With December 2025 finally coming to an end its time to look forward to some of the best games releasing next year in January. The industry has changed a lot in the past few decades, leading players to appreciate games in diverse categories.
In the list below, we will be taking a look at some of the interesting titles releasing early next year. Hopefully, we will be able to recommend a title that will be for everyone.
Best Games in January to Look Forward to
Pathologic 3
January 9, 2026
It is a major shame that most gamers do not know about the Pathologic game series. It is a survival horror game developed by the Russian studio, Ice-Pick Lodge, originally released back in 2005.
The third entry in this underrated series will be released in early January 2026. The games revolve around the themes of plague, and players are forced to survive a number of days spanning across hostile situations.
Pathologic 3 will see the gamers slip into the shoes of a doctor, who has a limited number of days in their hands to free their town from the mysterious plague.
Cassette Boy
January 14, 2026
If you are tired of the regular big-time AAA games and are on the lookout for something smaller and cosier, then Cassette Boy is exactly the title for you. Developed by Wonderland Kazakiri Inc. and published by Pocketpair Publishing, this game is set to release in January of next year.
Cassette Boy, at first glance, looks like an average 2D game with sprites and colors inspired by the game era. But after a closer look, players will realize there’s more than meets the eye. The game brilliantly utilizes perspective to switch the gameplay between 2D and 3D visuals.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon
January 15, 2026
The Legend of Heroes is not the kind of game that would go unnoticed, especially if you are a part of the niche JRPG circle. This is a series with years of history, dating back to the early 2000s.
Unfortunately, the developers, Falcom, have never been too keen on prompt releases of their games. This is why The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon‘s English release is a bit late to the party, but a welcome one nonetheless.
If you are someone looking for an RPG franchise with a rich history to get into this new year, then the Trails games should be right up your alley.
Mio: Memories in Orbit
January 20, 2026
Metroidvania is a sub-genre of platforming games that has been rising in popularity every year. Some of the most well-known titles in the gaming industry from the past few years are metroidvanias.
Mio: Memories in Orbit is a game that will contest to join the ranks of some of the industry’s best metroidvanias. By the look of things, this title might actually surpass some that came before it.
Players will be stepping into the fantasy world, where they will have to guide the nimble Mio through a world where machines are going rogue.
Highguard
January 26, 2026
Every living minute is painful for a Titanfall fan on this earth because they will never get to see a new sequel in the franchise. So let’s not linger in the past and look forward to what’s next for the creators of the iconic franchise, as well as Apex Legends.
Highguard is the newest title that is set to usher in a new age for hero shooters, provided it lives up to the popularity of the games that came before it. Initial receptions have not been too favorable, as video game fans have become fatigued with too many hero shooters around.
But the developers at Wildlight Entertainment have the chance to prove everyone wrong, as they have always done in previous projects.
Cairn
January 29, 2026
We are living in an era where indie games have started dominating the industry over regular AAA releases. Fans are fed up with the same-looking hyper-realistic video games that are manufactured to satiate a certain section of gamers and ensure that big publishers stay afloat.
Cairn is an indie game that seeks to reel in gamers who are looking for a fresh and unique experience, and it just might impress a lot of people.
Because you might not know, but an adventure game that simulates rock climbing might just be the video game you were looking to play next year.
Code Vein II
January 30, 2026
Metroidvania is not the only genre of video games that has become popular in recent decades. Thanks to FromSoftware, action games have been reinvented in recent years, pioneered by the Souls series.
Code Vein is a game series that sought to ride the wave of the souls-like genre, and it successfully did so to some extent. This is why we are finally getting an official sequel on January 30, 2026.
Gamers will get to step into the shoes of a Revenant hunter next year, alongside a female companion who can manipulate time.
