Keeping up with all the latest video games is an increasingly complex task, with several PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile and many more stores to follow, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every month I’ll be showing you the games you need to keep an eye on, from the big AAA headliners to the intriguing indies you could ignore.
As is usually the case, 2021 is starting out a little slow, although there are still some interesting titles coming up to test your nerves and reflexes. This includes Hitman 3 that concludes the trilogy and the exclusive horror game on the Xbox Series X console The Medium. On the indie front, you can look forward to the new ninja game from Shovel Knight, 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 some of the games recommended in this article, in most cases, I am simply choosing games that look promising and cannot guarantee the final product. Wait for reviews before you buy!
That said, here are the games you should be looking for in January …
The Headliners
Hitman 3 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PS4, PS5 and Stadia, January 20)
Watch your neck, because Agent 47 is back for another round of murder and destruction. Hitman 3 largely follows the plan established by the last games in the series, offering half a dozen new murder camps, including Dubai, Chongqing, China, and Dartmoor, England. The biggest change this time around is in the tone of the series – Hitman 3 cuts the nonsense in favor of a more serious story and austere visual style. The game should also provide good training for next generation platforms, as it offers 4K / 60fps gameplay on the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Pre-order the game here.
Fortaleza: Warlords (PC, January 26)
The Stronghold franchise has had its ups and downs, but Stronghold: Warlords seems to be a strong return to form. As in previous games in the series, Stronghold: Warlords is a real-time strategy game in which players need to build their kingdoms and strengthen against enemy attacks, but this time you can also recruit and build exclusive Warlords that will help you in battle field. It’s been over six years since the last totally original Stronghold game, but I hope the developer Firefly Studios has passed the time well. Here is the Steam page for Stronghold: Warlords.
The middle (PC and Xbox Series X, January 28)
Is the first big exclusive Xbox Series X / S almost coming? The Medium promises to be the most ambitious game yet by horror masters on the Bloober Team (Observer, Layers of Fear), featuring unique dual-world mechanics in which players navigate the “real world” and a black spirit realm at the same time. time Time. Add some heavy Silent Hill vibes to the mix and you’ll have a game that many survival horror fans would kill for. Pre-order the game here.
Promising Indies
Cyber Shadow (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, January 26)
Published by the creators of Shovel-Knight, Yacht Club Games, Cyber Shadow is another promising-looking 8-bit reminiscent. In the case of Cyber Shadow, the inspiration is Ninja Gaiden instead of Mega Man, with the game offering all the jumps and hits you could expect. Fortunately, some modern conveniences and evolved game design should make the game slightly less frustrating than the NES classics. Here is the Steam page for Cyber Shadow.
Gods Will Fall (PC, Xbox One, PS5, Switch & Stadia, January 29)
Wanting a new action RPG to play while we all wait to find out what the outcome of Diablo IV will be like? Well, Gods Will Fall may be the game for you. Inspired by the Celtic myth, Gods Will Fall offers players a team of eight random warriors on a mission to take down 10 cruel deities. The game also offers a certain degree of player choice and, since we are in 2020, some roguelike elements. Yes, there are many games like this out there, but I hope that Gods Will Fall has hacked a unique niche for himself. Here is the Gods Will Fall Steam page.
Olija (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, January 28)
Olija is a new retro platform game with a simple hook … literally. You see, in Olija your weapon of choice is the Harpoon of Legend, which can be used to spike your enemies, but also instantly grab around the levels, allowing for some unique stunts and challenges. The game also promises an interesting story full of unique and mysterious characters … and the ability to create various hats. Sure, why not? Here is the Steam page for Olija.
Complete list of games worth watching in January:
- Yaga (PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch and Apple Arcade, January 12)
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – Complete Edition (PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch & Stadia, January 14)
- Writhe (Switch, January 15)
- Hitman 3 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PS4, PS5 and Stadia, January 20)
- Teratopia (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, January 20)
- Orange Cast (PC, January 21)
- Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy (PC, PS4, PS5 and Switch, January 26)
- Cyber Shadow (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, January 26)
- Fortaleza: Warlords (PC, January 26)
- Encodya (PC, January 26)
- The middle (PC and Xbox Series X, January 28)
- Olija (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, January 28)
- Sword of the Necromancer (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, January 28)
- Gods Will Fall (PC, Xbox One, PS5, Switch & Stadia, January 29)
- Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World: Prophecy of the Throne (PC, PS4 and Switch, January 29)
And these are the games that you should keep an eye on next month. What games are you planning to buy in January? Did I miss something you are waiting for?