With 2022 drawing to a close, PC gamers are looking ahead to the most promising new video games set for release in 2023. Luckily, the wait won't be very long, as January is jam-packed with a stellar collection of upcoming titles that are sure to offer something for everyone's gaming tastes.
From rougelikes and RPGs to family action adventurers, slice-of-life science fiction outings, and more, the most exhilarating new PC games coming out in January 2023 look like an absolute blast.
Lone Ruin (Jan. 12)
Developed by Cuddle Monster Games, Lone Ruin is a colorful rogue-like twin-stick shooter action game that is designed to be replayed as much as possible to reap the full rewards. Players control a mystical explorer that ventures into an ancient magical ruin to obtain a mysterious power and cast spells to cleanse the city of its past sins.
The hypnotic top-down shooter is reminiscent of a much faster and smoother Diablo, boasting an awesome twin-stick FPS dynamic that requires controlling two joysticks at once for maximum immersion. The charming 2D artwork mixed with the 3D environments also makes for a unique aesthetic. With a riveting Survival Mode praised by developers as well, Lone Ruin will have experts and newbies coming back for more in early 2023.
One Piece Odyssey (Jan. 12)
Easily one of the most anticipated games of 2023, One Piece Odyssey is a turned-based RPG that allows players to control the beloved anime character Luffy D. Monkey and guide his bounty-based Straw Hat Pirates across the high-seas, dark dungeons, and open landscapes while fighting the franchise's most infamous villains.
Aside from the stunning animation style, and unique abilities per character that are used to collect items, solve puzzles, and explore the map, One Piece Odyssey transcends prototypical JRPG tropes by introducing the "Scramble Area Battles" combat system that allows the entire Straw Hat crew to fight at once rather than taking turns, which is much more aligned with how Luffy and his crew fights in the anime.
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider (Jan. 12)
For retro side-scrolling fanatics and hardcore Sega Genesis game enthusiasts, JoyMasher's new ninja actioner Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider looks like an absolute ball. The 16-bit graphics are sure to appeal to those who spent hours playing the Shinobi franchise, tasking players with controlling a rogue cyborg ninja that rejects its programming and sets out to defeat its makers in a totalitarian future government.
With relentless action, effortless combat mechanics, perfectly pixilated artwork, and an obvious homage to the halcyon days of Konami, the retro-futuristic game has drawn early praise from developers for its nostalgic qualities as well as for pushing the side-scrolling genre forward with breathless pacing, visceral fighting, and remarkable world-building.
A Space For The Unbound (Jan. 19)
Set in late-1990s Indonesia with gorgeous pixel art recreated from the period, A Space for the Unbound is an emotionally charged slice-of-life RPG every PC gamer should consider playing this January. The story traces the intimate bond of a high school boy and girl as the world comes to an end, with the two overcoming their growing sense of anxiety and unease.
Recommended by every single Steam Curator, including a PC Gamer review that claims "My heartstrings have been well and truly pulled," A Space for the Unbound has been hailed for putting an unforgettable supernatural twist to the slice-of-life drama that transcends both subgenres to become a unique whole. The richly textured recreation of '90s Indonesia is matched by the emotional impact of the story, fusing the narrative and the visuals in a truly remarkable fashion.
Persona 3 Portable (Jan. 19)
Finally available for PC on Jan. 19, 2023, Persona 3 Portable gives non-PS-playing gamers a chance to witness one of the greatest JRPGs in history. The story concerns a group of high school kids who must protect their city from monstrous supernatural Shadows during the Dark Hour, a reality-bending fissure in time and space.
The glossy makeover of the beloved Shin Megami Tenseifranchise entry is sure to make full-blown addicts out of gamers everywhere through its gorgeously remastered graphics, sharp gameplay, punchy soundtrack, and deep emotional story-driven narrative that lead to numerous awards when the game was first introduced in 2006.
KartRider: Drift (Jan. 11)
As Mario Kart 8 continues to dominate the Nintendo Switch, gamers looking for a high-octane adrenaline rush in 2023 need to check out KartRider: Drift, which makes its first console crossover in franchise history this coming January. The Crazy Arcade spinoff game is free to play, which makes it irresistible to try out this winter for PC gamers who want to play online with friends on different platforms.
While the gameplay mechanics mirror Mario Kart quite a bit, KartRider: Drift offers refreshingly adorable artwork, silky-smooth graphics, an awesome Race Pass that unlocks new characters, customized kart skins, emojis, and more, which isn't often featured in free-to-play games. If MK8 isn't an option, KartRider: Drift is the next best thing in early 2023.
Forspoken (Jan. 24)
From Luminous Productions and Square Enix comes Forspoken, a beautifully rendered and deeply immersive action role-playing game that follows Frey Holland, a young New York native suddenly whisked to a fantasy world called Athia, where she channels her magical powers to traverse the land, survive the various threats, and return home safely. Along the way, Freya must use her sentient AI bracelet Cuff to defeat the tyrannical Tantas.
With a distinct emphasis on traversal, fluid movement, exploration, and survival over express combat, Forspoken utilizes ray tracing lighting to immerse gamers into the world of Athia, a technique praised for use in wide-scale locations. Aside from the excellent graphics, art style, and gameplay, Forspoken may be too pricey for some ($70) but those willing to take the plunge will be rewarded with the massive open-world map and endless content.
Dead Space Remake (Jan. 27)
Returning to one of the most popular zombie survival horror games of the 2000s, the Dead Space Remake is poised to maraud the masses on Jan. 27 with a gorgeously remastered overhaul sure to exhilarate old and new franchise players alike. Set in the 26th century, the story finds engineer Isaac Clarke on a mining ship overrun by flesh-starved mutant human corpses that he must violently dispatch while rescuing his crew mates.
As one of the most acclaimed horror games of all time, the return of an upgraded Dead Spaceafter 15 years is simply too much of an iconic landmark to pass up with winter, especially for FPS fans, survivalists, horror heads, sci-fi fanatics, and anyone who enjoys the thrill of soaring through the cosmos.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (Jan. 31)
Much like One Piece Odyssey, the rabid SpongeBob SquarePants fanbase is sure to get a monumental thrill when The Cosmic Shake hits the market this January. The addictive action-adventure 3D platformer puts players in the shoes of SpongeBob as he traverses geographical realms known as "Wishworlds" along with his assistant Patrick, who has been turned into a balloon. What a great way to live vicariously through one of the most enchanting cartoon characters on record.
With stunning artwork on par with the hit TV show, a huge emphasis on unlockable customs and collections, and a spirit of unbridled absurdity sure to resonate with fans of the beloved franchise, The Cosmic Shake even comes with a BFF Edition that includes a Cosmic Victory statue, inflatable Patrick, BFF amulet and necklace, a DLC Costume Pack, and plenty more to excited about.
Season: A Letter To The Future (Jan. 31)
Arguably the most original PC game releasing this January, Season: A Letter to the Future is a lyrical narrative adventure that follows Estelle, a woman who journeys across the land on her bicycle to explore, interact, and record her experiences while making sense of the strange yet familiar realm.
Dreamy, poetic, and remarkably emotional, few games are able to marry the arresting story and visuals like Season: A Letterto the Future, offering an intimate documentary-style glimpse at a wayward soul sure to resonate among gamers of all types. For those who enjoy more cerebral, contemplative playthroughs, Season comes just in time for the winter.
Source:gamerant.com