All January 2016 Video Game Releases

January 2016 may be kicking things off a bit slowly, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing out there to play. The next four weeks are filled with many different experiences to be enjoyed. Ranging from classic horror remasters, to brand new futuristic puzzlers, you’ll be sure to find something that suits you just perfectly.

Let’s kick start things off with week one’s offerings.

Week One (Jan. 3 – Jan. 9)

Week one belongs to the indies, but there’s definitely big fun to be had. The Kickstarted gem Amplitude officially launches, and Mike Bithell’s Volume makes its way to the PS Vita for some pocket-sized puzzle action. The vehicular combat-filled Hardware: Rivals makes its debut as part of PS Plus’ Instant Game Collection, and you’ll be able to enjoy all your classic shmup action as renditions of some of your favorite celebrities in Shooting Stars. If none of that is enough, you can explore a surprisingly colorful, and outright weird, first person shooter on the Xbox One called Lovely Planet.

The week’s full lineup:

• Shooting Stars (PC) – Jan. 4
• Amplitude (PS4) – Jan. 5
• Hardware: Rivals (PS4) – Jan. 5
• Volume (Vita) – Jan. 5
• Lovely Planet (Xbox One) – Jan. 6

Week Two (Jan. 10 – Jan. 16)

Week Two brings a lot more of the indie action to keep the year pushing along. Assassin’s Creed Chronicles makes its second stop in India. The Banner Saga, an amazing tactical RPG centered around vikings, heads over to the newest home consoles. One notable release, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, isn’t new, but definitely shouldn’t be missed if you haven’t played it already. This intense action RPG could easily give Souls a run for its money.

Zheros is all about fun and zany action in space, while two other games this month are all about story and character. Oxenfree may have a sort of silly name but there is tons of serious character and world building in its simple, unassuming teenagers. And That Dragon, Cancer will take you on a journey through one of life’s most difficult struggles.

The week’s full lineup:

• Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – January 12
• The Banner Saga (Xbox One, PS4) – Jan. 12
• That Dragon, Cancer (PC) – Jan. 12
• Tharsis (PS4, PC) – Jan. 12
• Heroes Reborn: Gemini (PC, Xbox One) – Jan. 12
• Pro Basketball Manager 2016 (PC) – Jan. 14
• Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (PC) – Jan. 15
• Oxenfree (Xbox One, PC) – Jan. 15
• Zheros (Xbox One) – Jan. 16

Week Three (Jan. 17 – Jan. 23)

Time to kick things up a notch in week three with some classic fun and new challenges. Resident Evil 0 rises from the dead across a ton of new platforms with improved visuals and mechanics. Since it’s one of the last great entries in the series, you may want to give it a look. Then there’s Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, Nintendo’s first new game of the year. It’s pocket sized, but the Mario RPGs are always filled with tons of laughs and fun.

Blade & Soul brings some new MMORPG action to the US with lots of customization and action filled combat. But if you like your RPGs to be a bit more challenging, then Darkest Dungeon will have you breaking a few keyboards. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak and Stardust Vanguards round out the month with two very different takes on space.

The week’s full lineup:

• Blade & Soul (PC) – Jan. 19
• Atelier Escha and Logy Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky (Vita)
• Darkest Dungeon (PC) – Jan. 19
• Resident Evil 0 (Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, PC) – Jan. 19
• Resident Evil Origins Collection (Xbox One, PS4, PC) – Jan. 19
• Stardust Vanguards (PS4) – Jan. 19
• The Deadly Tower of Monsters (PS4, PC) – Jan. 19
• A Boy and His Blob (PS4, Vita, Xbox One, PC) – Jan. 19
• Heroes Reborn: Gemini (PS4) – Jan 19.
• Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak (PC) – Jan. 20
• Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (3DS) – Jan. 22

Week Four (Jan. 24 – Jan. 30)

The month closes off with the first major console exclusive of the year, some LEGO goodness, the truth of war, and a few more interesting titles. The Witness, Jonathan Blow’s highly anticipated open world puzzle game finally comes to life on the PS4 after a very long wait. Final Fantasy kicks the year off right as well. It may not be the console releases we’re all waiting for, but Final Fantasy Explorers hits the 3DS at the end of this month, and it seems to be the multiplayer action RPG we all secretly want. Tons of customization, loads of jobs, and plenty of familiar faces will keep that one fun. Civilization Revolution 2 Plus keeps the Vita in the game with some strategy in tow. And if you wanted to see how you would fare in war, you can see just how much it never truly changes in This War of Mine on the Xbox One and PS4.

For those looking for huge, blockbuster fun, there’s no better way to get it than with LEGO Marvel’s Avengers. There’s just something about their animated little plastic faces that you can’t help but love. Experience all of the Avenger’s movies  in a bite sized, multiplayer way, and smile as the month comes to an end.

This week’s full lineup:

• Civilization Revolution 2 Plus (Vita) – Jan. 26
• Final Fantasy Explorers (3DS) – Jan. 26
• LEGO Marvel’s Avengers (Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, 360, PS3,  3DS, Vita, PC) – Jan. 26
• The Witness (PS4, PC) – Jan. 26
• Slain (PC) – Jan. 27
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (PC) – Jan. 28
• Bombshell (PC) – Jan. 29
• Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – Jan. 29
• This War of Mine (Xbox One, PS4) – Jan. 29

Are you looking to pick up any of these games this month? Which one has you the most excited? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.