The Medium, HITMAN 3, Atelier Ryza 2: January Gaming Guide – What to Play After New Years

We are starting to publish materials on the most interesting games of 2023. January turned out to be a rather modest month for game releases, but we will still get some interesting projects. Read more about them below.

Iris.Fall

  • Developer: NEXT Studios
  • Publisher: NEXT Studios
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
  • Release date: January 8, 2023
  • Genre: Puzzle / Adventure

A console port of an unusual puzzle game with a nice visual side. The gameplay is based on solving various kinds of puzzles tied to the interaction of shadow and light. An unusual concept is combined with an intriguing story and soundtrack.

Fears: We are worried about the quality of the console ports. And it should be understood that the game is very short.

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale

  • Developer: NeocoreGames
  • Publisher: NeocoreGames
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release date: January 12, 2023
  • Genre: Tactical Strategy / RPG

Early access to a fresh look at the classic story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table served in a dark fantasy sauce. Fundamentally – a turn-based role-playing game with tactical elements, roguelite mechanics, as well as alternative options for the development of the plot.

Fears: It is not entirely clear how long it will take for the authors to fully complete the development and fully implement their plans. More information about King Arthur: Knight’s Tale can be found in our separate preview

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game – Complete Edition

  • Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
  • Release date: January 14, 2023
  • Genre: Action / Beat ’em up

An updated version of the classic 2D action game based on the comic series “Scott Pilgrim”. The project was first released back in 2010, but several years later it was withdrawn from sale due to copyright problems. Now the stylish retro action thriller is back.

Fears: They are not. Fans who have been asking the developers for a long time to re-release the classics will finally get theirs and can add the coveted title to the collection of their digital library.

HITMAN III

  • Developer: IO Interactive
  • Publisher: IO Interactive
  • Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
  • Release date: January 20, 2023
  • Genre: Stealth / Action / Adventure

The third and final chapter of Agent 47’s new bounty hunter adventure. IO Interactive’s design philosophy continues to build huge and complex locations that can be solved like complex puzzles in order to find the best way to eliminate your target. It’s time to try on the red tie that has already become a family.

Fears: None. The IO Interactive team is confidently developing its formula, adding more and more interesting facets to it. Fans of the series should definitely not be disappointed. Read our preview here

Bladed fury

  • Developer: NEXT Studios
  • Publisher: NEXT Studios
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
  • Release date: January 21, 2023
  • Genre: Action / Adventure

Bladed Fury is like Muramasa: The Demon Blade from Vanillaware, only about Chinese mythology. Stylish action game in beautiful scenery with soft animations and not the most boring combat system.

Fears: The game is quite short, and, judging by the reviews from PC gamers, it cannot boast of special complexity.

Cyber ​​shadow

  • Developer: Mechanical Head Studios
  • Publisher: Yacht Club Games
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
  • Release date: January 26, 2023
  • Genre: Action / Platformer

Another development for fans of retro gaming. Ninja, called the Shadow, embarks on a dangerous journey to save his clan, enslaved by evil robots. Bosses, battles with enemies and overcoming obstacles included.

Fears: The aesthetics are good, but Cyber ​​Shadow is the debut project of the developers, so certain doubts creep in by themselves.

Heaven’s Vault

  • Developer: inkle Ltd
  • Publisher: inkle Ltd
  • Platforms: Nintendo Switch
  • Release date: January 28, 2023
  • Genre: Adventure / Puzzle

A narrative adventure game about learning the ancient language of a mysterious civilization that has left the world, is coming to Nintendo Switch. The concept offers an interesting insight into the research work of archaeological scientists as well as the branching story structure.

Fears: From time to time, the pace of the game drops to a large extent, making the addictive adventure feel like a routine.

The medium

  • Developer: Bloober Team
  • Publisher: Bloober Team
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X | S, PC
  • Release date: January 28, 2023
  • Genre: Horror / Adventure

New horror adventure from the authors of the Layers of Fear and Observer dilogy. Throwing away the first-person perspective, the Bloober Team decided to hit the side of forgotten classics – the project offers a leisurely exploration of frightening locations with fixed camera angles, citing classics such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill. In terms of gameplay, users will find an interesting mechanic of simultaneously studying two worlds at once, on which various puzzles are based. And if this is not enough for you, then do not forget that the music for the game was written by the legendary composer Akira Yamaoka.

