Over the past few years, some of gaming’s surprise hits have made their debut during the quieter months following the holiday season, from the New Year through spring. This period is usually a time when we’re all settling in, still savoring the games we unwrapped during the holidays and not really looking for anything new.
However, for the past decade, publishers have taken advantage of this seemingly quiet time to release hidden gems that might otherwise be overshadowed by bigger titles. A perfect example of this was the launch of Dying Light ten years ago, back in 2015. It was a new franchise that smashed records, hitting the sweet spot when both zombie games and open-world experiences were all the rage on the PS4.
Since then, almost every year has featured a well-backed indie or an underrated series rising to prominence by avoiding the crowded fall releases and instead stepping in when everyone assumed players were tapped out. This trend didn’t just fade away; it solidified with each passing year. Just look at how Resident Evil made a huge comeback with the remake of Resident Evil 2. It caught the zeitgeist and kicked off a trend that’s still with us.
Now, fast forward to 2025, and it’s clear everyone’s realized the potential of this launch window. February alone is packed with four potential blockbusters from major publishers and leading indie studios alike. Some titles, like Assassin’s Creed and Avowed, arrive here due to delays and development hiccups, while others, like Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come, have thrived from this spot before and are back to see if lightning will strike twice.
No matter how they ended up with this February launch date, it’s shaping up to be an RPG showdown of epic proportions. There are plenty of lengthy RPGs vying for your gaming hours, but in the end, only one can come out on top. Let’s dive into the contenders.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
First on the list is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, vying for the throne, quite literally. Among the four, it’s perhaps the most realistic but also incredibly ambitious. Taking inspiration from "dungeons not dragons," this game strives for an authentic medieval role-playing experience, blending elements of a Renaissance fair, sandbox adventures, and a bit of chaotic charm.
The game is built using CryEngine, primarily an FPS engine, modified to support the teeming towns and dynamic world state of an open-world RPG. The first game crafted an amazing, visually stunning world, though it was always on the edge of technical collapse.
I spent countless hours with the original Kingdom Come. The series introduces fresh role-playing ideas that sound wonderful in theory but have mixed execution. For instance, rather than ramping up skill difficulty, the game simulated your character’s learning by making tasks easier the more you perform them. It was a unique approach, but it made actions like lockpicking absurdly hard at first, and story-critical fights agonizing if you focused on stealth or speech skills. However, it did offer compelling mechanics like requiring you to learn reading by finding a monk to teach you, turning every written text into a puzzle until then.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continues the saga of Henry of Skalitz, a supposedly humble blacksmith who, through luck and wits, becomes instrumental in the grand narrative of the Holy Roman Empire. I’m intrigued to see how this follow-up handles progression with an established character, avoiding the usual trope of conveniently erasing past abilities.
The sequel promises to be twice as expansive as its already vast predecessor, with better performance and improved gameplay elements. How it manages this increased scale may determine if it stands out in a month full of major contenders.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite facing setbacks, I have faith in the team responsible for my favorite Assassin’s Creed entry, Odyssey. As one of the most recognized series in gaming, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has much to prove, especially considering Ubisoft’s recent costly mistakes with Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Japan has long been a dream setting for fans of the series. However, with Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin already defining what feudal Japan could look like, it remains to be seen how Ubisoft can make their version feel fresh and enticing, especially without the mythical elements found in Ancient Greece or Norse worlds.
On the bright side, Assassin’s Creed Shadows seems to address the series’ longstanding issues. The dual protagonists, shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, offer diverse and interactive combat styles featuring a range of traditional weapons including katanas, tantos, and naginatas.
Furthermore, the game introduces a revamped stealth system, a development that’s long overdue. It appears there will be an interesting dynamic at play: Yasuke is anything but stealthy, with gameplay videos showing people stopping and staring as he passes. In contrast, Naoe embodies the classic silent assassin archetype.
Where Assassin’s Creed Valhalla felt bloated, Shadows seems to be expanding on the freer approach of recent entries while incorporating engaging mechanics for both lead characters. Could this be the iteration that revitalizes the franchise?
Avowed – February 18, 2025
In the world of game releases, delay tactics can backfire, as seen when Avowed finds itself squeezed between two major launches despite initially moving to avoid internal competition within Game Pass. The question is whether its ease of access can give it an edge.
If Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds was a scaled-down, sci-fi Fallout, Avowed feels like Skyrim infused with Dragon Age vibes. It promises to deliver intricate, smaller maps brimming with loot, foes, and the complex quests that Obsidian is renowned for.
Being an Obsidian fan, with titles like Fallout: New Vegas and more niche entries like Alpha Protocol and Grounded, Avowed is personally my February highlight, though I worry it might get overlooked.
Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, its enchanting, adventurous fantasy art style is expected to shine. Avowed’s success hinges on how it melds storytelling with engaging gameplay. If it pulls this off, it could surprise everyone despite its smaller budget compared to the other giants.
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
Monster Hunter has transformed since Monster Hunter World made a splash thanks to a strategic free week back in February 2018. Once on the cusp of broader fame in the West, it seized the spotlight with its refined and extensive approach.
Now, facing a slew of would-be rivals—from the free-to-play Dauntless (which hit a snag with a recent update), to indie offerings like Fera: The Sundered Tribes and EA’s Wild Hearts—Monster Hunter Wilds is back, ready to retake its crown as the standout in the monster-hunting realm.
While the Switch-exclusive, thoroughly enjoyable Monster Hunter Rise was a hit, it was also designed for a more limited platform. Wilds, on the other hand, seems to be a grander venture, with even more interactive settings, challenging terrains, and a richer variety across its biomes.
Creatures now tunnel through sand, climb to high battlegrounds, and operate in packs, adding new dimensions and personalities to the fearsome lineup of monsters that are the heart of any Monster Hunter game.
No doubt, Monster Hunter is now a mainstream triumph, and this installment is poised for major success. It’ll be interesting to see how many players hoard their resources in anticipation of this thrilling adventure kicking off at February’s end.
So, which of these titles will you dive into first? Which might collect dust until your backlog clears in a few years? The choices for this month alone seem limitless, and that’s not even accounting for upcoming blockbusters like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, and, astonishingly, GTA 6.
