XBOX LIVE GOLD
Here are the free titles that you’ll get from Xbox Live Gold:
Xbox One
- World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap – $19.99
- Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition – $39.99
Xbox 360
- The Cave – $14.99
- Rayman Origins – $14.99
Like every month, all four games on offer from Xbox Live Gold can be played on Xbox One. The standouts are certainly Killer Instinct and World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap. The entirety of Killer Instinct Season 2 is free this month, meaning you can jump into the frantic, combo heavy gameplay and get to know some of the title’s bizarre cast of characters. It’s a fantastic fighting game and is fantastic fun for newcomers to the genre and pros alike.
World of Vanhelsing: Deathtrap combines the isometric gameplay of the Van Helsing series with tower defense gameplay. This combo makes for a gameplay loop that is filled with waves of enemies, deep RPG systems, and a fantastic fantasy setting. Running through levels, tearing through enemies and expanding your abilities means there is always something new on the horizon, even if it’s just a new type of enemy to combat or a brand new spell to wield.
Another Standout is Rayman Origins. When Rayman made his triumphant return to 2D in 2011, the use of the new hand drawn artsyle mixed with brilliant level design proved that Ubisoft’s bizarre creation still had a place in the modern era of platformers. It still holds up incredibly well, and getting it for free means there is absolutely no reason to pass it up.
The final title available for January 2017 is The Cave. This puzzle platformer made by Ron Gilbert (the creator of Monkey Island) and the talented folks at Double Fine is a complex and quirky adventure that is full of heart. The various characters who inhabit the titular cave are all fun and interesting in their own way, so getting to know them and what makes them tick is just as fulfilling as working your way through the game’s many challenges and puzzles.
Subscribing to Xbox Live Gold for the month of January 2017 might cost you $60, but it will also save you $90. That’s certainly worth the price of admission, especially considering it’s only the first month of the year. There’s still 12 months of savings to come after that.
