A new year is upon us, and while the festive decorations might be coming down, the Xbox library is only just heating up. January 2026 is kicking off with an incredibly strong start, offering everything from long-awaited JRPG icons to chilling psychological horrors and even a Game Pass Day One Metroidvania that looks set to steal the spotlight.
Whether you’re looking to lose yourself in a sprawling city or find zen on a post-apocalyptic rooftop, these are the 7 best new Xbox and Game Pass games you need to keep on your radar this January.
| Game | Release Date | Platforms | Game Pass? | Play Anywhere? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Am Future | 8, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series | No | No |
| MIO: Memories in Orbit | 20, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series, PC, Handheld | Yes | Yes |
| FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE | 22, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series, PC, Handheld | No | Yes |
| Rightfully, Beary Arms | 27, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series | No | No |
| I Hate This Place | 29, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series, Xbox One | No | No |
| Code Vein II | 30, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series | No | No |
| The 9th Charnel | 30, Jan 2026 | Xbox Series | No | No |
I Am Future
If you prefer your post-apocalypse with a side of sunshine and a cup of tea, I Am Future is the cozy rooftop survival sim for you.
Starting on an abandoned, sun-drenched skyscraper, you’ll build the camp of your dreams, set up electrical grids, and even hire a team of cute robot-minions like Earl the Fridge to handle the chores while you fish in the sunken megapolis below.
It’s not all relaxation, though; you’ll need to dismantle Old-World relics like microwaves to craft new gadgets and protect your crops from pesky mutant pests. It’s a heartening take on the end of the world that proves being the last person on Earth doesn’t have to be lonely when you’ve got quirky AI friends by your side.
Developer: Mandragora
Publisher: tinyBuild
Release Date: 8 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/i-am-future-cozy-apocalypse-survival/9n8h6cz6bn6b
MIO: Memories in Orbit
(Day One on Game Pass)
Wake up and smell the overgrown machinery in MIO: Memories in Orbit, a mesmerising Metroidvania that launches Day One on Game Pass.
You play as MIO, a nimble robot exploring the Vessel – a decaying technological ark where the AI caretakers have mysteriously gone silent. As you navigate this lush, interconnected world, you’ll master spider-like wall climbing and gliding powers to unravel your true destiny.
Combat is just as fluid, featuring over 30 unique enemy types and 15 formidable bosses. With a deep customisation system using scavenged components, you can tailor MIO’s modifiers to suit your specific playstyle, making every encounter in this gorgeous, technological ruin uniquely your own.
Developer: Douze Dixièmes
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Release Date: 20 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/mio-memories-in-orbit/9np86k57sqm3
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
The wait is finally over: Cloud’s reimagined journey has arrived on Xbox. Well after we looked back at the original brilliance.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE retells the iconic Midgar saga with breathtaking visuals and a hybrid battle system that perfectly blends real-time action with strategic command-based combat.
This version includes the essential FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, featuring the Wutai ninja Yuffie Kisaragi in a parallel story arc that adds even more depth to the industrial sprawl of Midgar. Whether you are a veteran of the 1997 original or a complete newcomer, this is a cinematic masterpiece that defines the modern RPG.
With a remastered soundtrack and expanded quests, the destiny of the planet has never looked so stunning.
We’ve been waiting an age for this one.
Developer: SQUARE ENIX
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Release Date: 22 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/final-fantasy-vii-remake-intergrade/9nrqvq7zrm7z
Rightfully, Beary Arms
Don’t let the adorable aesthetic fool you: Rightfully, Beary Arms is a brutal bullet-hell roguelite designed to punish the unprepared.
Playing as the titular Beary, you’ll navigate a dangerous dreamscape where you can manipulate the rules of the game using runtimes and calamities – making things easier for yourself or much harder for your enemies.
The depth lies in the Warp Your Weapons system, allowing for wild augmentations and synergies that can turn a basic gun into a tool of absolute mayhem.
And death is simply a part of the process; you’ll collect inspiration with every failure to become an unstoppable force of nature, eventually forcing the alien hordes to bow down to your fuzzy, well-armed awesomeness.
Developer: Daylight Basement Studio
Publisher: Daylight Basement Studio
Release Date: 27 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/rightfully-beary-arms/9pd98sxj63k0
I Hate This Place
Inspired by the acclaimed comic book series, I Hate This Place is an isometric survival horror title that drips with ’80s camp and gore.
Set in the cursed Rutherford Ranch, the game features a dynamic day-night cycle where “Day Prepares You” and “Night Hunts You.” During the light, you’ll scavenge, build outposts, and set traps; but once the sun sets, reality-bending nightmares emerge that hunt by sound alone.
Stealth is your best friend here, as brute force will quickly lead to an early grave. With its bold, punchy comic book art style and high-stakes crafting, it’s a unique blend of dark humour and unsettling dread that rewards those who know when to be quiet and when to run.
Developer: Rock Square Thunder
Publisher: Feardemic
Release Date: 29 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/i-hate-this-place/9p9n7vg2bf53
Code Vein II
Bandai Namco returns to a world of blood and mystery with Code Vein II, a sequel that aims to polish the “lovably janky” soulslike formula of the first game to a mirror finish.
Set in a future where humans and Revenants coexist, you play as a hunter tasked with halting a global collapse caused by the horrific Luna Rapacis. Alongside a mysterious girl named Lou, who can manipulate time, you’ll embark on a journey that spans the past and present.
When we reviewed the original Code Vein, we noted it was a “great addition to the genre” that only needed a few tweaks to reach perfection. With a new build system, satisfying blood-draining combat, and powerful partners to fight by your side, this sequel looks set to be the near-perfect score we’ve been waiting for.
Developer: Bandai Namco
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Release Date: 30 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/code-vein-ii/9n851q7sdgqw
The 9th Charnel
Atmospheric dread takes a terrifying leap forward in The 9th Charnel, a first-person psychological horror game that thrives on the tension of every hidden shadow.
You follow Michael, a genetic scientist stranded in a remote valley alongside his team. Separated and cut off from safety, Michael’s search for his friends descends into a nightmare of fanatical cults and forgotten rituals. Survival is a constant struggle as you manage scarce resources and decide whether to evade enemies through stealth or stand your ground in a desperate fight.
It’s a story-driven experience that forces you to confront both monstrous horrors and the internal demons of the scientists, ensuring that every choice you make has weight in this malignant frontier.
Developer: Saikat Deb
Publisher: SOEDESCO
Release Date: 30 January 2026
Xbox Store Page: https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/the-9th-charnel/9p0cfzv27rgp
A Perfect Start to 2026?
January 2026 is setting an incredibly high bar for the rest of the year, even though we had a ton of great games released on Xbox through the entirety of 2025.
Between the long-awaited arrival of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE on Xbox and the atmospheric, Game Pass brilliance of MIO: Memories in Orbit, there is no shortage of masterpieces to sink your teeth into.
Whether you want to rebuild a world in I Am Future or survive the horrors of The 9th Charnel, the start of this year is all about variety and quality.
Grab your controller and clear some hard drive space on that Xbox console of your – the 2026 gaming season is officially underway!
And stay tuned for our reviews of all the games on this list. We’ll let you know how they play.
