Over the last few years, some of the biggest hits in gaming have dropped quietly in the lull between New Year’s and spring. This period, often deemed a slower season, traditionally has us stuffed with holiday feasts and immersed in games received as gifts. However, publishers have cleverly used this timeframe to launch standout titles that might otherwise be overshadowed by big-name releases.
One of the earliest examples that comes to mind is Dying Light. A decade ago, in 2015, it captivated players as a new IP, riding the wave of zombie and PS4-era open-world excitement. Following that, it seemed like almost every year, an indie gem or under-the-radar series found success by sidestepping the crowded fall lineup and capturing the attention of players who were ready for something fresh.
This trend gained momentum, notably when Resident Evil resurfaced as a gaming powerhouse with the Resident Evil 2 Remake. This title not only rocked the gaming world but also sparked a trend that’s still going strong today.
Fast forward to 2025, and it seems the secret’s out. Just in February, we’re anticipating four major releases from top-tier publishers and well-funded indie studios alike. Some titles ended up here due to delays and unforeseen hiccups in development, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed. Meanwhile, others like Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come have previously thrived in this magical launch window and are certainly hoping to recreate that magic.
February 2025 is shaping up to be an epic showdown of RPGs, each vying for your time. With so many 100-hour behemoths in the mix, only one can emerge as the favorite—let’s dive into the contenders.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Coming up first, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 aims to take the crown with a mix of grounded realism and sky-high ambition. The game sticks to its unique "dungeons not dragons" approach, offering a medieval role-playing experience that feels like part historical reenactment, part open-world exploration, and part delightful chaos.
Built with CryEngine, traditionally designed for first-person shooters, the game initially pushed boundaries by trying to simulate lively towns and a dynamic world. The first installment delivered an impressively immersive world, despite teetering on the brink of chaos.
I spent a significant amount of time with the original Kingdom Come, a series rich with innovative role-play concepts that sometimes hit the mark and sometimes missed spectacularly. For example, skills in the game became easier as you practiced them, simulating a learning curve in a way few games dare to try. This mechanic made early attempts at lockpicking absurdly challenging, and opting for stealth could land you in an unwinnable loop during essential fights unless you balanced it well.
A fascinating element was the literacy mechanic—every book, recipe, and road sign appeared as gibberish until you gained the knowledge to read. As Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 once again stars Henry of Skalitz, it’ll be intriguing to see how the game handles continued character development without resorting to the dreaded "memory wipe" trope often seen in other franchises.
Reportedly doubling the size of its already vast predecessor with heightened performance and refinements, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 faces the challenge of adapting to this expanded scope to surprise and impress amidst the array of releases this month.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Even with setbacks, I’m optimistic about the team behind Assassin’s Creed Shadows, considering they also crafted my favorite entry, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, back in 2018. However, as one of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, Shadows has a lot riding on its shoulders, especially following Ubisoft’s recent missteps with Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Japan has long been a dream setting for the series, yet Ubisoft faces the challenge of offering a fresh take after the likes of Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin have already explored feudal Japan. Unlike the mystical realms of Ancient Greece and Norse mythology, Shadows must create an equally engaging world without these familiar mythological backdrops.
From what we know, the game aims to address certain series criticisms—introducing dual protagonists with distinct and immersive combat styles, including a variety of traditional Japanese weapons.
Surprisingly, it’s taken this long for the franchise to focus seriously on stealth mechanics. The game promises an intriguing interplay between the two main characters: Yasuke, who stands out amid any crowd, and Naoe, who epitomizes the classic silent assassin role.
Valhalla felt bloated with repetitive tasks, but Shadows might change this with less guided missions and more meaningful gameplay variety spread across its dual leads. This could be the entry that revitalizes the series.
Avowed – February 18, 2025
A delay in release can sometimes mean your escape from competition is short-lived. Avowed, by Obsidian Entertainment, finds itself positioned between major releases despite trying to distance itself from its Game Pass rivals. However, its accessibility might just be its strength.
Think of Avowed as a blend of Skyrim meets Dragon Age, with smaller but rich environments packed with loot, foes, and intricate quests—a staple of Obsidian’s storytelling prowess.
As an ardent fan of Obsidian, whose legacy includes favorites like Fallout: New Vegas, Alpha Protocol, and even South Park: The Stick of Truth, Avowed is my personal top pick for February, though it might get overshadowed by other titles.
Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, with a vibrant, whimsical style, Avowed hinges on the depth of its narrative and questing. If it can balance this with engaging gameplay, it could easily stand out despite its presumably modest budget.
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
The Monster Hunter series has come a long way since Monster Hunter World seized a golden opportunity in February 2018, capitalizing on empty schedules to finally break through in Western markets. Now a frontrunner in the genre, Monster Hunter Wilds looks to reclaim its territory amid a slew of competitors eager for a piece of the action.
Though Monster Hunter Rise for the Switch was a triumph, it was limited by the console’s capabilities. Wilds, however, promises a grand scale with environments that are not only vast but also interactive and challenging, offering more verticality and variety across its biomes.
Expect creatures to interact with their environments dynamically—emerging from sand, ascending heights via branches, and hunting in packs to challenge players. This enhancement adds even more character to the Monster Hunter series’ real stars: the monsters themselves.
Monster Hunter no longer holds niche appeal and is expected to be a big success—the question is how many players will set aside resources for this grand adventure later in the month.
So, which of these tantalizing titles will you dive into first? Or perhaps you’ll wait a few years before playing. With a flood of choices this month, alongside other exciting releases like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and the much-anticipated GTA 6, this gaming season is set to be a thrilling ride.
