A new year brings a whole new set of gaming experiences and 2025 is off to a strong start: from space-faring adventures to developing elemental magic and exploring who we are in both the past and the future, January’s gaming offerings bring a little something for everyone to enjoy.
Hyper Light Breaker
Enter the Overgrowth and try to survive in this stylish RPG from the Hyper Light universe. In Hyper Light Breaker, players are known as “Breakers”, and they are on a mission to save the new realm of the Overgrowth – which has been taken over by the Abyss King. Working alone, or with other players in co-op, each attempt to reach the King will feature new challenges, mysteries and bosses due to the ever-changing nature of the Overgrowth. From massive biomes to explore to deep, dark labyrinths, it will be up to the Breaker to find their way through in their quest to dethrone the King and uncover the truth about the mysterious Crowns – who once defended the Overgrowth.
With a procedurally generated world bringing the world of Hyper Light to 3D for the first time, this Early Access launch will allow players to get to grips with the game before a full release. Test out the various traversal methods and abilities – including wall-dashing, gliders and hoverboards – while taking in the hub city where each Breaker begins their runs from, while also helping it grow as you learn more about the world you now inhabit.
Hyper Light Breaker will be available on PC from January 14*
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Rediscover who you are in this new adventure from Dynasty Warriors. Based on the ancient Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors: Origins takes place in 183 AD and China is on the cusp of war, as rebellions are stirring through the Three Kingdoms. Arriving at a desolate village, players will discover their character has no memory of who he is or how he got there. While helping to save a child from a unit of troops passing through the village, a “Bearded Hero” appears as an ally, to start the player on their journey to not only save the village but to try and restore who they once were.
The Treasure Box Edition includes the base game, a physical copy of the game’s soundtrack, an official companion book and a special cloth poster. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, digital companion book, a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, 10k gold, 30 Pyroxene and, as a pre-order bonus, three days Early Access.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 17*
Eternal Strands
The world is your weapon in this magical action adventure. In Eternal Strands, players follow the story of Brynn – a young magic user known as a Weaver – as she learns more about her powers and how she can use them to help the fight to regain the cultural home of her people. This path leads to the Enclave, who mysteriously sealed themselves away from the rest of the world, leaving the centre of magic to lie dormant and now the Weavers must work to reawaken this ancient magic.
With a world adapting to how you use Brynn’s powers – for example, using fire abilities too much may cause an area to become arid or impact how farmers can use the land – players will have to be aware of their surroundings in and out of combat. Players will also have the Mantle, a cloak which helps to harness raw magic in the world to enhance Brynn’s powers, which can be combined with weapons and armour (that can be picked up or crafted) to create a unique look for Brynn that also caters to your own playstyle.
Eternal Strands will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 28*
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero
Set sail on an epic adventure to reunite with loved ones in this island-faring adventure. In Phantom Blade: The Lost Hero, players will journey through the watery world of Ivoire, where humans, beast-people and magical beings co-exist along with the various magical creatures of the islands. Following on from the events of Phantom Brave, players follow the story of Marona – a young girl with the power to see Phantoms working as a Chroma contractor – who is separated from her Phantom partner Ash after they are attacked by the Shipwreck Fleet: a fleet of ghost ships who destroy all in their path. Without Ash, Marona’s only ally is Apricot, a Phantom girl who finds Marona after the fleet attack.
The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, bonus stories, Season Pass bonus, extra Boost tickets, three BOR bags and three Mana bags. The Limited Edition includes the Deluxe Edition of the game, artbook, art card set, two-disc soundtrack, coaster and an acrylic diorama stand all in a Collector’s Box.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from January 30*
Sniper Elite: Resistance
Join the resistance and fight for freedom in this new story in the world of Sniper Elite. For Sniper Elite: Resistance, players will be heading away from the Second World War front lines into the heart of occupied France. Playing as Special Operations Executive (SEO) Agent Harry Hawker, you will follow the intel on an arsenal of powerful weapons codenamed Wunderwaffe, which could turn the tides of the war forever. Players will have to use all of their skills to track down key targets with the French Resistance to try and make sure the Wunderwaffe is destroyed once and for all.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Karabiner 98 Rifle, a bonus weapon skin and the Target Fuhrer campaign mission. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, the Season Pass – which includes three bonus campaign missions, three weapon packs, three weapon skin packs and a character skin pack – M1911 pistol and up to two days Early Access. Players who purchase via the Rebellion store can also unlock two digital comics and an exclusive Sniper Elite camo t-shirt.
Sniper Elite: Resistance will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from January 30*
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Reboot, rebuild and repair in this highly anticipated sequel. In Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, players once again step into the role of a Sleeper: an emulation of a human brain in an artificial body. This time, however, you are on the run from the corporation that created you. As part of a desire for independence, you have rewritten your governing code but freedom comes at a very high price – your body is malfunctioning, you have no memory of your past and now there is a price on your head.
Inspired by tabletop games, Citizen Sleep 2: Starward Vector can change on the roll of a dice. Choose your class, configure your skill set and gather a crew as you explore the universe outside of a space station. Difficult choices await as you deal with the new reality your choices create. Take on jobs with your crew or solo to earn rewards to turn it from a ragged old ship to your new home. Extend your reach through the Starward Belt and learn more about the people who live there.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from January 31*
Free to Play
Full details of this month’s titles available across all tiers of PlayStation Plus – along with the games coming to streaming – can be found on the PlayStation Blog.
Details of the games available to download and keep for free on Prime Gaming and the free titles on the Luna streaming service can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
January 2* – Wuthering Waves (PS5)
January 7* – Sea Fantasy (PC), Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana (PS4, PS5, Switch)
January 9* – The Fox’s Way Home (Switch), Sleight of Hand (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
January 10* – Freedom Wars Remastered (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
January 14* – Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (iOS, Android), Threefold Recital (PC)
January 16* – Blade Chimera (PC, Switch), DreadOut Remastered Collection (PS5, Switch), Morkull Ragast’s Rage (Xbox Series X/S, PC) Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Switch), Things Too Ugly (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Assetto Corsa EVO (PC)
January 17* – Tales of Graces f Remastered (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
January 20* – IDUN (PC), Magic Inn (PC – Early Access), The Curse of Mount Madre (PC)
January 21* – Needy Streamer Overload (PS4, PS5)
January 22* – Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist – Full release (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
January 23* – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PC), Guilty Gear Strive (Switch), Ravenswatch (Switch), Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Synduality: Echo of Ada (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC)
January 27* – Star Wars Hunters (PC – Early Access)
January 28* – Cuisineer (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch), Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos (PS4, PS5, Switch), Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Xbox Series X/S, PC), The Stone of Madness (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Tales of Iron II: Whiskers of Winter (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Mac, Linux, Switch), Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O (PC), Warside (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch, Linux)
January 30* – Cardfight! Vanguard Dear Days 2 (Switch, PC), Gimmick! 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PC), Techno Banter (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Wizardry: The Five Ordeals (Switch), Hello Kitty Island Adventure (Switch, PC)
January 31* – ReSetna (Switch, PC), Genso Manege (Switch, PC), Heart of the Machine (PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.