In recent times, the gaming industry has witnessed some unexpected hits that emerge in the typically quiet period between New Year and Spring. This post-holiday stretch used to be a time when most of us felt content with our holiday gifts, our bellies full of festive meals, and our interests still tied up with the games we’d just unboxed.
Yet, for the past decade or so, publishers have cleverly opted to leverage this calmer period, launching lesser-known gems that might otherwise be overshadowed by the holiday season’s big-name releases. One of the earliest instances I recall is Dying Light, which made waves in 2015 as a new IP, striking when both zombie themes and open-world games on the PS4 were at their peak.
Since then, it seems like nearly every year a stealthy indie or an underrated series manages to steal the spotlight by avoiding the crowded pre-holiday launch frenzy and arriving when gamers are supposedly too spent. This practice became even more entrenched with releases like the Resident Evil 2 Remake, which not only reaffirmed Resident Evil’s status as a dominating series but also popularized current trends with its impeccable timing.
Fast forward to 2025, and it seems the secret is well and truly out. February is set to unveil four massive game releases from top-tier publishers and distinguished independent studios. Some of these titles landed in this slot due to delays and development snags, as seen with Assassin’s Creed and Avowed. Meanwhile, others like Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come have mastered this strategic timing before and are banking on another successful launch.
No matter how they’ve found themselves here, February 2025 is shaping up to be an epic showdown in the RPG arena. Numerous sprawling RPGs are contending for your attention, but only one can dominate your gaming time. Let’s delve into the contenders.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
First on our list is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, aiming to secure its place at the top. It straddles the line between realism and ambition, delivering an authentic medieval role-playing experience that’s part Renaissance fair, part open-world adventure, and part delightfully chaotic.
The game runs on CryEngine, a technology originally designed for FPS games with limited on-screen characters, stretched to accommodate the expansive towns and dynamic world state expected in an RPG. The first game achieved a beautifully crafted world, albeit with some technical teetering.
I invested a lot of time into the initial Kingdom Come, which was packed with innovative role-playing concepts that were great on paper but had varied execution. For example, unlike the standard difficulty curve, this series simulated your growing expertise by easing tasks the more you practiced them.
Quite fascinating, isn’t it? Though it turned lockpicking into an initial nightmare and made certain story battles tricky if you focused on stealth or dialogue skills. Yet, the game cleverly jumbled books, recipes, and signs until you learned to read from a monk, adding a unique twist.
This sequel picks up directly from where the original left off, with Henry of Skalitz taking center stage once more. He ascends from a humble blacksmith to a significant figure in the Holy Roman Empire’s power plays. I’m keen to see how the narrative evolves with this established character, sidestepping the clichéd “power reset” trope seen in series like Ratchet & Clank or God of War.
Reportedly, the sequel doubles the original game’s already sprawling content while addressing performance issues. How Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 manages this expanded scope might surprise some, given the stiff competition this month.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite facing challenges, I have faith in the team behind my favorite Assassin’s Creed installment—2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. As a flagship series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faces significant pressure, especially after Ubisoft’s costly blunders with Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Japan has been an anticipated setting for the series, yet with Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin already exploring this era, it begs the question of how Ubisoft can renew this backdrop’s allure. They’ll have to do so without the mythology that enriched their Greek and Norse adventures.
Mechanically, Assassin’s Creed Shadows aims to address longstanding series issues. Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai, offer a diverse combat experience—wielding katana, tanto short swords, kanabo clubs, and more—promising a more interactive gameplay style.
At long last, the stealth mechanics might receive a much-needed overhaul. If true, this could be a game-changer for the franchise.
Additionally, the dynamic between Yasuke, whose presence demands attention, and the stealthy Naoe adds an intriguing twist. In previews, Yasuke’s presence causes people to stop and stare, a stark contrast to the invisibility Naoe offers.
Valhalla’s length felt padded with repetitive tasks, but Shadows promises missions with more freedom and depth, enhancing both play mechanics and narrative engagement. Could this be the title that rejuvenates the series again?
Avowed – February 18, 2025
In the unpredictable world of game releases, delays can lead to unexpected competition. Avowed, by Obsidian Entertainment, moved to 2025 to dodge internal Game Pass rivals like Stalker 2 and Indiana Jones. Yet, it now lands amidst two major launches. However, perhaps its accessibility could turn into a strategic advantage.
If The Outer Worlds was a streamlined, sci-fi take on Fallout, Avowed echoes Skyrim and Dragon Age, with its smaller maps rich in loot, adversaries, and the studio’s hallmark: intriguing quests and moral quandaries.
As a fan of Obsidian’s work, from Fallout: New Vegas to Grounded, Avowed is my top February pick, though it risks being overlooked amidst stronger titles.
Set in the imaginative Pillars of Eternity realm, Avowed’s allure lies in its storytelling and classic questing. If it marries its narrative depth with engaging gameplay, it might outshine its bigger-budget counterparts.
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
Monster Hunter’s journey from niche to mainstream found its stride with Monster Hunter World’s timely release in 2018. Now, with various competitors like Dauntless, Fera: The Sundered Tribes, and Wild Hearts, Monster Hunter Wilds is back to reaffirm its dominance.
While Monster Hunter Rise succeeded on the Switch, Wilds promises a grander experience, with expansive and varied environments to explore. Monsters exhibit dynamic behaviors, diving through sand, navigating branches, and teaming up to challenge hunters, showcasing why they’re the real stars of the series.
Monster Hunter’s no longer a niche phenomenon, and Wilds is poised to make a significant impact. The question remains: will seasoned players conserve their resources for this adventure when February ends?
So, which game will you dive into first? And which will be your go-to choice when you finally find the time? This month alone brings a plethora of options, even before considering other anticipated releases like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and, of course, the much-awaited GTA 6.
