As the holiday season draws to a close and a fresh calendar year begins, there’s an undeniable buzz in the air for gamers. January often sets the tone for the gaming landscape ahead, offering a glimpse into innovative concepts and highly anticipated sequels. After enjoying the video detailing the top 7 new games arriving in January 2021, we can appreciate the diverse and compelling slate of titles poised to kick off the year with a bang. This month, players are treated to a fascinating mix of genres, from deeply atmospheric horror to expansive space epics, ensuring there’s something to capture every enthusiast’s attention.
The transition into a new year frequently brings with it renewed excitement for fresh experiences, and the video highlighted how January 2021 is certainly no exception. The lineup of upcoming games promises not just entertainment, but also pushes creative boundaries, revisiting beloved genres with modern twists. Each title showcased brings its own unique flavor, inviting players to embark on diverse adventures across various platforms. Let’s delve deeper into these remarkable new games of January 2021, exploring what makes each a noteworthy addition to the gaming calendar.
The Medium: A Journey Through Dual Realities
Among the most intriguing January 2021 game releases is The Medium, a psychological horror title that dares to redefine narrative and gameplay mechanics. Developed by Bloober Team, known for their atmospheric horror experiences like Layers of Fear (released in 2016), this game presents a unique premise: a protagonist existing simultaneously in two distinct worlds. This innovative dual-reality concept, visualized through a clever split-screen technique, allows players to interact with environmental puzzles and progress in one dimension, witnessing immediate repercussions or assistance in the other. Such a design not only amplifies the psychological tension but also introduces a fresh layer of strategic problem-solving.
The ambition behind The Medium is considerable, with its origins tracing back to 2012. At that time, the hardware limitations of consoles like the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U simply could not render two detailed worlds concurrently with the required fidelity. Fortunately, Bloober Team persevered, bringing their vision to life on modern platforms like Windows and Xbox Series X, where it launched on January 28th. Furthermore, the game’s atmospheric quality is greatly enhanced by the involvement of Akira Yamaoka, one of the original composers for the iconic Silent Hill series. His distinct musical style, alongside camera angles reminiscent of classic horror, promises a truly immersive and unnerving experience for fans of the genre.
Encodya: A Neo-Berlin Point-and-Click Adventure
For aficionados of narrative-driven experiences, Encodya offers a charming yet poignant point-and-click adventure set in a striking cyberpunk Neo-Berlin of 2062. This upcoming game captivates with an aesthetic often described as a blend of Studio Ghibli’s sweetness and creativity fused with the gritty, futuristic vibe of Blade Runner. The story centers on Tina, a resourceful nine-year-old orphan, and her protective robot guardian, Sam 53. Their journey unfolds as Tina discovers a mysterious mission left by her father, propelling them into the heart of a vibrant yet decaying metropolis.
Point-and-click adventure games inherently rely on compelling storytelling and clever puzzle design, and Encodya appears to deliver on both fronts. While drawing inspiration from classics like Monkey Island, it carves out its own identity with a distinctive, cartoony art style that avoids overly flat visuals, giving its futuristic world a unique character. The humorous inclusion of what appear to be 1980s-era family cars in a 2062 setting further underscores its quirky charm. Releasing on January 26th, this title promises a heartfelt narrative within a beautifully crafted, dystopian landscape, offering a refreshing take on the adventure game formula.
Cyber Shadow: Embracing Retro Ninja Action
For those who harbor a fondness for the challenging, fast-paced action of classic ninja games, Cyber Shadow is poised to be one of the most exciting new games of January 2021. This title serves as a brilliant homage to the golden era of 8-bit and 16-bit action-platformers, evoking fond memories of iconic series such as Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi. Unlike many modern iterations that have moved into 3D, often losing the essence of their predecessors, Cyber Shadow fully embraces its 2D roots, delivering a truly authentic retro experience with contemporary polish.
This pixel-perfect adventure thrusts players into a post-apocalyptic mechanized world, where they assume the role of a cyborg ninja fighting against synthetic life forms. The gameplay is meticulously designed to provide a robust move set, ensuring combat feels both fluid and strategic. Furthermore, the involvement of Yacht Club Games, the acclaimed developers behind Shovel Knight, as the publisher, signals a commitment to quality. This marks Yacht Club’s first publishing venture for an external developer, highlighting their initiative to support interesting titles that revitalize old-school genres. Fans will find echoes of Mega Man and Castlevania in its design, creating a rich tapestry of classic influences. While launching first on Nintendo Switch on January 26th, it is slated for other platforms in the subsequent months, making it a must-play for fans of demanding action platformers.
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale: A Dark Fantasy Tactical RPG
Venturing into the realm of dark fantasy, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale reimagines the legendary Arthurian mythology with a grim, mature twist. This upcoming game masterfully combines elements of turn-based tactical combat with the deep, character-centric narratives typical of traditional RPGs. While games like the Fire Emblem series have popularized this hybrid approach, Knight’s Tale distinguishes itself with a starkly different aesthetic and content, diving into a much darker rendition of Avalon.
Players assume the role of Mordred, the fabled slayer of King Arthur, who is resurrected by the Lady of the Lake with a new, daunting mission: to defeat a now-undead Arthur and become the savior of Avalon. The gameplay structure promises an XCOM-like tactical combat system, where strategic positioning and ability usage are paramount, interwoven with significant player choices that influence the unfolding narrative and character relationships. A substantial element of the game involves rebuilding Camelot and recruiting up to 30 unique Knights of the Round Table, each with their own stories and abilities. This blend of strategic depth, moral choices, and a compelling dark fantasy narrative positions King Arthur: Knight’s Tale as a highly anticipated release for PC on January 12th, appealing to those who appreciate complex storytelling and challenging tactical gameplay.
Stronghold: Warlords: The Ultimate Castle Sim Experience
For enthusiasts of real-time strategy (RTS) games, particularly those with a penchant for historical warfare and castle siege mechanics, Stronghold: Warlords offers a meticulously crafted experience. This latest installment in the long-running Stronghold series transports players to 3rd-century BC China, providing a detailed castle simulation that blends economic management with large-scale military engagements. Players are tasked with constructing formidable fortifications, managing vast economies, and defending their territories against a variety of threats, including the formidable Mongol hordes.
A standout feature of Stronghold: Warlords is the innovative “Warlords” system, which allows players to recruit and command other warlords across the map. These allied commanders can be directed to assist in attacks, bolster industrial production, or provide unique perks that significantly impact gameplay. With 31 distinct campaign missions, alongside free build mode, skirmishes, and a robust multiplayer option, the game promises extensive replayability. Released on PC on January 26th, this title caters specifically to those who have yearned for a deep, historically inspired castle sim that pushes the boundaries of strategic command and resource management.
Everspace 2: A Story-Driven Looter Space Shooter
Piloting into the vastness of space, Everspace 2 emerges as a compelling looter space shooter, promising an expansive single-player experience grounded in exploration, item gathering, and deep RPG elements. Unlike its roguelike predecessor, this sequel embraces a persistent open-world structure, encouraging players to delve into its rich universe at their own pace. The game integrates elements such as trading, mining, and crafting into its core gameplay loop, providing a multifaceted experience that extends beyond simple combat encounters.
A significant enhancement in Everspace 2 is the inclusion of a comprehensive story campaign, a crucial addition for a genre that can sometimes feel endlessly repetitive without a narrative anchor. The promise of a narrative arc with a tangible conclusion offers a powerful incentive for players to engage with the numerous systems and explore the beautiful, colorful galaxy. The demo available on Steam provided a glimpse into its refined ship handling and striking visual style, earning considerable praise. While entering early access sometime in January, Everspace 2 demonstrates immense potential to differentiate itself from other space exploration titles by combining satisfying combat with meaningful progression and a compelling storyline.
Hitman 3: The Grand Finale of Assassination
Rounding out the list of major new games of January 2021 is Hitman 3, the highly anticipated third and final installment in the World of Assassination trilogy. This conclusion to the saga, which began with the episodic Hitman 1 (released as a full game in 2016) and continued with Hitman 2 in 2018, promises to wrap up the narrative journey of Agent 47 with a flourish. Players who have followed the nuanced storyline and enjoyed the distinctive sandbox stealth gameplay of the previous titles will find a familiar yet evolved experience awaiting them.
Developer IO Interactive has hinted at a slightly darker and more “mature” tone for Hitman 3, although the series has always masterfully blended dark humor with serious espionage. The game features six new expansive sandbox worlds, with the breathtaking Dubai map being a particular highlight in promotional material. Notably, multiplayer components have been removed, shifting the focus entirely to the acclaimed single-player experience. This allows players to seamlessly import maps and progress from previous games, consolidating the entire trilogy into one comprehensive package. Launching on January 20th across PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch, Hitman 3 is poised to deliver a satisfying and spectacular conclusion to one of gaming’s most celebrated stealth franchises, solidifying its place among the must-play new games of January 2021.
