Microsoft is kicking the year off with a massive content drop for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, adding some seriously heavy hitters to the service. Get ready to purge xenos and reconnect America, because both Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and Death Stranding Director’s Cut are headlining the latest batch of games.
The immediate availability of highly anticipated titles like Space Marine 2 on Game Pass solidifies the service’s reputation for major day-one releases, while the addition of Kojima’s critically acclaimed Death Stranding Director’s Cut brings a landmark title to a wider audience on the platform.
Quick Facts
- Platforms: Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S
- Release: Staggered releases from to
- Price: Included with Xbox Game Pass subscription
- Developer: Kojima Productions, Saber Interactive, Croteam, and more
- Genre: Action, Puzzle, RPG, Adventure
The Headlining Titles
According to the official announcement from Microsoft, this wave of games offers a huge variety for every type of player. The two biggest names are undoubtedly Death Stranding Director’s Cut and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The former is Hideo Kojima’s unique open-world adventure, where you play as Sam Porter Bridges on a mission to reconnect a fractured society. It’s a title I’ve sunk countless hours into, and the Director’s Cut adds even more depth.
On the other end of the spectrum, Space Marine 2 promises brutal, third-person action against relentless Tyranid swarms. Players can step into the armor of Lieutenant Titus either solo or in three-player co-op. The list is rounded out by acclaimed indie titles like the thought-provoking puzzler The Talos Principle 2 and the surreal adventure game Indika.
Full Game Lineup and Release Dates
Here is the full list of titles and their arrival dates on Xbox Game Pass, as announced by Microsoft.
- Death Stranding Director’s Cut (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – January 21
- RoadCraft (PC) – January 21
- Ninja Gaiden Ragebound (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – January 21
- The Talos Principle 2 (PC, Xbox Series X|S) – January 27
- Anno: Mutationem (Cloud, PC, Console) – January 28
- Drop Duchy (Cloud, PC, Console) – January 28
- MySims: Cozy Bundle (PC) – January 29
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – January 29
- Indika (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – February 2
- Final Fantasy II (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) – February 3
The gaming community is buzzing about the sheer value of this lineup. The inclusion of Death Stranding Director’s Cut on PC Game Pass was a welcome surprise, bringing a title often associated with PlayStation to the Xbox ecosystem. However, the biggest excitement is centered on Space Marine 2. As a long-awaited sequel, its arrival on Game Pass from day one is a massive win for subscribers who have been anticipating its release for years.
This is a stellar start to the year for Xbox Game Pass. If you’re a fan of third-person action, both Space Marine 2 and Death Stranding are must-plays. For those seeking something more cerebral, The Talos Principle 2 offers mind-bending puzzles and a deep philosophical narrative. Microsoft is clearly continuing its strategy of loading the service with compelling titles, making the subscription incredibly hard to pass up for PC and Xbox gamers.
