Games Leaving Game Pass - January 31 2026
Seven games are leaving Xbox Game Pass on January 31, 2026. The biggest loss? Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, one of the best-reviewed games of 2025, departing after just one year on the service.
You have four days. Here's what you need to know.
What's Leaving January 31, 2026
| Game | Metacritic | Time to Beat | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector | 85-88 | 15-20 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders | 87-92 | 3-6 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Starbound | 85 | 25-165 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Cataclismo | ~80 | 8 hours | PC only |
| Shady Part of Me | 73 | 4 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap | 68-69 | Varies | Console, PC, Cloud |
| PAW Patrol World | 68-79 | Varies | Console, PC, Cloud |
All titles will be removed at the end of the day on January 31. Game Pass members can purchase any of these at a 20% discount before they leave.
Don't Miss: Priority Picks
If you only have time for a few, focus on these:
1. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
The must-play. This narrative RPG about a human mind trapped in an android body earned an 88 on PS5 and sits in the top 2% of games on OpenCritic. Critics called it "phenomenal, evocative, and haunting."
The gameplay mixes dice-based mechanics with branching storylines across a richly written sci-fi universe. If you liked Disco Elysium or the first Citizen Sleeper, this is essential.
Time commitment: 15-20 hours for a full playthrough. You can finish the main story in a focused weekend.
2. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
Best for short sessions. This skiing game from the Lonely Mountains: Downhill team scored a 92 on PC. It's challenging, beautiful, and perfect for quick runs.
The hook: minimalist visuals, demanding courses, and satisfying progression. New to this entry is 8-player multiplayer, both cooperative and competitive.
Time commitment: 3-6 hours to see most content. Individual runs take minutes.
3. Starbound
The time sink. If you loved Terraria and want a space exploration twist, Starbound delivers. Build bases, explore procedurally generated planets, craft, fight, and colonize across a massive sandbox.
Time commitment: This is a 25+ hour game minimum. Completionists can sink 100+ hours. Not ideal if you're starting fresh with only four days, but worth knowing about if you've already started.
Quick Takes on the Rest
- Cataclismo (PC only): Solid tower defense RTS with unique brick-by-brick building. 8 hours to finish the campaign.
- Shady Part of Me: Charming puzzle platformer about a girl and her shadow. 4 hours, completable in an evening.
- Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap: Fun with friends, but mixed reviews on the roguelite additions. Better as a co-op game.
- PAW Patrol World: For kids. If you have young ones who play, heads up that it's leaving.
FAQ: Games Leaving Game Pass
Can I still play these games after January 31?
No, unless you purchase them. Game Pass members get a 20% discount on any game leaving the catalog.
Will these games come back to Game Pass?
Possibly. Games do return to Game Pass, but there's no guarantee or timeline. Citizen Sleeper 2 leaving after one year suggests the licensing deal has ended.
What if I'm mid-playthrough?
Your save data stays intact. If you buy the game or it returns to Game Pass later, you can pick up where you left off.
What's Coming to Replace Them
January isn't all departures. Recent additions to soften the blow:
- Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 (Jan 29)
- The Talos Principle 2 (Jan 27)
- Death Stranding Director's Cut (Jan 21)
- Resident Evil Village (Jan 20)
Check our [January Game Pass additions roundup] for the full list.
Never Miss a Departure Again
Games leaving subscription services is frustrating, especially when you find out too late. Vaulted.Games tracks Game Pass, PS Plus, and Nintendo Online catalogs so you know what's coming and going before deadlines hit.
Set up alerts for games in your backlog and get notified before they leave.
[Track Your Subscription Games →]
Last updated: January 27, 2026. Source: Xbox Wire