Only a few instances of the yr are actually lifeless for video games anymore, with former doldrum months like July and August, or February and March, now typically being crammed with killer video games.
This yr, although, January really earns the label. It’s not empty, however the launch slate is mild sufficient that you may be selective, or lastly chip away at that ever-growing backlog with out feeling such as you’re lacking out. And in the event you stocked up on vacation offers the final couple months, now’s the time to show your consideration to these.
Two of the most important releases this month are merely the identical recreation we performed earlier than, on a brand new platform. Fortunately, February seems to be a a lot, a lot larger month for brand spanking new video games. For now, although, right here’s quite a lot of titles that may see you thru January.
Pathologic 3
Launch Date: January 9, 2026
PC, PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S
Because the mayor and physician of a small city racked by a mysterious plague, you have got 12 days to resolve the thriller of this illness.
True to the sequence’ cult fame, Pathologic 3 leans onerous into psychological survival, forcing you to make unattainable ethical selections underneath relentless time stress, the place each determination reshapes the city and your individual sanity as a lot because the spreading plague itself.
You will study and diagnose sufferers, arrange roadblocks and checkpoints to curb the unfold of the sickness, and preserve your dwindling sanity.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Change 2 Version)
Launch Date: January 15, 2026
Nintendo Change 2, Nintendo Change
Animal Crossing: New Horizons captured the world when it hit through the early days of the pandemic, serving to the then-three-year-old Change turn into a rarity as soon as once more.
The sport’s Change 2 version brings a bunch of welcome and probably attention-grabbing new enhancements, particularly for the hardcore Animal Crossing gamers amongst us.
It helps 4K at 30FPS for these enjoying on the house display, and is provided with the second Pleasure-Con in mouse mode to extra exactly management ornament and design creation, in addition to to jot down handwritten messages on city bulletin boards.
One other new function is a megaphone that makes use of the Change 2’s built-in microphone. You need to use the megaphone to name out villagers by identify, in order that you do not have to go operating everywhere in the island to seek out them.
For those who’re enjoying on-line and solely with different Change 2 gamers, you can too have as much as 12 gamers in a single session concurrently. That final function is not going to get a lot use, we’re betting, however the others are all enjoyable, attention-grabbing enhancements to the sport.
Last Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Launch Date: January 22, 2026
PC, PS5, Nintendo Change 2 Version
There’s not a lot to say right here; this is similar Last Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade you recognize and love on PlayStation 5 and PC.
Now, although, it is heading to Nintendo Change 2, Xbox Sequence consoles, and Xbox for PC with Xbox Play Wherever. It consists of the Yuffie-centric “INTERmission” in addition to the principle recreation.
Escape from Ever After
Launch Date: January 23, 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Change
Escape from Ever After wears its Paper Mario influences on its sleeve. And pants, footwear, hat— you get the thought.
As Flynt Buckler, fairytale adventurer, you are exploring the fortress of your arch-nemesis, the dragon Tinder (Flynt and Tinder, get it???), once you discover out they have been transformed into company workplaces.
A company from the actual world is taking on fairytale land, and it’s important to crew up with the opposite fairy tales to combat again.
There is a demo for the sport on Steam, so you possibly can test it out before you purchase it.
Rightfully, Beary Arms
Launch Date: January 27, 2026
PC, Xbox Sequence X/S
You are a cute little teddy bear on this roguelite bullet hell recreation, trapped in a dream that it’s important to shoot your method out of.
You will gather weapon and rule modifiers, all of the whereas wielding human-scale shotguns and extra regardless of being a diminutive teddy bear.
This recreation has been in early entry for a few years and is simply now hitting 1.0.
Cairn
Launch Date: January 29, 2026
PC, PS5
If Peak did not hit you fairly proper, Cairn is likely to be extra your pace.
Whereas Peak hit the highs and lows of climbing by means of its janky controls, Cairn is attempting to seize a extra full model of climbing.
You will be climbing utilizing a simulation designed only for this recreation. You’ll be able to climb up anyplace and discover your individual handholds—no yellow spray paint on Mount Kami.
As you climb, you will should forage, bivouac, and handle sources comparable to pitons to make sure you attain the highest in a single piece. There are demos for the sport on each Steam and PS5.
Code Vein II
Launch Date: January 30, 2026
PC, PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S
On this anime action-rpg, you will journey by means of time preventing to save lots of the world.
The unique was effectively obtained, with followers citing the controls and character editor as standout options.
It is an anime recreation, so count on a variety of cutscenes—you will know instantly whether or not that may be a plus or minus for you.
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