Fears: The previous creations of the Bloober Team were one-off rides. But for now, The Medium is intriguing. Read more in our material

The Yakuza Remastered Collection

  • Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
  • Publisher: SEGA
  • Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X | S, PC
  • Release date: January 28, 2023
  • Genre: Action / Beat ’em up / Adventure

The collection, consisting of Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4 and Yakuza 5, will appear on Xbox and PC consoles. For those who were eager to get acquainted with the amazing life story of the gloomy Japanese Kazuma Kiryu, fight in the narrow streets of Tokyo, and also listen to karaoke songs, a real holiday will soon come. And if you are still far from this saga – now is the best time to finally get to know it.

Fears: These are long-established games, so there are no fears. Especially considering that on the day of its release, the collection will be available as part of the Xbox Game Pass service.

Sword of the Necromancer

  • Developer: Grimorio of Games
  • Publisher: JanduSoft S.L
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
  • Release date: January 28, 2023
  • Genre: Action / Roguelite

A roguelike about exploring dungeons with a retro aesthetic. The plot is not the most original, but judging by the demo version, the game has potential. She also supports a local cooperative for two people.

Fears: How interesting the roguelike is, together with all the content generated in it, can be fully understood only after two or three playthroughs. Until then, we can only hope for the best.

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy

Developer: Gust Co. Ltd
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release date: January 29, 2023
Genre: jRPG

A new installment in the long-running Atelier series, which tells about cute alchemist girls, the momentary friendship and battles with dangerous monsters. Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy continues the story of the new heroine Riza, who conquered the world with her outstanding figure and bright character.

Fears: The franchise remains fairly conservative. I would like to believe that Riza’s new adventures will not slip into self-repetition.

Gods will fall

  • Developer: Clever Beans
  • Publisher: Deep Silver
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia
  • Release date: January 29, 2023
  • Genre: Action / Adventure

An interesting action game made in a dark aesthetics and based on Celtic mythology. Players will have to take control of 8 unique warriors and lead them through deadly trials, fighting for life and glory with the gods themselves.

Fears: It is somewhat problematic to assess the depth of the combat system from the videos.

Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World: The Prophecy of the Throne

  • Developer: Mechanical Head Studios
  • Publisher: Spike Chunsoft
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC
  • Release date: January 29, 2023
  • Genre: Visual Novel / RPG

The game is based on the famous light novel and anime series “Re: Zero. Life from scratch in an alternate world”. Subaru embarks on a new journey, meeting both familiar heroes and brand new characters along the way. A significant part of the game is devoted to communicating with your favorite characters from the anime, and in between these, in the form of cute chibiks, the audience will have to travel to locations and fight opponents.

Fears: Games created under anime licenses are often completely passable. The project is aimed exclusively at the audience of the original series and books.

Super Meat Boy Forever

  • Developer: Team Meat
  • Publisher: Team Meat
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  • Release date: January 2023
  • Genre: Platformer

A new iteration of the meat-boy, offering a familiar skin, but in a slightly different format. The project has already been released on PC and Nintendo Switch, now it remains for the versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Recognizable style, hardcore levels and a sea of ​​blood. No surprises.

Fears: Initially, the project was created exclusively for mobile platforms. Along with this, the developers have introduced a number of controversial innovations and mechanics into the gameplay, which fans have met with a considerable degree of skepticism.

The pedestrian

  • Developer: Skookum Arts
  • Publisher: Skookum Arts
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • Release date: January 2023
  • Genre: Puzzle

Another port of the acclaimed PC puzzle. In The Pedestrian, players will travel inside all kinds of signs on city streets, overcoming tricky logic puzzles. At the same time, the unique appearance stably pleases itself throughout the entire passage.

Fears: It’s better to get acquainted with the game in short sessions, otherwise you risk getting tired quickly. More about this read in our review

Read also: Rise of the Republic kicks off at Lucasfilm: Kennedy faction loses but does not surrender

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