The new year kicks off in style with a blend of action and adventure through new lands, prophecy and fairytales, time-altering allies and noble quests to save more than a few worlds from ruin.
Pathologic 3
The clock is ticking in the latest chapter in the Pathologic series. In Pathologic 3, players step into the life of Daniil Dankovsky, a doctor and researcher who is searching for the nature of death. Arriving in a remote town after hearing tales of an immortal man, Daniil not only finds him dead but quickly realises that a fast-acting contagion has swept through the town. With only a matter of days to find a cure, Daniil must use every bit of his medical and research knowledge to find a solution, while also helping keep the townspeople calm about their impending fate.
With multiple paths and choices to make about what to do, no two playthroughs will be the same, as players will be faced with moral dilemmas and the consequences of every decision as the story plays out. Interacting with the townspeople to gain more information will be a key part of Daniil’s investigations, but they could also be a distraction from his ultimate goal – whatever the player chooses for that to be.
Pathologic 3 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 9*
The Legend of Heroes: Trials Beyond The Horizon
Uncover what lies beyond as the latest instalment in the The Legend of Heroesseries goes global. In The Legend of Heroes: Trials Beyond the Horizon, the prophesied end of Zemuria draws ever closer. As the continent prepares for this day, so do the teams working on humanity’s first foray into space and the hope of a new beginning. However, a sudden invitation arrives for three individuals – Van Arkride, Ashen Chevalier Rean Schwarzer and Father Kevin Graham – from Marduk, looking for their cooperation in a training exercise. With these three paths diverging and merging, players must uncover the reality beyond the mysteries that await beyond the horizon.
The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, mini Art Book and a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack. The Limited Edition includes the base game, Deluxe Edition content, Steelbook case, digipak soundtrack, acrylic clock featuring Elaine, Agnes and Van along with a collector’s box. The Limited Edition will also be available with a plushie bundle via select retailers.
The Legend of Heroes: Trials Beyond The Horizon will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC from January 15*
Escape The Ever After
Reclaim the world of stories in this RPG adventure. In Escape The Ever After, Flynt Buckler’s adventurous quest takes a turn when he arrives at the castle of the wicked dragon, Tinder, only to find the fortress converted to corporate offices. With Tinder nowhere to be found, the truth starts to unfold – the land has been taken over by Ever After Incorporated, a real-world conglomerate who have decided to consume all the storybook worlds for their resources and cheap labour. Suddenly finding themselves on the same side, Flynt and Tinder must team up, gather a brave band of allies and fight for the future of storybooks and fairytales.
Players looking for a preview of the story can download the pre-launch demo, with a selection of pieces from the game’s soundtrack available for streaming on the game’s website.
Escape The Ever After will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from January 23*
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin
Explore a vast open world in this adventure based in the Seven Deadly Sins universe. Inspired by the manga of the same name, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is a brand new exclusive story following the journey of Prince Tristan of the Kingdom of Liones as he sets out to restore order to Britannia. With the land thrown into disarray and chaos after the realms of time and space collided without warning, Tristan will face down foes from the transcending timelines as he travels across the open world, meeting a few familiar faces along the way.
Players who pre-register on mobile will unlock the hero Tioreh along with extra draw tickets and upgrade materials. Players who pre-register via the game’s website will unlock the Skyborne Gale dual swords along with additional gold and weapon upgrade materials.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin will be available on PlayStation 5, PC, iOS and Android from January 28*
I Hate This Place
A single sound can be all it takes to meet your end in this comic-inspired tale. Set in the seemingly idyllic setting of Rutherford Ranch, I Hate This Place follows Elena, who is trapped in a living nightmare of monsters and mystery. Players will have to help Elena gather resources to survive each passing day before night falls once more and the nightmare is truly unleashed. But it won’t be as simple as a head-on fight to survive, as a direct approach may lead to an early grave. Instead, Elena will have to use every sound in the world to her advantage – whether it be in misdirecting a creature away from the campsite or luring them into a deadly trap of your own making.
