5 Games of January 2023 to Keep On Your Radar

Kickstarting the 2023 gaming releases are a number of exciting titles, including a manga RPG, the return of a horror icon, and an anthropomorphic sponge — so, it’s fair to say that variety is not lacking with January’s line-up. Here are our top picks for games releasing in January 2023:

One Piece Odyssey

Release date: 13 January 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PS4 | PC)

Based on the Manga series, One Piece Odyssey is a turn-based RPG that should appeal to fans of Persona and older Final Fantasy titles. Players will be exploring with Monkey D. Luffy and The Straw Hat Pirates as they navigate their way through open areas and dungeons, and every playable character has a unique ability in line with their powers, which are used for traversal, collecting items, and solving puzzles.

Monster Hunter Rise

Release date: 20 January 2023 (PS5 | PS4 | Xbox Series X/S | Xbox One)

Monster Hunter Rise, which first appeared on the Nintendo Switch, is making its way across to other platforms this January. The creature-killing RPG, which acts as a spin-off to the main series, introduces new features, including a new animal companion called a palamute that can be used to ride across the map or into battle, and the use of wire bugs to traverse the game world vertically and mount and ride certain monsters in the game. It was well received on Switch, and should be a great addition to Monster Hunter fans libraries on the Playstation and Xbox platforms.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake

Release date: 31 January 2023 (PS4 | Xbox One | Switch | PC)

The 3D platform genre seems to be going through a resurgence as of late, and one of the most iconic cartoon characters around is getting another shot in the gaming world. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake sees you run, jump, collect, and fight your way through several distinctly themed worlds, known as ”Wishworlds” within the game, with the aid of Patrick, who has been transformed into a balloon.

Forspoken

Release date: 24 January 2023 (PS5 | PC)

Forspoken, the first game from Luminous Productions, is an action-adventure game that follows a normal New York City woman, Frey, who is transported to the cruel land of Athia with a magical, sentient bracelet wrapped around her arm. The game features fast melee and ranged combat and some impressive traversal mechanics that should make moving around the mysterious world a blast.

Dead Space

Release date: 27 January 2023 (PS5 | Xbox Series X/S | PC)

2008’s sci-fi horror survival Dead Space will be getting a full built-from-the-ground-up remake this January, but the remake remains true to the core foundation and spirit of the game. The game will use the Frostbite Engine (made famous by the Battlefield series), which has allowed the developers to expand and improve on the level design, combat mechanics, and story. The developers added that their true vision for the game can finally be realised thanks to the advancements in technology, with ray-tracing, atmospheric lighting, and 3D audio implemented; so we’re excited for this one.

Which games are you most looking forward to in 2023? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.