A new year brings new adventures and that’s very true for the world of games. With a classic franchise bringing a new spin to their tales, an ambitious chapter in the world of Yakuza, the long-awaited next round of epic battles, a first-time release of a mysterious story and magical adventures are just some of the delights in store for gamers, 2024 looks to be getting off to a very good start.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
There’s no time to waste in this side-scrolling adventure. In Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, players will be introduced to Sargon, a young member of a warrior clan known as the Immortals. Charged with travelling to the cursed city of Mount Qaf, Sargon must battle his way through the enemies who would stay between the young warrior and his mission to free the kidnapped Prince Ghassan. There is also another enemy hindering the Immortal’s quest – time. Mount Qaf has been cursed to be a place of splintered time, where the past can happen after the present and your chosen path is not the one you take.
Players who pre-order will unlock the bonus Warrior Within outfit for Sargon. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, three days Early Access and the Deluxe Pack – which includes the game’s Digital Adventure Guide, the Immortal outfit and Prosperity amulet. Players with a Ubisoft+ subscription will gain access to the Deluxe Edition from day one as part of their subscription.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 18*
Another Code: Recollection
Search for answers in this puzzling tale. Another Code: Recollection follows Ashley, a young teenager who receives a letter from her father – who she thought had passed away. Wanting answers about the letter, Ashley decides to travel to Blood Edward Island. After meeting a ghost named D, Ashley sets off to explore the island’s mysterious mansion to find out the truth. Also in this collection is the next chapter of the story – Journey Into Lost Memories – which is being launched in the West for the first time. Set two years after her time on Blood Edward Island, this time Ashley is on a camping trip to Lake Juliet when she starts seeing flashbacks connected to her mother.
Players who wish to test the game before release will be able to do so via the free demo available on Nintendo eShop, which includes the opening chapter of Ashley’s story.
Another Code: Recollection will be available on Nintendo Switch from January 19*
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
An interesting team-up is on the horizon in the latest from Like A Dragon. In Infinite Wealth, two protagonists collide as they both try to track down the same woman. Taking place in both Hawaii and Japan, players will follow Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu as they search for Akane. While Kiryu is there on the orders of the Daidoji, Kasuga’s reason for looking for Akane is much more personal – she is his biological mother who he thought passed many years ago. While the two men agree to get on for the best possible outcome for themselves and Akane, it is soon revealed that Kiryu has been diagnosed with cancer and has no clue how long he may have left to live what is left of his life for himself.
Players who pre-order will unlock two bonus jobs and a Hero Booster pack. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game and the Master Vacation bundle. The Ultimate Edition includes a copy of the game, Master Vacation bundle, the Assorted Outfit and Sujimon & Resort bundle and the Yakuza CD Collection set, with music from across the franchise.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 24*
Tekken 8
The battle between father and son takes centre stage in the latest from the world of Tekken. Set six months after the events of Tekken 7, Tekken 8 brings the conflict between Jin Kazama and his father Kazuya Mishima to a head. With Kazuya surviving his encounter with Akuma, Jin can feel the demonic blood and knows the two will have to meet in battle once more to decide their fate and the legacy of their family forever. With a host of familiar faces and a few new ones, Tekken 8 will allow players to use new systems – such as the Heat effect which will add more to certain moves – to wage their wars against those who stand in the way of destiny.
Players who pre-order will receive a Paul Phoenix avatar costume set, with those on PlayStation 5 also receiving bonus Mokujin and Tetsujin avatar skins. The Launch Edition includes a copy of the game, SteelBook case, Burning Chain metal plate and Corporation sticker set. The Deluxe Edition includes the game, Gold Suit costume pack and Year 1 Pass – which includes a Kinjin avatar skin and four additional playable characters. The Ultimate Edition includes the game, all Deluxe Edition content and a bonus avatar costume and skins. The exclusive Collector’s Edition includes the game, all content from the Launch and Ultimate editions, a set of 8 collectable cards, a Leroy Smith ring and pouch, a 5cm Arcade Token and an exclusive 25cm Jin Electrified figurine.
Tekken 8 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 26*
The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology
Explore the world of Brian Jacques’ fantasy novels with this collection. Featuring all three acts of The Scout, The Lost Legends of Redwall is a linear action adventure where players can make their way through the world of Mossflower as either Liam or Sophia, two mice and the newest members of the Lilygrove Scout Corps. With their home under attack from ruthless pirates, the two set off for Redwall to help gather allies, find out more about the sea rats and face a race again time to save their friends and also themselves from their deadly fate.
With original story elements, improvements for current and next-gen consoles, a real-time scent mechanic to help explore woodlands, engaging puzzles and mysterious side-stories there is something for everyone to enjoy. With two story paths and dialogue options galore to explore, this collection brings the Redwall stories to life once more. Player choice will matter as the story progresses, with players having to decide if the mission is all – and ignore those who may need help – or help others by taking a little detour from the quest.
The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 30*
Free to Play
On PlayStation, there will be three titles available for Plus subscribers of any tiers to download and keep for free. From January 2*, Nobody Saves The World and Evil West will be available for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with A Plague Tale: Requiem available on PlayStation 5.
Over on Prime Gaming, those with connected Amazon Prime and Twitch accounts can claim the following titles for free this month:
- Control: Ultimate Edition
- Young Souls
- Kitaria Fables
- Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
Full details on how to claim these titles, along with drops for League of Legends, Battlefield 2042 and access to a host of games via Amazon Luna, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
January 11* – Laika: Aged Through Blood (Switch), Momodora: Moonlit Farewell (PC), Top Racer (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), War Hospital (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Radiance (PC)
January 12* – Crystal Story: Dawn or Dusk (PC)
January 17* – Atlas Wept (PC)
January 18* – DreadOut 2 (Switch), Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami (PS5, Switch, PC, iOS, Android), Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
January 19* – The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5), Arclands (PC)
January 23* – Graven (PC), Howl (Xbox Series X/S, PS5)
January 24* – Enshrouded (PC – Early Access)
January 25* – Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Touhou Luna Nights (PS4, PS5), Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
January 30* – Rugby 24 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
January 31* – One Punch Man: World (PC, iOS, Android)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Dates subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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