January, much like December, is not typically marked by major game releases – it seems game developers respect the long-standing Ukrainian tradition of taking it easy from St. Roman’s Day to Epiphany, even if they’ve never heard of it. Nevertheless, as always, we’ve prepared a selection of January games to entertain you during those long winter evenings and provide fresh experiences for chilly weekends. This month, players can look forward to a variety of projects spanning a wide range of genres – from captivating simulators and deep RPGs to vibrant platformers and other intriguing offerings.
Chocolate Factory Simulator
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: Simulator
Platforms: Windows
I love chocolate too much to overlook this release—especially since early January is quite sparse in new launches. If, like me, you dreamed of working in a chocolate factory as a child, winning a ticket to Willy Wonka’s, or starting your own production of the "food of the gods," then you’ll find this atmospheric chocolate factory simulator worth checking out. Designed with a steampunk aesthetic, the game features a charming automaton helper that looks a bit like Wall-E.
The game boasts delightful visuals: copper mechanisms, steam engines, and airships delivering orders create a unique atmosphere of an industrial fairy tale. Personally, I can easily imagine this factory nestled somewhere in the alpine Valadilene from Benoît Sokal’s Syberia.
Gameplay-wise, the game offers a detailed system for crafting an array of chocolate creations. Players must precisely measure ingredients, monitor temperatures, temper chocolate, and add various fillings. Decoration also plays a key role, allowing players to create true confectionery masterpieces. As the factory grows, new recipes, equipment, and automation possibilities become available, adding depth and excitement to the experience.
Hyper Light Breaker
Release Date: January 14, 2025 (Early Access)
Genre: Action/RPG
Platforms: Windows
Arc Games and Heart Machine kick off 2025 with the action RPG Hyper Light Breaker, launching in Early Access on January 14.
The game invites players to the Overgrowth—a chaos-ravaged land where order must be restored. You can save the world solo or team up with up to two friends.
Hyper Light Breaker features procedurally generated worlds with unique locations, enemies, and rewards. Players can explore open biomes and intricate labyrinths using various abilities like wall jumps, gliders, and hoverboards. Combat is dynamic, pitting players against hordes of enemies and formidable bosses. You’ll collect weapons, items, and upgrades to craft your own combat style while uncovering fragments of the world's lore and its defenders’ stories.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Genre: Platformer
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo's iconic mascots, though not as famous as plumber Mario. However, games featuring this gorilla have regularly appeared on the company’s platforms for over four decades. On January 16, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD—a remastered version of the beloved classic—debuts on Nintendo Switch.
The developers have modernized the game with HD graphics, improved animations, and more responsive controls while preserving all the magic of the original that players fell in love with.
Donkey Kong and his trusty friend Diddy set off on a new adventure—someone has stolen their bananas again, and the heroes must scour every corner of the island to retrieve them. Their journey spans dense jungles, fiery volcanoes, mysterious underwater caves, and floating islands. Classic platforming elements are enhanced with secrets, traps, and the signature wild minecart rides. And if solo banana-saving gets tiresome, you can invite a friend to join in on a cooperative adventure!
Assetto Corsa EVO
Release Date: January 16, 2025 (Early Access)
Genre: Sports Simulator, Racing
Platforms: Windows
In the new version of the renowned racing simulator by KUNOS Simulazioni, a revolutionary engine has been used to capture the finest details of motorsport. Assetto Corsa EVO promises photorealistic graphics, dynamic weather changes, and an enhanced lighting system.
A key highlight for developers is the extensive car roster featuring vehicles from various eras and classes. Each car is meticulously recreated with attention to detail, and the modern physics model accounts for all aspects of vehicle behavior—from aerodynamics to weather impact.
On January 16, 2025, the game will be released in Early Access, with content being added over time. By summer 2025, for the first time in the series, an open-world feature will be introduced—exploring the region of Eifel around the iconic Nürburgring racetrack.
Morkull Ragast's Rage
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Genre: Platformer, Roguelike
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
If you ever feel like playing as the bad guy, take a look at the new 2D platformer Morkull Ragast's Rage. Here, you’ll control Morkull, the god of death and darkness, who, by the way, is fully aware that he’s a character in a video game.
Morkull not only knows about the existence of the player behind the screen and the developers who created him, but he also loves to joke about it. He often leans into the screen to make jokes or reference pop culture. However, his main goal is to escape the world of Ragast and carry out his cunning plans. After all, even a villain has the right to dream!
The developers hand-crafted every element of the game, creating a dark atmosphere perfectly matched with the high-energy guitar riffs. Morkull’s arsenal includes a variety of abilities and combos, so enemies had better watch their step—if they can!
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Genre: Action/RPG
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Dynasty Warriors: Origins stays true to the Musou genre, where players take on the role of a warlord leading armies into battle, engaging in dynamic, large-scale combat. These epic clashes against countless foes have been the hallmark of the series.
In the latest installment, players are transported to ancient China during the Three Kingdoms period. The main character is a warrior with amnesia, tasked with forging his path through this legendary era. He has access to nine types of weapons and a variety of spectacular abilities. Players will encounter legendary heroes from Chinese history—Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan—each with unique skills and combo attacks.
The developers have added plenty of new features: a refined parry system, improved horse control, a special officer battle mode, and the ability to command armies. Before each battle, players can choose tactics—either launch a coordinated attack or dive into battle solo. For those seeking cooperation, a multiplayer co-op mode is available. The demo of the game has already been well-received, with an 86% positive rating on Steam within the first few days.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Genre: JRPG
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5 (released earlier)
The second part of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (oh!), is finally making its way to PC.
Rebirth continues the story of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Players will once again join mercenary Cloud Strife and his friends in their fight against the Shinra Corporation and the mysterious Sephiroth.
