It’s been a quiet start to the year so far, with just two officially announced titles coming to Xbox Game Pass to kick off 2026. We are, however, expecting Microsoft to announce more this week, and possibly another drop later on in the month. So, stay tuned folks, as we will let you know of further additions to the platform as we become aware of them. But for now, here are the two games already confirmed for January 2026.
MIO: Memories in Orbit – Xbox Series X|S and PC, January 20
“A mesmerizing, intertwined, decaying world awaits. Awaken MIO, a nimble robot with extraordinary abilities, and unravel the mysteries of the Vessel, an enormous technological ark overgrown with lush vegetation and machines gone rogue. Nobody knows why the Pearls, The Vessel’s AI caretakers, have ceased functioning. Forgotten by all, the Vessel faces imminent shutdown. Dive into its depths to revive its lost memories, as you unravel your true past and destiny, in this mesmerising metroidvania. Will you rise to the challenge and save the Vessel from destruction? Will you dare to seek and wake its memories?“
Nova Roma – PC, January 22
“As the once-great Roman Empire falls into decadence and decay, you lead a small band of citizens in search of new lands hoping to build Nova Roma – a bastion for all that was once good in the Empire. Starting from a humble village, you must appease the gods with grand temples, sate your citizens’ many needs, and build a society that will be the envy of the world for millennia to come.
A wise city planner knows how to harness the world around them. Erect massive dams and aqueducts to control the flow of water as you reshape the land into artificial watersheds and reservoirs, paying close attention to how your actions impact soil fertility. Seek distant resource deposits and build infrastructure to transport raw materials and processed goods across massive stretches of untamed territory. Will you strike a delicate balance between the growing urban sprawl of your city and the risks of rapid expansion? Or will your hubris risk the wrath of the gods and nature itself?“
Do either of these titles tickle your fancy? Or are you waiting for Microsoft to announce something else for Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the XboxEra Forums or make some noise in the lively XboxEra Community Discord Server. If you’re looking to be a bigger part of an amazing community, then either choice is a good one!
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