As we continue to countdown our picks for the Top 10 Best Games of 2022 we’re also in the opening weeks of 2023; a year that in terms of massive releases, will go down in history. Barring any unforeseen delays of course. Just to name a few, there’s Diablo IV, Starfield, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Final Fantasy XVI, Atomic Heart, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and more. Insanity.

Will we have time to play them all? Is that even possible? Time will tell.

And kicking off the year we’ve got a pretty stacked January, with the impressive Dead Space remake from EA and the new fantasy epic in the form of Forspoken from Square Enix. Plus, there’s a brand-new Fire Emblem from Nintendo, and the iconic Age of Empires II is set to make its console debut on Xbox Series X|S.

Here’s what you can expect for January 2023, across all major gaming platforms.

Lone Ruin

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Platform: PC, Switch
Release Date: January 12



The roguelike genre is pretty popular right now, and it's not hard to see why; progression, challenge, and replayability all coming together in a heady mix of action and ability-based spectacle. That is of course if all of the elements come together just so. Lone Ruin is a new roguelike making its debut this month, with twin-stick shooter action and a striking look and feel. From the purple and blue hues of its presentation to the slick particle-heavy animation, there’s nothing like kicking off the new year with some roguelike bliss.

One Piece Odyssey

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 13



A brand new RPG set in the world of the popular anime, if you’re a fan of One Piece Odyssey then no doubt you’re already sold on the premise. Celebrating 25 years of the anime series, this new adventure sees players become the Straw Hat Crew as they explore a dangerous island. From a visual standpoint, the cel-shaded look captures the feel of the classic anime, filtered through a presentation that is very much “modern JRPG”. The first of several epic RPGs coming in 2023.

A Space for the Unbound

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 19



A Space for the Unbound is set in 1990s rural Indonesia, an adventure game with a heartfelt story about relationships and overcoming anxiety and depression. The pixel art is striking and retro in some ways, yet still modern, and with its own visual identity. With supernatural themes and a look at a corner of the world we rarely see, this one has charming and emotional written all over it.

Persona 3 Portable / Persona 4 Golden

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 19



Persona 3 Portable released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) back in 2010, with Persona 4 Golden making its debut on the also portable PlayStation Vita in 2012. As some of the least accessible entries in the popular series (based on the platforms they were released on), having these two entries make their home console and PC debuts in January is something of a big deal. Persona’s unique style has garnered a big following in recent years, so it’s great to see these entries make their way into the hands of more players.

Fire Emblem Engage

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Platform: Switch
Release Date: January 20



Released in 2019, Fire Emblem: Three Houses took the popular turn-based strategy series into the realm of life-and-relationship-sim meets RPG. With the next mainline entry in the popular series making its debut in January, Fire Emblem Engage feels like a return to a more classic Fire Emblem structure. Often explicitly, with returning characters like Marth and Roy making an appearance; alongside others, summoned with Emblem Rings. But, it’s the impressive animation and expanded turn-based battles that are the real stars. A potential series-best entry in the making.

Monster Hunter Rise

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 20



The sixth mainline game in Capcom’s popular series about huntin’ monsters and explorin’ fantastical locales made its debut on Nintendo Switch in 2021 - where, as per our review, it “lays the groundwork for a bright Monster Hunter future”. And with Monster Hunter Rise making the jump to PC and high-end consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, it’s getting a 4K visual makeover to match its brilliant gameplay and epic scope. And best of all it’s also coming to Xbox Game Pass on PC and Console.

Forspoken

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Platform: PC, PS5
Release Date: January 24



Forspoken is a new open-world action-RPG from Square Enix and Luminous Productions that has been in development for quite some time. Originally slated to release in the first half of 2022, it’s finally ready to hit the scene. Built from the ground up to take advantage of PS5 and PC hardware (expect some fancy ray-tracing effects in this one), as a brand-new IP it’ll be interesting to see how it’s received. As per our hands-on, the “magical parkour” traversal is not only fun and rewarding but also gives the game a lot of its identity.

Power Chrord

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Platform: PC
Release Date: January 26



Power Chord is a roguelike deck-builder based in a metal-inspired game-world. With stunning visuals and a Guitar Hero-like presentation (which inspires some good nostalgia), the game plays with its music and metal and punk rock themes to great applause, while also using this to build on the deck-building aspect of its makeup in new and innovative ways. A demo released in 2022 was raucously received, while a Nintendo Switch release has also been announced as coming at a later date.

Pizza Tower

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Platform: PC
Release Date: January 27



If you grew up watching cartoons in the 1990s then one look at the trailer for Pizza Tower will no doubt fire up some fond Cartoon Network-powered memories. Described as “a fast-paced 2D platformer inspired by the Wario Land series” the sheer speed, movement, and animation are manic in all of the right ways. In Pizza Tower, you take on the role of Peppino Spaghetti, who’s on a mission to save his restaurant and destroy the titular Tower. Enough said really.

ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree

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Platform: PC, Switch
Release Date: January 27



ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree is the first game from New Zealand-based indie outfit Wildboy Studios, and development on this one began all the way back in 2017. With an emphasis on narrative and a heavy dose of Nordic lore, there’s also combat inspired by the rhythm game genre and titles like Guitar Hero. From a soundtrack and visual standpoint this looks great and with a demo available on Steam you can jump in to play a slice ahead of its full release.

Dead Space

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Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 28



Dead Space is one of the all-time great survival horror experiences, and this remake is something that has been riding high on our most anticipated list due to the fact that visual fidelity goes a long way in setting the mood in this style of game. A built-from-the-ground-up remake, ala Capcom’s excellent Resident Evil 2, the updated visuals and expanded story and action all look impressive. Not only that, but enough time has passed that revisiting the USG Ishimura feels like the perfect way to kick off 2023.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

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Platform: Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: January 31



Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition not only remastered the legendary RTS game from the CD-ROM powered 1990s, but paved the way for new expansions and expanded content that means the iconic release is still getting updated decades after the fact. The latest update is a big one, as it makes Age of Empires II jump to the family of Xbox consoles. Alongside a treasure trove of RTS goodness, players can expect a redesigned interface and control scheme to support controllers alongside keyboard and mouse support for those looking for that authentic way to play AoE on the couch.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake

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Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release Date: January 31



The 3D platformer might no longer be one of the prominent genres, but jumping around and collecting little shiny things in vibrant thematic worlds will always be a thing. On top of featuring distinct worlds like Wild West Jellyfish Fields and Halloween Rock Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake also features characters voiced by their original actors and a soundtrack with over 100 songs from the series.