The Month in Games – January 2021

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Assassins travelling the globe, a comedic fright, a cult classic, and a twisted world await among the first gaming releases of 2021.

Five Nights At Freddy’s: Core Collection

A job like no other awaits in this collection. Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza is a beloved venue for families during the day, but by night it becomes a dangerous place for anyone brave enough to stay past closing. Whether it be as a security guard, a technician or even a small child, players must be wary of their every move as they try and survive the night against the animatronic characters that will be on the lookout for any unwelcome visitors.

Featuring the first five main titles in the series, from the original Five Nights At Freddy’s from 2014 to 2016’s Five Nights At Freddy’s: Sister Location, this new collection will allow new players a chance to get to grip s with the nerve-wracking gameplay while allowing seasoned players a chance to relive the original adventures. For those looking for a new challenge in the games, the Core Collection will include a new achievement and trophy system and allow cheats to be used for the first time.

Five Nights at Freddy’s Core Collection will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch from January 12*

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition

The League of Evil Exes is back in this anniversary edition. Celebrating ten years since its original release, the unconventional love story of Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers makes a return to consoles. Inspired by Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels, this beat-em-up has players step into Scott’s shoes as he falls in love with the enigmatic Ramona. The only issue: her evil exes, who have all banded together to try and derail the couple’s budding relationship

This Complete Edition includes the original game and the two DLC add-on packs featuring Knives Chau and Wallace Wells. Players will be able to team up with up to three friends in the main story and a series of new modes – including Battle Royale, Dodgeball and even a zombie horde – or go it alone. Also included is a series of mini games which take place in the sub-space between worlds.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC and Stadia from January 14*

Hitman 3

The World of Assassination trilogy reaches its conclusion in this highly anticipated release. Following on from the events of the previous entries in the trilogy, Hitman 3 will see Agent 47 travel around the globe in order to complete his mission to eliminate the partners of Providence. Joined on the journey by Diana Burnwood and Lucas Grey, 47 will take on the most elusive and important contracts of his entire career and undertake a journey of darkness and hope for a new future.

Players who pre-order will receive the Trinity Pack featuring three additional outfits, briefcases, and weapons sets in black, white, and red to celebrate the trilogy. In addition, a commemorative Hitman 20th Anniversary Passport will be available with physical pre-orders at select retailers. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, a digital World of Hitman book, Director’s Commentary, deluxe suits, deluxe item sets and a deluxe set of Escalation Contracts.

Hitman 3 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC and Stadia from January 20*

The Medium

Step between worlds in this psychological horror. In The Medium, players are Marianne a woman who can travel between our world and the spirit realm. Using these powers, Marianne travels to an abandoned hotel after being haunted by visions of a child’s death. What follows is an atmospheric dual-reality experience which will see players control Marianne as she makes her way through both worlds simultaneously, solving puzzles and dealing with any other obstacles in her path to the truth.

Players who pre-order the game through Steam will receive a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack and The Art of The Medium album. For those on Xbox, the game will be included as part of the Xbox Game Pass program from day one.

The Medium will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC from January 28*

Free to Play

To kick off the new year, players with an active Xbox Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will get four games for free to download. From January 1-31* Little Nightmares will be available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, with Dead Rising available from January 16* to February 15*. On Xbox One – and Backwards Compatibility on Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S – The King of Fighters XIII will be available from January 1-15*, followed by Breakdown from January 16-31*

Over on PlayStation, those with an active Plus subscription will receive three titles for free this month. From January 4*, Maneater will be available on PlayStation 5 with Shadow of the Tomb Raider available on PlayStation 4. Greedfall will also be available on PlayStation 4 in select countries, as Assetto Corsa will be available to those in the Middle East and Mistover for those in South Korea.

For full information on this month’s Prime Gaming offers – which includes bundles for Destiny 2, Fall Guys, Watch Dogs: Legion and Immortals: Fenyx Rising – and to download this month’s selection of free games, please visit the Prime Gaming website.

Also Released This Month

January 12*

  • King Arthur: Knights Tale (PC – Steam Early Access)

January 14*

  • MXGP 2020 (PS5)

January 15*

  • Ghost of a Tale: Collector’s Edition (PS4)

January 21*

  • Ender Lilies (PC – Steam Early Access),
  • RIDE 4 (PS5)

January 22*

  • Do Not Feed The Monkeys (Switch)

January 26*

  • Encodya (PC),
  • Stronghold: Warlords (PC)

January 29*

  • Anima Arcane Edition (PS4),
  • Hellpoint (PS4, Switch),
  • Nightmare Boy: Mongano’s Edition (PS4, Switch)

*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary, and all dates are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.

Words by Megan Roxburgh.


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