Welcome to 2026. We’ve officially defeated 2025 and moved on to the next level, and if life really is the ultimate co-op game, we’re sure there are plenty of boss battles waiting for us. As always, a new month means a fresh batch of indie games to get excited about, and January is bringing a seriously varied line-up.
Here are some of the coolest indie PC games launching this month.
StarRupture – 6th January
This month’s survival game comes with some serious visual flair. StarRupture drops you onto a constantly changing alien planet where you’ll gather resources, build up a base, and fend off enemies in FPS combat. It feels like a mash-up of Satisfactory and Sanctum 2, which is a pretty exciting combination. It’s also from the team behind Green Hell, and that alone makes it worth keeping an eye on.
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW – 16th January
BrokenLore: UNFOLLOW is a psychological horror game exploring isolation and the darker side of online culture. Expect eerie environments, unsettling imagery, and a heavy focus on atmosphere. It looks like the kind of horror experience that sticks with you long after you stop playing.
Tailside: Cozy Café Sim – 21st January
Tailside: Cozy Café Sim puts you in the fluffy paws of a fox running a café for the locals. Brew coffee, make latte art, decorate your space, and keep customers happy as you go about your day. It’s charming, laid-back, and exactly the kind of cosy game you might want to kick the year off with.
Nova Roma – 22nd January
Hooded Horse are once again coming for your free time with Nova Roma. This city builder has you managing your people, supplies, and even the gods themselves as you shape your empire. There’s a surprising amount of depth here, too, including systems like running water, letting you get as detailed as you want with your city planning.
The Spirit Lift – 27th January
The Spirit Lift is a horror-tinged roguelike deckbuilder set in a haunted hotel. It’s packed with creepy enemy designs, strong ’90s vibes, and plenty of mysteries to uncover. You’ll choose from classic character archetypes to build your team and see how long you can survive the horrors waiting inside.
Steel Century Groove – 28th January
Steel Century Groove is a rhythm-RPG where giant mech battles play out to the beat. Timing your moves is key as you unleash stylish attacks and try to outplay your opponents. Between battles, you’ll get to know your team, tackle mini-games, and work your way toward the big leagues.
Cairn – 29th January
Cairn is all about the climb. This survival-focused game has you carefully scaling a massive mountain, managing stamina and planning every move along the way. There’s no combat here – just you, the rock face, and the constant risk of falling if you make a mistake.
I Hate This Place – 29th January
Closing out the month is I Hate This Place, an isometric survival horror game dripping with ’80s vibes. Based on a comic book series, it fully leans into that style with on-screen sound effects and bold visuals. Spend your days scavenging and crafting, then fight for your life each night as the real horrors come out to play.
The post Indie Video Games Round-Up – January 2026 appeared first on Green Man Gaming Blog.
