New Xbox Game Pass Day One Game Is the 3rd Highest-Rated Game of 2026

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A new game has launched today on Xbox Game Pass, and early reviews are coming in. Currently, it’s the third highest-rated game of the year with a solid Metacritic score of 83. While it’s still early in the year, this is a strong start, especially compared to the first Game Pass launch of 2026, which received a lower score of 68.

Xbox Game Pass members on PC, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X can now enjoy the newly released game, MIO: Memories in Orbit. This means subscribers on those platforms don’t have to pay the $20 price tag. However, you’ll need the Ultimate tier of Game Pass – which costs $30 per month – to play it. Unfortunately, the game isn’t available for those still using the older Xbox One console.

A Sci-Fi Action-Adventure Game

Although critics generally like MIO: Memories in Orbit, player reviews are a little more mixed. It has a 79% positive rating on Steam, but only a 3 out of 5 star rating on the Xbox Store. Many negative reviews focus on a specific game mechanic: the character’s health permanently decreases as you play, meaning exploring more actually makes the game harder. While some players haven’t had issues with this, others feel it’s unbalanced and can make the game impossible to finish.

The game is a sci-fi metroidvania where you control an android named MIO. She’s tasked with saving a spaceship and its crew from a dangerous malfunction caused by rogue machines. While the story is straightforward, the game prioritizes exciting gameplay and exploration over a complex narrative.

We don’t know how long the new Metroidvania game will be on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – that information hasn’t been released yet. However, as long as it’s available through the subscription, Game Pass subscribers can buy it with a 20% discount. Players can expect to spend around 15 hours enjoying this sci-fi adventure.

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2026-01-24 22:42