Summary
Picking a time slot for video game releases may appear trivial to most fans, but it’s a decision that can potentially change the outlook of a franchise’s success. A few periods provide matches made in heaven for developers, such as the rolling out of horror games whenever Halloween comes around the corner, but other seasons can be a product of lengthy guesswork and the proverbial crossing of fingers. Months like June, March, and November typically see an injection of new releases in the gaming industry, while January has the reputation of being a slow month. However,2024’s video game calendaris shedding January’s snail tag as high-profile action games likeThe Last of Us 2 RemasteredandPalworldmake their debut, and it may be the most stacked the month has ever been.
Historically, the list of video games released in January has looked leaner than other months as developers refocus their attention after a long fiscal year rounded out by December’s The Game Awards. That isn’t to say the start of the year hasn’t had its moments in the sunshine in the past, though. The belovedMass Effect 2,Resident Evil 4, and the firstDiabloinstallment all launched into superstardom after January releases – even ifResident Evil 4was initially intended for a late 2004 slot. January 2024 looks set to follow in the footsteps of the most famous titles in the month’s history asTekken 8’s classic fightersandLike a Dragonwait in the wings to name a few.
Long-Running Fighting Games Take Center Stage
Speaking of high-profile releases, 2024’s calendar got officially rolling with the debut of theplatformerPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown. One of the most culturally recognizable gaming franchises through a dominant mobile stint in the early 2000s,Prince of Persiahasn’t had an installment available for specialized consoles sinceThe Forgotten Sandsback in 2010, only focusing on smaller projects for Android and iOS. Given the circumstances, the level of expectation forThe Lost Crownwas understandably high, and Ubisoft’s first foray into the gaming market for the year looks to be going strong at the moment.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredfollowed a day afterThe Lost Crownand has gradually built steam in the short time since its release, topping out the UK sales charts in its first week. An opportunity to live through the lens of Joel, Tommy, and Jesse tends to move the needle among gamers, so it’s unsurprising the title is seeing a lot of success already. The combination ofThe Lost CrownandThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s reviewsalone would have sufficed for the traditional January slow trend, but even more high-profile titles are on the way to gamers' screens in the coming days.Tekken 8andLike A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which are both slated for release on January 26, also present continuations of renowned video game series.
Palworld’s Meteoric Rise May Push January 2024 Up the Rankings
Typically, January only sees one or two illustrious franchises take an early jump on competitors with a new installment, like 2023 saw withDead Spaceremake’s stellar reviewsand 2022 withUncharted: Legacy of Thieves CollectionandPokemon Legends: Arceus. The only year that came close to 2024’s January lineup in recent years was 2020, whenYakuza: Like A Dragon,Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, andThe Walking Dead: Saints and Sinnersflooded the market. In terms of star power, 2020 is a tough year to beat out due to its loaded game list, but 2024’s offerings might surpass any other January on record in the gaming industry.
Apart from the high-profile titles yet to be released,Palworldhas already left a massive imprint on the gaming scene, taking Steam by storm as its companions draw comparisons to the legendaryPokemonseries. WhileTekken 8andLike A Dragon: Infinite Wealthmay yet take center stage as the poster boys of the month when they release, the combined effect ofPalword’s upstart status,The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered,Prince of Persia, and other titles likeRugby 24andOne Punch Man: Worldhave the potential to make January 2024 the most stacked January ever.
