As 2026 begins, gamers can expect a varied selection of titles in January, ranging from horror sequels to cozy simulations and action RPGs. Sources highlight over 30 games launching across platforms like PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. Key releases include psychological horrors and survival adventures amid a typically slower post-holiday month.
January 2026 kicks off the new year with a lighter but intriguing schedule of video game releases, following the busy Q4 of 2025. According to GameSpot's roundup published on December 31, 2025, the month emphasizes smaller titles that could surprise players, including sequels and new IPs. Phrasemaker's schedule, also from December 31, 2025, lists notable launches starting January 5.
Early highlights include DuneCrawl on January 5, an open-world action-adventure where players ride a gigantic crustacean with cannons in co-op mode. StarRupture follows on January 6 for PC, a sci-fi survival game focused on base-building, resource extraction, and defending against alien wildlife, playable solo or with friends.
On January 7, Fairy Tail: Dungeons arrives on PC and Switch as a roguelike deckbuilder featuring manga characters exploring catacombs. Pathologic 3 launches January 9, a horror-RPG where players investigate a plague in a town over 12 days, making ruthless decisions to shape its future.
Code Violet, a third-person action-horror spiritual successor to Dino Crisis, releases January 10 exclusively on PS5. Set in the 25th century on Trappist 1-E, players as Violet Sinclair manage inventory, fight dinosaurs, and uncover a conspiracy involving time-travel surrogates.
Mid-month brings The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon on January 15 across PC, PS5, PS4, Switch 2, and Switch. This RPG entry explores the Calvard Republic with three protagonists, blending real-time field battles and turn-based command battles to uncover Zemuria's secrets.
Other notable titles include BrokenLore: Unfollow on January 16, a psychological horror examining social media's mental health impact; Escape From Ever After on January 23, a Paper Mario-inspired RPG fighting corporate exploitation in fairy tales; Highguard on January 26, a PvP shooter from former Respawn developers; and Code Vein II on January 30, an anime souls-like sequel with vampire exploration and a motorcycle for traversal.
Platforms vary widely, with many supporting PC, consoles, and even mobile for Arknights: Endfield on January 22. While January avoids major blockbusters like GTA 6 set for November, these releases offer genre diversity from city-builders like City Tales: Medieval Era to climbing sims like Cairn on January 29.
