Our Favorite Games From January

Last month, game releases picked up in speed after the end-of-holiday lull of December. As a result, we have 21 recommendations for you, from triple-A fares and indie gems to a simulator about breeding cute slimes. There’s all kinds of games to choose from, so dig in.

Arkham Knight: Season of Infamy

After liking the way it handled the character of Mr. Freeze last month, Evan experienced one of the best moments he’d ever had in any Batman game when he played Ra’s Al Ghul’s mission from Arkham Knight’s Season of Infamy pack.

You can buy the DLC pack for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Crashlands

A humorous top-down ARPG that, thanks to its mobile versions and global saves, you can take with yourself anywhere, and that had Nathan totally hooked.

You can buy the game for PC, Android, and iOS.

Darkest Dungeon

It’s one of the harshest and most difficult roguelikes to come out recently, but its strange world kept Nathan coming back for more.

You can buy the game for PC.

Gravity Rush Remastered

Kirk warned that the remaster won’t sway those who didn’t like Gravity Rush on PS Vita the first time around, but for those who enjoyed it, and those who haven’t yet tried it, the PS4 version is the definite one.

You can buy the game for PS4.

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

It’s Homeworld with sand. As Luke said in his review, it is also a fast, responsive, smart and gorgeous strategy game.

You can buy the game for PC.

Jetpack Fighter

Quick and dirty swiping fun from the makers of Smite, in the form of a free-to-play platformer. Mike enjoyed it.

You can get the game for iOS.

Kill The Plumber

Mike had fun killing “Mario” over and over again in this indie “anti-platformer.”

You can buy the game for PC.

LEGO Marvel’s Avengers

In his review of the game, Mike noted that the standard LEGO action-adventure game formula is getting pretty tired. Still, there’s plenty of good Marvel fan service to be had. Plus, the game does pretty crazy things with The Avengers.

You can buy the game for PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, and 3DS.

Lost in Harmony

One of the sweetest rhythm games Mike’s played.

You can buy the game for iOS.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

A really good Mario RPG bogged down by some not-so-good minigames. Jason found the combat especially fun.

You can buy the game for 3DS.

Oxenfree

An excellent indie adventure with a focus on conversations. Patricia really enjoyed the voice acting and music.

You can buy the game for PC and Xbox One.

Pony Island

A sinister adventure game with strong pony themes. Mike had a really freaky experience with it.

You can buy the game for PC.

Punch Club

An addictive, if sometimes repetitive, boxing management game that Nathan liked.

You can buy the game for PC.

Rise of the Tomb Raider PC & Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch

Kirk played the newly released PC version of the game and found a solid port that looks really, really good. Evan also tried the Baba Yaga DLC, which also came out recently, and he enjoyed its short but engaging story.

You can buy the game’s PC version here, and the DLC for PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Slime Rancher

A sandbox game where you ranch slimes that breed via poop. The slimes are also extremely cute, a fact which pleased Nathan greatly.

You can buy the game for PC. Note that it’s in Early Access.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes

Mike’s been playing this mobile Star Wars game for months. It’s part of his daily routine now.

You can get the game for Android and iOS.

The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human

A peaceful and inviting action-adventure game on the surface, until you get eaten alive by a giant horrible death worm, like Nathan did.

You can buy the game for PC.

The Deadly Tower of Monsters

By itself, this game would be a basic hack n slash deal. However, it’s framed as the DVD release of a terrible sci-fi movie, with excellent director’s commentary strewn throughout. Does that make it a keeper? Mike says yes.

You can buy the game for PC and PS4.

The Witness

Jonathan Blow’s latest work is filled with gorgeous visuals and challenging puzzles which, to Stephen’s experience, are incredibly satisfying. If you do pick up the game, make sure to check out our tips & tricks, too.

You can buy the game for PC and PS4.

Tharsis

In this turn- and dice-based management game, can you get to Mars without resorting to cannibalism? Or, heck, can you get to Mars at all? Stephen couldn’t, but he still had fun.

You can buy the game for PC and PS4.

Westport Independent

You run a newspaper in a town run by a fascist government, censoring and spinning articles as you see fit. During the game’s duration, you might come to care for your writers—and as Evan learned, losing them can sting.

You can buy the game for PC, Android, and iOS.

If you buy any of these games through the retail links in this post, our parent company may get a small share of the sale through the retailers’ affiliates program.

Questions? Comments? Contact the author of this post at andras-AT-kotaku-DOT-com.