The Very Best Video Games Released in January 2024 Reviewed

There’s no doubt about it: the video gaming industry really hit the ground running in 2024. January, typically a quieter month for new releases, surprised us with a diverse array of titles on numerous platforms that cater for various tastes. From long-awaited sequels to innovative new IPs, we’re discussing the best video games released in January 2024 with our mini video games reviews and we also look ahead at what is yet to come as the year progresses.

2024 Best Video Games: AAA Titles Make Their Mark

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (18 January)

Ubisoft breathed new life into the beloved Prince of Persia franchise with ‘The Lost Crown’. This 2.5D action-adventure game marked a return to the series’ side-scrolling roots while incorporating modern gameplay mechanics. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC, the game received praise for its fluid combat system and intricate level design.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered (19 January)

Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed masterpiece made its way to the PlayStation 5 with enhanced graphics and performance. This remaster not only brought improved visuals but also included new features such as a rogue-like survival mode and behind-the-scenes content, offering both newcomers and returning players a compelling reason to revisit the post-apocalyptic world of Ellie and Abby.

Tekken 8 (26 January)

The fighting game community received a significant boost with the release of ‘Tekken 8’. Bandai Namco’s latest entry in the iconic series launched on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, showcasing stunning visuals and an evolved fighting system. The game’s release was met with enthusiasm from both casual players and competitive fighters, cementing its place as one of the most anticipated and indeed best video games released in January 2024.

Innovative Indies and Surprises

Palworld (19 January – Early Access)

Perhaps the most talked-about release of the month, ‘Palworld’ took the gaming world by storm for 2024 best video games. This unique blend of creature collecting, survival and base building launched in Early Access on PC and Xbox platforms. Dubbed by some as “Pokémon with guns”, the game’s unexpected mix of cute creatures and survival mechanics sparked widespread discussion and impressive player numbers.

Another Code: Recollection (19 January)

Nintendo Switch owners were treated to a remastered collection of the ‘Another Code’ series. This package included updated versions of ‘Two Memories’ and ‘Journey into Lost Memories’, introducing a new generation of players to these beloved adventure games while offering a nostalgic trip for long-time fans.

Enshrouded (23 January – Early Access)

Keen Games’ ‘Enshrouded’ entered Early Access on PC, offering a fresh take on the survival crafting genre. Set in a world shrouded in a mysterious fog, the game combines elements of exploration, base building and combat in a voxel-based environment, providing players with a new world to discover and shape. Time will surely tell if it can be one of the top PC games this year.

Continuing Sagas and Reimagined Classics

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (26 January)

The latest instalment in the ‘Yakuza’ series (now known as ‘Like a Dragon’) brought players to the sunny shores of Hawaii. Available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation platforms, the game continued the story of Ichiban Kasuga while introducing new gameplay elements and maintaining the series’ signature blend of dramatic storytelling and quirky side content. Loyal fans have already rated this as one of the best games for Xbox, but is this premature given that we’ve barely scraped the surface of 2024?

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy (25 January)

Capcom delivered a treat for visual novel fans with the release of the ‘Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy’. This collection, available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, brought together three games from the popular legal drama series, complete with updated graphics and new features.

Horror and Niche Titles

Immortality (23 January – PlayStation 5)

Sam Barlow’s critically acclaimed interactive film trilogy finally made its way to the PlayStation 5. This unique narrative experience, which tasks players with unravelling the mystery of a missing actress through fragmented film clips, brought its innovative storytelling to a new platform.

Silent Hill: The Short Message (31 January)

Konami surprised fans with a free, digital-only release for the PlayStation 5. ‘The Short Message’ offered a brief but intense return to the fog-shrouded town, serving as both a standalone experience and a potential hint at the future direction of the Silent Hill franchise.

Market Impact and Player Reception

The diversity of January’s releases was reflected in the market performance of these titles. According to data from Circana (formerly known as NPD Group), the PlayStation 5 maintained its position as the best-selling hardware platform in both units and revenue for January 2024 in the US market, with many popular PlayStation games available.

Notable performances were seen from several of the month’s releases. ‘Tekken 8’ and ‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’ both secured positions in the top-selling games chart, demonstrating the enduring appeal of these long-running series. The remastered version of ‘The Last of Us Part II’ also performed well, likely boosted by renewed interest following the success of the HBO adaptation.

Perhaps the most surprising success story amongst the best video games released in January 2024 was ‘Palworld’. Despite its Early Access status, the game’s unique premise and viral marketing led to impressive sales figures and player counts across both PC and Xbox platforms. This success sparked discussions about the potential for innovative gameplay concepts to capture widespread attention, even in a crowded market.

Looking Ahead at The Most Popular Video Games

January’s releases have certainly set a high bar for the year ahead and the success of both established franchises and new IPs demonstrates the industry’s ability to cater for diverse player interests. The strong performance of the PlayStation 5 suggests that the current console generation is hitting its stride, with developers increasingly focusing their efforts on current-gen hardware.

The unexpected popularity of titles like ‘Palworld’ also hints at the potential for surprise hits to emerge, challenging the notion that January is a quiet month for game releases. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see how these early successes influence industry trends and player expectations, and which will prove to be the best selling games in 2024.

Summing Up The Best Video Games Released in January 2024

January 2024 proved to be a remarkably strong start to the gaming year. With a mix of high-profile sequels, remasters of beloved classics and innovative new experiences, the month offered something for nearly every type of player. As we look forward to the rest of the year, the bar has been set high, promising an exciting time ahead for gaming enthusiasts.