As we (the fans of the seventh “Final Fantasy” and those involved) know, the developers lovingly recreated and expanded the game’s world. So beautifully, even the most hardcore old-school fans have been satisfied (though, let’s be honest, pleasing everyone is impossible).
The developers have added new story twists and modernized gameplay mechanics. The combat system blends classic JRPG elements with dynamic modern mechanics, while the updated world offers more exploration opportunities while staying recognizable.
Note: We previously reviewed the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth version for PlayStation 5.
Space Engineers 2
Release Date: January 27, 2025 (Early Access)
Genre: Simulator
Platforms: Windows
Keen Software House recently shared details about Space Engineers 2 ahead of its Early Access launch on January 27. It seems the developers have a lot to be proud of!
Like the first game, Space Engineers 2 invites players into a space sandbox where they can build anything an engineer’s mind can conceive. The new VRAGE3 engine enables highly detailed worlds where everything can be destroyed—and, of course, rebuilt!
At the start of Early Access, players will receive an alpha version featuring a creative mode. Later, the developers are preparing a story campaign about colonist brothers in the Almagest system, a global water system on planets, multiplayer, and even NPCs.
Every few months, the game will receive major updates—from mod support to new tools and planets. Additionally, the studio continues to support the original game, with 30 developers still working on it while another 70 are creating the new title.
By the way, if your PC has at least an Intel Core i3-10100F (or AMD Ryzen 5 2400G) and a GTX 1660 Super, you can already start dreaming about space construction. For those with RTX 2080 Ti or more powerful GPUs, the full beauty of high settings will be unlocked. Very modest system requirements by today’s standards!
Eternal Strands
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
The action/adventure Eternal Strands takes place in a fantasy world where magic has nearly disappeared. Young weaver Brynn emerges as the last practitioner of an ancient art, destined to restore the world after a catastrophic event.
The developers promise a dynamic world where every element matters. Ice can be used to create bridges, fire lives and spreads unpredictably, and destruction reveals hidden pathways. Combat combines magic, swordplay, and acrobatics, allowing for stunning combos against formidable foes. Players will also have access to a crafting system for equipment and a deep, engaging story.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5 (released earlier)
On January 30, 2025, legendary superhero action Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will finally make its way to PC, developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony.
This time, New York City will be protected by two Spider-Men – seasoned hero Peter Parker and his mentee Miles Morales. Each has a distinct fighting style, unique abilities, and personal missions, allowing players to seamlessly switch between heroes while exploring the city.
Their challenge is immense, as they face off against the most dangerous foes – the relentless Kraven the Hunter and the iconic Venom. With such formidable villains, even two Spider-Men might struggle to save the city...
Fans of the PlayStation 5 version know that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 offers a meticulously recreated New York, where main missions flow naturally into side quests and collectibles, while the cinematic story keeps players engaged throughout.
The PC version will feature enhanced graphics with expanded ray tracing settings, support for ultrawide monitors, and optimized performance across various hardware setups.
Previously, the PS5 version of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 received rave reviews in 2023.
Sniper Elite: Resistance
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Genre: Tactical Shooter
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S
British studio Rebellion Developments is preparing a new version of the famous third-person tactical shooter. Sniper Elite: Resistance takes place parallel to the events of Sniper Elite 5 in occupied France during World War II. Players take on the role of Harry Hooker, an agent of the Special Operations Executive. His mission is to thwart the Nazis from developing a new weapon that could alter the course of the war. To do this, he must collaborate closely with the French Resistance.
The developers promise an improved sniper gameplay experience – from precision shots to planning complex operations, featuring a wide arsenal that includes both time-tested and new models.
The extensive storyline can be played solo or cooperatively with a friend. For those seeking additional challenges, there are side missions and dynamic multiplayer. The game also retains the series' hallmark feature – detailed X-ray replays of precise shots.
Unfortunately, Rebellion has yet to venture into shifting the game's setting to the post-war period and making russians the antagonists.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Release date: January 31, 2025
Genre: Role-playing game, Adventure
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Jump Over The Age is preparing to release the sequel to the cult classic Citizen Sleeper. The second installment, titled Starward Vector, invites players on a new thrilling adventure. This time, we will take control of a new Sleeper – an android with a malfunctioning body. We must gather a crew, manage a spaceship, and do whatever it takes to survive and avoid the bounty hunters.
The first Citizen Sleeper (2022) is a visual novel with RPG elements about an android with a human consciousness trying to escape corporate slavery. The game uses role-playing mechanics inspired by tabletop RPGs: each day starts with a dice roll that is spent on various actions.
Other exciting games releasing in January 2025:
Project Tower – a third-person shooter combining dynamic bullet hell combat with a unique transformation ability. The player must climb the enemy tower "Hixis" to gain freedom.
6 January 2025 (Windows, PlayStation 5)
Builders of Egypt – an economic city-building strategy set in the Nile Valley.
8 January 2025 (Windows)
S4U: Citypunk 2011 and Love Punch – an adventure visual novel about young people searching for love and meaning in life.
9 January 2025 (Windows)
FREEDOM WARS Remastered – action/RPG.
9 January 2025 (Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch)
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap – a third-person shooter mixed with trap defense. Team or solo play.
28 January 2025 (Windows, Xbox Series X|S)
The Stone of Madness – hardcore real-time strategy/stealth set in a changing Spanish monastery.
28 January 2025 (Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter – 2D Souls-like game.
28 January 2025 (Windows, Linux, Mac, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)
Robots at Midnight –adventure action/RPG.
29 January 2025 (Windows, Xbox Series X|S)
Techno Banter – role-playing simulator set in a nightclub.
30 January 2025 (Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero – a role-playing game about a girl and her ghostly allies facing the Ghost Fleet.
30 January 2025 (Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch)