In the past few years, we’ve seen an interesting shift in the gaming industry where some of the most significant hits have been quietly launched in the months following the holiday season. Traditionally, the period after Christmas has been relatively calm. After all, most of us are still digesting holiday feasts and occupied with the games we received as gifts, leaving little room—or so it would seem—for more.
Yet, over the last decade, game publishers have discovered this period as a savvy time to realease lesser-known games that might otherwise be eclipsed by bigger titles during busier times of the year. A great example of this was Dying Light, which burst onto the scene in 2015. It cleverly captured the imagination of gamers with its fresh take right at a time when both zombie-themed games and open-world adventures on the PS4 were all the rage.
Following suit, it seemed like year after year, a well-backed indie game or an overlooked series would take advantage of this quiet window, opting out of the chaotic holiday season and choosing instead to shine in a less crowded field. This strategy became more pronounced with games like the Resident Evil 2 Remake, which reestablished itself as a leading franchise and set a trend that continues to influence the industry.
Fast forward to 2025, and this once under-the-radar strategy is no longer a secret. February alone promises the arrival of four potentially blockbuster games, courtesy of major publishers and respected indie developers. Some of these arrivals are results of delays and development hurdles, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed, while others such as Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come are returning to this proven fertile launch window for a repeat success.
No matter how they ended up on this timeline, February 2025 is shaping up to be a fierce battleground for RPG enthusiasts. With several games, each offering lengthy adventures, only one will likely capture the majority of our gaming time—so let’s dive into who’s entering the ring.
### Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Kicking things off is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which is reaching for the top spot, almost quite literally. Among the games vying for attention, it probably boasts the most realistic medieval setting. Its ethos is less about fantasy dragons and more about gritty dungeons, delivering a true-to-life medieval experience that blends elements of a renaissance fair, sandbox adventures, and just a hint of chaos.
Built on the CryEngine—an engine usually reserved for FPS games—Kingdom Come pushes the engine to its limits, accommodating bustling towns and a dynamic open world within its RPG scope. The first game managed to create a stunning, immersive world that barely held itself together under the technical weight.
Having delved deeply into the original game, I’ve experienced how its unique role-playing elements work incredibly in theory, but deliver mixed results. A prime example of its unorthodox design is how it flips the typical difficulty curve upside down; skills get progressively easier the more you practice them. Initially, this resulted in amusing mishaps like the impossibility of lockpicking or being stuck in combat loops if you favored a non-combat playstyle. Yet, on the flip side, it offered intriguing features like needing to learn how to read to unlock the wisdom hidden in books or roadside signage.
This sequel continues the story of Henry of Skalitz, a seemingly ordinary blacksmith thrust into prominence by sheer circumstance and savvy in the politically charged terrain of the Holy Roman Empire. It’ll be fascinating to see how this sequel maintains this progression with an already established character, without resorting to the cliché trope of erasing skills from the previous game.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s world is said to be twice the size of its predecessor, with polished performance and refined mechanics. How it scales up this expansive vision will define its impact among February’s giants.
### Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite facing a rocky path, I still hold high expectations for Ubisoft, especially given their past triumph with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Yet, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the series has more on the line than ever, especially following Ubisoft’s costly missteps with games like Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Japan has long been a desired setting for Assassin’s Creed, but with Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin already exploring feudal Japan beautifully, Ubisoft must prove its rendition can stand uniquely amid such stellar company. And this without relying on the mythical elements of previous themes like Ancient Greece or Norse mythos.
Excitingly, Assassin’s Creed Shadows looks to evolve the series mechanically. It introduces dual protagonists—Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai—who possess diverse combat techniques involving an array of traditional weapons, offering richer combat experiences.
Significantly, the game finally addresses stealth—a facet often critiqued within the series. Could this be the entry where stealth truly becomes a cornerstone rather than an afterthought?
Also worth noting is the dynamic between the two main characters. Yasuke’s commanding presence doesn’t lend itself to stealth, as he stands out in every crowd. In stark contrast, Naoe epitomizes the archetype of the silent assassin.
Past entries like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla often felt padded for time, with its content sometimes overstaying its welcome. Shadows appears to offer a more open-ended approach to missions and introduces a wider variety of meaningful engagements that could refresh the series once again.
### Avowed – February 18, 2025
Navigating a crowded release schedule can be tricky, and delays sometimes shift a game’s launch into unforeseen competitive waters. That’s the scenario with Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed. It slipped into 2025 to dodge other Game Pass heavyweights but now finds itself sandwiched between massive releases. Could a low entry cost be its winning hand?
If The Outer Worlds was Obsidian’s take on a sleeker, sci-fi Fallout, Avowed is their spin on Skyrim meets Dragon Age, set in encapsulated maps teeming with essence, challenges, and intricate quests.
Being a fan of Obsidian’s portfolio, including Fallout: New Vegas, I’m personally most thrilled about Avowed. Yet, it’s the one I fear might not get the spotlight it deserves.
Set in the richly woven Pillars of Eternity universe, Avowed boasts a vivid, swashbuckling fantasy setting. Its true strength will lie in the narrative depth and quest-driven gameplay Obsidian is renowned for. If the gameplay itself is robust enough to complement the engaging storytelling, it could hold its own impressively, even as the underdog in terms of budget among the releases.
### Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
The Monster Hunter series is stepping out in a different era from when Monster Hunter World first capitalized on a serene February launch in 2018. This game opened the franchise to the West as never before, securing the world’s attention and achieving massive success.
With a plethora of rivals now exploring the monster hunting genre—ranging from free-to-play entrants like Dauntless, which recently suffered a botched major update, to titles like Fera: The Sundered Tribes and the more upscale Wild Hearts—Monster Hunter Wilds returns to assert its dominance as the leader of this feral pack.
While Monster Hunter Rise did well due to its adaptability to the Switch, Wilds aims to up the ante. It promises to be larger, with more immersive and diversified environments teeming with interactive potential.
Monsters in Wilds are not just adversaries; they strategically utilize the landscape, reinforcing their roles as the influential, untamed stars of the game. Whether they’re diving into the sand, scaling lofty branches, or teaming up to take down unwary hunters, Wilds looks ready to enthrall long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Make no mistake—Monster Hunter has outgrown its niche status and is poised for another blockbuster run. February will tell how many will prepare for this monumental expedition at month’s end.
With so many choices, where will your gaming journey begin? And which of these titles will find a place on your shelf in the years to come? February alone offers a wealth of options, and that’s before even mentioning upcoming heavyweights like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and none other than GTA 6…
