Over the past few years, a noticeable shift has occurred in the gaming world. Some of the industry’s most memorable hits have emerged during what was traditionally a quiet period after the holiday season—from the New Year to Spring. You’d think everyone would be too stuffed with festive feasts or preoccupied with their newly gifted games to even think about new releases. Yet, for about a decade now, publishers have cleverly tapped into this window to launch unexpected gems, dodging the usual Christmas rush and outshining major competitors.
One standout memory for me was back in 2015 with the release of “Dying Light.” This new IP made quite an impact, riding high on the combined waves of zombie mania and the PS4 open-world craze at the time. It seemed like each year thereafter, a new indie darling or underrated sequel would strategically slip into this slot, circumventing the holiday hustle and finding success.
Looking back, there were years when this trend truly took hold. Take “Resident Evil 2 Remake,” for example. Its release reaffirmed the franchise’s dominance and sparked a revitalization trend we’re experiencing even now. Fast forward to 2025, and it’s clear this strategy is no longer a secret. February alone is now packed with four major releases, each promising to deliver something monumental from both leading publishers and ambitious indie developers.
Some titles, like “Assassin’s Creed” and “Avowed,” ended up with a February release due to unforeseen delays, while others, such as “Monster Hunter” and “Kingdom Come,” are deliberately aiming to recapture the magic of a well-timed launch. No matter how they got here, February 2025 is set to be an epic showdown in the realm of RPGs, each contender vying to claim your time. But don’t just take my word for it—let’s break down these heavy hitters.
First on the agenda, we have “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2,” arriving on February 4, 2025. Unlike its competitors, this game immerses you in a medieval world sans the mythical flair. Its “dungeons not dragons” ethos mixes a realistic role-playing with sandbox chaos. Powered by CryEngine—originally for FPS—this sequel ambitiously stretches its capabilities to support a vibrant, bustling RPG world. Back when the first game launched, its innovative mechanics, like making tasks easier with repetition instead of complex skill trees, were a double-edged sword. Who can forget the lockpicking fiasco or the painful combat? Still, it brought fresh takes, like needing to learn to read to decode in-game texts.
The sequel picks up where the original left off, following Henry of Skalitz as he weaves through the machinations of the Holy Roman Empire. What’s exciting is how the game will handle Henry’s growth without conveniently resetting his progress, a common trope in sequels. With promises of a bigger, smoother world, and potentially ironing out previous hiccups, it could very well surprise us all amidst this crowded release month.
Next, hitting shelves on February 14, 2025, is “Assassin’s Creed Shadows.” As one of the most recognizable names in gaming, this latest installment bears the pressure of Ubisoft’s recent blunders, like the troubled “Skull and Bones” and “Star Wars: Outlaws.” Set in Japan—a long-coveted location—the game invites comparisons to “Ghost of Tsushima” and “Rise of the Ronin,” challenging Ubisoft to bring something new under the setting’s ancient skies.
Mechanically, the game shows promise, featuring dual protagonists with distinct fighting styles that include a range of iconic Japanese weapons. It’s about time the series revamped its stealth mechanics, and if the gossip is true, it could finally integrate proper stealth elements. The interplay between its main characters, the noticeable Yasuke and the stealthy Naoe, adds another layer of potential, making “Shadows” a hopeful revival for the franchise after “Valhalla.”
Then, on February 18, 2025, we have “Avowed” from Obsidian Entertainment. Ironically, trying to avoid competition pushed this game right into the eye of February’s storm. But the low price entry through Game Pass could give it an edge. Think of it as a blend of “Skyrim” and “Dragon Age,” set in a universe full of rich storytelling and tough decisions—Obsidian’s hallmark.
Personally, as a fan of their past hits like “Fallout: New Vegas” and “South Park: The Stick of Truth,” “Avowed” tops my list in February. However, it may struggle to capture attention amid bigger-budgets unless it delivers compelling gameplay alongside its narrative strengths.
Last but not least, “Monster Hunter Wilds” emerges on February 28, 2025. This title represents a franchise that has grown exponentially since 2018’s “Monster Hunter World,” which made strategic use of a well-timed free week. It turned into a runaway success in the West, a feat the new “Wilds” hopes to replicate.
This time, the game expands beyond the Switch-exclusive “Monster Hunter Rise,” promising larger environments, complex terrains, and diverse ecosystems. Its dynamic monsters bring a fresh challenge, embodying the heart of what makes Monster Hunter a beloved series. With the genre more crowded than ever, “Wilds” will aim to assert itself as top tier amidst the noise.
So, which game will you dive into first? February’s release schedule feels almost infinite in choices, even before considering the likes of highly anticipated titles like “Elden Ring: Nightreign,” “Borderlands 4,” “Death Stranding 2,” “Ghost of Yotei,” “Pokemon Legends Z-A,” and the legendary “GTA 6.” The gaming road ahead is tantalizingly open—where will your journey begin?
