Hytale Early Access Review: Mining the Past & January 2026 Highlights
ModVC reviews Hytale's long-awaited debut, Kinsfolk's narrative depth, and the latest Borderlands 4 endgame updates. Is the wait finally over?
Welcome back to ModVC Gaming News. It is Friday, January 23, 2026, and the gaming landscape is finally engaging its thrusters after the holiday slumber. The year 2026 promises to be monumental, and we are already seeing heavy hitters entering the ring.
Today, we are diving deep into the long-awaited Early Access launch of Hytale, taking a look at the narrative indie gem Kinsfolk, and checking in on the evolving endgame of Borderlands 4. Plus, we have the latest on today's Wordle and a peek at the horror demo Dread Neighbor.
📺 Watch: Top 10 NEW Games of 2026 [First Half]
To set the mood for what is coming this year, check out gameranx's breakdown of the must-play titles for the first half of 2026.
⛏️ Hytale Early Access: Mining The Past?
It has been years in the making. What started as a project by the team behind the Hypixel Minecraft server has finally materialized into a standalone product. Today, we review the Early Access build of Hytale.
Above: The visual fidelity of January's RPG releases has been stunning, setting a high bar for Hytale.
According to our friends at GameSpot, Hytale has moved beyond its origins but remains "surprisingly familiar." The review, titled "Mining The Past," suggests that while the game introduces robust RPG elements and a deeper crafting system, it struggles to shake the feeling of being a high-budget Minecraft clone in its early hours.
However, the potential is undeniable. The engine is smoother, the modding tools are accessible from day one, and the combat feels significantly weightier than its blocky inspiration.
| Hytale Early Access | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Visuals | Charming, polished voxel art with dynamic lighting. |
| Gameplay | Deep crafting, but core loop feels like 2015 survival games. |
| Performance | Surprisingly optimized for an Early Access title. |
| ModVC Score | 8.5 / 10 (Preliminary) |
🍂 Kinsfolk: Short but Sweet
In a world of 100-hour open-world fatigue, GameGrin brings us a refreshing take on Kinsfolk. The review posits an important argument: the length of a story doesn't always indicate its quality.
Kinsfolk is a narrative-driven experience that focuses on family lineage and emotional connections. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It is a tight, curated experience that respects the player's time. If you are looking for a weekend clear that will leave you thinking about it for weeks, this is the one.
The indie scene is thriving with cozy vibes this month, similar to the aesthetic found in upcoming titles like Tailside.
🔫 Borderlands 4: The Weekly Grind
Borderlands 4 continues to blur the lines between a traditional looter-shooter and a live service model. PC Gamer reports that while Gearbox insists it isn't a "live service" game, the endgame heavily revolves around a strict weekly schedule.
This week's patch notes highlight a rotation in endgame content that favors elemental builds. If you are farming for specific legendaries, you need to log in now before the Tuesday reset. The "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) is real, but the gunplay remains best-in-class.
🗓️ Weekly Schedule (Jan 23 - Jan 30)
| Day | Activity Update | Bonus Loot |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Raid Boss Reset | Shotguns & Shields |
| Saturday | Community Challenges | Eridium Multiplier |
| Tuesday | Weekly Store Rotation | Class Mods |
👁️ Horror & Puzzles: Quick Hits
Dread Neighbor Demo Live Looking for a scare? Netto's Game Room reports that the demo for Dread Neighbor is now live on Steam. Described as "the horror of being watched," this title uses AI behavior to learn your paranoia patterns. Play with the lights on.
Wordle #1680 (Jan 24) For the puzzle enthusiasts, The New York Times and Insider Gaming hint that tomorrow's Wordle (#1680) is a "pretty simple puzzle." The average solve rate is 4 out of 6 guesses. No spoilers here, but maybe think about common vowels first!
Whether you are grinding Borderlands or solving Wordle, it is a great weekend to be a gamer.
🛍️ Deals of the Week
Before you go, PCMag has rounded up the best tech deals for late January. If you are looking to upgrade your rig for Hytale or the upcoming Star Wars: Outlaws patches, now is the time to look at GPU prices, which are finally stabilizing.
🎥 More Reviews to Watch
- Is Star Wars: Outlaws Good Enough NOW? - What's Good Gaming Reviews
- 2026 Audi A6 Sportback Review (For the racing sim fans interested in real specs) - TheStraightPipes
Stay tuned to ModVC for more reviews, news, and guides throughout the weekend.
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