Keeping up with the latest video games is becoming increasingly difficult, with various PC shops, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile, and more to keep track of. Normally, January is a slow month as the business recovers from the holiday season, but the first month of 2023 is proving to be rather hot.

Players can anticipate the next big Square Enix RPG, Forspoken, as well as the Dead Space remake, Fire Emblem Engage, and other titles. Meanwhile, on the indie front, there’s SimRail: The Railway Simulator, the moody Season: A Letter to the Future, and more.

Fire Emblem Engage (Switch, Jan. 20)

In January, Nintendo’s Fire Emblem franchise will return with something new. The colorful anime presentation and more traditional JRPG premise of Fire Emblem Engage have been rather contentious, but its new Engage system, which allows you to partner units with the spirits of fans-

favorite characters from the past like Marth, Ike, and Lyn, undoubtedly show potential.

Forspoken (PC & PS5, Jan. 24)

Forspoken, from Final Fantasy XV creator Luminous Productions, aims to give the JRPG format a kick in the pants. Frey, the game’s protagonist, feels more real than other JRPG heroes, and the parkour traversal system promises to make exploration more dynamic and demanding. It remains to be seen whether Forspoken’s initiatives are successful, but it’s wonderful to see a JPEG branching out.

Dead Space (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Jan. 27)

The Callisto Protocol was not the Dead Space sequel that many hoped for, but don’t worry, Dead Space returns in January. The new Dead Space, developed by EA Motive, is more than just a visual upgrade; it also improves and modernizes the horror classic in numerous ways. A revamped seamless map, additional dynamic horror occurrences, more nasty scripted moments, and other changes are on the way.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, Jan. 31)

THQ Nordic’s adaptation of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom was a smash hit, so developer Purple Lamp Studios is back with an all-new SpongeBob adventure. In SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, our porous hero jumps between different themed planets while dressed up in some amusing costumes. This one appears to be an above-average mascot platformer, which is fortunate because your kids will force you to buy it regardless.

Full List of Games Worth Watching in January:

Children of Silentown (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Jan. 11)
Aquatico (PC, Jan. 12)
Lone Ruin (PC & Switch, Jan. 12)
Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider (PC, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Jan. 12)
One Piece Odyssey (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Jan. 13)
email: The Railway Simulator (PC, Jan. 13)
UnderDungeon (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S & Switch, Jan. 13)
A Space for the Unbound (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Jan. 19)
Tortuga: A Pirate’s Tale (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Jan. 19)
Fire Emblem Engage (Switch, Jan. 20)
Forspoken (PC & PS5, Jan. 24)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters (PC, PS4 & PS5, Jan. 24)
OddBallers (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, Jan. 26)
Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection (PS4, PS5 & Switch, Jan. 26)
Dead Space (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Jan. 27)
Raiden IV x Mikado Remix (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Jan. 31)
Season: A Letter to the Future (PC, PS4 & PS5, Jan. 31)
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, Jan. 31)