Guide

These are the game highlights for January

1.1.2025

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Floating kingdoms, snipers with X-ray vision and budding Hollywood moguls will sweeten your start to the new year.

Ten years ago in January, the game highlight was Life Is Strange – a teen drama about Max Caulfield that took gamers’ hearts by storm. Fast forward to the present day, and the start to 2025 is again looking atmospheric.

Aloft – the sky’s the limit

Aloft’s set in a picturesque world in the sky. Alongside friends, your job is to collect resources and turn floating islands into ships. There’s also a fungi infection you need to fight and a hurricane waiting to be tamed.

Release date: 15 January, early access
Where: PC
Multiplayer: online co-op

Assetto Corsa EVO – if you’re into realistic stuff

Fans of sim racing games tend to have a higher opinion of the Assetto Corsa series than of Gran Turismo and the like. This is probably down to its realism. In addition to photorealistic racing cars and laser-accurate tracks, VR and multi-monitor support is the standard.

Release date: 16 January
Where: PC
Multiplayer: online PvP

Hollywood Animal – blockbuster or arthouse movie?

See what it’s like to run a Hollywood studio in the early days of sound film. Turn it into a billion-dollar megacorporation that’s crazy about multiverses or establish a boutique studio to wow film festivals with avant-garde directors – the choice is yours. Hollywood Animal involves you in every step of the film production process, from developing the plot to distribution. Wars, social unrest and corruption are also said to have an impact on the business.

Release date: 16 January
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – the monkey gang just got sharper

Jump, roll and run through 80 levels of the 14-year-old Wii classic while enjoying beautifully enhanced graphics. The game also includes additional levels from the 3DS version.

Release date: 16 January
Where: Switch
Multiplayer: local co-op

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – get ready for mass slaughter

This series is known for its epic battles against legions of enemies. The latest instalment’s set in China when the empire was divided into three kingdoms. Mindlessly walloping your opponents won’t lead to success in these chaotic battles. You’ll also need to apply some clever tactics when manoeuvring across the extensive battlefields.

Release date: 17 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: no

Tales of Graces f Remastered – do you speak English?

The original was released back in 2009 for Wii. It was then ported to the PS3 a year later with the addition of the letter «f». This version has served as a template for the remastered edition. On top of visual and quality-of-life improvements, the additional content from that time’s also been included. There’s also English voice output for the first time. Definitely worth checking out for fans of Japanese role-playing games.

Release date: 17 January
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel – like Diablo with Vikings

At first glance, this looks like Diablo. In terms of gameplay, expect action role-playing, survival and roguelike components. As a hero condemned by the gods, your mission is to fight your way out of the Nordic underworld. You butcher your way through hordes of monsters until the boss steps onto the court. In addition to different characters, there are also upgrades you get to keep when you die. This enables different playstyles.

Release date: 21 January, early access
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist – more than a Hollow Knight clone

This is how my colleague Kevin Hofer described the predecessor. The successor’s said to have almost doubled in size. What remains is the 2D Metroidvania gameplay and the dark fantasy world you have to free from a sinister creature. On top of its magical style, there’s an atmospheric soundtrack, written by the same composer as the first part. And it’s really quite something.

Release date: 23 January, already available in early access
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Synduality: Echo of Ada – a walking battle coffin

You’re a drifter in a so-called cradle coffin – a type of battle tank – gliding through a dystopian fantasy world in search of a rare resource. Choose between various large-calibre weapons, or wield swords and similar melee weapons in your fight against aliens and other drifters.

Release date: 23 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: online PvP

Star Wars: Hunters – no Jedi allowed

This hero shooter’s already available for mobile devices and Switch, and now also for PC. As in Overwatch, two teams consisting of four people each battle one another in simple maps. You can choose from a potpourri of Star Wars characters including Ewoks, Storm Troopers and Wookies – all blessed with different skills. For once, Jedi have to take a backseat.

Release date: 27 January
Where: PC, Switch, Android, iOS
Multiplayer: online PvP and co-op

Warside – pixelated tank party

This title brings back strong memories of Nintendo’s Advance Wars series. If you fancy some pixelated yet cute army battles, Warside might be for you. The turn-based battles are beautifully animated, and with 12 playable commanders to choose from, there’s plenty of variety. In addition to the campaign, you can also play in multiplayer mode and compete with human opponents.

Release date: 28 January
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: online PvP and co-op

Airborne Empire – above the clouds

The sequel to Airborne Kingdom’s also all about building flying cities and exploring a wondrous world with them. Your aim is to make sure you have enough air buoyancy, water and food, but also to defend yourself against sky pirates. The first instalment was already loads of fun, so expectations are high. Incidentally, the second part’s published by Swiss studio Stray Fawn.

Release date: January, early access
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no

Sniper Elite: Resistance 2 – here comes the X-ray sniper

Armed with your trusty sniper rifle, you infiltrate well-protected Nazi bases in occupied France. As in the other instalments, the large levels allow you to apply several approaches. Usually, however, an inconspicuous one’s the best. But don’t worry. If you’re more into shooting than sneaking, you’ll also get by. What’s more, you’ll get to enjoy that iconic X-ray view when a bullet penetrates an enemy. If you want to know what I thought of the preview version, check out our Swiss-German Tech-telmechtel podcast episode 229.

Release date: 30 January
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: online PvP

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – spin your web on PC

Just over a year after the PS5 launch, the PC community will now also be able to enjoy this first-class action open-world thriller. In the role of the two Spidermen Peter Parker and Miles Morales, you’ll take on numerous supervillains, including Kraven the Hunter, Sandman and, of course, Venom. Provided you have the right hardware, you can enjoy the game in its current form.

When: 30 January for PC, already available for PS5
Where: PC, PS5
Multiplayer: no

Games out in January 2025

Which game are you looking forward to the most?

«Aloft»
12%
«Assetto Corsa EVO»
21%
«Hollywood Animal»
3%
«Donkey Kong Country Returns HD»
8%
«Dynasty Warriors: Origins»
3%
«Tales of Graces f Remastered»
1%
«Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel»
4%
«Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist»
1%
«Synduality: Echo of Ada»
1%
«Star Wars: Hunters»
5%
«Warside»
7%
«Airborne Empire»
8%
«Sniper Elite: Resistance»
16%
«Marvel’s Spider-Man 2»
12%
Other
19%

The competition has ended.

58 people like this article

Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

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These are the game highlights for January

Aloft – the sky’s the limit

Assetto Corsa EVO – if you’re into realistic stuff

Hollywood Animal – blockbuster or arthouse movie?

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD – the monkey gang just got sharper

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – get ready for mass slaughter

Tales of Graces f Remastered – do you speak English?

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel – like Diablo with Vikings

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist – more than a Hollow Knight clone

Synduality: Echo of Ada – a walking battle coffin

Star Wars: Hunters – no Jedi allowed

Warside – pixelated tank party

Airborne Empire – above the clouds

Sniper Elite: Resistance 2 – here comes the X-ray sniper

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – spin your web on PC

Games out in January 2025

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These are the game highlights for August

These are the game highlights for February

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Hollywood Animal – blockbuster or arthouse movie?

Tales of Graces f Remastered – do you speak English?

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel – like Diablo with Vikings

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist – more than a Hollow Knight clone

Airborne Empire – above the clouds

Sniper Elite: Resistance 2 – here comes the X-ray sniper

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – spin your web on PC

Games out in January 2025

37 comments

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