Xbox Game Pass January 2023: Monster Hunter Rise and Persona 4 lead the way

11 January 2023 , 15:01

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The classic JRPG Persona 4 comes to Xbox Game Pass in it's Golden edition. It's a game everybody should play

There are some super games showing up on Xbox Game Pass this month, including iconic JRPGs and, quite possibly, one or two great secret games later on.

We already know that later in the year we will get top-notch day one releases coming to Xbox Game Pass as Microsoft continues to heavily support its service. Titles such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport 2023 will soon be with us, but if you are looking for something to tide you over until the big guns arrive, then January has you covered.

By the time January 19 rolls around you could have installed the iconic Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable. You only have a day to complete those though (and they will take you over 80 hours probably so we are going to need a DeLorean here) before Monster Hunter Rise drops the next day.

Towards the end of the month is the hotly anticipated Inkukinati – an ink-based strategy game set in the style of medieval manuscripts. Yes, it sounds odd, but it looks great and is already getting a lot of attention.

Xbox Game Pass January leaks

We always get a few extra games that arrive unannounced. We have already had Stranded Deep and Mortal Shell in the last couple of days that we were not expecting, and if leaks are to be believed we could be in line to get another couple of secret crackers dropping shortly.

Inside quietest room in the world where no one can stay inside for over an hour

The first possibility is the awesome Shadow Warrior 3, which is truly a lot of fun with a play style reminiscent of shooters of the Xbox 360 era. Don’t miss it. Some players received a notification about the game suggesting it is indeed in the pipeline.

Also, rumours about fighting fans being well catered for with the potential arrival of Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection continue to circulate. Fighting games aren’t overly prevalent on Xbox Game Pass so this would also be nice to see.

What’s leaving Xbox Game Pass this month

With every new batch of arrivals, we generally have to say farewell to some games that have been on the platform for a while. Of course, if you are a fan of any of the below you can purchase them at a reduced cost and keep them forever. If not they will head off into the distance never to darken your hard drive’s doors again.

This time, six titles will leave the service on January 15 and they are:

• Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
• Nobody Saves the World
• Pupperazzi
• The Anacrusis
• We Happy Few
• Windjammers 2

We are sad to see the back of We Happy Few and Windjammers 2, but overall we won't be losing any sleep about those departures.

Once this lot has arrived we can't wait to see what the Xbox Game Pass February line-up looks like.

Paul McNally