The Games of January 2021
Happy New Year, normally we would have this list together on the 1st, but you know, we were enjoying the end of 2020, but we are here now.
A few changes to the way these lists are put together, mostly just in removing the art banners from each game and sticking with text. It is a cleaner look and much easier on our poor editor to put together, so there we go.
You might think for the start of the year, there is not a lot of games to enjoy, but there are plenty and across a number of genre’s, so without delay here we go, wait, before we jump in, just note any game that states Xbox One or PlayStation 4 is going to work on the next gen consoles, but if it lists a specific version for those new consoles, they will have additional features or support on them. On, now on with the list.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition
January 14 - Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC
The first big release of the year is actually a re-release of an iconic game that vanished from digital store fronts, just as quickly as it came. Released alongside the movie, the game tells the same story, that of Scott Pilgrim, but rather than it being a horrid movie cash in, the game was instead a side-scrolling beat’em up.
Complete with pixel visuals and an amazing chiptune punk soundtrack, the game quickly became a favourite for players and the Complete Edition not only brings the game back and to more platforms, it is also remastered and comes with all the previously released DLC.
Hitman 3
January 20 - Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
Agent 47 is back again, with another entry in the open world stealth assassination series Hitman. The 3rd entry in the reboot/retooling of the game will conclude the overarching storyline that has been playing out over the past two titles, but will also offer up some new locations to explore, and new targets to take out.
In an interesting turn the game will also offer up VR support on PlayStation 4 and PC, meaning that you can really immerse yourself into your assassination plans, of course, you can just enjoy the normal way. The game has been pretty quiet over the past few months, we got a new location in Chongqing, but apart from the English manor, we know little of the rest. There is also the Switch version, supported by the Cloud, but that is unlikely to work here to well, if at all.
Cyber Shadow
January 26 - switch, xbox one, PlayStation 4, PC
Like Shovel Knight did before it, Cyber Shadow is taking the old school design of side scrolling ninja games and mixing in a host of new mechanics and options, to bring it to modern players. Whilst developed by one man, Yacht Club Games are helping bring this one to life and the support shows.
In Cyber Shadow the world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. A desperate plea for help sets Shadow on a journey to uncover what set the world on the path to perpetual ruin. Slash through techno hordes, leap past traps, and nimbly navigate the ruins of Mekacity. Only you can unlock the secrets to your clan's ancient powers in Cyber Shadow – a quintessential take on the ninja action genre.
Stronghold: Warlords
January 26 - PC
The Stronghold series has been going now for almost two decades and it has quietly gathered a devote following of players, for offering an authentic gameplay experience that blends real time strategy, alongside the management of owning a castle. This time, they have left medieval Europe behind and headed a little further east, letting nations from the Asian continent shine.
But owning the largest castle is not all you need to worry about, because Warlords is all about domination, as victory is decided by players who are able to recruit Warlords from the region to join their team. As you align with more Warlords, you will gain more men for your armies, more resources for your town and therefore, be better equipped to stave off invasions from those who seek to do you harm.
The Medium
January 28 - Xbox Series X, PC
As a digital only release, The Medium might be one that you can easily let slip by, but this unique take on the horror genre, if you like those games, should be one to keep an eye on, lest it sneak up on you later. The game is unique in that it has you playing both sides of the story at once, with one camera in our reality and the other in a much more twisted version of the world.
Discover a dark mystery only a medium can solve. Use your unique psychic abilities to uncover its deeply disturbing secrets, solve dual-reality puzzles, survive encounters with sinister spirits, and explore two realities at the same time. If that wasn’t enough, the soundtrack is being created by Arkadiusz Reikowski, known for his work on many other horror/suspense titles.
Olija
January 28 - Switch, PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
When you are shipwrecked in a land that is strange to you, getting home should be your only priority, but for Faraday, that seems harder than you might expect, given that he wields a legendary harpoon and must navigate a hostile country, all the while, guiding other castaways to safety.
Through adventurous exploration, narration and razor sharp combat, the player will discover a strange world and its inhabitants, including Olija, an enigmatic lady that Faraday finds himself bound to over time. Inspired by swashbuckling tales and cinematic adventure games, Olija is a story about facing the unknown in adversity.
The Yakuza Remastered Collection
January 28 - Xbox One, PC
Already available on another console, the Yakuza Collection is coming to Xbox and PC, which now adds most of the missing games from the series on both of those and as per its initial release includes Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5, with only Yakuza, Yakuza 2 and Judgement remaining.
The series storyline is a crime drama, with plot lines inspired by yakuza films. The most frequently featured protagonist is yakuza Kazuma Kiryu, a reformed gangster associated with the Kanto-based Tojo Clan. While Kiryu often finds himself working with the leaders of the Tojo Clan to thwart conspiracies aimed against them, the primary theme of the series is his desire to leave the yakuza for good and start over, raising orphans and trying to assimilate into civilian life.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy
January 29 - Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, PlayStation 5
The Atelier series has been going on now since the PlayStation 1 days and while this is the 21st game in the series, it is the first time that it has been a direct sequel to another game. Set three years after the adventure that Ryza had on Kurken Island, a letter arrives that sends her off on a new adventure.
With new actions in the field, new mechanics in combat and all new ways to craft items to help you out in your adventure, new players will find things much easier to understand and returning players will find new ways to enjoy the game.
So there you go, the bigger games to release this month in the world of games, that of course doesn’t mean this is all of them, Ride 4 comes to next gen consoles, Iris.Fall is hitting all consoles as well.
What games did we not include that are coming, that have you excited?
