2 big PS5 games released in January 2026 are free to play

PlayStation 5 gamers looking for new free games in January should mark their calendars 2XKO and High Guardian. PlayStation 5 is home to all kinds of free games, including the most demanding ones Fortnite and Marvel Rivals. Those who sign up for PlayStation Plus get even more 'freebies' with free games given away as part of the Essential tier.

PS5 gamers already know what's in store for free PS Plus games for January 2026 and can look forward to what this month has in store for them in terms of new games. Historically, January is usually one of the slowest months for new video game releases, and this year is no exception to the rule. However, there are still some notable new games for the PS5 in January, and as it happens, two of the most notable games are coming out for free.

PS Plus free games for January 2026 officially revealed and PS4 gamers can breathe a sigh of relief

Sony is pulling back the curtain on PS Plus free games for January 2026, which surprisingly includes some PS4 games.

New free PS5 games released in January 2026

2XKO – January 20
Highguard – 26th January

On January 20, PS5 players can look forward to the release 2XKO by Riot Games, while on January 26th it will be released High Guardianthe debut project of Wildlight Entertainment, a new studio made up of former Respawn developers. Both games are released as free-to-play titles, meaning they can be played at no extra cost, but they will sell things like microtransactions and other premium content. What exactly the premium content will entail will have to wait until the games are fully released on their respective release dates.

For those who don't know the games, 2XKO is a fighting game set in League of Legends The universe of Runeterra. It features a cartoonish art style and includes some of the characters that appeared in the critically acclaimed League of Legends show Arcanalike Jinx and Vi. 2XKO is currently available in Early Access on PC and has been well received. actually 2XKO it was even nominated for Best Fighting Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2025 despite not having a full release yet. The full release will arrive on January 20th, and while details on exactly what that will mean for the game have yet to be revealed, we do know that it will mean its release on consoles, including the PS5.

Systems

PC-1

Released: 2025
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Multiplayer: Online multiplayer

Highguard is coming to PS5 this month

Less than a week after that 2XKO hits PS5, High Guardian will launch for the platform on January 26. Described as a PvP raid shooter, High Guardian it looks like a wild mix of different role-playing games. Characters have unique special abilities ala Overwatchwith players able to ride into battle on horseback not dissimilar Paladins. High Guardian players fight for an object that in turn gives them access to the enemy base, which is an interesting dynamic for a hero shooter.

High Guardian will be released roughly a month after it was first announced. The game was revealed as the final announcement of The Game Awards 2025, though it was unfortunately met with widespread backlash. even so High GuardianThe game looked solid and you can try it for free. There is zero damage when checking out High Guardian it won't be out for PS5 until January 26th, and fans of the genre should definitely consider checking it out.

2XKO and High Guardian are the two big free PS5 games released in January 2026, but there are other noteworthy news. Metroidvania style game Mio: Memories in Orbit comes out on January 20 next door 2XKOwhile the climbing game Cairn coming on January 29th. Finally a Soulslike anime Code vein 2 is scheduled for January 30. All of these games will ensure that this January will be busier than usual for the PS5, and players should have plenty of options in the coming weeks.