The year 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting one for video game enthusiasts. Major releases are on the horizon, including the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, a new Nintendo console, and fresh entries in beloved franchises such as Borderlands, Doom, Fatal Fury, Mafia, Metroid Prime, Monster Hunter, and Assassin’s Creed. While January might not feature blockbuster titles, it sets the tone for a year of thrilling comebacks and innovations. Fans can look forward to remastered classics like Freedom Wars and Donkey Kong Country Returns, alongside the release of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, which promises to reinvent the iconic Musou gameplay formula. 2025 is poised to deliver a rich mix of nostalgia and innovation in gaming.
The holiday season may have given you some time to tackle your gaming backlog, but the flow of new video game releases shows no signs of slowing down. January 2025 is packed with exciting launches, and to help you stay ahead, I’ve highlighted seven must-watch games that promise to make a strong start to the year. Here’s a look at the most anticipated titles you won’t want to miss.
Freedom Wars Remastered (January 10)
Freedom Wars, widely regarded as one of the finest games ever released for the PlayStation Vita, is making a triumphant return with a remastered edition. This cooperative action game immerses players in a dystopian future where they must fight monstrous Abductors as part of a staggering 1,000,000-year prison sentence. Known for its unique post-apocalyptic setting and innovative gameplay elements—such as the grappling hook-like “Thorn” and the customizable cyborg companions called “Accessories”—Freedom Wars captured the hearts of many.
Now, Dimps and Bandai Namco are breathing new life into the franchise with Freedom Wars Remastered. This enhanced edition brings modern upgrades, including improved textures, 4K resolution support, and revamped weapon crafting and difficulty systems, ensuring a fresh experience for returning players and newcomers alike.
Freedom Wars Remastered is set to launch on January 10 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, offering fans a chance to relive or discover this beloved title in a whole new light.
Hyper Light Breaker (January 14)
Heart Machine and Arc Games are taking their ambitions to new heights with Hyper Light Breaker, the spiritual successor to Hyper Light Drifter. This 3D roguelike action game invites players to explore a procedurally generated open world filled with challenges and bosses to conquer. A unique twist adds to the stakes: if players die repeatedly, the entire world resets, transforming into a completely new landscape, forcing a fresh start to their quest. With its dynamic procedural generation system and the addition of co-op gameplay, Hyper Light Breaker stands as Heart Machine’s most expansive project to date.
The game is set to enter early access on PC starting January 14, making it a title to watch closely throughout the year.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (January 16)
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is Coming to Nintendo Switch in January 2025
Nintendo is starting 2025 strong with the release of Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a high-definition remaster of the acclaimed platformer by Retro Studios. Originally launched on the Wii in 2010, this classic later made its way to the 3DS in 2023 with additional levels. For the first time, the upcoming Switch version will combine the original adventure with the 3DS-exclusive levels, all while eliminating the need for motion controls.
This release also introduces a modern mode, designed to make the game more accessible for first-time players. With its vibrant visuals and refined gameplay, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is set to reintroduce one of the Wii’s finest games to a new generation of players on the Nintendo Switch.
Mark your calendar—Donkey Kong Country Returns HD launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on January 16, 2025.
Dynasty Warriors: Origins (January 17)
Koei Tecmo’s Musou series, known for its thrilling action-packed gameplay and iconic “Warriors” titles, continues to deliver exhilarating experiences with Dynasty Warriors: Origins. Staying true to the franchise’s signature formula, the game lets you embody an unstoppable hero, mowing down waves of enemies across sprawling battlefields. However, Origins introduces exciting new mechanics inspired by character action games, adding depth and challenge. Mastering dodges and parries is crucial, particularly in the intense boss battles that punctuate each level.
For fans of fast-paced, strategic combat, Dynasty Warriors: Origins offers a fresh twist on the beloved series. You can try the demo to get a taste of its unique blend of classic and evolved gameplay. The full game launches on January 17 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S—don’t miss out!
Eternal Strands (January 28)
Many former Bioware developers have ventured into creating their own studios, though not all have found success. However, Yellow Brick Games, led by former Dragon Age director Mike Laidlaw, has defied the odds. This month, the studio is set to release its highly anticipated debut game, Eternal Strands. Scheduled to launch on January 28 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, Eternal Strands is a fantasy action game that promises to captivate players with its emphasis on magical powers and dynamic environmental interactions. Players will face off against awe-inspiring enemies, including dragons and towering golems, using these innovative gameplay systems.
With its focus on immersive fantasy and engaging mechanics, Eternal Strands aims to uphold Bioware’s legacy while delivering a fresh, magical experience for fans of the genre. It’s shaping up to be a must-play for fantasy enthusiasts this month.
Sniper Elite Resistance (January 30)
Rebellion is refreshing its winning Sniper Elite formula with Sniper Elite Resistance, a new chapter in the acclaimed series. While the signature X-ray kill cams and precise gunplay remain intact, this installment introduces a fresh protagonist: Harry Hawker, a Special Operations Executive agent. Set in Nazi-occupied France, players will join Hawker and the French Resistance in their mission to disrupt and dismantle the Nazi regime.
The game also emphasizes multiplayer gameplay, offering cooperative missions, an innovative invasion mode where players can enter each other’s games as Axis soldiers, and intense 16-player PvP battles.
Sniper Elite Resistance launches on January 30 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from day one, making it easily accessible for subscribers.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (January 31)
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector builds on the success of its indie predecessor, which became a surprise hit in 2022 for its innovative fusion of choice-driven tabletop RPG mechanics and a richly crafted dystopian sci-fi setting. In this sequel, players once again step into the role of a Sleeper—a being with an artificial body but a human mind.
This time, the story unfolds in Starward Vector, where survival takes center stage. Players must maintain their ship, recruit crew members, and tackle contracts while navigating a narrative shaped by dialogue choices and dice rolls. These mechanics promise to keep the gameplay dynamic and engaging, even for fans who spent countless hours with the original game.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector launches on January 31 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, offering an immersive experience for newcomers and returning players alike.
More new games in January 2025
- Wuthering Waves for PS5 (January 2)
- Sea Fantasy (January 7)
- Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana (January 7)
- Airborne Empire (January 13)
- Aloft (January 15)
- Assetto Corsa EVO (January 16)
- Blade Chimera (January 16)
- Morkull Ragast’s Rage (January 16)
- Tales of Graces f Remastered (January 17)
- Magic Inn (January 20)
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for PC (January 23)
- Guilty Gear Strive for Nintendo Switch (January 23)
- Ravenswatch (January 23)
- Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles (January 23)
- Synduality: Echo of Ada (January 23)
- Space Engineers 2 (January 27)
- Neptunia Riders vs. Dogoos (January 28)
- Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (January 28)
- The Stone of Madness (January 28)
- Tails of Iron II: Whiskers of Winter (January 28)
- Virtua Fighter 5: R.E.V.O. (January 28)
- Warside (January 28)
- Hello Kitty Island Adventure for PC and Nintendo Switch (January 30)
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for PC (January 30)
- Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero (January 30)
- Genso Manege (January 31)