{"id":603085,"date":"2023-01-31T07:49:30","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T13:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sellorbuyhomefast.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/31\/the-best-video-games-of-january-2023-hi-fi-rush-dead-space-and-more\/"},"modified":"2023-01-31T07:49:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T13:49:30","slug":"the-best-video-games-of-january-2023-hi-fi-rush-dead-space-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/31\/the-best-video-games-of-january-2023-hi-fi-rush-dead-space-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"The best video games of January 2023: Hi-Fi Rush, Dead Space, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"
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2023 is already off to a strong start in terms of game releases. PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch<\/a> all received notable new exclusives, while multiplatform AA games and indies helped add even more depth and flavor to January\u2019s game lineup. From rhythm-based action<\/a> games to engaging strategy RPGs to highly polished retro throwbacks, the best games of this month were extremely varied in the experiences they offered too.<\/p>\n

Unexpectedly, this has been one of the best months for video game releases in a while. As such, there are already a lot of great games to keep track of. If you\u2019re wondering which brand-new games you should check out, Digital Trends recommends the following eight games from January 2023.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Hi-Fi Rush<\/h2>\n

Hi-Fi Rush is January\u2019s biggest shocker because it launched immediately after being announced at Xbox\u2019s January 25 Developer Direct show<\/a>. While it\u2019s from Tango Gameworks, the developer behind horror games like The Evil Within<\/em> and GhostWire Tokyo, Hi-Fi Rush<\/em> couldn\u2019t be further from being a scary game. Instead, it\u2019s a stylish rhythm action game where everything from the player\u2019s attacks to idle environmental animations moves to the beat of whatever song is playing.<\/p>\n

Rhythm-game genre mashups aren\u2019t a new concept. Still, Hi-Fi Rush<\/em> manages to be one of the more approachable games of its kind because of some useful accessibility options and great tutorials that will have players fighting to the beat in no time. On top of that, Hi-Fi Rush<\/em> features a gorgeous visual aesthetic, with graphics and character animations that make you feel like you\u2019re watching an excellent animated TV show. \u201cHi-Fi Rush<\/em> rockets to the top of the rhythm-action genre thanks to a stellar combat system that goes far beyond simple beat-matching,\u201d Giovanni Colantonio wrote in a four-and-a-half-star review of the game.<\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s always been a rhythmic sense to action games like Bayonetta<\/em> and Devil May Cry<\/em>. Hi-Fi Rush<\/em> makes that rhythm an active part of the action, and it looks great while doing it. Hopefully, this is the start of an exciting 2023 for Xbox players. Hi-Fi Rush<\/em> is available now for PC and Xbox Series X\/S and is available as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Fire Emblem Engage<\/h2>\n

Intelligent Systems and Nintendo\u2019s long-running strategy game series Fire Emblem has returned with a new console game that takes the best ideas from the successful mobile title<\/a> Fire Emblem Heroes.<\/em> Fire Emblem Engage<\/em> is a fantastic celebration of the series, as players can call upon past Fire Emblem game protagonists to aid them in the series\u2019 trademark deep strategy battles.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire Emblem Engage delivers another strong tactics experience made just a bit better thanks to smart, mobile-adjacent hooks,\u201d Giovanni Colantonio wrote in a four-star review of Fire Emblem Engage<\/em><\/a>. \u201cIts story isn\u2019t as engrossing as some recent installments and its side activities can get tedious, but memorable characters and colorful art direction make for another easy victory in a long line of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

It takes a slightly different approach than its predecessor, Fire Emblem: Three Houses<\/em>, but this game is still a treat for fans of strategy games. It also marks the start of a busy 2023 for Nintendo, which will finally release games like Pikmin 4<\/em> and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom<\/em> this year. Fire Emblem Engage<\/em> is available now exclusively for Nintendo Switch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Dead Space<\/h2>\n
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10 Minutes of Dead Space Remake Gameplay<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Dead Space<\/em> finds itself in a similar situation to The Last of Us Part I<\/a>: it might not be the most necessary remake, but it\u2019s still an excellent game. This is the iconic sci-fi horror game for 2009 set on a scary space station that you remember, only with better graphics, more accessibility, and more detailed animations as you hack away at the limbs and flesh of necromorphs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor anyone who\u2019s yet to play one of gaming\u2019s horror greats, the new take on Dead Space<\/em> is a fairly definitive version of the experience,\u201d Giovanni Colantonio\u2019s four-star Dead Space<\/em> review<\/a> explains. \u201cIts limb-carving combat and claustrophobic atmosphere still outclass its peers 15 years later, and that fact is only emphasized with some smart adjustments.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you enjoyed playing through the original Dead Space<\/em>, you\u2019ll almost certainly have just as much of a good time with this remake. That said, this remake should also serve as a fantastic jumping-on point for players that are new to the series. Dead Space<\/em> is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Season: A Letter to the Future<\/h2>\n

