The 10 new games recommended by our editorial department that you should buy this month!

January 2023

FORSPOKEN

• Compatibility: PS5/PC
• Release date: 1/24/2023 *PC version scheduled for 1/25
• Genre: Action RPG
• Price: 9,680 yen (including tax)
• Maker: Square Enix

A completely new title featuring an open world. The main character, Frey Holland, who has been transported from New York to a mysterious other world called "Arcia," searches for clues to return to his original world with the help of "Cuff," a magical bracelet that contains his will. In addition to battles using magic, this title incorporates a unique element called "magic parkour," which allows players to move across various terrains and bumps with smooth movements.

The PS5 version of this title is currently available as a demo version, so we recommend trying it out for yourself.

ONE PIECE ODYSSEY

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/PC
• Release date: 1/12/2023 *PC will be released on 1/13
• Genre: RPG
• Price: 8,778 yen (including tax)
• Publisher: Namco Bandai Entertainment Inc.

A work commemorating the 25th anniversary of the "ONE PIECE" series. The stage is set on the mysterious island of "Wafrd," which remains in ancient documents. During their voyage, they encounter a great storm and are cast adrift on this island, where they embark on a new adventure in an attempt to escape. In addition to employing command battles familiar to RPGs, this title includes a variety of elements, such as skills that replicate the special moves of Luffy and his friends. The game also features some of the characters and animals designed by Eiichiro Oda, the author of the original manga.

Crayon Shin-chan "Ora to Doctor no Natsuyasumi" (Ora and Doctor's Summer Vacation) - Owaranai 7-nichi no Tabi

• Compatibility: PS4/Switch/Steam
• Release date: 1/26/2023 (Switch and Steam versions available now)
• Genre: Adventure
• Price: 5,940 yen (including tax) *Special limited edition is 8,580 yen (including tax)
• Maker: Neos

PS4 version of "Crayon Shin-chan "Ora to Doctor no Natsuyasumi" - Owaranai 7 Day Journey," which was released on Switch in July 2021. It depicts the summer vacation of the Nohara family, who are staying at the home of an old friend of Misae's who lives in "Assoso" in Kumamoto for a week. The content of the PS4 version is basically the same as the Switch version.

Apart from the standard edition, a "special limited edition" of this title will also be released. It will come with a soundtrack CD containing 20 songs, including the game's theme song and BGM, a collection of artwork, a visual book with an interview with Kaz Ayabe, and more.

Hyaku Eiyouden Rising (packaged edition)

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Switch
• Release date: 1/26/2023
• Genre: Action RPG
• Price: 4,400 yen (tax included)
• Maker: 505 Games

A packaged version of "Hyaku Eiyouden Rising" released in May 2022. CJ, a young girl from a family that makes its living collecting treasure from ruins, visits a town called New Never in search of new treasures. This title not only depicts a prequel to "The Legend of the Hundred Heroes" released in 2023, but also allows players to enjoy the battle system in which they can freely switch between the three characters of Garou, a beast mercenary, Isha, the young acting mayor of New Never, and CJ, as well as interact with the townspeople through quests.

Halkis.

• Compatibility: PS4/Switch
• Release date: 1/26/2023
• Genre: Adventure
• Price: 8,228 yen (tax included)
• Maker: ENTERGRAM

An all-ages version of a romance adventure game released on PC in 2015. The main character, who has been away from her parents and living as a student at her cousin and sister's house, is staying at home with her cousin instead of her cousin who tends to be away, but deep down she wishes to be independent as soon as possible. One day, the protagonist's life as a fake lover begins when he lies that he is "dating" a classmate in order to help others. A trial version of this title is currently available, so why not try it first?

Fire Emblem Engage

• Compatibility: Switch
• Release date: 2023/1/20
• Genre: Simulation RPG
• Price: 7,678 yen (including tax) *Downloadable version: 7,600 yen (including tax)
• Maker: Nintendo

The latest title in Nintendo's popular "Fire Emblem" role-playing simulation series, "Fire Emblem" takes place on the continent of Eleos, a world of four kingdoms and one sacred land, where players must join forces with friends in various countries to prevent the resurrection of an evil dragon that was once sealed away in a harsh battle.

