Main January Releases
Pathologic 3 (PC) — January 9
The third part of the cult series (known in Russia as "Мор" (Plague)) is a radical reworking of the Bachelor's scenario, a metropolitan scientist who arrived in a plague-ridden city. You have only twelve days to defeat the epidemic and save the residents. Unlike previous games, the focus has shifted: you don't just survive, but manage time and try to logically structure the chaos of a dying city.
It is still a surreal survival simulator under stress, where every decision changes the playthrough. For fans, this is a long-awaited return to their favorite universe, and for newcomers, a chance to touch one of the most complex and unusual narratives in the industry.
Arknights: Endfield (PC, PlayStation 5, iOS, Android) — January 22
The popular mobile "tower defense" has evolved into a full-fledged RPG with strategy elements. Endfield tries to unite the Genshin Impact audience and fans of production simulators. You will not only collect a squad of anime heroes and fight in real time, but also build automated factories to produce equipment and resources right on the surface of an alien planet.
The combat system allows you to instantly switch between characters, using their elemental abilities, and city-building elements add depth to the gameplay. This is a potential hit for those who like the HoYoverse style but want more complex base management mechanics.
Code Vein II (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — January 30
The first part of Code Vein did not become an unconditional hit, but it earned good reviews from both players and critics. In particular, our editor Mikhail Shkredov praised the project for its successful combination of battles and collecting useful items, spectacular battles with bosses, and a multifaceted development system with the ability to change character classes on the fly.
The "anime-Dark Souls" sequel promises to fix the main shortcomings of the original, making the world more cohesive and the combat more dynamic. The developers are positioning the game as an action-RPG for those who like the aesthetics of Souls games but are put off by their extreme difficulty.
The second part focuses on an improved companion mode and spectacular battles with bosses. If you are looking for a beautiful slasher with a dark atmosphere and the ability to complete the story at a comfortable pace, Code Vein II is an excellent candidate for the end of the month.
Worth Paying Attention To
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check (PC) — January 12
While other games offer to mow down zombies by the thousands, this project puts you in the place of a bureaucrat of the apocalypse. This is a checkpoint employee simulator: you decide who to let into the safe zone and who to send to quarantine or eliminate.
You will have to use laboratory equipment, identify hidden symptoms of a mutating virus, and manage checkpoint resources. A mistake can cost the lives of the entire city. A mix of Papers, Please mechanics and tense survival.
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) — January 16
An atmospheric horror game exploring the dark side of social media and bullying. The main character, Ann, is trying to escape from a surreal nightmare born of her past and online harassment.
The gameplay is based on exploring locations and solving puzzles using the heroine's smartphone. The developers promise several endings depending on your decisions, and truly frightening monsters that symbolize the psychological traumas of the digital age.
MIO: Memories in Orbit (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2) — January 20
An aesthetically impeccable Metroidvania where you play as a nimble robot aboard the giant abandoned ship "Ark". The visual style resembles ожившие акварельные рисунки (living watercolor paintings), and the gameplay refers to the best representatives of the genre like Ori and Hollow Knight.
The player has to unlock abilities like a grappling hook and wall running to get to all the secrets of the labyrinth and find out the fate of the AI overseers. If the controls are as responsive as the visuals, we are in for one of the most beautiful games of the year.
Highguard (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — January 26
"Shooter from the creators of Apex Legends and Titanfall" — this is how Highguard is positioned. Alas, the free-to-play project, pompously presented in December 2025 at The Game Awards show, did not inspire players who expected something more significant from the Western gaming industry. However, it is too early to bury it: an experienced team is working on the game, and the colorful gameplay trailer demonstrates not only the mechanics traditional for the genre, but also curious innovations — for example, shooting while riding a horse. Promotional materials unashamedly call Highguard a "next-generation shooter."
According to the developers, players will have to raid and fight as Guardians — mysterious masters of firearms thrown into battle for control of the mythical continent. And… by and large, no other details have been revealed yet. The game has almost completely disappeared from the information field. Some industry experts suspect that the release in January may not take place and the project will be postponed — possibly to refine it and avoid a negative reaction upon release.
We'll find out what happens in the end a little later. In any case, since this is a free-to-play project, each player will be able to familiarize themselves with it on release (if it takes place) and form their own opinion about this shooter. We are waiting.
Cairn (PC, PlayStation 5) — January 29
A climbing simulator from the creators of the bone-crushing slasher Furi. There are no enemies in the usual sense here - the mountain itself is your opponent. You have to calculate every step, drive in hooks and monitor the stamina of the heroine Aava, who dreams of conquering the impregnable peak.
The game offers a realistic approach to mountaineering: you need to properly allocate resources and choose a route. At high difficulty, this is a harsh challenge where one mistake means a breakdown, but there are also more gentle modes for those who just want to enjoy the views.
And if you like the game, who knows - maybe next time you will go to conquer the peaks of the Urals or the Caucasus in reality, and eventually aim at all fourteen eight-thousanders.
I Hate This Place (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) — January 29
Isometric roguelike survival game in the style of 80s comics. The heroine inherits a cursed ranch, where during the day you need to fix the fence and craft cartridges, and at night - fight off monsters from other dimensions.
The key to success is not always a direct fight, it is often more profitable to use traps or stealth. The visual style, based on the comics of Kyle Starks, and black humor distinguish the project from dozens of other "survival games".
The Midnight Walkers (PC) — January 29
A new look at the extraction shooter genre: instead of an open map, vertical gameplay in an office skyscraper teeming with zombies. The game is released in early access and offers a rigid class division of roles. Our reviewer Daniil Shepard, after reviewing the game during beta testing, was intrigued, but skeptical about its future.
The main feature that distinguishes the game from analogues like Dark and Darker is a unique evacuation system: each member of the squad needs to find their own capsule, a group exit is impossible. This forces you to separate at the most crucial moment, which generates a lot of tense situations.
However, the game is still in early access. If we consider The Midnight Walkers as an interesting experiment for fans of the niche genre - why not?
Additions
Dynasty Warriors: Origins Visions of Four Heroes (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2) - January 22
A large-scale expansion for the recently released slasher. Koei Tecmo adds a new storyline for four heroes, additional types of troops and maps. A good reason to return to the game for those who did not have enough content at release.