Microsoft was just as ready as everyone else to kick off 2021 and did so a bit early with theXbox Live Goldsubscription service,releasing its first two free games of the year a day earlyon December 31. Now Microsoft has decided to keep the trend running, releasing the next two free games as part of the service today, a day ahead of schedule.
The next two free games for January areDead RisingandBreakdown.Breakdownis a first-person action game originally released for Xbox in 2004. While the game contains some shooter elements, it also includes first-person fistfights and strives for a more realistic first-person experience that some gamers found enjoyable.Dead Risingfor Xbox 360 was the first entry in a long string of open-world survival horror games by Capcom that found mainstream success untilDead Rising 5was canceled. The game is known for its alternate endings, its sandbox oriented gameplay, and all the zombies.
Breakdownwill only be available for download until January 31, whileDeadRisingwill continue to be available until February 15. As for the other free Games With Gold for January, today is the last day to grabKing of Fighters 13,andLittle Nightmareswill last until January 31. While both games have their own audiences,Little Nightmaresis getting a sequel in less than a month,so gamers can still try and squeeze in a playthrough of the first puzzle-platforming horror game beforeLittle Nightmares 2releases on February 11.
It isn’t clear how long Microsoft plans to continue with Xbox Live Gold or if it plans to get rid of it at all, but it does make sense why it’s hanging around. A 12 month subscription to Xbox Game Pass is almost twice as much as the same for Xbox Live Gold. Though in many gamer’s minds,the library available with Xbox Game Pass more than makes up for the monthly costand it still might be too big of a price jump for some, and Microsoft may want to keep Xbox Live Gold as a tried and true alternative.
