New year, new me bullshit has ended can we please jump back into our top 3 games of this month lmfao
January 2026 kicks off with an unexpectedly strong lineup of game releases you should not sleep on. From a fresh evolution of a beloved gacha franchise to a bold new FPS from veteran developers and the return of a cult Soulslike series, this month’s gaming roster is diverse, intriguing, and packed with potential. Whether you love deep RPG mechanics, competitive multiplayer action, or dark anime-inspired adventure, there is something here to kickstart your year right.
I hate gacha games but I love money and I was paid to write about popular shit and somehow gacha shit is always going good (maybe I should give ZZZ a try) but – let’s get in!
1. Arknights: Endfield — January’s Biggest New RPG Spin-Off
For fans of Arknights and action RPGs, Arknights: Endfield might be the standout release of January 2026. Officially launching on January 22, 2026, this title takes the core universe of Arknights and invests it with much broader ambitions and new gameplay identity.
Platforms and Release Date
Arknights: Endfield is confirmed for PC (Windows), PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android — covering all major gaming platforms for a wide audience.
World, Story, and What to Expect
Set on the distant moon Talos-II, Endfield places you in the role of the “Endministrator” of a struggling industrial project. Colonists once stranded here must forge a new future amid supernatural disasters and chaotic biomes, with recognizable elements like Originium and the broader Arknights lore making a return.
Unlike the original Arknights, which is tactical tower defense with gacha progression, Endfield expands into action-adventure RPG territory with base-building and expansion mechanics that feel almost like a cross between RPG combat and management sims. I am gonna try it after I finish my extended gameplay review of Dead Island 2 Ultimate Edition. That one is such a fuckin banger too.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Endfield’s gameplay blends real-time strategy and action. Players control a team of four characters simultaneously, switching between them on the battlefield while unleashing tactical combos to bring down enemies. The open environment encourages exploration, resource gathering, environmental problem-solving, and strategic planning.
One of the more unique aspects is the Automated Industry Complex (AIC) system. Instead of simply grinding for materials, you design and optimize factory systems that produce the resources you need over time – a layer of strategic depth that separates Endfield from typical action RPGs.
Early Buzz and Community Thoughts
The beta tests have shown promise, especially among fans of the Arknights universe, but some players are cautious about how deeply the base-building and factory elements will integrate with action RPG pacing once the full game is live. With its release just around the corner, there’s a lively debate about whether this blend will be smooth or feel too spread across genres — a discussion worth watching as launch day approaches.
2. Highguard: A New Breed of PvP Shooter From FPS Veterans
If competitive shooters are more your thing, Highguard is arriving with a lot of pedigree and a bold concept. Coming on January 26, 2026, this free-to-play title is developed by Wildlight Entertainment, a studio composed of veterans from Respawn Entertainment known for Apex Legends and Titanfall. This is the exact reason for me trying out Arc Raiders – the main team from Battlefield 1 and Battlefront has done a phenomenal job with this game, also something to not miss out on.
Platforms and Launch Info
Highguard launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross-play and cross-progression support, meaning your progress and friends carry across platforms from day one.
What Makes Highguard Unique
From trailers and early info, Highguard embraces a PvP raid shooter structure that is less about pure arena combat and more about team objectives and territorial control. Players take the role of Wardens, arcane-armed gunslingers battling across large maps to secure powerful assets like the “Shieldbreaker” before launching coordinated raids on enemy bases.
While specifics on modes are still emerging, Highguard’s mix of magic and firearms, combined with traditional FPS movement and fantasy mechanics, gives it a distinct flavor compared with other shooters on the market. And I’m a sucker for FPS games so I am genuinely excited for ts. Fr ong.
Gameplay Loop and Expectations
Instead of simple deathmatch or battle royale loops, Highguard focuses on objective-based progression where securing key tools changes the direction of the match — like gaining map control and team momentum. Early community reactions are split: some players are excited by the prospect of a genre hybrid that brings objective battles into FPS in a new way, while others feel the trailer and messaging haven’t yet clarified what makes it fundamentally different from existing shooters.
Given the team’s pedigree and the lore around raid-style PvP rules, Highguard may become one of the more talked-about competitive shooters early in 2026. Early trial impressions and post-launch balance decisions will be key to whether it hooks players long-term.
3. Code Vein II: A Souls-like Return With New Twists
Closing out the month is Code Vein II, dropping on January 29, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This is one of the most anticipated sequels for fans of action RPGs with a dark aesthetic. This is the game I’m severely tweaking for. The first part came out years ago and I didn’t know if there was gonna be a sequel honestly.
Setting and Story
In Code Vein II players return to a post-apocalyptic world filled with Revenants — humans with supernatural powers who must constantly fight to survive against monstrous Horrors. The narrative weaves between the present and the past, using a unique mechanic involving time manipulation via a character named Lou who can alter key events to shape the future.
This sequel expands the original game’s lore by exploring deeper character connections and a plot that spans time itself. Players don’t just hack and slash — they unravel the tangled history of revenant society and confront existential threats that change depending on their past choices.
Combat, Customization, and World Design
Code Vein II brings crisp, intense action RPG combat with the signature anime art style the franchise is known for. Combat still centers on reading enemy patterns and mastering weapon skills, but the sequel also expands traversal, including possible use of a motorcycle for faster navigation across bigger landscapes and more open environments. Normally, like I said, I’m not into gachas or fkn anime ass games but this is a good one. Definitely worth giving it a shot even if you are not familiar/into the genre.
Customization options in Code Vein II are deeper than ever. Players can tailor their build with blood-draining abilities, weapon classes, partner character synergies, and a broader range of skills that let you approach challenges in varied ways. Strategic partner interactions are emphasized, giving loyal followers with their own stories and combat styles.
Why Fans Are Excited
The original Code Vein became a cult favorite because it married Soulslike difficulty with anime-infused visuals and narrative. With this sequel, fans are hoping for a bigger world, more nuanced combat systems, and a story that rewards multiple playthroughs or deeper exploration of its lore. There’s a palpable anticipation that Code Vein II could become the premier dark action RPG of early 2026 if it delivers depth and replayability.
Final Verdict: January 2026 Is a Month Worth Playing
This January’s lineup lives up to the quiet hype of post-holiday gaming. Arknights: Endfield offers a fresh twist on a beloved franchise with strategic RPG and management layers. Highguard shakes up the free-to-play shooter space with raid-style PvP combat and veteran developers behind it. And Code Vein II promises a rich, challenging, and narrative-driven action RPG experience that could define the early year for many players.
If any of these games are already on your radar, or if one of them just jumped onto it, you can grab them at a discount over on Gamers-Outlet.net. It is one of the easiest ways to save a bit of money while keeping your backlog well stocked for the year ahead.
As always, we will be back next month with another roundup of the most interesting new releases, so stay tuned and happy gaming.
