Indie Recommendations for January 2026
Fewer resolutions, more games: 5 indies for January 2026
5 titles that can make your winter less cold and much more fabulous
While everyone is reviewing their New Year's resolutions, the indie scene isn't lagging behind and wants to conquer your to-do list. January 2026 brings a handful of much-anticipated indie games that truly deserve a spot on your wishlist…
MIO: Memories in Orbit
Release date: 20 January 2026
Platforms: PC (Windows), PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch & Switch 2
The Metroidvania MIO: Memories in Orbit is one of the month's most anticipated indie titles. Developed by French studio Douze Dixièmes and published by Focus Entertainment, the game puts you in the shoes of the android MIO, on an abandoned spaceship where nature and technology decay poetically. The visual style combines comic art elements and lush sci-fi design, while the gameplay is based on agile platforming, tactical combat, and interconnected exploration typical of the Metroidvania genre. It's the kind of experience that blends challenge with the slow discovery of the mechanical cosmos's secrets.
ODDCORE
Release date: 7 January 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam)
If you like retro shooters with a crazy twist, ODDCORE might just become your new digital drug. The game is described as a roguelike FPS with a strong retro vibe and visual elements that seem inspired by a time when you didn't even exist – exactly that bizarre combination that makes you instantly curious but also a little scared. Each round throws you into waves of strange creatures and eerie effects, and the gameplay rhythm is fast-paced and stimulating, perfect for short sessions or intense grinding.
Kejora
Release date: 8 January 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam)
A platformer with Groundhog Day-like time-loop storytelling elements, Kejora puts you in the shoes of the protagonist who wakes up to a repetitive day in her charming village. The central mechanic, that of repeating and experimenting with the same situations to discover how to proceed, brings a sense of strategic progress and environmental puzzles. The hand-drawn graphics and animations add a special charm, and the game manages to combine exploration with classic platformer puzzles in a new way full of indie vibes.
Astronook
Release date: 19 January 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Astronook is a cozy indie experience perfect for those moments when you want to breathe a little through gaming. Instead of fighting monsters or navigating alien corridors, in this game you are an observer of the night sky: you gaze at constellations, photograph planets, and lose yourself in cosmic contemplation, all at a slow, meditative pace. Don't expect intense action, but rather that Zen atmosphere, like a nighttime conversation by the fire… just on Steam.
Cairn
Release date: 29 January 2026
Platforms: PC (Windows), PS5
A surprising concept: a rock climbing simulation full of tactics and resilience. In Cairn, you take control of a professional climber who aims to conquer the summit of Mount Kami, and every decision matters, from researching the rock face to managing resources along the route. The game is realistic in its animations and mechanics, and the third-person perspective offers a palpable sense of scaling. It's less "indie arcade" and more "indie with an Adventurer's Club soul", an interesting mix for fans of contemplative survival.
Conclusion: January + indie = good
January isn't about resolutions on paper, but about resolutions in your games portfolio. From space explorations to pixelated coffees and time-loop platforming, this month seems to have something fun for everyone.
Friendly advice: If you get bored waiting for fresh gaming news at breakfast, at least one of these titles deserves a serious wishlist.
Here's to many headshots and grinds that feel like a digital hug! Let 2026 begin with indie power and cozy vibes!