2026 is already stacked with stellar video games, and the first month of the year isn’t looking any different. While the roster for this month features more indie titles than AAA games, it’s worth remembering how well this genre performed last year. So, kick off the new year with these top 10 video games that are releasing this month.
10. Streetdog BMX
Streetdog BMX is all about cycling and performing daredevil tricks on your BMX bikes through six detailed maps with hidden areas and over 270 challenges. If you’re a fan of some BMX action, then this sports title should be on your radar. Master the mechanics at your own pace and feel the adrenaline-fueled flow of the BMX gameplay.
Customisation is extensive and deep, ranging from creating characters to building the ultimate BMX rides. Drawing inspiration from classic sports games, Streetdog BMX welcomes everyone, emphasizing accessibility for beginners while offering depth for seasoned cyclists. While the game launches on January 14, a demo is available on Steam for players to try.
| Developer | Yeah Us! Games |
| Release Date | January 14, 2026 |
| Platform | PC |
9. Escape from Ever After
Escape from Ever After is a Paper Mario-inspired RPG that revolves around the journey of fairytale adventurer Flynt Buckler, who teams up with his archnemesis Tinder to fight back against the evils of capitalism and defeat the real-world megacorporation, Ever After Inc., from establishing dominance on fairytales.
Explore a variety of colorful storybook worlds, discover secrets, and battle against foes in engaging turn-based combat with your own partners. Rise through the corporate hierarchy while working at Ever After Inc., and sabotage it from within. Escape from Ever After launches on January 23, and you can try out the demo on Steam to deliver an early hit to Ever After Inc.
| Developer | Sleepy Castle Studio |
| Release Date | January 23, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC |
8. BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW
BrokenLore: Unfollow is a terrifying first-person psychological horror game that explores the effects of social media on mental health. The narrative follows Anne, a victim of bullying, as she desperately tries to break away from a nightmare haunted by grotesque creatures while facing her past decisions.
Visually grotesque and nightmarish, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery and escape from the creatures symbolizing Anne’s traumatic memories. Be mindful of your choices throughout the narrative, as it will shape the game’s ending. BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW releases on January 16, and players who want to experience the horror before release can try the demo on Steam.
| Developer | Serafini Productions |
| Release Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC |
7. I Hate This Place
I Hate This Place blends comic booky goodness with 80s horror aesthetics to create a crafting-oriented isometric open-world survival horror game like no other. Inspired by the comic series of the same name by Kyle Stark and Artyom Topilin, the game is set in a world with nightmarish creatures where hunting for resources, crafting gear, and building are essential for surviving in Rutherford Ranch.
With a dynamic day and night system, exploring the Ranch takes priority in the day, while fighting off creatures becomes the mission at night, forcing you to strategise your approach outside camp. The game features both stealth and gunplay, encouraging you to use sound for luring enemies. I Hate This Place launches on January 29, and a demo is available on Steam for players to try.
| Developer | Rock Square Thunder |
| Release Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC |
6. Cairn
Cairn offers a journey of a lifetime in a survival climbing experience that sets Mount Kami as your focus. Climbing the mountain is made compelling and intuitive with realistic and simple simulation controls. Aava, the protagonist, is out on a mission to ascend the never-climbed-before Mount Kami and figure out the history behind it.
Meet other climbers who share their experience, plan out your own routes, and manage resources carefully to make the climb possible. Each wall and each climb feels similar to a boss fight, one that’s satisfying and rewarding. Cairn climbs its way to platforms on January 29, and players who are prepared for it can try out the demo on Steam.
| Developer | The Game Bakers |
| Release Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5 and PC |
5. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is a milestone entry in the popular Trails series, featuring three new protagonists with intertwined stories, and turn-based combat gameplay that improves upon its predecessors. The three characters embark on a collision course to journey beyond the horizon of Zemuria, a continent at the brink of extinction.
The different regions in the Calavard Republic are your playground, and whether you’re engaging in Field Battles or Command Battles, the dynamic combat system will spice up the gameplay each time. The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon dives deep into the trio’s journey to uncover Zemuria’s secrets on January 15, and players can try out the demo on Steam right now.
| Developer | Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH |
| Release Date | January 15, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC |
4. MIO: Memories in Orbit
MIO: Memories in Orbit is a Metroidvania platformer with stellar visuals, where you’ll need to explore the vast abandoned spaceship called Vessel with MIO, a robot with exciting skills and abilities, to discover the ark’s secrets and save its inhabitants from corrupted machines. Delve deep inside to retrieve its lost memories and uncover MIO’s true destiny.
Explore vibrant environments and navigate through the expanse of the massive technological ark while facing off against various enemies and bosses. Tailor MIO’s abilities to your playstyle and master the rhythm of the deep mechanics. MIO: Memories in Orbit drops January 20 and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one as well.
| Developer | Douze Dixièmes |
| Release Date | January 20, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 |
3. Code Violet
Code Violet is an ambitious survival action-horror game that’s all about time travel and fighting prehistoric creatures, a.k.a dinosaurs. You play as Violet Sinclair in a grim future, where humanity is facing extinction. The Aion Bioengineering Complex is overrun by hostile dinosaurs, and it’s your mission to save mankind from the prehistoric threats.
Featuring explosive action, unique puzzles, and a gripping tale of betrayal, Code Violet has all the staples of a good survival horror game. Manage your resources, fight terrifying beasts in gorgeous visuals, and immerse yourself in the dark future, all built exclusively for the PlayStation 5. Code Violet roars onto the platform on January 10, so be on the lookout for it.
| Developer | TeamKill Media |
| Release Date | January 10, 2026 |
| Platform | PS5 |
2. 2XKO
2XKO is the highly anticipated free-to-play 2v2 tag team fighter featuring iconic characters from the League of Legends and Arcane universe, each having unique movesets that make the overall gameplay more dynamic. From command grabbing to defensive excellence, the roster is filled with fantastic Archetypes that players can master.
Whether you’re lobbying Jinx or traveling back in time with Ekko, the gameplay remains fresh and explosive every match, with intuitive tag controls that determine the fate of the battle. The game also features a ranked ladder available via ranked matches for players who are looking for a challenge. With the Early Access already live on PC, 2XKO is confirmed for launch this month on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
| Developer | Riot Games |
| Release Date | January 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC |
1. Code Vein 2
Code Vein 2 is the action-packed sequel to the 2019 RPG that follows a tale across time with the protagonist, a Revenant Hunter, and his companion, Lou, who has the power to manipulate time. The game features an open world at the edge of a total collapse, filled with transformed Revenants, known as Horrors.
Similar to the first game, Code Vein 2 has an intense and unique combat system that allows you to dive into satisfying and thrilling battles and take down bosses by unleashing a variety of skills. Meet new companions, travel to new locations in the vast open world, and master new abilities to save the world through time. With that said, Code Vein 2 is confirmed to release later this month, on January 29.
| Developer | Bandai Namco Studios Inc. |
| Release Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC |
So, which game are you most excited to play this month? Share your picks and reasons in the comment section below.
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