New Year, crap weather, and the sorrows of going back to work full time after an always-too-short holiday break. Each year kind of blends together now but at least the games keep changing! Wow! That came off a little bleak! Anyways, here is a list of games that might be on your radar to check out this month and what I’ll be personally putting my time into.
War Hospital– This game has the Frost Punk vibe of needing to make rash decisions and managing an intricate system all while keeping you goal driven with medical upgrades to your hospital. With a serious tone and set during WW1, this is not your Two Point Hospital happy-go-lucky simulator. Regardless, I’m all in! Pre-ordering now will discount the game to $35.99 on Xbox. War Hospital releases 1/11/2024.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla– Now set to be released on Game Pass January 9th, Valhalla was a refreshing setting with lush forests and greenery that was very much appreciated by myself in the lockdown era of Covid 2020. Like all Creed games, I stopped half-way. I do miss the old combat style where fighting a crowd of minions is like a well-choreographed action film. Despite that preference, Valhalla was a great looking game!
Palia– Looks as cozy as it gets and just came out in the middle of last month. I’ve always appreciated the premise of these type of games but have been more so drawn away from the 32-bit aesthetic. Palia looks more grandiose and is designed as an MMO. Its free to play on the Nintendo Switch and the customization of your humble abode gives me great memories of Skyrim. That alone is worth giving it a look!
The Last of Us II Remastered – At first, I scoffed of the idea of remastering a game that released just 4 years ago and looked flawless on a PS4, but with only a $10 price tag for owners of the last-gen version, it will be fun to see how more graphically stunning this game can get. The rain effects from the first installment’s remaster especially caught my eye and I definitely appreciate those graphical achievements in such an immersive story. Last of Us II Remastered is available on Jan 19th for PS5.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth just looks like an all-round good time and set in Hawaii which will be a visual treat to have adventures in. I can’t say I’ve played the other Yakuza games but something about this franchise is quite alluring in all of its hilariousness displayed. The Animal Crossing game elements in part of the story also has me drawn in. Infinite Wealth releases Jan. 26th.
Some of the side games worth mentioning are Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyber Punk: Phantom Liberty that I’m guilty of not progressing through. I’m trying to remember from last January and if there was an impressive lineup like this at our disposal, it’s hard to say but this new year for gaming is looking good already! What’s on your list?
Thanks,
-M
Custodi Exitus 
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