All the indie games you missed from January 2026

Such a variety of amazing games have been released in January 2026, a welcome distraction from the darker, colder days for those in the Northern Hemisphere! From cosy café management simulators to fast-paced saturated first person shooters, this month has had it all. Here's our pick of bunch this month:

ODDCORE (Early Access)

Developer: ODDCORP
Publisher: Scarecrow Arts
Release Date: 7th January
Platform: PC

“You have only 5 minutes to stylishly explode your way through the hordes of corrupted entities in a retro FPS, roguelike liminal-nightmare... and Timmee is here to help!”

Big Hops

Developer: Luckshot Games
Publisher: Luckshot Games
Release Date: 12th January
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

“Tongue-swing, free climb, and build your own path forward in a new kind of 3D platformer! Plant veggie bounce pads, tightropes, hookshots, and much more. Find a way home through huge Desert, Ocean, and Mountain worlds and collect bugs, upgrade your backpack, and meet animal friends along the way.”

Nom Nom: Cozy Forest Café

Developer: Anaïs Salla
Publisher: Anaïs Salla
Release Date: 12th January
Platform: PC

“Have you ever wanted to escape from the stress of urban life? Nom Nom: Cozy Forest Café is a cozy and relaxing decoration and rhythm game where you manage a café and befriend cute animals.”

Kejora

Developer: Berangin Creative
Publisher: Soft Source
Release Date: 15th January
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X

“When Kejora realizes that her peaceful village has been reliving the same day over and over, she and her friends seek out to try and uncover the origin of the mysterious time loop cursed on her village.”

On-Together: Virtual Co-Working

Developer: GigaPuff
Publisher: Future Friends Games
Release Date: 19th January
Platform: PC

“Virtual co-working with friends or strangers all over the world! Digital pals hang out at the bottom of the screen while you work, study, and get stuff done. Includes productivity tools, hangout spots, breaktime games, and more!”

On-Together was our cover feature for Issue 51 of Patch Magazine. We sat down with the developer, GigaPuff, and even made the Rainbow Popcorn from the game! Buy your back copy here. 

Tailside: Cozy Cafe Sim (Early Access)

Developer: Coffee Beans Dev
Publisher: Coffee Beans Dev
Release Date: 21st January
Platform: PC

“Run your own cozy café in Tailside! Brew coffee, decorate your café, and follow small stories in the daily newspaper. Progress through days and levels to unlock new items, skills, villagers, and creature visitors.”

Perfect Tides: Station to Station

Developer: Three Bees
Publisher: Three Bees
Release Date: 22nd January
Platform: PC

“A point n' click sequel to Perfect Tides about the momentum and whiplash of young adulthood. Explore the big city through 18-year-old Mara's eyes. Collect items, nurture ideas, and experience complex relationships while attempting to find your place in the world.”

Tiny Isle

Developer: Nature Rituals Studio
Publisher: Etherous Games Limited
Release Date: 22nd January
Platform: PC

“Tiny Isle is a cozy island-building simulation game. Grow crops, collect crystals, expand and customize your magical island, and welcome sprites and animal residents. Play actively with hands-on planning, or relax with full idle progression as your island comes to life at your own pace.”

Escape from Ever After

Developer: Sleepy Castle Studio, Wing-It! Creative
Publisher: HypeTrain Digital
Release Date: 23rd January
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

“Fight against capitalism in this satirical adventure RPG! When a greedy megacorp from the real world starts taking over fairytales for their cheap labor, a newly-hired storybook hero must climb the corporate ladder, rally together other disgruntled employees, and fight back!”

THE SPIRIT LIFT

Developer: prettysmart games
Publisher: prettysmart games
Release Date: 27th January
Platform: PC

“A retro horror deckbuilder roguelike set in a haunted hotel in the 1990s. Choose your teens, explore and fight! If you die rewind the night!”

Millennium Dream

Developer: LucidDreamLab
Publisher: LucidDreamLab
Release Date: 28th January
Platform: PC

“Wander through dreamscapes woven from memories of the millennium. Use your camera to freeze tender fragments of days gone by, collecting lost shards of childhood. In an atmosphere where Chinese Dreamcore and Liminal Space intertwine, savor a warmth that feels both familiar and strange.”

Cairn

Developer: The Game Bakers
Publisher: The Game Bakers
Release Date: 29th January
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5

“Reach a summit never climbed before in this survival-climber from the creators of Furi and Haven. Climb anywhere and plan your route carefully, managing pitons and resources to survive unforgiving Mount Kami. Discover what Aava is willing to sacrifice to achieve the ascent of a lifetime.”

Feastopia

Developer: White Star Studio
Publisher: IndieArk
Release Date: 29th January
Platform: PC

“Feastopia is a Rogue-lite culinary city-builder, inspired by Against the Storm. Forge a pact with an adorable deity and build a thriving foodie metropolis in a bountiful land. With randomized maps and events, unlock hundreds of wondrous abilities, experience a unique adventure every time you play.”

Don’t Stop, Girlypop!

Developer: Funny Fintan Softworks
Publisher: Kwalee
Release Date: 29th January
Platform: PC

“Spread the love! Don’t Stop, Girlypop! is a Y2K arena movement shooter where standing still is not an option. ❤ Just ❤ Don’t ❤ Stop ❤ Moving! ❤”

NAMAKORIUM (ナマコリウム) (Early Access)

Developer: Polyscape Inc.
Publisher: Polyscape Inc.
Release Date: 30th January
Platform: PC

“Namako (Sea cucumbers) will save the Earth—NAMAKORIUM is a chaotic, cooperative multiplayer RTS game for up to four players. Command the “cleaners of the sea” —Namako left behind by humanity and work together to clean up the polluted oceans!”