A February to Remember, Part 2!

The month is almost here! Have you decided which games you'll be picking up in the first half of February? I'm excited to be covering the rest of the month in this article, check out my coverage of the first half here if you missed it!

The King of Fighters XIII: Global Match - February 20th

(PC)
 

 Kicking off the article is the return of another classic from 2010. Yes, I hated typing that as much as you might have hated reading it, but 2010 was a whole 15 years ago now… Anyway, the beloved title is back in the spotlight with improved online functionality, enhanced visuals, and minor tweaks to gameplay balance. KOF XIII remains one of the most visually stunning fighting games ever made: the hand-drawn 2D sprites burst with detail and personality, bringing every character to life with fluid animations and expressive designs. The Global Match edition enhances this further with updated resolution and smoother performance, making the game look crisp on modern displays. The result is a crisper environment with the same amount of charm. Gameplay-wise, they didn’t mess with anything that wasn’t broke. Still, they did introduce rollback netcode for online play, which greatly reduces lag and enables those to play online seamlessly. Online options are ranked, casual, and spectator. With gameplay this smooth, this is a fabulous option for someone looking for a nostalgic vibe that performs well by modern standards. 

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog - February 20th

(Platforms TBA)

Speaking of appreciating some classic nostalgia, Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog has captured the aesthetic of 80s and 90s Japanese anime perfectly. This narrative-driven mech action RPG effectively combines heart, action, and story as you form connections with the crew on your spaceship and unravel the events of the plot. The pixel art style is effective and wholesome, stylistically taking the edge off of what are bleak circumstances. The soundtrack is expertly crafted, with soaring orchestral themes and eerie synths to evoke both the grandeur of space and the loneliness of war. The voice acting also stands out, as it should, and makes for an immersive experience. If you’re a sucker for a space opera with high stakes, this might be the game for you. 

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii - February 21st

(PS5, PS4)

This spin-off of the Yakuza series blends the franchise’s signature melodrama and absurdity with tropical vibes and pirate antics, this spin-off is as ridiculous as it sounds—and it totally works. Sent to the islands to “lay low” after a failed coup attempt in Yokohama, Ichiban inevitably finds himself embroiled in a turf war between local gangs, corrupt tourist tycoons, and an eccentric band of modern-day pirates. The narrative is peak Like a Dragon: a heartfelt tale of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, infused with outrageous humor and over-the-top situations. The turn-based combat from Like a Dragon returns but has been updated with a nautical flair. Ichiban and his crew can now equip pirate-themed weapons like anchor clubs, harpoon guns, and even coconuts as throwable projectiles. Hawaii’s open world is the biggest departure for the series, trading the dense urban streets of Kamurocho for the sprawling beaches, jungles, and small towns of the islands. Players can surf, dive for treasure, or commandeer speedboats to explore hidden coves and pirate hideouts. The map is packed with side quests, from helping locals fend off rowdy tourists to hunting down mythical creatures rumored to inhabit the islands. Players have critiqued the naval battle as a bit clunky, and some of the fetch-quests are repetitive, but overall this looks like a fresh change of pace and an effective spin-off that wanted to do something different and pulls it off really well. 

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection - February 27th

(Platforms TBA)

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a nostalgic trip back to the roots of the series, offering players a chance to relive the early days of the franchise, both in terms of gameplay and the iconic cards that started it all. The collection features a carefully curated selection of cards from the earliest sets of Yu-Gi-Oh!—from fan favorites like Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Dark Magician, and Exodia the Forbidden One, alongside lesser-known gems from the early days of the TCG. In addition to the classic cards, players can also access pre-built decks designed to mimic the strategies of iconic duels from the anime. This includes decks used by characters like Yugi, Kaiba, and Joey, allowing players to recreate famous battles and test out old-school strategies. While the story mode isn’t as fleshed out as some might have hoped, it provides a fun and nostalgic way to experience the most memorable duels in Yu-Gi-Oh! History.  One of the highlights of the Early Days Collection is its story mode, where players can relive some of the most iconic duels from the early anime and manga.  This might be the best choice for someone curious about Yu-Gi-Oh! as the collection of cards is not as expansive as some games, but it’s a great way to start without getting overwhelmed!

Monster Hunter Wilds - February 27th

(Platforms TBA)

Closing out the month is Capcom’s boldest step forward in the Monster Hunter franchise, taking the beloved hunting-action formula and expanding it into an untamed open-world experience. Set in a newly discovered region known as the Wildlands, the game’s narrative tasks players with uncovering the mysteries of a dangerous ecological imbalance threatening both the monsters and the people who coexist in this vibrant yet volatile world. It’s more story-driven than previous installments, which is a notable shift for the franchise. For some players, this might be exactly the change they are looking for and a natural progression of the game since its debut on PC. For others, they might have a hard time letting go of the formula of the past. Monster encounters in the game are intelligent and reactive, with the AI adapting to playstyle and growing smarter as it perceives the player’s strategies. The Wild Bond System allows players to tame smaller creatures in the Wildlands, using them as temporary allies in battle or as mounts to traverse the environment quickly. Multiplayer has been streamlined, allowing seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op in the open world. Players can team up for large-scale hunts or explore the Wildlands together, tackling special multiplayer events like Apex Hunts, which feature hyper-aggressive versions of monsters. The Wildlands are stunningly detailed, from the lush, overgrown jungles teeming with life to the stark, icy expanses of frozen tundras. Lighting effects, weather systems, and environmental textures are next-gen quality, immersing players in the untamed beauty of the Wildlands. Monster Hunter Wilds has a lot to offer the player, all it has to do is keep up with itself. Those who got their hands on an early version of the game state that it has a lot of performance issues, but that was just about a year ago, and developers have had plenty of time to iron out bugs and optimize the game. Hopefully, Monster Hunter Wilds can live up to the hype!

That's all, folks! Next month looks like it's going to be an exciting start to what we hope to be a very exciting year for games! There's a little something for everyone, but RPG players will have the most difficult decisions to make as they have a lot of options to choose from. Which game will you be picking up?