The best games we played in January
Written by @Kef
Can you believe we’re already one month deep into 2023?! And even though January is traditionally one of the slower months for new game releases, the editorial team here at TapTap still played a ton of new games this month, and a lot of them were very good. If you’re looking for something awesome to play, we’re happy to help.
Here’s our rundown of the ten best games we played in January. Note: These are in alphabetical order, not order of awesomeness. They’re all just really freakin’ good, trust me.
Release date: January 27, 2023
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X
I’m still making my way through Electronic Arts’s remake of the original Dead Space from 2008, so I don’t have a review to link to quite yet. Hopefully soon! But I’m already deep enough into the game to feel confident that this is one of the best remakes I’ve played in years—one that captures what made the original game special and actually manages to improve on it! Here’s hoping this means more Dead Space in our future, whether that’s in the form of further remakes or a brand new adventure for Isaac Clarke.
273691Release date: January 9, 2023
Platforms: PC
Fears to Fathom: Carson House is the third in an anthology of stand-alone, short-form horror games developed by Rayll, a twenty-year-old solo game developer based in India. As impossible as it might sound to believe, that one-man development studio has created an instantly compelling tale of terror that had me white-knuckling my mouse and no-exaggeration jumping out of my seat.
267127
2023’s first horror hit was made by a 20-year-old - Fears to Fathom: Carson House Quick Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4196760
Release date: January 20, 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Coming from someone who’s never touched a Fire Emblem game before, Fire Emblem Engage turned me into a true believer. From the complex combat system to the charming, unique characters that joined me on this journey, Fire Emblem Engage proved itself as one of the best of the best.
270028 Nintendo’s strategy masterpiece blends combat and storytelling perfectly - Fire Emblem Engage Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4351574
Release date: January 9, 2023 (on Steam)
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC
After playing for a few days, Flash Party reminds me of Brawl Stars and Super Smash Bros. in the best way possible. Heck, I’d even recommend this top-notch brawler to people that don’t even like playing fighting games.
211926 This Smash Bros. clone actually captures that Nintendo magic - Flash Party Quick Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4188259
Release date: January 25, 2023
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series S/X
I spent twenty minutes trying to figure out something that I remotely disliked, even a little, about Hi-Fi Rush. I couldn’t think of one. Even though I only spent five hours with this beautiful rhythm action game, I enjoyed every single bit of it. Everything.
279087 Devil May Cry meets a rhythm game with great music - Hi-Fi Rush Quick Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4398581
Release date: January 9, 2023
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X ports planned)
In KartRider: Drift, what you see is what you get—and what you get is a simple, polished, and fantastic racing game. The game features various modes where I could choose to race against others or try to beat my best time. The interface and controls feel great, and the mechanics are easy to use.
239208 This racing game rivals Mario Kart - KartRider: Drift Quick Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4208868
Release date: January 6, 2023
Platforms: iOS
Monthly Dystopia deserves big props for its lovely black-and-white art style. The dull visuals play right into the themes of the game, and infrequent bursts of unsettling soundtrack also add to the atmosphere. It’s great stuff and helps make this one depressing authoritarian regime that’s well worth experiencing for yourself.
269145Release date: January 17, 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
RE:CALL is the first must-play game I’ve checked out in 2023. Plenty of cool games have released already this year, but this ambitious, effortlessly cool adventure game takes big swings and implements gameplay and storytelling mechanics I’ve never seen done before.
269835 A memory-manipulating thriller that would make Christopher Nolan jealous - RE:CALL Quick Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4256770
Release date: January 31, 2023
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
As a game explicitly set between end-of-the-world scenarios, SEASON balances between a traditional post-apocalyptic experience and a pre-apocalyptic vision of the future. Where other post-apocalyptic games might have players fighting off mutants with pipes, this game’s main method of interacting with its dead and dying world is through taking pictures, recording audio, and picking up postcards, flyers, and other remnants of civilization that are found lying around.
274034 A reminder to keep living, even when the world is ending - SEASON: A Letter to the Future Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4352453
Release date: January 19, 2023
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
A Space for the Unbound is an emotional narrative adventure that deals with romance, depression, and anxiety. It managed to jerk a tear or two from eyes while playing, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. With its beautiful artistic backdrop of a ’90s Indonesian town and its exploration fo mature themes, A Space for the Unbound is a great way to kick off 2023 if you’re looking for a deep and meaningful narrative experience.
269834 This ’90s-nostalgia Indonesian adventure game made me tear up - A Space for the Unbound Quick Review
https://www.taptap.io/post/4344574
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