Despite encountering some challenges, 2023 turned out to be a remarkable year for Xbox Game Pass, with numerous thrilling indies, major first-party games, and an abundance of day-one drops. As the year turned to 2024, the pressure was on for Xbox Game Pass to maintain its momentum, and remarkably, it has done just that.
January typically marks a slower period in the video game landscape, with most major 2024 releases slated for the summer or the end of the year's holiday season. However, 2024 seems to be bucking that trend, thanks in no small part to Xbox Game Pass, which has ensured that gamers have plenty to savor this January, as it did in 2023.
Xbox Game Pass' January 2024 Line-Up Recalls 2023 in the Best Possible Way
Consistent Excellence: January Has Been a Standout Month for Xbox Game Pass Two Years in a Row
Last January, Xbox Game Pass delivered one of its strongest line-ups. While it began slowly with Stranded Deep and Mortal Shell, Xbox Game Pass swiftly gained momentum, offering Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden, two of the most critically acclaimed JRPGs of all time. These were followed by the highly successful Monster Hunter Rise, the long-awaited GoldenEye 007 remaster, and Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. January 2023 was capped off with the unexpected arrival of Hi-Fi Rush, setting the tone for the rest of the year.
This year, Xbox Game Pass seems to be on a similar trajectory. The release of Hell Let Loose on January 4 garnered significant attention. This month also saw the addition of two major third-party releases - Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Resident Evil 2 Remake - titles that fans have long awaited on Game Pass. Just a few days ago, Palworld, dubbed the "Pokemon with guns" game, joined Xbox Game Pass, quickly establishing itself as one of the standout titles of 2024.
A Welcome Return: The Impactful Xbox Developer Direct
To add to the excitement, Xbox unveiled its second annual Developer Direct showcase, which felt notably more polished and engaging than the previous year. The 2024 showcase provided fans with a comprehensive look at highly anticipated upcoming games such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and the standout reveal, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. While there were no surprise game drops this year, a surprise appearance from the developer of Visions of Mana was a delightful addition.
Overall, January has been an exceptional month for Xbox Game Pass. With a strong game line-up and an exciting Developer Direct offering a glimpse of what's to come, 2024 holds great promise for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, signaling that this is just the beginning.