Over the past few years, the period stretching from New Year to Spring has unexpectedly become prime time for blockbuster game releases. Traditionally, this is seen as a quiet time – when we’re still recovering from the holiday feasts and busy with games we received over the festive season. However, for the past decade, publishers have cleverly taken advantage of this lull, using it to launch standout titles that might otherwise be buried under the weight of bigger names.
Think back to the early days of this trend. I distinctly remember when “Dying Light” burst onto the scene around ten years ago. It was 2015, and this fresh IP shattered records as it rode the dual waves of zombie fascination and PS4-era open-world excitement. After that, it seemed like every year brought us a new well-funded indie or overlooked gem that bypassed the chaotic Christmas competition, sneaking in during this quieter period to claim success.
The remarkable resurgence of Resident Evil, particularly with the breathtaking Resident Evil 2 Remake, turned this stealthy release window into an entrenched strategy. That game captivated audiences and set a trend we continue to see today. Fast forward to 2025, and the secret’s out. Just this February, we’re gearing up for no fewer than four anticipated releases from major publishers and leading indie studios.
Some games, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed, found themselves in the February slot due to delays. Others, such as Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come, recognize the strategic advantage of this launch window, having benefited from it previously. February 2025 is shaping up to be an RPG showdown of epic proportions, with several 100-hour adventures vying for your precious game time. Let’s dive into our lineup of contenders.
First on the agenda is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, arriving on February 4, 2025. This game aims to take the crown in more ways than one. While it’s perhaps the most grounded in realism, it’s also ambitiously complex. The game’s unique approach is summed up by its “dungeons not dragons” philosophy, offering a blend of immersive medieval role-play, sandbox exploration, and unpredictable gameplay quirks.
Developed using CryEngine, originally intended for FPS games with limited on-screen characters, Kingdom Come stretches this engine to its limits with vibrant towns and an expansive RPG world. The original game delivered a stunning, meticulously crafted universe that was occasionally prone to instability. I spent countless hours exploring its world, reveling in clever mechanics that promised much, though results varied. For instance, skills improve with use, making previously difficult tasks easier over time—a particularly challenging dynamic when it came to things like lockpicking at launch, or story-critical fights when you’ve chosen a stealthy or diplomatic approach. Yet, it also infused innovative elements, like scrambling text until your character learns to read.
The sequel continues Henry of Skalitz’s journey, expanding on the realistic character progression without resorting to the typical RPG trope of characters inexplicably forgetting their past skills between games. This sequel is reportedly double the size of its predecessor, focusing on smoother performance and addressing earlier design flaws. How Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 manages this increased scale will ultimately determine its success amidst a month crowded with competitive titles.
Jumping to February 14, 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows enters the ring. Despite recent challenges, I have faith in the team behind one of my personal favorites, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Nonetheless, Ubisoft’s latest venture has a lot riding on it, especially with recent setbacks involving costly projects like Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
The series finally heads to Japan—a setting long desired by fans. However, with games like Ghost of Tsushima setting a high bar, the challenge for Ubisoft is crafting a compelling, new experience without the mystical backdrops that Ancient Greece or Norse mythology provided. On the bright side, Assassin’s Creed Shadows looks poised to fix some long-standing issues. The dual protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, bring diverse combat techniques to the table, alongside a reimagined stealth system that might finally provide the stealth gameplay fans have been craving.
This dynamic duo of characters presents an intriguing contrast—Yasuke’s presence is as noticeable as his imposing stature, while Naoe embodies the classic, elusive assassin, slipping into the shadows unnoticed. Where previous titles felt padded with repetitive tasks, Shadows appears to lean into a more varied, meaningful gameplay experience. Could this iteration breathe new life into the Assassin’s Creed series yet again?
Coming up on February 18, 2025, Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed faces the challenge of a crowded release calendar. Originally delayed to escape competition from other Game Pass titles, it now finds itself locked between February’s heavy hitters. But being part of Game Pass could provide the perfect opportunity for this RPG sleeper hit to shine.
Essentially a spiritual cousin to The Outer Worlds, Avowed is reminiscent of Skyrim with the narrative complexity and decision-driven quests that Obsidian is known for. Set in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity, Avowed showcases a vibrant, fantastical art style, promising engaging storytelling and explorative quests. If it matches that narrative strength with solid gameplay, this title could surprise us all, even as the likeliest candidate for a more limited budget in this release lineup.
Finally, on February 28, 2025, we have Monster Hunter Wilds. The Monster Hunter franchise is in a vastly different position compared to its past. With Monster Hunter World having carved its place in the gaming world back in 2018, the series is no longer just a niche. Wilds promises a grand scale previously unseen, boasting more interactive environments, challenging terrains, and diverse landscapes.
In this new iteration, monsters are livelier, bursting through natural elements, maneuvering into strategic positions, and interacting with greater complexity. These creatures, the heart of the game, are designed to captivate, as the title reasserts Monster Hunter’s dominance over an increasingly crowded genre.
The choice of which game to dive into immediately or save for another day is vast, especially when you consider upcoming releases like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and the highly anticipated GTA 6. So, which RPG will you immerse yourself in first?
