Over the past several years, the gaming industry has seen some of its most significant successes emerge during the post-holiday season, right between New Year’s celebrations and the onset of spring. Traditionally, this period is supposed to be quieter on the gaming calendar—a time when we’re all still digesting holiday meals and exploring the games gifted throughout the festive season, supposedly too content to dive into anything new.
However, within the last decade, publishers have cleverly leveraged this quieter stretch to launch hidden gems that might otherwise be overshadowed by high-profile blockbusters. One of the pioneering examples is Dying Light, which debuted in 2015. As a fresh intellectual property at the time, it took full advantage of the zombie and open-world trend during the thriving PS4 era, to great success.
Following that, many years saw well-backed indie titles or underrated series seizing these moments. They sidestepped the holiday rush, opting instead for clear take-offs when gamers were likely recharged and ready for something new. This tactic became particularly evident when Resident Evil 2 Remake made a grand re-entry into the gaming world. It not only revived the franchise but also sparked a trend that’s quite prevalent today.
Fast forward to 2025, and it’s clear the word is out. February of that year promises four potentially massive releases from top-tier publishers and well-regarded indie studios. Some, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed, ended up in this slot due to development delays, while others, like Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come, have successfully launched during this timeframe before and seem eager to capitalize on it again.
Regardless of how they arrived at this juncture, February 2025 is shaping up to host an epic RPG showdown. With several 100-hour RPGs vying for players’ attention, only one game can truly capture the crown. Let’s dive into the contenders.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
First up is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, aiming to claim its place at the top. In some aspects, it’s the most grounded of the quartet, yet also the most daring. It sticks with the ethos of “dungeons not dragons” to craft an authentic medieval role-playing experience. Think of it as part renaissance fair, part sandbox, and part glorious chaos.
Kingdom Come is crafted with CryEngine, typically used for FPS games designed for smaller character counts. But here, it’s stretched to its limits to create bustling towns and a dynamic open world. The first game’s result was a stunningly crafted environment, albeit one that was often on the verge of collapse.
Having spent countless hours with the original Kingdom Come, I appreciate its innovative role-playing concepts—some are astonishing in theory but hit-or-miss in execution. For example, instead of growing more complex, skills become simpler as you practice them, simulating your growing expertise.
A fascinating notion, indeed, but it made tasks like lockpicking outrageously difficult initially and turned necessary combat encounters into relentless loops if you favored stealth or dialogue. Still, it brought fresh mechanics, like scrambled texts and recipes until you learned to read through a monk’s tutelage.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 picks up with Henry of Skalitz, a seemingly humble blacksmith whose wit and fortune elevate him during Holy Roman Empire conflicts. I’m eager to see how this continuation handles character progress without the cliché of erasing skills from past adventures.
Reported to double the scale of the original with improved performance and fewer rough edges, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s adaptation to a broader scope will be crucial to its reception amidst February’s heavy hitters.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite past hurdles, I hold confidence in the studio behind 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey—one of my personal favorites. However, as a long-standing franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows carries the most pressure this February, especially following Ubisoft’s costly blunders with games like Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Japan has been a dream setting since the series began. But with predecessors like Ghost of Tsushima showcasing feudal Japan, Ubisoft faces the challenge of presenting this locale in a fresh, captivating light—sans the mythological touch of Greece or Norse realms.
From a gameplay standpoint, Shadows aims to address long-standing criticisms. The dual protagonists, shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, bring more varied combat styles, employing an array of traditional weaponry.
Remarkably, stealth might finally receive the overhaul it desperately needed. Yasuke, imposing and noticeable by all, starkly contrasts with Naoe’s stealthy, silent-but-deadly approach.
I found Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s story bloated, relying heavily on repetitive patterns. Shadows appears to pivot toward a more varied and engaging mission structure, incorporating two nuanced characters. Perhaps, this installment will revitalize the series once more.
Avowed – February 18, 2025
The intricacies of a release calendar can be brutal. Even if you delay to sidestep competition, there’s no promise others won’t catch up. So, despite Avowed moving to 2025 to dodge Game Pass titans like Stalker 2 and Indiana Jones, it now finds itself between two major releases. Could its accessible entry point be what it needs to thrive?
If The Outer Worlds was Obsidian’s take on sci-fi Fallout, Avowed feels like Skyrim meets Dragon Age. It immerses players in condensed maps rich in loot, enemies, and the studio’s trademark unexpected, morally complex, journey.
A die-hard Obsidian enthusiast, I eagerly anticipate Avowed, among February’s lineup. Yet, it risks being overlooked amidst bigger budget games. Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, its charming, adventurous fantasy allure, together with Obsidian’s narrative depth, could elevate this game beyond expectations.
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
Monster Hunter has come a long way since World made its grand debut in February 2018. After years of nearing mainstream breakthrough, Monster Hunter finally captivated audiences worldwide.
Today, with many rivals eyeing a piece of the monster-slaying pie—from free-to-play Dauntless to larger projects like EA Original Wild Hearts—Monster Hunter Wilds is back to stake its claim as the genre’s champion.
Though Monster Hunter Rise was a success, it was designed for a more compact gaming experience. Wilds, in contrast, appears grandiose, boasting intricate environments, tricky terrain, and significant geographical diversity.
Creatures now dynamically navigate sand, foliage, and environments, teaming up to challenge players, adding more depth and character to the game’s memorable creatures.
No longer a niche title, Monster Hunter stands poised for success. We’ll see how many adventurers are ready to restock and embark on a new journey by the end of the month.
So, what will be your choice? Which game will you pick up, and which will you revisit in a few years? February alone offers a vast array of options, before even considering new arrivals like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and, of course, the much-anticipated GTA 6. The gaming horizons are vast and enticing!
