Xbox Game Pass - The early January program, including Diablo

The month of December was a bit special. With the end-of-year holidays, Microsoft did not stick to its usual schedule of making two updates per month about the Xbox Game Pass. Specifically, this allows them to provide the list of additions for the first half of the month, then the one for the second half. But, to end 2024, the firm from Redmond preferred to give the complete salvo for the month of December and anticipate the first days of 2025 by integrating Carrion and Road 96 on January 2nd and 7th respectively. Now that DigixArt's road-trip is available, here is the list of games coming by January 14th.

Lightyear Frontier

Already available in Game Pass Ultimate, this game from Frame Break and Amplifier Studios will arrive on January 8th in the Standard Game Pass offer (to be played on Xbox Series X|S). It is worth noting that this peaceful open-world farming adventure is offered in early access, with development ongoing. That said, the developers invite you to manage your interstellar farm and explore the world with up to three friends. Also, remember to cultivate alien plants and use the customizable mecha available.

My Time at Sandrock

On the same day, the Standard Game Pass (console) welcomes another entry already available in Game Pass Ultimate. This is My Time at Sandrock, the sequel to My Time at Portia, which takes the form of a family role-playing game set 300 years after the Day of Calamity. All modern technologies are out of service, so the inhabitants find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world. You play as a character who must build their workshop in a wild town. It's up to you to gather the necessary resources to create machines and save the town from ruin while fighting off monsters trying to invade it.

Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders

Also on January 8, Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders will join the Standard offer of the subscription service. Steal from the rich to give to the poor, such is the motto of our dear Robin Hood. He returns with his band in a rather surprising game. Forget the simple adventure in the shoes of the hooded thief and embrace an open-world RPG that includes an advanced building component, in addition to the integration of crafting requiring the creation of various items. Show the Sheriff of Nottingham who is the master.

Rolling Hills

This new batch is very beneficial for all subscribers to the Standard version of the Game Pass since it is a fourth game that will be made available to them, again on January 8. This time, Microsoft invites you to enjoy Rolling Hills, a restaurant simulator in which you play as a robot chef who prepares and serves sushi. Of course, you will also need to manage your restaurant, make it a friendly place, and improve it to attract more people.

EA Sports UFC 5

After a short break of a few days, time to catch up on your backlog, it's Electronic Arts that will add the very good EA Sports UFC 5 to EA Play, its subscription service. Since this is available at no extra cost in Game Pass Ultimate, all subscribers to this plan will have access to it by extension. You can play it from January 14 on Xbox Series X|S and via the Cloud. For those who don't know, this new iteration of the franchise centered on mixed martial arts boasts a stunning visual rendering. As a bonus, by going to the Perks section between January 14 and February 11, you can get the Bruce Lee Bundle at no additional cost.

Diablo

Diablo needs no introduction. It is an essential hack 'n' slash released in 1997 on PC. Created by Blizzard North, it requires you to explore Tristram to discover a captivating adventure set in a gothic universe. The title shines, of course, with its gameplay system, its combats, and its customization options. If you haven't done so yet, if you want to discover it or simply dive back into it, know that it will be added on January 14th to the PC Game Pass. By extension, it will be accessible via the Game Pass Ultimate subscription (PC only).