These are the game highlights in January
A Persian prince, spruced-up zombies, a Hawaii holiday and more are on the game programme in January.
First off, happy New Year! You can take your time saying farewell to 2023; the first interesting games will only be released in a few days. That’s when January gets off to an exciting start for the new year.
War Hospital
Polish studio Brave Lamb calls it a «society survival game». In War Hospital, you’re in charge of a British field hospital during the First World War. You assign staff, make sure everyone is rested and improve the camp so that more patients can be cared for. Resource management is an essential part of the gameplay. There are tricky decisions to be made that can mean the difference between life and death. Same goes for deciding which soldiers have to return to the front, which are sent back to base, and which are discharged.
When? 11 January Where? PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Not a remake, but a new addition based on the series’ first entry. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a 2.5D platformer. You play Sargon, a warrior from the Immortals clan. You travel to the cursed city of Mount Qlaf to rescue the kidnapped Prince Ghassan, just like the series has always done it: with spectacular acrobatics and fights.
When? 18 January Where? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
The Last of Us Part II Remastered
Three years after Ellie’s vendetta, you can relive the adventure in the remastered version. With a better frame rate, higher-resolution textures, more details for distant objects and improved shadows. The game makes use of the dual-sense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Some cut sequences have also been added. There’s also a new survival mode, No Return. In it, you can compete against humans and monsters as different characters. There’s even a free-play guitar mode.
When? 19 January Where? PS5
Another Code: Recollection
We’ve got not one, but two reworked adventure puzzle games originally released for Wii and the DS. The graphics have been spruced up, the voice acting has been revised, new puzzles have been added and there’s also an optional hint system. Part one is about 13-year-old Ashley, who receives a letter from her deceased father. It leads her to a remote island where she encounters a ghost and tricky puzzles. The sequel explores her mother’s past.
When? 19 January Where? Switch
Graven
After more than two years, retro shooter Graven is leaving Early Access. It’s playfully reminiscent of classics such as Hexen. Use your morning star and magic weapons to slash your way through unusual enemies. There are also numerous puzzles to solve, sometimes requiring brainpower, other times skill.
When? 23 January Where? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Roots of Yggdrasil
Roots of Yggdrasil is a city builder with roguelike elements. Following Ragnarök, the end of the gods, the world is caught in a destructive loop. It’s your goal to restore the Nine Kingdoms to their former greatness. You do this on expeditions where you compile card decks, build settlements and complete quests. All the while Ginnungagap, the all-devouring void, is hot on your heels.
When? 24 January Where? PC
Enshrouded
An open fantasy world, hostile factions, crafting and base building are the central elements of Enshrouded. German studio Keen Games delivers the next cooperative open-world survival hit. Up to 16 people can face the cruel hordes lurking across the world of Embervale together.
When? 24 January Where? PC
Tekken 8
The last time I played Tekken was probably on the PS2. I welcome Game Director Katsuhiro Harada’s pledge to focus more on «aggressiveness». Looks like offence is rewarded more than a defensive style of play. True to the motto «All gas, no brakes». There’s also a novel Heat system that enables new moves, and Rage mode from Part 7 returns too. There are 32 confirmed characters on the roster so far.
When? 26 January Where? PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Ready for your Hawaiian vacation? Then put on some sunscreen and get ready for Ichiban Kasuga’s next crazy adventure. In this game, the ex-yakuza is headed to picturesque Honolulu. There he searches for his mother, whom he considered dead. Kiryu, who starred in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, is also part of the cast.
When? 26 January Where? PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Palworld
Pokémon with guns. That was my first thought when I saw the trailer for Palworld. And I wasn’t that wrong in my assumption. In this game too, you collect parties of cute monsters and let them fight for you. The only difference here is that some of them carry rocket launchers on their shoulders and you can control them like a mech. Alternatively, you can condemn them to gardening or make them work in factories. It takes the already flimsy logic of Pokémon to the extreme. But it definitely looks crazy enough to earn a try when it lands in Early Access.
When? January Where? PC
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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