Welcome to 2026! I’d say “Happy New Year,” but if you’re anything like me, your resolution to finally clear your backlog has already been destroyed by the first week of January. Xbox clearly didn’t get the memo about us needing a break, because the first drop of the year is massive.
From getting a bit tipsy in a dungeon to facing off against a 9-foot-tall vampire lady (again), here’s what’s worth your hard drive space this month.
Live Now: Drinks and Bad Dreams
If you’re still in the holiday spirit, specifically the “having a few drinks” spirit, Brews & Bastards is available right now. It’s a twin-stick shooter where the heroes are basically us on a Saturday night: highly motivated but technically inebriated. You’re hunting for the “Brew Stone” while fighting demons, which honestly sounds like a standard night out in some parts of the world. Little surprise it comes from our Kiwi cousins who are very like minded to us Aussies.
On the complete opposite end of the vibe spectrum, Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition is also live. It’s got 4K and 60 FPS support now, so you can see every terrifying detail of the monstrous adults trying to eat you in high definition. It’s beautiful, it’s creepy, and it’s definitely not one to play with the lights off if you value your sleep.
The “British Apocalypse” and More
The first major drop brought us Atomfall. Think of it as Fallout’s quirky British cousin. It’s set in Northern England five years after a nuclear disaster, and instead of Super Mutants, you’re dealing with bizarre cults and rogue government agencies in the countryside. It’s grim, it’s atmospheric, and it feels very “homegrown” in the best way possible.
Also out this week:
- Lost in Random: The Eternal Die: If you like tactical combat and rolling dice to see if you survive, this is for you.
- Rematch: A 5v5 football game with no fouls. Finally, a sports game where I can slide-tackle people with zero consequences.
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition: It’s old-school, it’s violent, and it lets you crush Orks. What’s not to love?
And for the purists? The original Final Fantasy gets a 2D makeover on January 8. It’s the gaming equivalent of comfort food.
The Big Ones: Star Wars and Resident Evil
January 13 will see Star Wars Outlaws finally hitting the service. We’re playing as Kay Vess, a scoundrel just trying to make a living between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It’s the first proper open-world Star Wars game, and frankly, I’m just here for Nix, her adorable (and surprisingly lethal) companion. This game cops a lot of crap, but I actually enjoyed it both times I played it, the first on Xbox and the second on the Nintendo Switch 2 where it actually suits the game on the go handheld format.
If that’s too much sunshine for you, Resident Evil Village arrives on January 20. It’s the eighth main entry, featuring Ethan Winters’ worst European vacation ever. Between the lycans and the mansion full of monsters, it’s a classic. Plus, on the same day, we get a day-one indie gem called MIO: Memories in Orbit. It’s a hand-crafted Metroidvania that looks absolutely stunning, think lush nature reclaiming old robots.
The “Play Them Before They’re Gone” List
As always, we lose a few good ones on January 15. If you haven’t played Neon White yet, stop reading this and go do it. It’s a first-person speedrunning masterpiece. Also leaving:
- Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
- Road 96
- The Ascent
- The Grinch Christmas Adventures (Probably for the best, Christmas is over anyway).
That’s the January slate. My advice? Buy a bigger SSD. You’re going to need it.
