It’s the beginning of a new year, and despite being a weaker month usually for releases, there’s a selection of highly anticipated January 2024 games to look forward to. From intense fights in Tekken 8 to the calmer, puzzle-based Another Code: Recollection, there’s something for everyone.
Another Code: Recollection (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $59.99
Release Date: January 19
Trailer
It’s a delight when a lesser-known game gets another chance on a newer platform. Another Code: Recollection includes two DS and Wii puzzle games (one never released in North America) about Ashley, a 13-year-old girl looking for answers. She’s uncovering the truth about her parents as you solve puzzles on the stunning remote Blood Edward Island. There’s new voice acting, visuals, and music to make the game feel more modern on the Nintendo Switch.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5)
Publisher: PlayStation
Developer: Naughty Dog
Price: $49.99 (or $9.99 for the PS4-PS5 upgrade)
Release Date: January 19
Trailer
Naughty Dog, whether you like it or not, is releasing a new remastered version of the PS4 game The Last of Us Part II. Thankfully, it won’t be full price. If you have the PS4 game already, the upgrade only costs $9.99.
Despite the apprehension, this game does have a bunch of new features. First and foremost there’s the roguelike survival mode called No Return. There will be plenty of enemies in your path, and a return to some familiar settings throughout the series so far. It will be all randomized.
We’ll also gain access to the Lost Levels that lets us play early development workings from the game cut from the final product. Another impressive feat is that the game outputs 4K in Fidelity mode, adding higher quality visuals on-screen. Despite it being a remaster, it’s arguably one of the most anticipated January 2024 games, due to the series’ prestige alone. It’s a shame the multiplayer game was canceled, however.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Price: $69.99
Release Date: January 26
Trailer
The turn-based RPG antics of Ichiban and his friends return in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. He’ll be exploring Hawaii, battling thugs, and starting up a new village in a new Animal Crossing-inspired side mode. It has also been teased that this could be Kazuma Kiryu’s farewell to the series as he’s battling cancer. Get the tissues ready if you play this game.
As always, expect some drama and some bombastic comedic moments in Infinite Wealth just like past Yakuza and Like a Dragon games. If you play the last entry The Man Who Erased His Name, you can play a demo right now.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft
Price: $49.99
Release Date: January 18
Trailer
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is looking like a promising revival of a beloved Ubisoft franchise. This one’s taking a 2D Metroidvania route with astonishing bosses, plenty of time powers to unlock, and exhilarating platforming from what the trailers have shown so far. “The combat system in The Lost Crown is extremely fluid and fast-paced,” said our preview. Sargon has a quick light attack, a heavy attack that takes longer to perform but deals more damage, a block, and a dash-style evade.”
The combat looks fast and deadly with combos that have you soaring across the sky and crushing your foes to the ground. Hopefully, this game will live up to its potential when it releases on January 18.
Tekken 8 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Developer: Bandai Namco
Price: $69.99
Release Date: January 26
Trailer
The epic fighting game series returns for this generation with Tekken 8. The visuals are enhanced, the stages are destructible, and the new Heat system will heighten each battle greatly. There will be 32 characters at launch.
Tekken 8 looks incredible. “The environments are filled to the brim with detail,” said our preview. “The puddles in the New York stage reflect the lights from Times Square’s advertisements, and the lighting from the neon signs stands out sharply on screen.”
Unlike many other fighting games at launch, Tekken 8 is packed with content from day one. The story continues six months after the events of Tekken 7 as Jin and Kazuya fight it out in an awe-inspiring clash. There’s also the all-new Arcade Quest, which has you playing as your own avatar and unfolding a narrative as we battle it out among a series of arcades. It sounds like a great way to learn the game for newcomers to the series.
Honorable mentions
There are even more January 2024 games to expect, including another fighting game and a new Tamagotchi game exclusive to iOS platforms.
- Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom (iOS) – January 4
- Laika: Aged Through Blood (Switch) – January 11
- Sovereign Syndicate (PC) – January 15
- Bulletstorm VR (PS5, PC, Meta Quest 2) – January 18
- Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) – January 18
- Enshrouded (PC) – January 24
- Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – January 25
- Under Night In-Birth 2 [Sys:Celes] (PS4, PS5, PC, Switch) – January 25
- Rugby 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – January 30
- Palworld (PC) – January
Published: Dec 31, 2023 11:00 am