A February to Remember, Part 1!
February is one of the most popular months of the year for game releases. This month's theme looks to be RPG, but that's not all we have coming up! There's a great range from narrative horror to unique dating simulations. I wanted to take a deep dive into each one, so this will be part one of two. Here's a comprehensive look at the first half of the month
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - February 4th
(PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
Previously slated for release in 2024, this action RPG sequel starts the player right in the middle of the action with the return of Henry and builds on the world of the 15th-century Kingdom of Bohemia. This time, the stakes feel even higher, as Henry navigates both the brutality of medieval politics and the intimate struggles of those around him. Your choices don’t just affect the ending—they ripple through the world, altering alliances, friendships, and even the fate of entire villages. The moral ambiguity in the decisions is refreshing, making you second-guess yourself at every turn. Warhorse Studios took notes from the first game and made adjustments to the combat system to deliver more approachable, yet still challenging, gameplay and brought back and refined the alchemy system. The world of Bohemia is enriched with busy NPCs, well-crafted side quests, and a new weather system with dynamic rain, snow, and fog affecting visibility, travel, and even NPC behavior. Gamers who p[layed the demo report that the writing almost always achieves a good balance between character development, story-driving details, and entertainment, even if some character exchanges can feel awkward. Altogether, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II does exactly what a sequel should do: refines, enhances, and extends a story.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII - February 11th
(PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S)
The latest installment in the iconic strategy series is back to once again reel players in for “one more turn.” There are a few changes that differentiate it from its predecessors but reviewers seem satisfied with the choices developers took and the loyalty it still has to the franchise. To handle the growing size of the game, and perhaps compete with other games in the same genre, players won't be playing the same civilization for the whole game. Instead, you’ll be playing three different ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Ages, unlike previous eras, are longer and more distinct and will run you about the same time as other Civ games. You pick a new civilization for each Age with different bonuses, units, and map graphics but your leader will stay the same. The art style is gorgeous and takes players back to the realistic art style while still incorporating more color from the previous game. Firaxis expanded the art team for the game, and it shows in the intricate buildings and variety. Reviewers are optimistic players will enjoy the next addition to the franchise aesthetically, and are curious to see if the changes in mechanics will pay off in the long run.
Slime Heroes - February 13th
(Platforms TBA)
If you’re in the mood for a new action-adventure RPG story, try giving Slime Heroes a go. This new original game from Moonlit Moss Studios is a charming adventure where players control customizable slime characters, each with unique abilities, to save their world from impending doom. The vibrant, fantastical world is threatened by corruption, and players are tasked with saving their gooey homeland. You’ll play a sentient and customizable blob with unique skills and abilities. The “Save the World” trope is nothing new to video games, but the game still makes a statement by diving into themes of teamwork, belonging, and resilience, offering emotional moments that resonate. The effective and diverse customization leads to surprisingly deep combat and exploration is equally satisfying, with secrets and collectibles tucked into every corner of the world. Like any effective RPG, the game encourages curiosity, rewarding players who take the time to interact with NPCs, discover hidden areas, or piece together environmental storytelling. The drop-in/drop-out co-op is where Slime Heroes truly shines. Up to four players can team up, combining their unique slime abilities to tackle challenges that require teamwork. Above all, reviewers have emphasized that the game is endearingly and undeniably cute. It’s approachable yet playable for all ranges of ages and players making it worthy of a wishlist!
Urban Myth Dissolution Center - February 13th
(Platforms TBA)
Also arriving on the 13th is a new atmospheric narrative-driven horror from indie developer Ecliptica Games. Set in a gritty, neon-soaked city inspired by Tokyo, the game explores urban legends and myths, challenging players to uncover the truth behind eerie occurrences. Players utilize investigation mechanics to inspect urban myth hotspots, searching for clues, interviewing NPCs, and piecing together the origins of each legend. An innovative “Dissolution Event” mechanic breaks reality around the player, warping the streets, giving shadows a newfound agency, and twisting familiar environments into disorienting settings that blur the lines between reality and myth. Unique pixel art throws the player into a haunting atmosphere which enables it to excel in delivering a convincing and captivating narrative. With only some minor bug issues to report, the game is running smoothly in the demo and should be a hit for fans of the genre.
