PC Gamer UK January issue: Return of the RTS

The end of 2022 is fast approaching, and what a year it's been. It may have felt like a quieter year for game releases, but we've still seen some absolute bangers. Don't believe us? Just look at the incredible games we've highlighted as part of our annual Game of the Year awards. We're also seeing the return of a beloved PC-ass genre and getting hands-on with games that should be right at the front of your ever-growing backlog.

This month, the real-time strategy is back, baby. The genre may have taken a backseat over the last few years,  but now it's back and better than ever. 2023 is gonna be the year of the RTS, and you don't want to miss out. The next 12 months boast release dates for the likes of Company of Heroes 3, Homeworld 3, and Stormgate—an innovative debut from a studio full of ex-Starcraft and Warcraft developers. We've got a whopper of a feature that'll give you the low-down on all the big hitters and why you need to be ready to right-click in 2023.

If you're not one to look into the future, why not take a gaze at the past instead? The PC Gamer team has put its head together—and argued just a tiny bit—to pull together our curated list of the best games 2022 had to offer. We've crowned our all-time fave of the year, as well as games across a wealth of genres that truly wowed us. Some of the team have personal picks too; games that didn't quite make the cut but are still held near and dear to our hearts. It's a list you don't want to miss.

We've also managed to get our hands on some rad upcoming games and expansions. Valheim's Mistlands update just released and we were fortunate enough to get a nice head-start on things. We spent hours scouring the huge update and checking out all the cool new stuff the Viking survival has to offer. If demon-infested high schools are more your deal, there's a sweet Demonschool hands-on preview to scope out. It's a turn-based RPG rooted in inspiration from Shin Megami Tensei, Persona and Into the Breach that should definitely be on your radar if you're into that kind of thing. I know I sure am.

As always, our hardware team has been hard at work to find only the best components for our beloved rigs. This month they've been testing all manner of SSDs—the ultra-speedy hard drives are cheaper than ever. If you're sick of waiting an age for your PC to boot or to load into your favourite game, check out our hardware expert's recommendations for the best SSD to buy to save yourself those precious minutes staring at a black screen.

If you've yet to buy a 2023 calendar, don't fret. This issue comes with a PC Gamer-themed one, with some lovely artwork of our favourite games to appreciate each month. Subscribers are also treated to an awesome exclusive cover featuring the heroes and fiends of Stormgate.

Issue 378 is on shelves now and available on all your digital devices from the App Store and Zinio. You can also order directly from Magazines Direct or purchase a subscription to save yourself some cash, receive monthly deliveries, and get incredibly stylish subscriber-only covers.

This month:

• Celebrating the RTS genre's return to glory and why 2023 is the era of the real-time strategy renaissance.
• PC Gamer's official Game of the Year awards, recognising the best and brightest of what 2022 had to offer.
• Becoming Vikings once more as we dive into Valheim's huge Mistlands update.
• Slaying demons and dealing with high school drama in Demonschool.
• Which ultra-speedy SSD is the best bang for your buck?
• A whole lot more besides!