With the changing of the year, and the Lunar new year, gamers are reminded that time is always moving inexorably forward. Time is the most valuable commodity, so it is essential to spend it well. So, to save readers the time of trawling through January's bloated truckload of new Steam releases, the best picks have been made after careful consideration.
Below is a carefully compiled list of the very finest Steam treasures that have been released to the public. Each one is worthy of gamers' time, and well worth investing in.
7 One Piece Odyssey
This title is based on the acclaimed One Piece anime series. While the anime itself is drawn in 2D, the game makes the bold decision to move to a 3D perspective, but it actually works very well. The artistic feel of the series comes through strongly, especially with the inclusion of familiar locations within the One Piece universe.
One Piece Odyssey takes the form of an open-world party-based JRPG with turn-based combat, fighting as the infamous Straw Hat Pirates. The game adventure as well as the combat take advantage of the unique skill sets of each character, meaning it takes a careful combination of various team members in order to play effectively. It is a highly enjoyable title, full of humor and fun, just be aware that the voice-acting is in Japanese only, so all other players would need to use subtitles.
6 A Space For The Unbound
Sometimes players start a game having low expectations, yet are changed into a whole new person by the time they finish it. For example, this game is a teen romance and coming-of-age adventure set in Indonesia in the 90s. Some may be quick to assume it would not be their preferred type of game.
But when gamers take the time to really try out hidden gems like A Space For The Unbound, they can be truly moved by what they find. A gentle start with some exploration, philosophical views and location-based humor. Then suddenly deeper issues are launched into, facing anxiety and depression, and finding answers deep within the hearts of other people. The tale is a moving one, right the way through. This is profound and heart-melting stuff. If that were not enough, all cats encountered can also be petted!
5 Bing In Wonderland
This game's developers have a superb sense of humor, and great eye for refining a game concept. This is a Roguelite which trims out all the superfluous fluff and just gives a concentrated dose of hack and slash goodness.
The character's main ability is the Butt Slam. Hordes of enemies invade the screen, to be fought off not only with one's posterior, but also a number of funky little weapons like a pointy spear or a mellifluous harp. The abstract art style is said to make Picasso weep, and the animations are just delightful. This is one quirky little creation.
4 SimRail – The Railway Simulator
Gamers have had several railway simulator options over the past few years, but this new title is a very promising contender for the crown. It has the usual fare of a large network of approximately 500km of lovingly replicated track from real routes, but also adds in a number of compelling new features.
Players can choose to operate older steam machines from the 80s, or modern electric trains. There is the option to play not only as the driver, but also as the dispatcher, looking after a station to make sure everything runs smoothly. Commendably, there is a superb multiplayer feature where players can join servers with other players operating their own trains or working as dispatchers. SimRail is still in Early Access, but is at a very advanced stage already. Additionally, there is a free demo for those who want to get a taste of what is already on offer.
3 Pizza Tower
On paper, it's hard to describe what this game is actually like. Terms can be thrown around like 'Wario-inspired', 'madcap 2D platformer', stylized 90s pixel-art'. But in reality, that doesn't even come close to expressing what veritable feast of goodness actually awaits. Pizza Tower is one of those enigmas that comes through the gaming pipeline every now and then.
Every single level is a non-stop whirlwind of insanity, rocket-fast but imaginative gameplay and pounding retro beats. The action is fluid and intuitive, but so clever and so varied, with constant new dynamics being added in, that every section feels new and fresh. There is enough character and humor to be the beginnings of a cult classic.
2 Hi-Fi RUSH
Sometimes gamers can get worn down by the marketing and PR releases over-hyping their games, specially if the end result is sub-par. But here is a game that was just dropped into the market without fuss. Even better, the game is fully polished, completely finished, comprehensively tested and optimized. That is how to release a game!
Hi-Fi RUSH is a beautifully stylized rhythm-based action battler. The story is the wholesome tale of Chai, an aspiring rockstar who happens to have several robot appendages, as he battles an evil corporation. The entire world pulses to the solid beat of the old-school soundtrack, meaning platforming, puzzles and combat all revolve around timing and rhythm. It works very smoothly; everything feels fluid and natural. This was a delightful gaming surprise that the world needs more of!
1 Dead Space
Some may wonder why this game is in the month's new releases, since it is already 15 years old. This is the glorious remake of one of the best survival horror games the world has ever seen. Everything has been rebuilt from the ground up. The visuals, the music, the gameplay; all have undergone a complete evolution into the modern age of gaming.
This new version of Dead Space manages to achieve the very difficult balance of creating a full rework, while still retaining the feel and core experience of the original. It has taken a long time to arrive, but the wait is well worth it. This is an even better version of one of the most iconic games the world has ever seen. Although the high launch price may put some off, wait for the sales and then make sure to get hold of this masterpiece. This is The Best War Games's top pick for the best new Steam release of January 2023!