when it releases later in the year.

On top of the various games to play, Game Pass members can enjoy extra perks from Apex Legends in the form of a RIG Helmet Weapon Charm (Game Pass Ultimate/PC/EA Play subscribers ONLY). Also, inPhantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis N-Half Scape Dolls (x5) and Photon Chunks (x50) are yours to nab. Both of these perks go live tomorrow – 5th January.

While Microsoft give with one hand, they take away with the other. Here’s the games that will be unavailable on Game Pass from 15th January:

• Desperados III
• Ghost of a Tale
• Kingdom Hearts III
• Mount & Blade: Warband
• Pandemic
• PUBG: Battlegrounds*
• Yiik: A Postmodern RPG

*PUBG: Battlegrounds is being removed on 10th but will be going free to play from 12th January.

The Back 4 Blood Battle-Hardened Bundle, and the Halo Infinite Pass Tense MA40 AR Bundle will also be removed so make sure to claim these additional perks before they’re gone.