Happy New Year (this is probably the last socially acceptable week that we can say this)! We’re kicking off the new year and the first of our bi-monthly newsletters with a couple of titles freshly-releasing this month and a few games from the archives to help you through the January crawl. I hope you managed to pick up a few titles during the Winter sale and if you have any recommendations be sure to reply here or drop it into our inboxes!
January already has heaps to offer: you can grab great deals in Steam Detective Fest (if you’re a crime afficionado like myself, 2026 is already off to a great start); future indie darlings like MIO and Cairn are launching at last; and the bad weather gives a great excuse to curl up under a blanket and get lost in some games - so let’s get right to it with our top picks this month.
Friendly Reminder: All these games are over 85% positive reviews on Steam and offer up to 15 hours of gripping gameplay and fun.
MOST ANTICIPATED GAMES
CONFIDENTIAL KILLINGS
Hollywood seems to slowly but surely being taken out. Navigate double-dealing, backstabbing and betrayal as you uncover who is behind this string of murders.
MIO: MEMORIES IN ORBIT
A stunning metroidvania, with a demo that was one of our top picks from Next Fest. MIO is a title you absolutely have to pick up and is already becoming an indie darling.
I HATE THIS PLACE
Bold colours meet gritty dark creatures in this 80s survival horror (which likely has a stronger ending than Stranger Things S5). Shoot, craft and stealth as you try to survive both the day and the night.
CAIRN
The much-anticipated Cairn is finally launching - and I am so excited. The gameplay absolutely keeps you on the tips of your crampons as you traverse your way up the unforgiving mountain.
DON YOUR DETECTIVE HAT
Grab some great deals in the Steam Detective Fest!
BROKEN SWORD: SHADOWS OF THE TEMPLAR - REFORGED 40% Off
The hit game has been reanimated and remastered in all its glory. Solve puzzles in this DaVinci Code-esque point-and-click adventure.
NO CASE SHOULD REMAIN UNSOLVED 30% Off
As a retired detective, you’ve been approached to reopen a cold case. You’ll need to piece together memory fragments and figure out what truly happened.
RISE OF THE GOLDEN IDOL 20% Off
The Golden Idol strikes again. Jump into the 1970s and uncover the truth behind profiteering corporations, a hippy cult and a mysterious string of deaths.
THE CRYPTIC KILLER 70% Off
Team up with a friend to solve this case. You’ll each see half the puzzle and need to communicate to unravel the clues and stop a series of murders.
If these recs aren’t sating your hunger for killer indie experiences, then be sure to follow @WeekendGamesGG on all your favourite socials for more content and recommendations. Also, a massive thank you to all of you who have followed so far, we’re at the very first steps of what we hope becomes a long journey, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have you around.
Enjoy your weekend,
Sophie & the Team