Over the last decade, the period right after Christmas and before Spring has surprisingly turned into a prime time for some of gaming’s most unexpected hits. This traditionally quieter stretch, when we’d usually be recovering from holiday indulgence and the games we received as gifts, has become a hotbed for hidden gems making their mark, unencumbered by the usual big-name competition.
This strategy has paid off incredibly well for publishers, providing a chance for lesser-known titles to shine without being overshadowed by blockbuster releases. I can still recall the launch of Dying Light a decade ago in 2015, a brand-new zombie-themed game that surged in popularity right in the thick of the PS4-era open-world craze.
Year after year, this trend has proved lucrative for both well-versed indie titles and series that previously flew under the radar. They bypass the fall’s high-stakes holiday rush and swoop in when the field’s wide open. It’s a strategy Resident Evil capitalized on brilliantly with their show-stopping Resident Evil 2 Remake, reigniting the franchise and setting a trend that endures to this day.
Fast forward to 2025, and February is no longer a well-kept industry secret. With four major releases lined up, it’s now a competitive season drawing both heavyweights and independent contenders into the fray.
Some titles have slipped into this golden slot due to delays and development hiccups—think Assassin’s Creed and Avowed—while others like Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come have previously reaped the benefits and are back for another round.
This February is shaping up to be an RPG showdown of epic proportions. As these extensive, story-rich games vie for our attention, let’s dive into the highlights of what’s competing for your precious gaming hours.
### Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is poised to claim its throne early in the month. It’s grounded in realism, yet ambitious in scope. This medieval RPG sticks to the mantra of “dungeons, not dragons,” delivering an experience that’s part renaissance fair, part sandbox jaunt, with a sprinkle of chaotic unpredictability. Built using CryEngine, typically suited for FPS games, it stretches the technology to its limits to portray a vibrant, bustling medieval world.
The original game was an impressive spectacle of intricate role-play systems, though these often resulted in mixed outcomes. For example, the skill progression made tasks like lockpicking laughably hard if tackled too soon but turned reading into a gradual learning process, scrambling text until your character learned the skill.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues the saga of Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith turned hero through luck and cleverness. I’m eager to see how the game navigates Henry’s existing skills without just resetting him like other sequels do with characters like Ratchet or Kratos.
Supposedly doubling the size of the already vast world and improving performance, how this sequel expands on its predecessor’s successes will determine its fate against February’s fierce competition.
### Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite facing challenges, I hold high hopes for the team behind my all-time favorite Assassin’s Creed title, Odyssey. As a marquee franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a lot riding on it, especially following Ubisoft’s recent missteps with games like Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
The longing to explore Japan within the series is finally being realized, though the challenge remains to differentiate itself from the likes of Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin. Nonetheless, Shadows seems to be tackling some long-standing series issues head-on. Notably, it introduces dual protagonists, shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, each with distinct combat styles using traditional weapons like katana and naginata.
Intriguingly, the game revitalizes its stealth mechanics and pits these two characters’ contrasting stealth abilities against each other. While Yasuke’s noticeable presence makes him a walking target, Naoe embodies the quintessential stealthy assassin.
With previous titles like Valhalla suffering from bloated content, Shadows aims to refine these experiences. It promises a more engaging array of missions and gameplay mechanics, which might just reinvigorate the franchise.
### Avowed – February 18, 2025
Having been pushed into 2025 to skirt around competing Game Pass releases, Obsidian’s Avowed finds itself smack in the middle of February’s lineup. Despite being sandwiched between big hitters, its unique offering might turn this to its advantage.
If The Outer Worlds channeled Fallout in a sci-fi setting, Avowed conjures the grandeur of Skyrim with Dragon Age’s flair, featuring smaller, quest-filled maps brimming with intrigue and classic RPG choices that Obsidian champions.
For anyone familiar with Obsidian’s portfolio—think Fallout: New Vegas and unexpected gems like Alpha Protocol or South Park: The Stick of Truth—Avowed is eagerly anticipated, though it might not grab the spotlight immediately.
Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, this title offers a whimsical blend of fantasy and adventure, with its strength lying in well-woven narratives and strategic questing. Should it deliver on gameplay as robust as its storytelling, Avowed could well outperform its modest budget in a packed month.
### Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
Monster Hunter has come a long way since Monster Hunter World’s captivating breakout in 2018, and Monster Hunter Wilds is ready to reclaim its territory in the increasingly crowded monster-hunting genre.
With imitators galore, from Dauntless to Wild Hearts, Wilds reestablishes itself offering expansive worlds teeming with interactive terrain and diverse ecosystems. The monsters now exhibit even greater personality, navigating complex environments and employing cunning pack tactics against hunters.
Although Monster Hunter Rise was a striking success, Wilds, unfettered by hardware limitations, sets a new standard for the series with vast maps and countless gameplay opportunities.
The franchise is no longer niche, and with such anticipation ahead of the month’s end, it’s clear Monster Hunter Wilds will be a formidable release.
So, which of these will you dive into? And which will remain in your backlog, waiting for that perfect moment? With a February this packed, it’s a good problem to have, especially when considering other forthcoming titans like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, and the much-anticipated GTA 6.
