Games out in January 2024 (Image: WARNER)
After a year where quality and quantity collided in the virtual world of video games, I was kind of hoping for a short break from all the blockbuster new releases. Alas, the gaming industry had other ideas, which is why January 2024 is jam-packed with a surprisingly large number of new games for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC. Check out the major new game releases for January 2024 below…
Prince of Persia The Lost Crown…
It’s been far too long since we’ve had a full-fledged Prince of Persia game, which is why lots of people (myself included) are excited by The Lost Crown, which is arguably the first big new release of 2024.
Unlike the 3D platforming found in the excellent Sands of Time and its sequels, The Lost Crown is a 2D side-scrolling affair that hearkens back to the series’ roots, albeit with a Metroidvania twist.
Indeed, The Lost Crown tasks players with unlocking powerful items and traversal abilities in order to progress the story, access new areas and fully flesh out the huge map.
While not everybody enjoys the backtracking involved in these kind of games, it seems like it would be a good fit for the Prince of Persia franchise, to the point that it’s surprising it hasn’t been done before. I’m also ready for a new Metroidvania-style adventure, after thoroughly enjoying Metroid Dread back in 2021.
The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has a January 15 release date for anybody who pre-orders the Deluxe Edition, and a January 18 launch for the Standard Edition. The game will be available on PS4, PS5, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC.
The Last of Us 2 Remastered…
Already one of the best looking releases around, The Last of Us Part 2 wouldn’t be top of my list for games that need to be remade, but at least Naughty Dog appears to have put some real effort in making this stand out from the 2020 original.
In terms of cosmetic upgrades, fans can expect 4K visuals in Fidelity Mode, speedier loading times and full DualSense controller support, which should lead to a more immersive experience.
Outside of audio and visual improvements, fans will be able to play through three “lost levels” that were cut from the original Last of Us Part 2, as well as a speedrun mode, Guitar Freeplay mode, and an intriguing roguelike survival mode with new characters and randomised encounters.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered has a January 19 release date on PlayStation 5.
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Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy…
A much more involved and interactive take on the visual novel genre, the Ace Attorney games are as thrilling as they are funny, featuring charming characters, excellent writing, high drama and a healthy dollop of humour.
While there are new gameplay gimmicks and subtle tweaks in each new release, a typical Phoenix Wright game sees players inspecting crime scenes, cross-examining witnesses and presenting evidence after spotting contradictions in the testimony.
Capcom’s latest compilation contains Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney from the Nintendo DS, Phoenix Wright – Dual Destinies from the 3DS, and Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice also from the 3DS, plus two Special Episodes that were previously released as DLC.
That’s on top of shiny new HD visuals, the ability to listen to your favourite Ace Attorney tunes in the Orchestra Hall, as well as an Art Library and Animation Studio for recreating your favourite scenes.
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy has a January 25 release date on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Tekken 8…
Arguably the king of 3D fighting games, Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series returns with a stunning new sequel that harnesses the power of Unreal Engine 5 with spectacular results. Indeed, if the in-game action matches the gorgeous visuals then fans are in for a treat.
It certainly sounds promising, featuring 32 characters, destructible environments and a new gameplay system that encourages aggressive play for faster-paced and more action-packed battles.
Taking place six months after the events of Tekken 7, the story once again focuses on the conflict between the father and son duo of Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama, which will partly play out in the new Arcade Quest single-player mode.
Tekken 8 has a January 25 release date on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth…
Just a few months after the release of Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name, SEGA is back with yet another new game in its increasingly convoluted but highly entertaining Yakuza series.
While The Man Who Erased His Name was more like the beat-em-up-style Yakuza games of old, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a direct sequel to the 2020 game Yakuza: Like a Dragon, complete with the same turn-based combat system and leading protagonist.
It’s also bursting at the seams with delightfully distracting side-content, including a new food delivery mini-game based on Crazy Taxi, as well as the usual retro gaming goodness.
Honestly, after the appearance of Daytona USA 2 and Fighting Vipers 2 in The Man Who Erased His Name, and SpikeOut and Virtua Fighter 3 in Infinite Wealth, the arcades and mini-games are becoming as big a draw as the core campaigns in SEGA’s Yakuza series.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has a January 26 release date for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.
Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League…
I get the sense that Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League will provoke extreme reactions one way or the other. If it builds on the foundations laid down by Rocksteady’s classic Arkham series, then we could be looking at a game of the year contender. If, however, it lazily shoehorns in live service elements at the expense of story, atmosphere and compelling gameplay, then things could get messy.
Conceptually Kill the Justice League feels like it should be a slam dunk, with players able to explore an open-world Metropolis as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark, each with their own traversal options and unique abilities.
The story is equally as intriguing, focusing on the Suicide Squad’s attempts to thwart an invading Brainiac and his brainwashed band of Justice League members including Superman, Flash, Green Lantern and Batman.
Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League has a January 30 release date for anybody who pre-orders the Deluxe Edition of the game. The Standard Edition has a February 2 release date. It’s available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.