This Week In Games: Dice, Space And Dragons

January always promises to be something of a standout month for indies. This week is proof of that with some long-awaited titles and some re-releases of very memorable hits.

That Banner Saga (PS4, XBO)

What is it? The gorgeous turn-based strategy where you manage a caravan of Vikings as they journey across harsh lands launches on consoles.
Should you care? Absolutely. It might not be the happiest game you’ll ever play, but The Banner Saga is fantastic.

Tharsis (PC, PS4)

What is it? A space roguelike blending turn-based strategy, survival, and dice.
Should you care? Imagine a game where you control humanity’s first mission to Mars and it ends up being a turn-based FTL with dice where you roll to see which astronaut you have to eat to stay alive. This could be really good.

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India (PC, PS4, XBO)

What is it? It’s the continuation of the franchise in 2.5D, but in India.
Should you care? China looked a bit like a painting and the gameplay wasn’t too bad. But if you don’t care about the AC franchise these days, these games aren’t going to change anything. Go back to Syndicate instead.

That Dragon, Cancer (PC, Mac, Android)

What is it? It’s a game best described as a family’s interactive portrait of their battle against cancer.
Should you care? Hopefully.

Gemini: Heroes Reborn (XBO)

What is it? It looks like a video game tie-in to the Heroes TV series with a character that can travel between dimensions.
Should you care? Probably not, unless you really care about Heroes. For those that do care, the PC release is next week.

Oxenfree (PC, XBO)

What is it? A supernatural adventure involving a group of teenagers who hold an overnight party on an island only to open a ghostly rift.
Should you care? Liked Until Dawn? Like spooky stories? Then yes. The art style in this is gorgeous as well.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (PC)

What is it? A Japanese open-world action slasher from the director of the older Devil May Cry games.
Should you care? All the fun of the last-gen release with the buttery smooth frame rates of your PC. Hopefully. We’ll see.

Big Action Mega Fight (PC, Mac)

What is it? A side-scrolling beat-em-up that channels Streets of Rage and Double Dragon.
Should you care? Looks like it’s trying a little too hard for my liking. Any side-scrolling enthusiasts out there?

Punch Club (PC, Mac, SteamOS, Linux)

What is it? A management simulation involving a boxer, his dead father, branching storylines and some cool pixel art.
Should you care? One for the tycoon fans, although there are some frustrating grindy elements within.

Spakoyno: Back to the USSR 2.0 (PC)

What is it? A visual novel about dealing with corruption, crime and conflict in the USSR.
Should you care? This has a neat art style. I could get into this.

Gone Home: Console Edition (PS4, XBO)

What is it? Fullbright’s narrative-centric adventure, but on a TV and gamepad.
Should you care? Most people will know already where they fall on this.

Dogchild

What is it? A story about a “brave guy with extraordinary abilities” and some kind of link with his dog Tarao.
Should you care? After watching this, I didn’t. Not my jam at all, but might be yours.

Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits (PS4)

What is it? The emulated re-release of Twilight of the Spirits.
Should you care? Unless you’re really in the mood for older JRPGs, probably not.

Picking anything up this week? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.