With a new year comes new promise, and this year's slate of games is no exception. Between the arrival of long-awaited titles like BioShock Infinite and Grand Theft Auto V, and the inevitable announcements for Sony and Microsoft's “next big things”, there's plenty to look out for in 2013. Leading the way are this month's selection of releases, including Ninja Theory's Devil May Cry reboot, Level 5's eye-catching Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the Witch King, a Hitman HD Trilogy, and extra goodies for Sim 3. Throw in new seasons for Kinext Sesame Street TV and Kinect Nat Geo TV, sprinkle some Anarchy Reigns, and you've got yourself a solid month.
Have a look at what to expect on shelves this January, and keep checking our continually updated reviews listing for our opinions on 2013's new arrivals...
January 7
Kinect Sesame Street TV – Season 2
Platform: Xbox 360 Kinect
Big Bird, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, and company return to the Kinect for another season of motion controlled family tomfoolery. Similar to the first batch of interactive programming, Kinect Sesame Street TV – Season 2 will cast players as visitors to the famous kids' street, where they will be give the chance to play games and perform tasks for many of its iconic residents. The new season will include 8, 30-minute episodes in total and can be purchased individually or as a group.
Kinect Nat Geo TV – Season 2
Platform: Xbox 360 Kinect
Want to see the world, but can't be bothered to leave your house? Lucky for you, National Geographic is releasing a whole new batch of Kinect Nat Geo TV episodes that will allow couch surfers the opportunity to experience the many wonders of the globe from the comfort (and safety) of their living room. The 8-episode season will be hosted by Brady Barr, renowned reptile guru and host of Nat Geo Wild's Dangerous Encounters. Like Kinect Sesame Street TV, the 30-minute studios will be offered a la carte, or all together as part of a season package. Happy hunting.
January 8
Anarchy Reigns
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
EU: January 11
It only took six months, but Platinum Games' downloadable smash-em-up is finally hitting North American and European shores after debuting in Japan this July. Anarchy Reigns (aka Max Anarchy) stars a cast of outlandish brawlers, including fighters from the studio's MadWorld and Bayonetta series. In addition to beating on baddies in the solo campaign, players can take the fight online in the Battle Royale, Capture the Flag, Death Match, Tag Team, and Survival multiplayer modes. Still not sure what to expect from this crossover actioneer? Watch us play an hour of the Japanese demo from earlier this year.
January 15
Chimpact
Platform: Nintendo DS
505 Games is set to port Yippee! Entertainment's monkey flinging app to Nintendo DS this month. Much like the game for iOS and Android devices, Chimpact will find DS owners tasked with using the handheld's touch controls to toss "Chuck" around jungle environments in search of his home, while collecting floating bananas and hidden gems along the way. New abilities and secret paths can also be used guide the lost simian back to his family, and each level contains extra challenges to keep players flinging back for more.
DmC (Devil May Cry)
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360 (PC: January 25)
We've been following Ninja Theory's Devil May Cry (DmC) reboot for a while, and now it's time to see if this alternate-reality take on Capcom's demon-slaying series can live up to the hype. DmC finds a younger, more punk-rock Dante fighting a hangover and massive demonic invasion in a twisted land called Limbo City. In addition to his trademark moves and combos, Dante will have the aid of an Angel Mode and Devil Mode that will gives him the ability to fight fast and furious or slow and stylish, respectively. Check out Dante's new look for yourself in our DmC video archive, or read our DmC hands-on look at 6 ways it will improve on the original series..
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PS Vita
EU: Jan 18
City Interactive returns to the battlefield for a follow up to its 2010 first-person shooter. In it, players will assume the role of Private Security Consultant Captain Cole Anderson as he takes aim at targets around the globe in locations including Burma, Tibet, and other exotic camping grounds. Taking its cues from the first game, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 will place a stronger emphasis on offering an “authentic, modern sniper experience” by doing away with the fast-paced action sequences of the first and including more in the way of realistic sniper physics, techniques, and scenarios. The action will also carry over online with intense sniper duels, offering an ideal deathmatch experience for the more methodical FPS fans.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "a game about faith and religion," which Neil Druckmann jokes will surely get less hate than The Last of Us 2
The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann says Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will also be about "being lonely," as if his zombie apocalypse wasn’t isolating enough: "I really want you to be lost"
