Here are some of the big video game releases for the month of January 2017. Be sure to check out the list we put together of our most anticipated games of 2017 and subscribe to Polygon’s YouTube channel for tons of gaming videos. Also, check out the free games you get with your Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus subscriptions this month. Additionally, here’s what is coming and going on Netflix in January.
What are you looking forward to playing? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.
Note: This is not a comprehensive list of releases and only games with specific dates are listed below. Some games are announced for January but have no firm release date.
Jan. 17:
Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star (PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita) — Set after the events in the 2010 PSP dungeon crawler, this single-player action game puts you in the role of a “master” and lets you team up with a spirit “servant” to battle various enemies. The servants will be divided into eight classes, each featuring a different fighting style, including melee and magic abilities.
Jan. 20:
Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King (Nintendo 3DS) — This 3DS port of the PlayStation 2 classic will include updates like more story content, full voice acting, two additional playable characters, new side quests, StreetPass functionality and an alternate ending. There’s also a fast-forward feature to cut down on time spent in random battles, as well as a quick save option.
Gravity Rush 2 (PlayStation 4) — For fans of the the original Gravity Rush, the biggest change in the sequel is the introduction of new gravity modes that shift how main character Kat controls and what combat moves she has access to. Check out our glowing preview, the demo, 15 minutes of gameplay and the 17-minute animation which fills in the story between the two games.
Jan. 24:
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue (PlayStation 4) — This is a collection of three games that each take place during different parts of the overall story. There’s Dream Drop Distance, originally released for Nintendo 3DS; that one comes right before the still-unscheduled Kingdom Hearts 3. Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover is a series of cutscenes culled from the eponymous mobile game, set far before the first Kingdom Hearts. Finally, the compilation’s unique new inclusion, 0.2: Birth By Sleep — A Fragmentary Passage, also takes place before Kingdom Hearts 3, although, in our interview, Tai Yasue didn’t specify whether that meant after Dream Drop Distance or parallel to it. (It’s after.) Check out the trailer which features Kingdom Hearts 3 footage.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One) — Resident Evil 7 Biohazard is something of a departure for the series. It’s in first-person perspective but Capcom has promised that familiar Resident Evil gameplay tropes — green herbs, for example — will return in the new game as found in one of a 10-part video tease. Check out the $179.99 deluxe edition and play the final demo, out now for PlayStation 4.
Tales of Berseria (PlayStation 4 and Windows PC) — At the 2016 Tokyo Game Show we were able to play through the first-ever English demo of the game and see how the localization is shaping up. The demo focused on Berseria’s battle system, which follows the series’ standard of being fast-paced and action-packed. In our eight minutes with the game, we learned some combos, smashed some monsters in the face and took on a powerful boss.
Yakuza 0 (PlayStation 4) — Yakuza 0 takes the player to the decadence of Tokyo in the late 1980s and is set up as a prequel to Sega’s action-brawler gangster franchise. Check out the E3 2016 trailer and the “Business Edition” of the game.
Jan. 30:
Disgaea 2 (Linux, MacOS and Windows PC) — This second entry in the Disgaea franchise joins the original, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, which was ported to Steam in February. Similar to that release, the Steam version of Disgaea 2 has been retitled Disgaea 2 PC. Unlike the first game, though, Disgaea 2 PC will also be compatible with Mac and Steam Machines.
Double Dragon 4 (PlayStation 4 and Windows PC) — In observance of the 30th anniversary of Double Dragon‘s arcade launch, the first numbered sequel in 27 years will be released. The original development staff from the arcade version is on this project, including producer Takaomi Kaneko, director Yoshihisa Kishimoto, character designer Koji Ogata, composer Kazunaka Yamane, and programmer Kei Oyama. Check out our feature on Kishimoto and the Double Dragon series.
Jan. 31:
Digimon World: Next Order (PlayStation 4) — Digimon World: Next Order, a console port of the Japan-only PlayStation Vita title, begins when players are sucked into the Digital World to discover it is under siege by Machinedramons. Rescued by two Digimon from impending doom, players must forge forward with their Digimon partners and journey through the Digital World to discover the origins of the Machinedramon scourge and find a way back to the real world. Check out the announcement trailer.