How you meet the year is how you spend it: what to play in January
January is the sleepiest month in the gaming industry: publishers are saving up for a year ahead, and tired players often don't have time for new products to go through the backlog. Unsurprisingly, the beginning of January 2026 is full of cozy and peaceful life simulations. But by the end of the month, it will "accelerate" and delight with several high-profile adventures. For more information, see this collection of Izvestia.
Heartopia
Genre: life simulator, MMO
When it will be released: January 7
What to play on: PC, iOS, Android
Screenshot from the game Heartopia
A new free MMO inspired by Animal Crossing. There will be no difficult quests in this cute simulator — the emphasis is on freedom of expression. Players will be able to explore the world slowly, engage in hobbies and creativity, customize the space and communicate with each other. The release should appeal to those who are tired of waiting for the new part of Animal Crossing from Nintendo.
Cozy Caravan
Genre: Adventure
When it will be released: January 8th
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the Cozy Caravan game
Another cozy winter vacation game is finally coming out of Early Access. Cozy Caravan will allow you to take on the role of a cute traveling merchant. The main character and his best friend Bubba travel in a mobile home, trade with locals and create goods in numerous mini-games. In the full version, the game will receive new regions, characters, tasks and a lot of other content.
Pathologic 3
Genre: role-playing game, horror, survival simulator
When it will be released: January 9th
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the game Pathologic 3
One of the most anticipated indie games offering a new look at the iconic game "Pestilence" by the Russian studio Ice-Pick Lodge. The main innovation will be time travel: players will be able to return to past events and see how this or that decision affects the fate of the city and its inhabitants. The focus will be on medical mechanics — the main character, a doctor nicknamed Bachelor, will examine patients, make diagnoses, and this will become an important part of the gameplay.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
Genre: Action
When it will be released: January 16
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
Screenshot from the Prince of Persia game: The Sands of Time Remake
A remake of the famous Prince of Persia was announced back in 2020. After that, Ubisoft postponed the deadlines several times, until finally the project ended up in the hands of the Ubisoft Montreal branch, which completely restarted development. The remake will receive redesigned and modern controls, camera and animations, as well as an updated combat system.
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW
Genre: Horror
When it will be released: January 16
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
Screenshot from the game BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW
A first-person psychological horror film exploring the impact of social media on mental health through Ann's story. The girl becomes a victim of harassment and plunges into a surreal nightmare. She will have to solve a dark mystery and face the personifications of her fears and traumas — sinister creatures that are much more dangerous than Internet haters.
MIO: Memories in Orbit
Genre: metroidvania
When it will be released: January 20
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Screenshot from the game MIO: Memories in Orbit
MIO, a small, dexterous robot with unusual abilities, wakes up on a spaceship drifting aimlessly in space. This huge technological ark has turned into ruins, overgrown with lush vegetation and teeming with wild machines. No one knows why the Pearls, the AI guardians of the ship, stopped functioning. Players will have to dive into the depths of the ark to awaken lost memories and reveal the purpose of MIO.
Arknights: Endfield
Genre: RPG
When it will be released: January 22
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android
Screenshot from the game Arknights: Endfield
The spin-off of tower defense is the Arknights game released by the Chinese studio Hypergryph in 2019. Endfield has inherited the Arknights world order and will expand it with new stories and unique characters. The plot unfolds on the dangerous planet Talos II. Vast wildlands and uninhabited territories stretching far beyond the colonies of the Inhabited Belt remain unexplored. Players, along with Endfield Industries operators, will embark on a journey through this untamed world.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin
Genre: RPG
When it will be released: January 28
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the game The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin
This open-world role-playing game takes place in the Seven Deadly Sins anime universe. Players in the role of Prince Tristan from the Kingdom of Lyones will try to restore order in Britain, plunged into chaos due to mysterious temporal anomalies.
Cairn
Genre: Adventure
When it will be released: January 29
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Screenshot from the Cairn game
Perhaps one of the most unusual projects in January is a simulator of mountaineering and survival. The main character, climber Aava, aspires to be the first to conquer the top of Mount Kami and is ready to go to great lengths for the sake of the record. The creators consulted with a professional mountaineer to convey the climbing experience as realistically as possible. Each scene and hook are designed manually, each limb of Aava is controlled separately, and there are no indicators of fatigue and stress — the condition of the heroine must be monitored by breathing and emotions.
I Hate This Place
Genre: Horror
When it will be released: January 29
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Screenshot from the game I Hate This Place
An isometric nostalgic horror based on the comic book series of the same name created by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin. The game tells the story of a girl named Elena, who finds herself in a distorted supernatural world after inadvertently awakening ancient powers. She will encounter creepy creatures and uncover the secret of this cursed place.
Code Vein 2
Genre: soulslike
When it will be released: January 30th
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Screenshot from the game Code Vein 2
Code Vein II will continue the deep plot in which the characters are connected by blood, fate and destiny. The action takes place in the future, where the remnants of humanity and the Revenants are fighting for survival in a dying world. The player will control a Revenant hunter and will be partnered with a girl named Lou, who knows how to manage time. The main feature of the part will be a well—thought-out system of companions with different abilities - they will be the main focus of the gameplay. The developers also promise large-scale locations, memorable bosses and spectacular battles, not inferior to the first part.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
