This week’s Xbox Game Pass lineup seems carefully selected for players seeking a mix of intense challenges and relaxing moments throughout the week. There's something for players who want to escape into a sprawling, historical epic, and just as much for those who prefer intimate puzzles, branching dialogue, or quiet, unsettling mysteries. But the unifying factor this week is that this lineup encourages exploration, both literal and personal.
Some of this week’s Xbox Game Pass titles are slow burns with a creeping sense of discovery, while others are bold, bright, and immediate. But none of them are disposable. Each one brings a sense of purpose, whether that’s pushing against gravity or questioning identity. It’s a rare week when every title offers something utterly meaningful. And whether that’s challenge, comfort, or quiet revelation, each entry has earned its spot in this week’s queue.
The Best Games On Xbox Game Pass (January 2026)
Xbox Game Pass is unquestionably worth the subscription fee, but which of the available games are the best use of your hard drive space?
Back to the Dawn
This recently added title may include animals, but anyone with a Game Pass should consider trying this captivating prison escape game. Back to the Dawn is a compelling RPG set in a prison filled with memorable NPCs and engaging dialogue. Like traditional RPGs, it offers a variety of playstyles and choices that make players carefully consider the consequences of their actions. The premise itself is intense: can the player think on their feet and outside the box to escape Boulderton Prison? Because from the infirmary to the ceiling, the chance at freedom lies in every corner.
Back to the Dawn allows players to choose between two protagonists: Bob the Panther, an undercover agent who is growing tired of his job, or Thomas the Fox, a journalist unwittingly caught up in a conspiracy. This RPG tasks players with achieving a prison break, but in the meantime, they will need to deal with three gangs and dangerous NPCs within the prison. Whether a player becomes someone whose fists do the talking or an inmate with a silver tongue, Back to the Dawn offers endless replayability.
Back to the Dawn
- Released
- November 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Metal Head Games
- Publisher(s)
- Spiral Up Games
- PC Release Date
- November 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation, Strategy
The Alters
The Alters caused quite a stir earlier this summer, both for controversial and positive reasons. But no matter what, it remains one of this year's top titles and has also hit Game Pass. This ambitious sci-fi survival game combines the best elements of survival, base building, and that unique kind of narrative gameplay that hooks players the moment they understand the stakes involved. Whether a player is catching up on one of this year's most notable games or just learning about it, now is the perfect time to pickup this title.
How to Unlock All Endings in The Alters
Taking the slightest changes into account, The Alters features more than 10 different endings.
Players experience the world of The Alters as Jan Dolski, the sole survivor of a crash on a hostile planet. To survive, he must form a new crew for his mobile base. Using a substance called Rapidium, he creates alternative versions of himself, Alters, each shaped by a crucial decision from his past. Each Alter, thanks to Rapidium's properties, has unique skills and emotional depths influenced by Jan’s decisions or potential life paths, offering opportunities and challenges.
The Alters
- Released
- June 13, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Strategy, Management
Celeste
Celeste is one of those rare games that manages to be both brutal and beautiful. A precision platformer with tight, demanding controls, Celeste challenges players to climb an unforgiving mountain—both literally and emotionally. The journey is challenging, but never punishing, as it encourages players to keep trying, push forward, and believe in their ability to succeed. The story, the soundtrack, and the sense of victory all land with a genuine heart. It’s perfect for a week that may call for something heartfelt and hard-earned.
The game stars Madeline, a young woman determined to scale Celeste Mountain. But her journey is more than physical. She’s battling anxiety, self-doubt, and a shadowy version of herself called “Badeline” that seems determined to hold her back. Each chapter of the game reveals new platforming mechanics and narrative layers, creating a story that mirrors the gameplay’s constant challenge and reward loop. This game doesn’t just test reflexes. Celeste tells a powerful story about resilience, acceptance, and what it means to keep moving forward.
Celeste
- Released
- January 25, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, first and foremost, is a feast for the eyes. Its sweeping plains, gorgeous architectural fidelity, and beautiful bodies of water bring the world of ancient Greece to life. And beyond its stunning aesthetics, it's a must-play Assassin’s Creed title. Among the franchise’s top games, Odyssey honors the nature of its name by taking players on a harrowing and epic adventure across Greece and its many islands. From blight-afflicted villages to the birthplace of modern philosophy, players are sure to enjoy this Game Pass title without being absolute malakas.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey lets players embody a Spartan mercenary caught between the two sides of the Peloponnesian War. The player can influence the outcome of the war by aiding either side, but the conflict is not the entire heart of the story. The soul of this tale lies in the protagonists’ search for their family. By navigating political intrigue and the Cult of the Kosmos, the mercenary can reunite their fractured family or permanently shun them away.
Assassin's Creed Odyssey
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- October 15, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Blue Prince
Game Pass subscribers shouldn’t overlook Blue Prince, one of this year’s top-rated games. Sometimes, a game doesn’t require flashy mechanics or intense action to make a lasting impact; it just needs a bizarre, stylish idea that becomes unforgettable. Blue Prince is a surreal, strategic roguelike where players build a mysterious, constantly changing mansion, room by room. Its unique mix of creepy visuals, time constraints, and puzzle-like exploration makes it perfect for a week of clever experimentation. It’s intelligent, strange, and incredibly addictive once the mystery unveils itself.
In Blue Prince, the player inherits a manor named Mt. Holly from a mysterious uncle. However, to do so, they must locate Blue Prince’s infamous 46th room hidden within the 45-room estate. The mansion's layout changes daily, forcing the player to reconstruct and explore it anew each time. The game combines puzzle-solving, strategy, and roguelike features, complemented by a compelling story filled with family drama that unfolds through exploration and discovery.
Blue Prince
- Released
- April 10, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Alcohol Reference, Simulated Gambling
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Adventure, Exploration, Strategy