Xbox Live Games with Gold January 2017 free games list: 'Killer Instinct,' 'Rayman Origins' included in lineup

Microsoft has announced the list of free games that will be made available to Xbox One and Xbox 360 players in January 2017. "World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap" and "Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition" will be free for the Xbox One. Meanwhile, Xbox 360 owners will gain access to classic titles "The Cave" and "Rayman Origins."

"World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap," originally priced at $19.99, will be free for the entire month of January 2017. The tower defense game with action role-playing game (RPG) elements can be enjoyed alone through the single-player campaign or with friends and competitors via the versus mode and cooperative campaign.

Xbox One players will also be able to play "Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition" ($39.99) from Jan. 16 to Feb. 15, 2017. The Xbox One version of the iconic arcade fighting game comes with new combatants and more stages. It is a must-have title fighting game enthusiasts as they can battle other players from around the world or artificial intelligence.

"The Cave" is a puzzle-platform video game that follows the adventures of a group of characters as they are drawn into a magical talking cave. As they explore the mysterious tunnels, the team will be able to unleash the cave's darkest secrets. The title, which is usually priced at $14.99, will be free for Xbox gamers from Jan. 1 to 15, 2017. The other free Xbox 360 game, "Rayman Origins" ($14.99), is free from Jan. 16 to 31, 2017. Players will be able to enjoy the platform game with its 60 levels and epic boss fights.

Xbox console owners will surely get to start the New Year with a bang with these four incredible video games. For those who have yet to avail of an Xbox Live Games with Gold subscription, the $10 monthly fee will be worth it as players will be able to experience both new and classic titles. Furthermore, Xbox One players gain access to all four titles each month, thanks to the console's Backward Compatibility feature. For the first month of 2017, subscribers get a value of $89.