EA is trying to remind us that it is still in the game distribution service by announcing the next wave of games coming to the Origin Access platform this month.

First up, Jo-Mei Games' loneliness-inducing adventure Sea of Solitude is moving from Origin Access Premiere to the less expensive Basic. As James notes in his review, it's a gorgeous game, though it sometimes loses sight of its central theme. There is also a very good TED Talk on the game's goal of addressing solitude.

Also in the basic tier is Legrand Legacy: Tale of the Fatebounds, an indie RPG inspired by retro JRPGs. Usually, "JRPG-inspired" tends to mean something 16-bit and top-down, but interestingly, Legrand Legacy seems to be inspired by early 3D games like Legend of Dragoon and Final Fantasy X. This return to the 2D tactics that defined the series is the closest the modern series has come to the much-loved Worms Armageddon. It is also one of the best local multiplayer games available today, so if you want to blast your friends with grenades, now is a great time to do it.

The more expensive Premier tier also gets a new addition in the form of Mable & the Wood, Triplevision Games' Metroidvania, which has more than enough of the "Wonder Boy" aspect to it, with its core mechanic of being able to transform into the form of the boss you defeat. Interestingly, there is also a pacifist route that allows you to complete the game without killing a single enemy; while the reviews on Steam are mixed, I love "Wonder Boy" and its modern interpretation, so this is one I would definitely add to my downloads.

Compared to December's stellar lineup of additions, including "Wreckfest," "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night," and "Superhot," January's additions, especially for Premier subscribers who pay more each month, seem a little less exciting. Nevertheless, Origin Access boasts one of the largest collections of games of any subscription service (Games Pass for PC, Uplay+, Humble Trove, etc.).