Best Upcoming PS4 Games For January 2019
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Tales of Vesperia is the critical darling of the Tales series, and one of the very best JRPGs from last generation. Here at Twinfinite, we even ranked it as the best Tales game of all time. The Definitive Edition brings a whole host of new additions and changes, the first of which is everything from the PS3 version of the game that never made its way out of Japan.
The PS3 game added an entirely new party member named Patty Fleur, a young girl who also happens to be a pirate. The port also added Flynn Scifo as a full party member, added on new scenes, and brought full voice acting to the entire game.
For the Definitive Edition, full English and Japanese voice acting has been added, as well as upscaled graphics for modern consoles. Tales fans have been pining for the PS3 version of the game for years, and it’s great to finally see that content make its way west, and see the game hit consoles outside of the Xbox 360.
January is a great month for JRPG fans and it all starts with Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition.
Best Upcoming PS4 Games For January 2019
Trails of Cold Steel: Decisive Edition
Hot on the heels of Tales of Vesperia is another updated version of a cult classic JRPG, Trails of Cold Steel: Decisive Edition. The Legend of Heroes series is one of the most criminally overlooked JRPG franchises out there, sporting great turn-based combat, fantastic characters, and overall engaging main plots.
Trails of Cold Steel is a great place to hop in with the series as it starts out a brand new story. You play as Rean Schwarzer, a student at the elite Thors Military Academy. Cold Steel takes a few cues from Persona in its school setting, following Rean and Class VII through their school life, as they become involved in a massive worldwide conflict.
You’ll need to choose how to spend your free time, who to hang out with, and what to do. The game’s combat, on the other hand, is turn-based with a twist. Your party and the enemy will take turns, but combat is entirely based around unit placement and area-of-effect on attacks.
Trails of Cold Steel is a gripping JRPG that slowly builds its characters and story. The Decisive Edition of the game adds upgraded visuals, more voice acting, and a high-speed option to speed things up. This is, by far, the best way to play a classic JRPG.
Best Upcoming PS4 Games For January 2019
Life is Strange 2: Episode 2 – Rules
Life is Strange was one of the biggest surprises of 2015, a gripping emotional tale done in the Telltale style that managed to really put an emphasis on choice and consequence. After one episode of Life is Strange 2, it looks like things are off to a good start.
With the climactic ending of the first episode, it’s been a long wait to continue the story of Sean and Daniel. If you didn’t play the first episode, Life is Strange 2 focuses on two brothers that have to go on the run after a traumatic event. The younger brother, Daniel, clearly has some kind of power, although it’s not clear what yet.
Episode 2 has the brothers continuing their journey, this time traveling through the frigid cold of winter. As Daniel grows sick, Sean has to make a tough decision as to what they should do next.
If the first episode is anything to go off of, Episode 2 will be another emotional rollercoaster with tons of hard choices to make. The series is off to a good start, and hopefully, Rules keeps the same level of quality up.
Best Upcoming PS4 Games For January 2019
Resident Evil 2
For years and years, Resident Evil fans have been begging Capcom for a remake of Resident Evil 2, in the vein of the remake of the original game. Well, what we’re getting is even better, as Capcom has completely overhauled every aspect of Resident Evil 2, for a remake that practically feels like a new entry.
Resident Evil 2 is played from an over-the-shoulder perspective, just like Resident Evil 4, and Capcom has strove to make the game more modern and accessible. Even with these changes, however, there’s still a huge emphasis on survival horror. Ammo is incredibly scarce, and the zombies in Resident Evil 2 feel like hulking creatures instead of hordes you can plow through.
Also unlike the original, Resident Evil 2 blends together the stories of Leon and Claire into one, instead of separating them into two different campaigns. Certain story elements and characters have been expanded upon, providing more reasons for longtime fans to jump back in.
Resident Evil 2 is a bold remake, and one of the most gorgeous games we’ve ever seen on modern consoles. Whether you’re a returning fan or a new one, it looks like this could be one of those definitive survival horror experiences.
Best Upcoming PS4 Games For January 2019
Kingdom Hearts III
It’s been nearly 14 years since the release of Kingdom Hearts II. Since then fans have been eagerly anticipating the next mainline entry while playing through a host of side stories and spinoffs. Now, finally, we’ll be able to finish the Xehanort saga at the end of January.
Kingdom Hearts III brings a phenomenal visual upgrade to the franchise, with gorgeous visuals that look almost exactly like the Disney movies the game pulls from. Of course, part of the main draw of Kingdom Hearts is getting to explore various Disney worlds, and Kingdom Hearts III certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard.
The game introduces a host of new Disney worlds like Tangled, Frozen, Toy Story, and Monsters Inc. While exploring these worlds you’ll be able to bring up to four other party members with you, meaning no more of picking and choosing which members to bring.
That’s not the only gameplay improvement, however, as Kingdom Hearts III puts a big emphasis on Keyblade Transformations. This system lets Sora transform his Keyblade into entirely new weapons on the fly, like transforming the Monsters Inc. Keyblade into a pair of yo-yos.
Kingdom Hearts III looks bigger and bolder than any entry before, and the emotional journey fans have been on with Sora, Riku, and others is bound to come to a climax. It’s been a long wait, but Kingdom Hearts III is finally here, and it’s easily one of the biggest PS4 games of the entire year.
