Game Preview January: These are the highlights for PC and consoles
If you're still a little hungover, you're in luck. The game year 2023 is off to a leisurely start. But there are some promising games in January.
If you're still a little hungover, you're in luck. The game year 2023 is off to a leisurely start. But there are some promising games in January.
I hope your New Year's resolutions include playing as many games as possible.
I hope your New Year's resolutions include playing as many games as possible. Because I can help you with that. For January, I have a colourful mix of sci-fi horror, pirate adventure and fantasy action games on offer. But check it out for yourself.
9 January
"Scrap Riders"
"Scrap Riders" is a mixture of adventure game and beat 'em up. You are part of the titular biker gang and try to make your way in a post-apocalyptic world. Reminds me a lot of "Full Throttle" by Lucas Arts. The 16-bit design is also right up my alley.
"Scrap Riders" will be released for PC and Switch.
"Lone Ruin"
Behind "Lone Ruin" is a roguelike twin-stick shooter with a neon-coloured pixel design. Shoot your way through bigger and bigger hordes of weird monsters. I get heart palpitations and sweaty palms just watching.
"Lone Ruin" will be released for PC and Switch.
"One Piece: Odyssey"
Odyssey, which combines JRPG elements with content from the anime series, is being released to mark the 25th anniversary of One Piece. In typical series fashion, you can look forward to an abstruse adventure with scantily clad ladies, crocodile dragons and crazy pirates.
"One Piece: Odyssey" will be released for PC, Playstation and Xbox .
19 January
"A Space for the Unbound"
An indie game with typical 2D pixel graphics and an untouched setting in Indonesia during the 90s. Two teenagers with supernatural powers struggle with anxiety and depression. Judging by the soundtrack, it will be a quiet but emotional game.
"A Space for the Unbound" will be released for PC, Switch, Playstation and Xbox .
20 January
"Fire Emblem Engage"
In the latest instalment of the "Fire Emblem" series, you once again play a hero who has lost his memory. Nevertheless, Wyrm god Alear must prevent the resurrection of a demon dragon. The game offers an interesting mix of different gameplay perspectives and should please tactics fans.
"Fire Emblem Engage" is coming to the Switch .
January 24
"Forspoken"
Frey is transported from New York to the mysterious fantasy world of Athia. There she fights the evil rulers called Tantas with her newfound magical powers. Promises to be a firework, at least visually. A demo is already available for the PS5.
"Forspoken" will be released for Playstation and PC .
"Mahokenshi"
"Mahokenshi" looks like "Civilization" in a Samuari setting. In addition to the turn-based strategy component, there is a large portion of adventure and a map system. Sounds like an exciting mix and visually the game also makes quite an impression.
"Mahokenshi" will be released for PC
"Warlander"
Do you like medieval action games like "Chivalry" or "For Honor"? Then "Warlander" might be something for you. In this multiplayer game you fight epic battles with other players. You not only have ordinary weapons at your disposal, but also spells. Even combat robots go into battle. Looks like fun.
"Warlander" will be released for PC
26 January
"OddBallers"
Everyone is probably familiar with dodge ball or sit ball. The simple gameplay of shooting others with a ball is turned up 200 per cent in "OddBallers". There are cannons, power-ups, chicken costumes and lawnmowers. You can play locally with four people and online with up to six.
"OddBallers" will be released for PC, Switch, Playstation and Xbox .
27 January
"Dead Space"
If, like me, "The Callisto Protocol" left you a little disappointed or you just can't get enough of sci-fi horror games, then look forward to the end of January. That's when the remake of "Dead Space" comes out. The nerve-wracking battle against the nightmarish Necromorphs comes with modern graphics and a few gameplay adjustments. I can't wait.
"Dead Space" will be released for PC, Playstation, Xbox .
31 January
"Superfuse"
In this action role-playing game you slaughter your way through rows and rows of grotesque aliens. Visually, it is reminiscent of the comic look of "Borderlands", simply from a bird's eye view. You can play "Superfuse" solo or with up to three other people.
"Superfuse" is released for PC
"SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake"
SpongeBob and Patrick have come into possession of wish-granting mermaid tears. With this, of course, the two superfriends immediately upset the universe. "The Cosmic Shake" is a 3D platformer that, like the TV series, offers lots of absurdities and crazy locations. The graphics also look really vivid and biteable. I'm looking forward to it.
PC, Switch, Playstation and Xbox
"8-Bit Adventures 2"
Finally, another 8-bit JRPG that immediately captures the heart of retro fans like me with its soundtrack. In terms of gameplay, it is reminiscent of "The Legend of Zelda" for the NES. However, combat is turn-based.
"8-Bit Adventures 2" will be released for PC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time\_continue=62&v=GoETtd4286Y&feature=emb\_title&themeRefresh=1
Being 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.