Get ready for a gaming revolution! This week, the industry is buzzing with exciting releases and shifts that will leave players thrilled—and maybe a bit divided. Sony’s exclusive grip on Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is officially over, as Square-Enix brings this critically acclaimed title to Xbox Series and Switch 2 for just £40. But here’s the twist: PS5 owners aren’t left in the dust—an update on launch day (January 22nd) introduces the ‘Streamlined Progression’ mode, making the game more accessible than ever. Is this a win for all players, or does it dilute the original experience? Let us know in the comments!
SEGA is making waves too, with SEGA Football Club Champions kicking off on mobiles, Steam, and PS5/PS4. Powered by the Football Manager engine, it boasts over 1,500 licensed players from FIFPRO, K League, Manchester City, and more. Impressive, right? But with over 2 million pre-registrations, it’s still dwarfed by Arknights: Endfield, the base-building RPG that’s racked up a staggering 35 million sign-ups across PS5, PC, and mobile. And this is the part most people miss: the free-to-play 2D fighter 2XKO, from the creators of League of Legends and Valorant, is hitting consoles—a move that could shake up the fighting game scene.
For those craving something unique, Focus’ MIO: Memories in Orbit brings sci-fi Metroidvania vibes to Xbox Game Pass, while Escape from Ever After promises a charming Paper Mario-style adventure. Meanwhile, Mavrix by Matt Jones lets you shred trails in a mountain biking sim. But here’s where it gets controversial: EBOLA VILLAGE is bringing ‘90s-style horror to the table—will it be a nostalgic hit or a missed opportunity? You decide.
Switch owners, rejoice! Alongside Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on Switch 2, you’ll get retail releases like the light-gun shooter collection Operation Night Strikers Assault Edition and the Metroidvania gem The Good Old Days, which subtly nods to Earthbound. And don’t forget The Monty Mole Collection finally arriving on Xbox, or the hex-based rogue-like Hextreme Void—a brick breaker with a twist.
From Look Mum No Computer, a pixel art shooter with music-making elements, to the eerie Haunted House Renovator, there’s something for every taste. Check out the trailers for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, SEGA Football Club Champions, 2XKO, and more to see what’s in store.
But here’s the burning question: With so many multiformat releases, are exclusives becoming a thing of the past? Titles like Horror Tale 1: 4k Remaster, THE LAST TRAIN: Baquedano, and Tropicalia are popping up everywhere, blurring platform lines. Meanwhile, PSN gets Arknights: Endfield and Mage Wars, while Xbox Store adds Pathologic 3 and Prison Escape Simulator. Switch retail releases include The Good Old Days and Operation Night Strikers Assault Edition, with an eShop round-up coming Thursday.
Looking ahead, next week’s lineup is just as packed: Code Vein 2, Speedball, Highguard, and UFOPHILIA are just the tip of the iceberg. With so much to play, the real question is—where will you start? Let the debates begin!
