The holidays are behind us, so while the big studios are gearing up for their next wave of releases, January is a great time to check out new and exciting games from smaller studios. This is going to be a great month for RPG and strategy fans, with cool indie titles and new entries in franchises with small-but-loyal fanbases.
Below, I’ve put together everything scheduled for January. Just a reminder: I’ve also posted the calendar with all the confirmed releases for 2026. You can find it here and at the top of the menu.
Be sure to let me know which games you’re most excited about in the comments, and Wishlist and Follow them on Steam to give the devs an extra boost; it really does help!
EvoCreo
- Developer: Ilmfinity Studios
- Release Date: 7 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
EvoCreo has been around for a while, despite flying under the radar compared to its much bigger cousin. This monster-catching RPG captures the spirit of classic Pokémon with its own roster and deep battle system. It’s coming to Steam for the first time, potentially giving it a much wider audience.
That timing is no coincidence, either. EvoCreo 2 is set to launch in Q1 2026, so now is a great time to try this take on one of gaming’s most beloved genres. Steam even has a free demo to try before diving in!
Alder Forge 2 (E.A.)
- Developer: Zine Falouti
- Release Date: 9 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
Speaking of cult RPGs with upcoming sequels, Alder Forge 2 follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, with story and world-building that expand the first game. With crafting, XP multipliers, and more systems to interact with, this could be a great pick for JRPG fans looking for a solid indie title.
Alder Forge 2 enters early access on 9 January, and the demo is already available. Of course, if you’d rather wait for the full release, there’s always the original Alder Forge to play in the meantime.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Release Date: 15 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Switch
- Steam Page
Of course, there’s truly nothing like a big, hefty JRPG with flashy visuals and a complex story. The Legend of Heroes continues its Trails storyline with Trails Beyond The Horizon, adding more lore to one of gaming’s most richly-imagined worlds.
Airships and other fantasy tech have always been a major part of The Legend of Heroes, and Trails Beyond The Horizon is set against the backdrop of the world’s first space launch. It’s an exciting new chapter for both Trails and the greater franchise, so if you’re a longtime fan, you won’t want to miss this one.
The Fortress
- Developer: Baryonyx Games
- Release Date: 15 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
The Fortress is a cross between lots of great games. Imagine a roguelite adaptation of the old-school first-person RPGs of the ’90s, with tabletop-style dice rolls and a dark, evocative, retro dungeon to explore. All you need to do is choose a class, enter the dungeon, and slay the lich, getting as much loot as you can along the way. What could go wrong?
The Fortress should have plenty of challenges to keep roguelite fans coming back for just one more run. The free demo is available now, and the full game is just around the corner.
CARNEDGE
- Developer: OneShark
- Release Date: 19 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
Another roguelite dropping this month is Carnedge, which takes a more cartoony approach to dark fantasy. Its bright colors contrast with the shadows at the edge of every battlefield, as you fight to keep the Eternal Flame alive in a darkening world.
Carnedge describes its combat as “chaotic,” so it’s going to take more than a perfect build or careful card management to survive a run. This is a game where you’ll need to expect the unexpected and always be on your toes. You can try the demo now to get a taste of the battles to come.
Blightstone (E.A.)
- Developer: Unfinished Pixel
- Release Date: 20 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
If you like Darkest Dungeon, then tactical roguelite Blightstone should be right up your alley. You’ll need to command a ragtag group of heroes on a perilous journey, with new threats at every turn and deadly combat.
Blightstone uses free movement rather than a grid, so you can set up shots and charges at any angle (but so can your foes). Turning environmental hazards to your advantage, plus smart positioning and use of character skills, are vital. Even in Early Access, Blightstone looks to offer plenty of challenge; it should be a fun game to watch grow in the run-up to launch.
Wicked Seed
- Developer: Dead Right Games
- Release Date: 23 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
Wicked Seed is an exciting indie title for fans of classic survival horror like Resident Evil. It’s got all the exploration and puzzle-solving you’d expect, with turn-based battles for survival against the terrifying creatures that lurk in the dark.
Not only does Wicked Seed look like an exciting indie tribute to survival horror, but its turn-based gameplay also offers a chance for both action-oriented and less action-oriented gamers to put their flashlight and shotgun to use. It’s only a few weeks away, but the free demo can be played on Steam right now.
Stellar Raiders
- Developer: Five Head Games
- Release Date: 23 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
At first glance, Stellar Raiders might look like a tactical re-imagining of FTL, but the similarities end at the ship outlines. As a crew of space pirates, you’ll board enemy ships and engage in puzzly tactical battles with no randomness at all – victory depends entirely on the moves you make and the sequence of events on the board.
Throw in unit synergies, map-wide effects, and simple-but-effective movement tricks like cloning and swapping your raiders, and this could be a minimalistic roguelike that has you up late planning your next move.
Escape From Ever After
- Developer: Sleepy Castle Studio
- Release Date: 23 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
If you love Paper Mario, then Escape From Ever After has the classic RPG gameplay in a fairytale setting. As a plucky hero, you’ll set out to stop an evil corporation from taking over the world of storybooks.
From the corporate office to myriad fantasy worlds, Escape From Ever After has lots to explore and a bright, colorful cast. It’s a great pick for players looking for a game that’s fun and not too serious.
The Spirit Lift
- Developer: prettysmart games
- Release Date: 27 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
There are a lot of roguelite deckbuilders out there, but The Spirit Lift sets itself apart with a ’90s horror movie vibe. Choosing from a crew of hapless teenagers in a haunted hotel, you’ll have to fight against monsters that range from a little creepy to downright horrifying.
The Spirit Lift adds background stories and interactions between the characters that you choose for each run, so it will take a lot of playthroughs to discover all of the possible combinations. You can get started with the free demo, or pick up the game when it launches toward the end of the month.
Roots Devour
- Developer: Rewinding Games
- Release Date: 27 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
If you’re looking for a game that’s a little different offers meaningful decisions on every turn, Roots Devour is definitely one to watch this January. As an eldritch being of the woods, your task is to expand your roots throughout the world, connecting cards representing biomes, creatures, and ultimately cities, until everything is one with you in the darkness.
Roots Devour lets you be the monster, combining exploration with card gameplay to simulate your extending grasp. It’s a very cool concept, so if it sounds like your kind of game, check out the demo.
Front Mission 3: Remake – January 30
- Developer: MegaPixel Studios S.A.
- Release Date: 30 January, 2026
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
The first two Front Mission Remakes have brought the start of the series to a new audience, and with a third on the horizon, it looks like they’ve been doing pretty well. Whether you’re here for the tactical mech combat or the JRPG storyline following a world torn apart by war, the Front Mission series offers lots to sink your teeth into.
Like the other titles in the series, you don’t need to play the first two games to enjoy Front Mission 3: Remake, but taken as a group, they tell a long, epic story that spans continents and years.
These are the most important releases of the month, according to me, and as usual, I might have missed something, so I’m looking forward to your feedback on my social channels and on the Reddit channel. Have a great day. Ciao
