Over the years, some of gaming’s standout successes have emerged during the early months of the year, right when we’re still digesting our holiday feasts and getting acquainted with the games that Santa left under the tree. This post-Christmas period used to be a quiet season, but for the past decade, it’s been where publishers strategically launch hidden treasures that might otherwise get lost in the holiday rush dominated by blockbuster titles.
Casting my mind back, Dying Light jumps out as one of the pioneers of this trend. Released in 2015, it shattered records as a fresh IP, tapping into the zombie hype and the open-world excitement of the PS4 era. Ever since, it feels like there’s been a consistent pattern — indie titles with a decent budget or overlooked series carving out success by dodging the autumn crowds and finding a clear path when players are looking for something new.
Year after year, this trend solidified, reaching a high point with the arrival of Resident Evil 2’s Remake, which reaffirmed Resident Evil’s position as a leader in the industry. This game not only grabbed everyone’s attention but also set off a wave of remakes we’re still seeing.
But come 2025, it’s no secret anymore. February is now packed with four major releases from renowned publishers and acclaimed indie studios worldwide. Some of these releases are strategic, others arrived there due to unforeseen delays, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed. Others, such as Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come, are back to rekindle the magic they once found in this strategic time slot.
No matter how they’ve landed here, February 2025 promises to be a battlefield of epic RPGs. With numerous sprawling games vying for your precious gaming hours, only one can truly dominate the month — let’s see what’s in play.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Kicking things off, we have Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. On one hand, it stands as the most down-to-earth of the four games; on the other, it’s remarkably ambitious. Driven by a philosophy of “dungeons not dragons,” it offers a realistic medieval RPG experience that’s part renaissance fair, part sandbox, and part chaotic—for those familiar with its quirks.
Built on the CryEngine, which is tailored for FPS games rather than RPQs with bustling cities, the series stretches the engine’s capabilities. The first game offered a captivating world constantly teetering on the edge.
I spent countless hours with the original, and it’s a gold mine of fresh role-playing concepts, although some don’t always hit the mark. It shuns traditional difficulty scaling in favor of mimicking real-life learning progression, making challenges easier the more you practice them.
It’s a neat idea, right? Yet, this made mechanics like lockpicking almost infuriating at launch and crucial story fights insurmountable if you weren’t combat-focused. Still, it did offer unique elements, like unscrambling text until you learned to read by seeking out a monk.
In the sequel, we reunite with Henry of Skalitz—a common blacksmith turned key player through luck and ingenuity in the Holy Roman Empire’s power struggles. It’ll be fascinating to see how the game tackles progression now, given Henry’s established background.
Set to be twice the size of its predecessor, and boasting significant performance improvements, its success this monster month of February depends on how well it manages this expanded scope. It could easily surprise a few skeptics with the right execution.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite hitting some rough patches, I still have confidence in the studio behind one of my favorite Assassin’s Creed games—2018’s Odyssey. As a marquee franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a lot riding on it, especially considering Ubisoft’s recent slip-ups with projects like Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Ever since the franchise started, Japan has been on fans’ wishlists. But with titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin setting benchmarks, it remains to be seen how Ubisoft will capture the spirit of feudal Japan without relying on familiar mythology.
Mechanically, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is trying to tackle longstanding issues. The introduction of dual protagonists—Naoe the shinobi and Yasuke the samurai—brings more variety to combat, utilizing katanas, tantos, and other traditional weapons, adding depth and choice.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Shadows is reinventing its stealth system. Will this finally be the game where stealth actually involves stealth mechanics? Fingers crossed.
There’s also a compelling dynamic between the characters. Yasuke, with his imposing stature, struggles with stealth as NPCs stop to stare as he passes. Naoe, in stark contrast, embodies the classic image of the silent, invisible assassin.
Valhalla, in my opinion, often felt padded with content that didn’t offer much engagement. Shadows, however, seems to be expanding on less linear mission approaches seen in recent titles, promising richer, more dynamic gameplay split across two protagonists. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the game to breathe new life into the series once more.
Avowed – February 18, 2025
Navigating the turbulent calendar of game releases can be tricky. Even if you reschedule, you might still face stiff competition. This is the dilemma Avowed faces after its delay into 2025 to avoid competing with fellow Game Pass titles like Stalker 2 and Indiana Jones. Now, it finds itself sandwiched between some of the year’s biggest launches—though its entry to Game Pass could be the edge it needs.
Think of Avowed as Obsidian’s take on the traditional RPG, akin to Skyrim with a sprinkle of Dragon Age. It’s all about exploring manageable maps, collecting loot, battling foes, and embarking on twisty quests steeped in choice and intrigue. It’s what Obsidian excels at.
Being an admirer of almost every Obsidian game – Fallout: New Vegas, Alpha Protocol, Grounded, even The Stick of Truth – I’m most excited for Avowed in February, but I worry it could go unnoticed.
Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, the game’s vibrant art and swashbuckling style complement its narrative-driven strengths. If it pairs its storytelling mastery with engaging gameplay, this underdog could stand a real chance despite its likely smaller budget.
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
The Monster Hunter series is miles ahead of where it was when Monster Hunter World revamped the genre back in February 2018. It finally achieved its big breakthrough in the West, and with the field wide open, it truly roared to life.
Nowadays, though, the franchise faces several challengers eager to claim a piece of the monster hunting pie. From Dauntless, which struggled with a recent major update, to promising newcomers like indie game Fera: The Sundered Tribes and EA’s Wild Hearts, Monster Hunter Wilds is back to defend its crown.
Though Monster Hunter Rise succeeded on the Switch with its impressive design tailored to a smaller-scale console, Wilds promises to go bigger. Expect massive interactive environments, challenging terrains, and diverse and expansive biomes.
Monsters emerge from sand, climb trees in battle, and team up to swarm unwanted hunters. This adds even more personality to what’s already a roster of expressive creatures who’ve always been the true stars of Monster Hunter games.
Make no mistake, Monster Hunter has moved past its niche beginnings and is primed to be a huge hit. The key question is how many adventurers will stock up on their supplies to join the expedition at the end of the month?
So, what’s your pick? Which might you finally tackle in a few years once your backlog has cleared a bit? With a massive lineup this month alone, let’s not forget fresh releases like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and, of course, the anticipated GTA 6…