Players looking to preview this 80s-inspired adventure can try out the pre-launch download for free on their chosen platform.
I Hate This Place will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 29*
Code Vein II
Hunt the corrupted to protect an alliance in this action-adventure sequel. In Code Vein II, humans and Revenants have found a way to co-exist in the world. But this peace is shattered by the arrival of the Luna Rapacis, which turns the Revenants into Horrors – corrupted, mindless monsters bent on destruction and chaos. As a Revenant hunter, players will have to deal with the afflicted while trying to find a way to stop the world from collapsing into ruin. The key to this could be Lou, your companion who has the ability to manipulate time, offering a chance to save the Revenants before they fall into madness and even finding a way to stop Luna Rapacis once and for all.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Stylized Forma Set and the Twin Fangs of the Lone Wolf weapon. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, the Mask of Idris DLC Expansion and the Custom Outfit pack. The Ultimate Edition includes the base game, Deluxe Edition content, digital mini art book, digital soundtrack and the Code Vein Character Costume Set featuring costumes inspired by the original Code Vein. The Collector’s Edition includes the base game with Early Access, all the digital content in the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions, a 60-page art book, a SteelBook case and a limited edition 18cm Lou MagMell figurine.
Code Vein II will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 30*
Free to Play
PlayStation users with an active subscription of any tier will have three new titles to download and keep for free this month. From January 6* Core Keeper and Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed will be available for both PS4 and PS5, with Need for Speed Unbound available on PS5. Details on how to claim these titles can be found in the PS Plus tab on the PlayStation Store.
Full details on this month’s free games available via Amazon Gaming, including those available to cloud stream on Luna, can be found on the Luna homepage.
Also Released This Month
January 5* – Dunecrawler (PC)
January 6* – Bunny Rampage – History of Revenge (PS5, PC), StarRupture (PC – Early Access)
January 7* – Kejora (PC), Fairy Tail: Dungeons (Switch), Past Fate (PC – Early Access)
January 8* – Ancient Farm (PC), I Am Future (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC)
January 9* – Spear (Xbox Series X/S)
January 10* – Code Violet (PS5)
January 12* – Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (PC), Big Hops (PC), Mario Tennis Fever (Switch 2)
January 13* – Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights (Switch), Hytale (PC – Early Access)
January 14* – Streetdog BMX (PC)
January 15* – Craftlings (PC), Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch 2), Cassette Boy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
January 16* – Brokenlore: Unfollow (PS5, PC)
January 19* – Earth of Oryn (PC)
January 20* – MIO: Memories In Orbit (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, PC), Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together (PC), Blightstone (PC)
January 21* – Gooey (PC), Eldegarde (PC – Full Release)
January 22* – Arknights: Endfield (PS5, PC, iOS, Android), Hermit & Pig (PC), Nova Roma (PC – Early Access), Dynasty Warriors: Origins (Switch 2), Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Switch 2), The Rumble Fish 2 (Switch 2), SEGA Football Club Champions 2026 (PS4, PS5, PC, iOS, Android), Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven DLC (PC)
January 23* – Banquet for Fools (PC), The Gold River Project (PC – Early Access)
January 26* – Highguard (PS5, PC), Car Service Together (PC)
January 27* – Rightfully, Beary Arms (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
January 28* – The Midnight Walkers (PC – Early Access), Core Keeper (Switch 2), Steel Century Groove (PC), Lanesplit (PC)
January 29* – Cairn (PS5, PC), Don’t Stop, Girlypop! (PC), Kyouran Makaism (PS5, Switch, Switch 2), Dispatch (Switch, Switch 2), Card-en Ciel (Switch 2), Chroni Ark Deluxe Edition (Switch), City Tales: Medieval Era (PC), Dark Auction (PS5, Switch, PC), Dusk Index: Gion (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, Switch), The Perfect Pencil (PC)
January 30* – The 9thCharnel (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Vampires: Bloodlord Rising (PS5, PC), Front Mission 3 Remake (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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