15 New Games of January 2026

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Now that 2025 has come and gone with another great year for gaming, let’s look ahead to what 2026 has in store, starting this January. While there aren’t any huge, blockbuster titles launching right away, there are some interesting games coming up – including a psychological horror, a new installment in the Trails series, a free-to-play fighting game, and even the game that received a lot of negative attention at The Game Awards. Let’s jump right in and take a look…

Pathologic 3

The second game was tough, but Ice-Pick Lodge is making the sequel, launching January 9th on PC, even more challenging. You play as Dr. Daniil Dankovsky, and you have just 12 days to save a town from a deadly plague. It’s not just about treating patients – you’ll also need to enforce quarantines, investigate the town’s residents, and keep yourself mentally stable. Expect to fail, and when you do, you’ll have to go back in time and try again – but be prepared for new obstacles each time. There’s another time-traveling game coming in January too, but we’ll talk about that later.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon

So, I really loved diving back into the world of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter! Well, get ready, because we’re back in present-day Kiseki, and things are… not looking good. Apparently, the world is ending! This time around, I’m playing as Van, Agnes, and the crew, and we’re in a serious race against time. It’s awesome because our story actually crosses paths with Rean Schwarzer and Kevin Graham – two legends! There’s a ton to be excited about, like finally getting some answers to long-running mysteries and a space expedition. Plus, they’ve added some cool new combat stuff, like Z.O.C. which lets you slow down enemies. After a bit of a delay, Trails beyond the Horizon is finally launching on January 15th for PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and even the new Switch 2!

Arknights: Endfield

The final moments of a dying world unfold not on Earth, but on Talos-2, a planet already scarred by disaster. As a new game based on the popular tower defense title, this is a complete action RPG where you play as the Endministrator, striving to restore peace to the moon. Beyond building your team and completing quests, you can also create complex automated factories – similar to the game Satisfactory – to gather resources and craft equipment. It’s yet to be seen if Endfield will stand out from other similar games, but it certainly looks stunning. It will be released on January 22nd for iOS, Android, PS5, and PC.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Vision of Four Heroes

The new DLC puts the focus on characters like Zhang Jiao, Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, and Lu Bu, and will be available January 22nd on PS5, Xbox Series, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. It keeps the intense 1 vs 1000 combat players love, but adds new options like the Rope Dart and Bow weapons, plus new combat skills and two companions: Diaochan and Zhuhe. This is a significant expansion to the original game, and the question is whether it’s worth the $35 price.

Highguard

Another free-to-play shooter? It might seem like we have enough, but Wildlight Entertainment is attempting a unique approach with Highguard. The game combines guns and magic in a fight for control of territory. As a Warden, your mission is to locate the Shieldbreaker, attack enemy bases, and eliminate opponents. Highguard also features mounts, siege weapons, destructible environments, fast-paced movement, and plenty of player interaction. We’ll see if this combination works when the game releases on January 26th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade (Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S)

The highly praised remake, originally released for PS4 over five years ago, is coming to Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 on January 22nd. This version, known as Intergrade, boasts enhanced graphics, a Photo Mode, and the INTERmission expansion featuring Yuffie. It also includes improvements to gameplay, letting you quickly max out Materia levels and unlock weapon abilities.

Cairn

Though it blends genres like fast-paced action and cooperative exploration, and requires a complex system for realistic climbing, The Game Bakers has pulled it off with Cairn. The game has a straightforward goal – climb Mount Kami – but with a unique catch: you can climb anything, letting you choose your own path while trying to survive. Expect around 15 hours of gameplay filled with survival elements, challenging weather, and a thought-provoking story when it releases on January 29th for PlayStation 5 and PC.

Code Vein 2

Unlike the original game, Code Vein 2 doesn’t take place after the end of the world. Instead, you play as a Revenant Hunter tasked with going back in time to prevent the apocalypse. You’ll meet new allies, fight challenging bosses, and – as you’d expect – collect blood. It features the same addictive gameplay loop as the first game, though online co-op won’t be available this time around. The first Code Vein impressed us with its story and combat, so we’re excited to see what new features this sequel brings when it releases on January 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

2XKO (PS5, Xbox Series X/S)

Riot Games’ free-to-play fighting game, which initially launched on PC last year, is coming to consoles in January, and will include the character Caitlyn. The game has already generated a lot of buzz, with players excited about its unique Point and Assist system, but also concerned about the cost of in-game purchases. Despite this, it’s free to play, so you can try it out and see if it becomes your new favorite fighting game.

BrokenLore: Unfollow

It sounds strange, but this is one of five new games called BrokenLore coming out on January 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. You play as Anne, trying to escape a terrifying nightmare filled with monsters and disturbing experiences. The game features multiple endings, and while it has similarities to Silent Hill, it’s a promising beginning to what looks like another great year for horror games.

StarRupture (Early Access)

The creators of Green Hell are launching a new sci-fi survival game centered around building a base and playing with friends. Players will explore a planet, create a settlement and factory, and fight off dangerous alien creatures – up to four players can team up. The gameplay is similar to Factorio, but experienced from a first-person perspective. The game will be available on PC in early access starting January 6th, although the co-op feature won’t be ready immediately.

Sega Football Club Champions

Despite a slightly challenging 2025 for Football Manager, its underlying technology is being used to create a new sports management game called Sega Football Club Champions. This latest installment in the SakaTsuku series lets you build and manage a team, climb the ranks in various leagues (including the J and K Leagues), handle player transfers, and compete on the international stage. The game is free-to-play and will be available on PS4, PS5, iOS, PC, and Android starting January 22nd.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

On January 15th, Animal Crossing: New Horizons gets a Switch 2 Edition with support for up to twelve players, better graphics (though still running at 30 frames per second), and mouse controls. But the biggest news is Update 3.0, which all Switch players will receive on that day. This update lets you decorate your resort with special rewards, use the Reset Service to redesign your island, visit the new Slumber Island, and enjoy new items – including Lego and collaborations with Zelda and Splatoon!

MIO: Memories in Orbit

The creator of Shady Part of Me is back with MIO: Memories in Orbit, a new platforming adventure set in space. You play as a robot exploring a huge ship called the Vessel. Once you recover your memories, you’ll have to hurry to save the ship from falling apart. This means learning new skills, battling challenging bosses, and doing everything you can to survive. MIO: Memories in Orbit launches on January 20th for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and Xbox Series X/S, and at a price of $20, it has the potential to be a hidden gem.

The Midnight Walkers

While zombie survival games are common, The Midnight Walkers, launching in early access on PC January 29th, adds a player-versus-player (PvP) element to the mix. The game emphasizes both gunplay and close-quarters combat, creating intense battles against zombies and other players. Players choose from four classes and must climb the Liberty Grand Center while avoiding deadly poison gas, attempting to escape with as much loot as possible – or perish in the attempt.

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2025-12-30 14:43