Date Everything! - February 14th
(Platforms TBA)
There’s no better day to launch a dating sim than Valentine's! The quirky sim from Sassy Chap Games and Team17 pushes the boundaries on what kind of partner you’re looking for, allowing players to romance a wide array of characters -including inanimate objects. These objects come to life with distinct personalities and backstories. You’re tasked with navigating an open-ended dating landscape, forging relationships with anything and everything your heart desires. While the premise is unapologetically silly, the writing gives each potential partner depth and charm. From a poetic streetlamp struggling with self-doubt to a mischievous tornado trying to control its destructive tendencies, the game transforms ridiculous ideas into genuinely compelling characters. There are 100 fully voice-acted and dateable characters to choose from, each with unique and compelling storylines that lend themselves to an impressive amount of replayability. The writing is equal parts clever, absurd, and surprisingly touching as it balances humor and sincerity to deliver a heartfelt experience completely with a vibrant art style and polished UI. This might just be the perfect time to try something new!
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II - February 14th
(Platforms TBA)
The Legend of Heroes series has long been known for its meticulous world-building, intricate character arcs, and masterful storytelling. Trails through Daybreak II, the follow-up to Trails through Daybreak, continues this proud tradition while upping the ante with expanded gameplay mechanics and new story twists. This sequel plunges players back into the vibrant and tumultuous region of Calvard while juggling political intrigue, shadowy conspiracies, and the interpersonal struggles of its richly developed cast. The addition of the Tactical Union System enhances party coordination by enabling special group attacks that dynamically adapt to the situation and reward players for thoughtful party composition. The new combat style is a blend of real-time and turn-based, which might disappoint fans of the previous games but the elimination of loading screens outside of boss battles could make up for it. It does an exceptional job of making side content feel more meaningful as it weaves seemingly inconsequential quests into the storyline. Character storylines feel rich and engaging and the return of characters from previous games feels earned, rather gratuitous fan service. Trails through Daybreak shines as yet another great RPG in a month packed full of them.
Avowed - February 18th
(Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, this action-adventure RPG is a follow-up to its wonderful third-person Pillars of Eternity games. As arguably one of the biggest releases of the month, it has sizeable expectations to live up to, but players who got an early look at it feel like it has the makings to become one of the greatest games of 2025. Set in the Living Lands in the world of Eora, a rugged and mysterious frontier, Avowed casts the player as a lone adventurer caught in a conflict between warring factions and a spreading supernatural corruption. The story is layered with moral dilemmas, factional politics, and personal stakes that make your journey feel meaningful amongst the rich world and meaningful NPC interactions. Combat feels fluid and dynamic, blending melee, ranged, and magical attacks in satisfying ways and the Sigil System, which allows players to customize spells by inscribing magical runes, adds a layer of depth to combat. Morality is refreshingly ambiguous. Decisions often force you to weigh personal gain against the greater good, with no clear “right” answer. Players have stated that the game performs well, and the “two-hour” preview was packed full of content that engaged the player well beyond a few hours. It’s impossible to avoid comparing one RPG to another, especially in a world with such greats as The Elder Scrolls, but players have said that the game already looks like it has the potential to stand amongst the greats.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - February 18th
(PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
From Resonant Echo, the creators of "Life is Strange," this narrative-driven game introduces players to a fragmented, emotionally charged story told through the lens of an old cassette tape archive. Your job is to piece together the story buried within the recordings, which contain snippets of dialogue, ambient sounds, music, and cryptic monologues. The retro and nostalgic aesthetic and pleasing design make for a rich world full of little details to appreciate. Players will be asked to complete tasks such as audio scrubbing, exploring locations referenced in the tapes, and solving puzzles to reconstruct events. The game asks you to think critically to piece together a convincing story, even if it can sometimes feel cumbersome. Those interested in something more laid-back and without combat or intense action sequences might find this is the perfect respite during the month.
Whew, what a month so far! Which game are you looking forward to the most? Let me know! Stay tuned for part 2!