The familiar turn-based system of alternating enemy and ally movement and the simulation element in which players command their companions, each of whom has different abilities depending on their profession, have been retained, but a new "ring" system has been added. When the main character and his companions wear rings, their status and other characteristics are enhanced. Furthermore, when a character and an emblem player "engage" (merge), each emblem player can unleash special moves with different effects. How well you use the rings and engagements will make the difference between victory and defeat in battle.

Harvest Moon: Welcome!

• Compatibility: Switch
• Release date: 1/26/2023
• Genre: Simulation
• Price: 5,478 yen (including tax)
• Maker: Marvelous Inc.

A remake of a title released on the Nintendo GameCube in 2003. Set in "Wasuretani," a small settlement far from the city, the game allows players to enjoy decades of realistic life, including farming, such as caring for animals and growing crops, finding a life partner, fishing, and interacting with the people of the valley. New elements from the remake include new events related to family and the seasons, as well as a camera that can be used to capture memories. With these various elements, you can now live a more intense life in Wasuretani.

Makai Senki Disgaea 7

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Switch
• Release date: 1/26/2023
• Genre: Simulation RPG
• Price: 7,678 yen (tax included)
• Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software

The latest in the "Makai Senki Disgaea" series, which has been depicted on an overwhelming scale, with a maximum level of 9999 and damage in excess of a billion. The setting of this title is the Japanese-style demon world of "Hinomoto Makai Gun". Fuji, a straggler samurai, and Piriririka, a young girl who is a Japanese nerd, go on a rampage to overthrow the "Great Unholy Shogunate" in order to take back the ruined Hinomoto Demon World from the hands of the invaders.

New to this title is the "Ranked Battle," an online battle with players from all over Japan. In Ranked Battles, characters automatically fight according to the settings set by the player using the "Magic Mind Edit" AI function. The key to victory or defeat lies in the ability to create an appropriate strategy based on the characteristics of the stage and the patterns of the opponents.

Yukin Musume Dairy Whirlwind - Sayuki and Koyuki's Hie Hie Hie Dai Soudou

• Compatibility: Switch
• Release date: Jan 19, 2023
• Genre: Shooting
• Price: 4,378 yen for packaged version (tax included)
• Maker: mebius

A packaged version for the Switch of the shooting game "Yukin Musume Dairy Whirlwind: Sayuki and Koyuki no Hiye Hiye Daisoudou," which was originally released on the Wii in 2007. A snow girl who falls in love at first sight with a human sets out on a journey in search of ingredients for a "curse-erasing elixir" in order to break the curse of her unrequited love. The game features a variety of actions, including the "Icicle Shot," the "Blizzard," and the "Miyako Usagi Ranbu," a special move that causes the Otomo Snow Rabbit to peck at the player's body. The game can be played by 2 players at the same time.

The game itself was already released as a downloadable version in 2018. If you don't mind having the game in a package, you can buy it from the Nintendo Store.

NeverAwake

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Switch/Steam
• Release date: 2023/1/19* PC version is available now
• Genre: Action Shooter
• Price:
• Packaged version: PS4/Switch......4,180 yen (tax included)
• (Premium Edition: 7,700 yen [tax included])
• Downloadable version: PS5/PS4/Switch......2,530 yen (including tax)
• PC (Steam) version: 1,980 yen (including tax)
• Maker：Phoenixx

An action-shooter in which a girl named Rem, who never wakes up, keeps fighting in the nightmares she sees. The game features monsters such as vegetables, dentists, and other entities that REM herself finds frightening, which attack her. The game is packed with more than 80 stages and dozens of bosses. The game also has many helpful elements, such as the ability to customize equipment using the store and to switch the auto-aim function, so that not only gamers who are good at shooting, but also beginners can play the game with ease. The game also supports multiple endings, so you can enjoy playing through the game more than just clearing it once.