Summary
- Picking the right time for video game releases is crucial for the success of a franchise. January 2024 is defying expectations with high-profile action games like The Last of Us 2 Remastered and Palworld.
- January has historically been a slow month for video game releases, but it has seen success in the past with games like Mass Effect 2 and Resident Evil. January 2024 is following in the footsteps of these famous titles with the release of Tekken 8 and Yakuza.
- Palworld has already made a significant impact on the gaming scene, and combined with other upcoming titles like The Last of Us 2 Remastered, Prince of Persia, and others, January 2024 has the potential to be the most stacked January ever in the gaming industry.
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 calendar is shedding January's snail tag as high-profile action games like The Last of Us 2 Remastered and Palworld make 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 beloved Mass Effect 2, Resident Evil 4, and the first Diablo installment all launched into superstardom after January releases -- even if Resident Evil 4 was 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 as Tekken 8's classic fighters and Like a Dragon wait in the wings to name a few.
How Palworld's Pal Elements Compare to Pokemon Types
As expected, Palworld's Pal elements are strikingly similar to the Pokemon franchise's Pokemon types, both in name and mechanics.
January 2024 Has a Boatload of High-Profile Games
Long-Running Fighting Games Take Center Stage
Speaking of high-profile releases, 2024's calendar got officially rolling with the debut of the platformer Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. One of the most culturally recognizable gaming franchises through a dominant mobile stint in the early 2000s, Prince of Persia hasn't had an installment available for specialized consoles since The Forgotten Sands back in 2010, only focusing on smaller projects for Android and iOS. Given the circumstances, the level of expectation for The Lost Crown was 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 Remastered followed a day after The Lost Crown and 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 of The Lost Crown and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered's reviews alone 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 8 and Like 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 with Dead Space remake's stellar reviews and 2022 with Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection and Pokemon Legends: Arceus. The only year that came close to 2024's January lineup in recent years was 2020, when Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners flooded 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, Palworld has already left a massive imprint on the gaming scene, taking Steam by storm as its companions draw comparisons to the legendary Pokemon series. While Tekken 8 and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth may yet take center stage as the poster boys of the month when they release, the combined effect of Palword's upstart status, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, Prince of Persia, and other titles like Rugby 24 and One Punch Man: World have the potential to make January 2024 the most stacked January ever.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 90%
- Released
- January 19, 2024
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Franchise
- The Last of Us
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
