Following up on all the latest video games is an increasingly complicated task, which you can keep track of with multiple PC stores, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile and more, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every month I will be delivering the games you need to keep an eye on, from the great triple-A headliners to the interesting indies you might otherwise overlook.
As usual, 2021 is starting to get a little slow, though there are still some valuable titles that will test your nerves and reflexes. These include the trilogy-concluding Hitman 3 and Xbox Series X console-exclusive horror game The Medium. On the indie front, you can look forward to the new ninja game from Shovel Knight publisher Yacht Club Games, Cyber Shadow, the promising hack ‘n’ slash Gods Will Fall, and more.
Note: Although I may have played demos or gained early access to the games recommended in this article, in most cases I simply choose games that look promising and cannot vouch for the end product. Wait for reviews first before buying it!
That said, here are the games to look out for in January …
The Headliners
Hitman 3 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PS4, PS5 & Stages, January 20)
Watch your neck, because Agent 47 is back for another round of murder and chaos. Hitman 3 largely sticks to the blueprint set out by the last few games in the series, offering half a dozen new killer playgrounds, including Dubai, Chongqing, China and Dartmoor, England. The biggest change this time around is the tone of the series – Hitman 3 cuts the madness in favor of a more serious story and a sober visual style. The game should also provide a nice workout for next-generation platforms, as it offers 4K / 60fps gaming on both PS5 and Xbox Series X. Order the game here in advance.
Fortress: Warlords (PC, January 26)
The Stronghold franchise has had its ups and downs, but Stronghold: Warlords looks like a solid return to form. As in previous games in the series, Stronghold: Warlords is a real-time strategy game in which players must build and strengthen their kingdoms against enemy attacks, but this time you can also recruit and build unique Warlords that will help you. on the battlefield. It’s been more than six years since the last original Stronghold game, but hopefully developer Firefly Studios has spent the time well. Here is the Steam page for Stronghold: Warlords.
The Medium (PC & Xbox Series X, January 28)
Is the first amazing Xbox Series X / S exclusive almost on hand? The Medium promises to be the most ambitious game to date of the horror masters at Bloober Team (Observer, Layers of Fear), with unique double world mechanics in which players enter the “real world” and a dark spirit realm on the same way to navigate. time. Add some heavy Silent Hill vibes to the mix and you have a game that will kill many fans of survival horror. Order the game here in advance.
Promising India
Cyber Shadow (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, January 26)
Published by Shovel-Knight makers Yacht Club Games, Cyber Shadow is another promising 8-bit setback. In the case of Cyber Shadow, the inspiration is Ninja Gaiden rather than Mega Man, with the game delivering all the jumping and carving you can hope for. Fortunately, some modern amenities and sophisticated game design should make the game slightly less frustrating than that NES classic. Here is the Steam page for Cyber Shadow.
Gods Will Fall (PC, Xbox One, PS5, Switch & Stadiums, January 29)
Jonesing for a new action RPG to play while we all wait to find out what Diablo IV will be like? Gods Will Fall may just be the game for you. Gods Will Fall, inspired by Celtic myth, offers players a team of eight random warriors in search of ten cruel gods. The game also offers a certain amount of choice of players, and since it’s 2020, there are some roguellike elements. Yes, there are many such games, but hopefully God’s Will Fall has carved a unique niche for itself. Here is the Steam page for God will fall.
Oil (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, January 28)
Olija is a new retro platform with a simple hook … literally. Look, in Olija is your choice of the Harpoon of Legend, which can be used to shave your enemies, but can also instantly wrestle around levels, enabling unique acrobatics and challenges. The game also promises an interesting story filled with unique and mysterious characters … and the ability to produce different hats. Sure why not? Here is the Steam page for Olija.
Full list of games worth watching in January:
- Yaga (PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch & Apple Arcade, January 12)
- Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World – Full Edition (PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch & Stages, January 14)
- Writhe (Switch, January 15)
- Hitman 3 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PS4, PS5 & Stages, January 20)
- Teratopia (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, January 20)
- Orange Cast (PC, January 21)
- Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy (PC, PS4, PS5 & Switch, January 26)
- Cyber Shadow (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, January 26)
- Fortress: Warlords (PC, January 26)
- Encodya (PC, January 26)
- The Medium (PC and Xbox Series X, January 28)
- Oil (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, January 28)
- Sword of the Necromancer (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, January 28)
- Gods Will Fall (PC, Xbox One, PS5, Switch & Stadiums, January 29)
- Re: Zero – Start life in another world: the prophecy of the throne (PC, PS4 & Switch, January 29)
And these are the games you need to keep an eye on for the coming month. What games are you planning in January? Did I miss something you’re looking forward to?