Xbox Games with Gold January 2017 free games list: New Year brings in four new games including 'Rayman Origins' and 'Killer Instinct 2'

Gamers have a lot to look forward to in 2017 as some of the most highly anticipated titles are expected to launch throughout the coming year. To start the year off right, Xbox's Games With Gold has revealed the four new games that will be free for its subscribers in January 2017.

For the Xbox One console, "World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap" and "Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition" will be made available while Xbox 360 players will gain access to "The Cave" and "Rayman Origins." Xbox One players will actually be able to play all four titles as the Xbox 360 games will be available to them via the Backward Compatibility feature.

"World of Van Helsing: Deathtrap" will be available for the entirety of next month. It is a tower defense game with action role-playing game elements. Players will be able to defeat enemies using vicious tricks and killing machines. There are three game modes: player versus player (PvP), single-player and cooperative campaign.

Intense gaming continues with the arrival of "Killer Instinct Season 2 Ultra Edition" on Jan. 16, 2017. It will be available until Feb. 15, 2017. Aside from the base fighting video game, the Ultra Edition add-on also gives players access to eight new fighters, eight costumes and 16 premium accessory packs.

"The Cave," available from Jan. 1 to 15, 2017, is a unique adventure game featuring three explorers who have their own personalities and stories. As players enter the mysterious cave, they will have to solve puzzles to uncover the dark secrets that the magical setting holds. Given that there are seven characters to choose from, players will have a unique gaming experience depending on the combination of adventurers chosen.

The free games list for January 2017 also includes "Rayman Origins." The platform video game will be free from Jan. 16 to 31, 2017. It follows the protagonist, Rayman, and his friend, Globox, as they fight the evil creatures that have invaded the Glade of Dreams. It features a massive universe with 100 characters, 12 unique worlds and over 60 levels.

Furthermore, Games With Gold subscribers also have two more weeks to enjoy "Outlast," the first-person survival horror video game that was included in the December roster of free games. It will be available for Xbox One players until Feb. 15, 2017.