Season: A Letter to the Future<\/em> is a game about a young girl traveling the world before an apocalyptic event wipes away every. That sounds daunting and scary, but in practice, this game can be laid back as atmospheric as players travel the world, choosing what to keep records of and taking in the visuals.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeason: A Letter to the Future<\/em> is a meditative indie adventure that rewards players who are willing to slow down and take it all in,\u201d Giovanni Colantonio wrote in a four-star review of this game<\/a>. \u201cEven when its written story wanders, its vibrant world and detailed sound design always speaks for itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Likely one of the first true indie darlings of the year, this game should be on your radar. Season: A letter to the Future<\/em> is available now for PC, PS4, and PS5.<\/p>\n

<\/a>One Piece Odyssey<\/h2>\n

Anime fans, this one is for you. One Piece Odyssey<\/em> received a massive Dragon Quest-style JRPG this month. While it gets off to a slow start, it\u2019s still a surprisingly approachable JRPG that will fully immerse you in the world of this long-running anime and manga.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt sets out to be a journey that anyone can enjoy, and achieves it by embracing well-established formulas while adding its own flavor into the mix,\u201d De\u2019Angelo Epps writes in a four-star review of One Piece Odyssey<\/em><\/a>. \u201cWhile there are a few bad winds pushing the ship away from the harbor of being a perfect experience, this is an excellent addition to the JRPG genre and one that I think you should try out whether you\u2019re a big One Piece fan or just an appreciator of JRPGs.\u201d<\/p>\n

You probably already know if One Piece Odyssey<\/em> is for you, but because anime game adaptations can be so hit or miss, it\u2019s good to get a massive JRPG for one that\u2019s this good. One Piece Odyssey<\/em> is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X\/S.<\/p>\n

<\/a>SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake<\/h2>\n

A follow-up to SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom \u2013 Rehydrated<\/em>, this simple 3D platformer is a faithful SpongeBob experience filled with humor, pretty visuals, and surprisingly solid level theming and design. It\u2019s not pushing the boundaries of what 3D platformers can do, but as far as licensed games based on kids\u2019 TV shows go, it\u2019s one of the best in recent memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially on platforms like PS4 and Xbox One, where kid-friendly platformers like Kirby and the Forgotten Land<\/em> and Super Mario Odyssey<\/em> aren\u2019t as common, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake<\/em> is an excellent choice if you\u2019re looking for a fun platformer for your kids,\u201d I wrote in a three-and-a-half star review of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake<\/em><\/a>. \u201cEven if you\u2019ll notice some of its presentation flaws and lack of gameplay ambition as an adult, it\u2019ll still be delightful if you\u2019ve ever had a bit of love for SpongeBob\u2019s misadventures.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning to pick up one game on this list for your kid, I\u2019d recommend SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake<\/em>. This game is available now for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a fun new indie title to add to your game library this month, we recommend Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider<\/em>. Taking inspiration from the likes of Shinobi and Mega Man, this retro-style platform nails both the aesthetic and gameplay feeling of games on the Sega Genesis. It\u2019s a simple retro-inspired indie title but achieves precisely what it sets out to do quite well.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause retro throwback games are so common, new ones need to go above and beyond with their presentation to stand out,\u201d I wrote of the game earlier this month<\/a>. \u201cVengeful Guardian: Moonrider<\/em> does so, just as Blazing Chrome<\/em> successfully did. In terms of gameplay, it also feels like JoyMasher and The Arcade Crew pulled it right out of the 16-bit era, with a couple of refinements.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a short and sweet game, too, only clocking in at about 2 to the 3 hours for most players. That should make Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider<\/em> a great palette cleanser between this month\u2019s AAA heavy hitters. Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider<\/em> is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch<\/a>, and Amazon Luna.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Forspoken<\/h2>\n

Forspoken<\/em> game follows a girl named Frey who is transported to the magical world of Athia and must save it from an annihilation wave called the Break. Although the story isn\u2019t great, running around its open world and fighting enemies is enjoyable, thanks to Frey\u2019s magical abilities. Few games incorporate magic as deeply into their game design as Forspoken<\/em> does.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would recommend Forspoken to action and RPG fans, but I wish I could give them one of my save files with total open-world freedom and most of the traversal and combat spells unlocked from the jump,\u201d my three-and-a-half star Forspoken<\/em> review<\/a>\u00a0states. \u201cThe adventure is at its weakest when it\u2019s forcing players to wade through lots of poor narrative content that takes too long to pay off. Its best beats aren\u2019t paced or delivered well and serve as a weighty vambrace holding back this game\u2019s real magic: a dazzling open-world game that truly does feel next-gen.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you can navigate your way through the divisive discourse<\/a> surrounding this game\u2019s writing and get through its weaker narrative sections, you\u2019ll find that Forspoken<\/em> is actually quite fun at its core. Forspoken is available now for PC and PS5.<\/p>\n

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\n\tEditors’ Recommendations<\/h4>\n