It’s no secret that Microsoft and Xbox Game Pass had a rocky end to 2025, with a price increase signaling that Game Pass’ days of being the “best deal in gaming” were in the rearview. On the other hand, subscribers who’ve stuck with it into 2026 have been greeted by an influx of must-play games in January. February has been no different with a stacked line-up of games arriving on the streaming service.
With this week’s recommendations of the best games to play on Xbox Game Pass, we wanted to spotlight some of those new additions, including a revitalized shooter, an all-time RPG, and an inventive new indie.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
I know I’m years late to the party but… Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora kinda rips? The 2023 game, which is set in the same cinematic universe as James Cameron’s films and casts you as a Na’vi, hews somewhat to the formulaic Ubisoft approach, but packaged with unrivaled production values. The movement speed and point of view of the player character conveys a sense that you’re a ten-foot-tall feline humanoid, with all the strength and speed and grace that would entail. And the titular world remains jaw-droppingly gorgeous to this day. Ripping through its otherworldly forest — whether in first-person or, thanks a recent update, third-person — is a delight. —Ari Notis
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Complete Edition
Sometimes finishing a game is a Herculean task. Not because the game is bad, but because it’s just so damn good we don’t want the experience to come to an end. For me, that game is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I love the series (don’t get me started about the books; I’ll talk your ear off about Geralt’s scruples), and The Witcher 3 is easily one of the best RPGs I’ve ever played, like it is for so many others. Yet… I haven’t finished it! I’ve completed the main story and the Hearts of Stone expansion, but haven’t touched the Blood and Wine DLC yet, saving it for when I’m really in need of a dose of monster hunting. But with rumors of more The Witcher 3 DLC on the way, maybe now is the time I revisit an old favorite. And it’s a favorite for good reason — the character writing is superb (even if you’re not familiar with books), the world is fully fleshed out and lived-in, and the monster hunting gameplay ain’t too shabby itself. With The Witcher 3 now on Game Pass, give it another whirl, or, if you’ve yet to experience Geralt’s adventures, go see what the fuss is all about. —Austin Manchester
Relooted
We’ve played a lot of excellent new games in February, but none are as fascinating as Relooted. The 2D heist game combines puzzle-like planning and fluid parkour to create an inventive game that’s worth checking out on gameplay alone. But what actually makes it special is its story, one grounded in real-world issues. Relooted follows a team that’s out to reclaim stolen African artifacts from Western museums and wealthy collectors. It’s presented in a sci-fi Africanfuturist story, but that issue is a very real one. Filled with a wealth of real artifacts, Relooted makes for a great history lesson just as much as a great heist game. Don’t miss out on it, even if your February backlog is crying out in pain. —Giovannia Colantonio
