The Top Five Games Itching for Playing in January 2018

Note: This marks a new series on Gamerz Unite. Each month will feature a list of the top five games to look forward to for the particular month. Happy 2018!

A new year, a new breath of fresh air... or so people would like to think.

I'm of the belief that you can start anything at any time, but that is beside the point. The point is, 2018 is seen as a "reset" of sorts for industries, lifestyles, and hobbies. For example, with the introduction of 2018, I aim to read more and stream video games more - I'm talking three to five nights a week. And with the debut of 2018 comes a slew of fresh gaming news and innovations. Each year, we've seen some good and some bad each year in the world of gaming. For instance, 2017 highlighted the controversy that was loot boxes, but it also brought some amazing titles such as NieR: Automata, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Cuphead to gamers' hands. This month should be no different. We're seeing plenty of new titles in 2018 to be excited for, such as Monster Hunter: World and Call of Cthulhu: The Official Video Game, but what about for the month of January?

While more of a personal list, here are the five games that garner the most attention - from me anyway - for the month of January 2018, listed by release date:

Street Fighter V Arcade Edition (PlayStation 4, PC) - January 16

Okay, this shouldn't exactly count, especially with the "meh" release that was the original Street Fighter V, but hear me out: Street Fighter V Arcade Edition will receive quite the overhaul. The UI will be updated, Arcade Mode will be included, and there are a number of characters that will make it to this release, including Sakura, Blanka, Falke, Cody, G, and Sagat - you know, the characters who should have been in the original title. If you've avoided picking up the original title, then you should certainly consider the Arcade Edition.

Lost Sphear (PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4) - January 23

Brought to you by the studio who created the rather lukewarm JRPG I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphear is a title that bridges the gap between new and old. While sales have not been considered the greatest in Japan, this is an RPG not to be overlooked, being hailed as the modern-day Chrono Trigger with gorgeous visuals and a captivating soundtrack. If you're a fan of the older Final Fantasy titles, then you should not overlook this JRPG.

Monster Hunter: World (PlayStation 4, Xbox One) - January 26

Alright, this is one of the two hardest hitters of the month. Monster Hunter: World, to put it simply, is absolutely a joy to play. Throughout the beta, I was engaged with the environment and the desire to hunt monsters. Furthermore, the visuals are a massive upgrade compared to previous iterations of the franchise. Even better is the fact that the title features 4-player online co-op with no regional barriers, a campaign that lasts between 40 and 50 hours, and all the environmental interaction you could desire. This is a game that is deservedly called a "breath of fresh air" for the series.

Dragon Ball FighterZ (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One) - January 26

Dragon Ball FighterZ has been a game that we've been clamoring about for a few months now and for good reason. With a massive roster of characters, this fighting game aims to keep your preoccupied for long periods of time. Overall, expect a graceful and gorgeous 2.5D 3-versus-3 fighter.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT (PlayStation 4) - January 30

Yes, it's another fighter on this list. In fact, a lot of fighting games are due for release this January. However, that's not a bad thing, and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT looks amazing. The first PlayStation 4 exclusive for 2018, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is team-based, similar to Dragon Ball FighterZ, published by Square Enix and Taito. While released in Japanese arcades in November 2015, it is finally reaching the West at the end of this month. Additionally, this is the third Dissidia Final Fantasy, with the first two titles being on the PlayStation Portable. In Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, players will be able to select characters from four different classes and pit them against the opposing team. Will it be fun? You bet!

Overall, you can expect January to be a month of fighting games, though Monster Hunter: World and Lost Sphear are two titles to not look overlook, especially if you're A) out of the loop with Monster Hunter and are interested in returning to the series and B) need an RPG like Lost Sphear that kicks it back to the old-school days. 

Personally-speaking, I'm mostly excited about Monster Hunter World and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. Will I grab either on launch day? There is a high chance of that happening with Monster Hunter World, but overall, we'll have to see. Do you have any games that you're looking forward to in January? Let us know!