The Month in Games: January 2018

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Street Fighter V Arcade Edition

The world of Street Fighter is expanded with this release. In Arcade Edition, players will be able to delve into the story of Charlie Nash, a figure from Guile’s past who awakens in a mysterious tomb. With the help of a young woman named Helen, Charlie must track down his old friend in order to stop the rise of M. Bison. Tasked with gathering pieces of a device, the two must travel the world, fighting their way through the ranks of Shadaloo along the way.

Included in the release will be all the season 1 and 2 content – including new characters and costumes – along with new modes, challenges, and features. The Arcade Edition will also feature cross-platform play between PlayStation and PC. Players with the original release of Street Fighter V will receive all of the new content via an update when Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition releases.

Street Fighter V Arcade Edition will be available on PlayStation 4 from January 16*


Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory

The line between the digital and real world are more blurred than ever in this latest Digimon release. In the near future, cyberspace has become such a part of everyday life, with Eden being the destination of choice. Players take on the role of Keisuke Amazawa, who is accused of a crime he didn’t commit after his Eden account is stolen. Working with a reclusive member of the hacker group “Hudie”, Keisuke has to navigate the now hostile digital world to find the source of the theft and the true culprits.

Set in the same world as Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, Hacker’s Memory will feature new Digimon, new locations and a whole new story for players to enjoy. Those looking to further expand their adventures in the world of Cyber Sleuth will be able to explore new stories for characters from previous instalments, with Fei and TigerVespamon featuring in a previously unseen side to their story from the previous chapter.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory will be available on PlayStation 4 from January 16*


The Inpatient

Remember who you are – if you can – in this new VR prequel to Until Dawn. Set in the halls of the Blackwood Pines Sanatorium, the player must piece together their memories and find out what truly lies behind the walls of the hospital. Set 60 years before the events of Until Dawn, this VR title looks to immerse players into the narrow halls of the sanatorium in this chilling new chapter to the story.

With a narrative shaped by the player choices, The Inpatient seeks to provide a new virtual reality experience for players to enjoy. Each story will have a different ending available, depending on the choices made throughout the whole game from start to finish. Using a full body model, players will be able to see how every movement effects the world around them, putting them in the heart of the action and adding to the immersive experience.

The Inpatient will be available on PSVR from January 24*


Monster Hunter World

The world is your hunting ground in this latest release in the Monster Hunter franchise. Players travel the world around Astera – either alone or with up to three companions – and take on the challenges that the different environments present in order to be the best hunter they can be. Using a variety of weapons and travelling over land and sea, players will have to choose their battles carefully in order to provide the desired specimens for the mysterious “Research Commission”.

With the combat styles of the player altering depending on their weapon of choice, players will have the chance to try a number of different options in order to achieve their goal. Differing from previous titles, Monster Hunter World has no loading screens between zones, offering seamless travel between locations but also meaning that danger is not so easy to avoid. Monster Hunter World will be available with either the standard or a special lenticular edition with changing box art.

Monster Hunter World will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from January 26*


Dragon Ball FighterZ

The world of Dragon Ball comes to consoles with this fighter title. In Dragon Ball Fighterz, players will step into the ring for three on three battles where the fate of the world is in the balance. Facing off against the revived Android 16, who has amassed an army of super androids, Goku and his friends will battle it out in this three-chapter story – with each chapter of the tale told from a different perspective.

The “Super Warriors” chapter will follow Goku, with “Super Villain” told by Frieza and Android 18 takes centre stage in the “Android Arc”. Also available will be the Collectorz Edition. This special edition box will feature a copy of the game, three art boards, exclusive steelbook and a Goku Diorama. Standing 18cm tall, the diorama will feature the hero with exclusive “Manga Dimension” colouring.

Dragon Ball FighterZ will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from January 26*


Free to Play

On Xbox, Gold subscribers will have four new titles to try for free this month. On Xbox One, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III will be available from January 1-31*, with ZOMBI free to download and play from January 16 – February 15. On Xbox 360, and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility, Tomb Raider Underworld will be available from January 1-15* and Army of Two available from January 16-31*.

Over on PlayStation, PS Plus subscribers will have seven new titles to download and play across the PlayStation family. From January 2*, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Batman: The Telltale Series will be available on PS4 with Sacred 3 and Book of Unwritten Tales will be available on PS3. Rounding out the selection will be Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness (PS Vita), Uncanny Valley (PS Vita & PS4) and the bonus title StarBlood Arena on PSVR.

Also Released This Month

January 19* – Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory (PS4), Soldam: Drop/Connect/Erase (Switch)

January 23* – Lost Sphear (PS4, Switch)

January 26* – Axiom Verge (PS4, Switch), Railway Empire (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Constructor Plus (Switch), Don’t Starve Mega Pack (Xbox One, PS4), Rad Rodgers: World One (Xbox One, PS4), Demons Age (PS4, PC), The Binding of Isaac AfterBirth+ (PS4)

January 30* – Dissidia Final Fantasy NT (PS4)

*Dates refer to UK releases. International dates may vary and are subject to change. All dates correct at time of writing.

Words by Megan Roxburgh

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