Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition
One of the most beloved JRPG franchises marks their tenth anniversary with this special release. Tales of Vesperia puts players in the land of Terca Lumireis and the adventures of former soldier Yuri Lowell. In order to aid a noblewoman by the name of Estelle, Yuri forms a guild – Brave Vesperia – and travels the world to discover the truth about the land’s power source and what will happen should it fall into the wrong hands. Along the way, Yuri is forced to deal with some faces from his past and how that impacts on his future.
Players will also have the option of the Premium Edition of the game. Included in this edition – which will only be available through select retailers – will be a copy of the game, a 4 CD soundtrack, art book, collectable card set, a Chibi Chara sticker set and Repede metal case.
Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch from January 11*
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey
Save the world from within the belly of the beast in this remaster. In Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, the brotherly duo is tasked with saving the Mushroom Kingdom from the Blorbs, a deadly plague sweeping through the land. Unfortunately, their plans are derailed by the machinations of Fawful, who shrinks the heroes and allows Bowser to devour them. Now the brothers must find a way not only to save themselves but also the entire Mushroom Kingdom.
Players will also be able to play through another side of the story in Bowser Jr’s Journey. For this new adventure, players will take Bowser Jr on his own missions while growing his army of koopas and goombas, supporting his allies before doing battle with King Bob-omb and Broque Madame to make sure that only Bowsers reign supreme.
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr’s Journey will be available on 3DS from January 11*
Ace Combat 7
Take to the skies in this latest aerial adventure. In Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, players take on the role of a pilot during a continental war. Designated “Trigger”, the player is a member of the Osean Air Defence Force who is tasked with eliminating a squadron of drones from the Kingdom of Erusea. However, things take a turn for the worse when Trigger is accused of murdering a former President and is sent to a penal military unit – the so-called “Spare Squadron” as punishment.
Players who pre-order on PlayStation 4 will receive Ace Combat Squadron Leader, a Boeing F4-E Phantom II and three additional aircraft skins while players who pre-order on Xbox One will receive a digital copy of Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation alongside the Boeing and additional skins. The Deluxe Edition will feature a copy of the game along with the Season Pass and eight emblems for players to use. The Collector’s Edition will include a copy of the game, Season Pass, a die-cast model of the Arsenal Bird Fighter, an ACES at WAR: A History art book and an exclusive Ace Combat pin.
Ace Combat 7 will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from January 18*
Resident Evil 2 Remake
An icon of horror gets an upgrade with this remaster. Resident Evil 2 takes place in the ravaged Racoon City as a virus turns the citizens into flesh-eating monsters. Among those trying to survive are student Claire Redfield and rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy, with players having the option to play through all the action as either character as they try to make it through what is left of the once vibrant city.
The Collector’s Edition features the Steelbook Edition of the game, Deluxe DLC Pack – which includes the original soundtrack and additional costumes and weapons for Leon and Claire – a 12” Leon figurine, limited edition R.P.D keys, art book, a copy of the soundtrack, poster and Made in Heaven pin badge all encased in a limited edition Item Box replica.
Resident Evil 2 Remake will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from January 25*
Kingdom Hearts III
One of the most anticipated releases this decade finally comes with the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts III. Continuing the adventures from Dream Drop Distance, players will take Sora, Donald and Goofy as they continue their search for the seven Guardians of Light and the Key to Return Hearts. While the trio is on their quest, King Mickey and Riku are on a mission of their own as they track down any sign of previous keyblade wielders as they try and find the vital clues in order to help Sora put an end to the evil plans of Master Xehanort.
The Deluxe Edition of Kingdom Hearts III will include a copy of the game in a Steelbook case, an artbook and exclusive pin, with select retailers also giving players a Monsters, Inc yo-yo as a pre-order gift. To mark the release of the game, players will be able to purchase custom controllers for their console of choice, with a limited edition 1TB PlayStation 4 Pro bundle also available to purchase as a bundle with the Deluxe Edition and controller included.
Kingdom Hearts III will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from January 29*
Genesis Alpha One
Become an interstellar pioneer in this action-packed adventure. For Genesis Alpha One, players take on the role of a captain in charge of a Genesis starship trying to find a new home for humanity. As captain, players will be responsible for every choice made – from building their bases to collecting materials and resources but also keeping their crew and themselves alive in the face of an ever-looming alien threat.
Players who pre-order the game will receive the Rocket Star Corporation pack. The pack includes four exclusive weapons for players to add to their arsenals – a UTS 15 shotgun, the FBL Firebomb Launcher, AsVal automatic rifle and Kugeblitz energy weapon.
Genesis Alpha One will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from January 29*
Free to Play
To kick off the New Year, Xbox Gold subscribers will have four titles available to download and play for free. On Xbox One, Celeste will be available from January 1-31*, followed by WRC 6 FIA World Rally Championship from January 16 to February 15*. Over on Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility – Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be free from January 1-15 with Far Cry 2 up for grabs from January 16-31*
Over on PlayStation, PS Plus member will have six games to download and play for free across the PlayStation family. From January 1*, Steep and Portal Knights will be available on PS4, with Zone of the Enders HD Collection and Amplitude available on PS3 with Super Mutant Alien Assault on PS Vita and Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion on PS4 & PS Vita to round out the selection.
As for Twitch Prime members, a special seven-game bundle from Devolver Digital entitled The Holiday Pack will be available until January 31*. This pack includes The Messenger, The Swords of Ditto, Hotline Miami 1&2, Broforce, Crossing Souls and STRAFE. Full details on how to claim and all the other Twitch Prime bonuses can be found on the Twitch Prime website.
Also Released This Month
January 7* – Pikuniku (PC, Switch)
January 10* – Bury Me, My Love (PC, Switch), Double Cross (PC, Switch), Aftercharge (Xbox One, PC)
January 15* – Onimusha: Warlords (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Smash Hit Plunder (PSVR), Vane (PS4), Smoke and Sacrifice (Xbox One, PS4)
January 17* – Hell Warders (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Octahedron (Switch), YIIK: A Post-Modern RPG (PS4, Switch, PC)
January 18* – Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal (PS4), Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes (Switch – digital only)
January 22* – A Fisherman’s Tale (PSVR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive), The Raven Remastered (Switch)
January 23* – At the Gates (PC)
January 24* – Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 (PC), Life is Strange 2 – Episode 2: Rules (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
January 25* – The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (PS4), Tropico 6 (PC)
January 29* – Planetside Arena (PC)
January 31* – Fission Superstar X (Xbox One, PC), Sunless Skies (PC), Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy (Switch)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. All information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh