2020 ended with an absolute banger with the amazing titles we got to play towards the tail end of the year. Following this, 2021 is looking to have a strong lineup so far. With the announcement of games like Far Cry 6 and Ruined King, we're excited to see what 2021 will bring. While these two will be released later in the year, we still have a couple of games coming as early as January. Luckily, these games aren't pushovers, either. So without further ado, let’s dive into our top 5 most anticipated new games of January 2021.
Hitman III
The time has finally come to settle things once and for all in the World of Assassination trilogy. We return in Hitman III playing as Agent 47, out to finish unsettled business with the leaders of Providence, their long sought target. The final installment of the critically-acclaimed Hitman series will be dropping this month and it is looking quite an amazing game so far. Apart from new features, maps, gadgets, and mechanics, long-time fans will appreciate to know that the game will revisit maps from past Hitman games.
Hitman's stealth gameplay and mechanics has revolutionized the genre time and time again. Hitman III brings with it a whole new playground for players to experiment with. Introducing new maps, gadgets, and an improved stealth system, Hitman III will bring players to various locations such as Chongqing, Berlin, and Dubai.
This long-running series has yet to disappoint fans as the story it brings to the players are deep and engaging. While players can still enjoy the humorous side of Agent 47, the game's developers noted that Hitman III will be “a lot more mature, serious and darker.” For sure, this is a noteworthy game to keep a lookout on when it finally releases this January 20 on both current-gen and next-gen consoles as well as on PC.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny
Next up on our list is the heir to a large tactics RPG empire – Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny. Coincidentally, Disgaea 6 will come out almost six years after the last Disgaea game. The ultimate tactical game for min-maxers and players who love the grind will finally come out on the 28th of this month.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny will will follow two new characters introduced to the Disgaea universe – the siblings Zed and Beiko – as they fight with the so-called God of Destruction.
Nippon Ichi Software incrementally introduces new features and mechanics to the tried-and-tested Disgaea formula. This time, Disgaea 6 will also feature an upgraded look to its iconic graphics. Showcasing a brand-new 3D look for the first time ever in the series, Disgaea 6 will surely be a stand-out for strategy and tactics fans.
If you've never played a Disgaea game before, then don't feel intimidated by the number after the title. Disgaea games are not directly connected to each other. You can go straight to Disgaea 6 and not miss anything from the previous entries in the series. Nevertheless, longtime fans will appreciate cameos and unlockables related to characters from previous titles, including the Prince of Darkness, Laharl.
As far as the hardest grind in a game can go, Disgaea 6 will most likely be taking back its spot in many gamers' libraries.
The Yakuza Remastered Collection
Our third entry is a trip down memory lane as we are going to have a taste of the Yakuza Games from PS3. Microsoft fans are in for a treat as the remastered collection for Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 will finally be released on Windows and Xbox One. Previously a PS4 exclusive, Yakuza Remastered Collection is coming out to these two other platforms on January 28.
The Yakuza Remastered Collection will feature all three games with improved visuals and enhanced audio, playing at 1080p, 60fps. The original release of Yakuza 5 for the PS4 came with the remasters of Yakuza 3 and 4. So, if you skipped out on these games, then it's time for you to grab them. These games may be old news for Sony fans. However, it's still one of the most anticipated new games of January 2021 for Xbox and PC gamers.
Roaming around Japan as a yakuza is more entertaining playing as Kazuma Kiryu of the Yakuza franchise. Aside from kicking ass and dishing out flashy combos, Yakuza also features fun mini-games that embody quintessential Japanese activities. You'll easily sink in hours of your day playing these timeless classics.
Super Meat Boy Forever
It’s finally here! Super Meat Boy Forever sets the stage for 2021 to be a bloody and challenging mess, with well-designed levels that are literally to die for. Make sure to ready yourself and prepare for a beating, or else you might end up being a little salty on the meat.
Super Meat Boy Forever deviates from the series' roots by entering the endless runner genre. Still, the game retains its bloody difficulty and unique personality. This new game features badass looking bosses with amazing entrance cinematics, and levels with a lot of whirling blades. While previous games featured pre-made levels that players have to go through, Super Meat Boy Forever ups the ante with randomly-generated levels. This keeps the game fresher and more exciting for both new and old players alike.
While the game has been out for almost a week now on Windows and the Nintendo Switch, it still remains to be one of the top new games of January 2021 as it comes out on January 1st for the PS4 and Xbox One.
Stronghold: Warlords
Firefly Studios is back at it again with another entry to their RTS classic. So far, this seems to be their best one yet.
East Asia will be the setting for Stronghold: Warlords. This gives players a nice change of scenery from the series' usual medieval European setting. The game also moves ahead in the timeline, and fans of the series will finally get their hands on guns and other more advanced weapons.
While not as famous as other RTS games, the Stronghold series has a loyal and dedicated fanbase. The wait is finally over for these folks who surely have Stronghold: Warlords as part of their list of most anticipated new games of January 2021. It took Firefly Studios seven long years to follow up on their classic Stronghold: Crusaders II. And now, the continuation to their historical epic game is coming out this January 26 on PC.
2021 is looking good so far for gaming
2021 is shaping up to be really good so far. If these five games aren't your fancy, then check out our top 5 most anticipated games of 2021. As developers return to their desks this January, we're sure to get updates from our highly-anticipated games of 2021. We'll just have to sit pretty and wait for news to come out. In the meantime, these five games should keep us company while we wait for the release of the others.