For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, 2026 is off to a flying start. While certain games leave the service over the weeks, two new notable productions appear on January 20, as part of the first round of additions of the month. And the least we can say is that Microsoft is banking as much on nostalgia as on innovation. On the one hand, a blockbuster from Capcom which reconnects with the horrific DNA of its cult franchise. On the other, an independent gem developed by a French studio, between metaphorical exploration and retro-futuristic visuals.
A chilling return to the universe of Resident Evil Village
One of the two newcomers is none other than Resident Evil Village, acclaimed for its staging worthy of a horror film and its oppressive atmosphere. Initially released in 2021, it continues the story of Ethan Winters, introduced in Resident Evil 7. But this time, the stakes are even more intimate: finding his daughter kidnapped in obscure circumstances.
The player finds himself immersed in a remote Eastern European village, populated by nightmarish creatures, before entering Lady Dimitrescu’s iconic castle. Halfway between survival horror and action, Resident Evil Village offers a summary of tension, exploration and memorable scenes, in a sumptuously unhealthy gothic setting. Available now on Xbox Series X|S, PC and cloud gaming, the game is aimed at Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Premium subscribers.
MIO Memories in Orbit: the indie revelation not to be missed
The other nugget is called MIO Memories in Orbit. Behind this poetic name hides a metroidvania developed by the Parisian studio Douze Dixièmes, known for Shady Part of Me. The publisher Focus Entertainment has once again signed a strong collaboration with a French creative team.
In this game with an aesthetic inspired by manga from the 80s and the imagination of Jules Verne, you play as a little robot called MIO. His mission? Repairing a huge abandoned spaceship, now overgrown with vegetation. Gameplay relies on non-linear exploration, environmental puzzle solving, and dynamic boss encounters.
MIO stands out as much for its artistic direction as for its subtle storytelling, supported by vibrant settings and a contemplative atmosphere. The game is available for direct access upon release (day one) on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, PC and mobile.
A selection representative of the richness of Xbox Game Pass
With these two titles, Microsoft once again demonstrates the diversity of its Game Pass offering. Far from being content with blockbusters, the service continues to support the independent scene, offering it immediate visibility to millions of players.
This double addition also illustrates two opposing but complementary ways of approaching video games: the controlled rise in tension of a big name in survival horror on the one hand, and the visual dreaminess of an author’s game on the other. A contrast that reflects the Game Pass philosophy: offering the best of both worlds.