Over the past few years, some of the gaming industry’s most unexpected hits have landed during those quieter months between New Year and the onset of spring. Traditionally, this time was seen as a post-holiday break for gamers, still indulged with the presents received during Christmas. Yet, for about a decade now, publishers have used this period to strategically launch games that might be overshadowed by bigger titles at other times of the year.
Thinking back, one of the early examples is Dying Light. Released in 2015, it made significant waves as a fresh entry positioned perfectly at the zenith of the zombie craze and the PS4’s open-world frenzy. Almost every year since, an intriguingly promising indie or an overlooked series has found its place in this timeframe, essentially dodging the hectic holiday season.
The trend gained further momentum with games like the Resident Evil 2 Remake. This stunning revamp secured Resident Evil’s status as a key player in the industry and set a trend that continues to influence game releases today.
Fast forward to 2025, and it feels like everyone is in on the secret. February alone boasts four major releases from renowned publishers and notable indie developers. Some of these titles, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed, have arrived here due to development delays, while others, such as Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come, purposefully seek the benefit of launching at this time, hoping to recreate past successes.
Regardless of how they ended up on the calendar, February 2025 is gearing up for an RPG showdown of grand proportions. There’s a line-up of sprawling 100-hour adventures vying for your time and attention, yet only one can claim the top spot. Let’s dive into the contenders and see what they have to offer.
### Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Kicking things off is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, aiming for the throne quite literally. It stands out for its gritty authenticity, combining medieval role-play with sandbox unpredictability, all while embracing the mantra of “dungeons, not dragons.” Developed using CryEngine, this game attempts to simulate a bustling medieval world, despite CryEngine’s origin in FPS games where fewer characters were on screen. This affects the gameplay, tipping between an awe-inspiring open world and technical challenges.
My time with the first Kingdom Come was filled with innovative role-playing concepts, executed with mixed results. The game cleverly simulates skill advancement by making tasks easier the more you practice them. However, this led to some humorous difficulties away from the usual skill progression, like the infamously tough lockpicking at launch.
This sequel continues with the story of Henry of Skalitz, thrust by circumstance and cleverness into significant historical struggles. I’m keen to see how they handle character development this time around, especially since sequels often rely on hit-the-reset mechanics which might not apply here.
With an expansive world reportedly twice the size of its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 promises plenty. It aims to deliver improved performance and address past frustrations. Its handling of increased scope will be crucial, especially amid a month flooded with blockbuster releases.
### Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite setbacks, my faith remains strong in the team behind my favorite entry in the series: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, though tied to one of the most famous gaming franchises, has a lot riding on it, particularly with Ubisoft’s recent turbulence following titles like Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Fans have long dreamt about an Assassin’s Creed set in Japan. Yet, with games like Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin already exploring feudal Japan, Shadows has its work cut out in making the setting feel fresh and compelling.
From a gameplay perspective, Shadows appears to be making substantial progress. With two protagonists—Naoe, the shinobi, and Yasuke, the samurai—the game offers a diverse combat experience. The dual-character dynamic is intriguing, offering a varied range of weapons and an enhanced stealth system.
Shadows hopes to address Assassin’s Creed’s legendary stealth shortcomings. Early showcases suggest that Yasuke’s imposing presence contrasts starkly with Naoe’s archetype of stealth, potentially influencing gameplay dynamics positively.
For me, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla felt bloated in less engaging ways. However, if Shadows can inject life into both its side quests and main story, providing depth and interaction across both characters, it might just be the fresh take the series needs.
### Avowed – February 18, 2025
Delays in game release schedules can lead to unfortunate overlaps, and that’s where we find Avowed. Initially postponed to dodge Game Pass rivals like Stalker 2 and Indiana Jones, Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming title now contends with significant Frontrunners. Nevertheless, its position on Game Pass might just be its ace in the hole.
Avowed feels like a blend of Skyrim’s mysticism with the intricate questing familiar to Dragon Age enthusiasts. Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, its strength is anticipated to lie in storytelling and quest quality, hallmarks of Obsidian’s work.
I have unbridled admiration for Obsidian’s legacy, with titles including Fallout: New Vegas, and underappreciated gems like Alpha Protocol and The Stick of Truth. Even so, I’m also wary that Avowed might get overlooked amid the February rush.
With a distinct swashbuckling fantasy art style, Avowed’s success will hinge not just on narrative depth, but also on engaging gameplay elements. While likely the lowest-budget contender, it could still surprise us all with its depth and charm.
### Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
Monster Hunter stands in a unique spot. Since the impressive launch of Monster Hunter World in February 2018, the franchise has shifted from niche to mainstream. Now, Monster Hunter Wilds aims to firmly re-establish its dominance, especially with other games attempting to carve a space in this genre.
After the success of Monster Hunter Rise for the Switch, Wilds presents a much grander offering. The game promises huge, interactive environments, challenging terrains, and more varied biomes, all contributing to immersive gameplay.
In Wilds, the monsters are more dynamic than ever, flexing a combination of group tactics and environmental interaction to enhance the thrill of battles. This installment aims to stand as the undisputed leader in its class, a claim it’s highly equipped to back up.
Monster Hunter is no longer a cornered niche; it’s a thriving genre leader. Whether players are ready to embark on these hunting adventures remains to be seen, but they’ll have ample opportunity at February’s end.
In such a packed month, where does your interest lie? Are your gaming plans set for this month, or are you adding titles to a backlog for years to come? Remember, these are just February’s highlights, with more big names like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and the much-anticipated GTA 6 looming on the horizon. Happy gaming!
