January Is Quiet, But Not Boring For PC Gaming
January is usually a calmer month for PC gaming, but that does not mean there is nothing worth playing. This time around, many of the biggest releases are stacked toward the end of the month, with a mix of new indie hits, follow ups to established series, and some important updates for long running games.
If you are planning your PC gaming schedule or just looking for something new to try on your rig, this overview will walk you through the most interesting releases, early access launches, and major events happening in January.
The Biggest PC Game Releases In January
Several notable games are landing throughout the month, covering everything from tense checkpoint management to stylish action RPGs and atmospheric climbing.
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Quarantine Zone: The Last Check January 12
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check has already made waves on TikTok thanks to its free demo. It plays a bit like Papers Please but with a zombie twist. You work at a checkpoint during a zombie apocalypse and your job is to screen survivors for infection before letting them pass.
The tension comes from making the right call under pressure. Miss signs of infection and you risk disaster. Be too strict and you may doom innocent people. It is the kind of systems driven game that is perfect for PC players who enjoy careful decision making and replayability.
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Highguard January 26
Highguard is a free to play hero shooter that was revealed at the end of The Game Awards to a fairly skeptical audience. The genre is crowded and players are cautious about yet another competitive hero based shooter.
Still, the success of games like Marvel Rivals shows there is room for fresh ideas if the gameplay loop hits right and the heroes feel distinct. If you enjoy experimenting with new competitive shooters on PC, Highguard may be worth a look when it launches on Steam.
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Cairn January 29
Cairn is a mountain climbing game that caught attention years ago with a strong demo. It focuses on careful, tactile climbing where every move feels meaningful and risky. Early impressions were strong enough that it was called one of the best climbing games ever played by those who tried the demo.
For PC players who like slower, more atmospheric experiences, Cairn looks like a standout. It is less about arcade style action and more about planning your route, reading the rock face, and feeling that sense of relief when you reach a safe ledge.
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Code Vein 2 January 29
Code Vein 2 closes out the month with a flashy action RPG built around time travel and stylish combat. It follows up the original Code Vein with more anime inspired visuals and high energy battles.
One of the big talking points from its reveal was a golden motorcycle that fits perfectly with the over the top tone. If you like souls influenced combat but enjoy a more dramatic, character focused style, this is one to watch on Steam.
Key Events, Sales, And Early Access Launches
January is not only about full releases. There are also big events, platform sales, and some promising early access projects for PC players who enjoy getting in early and watching games grow.
Major Gaming Events And Sales
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CES Early January
CES runs from January 6 to 9 and is one of the major tech showcases of the year. For PC gamers, this is where you can expect news about new hardware, including upcoming chips, displays, peripherals, and plenty of AI buzz. It is a good time to pay attention if you are thinking about upgrading your PC in the near future.
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Steam Winter Sale and themed festivals
The tail end of the Steam Winter Sale runs until January 5, followed by focused events:
- Detective Fest: January 12 to 19
- Board Game Fest: January 26 to February 2
These smaller sales are a great chance to pick up niche titles, indies, or games you missed during the main sale, especially if you like detective stories or strategy and board game inspired experiences.
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Taipei Game Show January 29 to February 1
Taipei Game Show closes out the month. It often brings new trailers, updates, and announcements, including for PC titles, especially from Asian developers and publishers.
Interesting Early Access Games To Watch
If you like being part of a game as it develops, January brings several early access launches that PC players should keep an eye on.
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StarRupture January 6
StarRupture combines base building, automation, and large scale defense. Think half Satisfactory style industrial setup and half Earth Defense Force style bug blasting. You build a sci fi base, optimize your systems, and then protect everything from huge waves of hostile creatures.
For fans of management plus action who enjoy tweaking layouts and watching production lines churn while they defend their creation, this could be a strong new time sink.
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Bladesong January 22
Bladesong is a sword smithing game with a dark fantasy vibe. You design engraved blades for demanding clients while uncovering the secrets of Eren Keep, a last refuge in a dying world.
This one leans into crafting and atmosphere rather than pure combat, so it should appeal to players who enjoy detailed workshops, customization, and narrative hints tied to the items they create.
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Echoes of Elysium January TBA
Echoes of Elysium is a co op airship survival RPG that was originally set for early December but slipped to January. You and your friends survive aboard an airship, likely managing resources, upgrades, and combat encounters as you explore floating environments.
Survival and co op fans on PC who like the idea of running a shared ship should keep an eye out for its updated early access date.
Major Updates, Endings, And Other Releases
On top of the new games, a few existing titles and series are seeing important moments this month.
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World of Warcraft Midnight pre expansion update January 20
World of Warcraft’s Midnight pre expansion content update drops on January 20. It introduces the new Demon Hunter Devourer specialization and various other changes that set the stage for the full Midnight expansion release on March 2. If you are a lapsed or current WoW player, this is the time to log back in and see where the game is heading.
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Anthem shuts down January 12
Anthem is finally being put to rest on January 12. The game was pulled from sale earlier, but existing owners can log in one last time before the servers are turned off. It marks the end of a high profile but troubled live service shooter.
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Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven January 22
Woolhaven is a paid expansion for Cult of the Lamb, adding Yngya, the forgotten god of the lambs, plus a new mountain region. It is focused on players who have already finished or gone deep into the base game and want more content and challenge.
Beyond these highlights, January brings a variety of smaller releases such as Pathologic 3, new metroidvania and horror titles, city builders like Nova Roma, extraction shooters like The Midnight Walkers, and several anime style action RPGs and gacha games. For PC gamers, it is a month of quieter but diverse releases that can easily fill the gap before the big blockbusters of the year start arriving.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/pc-game-release-dates-january-2026/
