Microsoft Reveals Xbox Game Pass Lineup for January 2025 Wave 2

Microsoft has just unveiled the exciting lineup for the Xbox Game Pass January 2025 Wave 2, providing gamers with a diverse array of new titles to explore. This announcement precedes the much-anticipated Xbox Developer Direct event on January 23, where fans will get a first look at several day one Game Pass releases, including Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and an intriguing mystery game yet to be revealed.

The January 2025 Wave 2 begins today, January 21, with the launch of Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S), available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This day one release invites players to master the snowy slopes, either solo or in multiplayer mode with up to eight players across platforms. "Crash over and over until you master the mountain in the snowy follow-up to Lonely Mountains: Downhill," the official description teases. "Now supporting up to eight players via cross-platform multiplayer – work your way down the slopes as a group sharing a small number of checkpoints, or risk it all in a breakneck race to the base!"

On January 22, Flock (Console) joins Game Pass Standard, offering a delightful multiplayer co-op experience centered around the joy of flight and collecting adorable flying creatures. "Flock is a multiplayer co-op game about the joy of flight and collecting adorable flying creatures with your friends. Soar through beautiful landscapes, seeking out rare and elusive creatures to add to your flock," the game's description reads.

Also on January 22, Gigantic: Rampage Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) becomes available on Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard. This premium release of the original 5v5 MOBA hero shooter promises a dynamic and exciting team-based multiplayer experience. "Gigantic: Rampage Edition is a premium and definitive release of the original 5v5 MOBA hero shooter that provides a dynamic and exciting team-based multiplayer experience for fans of both genres. Choose from a diverse roster of unique heroes, each with a set of upgradeable abilities, and team up with four other players to control objectives and take down the opposing team’s mighty Guardian, all while protecting your own."

January 22 continues to be a busy day with the addition of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Console) to Game Pass Standard. This unique Japanese-inspired, single-player Kagura action strategy game challenges players to purify villages during the day and protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe at night. "A unique Japanese-inspired, single-player Kagura action strategy game. It takes place on a mountain covered by defilement. During the day, purify the villages and prepare yourself for sundown. During the night, protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe. Repeat the day and night cycle until you cleanse the mountain of defilement and return peace to the land."

Also on January 22, Magical Delicacy (Console), Tchia (Xbox Series X|S), and The Case of the Golden Idol (Console) join Game Pass Standard. Rounding out the day, Starbound (Cloud and Console) arrives on Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Standard, having already launched on PC Game Pass.

On January 28, Eternal Strands (Cloud, Console, and PC) launches as a day one title on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This debut fantasy title from Yellow Brick Games, founded by industry veterans, offers a thrilling third-person action-adventure experience. "Eternal Strands is the debut fantasy title from Yellow Brick Games, a new independent studio founded by industry veterans from franchises including Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Watch Dogs, and Assassin’s Creed. Fight epic, towering creatures while blending magical abilities with an arsenal of powerful weapons to keep the world from crumbling in this third-person, action-adventure game."

Also on January 28, Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) hits Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass as a day one launch. This action-packed, third-person shooter and trap defense game challenges players to evolve as an orc-slaying War Mage. "Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is an action-packed, third-person shooter and trap defense game. Evolve as an orc-slaying War Mage through rogue-lite choices and obliterate, eviscerate, and incinerate massive hordes with up to four players."

On January 29, Shady Part of Me (Cloud, Console, and PC) releases on Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard. This emotional and dream-like journey features breathtaking artistic direction and the voice of Hannah Murray. "Shady Part of Me sends you on an emotional and dream-like journey, with breathtaking artistic direction and the enthralling voice of Hannah Murray from Game of Thrones and Skins. As a little girl and her shadow, overcome emotional struggles through surreal dreamscapes across a touching narrative filled with twists and surprises. Both must learn, cooperate, and evolve to progress in a poetic journey."

January 30 sees the launch of Sniper Elite: Resistance (Cloud, Console, and PC) on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass as a day one release. This game offers unparalleled sniping mechanics and stealth in a hidden war within occupied France. "Offering unparalleled sniping mechanics, stealth and tactical third-person combat, Sniper Elite: Resistance turns the attention of the award-winning series towards a hidden war, far from the front lines, deep within the heart of occupied France. Bring a friend – the full campaign can be experienced in co-op."

On January 31, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) becomes available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass as another day one release. This highly anticipated sequel to one of 2022's most acclaimed RPGs offers a dice-driven RPG experience in a human and heartfelt sci-fi world. "The highly anticipated sequel to one of 2022’s most acclaimed RPGs, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a dice-driven RPG in a human and heartfelt sci-fi world. You are an escaped android, with a malfunctioning body, a price on your head and no memory of your past. Get a ship, find a crew, and take on contracts while you navigate across the Starward Belt."

Finally, on February 4, Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC) joins Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard. This game takes players to a transformed, vibrant, post-apocalyptic Hope County, Montana, 17 years after a global nuclear catastrophe. "Dive into a transformed, vibrant, post-apocalyptic Hope County, Montana, 17 years after a global nuclear catastrophe. Lead the fight against the Highwaymen as they seek to take over the last remaining resources."

Xbox Game Pass January 2025 Wave 2 Lineup:

• Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 21 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Flock (Console) – January 22 Now with Game Pass Standard
• Gigantic: Rampage Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 22 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Console) – January 22 Now with Game Pass Standard
• Magical Delicacy (Console) – January 22 Now with Game Pass Standard
• Tchia (Xbox Series X|S) – January 22 Now with Game Pass Standard
• The Case of the Golden Idol (Console) – January 22 Now with Game Pass Standard
• Starbound (Cloud and Console) – January 22 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Standard
• Eternal Strands (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 28 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 28 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Shady Part of Me (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 29 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
• Sniper Elite: Resistance (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 30 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – January 31 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
• Far Cry New Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC) – February 4 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard

Xbox Game Pass Games Leaving on January 31, 2025:

• Anuchard (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Broforce Forever (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Darkest Dungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Death’s Door (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Maquette (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem (Cloud, Console, and PC)