January isn't a particularly busy time of year for new video games, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to play. Quite the opposite: While January 2024 doesn't have the meatiest release schedule—especially after the annual holiday rush—it does have a few big releases worth checking out.
Meatballs rule the month, with the new Prince of Persia game and the updated PlayStation 5 version of The Last of Us Part II, but there's also Tekken 8 to offer fighting fans some quick thrills. Check out the biggest game releases of January.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (January 18)
It's been more than a decade since the last all-new Prince of Persia game, and Ubisoft is finally reviving its classic brand of adventure with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Across PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC, The Lost Crown combines the franchise's classic side-scrolling action with the kind of time manipulation seen in modern 3D entries. But it takes cues from the likes of Metroid and Castlevania, offering a sprawling map and tons of abilities to unlock over time, making the campaign richer and richer.
Our Last Part II Relearned (January 19)
It's been less than four years since The Last Jedi II was released at the tail end of the PS4 cycle, and it's already been given a performance upgrade on the PS5. But thanks to the popularity of the HBO show and the 2023 version of the original PS3 action game, Nate Dogg is launching a remastered and expanded version of the series on PS5.
Along with a visual update, it includes some levels that were cut during the original development, additional character costumes, and a brand new survival mode called “No Return”. Luckily, it's selling for $50 less than the typical new PS5 game.
Tech 8 (January 26)
The King's Iron Fist Tournament is back with Tekken 8, which brings Bandai Namco's fighting franchise to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. While the vibe seems mostly familiar, with plenty of returning faces in the mix, Tekken 8 introduces combat elements to reward more aggressive players, and brings a more cinematic touch to the action.
It can be difficult to make a 30-year-old franchise feel new again, especially after so many entries and spin-offs, but Tekken 8 seems to have a renewed spark to it. Let's see if he can hang with Street Fighter 6.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (January 26)
No, you're not wrong, Sega has indeed released another Dragon-like game that ruined its name. In November. But the rebooted Yakuza series is expanding again in January, bringing both series leads (Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu) together in Yokohama and Honolulu City, Hawaii — for the first international action issue away from Japan.
As a major, mainstream series entry and direct sequel to 2020's Yakuza: Like Dragon, unlike the recent spinoff release. It's probably not the best place to start with this series, but existing fans should do well on PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X/S and One, and PC.
Edited by Ryan Ozawa.
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