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Major strategy releases are hitting this month, and platform fans have speedrunning brilliance to watch right now. Here’s what matters for your gaming plans this week.
📊 This Week At a Glance
| Release/Event | Date | Genre | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Invicta 1.0 PC (Steam) |
Out Now | Strategy | Full release with 35% discount, Early Access saves compatible, rollback branch available |
| AGDQ 2026 Live Event |
Jan 4-10 | EventPlatform | Platformer speedruns, movement tech showcases, Super Mario Sunshine opener |
| Big Hops PC |
Jan 12 | Platform | 3D platforming adventure, indie release |
| Kejora PC |
Jan 14 | Platform | 2D platforming adventure, cozy game style |
| MIO: Memories in Orbit PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch |
Jan 20 | Platform | Hand-drawn Metroidvania, unique “Shift Mode” wall-phasing mechanic |
| Nova Roma PC (Steam, Epic, Game Pass) |
Jan 22 | Simulation | Early Access city-builder, water management focus, from Kingdoms & Castles devs |
| Terra Invicta Xbox, PS5 |
Jan 26 | Strategy | Console launch following PC 1.0 release |
| City Tales: Medieval Era PC |
Jan 29 | Simulation | Historical city-builder, medieval management focus |
🎯 Strategy | 🏙️ Simulation | 🎮 Platform | 📅 Live Event
🎯 Quick Wins
Terra Invicta officially leaves Early Access with version 1.0 now live on PC, offering a 35% launch discount through the weekend. Early Access saves carry over seamlessly, and the developers included a rollback branch if you prefer the previous build. This grand strategy game rewards patience and careful planning across months-long campaigns.
AGDQ 2026 runs all week with platformer speedruns showcasing new routing strategies. The event opened with Super Mario Sunshine and features classic titles throughout the week. Watching these runs reveals movement tech and sequence breaks you can apply to your own playthroughs.
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Nova Roma enters Early Access January 22 from the Kingdoms & Castles team, focusing on Roman water management instead of combat. The city-builder emphasizes aqueducts, dams, and flood control, launching on Steam, Epic, and PC Game Pass simultaneously.
🧠 Strategy Spotlight
Terra Invicta’s full release marks a significant moment for grand strategy fans who enjoy realistic space conflict scenarios. The game simulates global politics and space expansion with unprecedented detail, requiring you to manage everything from Earth-based factions to orbital mechanics.
Version 1.0 brings refinements to the faction system and late-game progression that address common Early Access complaints. Players who bounced off the game during early development will find smoother pacing and clearer objectives now. The 35% discount makes this the ideal entry point for strategy enthusiasts who appreciate complex systems and long-term planning.
What sets Terra Invicta apart is its commitment to hard science fiction. You can’t handwave physics or rush through technological advancement. Every decision carries weight across multiple game systems, from research priorities to diplomatic relations. This makes each campaign feel genuinely different based on your faction choice and strategic approach.
👀 Worth Watching
MIO: Memories in Orbit launches January 20 across PC and all major consoles. This hand-drawn Metroidvania includes a unique “Shift Mode” mechanic that lets you phase through walls temporarily, opening up routing options beyond standard exploration-platformers.
Two smaller indie platformers arrive mid-month: Big Hops (January 12) and Kejora (January 14), both on PC. These provide quick palette cleansers between longer strategy sessions if you’re looking for shorter gameplay experiences.
💬 Community Corner
The AGDQ 2026 community has been sharing movement techniques from this week’s platformer runs that casual players can actually implement. Reddit threads are breaking down specific tricks from the Super Mario Sunshine opening run, including camera manipulation for consistent long jumps. Worth checking if you’re revisiting classic Nintendo platformers.
⏭️ Next Week’s Prep
Nova Roma’s Early Access launch on January 22 leads a packed week for city-building fans, with City Tales: Medieval Era following on January 29. Console players can also grab Terra Invicta on Xbox and PlayStation starting January 26.
