Game Pass Kicks Off 2026 with Star Wars Outlaws and Resident Evil Village

Microsoft is starting 2026 strong, dropping a hefty dose of AAA titles onto Game Pass this January. The headliners? None other than Star Wars Outlaws and Resident Evil Village, offering a diverse range of gameplay from open-world scoundrel adventures to gothic survival horror. Let's break down what subscribers can expect this month.

A Galaxy Far, Far Away, and a Village Full of Nightmares

First up, Star Wars Outlaws hits Game Pass on January 13. But there's a catch: you'll need Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass to get your hands on it. According to The Verge, Star Wars Outlaws sets players loose as Kay Vess, a young thief navigating the criminal underbelly of the Star Wars universe. Think speeder chases, space dogfights, and all the usual Star Wars fare. "Does it do anything novel or innovative to justify its full price? Not really," Engadget notes, "But it can still be a good time for fans of the saga." So, if you've been holding out, now's your chance to jump in without breaking the bank.

On the flip side, if you prefer your scares more… bite-sized (pun intended), Resident Evil Village joins the Game Pass roster on January 20. Thankfully, this one’s available for Ultimate, Premium, and PC tiers. Capcom's horror title promises a mix of terrifying encounters, puzzles, and action. As Engadget's Jessica Conditt put it back in 2021, it's "a gothic fairy tale masquerading as a survival-horror game." Get ready to face off against werewolves, sea creatures, and the infamous Countess Alcina Dimitrescu, who I'm sure needs no introduction.

More Games Incoming This January

But wait, there's more! January is shaping up to be a stacked month for Game Pass subscribers. A handful of other titles are hitting the service, including Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition, the twin-stick shooter Brews & Bastards (both available now), the first-person survival action game Atomfall, and the online soccer game Rematch (both dropping January 7). Plus, the Final Fantasy 2D pixel remake arrives on January 8. Engadget also reports that Riot Games' 2XKO will be available on consoles January 20.

With this lineup, Microsoft is clearly making a play to solidify Game Pass as the go-to subscription service for gamers. The inclusion of both a brand-new AAA title like Star Wars Outlaws and a critically acclaimed horror experience like Resident Evil Village adds significant value for subscribers. The question now is whether this strategy will translate into increased subscriber growth and long-term profitability for Microsoft's gaming division. Stay tuned, as Automatica Press will be watching this story closely.