Game preview January
Which game are you looking forward to the most?
These are the game highlights for January
1/1/2026
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
The new year is starting small but strong. With survival horror, factory simulators and open-world action, there should be something for everyone.
The January highlight ten years ago was The Witness. With brain-teasing puzzles, designer Jonathan Blow both enchanted me and drove me crazy in equal measure. But don’t worry, there won’t be such head-scratchers this month. Nevertheless, good entertainment is guaranteed.
Dune Crawl – pirate crabs
Explore a desert world alone or with friends while riding giant crabs. The critters resemble pirate ships with cannons on board, allowing you to fight battles against various threats.
When: 5 January
Where: PC
Multiplayer: co-op, online and local for up to four people
Star Rupture – space factory
The first promising survival game of the year is called Star Rupture. Alone or together, you explore a vast planet. You collect resources, build complex industrial systems, produce goods and constantly expand your base. Satisfactory, anyone? Mind you, the planet isn’t completely peaceful. In addition to extreme temperatures, you’re regularly attacked by hordes of aliens. Well, yes, the alien is actually you, but you know what I mean.
When: 6 January (Early Access)
Where: PC
Multiplayer: online co-op for up to four people
Pathologic 3 – a very different doctor game
You play a doctor who has twelve days to save a town from a mysterious plague. But you don’t just examine patients and hopefully make the right diagnosis. You also look after the wellbeing of the city: with quarantines or, in an emergency, even by force of arms. And during it all, you’re constantly faced with moral dilemmas. Fortunately, you can turn back time if you think there’s a better way.
When: 9 January
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no
Streetdog BMX – chasing combos on two wheels
While skating games are celebrating a comeback, BMX fans are waiting in vain for a new Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX or Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX. Still, the latter is at least named as the inspiration behind Streetdog BMX, a new release aiming to provide new fodder for ravenous bike fans. Behind the playful graphics lies an action-packed and rather over-the-top sports game.
When: 14 January
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no
Broken Lore: Unfollow – bullying is the monster
Broken Lore: Unfollow lets you experience bullying as a surreal horror game. You face grotesque monsters to unravel a dark mystery and explore the effects of social media on mental health.
When: 16 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: no
MIO: Memories in Orbit – awaken the robot in you
Now here’s a Metroidvania with pretty unusual graphics. You play nimble robot Mio, who wakes up in a spaceship that seems to be flying aimlessly through space. Explore the ship, find better equipment and combine it according to your whims.
When: 20 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2
Multiplayer: no
Final Fantasy VII Remake – conquering your storage space
After covering PlayStation and PC, Cloud’s adventure will soon be released for the Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2 as well. I’d make room for the latter in particular. At almost 100 gigabytes, the game takes up nearly half of the approximately 230 gigabytes of available memory there.
When: 22 January
Where: Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, already available for PC, PS5
Multiplayer: no
Nova Roma – plans to expand
As a Roman city planner, you make the world your own, all to expand your empire. Build dams, aqueducts and shape the land with artificial watersheds and reservoirs however you wish. As you expand, it’s always important to maintain balance so you don’t anger the gods. So don’t forget to erect a temple or two.
When: 22 January
Where: PC (Early Access)
Multiplayer: no
Highguard – bear- or horseback?
The makers of Apex Legends and Titanfall are launching their next multiplayer game. They call it a PvP raid shooter. Rival guardian troops fight each other in a mythical fantasy world with futuristic weapons, kind of like a classic hero shooter. However, various mounts such as bears and panthers promise a little originality. You can even shoot while riding them.
When: 26 January
Where: PC, eventually PS5 and Xbox Series X/S too
Multiplayer: online PvP
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin – immerse yourself in the world of manga
In the next game spin-off of the popular manga series, you explore a huge open world called Britannia as Prince Tristan of Liones. But Tristan doesn’t embark on the adventure alone. You can choose from a large selection of heroes and heroines, all with unique abilities. It looks beautiful and, as a free-to-play title in a fantasy setting, should have strong parallels to games like Genshin Impact.
When: 28 January
Where: PC, PS5, Android, iOS
Multiplayer: no
I Hate This Place – understandable
This isometric survival horror game has you search for vital resources in dark forests and contaminated bunkers. You use these to build new weapons and equipment to fight all kinds of monstrosities. Visually, the comic style and 80s horror vibe stand out. I played it at last year’s Gamescom – it felt crisp and promising.
When: 29 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Switch 2¹
Multiplayer: no
Code Vein 2 – right in the face
Code Vein 2 is a souls-like game with a hefty pinch of anime. You can expect unusual bosses. To even use your abilities, you’ll have to make them bleed first. As is typical for the genre, it promises a lot of freedom in terms of weapon and skill selection. There are also allies with unique abilities to help you out in battle.
When: 30 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: no
¹ Switch 1 version, also compatible with the Switch 2.
Teaser images: Nova Roma, Star Rupture, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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