Xbox’s Games with Gold lineup for January 2022 has now been revealed, bringing gamers a new selection of classic games to claim. The Games with Gold service may falter in comparison to the broad selection of Xbox Game Pass games, although, Games with Gold does occasionally produce a must-have gem fro subscribers. Some have suggested that Games with Gold is redundant now that modern AAA games are a rarity on the service, but to many, this isn’t the case.
While Games with Gold is perhaps in the shadow of Xbox Game Pass, it does have stiff competition in the form of PS Plus. PlayStation’s monthly free game service has often been compared with Games with Gold, with fans offering the monthly PS Plus selection comparatively favorable reviews. When the two services are compared, PS Plus is the clear winner in terms of the value of the games on offer. As has been noted by Xbox fans, Games with Gold frequently offers games from the Xbox 360 era, which do provide a nice blast from the past, but whether they would be preferred to a more modern title is another question.
Whether fans would prefer a different style of game from Games with Gold or not, though, the game selection for the month of January follows very much the same trend as the previous months and years. As always, the Games with Gold lineup for January has four games on offer, split across the month. These games have a recognizable theme, with two indie games and two games available through Xbox backwards compatibility. While some may not be happy about the indie and backwards compatible slant of Games with Gold as of late, the service may well find its audience by continuing to promote these games.
NeuroVoider
Releasing in January first is NeuroVoider, which is one of the more modern games on offer in this month’s selection. Releasing in 2016 to positive reviews, NeuroVoider is a cyber futuristic twin-stick shooter in which players will face off against robots and ultimately aim to defeat the master NeuroVoider.
Players can pick classes and play through this roguelite experience with up to four players, which may come in handy during some of the game’s boss fights. NeuroVoider has also been praised for having one of the best video game soundtracks out there, which helps to keep the player immersed in the setting of the game. NauroVoider will be available through January 31, so players have plenty of time to pick it up.
Aground
The most modern of the games available in January’s Games with Gold lineup is Aground. This will be made available from January 16, but it may be worth the wait. Aground was released in 2018 to overwhelmingly positive reviews; it is a survival game in which players must forage and survive the elements to rebuild the earth.
Aside from the harsh environment, the player will also encounter dangerous enemies in their playthrough, which they can dispatch with tools they have created through the game’s crafting system. Aground is a Minecraft-style survival game with classic 2D stylings. It is definitely worth picking up for fans of survival games or for fans of side-scrolling 2D adventures.
Radiant Silvergun
Legendary vertical-shooter Radiant Silvergun has returned and will be available via Games with Gold for the first two weeks of January 2022. Radiant Silvergun is a classic arcade game, that has been made available on Xbox consoles by Treasure. For fans of classic shoot ‘em up games, this may be the most exciting game on the Games with Gold list for January 2022. The original arcade version received widespread praise, and with the new additions available in this version of the game, fans will have plenty to keep them engaged. This is the first of January’s classic Games with Gold titles, and while it may be old, it’s still very much gold.
Space Invaders Infinity Gene
The last of January’s Games with Gold games is one of the most popular games of all time, and it also has one of the most recognizable names in gaming. Space Invaders Infinity Gene is an evolution of the original Space Invaders, which is fitting with the theme of the game.
Beginning with classic Space Invader gameplay, it evolves from scene to scene into something more modern and entirely unrecognizable from the classic gameplay fans know so well. Space Invaders Infinity Gene is a great title for fans of the original game, and for fans who may have been put off by the rudimentary and limiting gameplay of the original. Space Invaders Infinity Gene will be available from January 16 — January 31, topping off the month’s Games with Gold package.
It seems obvious from January’s Games with Gold selection what the purpose of the service is, and the audience that it may appeal to. As is shown by the excitement around Nintendo Switch Online’s N64 subscription, the excitement around retro games is as palpable as ever. Games with Gold’s slant towards more classic titles such as Space Invaders and Radiant Silvergun may play into the service’s hands nicely. In addition, the modern indie games on offer supplement this well, introducing gamers to new games they may have never even heard of before.
Doing this ensures that the monthly Games with Gold don’t clash with the list of games available on Xbox Game Pass. The service is one of the most popular in gaming at the moment and offers hundreds of titles, including day one AAA releases. Games with Gold offers something different to Xbox Game Pass, and while it may not appeal to everyone, it has its place in the modern gaming landscape. With the existence of Game Pass, it may be moot to ensure Games with Gold is stocked with new AAA titles, when it could stand on its own, catering to a different audience.