One Piece Odyssey
- Developer: ILCA
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Genre: RPG
- Release date: January 13, 2023
A new role-playing game based on One Piece. Released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Eiichiro Oda’s original manga, it promises to tell a completely standalone story about the Straw Hat Pirates as Luffy and his friends face new dangers and adventures on a mysterious island.
The gameplay is a traditional jRPG with location exploration, turn-based combat, and systematic leveling.
Ideally, for those who are familiar with the manga or have watched at least 8394 episodes of the anime. On the other hand, if you just love the genre – take it in a pencil and at least wait for the ratings.
Persona 3 Portable
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: SEGA
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre: RPG
- Release Date: January 19, 2023
A re-release of the iconic RPG Persona 3 from Atlus. Due to unknown circumstances, the developers decided to transfer Persona 3 Portable to new platforms, which was previously released on the PlayStation Portable portable console.
Unlike the PlayStation 2 original, Persona 3 Portable offered several major differences – no 3D “social” scenes, balance tweaks, and a completely new story route where you could play as a female protagonist.
In any case, if you have never played the third edition of Persona before, but showed at least minimal interest in it, do not miss it. Despite its age, it is still an extremely bright, memorable, and stylish game with great music, charismatic characters, and addictive gameplay. The re-release will retail for a budget price of $19.99, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers will get it in the catalog at no additional cost.
Persona 4 Gold
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: SEGA
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: RPG
- Release Date: January 19, 2023
Another revival of a classic from Atlus. The most complete and complete version of the original Persona 4 has thrown off the shackles of the PlayStation Vita and will very soon be available on all current console platforms.
As the young man Yu Narukami, you are destined to spend a whole year in the very quiet and unremarkable village of Inaba. There you will meet new friends, a measured school life, as well as a story full of mysticism and horror about a mysterious serial killer. In general, you will not be bored.
By the way, the game is already available on PC, so if you prefer to play on this platform, you can start your walkthrough right now!
Fire Emblem Engagement
- Developer: Intelligent Systems
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Tactical RPG
- Release Date: January 20, 2023
A new full-fledged part of the famous Fire Emblem tactical series. The plot tells about the war with the Fallen Dragon of the four powers of the continent of Elios, who have teamed up with heroes from other worlds to imprison a great evil.
One of the key features of the game promises to be the integration of the heroes of the previous parts of Fire Emblem into the gameplay – they act not only as a pleasant fan service but also provide direct assistance in battle.
Otherwise, you can expect from this release the traditional components for the series – interesting characters, complex tactical battles, and expressive music. Journalists who got acquainted with the preliminary version of the game praise the prettier technical part – combat animations and the picture as a whole have become much better compared to Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Monster Hunter Rise
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre: Action/RPG
- Release Date: January 20, 2023
Having captivated players on Nintendo Switch and PC, the new installment of Monster Hunter is set to conquer the audience of PlayStation and Xbox consoles (coming from day one on Xbox Game Pass!).
The game has proven itself well among hardcore fans and newcomers alike, so if you’ve played enough of Monster Hunter World and are looking forward to the new opportunity to hunt giant monsters in the company of cute cats on PlayStation and Xbox, your dream will come true very soon.
In addition, versions for Sony and Microsoft platforms will receive a major Sunbreak content expansion in the spring.
Forspoken
- Developer: Luminous Productions
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre: Action/RPG
- Release date: January 24, 2023
This a big and loud release from Luminous Productions, the Japanese team responsible for the development of Final Fantasy XV. Publisher Square Enix is positioning the game as the start of a new franchise aimed at the widest possible audience.
In the role of the girl Frey, you will go to the fantasy world of Athiya, where adventure and danger await around every corner.
The developers are betting heavily on a complex combat system that offers dozens of different spells, as well as high dynamics, thanks to which Frey can cover hundreds of meters literally in the blink of an eye.
The Forspoken demo, recently released by the developers on the PlayStation 5, received mixed reviews. However, Luminous Productions is confident in its creation and encourages users to give it a try.
We will be able to personally verify the quality of the game very soon.
Risen
- Developer: Piranha Bytes (original release)
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre: RPG
- Release date: January 24, 2023
The original Risen of 2009 is the most direct and honest continuation of the ideas of the famous Gothic series. An old-school role-playing game where the path from a worthless weakling to a real hero is paved with a path of small but very important feats.
THQ is not going to add new content to the project or somehow seriously change its outer shell. The main feature of the publication will be the implementation of support for gamepads (which will be added to the PC with a free patch).
If the re-release is released without any unpleasant technical problems, then getting to know it can be both a pleasant return to the classics and an entirely new journey if you were not familiar with the game before.
dead space
- Developer: EA Motive
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre: Survival Horror
- Release date: January 27, 2023
Electronic Arts have finally decided to resurrect the iconic Dead Space franchise. The starting point of this entertaining initiative was the development of a full-fledged remake of the very first part of the series, which debuted in 2008.
In updating the classic, the EA Motive team tried to follow the overall mood and tone of the original game as closely as possible, making subtle but noticeable changes along the way. For example, now most game locations are a solid and consistent labyrinth, suggesting a certain freedom of movement, as well as the presence of optional content.
How successful the return to Ishimura will be, we will find out personally at the end of the month.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
- Developer: Forgotten Empires
- Publisher: Microsoft
- Platforms: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre: RTS
- Release Date: January 31, 2023
Console conversion of the legendary strategy game. Among the advantages of the port are the announced complex integration of gamepad controls, a new tutorial, and changes in the field of AI, designed to make the gameplay more fun and more accessible.
In addition, the console version of Age of Empires II also supports crossplay. And it comes out on Game Pass – yes, right on the day of the premiere. Later, Xbox owners will receive a port of the fourth part of the series – the most relevant at the moment.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake
- Developer: Purple Lamp Studios
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre: Action
- Release Date: January 31, 2023
Having refreshed the popular memory of the famous SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom with the release of a recent remake, THQ Nordic has decided not to lose the wave and has prepared an all-new SpongeBob adventure for fans.
As part of this game, SpongeBob and Patrick get involved in an unexpected adventure, finding themselves embroiled in a dangerous journey through seven unique worlds at once, where dangers, rewards, new rivals, and friends await them, as well as an ocean of signature humor.
Season: A Letter to the Future
- Developer: Scavengers Studio
- Publisher: Scavengers Studio
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre: Adventure
- Release Date: January 31, 2023
A meditative adventure game that follows Estelle as she journeys into the unknown as witnesses the end of her world. Together with the heroine, players are waiting for meetings with whimsical heroes, peaceful landscapes, and life in its most diverse manifestations.
The focus of the entire project is the literal archiving of treasures found along the way – sights, sounds, and memories. The game was supported by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
In the meantime, wait for the release – you can try the demo. It’s free.
