In the last few years, some of gaming’s biggest unexpected hits have emerged in the quieter stretch between New Year and spring, right after the gift-giving rush of the holiday season. Traditionally, this period is thought to be one where we’re all too stuffed with festive treats and holiday game hauls to crave something new.
Yet, for the last decade or so, this time has become a clandestine strategy for publishers to make a splash with underrated gems that tend to be overshadowed by blockbuster titles at other times of the year.
My first memory of such a surprise was the launch of "Dying Light" about a decade ago, back in 2015. It shattered records as a fresh release, perfectly tapping into both zombie mania and the PS4-era open-world frenzy. Since then, each year has seen under-the-radar indie darlings or overlooked series carving out success by circumventing the holiday crush and taking advantage of the less competitive early months.
This trend cemented itself further over the years. A prime example is when "Resident Evil" reintroduced itself with the stellar "Resident Evil 2 Remake"—a game that seized the cultural moment and ignited a trend that’s endured to this day.
Fast-forward to 2025, and it’s clear the secret’s out. February alone is packed with four major releases from top-tier publishers and well-backed indie studios. Some of these entries ended up in this slot due to delays and development hiccups, such as with "Assassin’s Creed" and "Avowed." Others, like "Monster Hunter" and "Kingdom Come," are revisiting this golden launch period, banking on it for magic once more.
However they found themselves here, the lineup for February 2025 is shaping up to be an RPG showdown of epic scale. Countless hours of gameplay are on offer, but in the end, only one can claim victory. Let’s take a closer look at the contenders.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Starting us off is "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2," poised to take the throne—and in more ways than one. It’s perhaps the most down-to-earth of the four games yet also the most daring, combining the charm of a medieval fair with the freedom of a sandbox adventure, all while proudly embracing its quirks.
The game runs on CryEngine, an engine traditionally used for FPS games, designed to handle a dozen characters onscreen. But here, it’s been stretched to meet the demands of a vibrant open-world RPG. The outcome in the first installment was a stunningly realistic world that, at times, wobbled on the edge of imploding.
I spent hours engrossed in the original "Kingdom Come," impressed by its fresh role-play elements, though execution sometimes fell short. For example, instead of the usual skill progression getting tougher as you level up, this game aimed to mimic real learning, getting easier the more you practiced—a great idea in theory. But it made actions like lockpicking comically arduous at launch, and crucial story fights could become endless losses if you neglected combat skills in favor of stealth or diplomacy. Yet, it also shone with innovations, like scrambling text in books, recipes, and road signs until you learned to read in-game from a monk.
The sequel continues following Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith turned crucial player in the Holy Roman Empire’s struggles. I’m eager to see how the sequel handles character progression without employing the convenient trope of wiping all past powers—a common reset for iconic protagonists like Ratchet or Kratos.
Reportedly twice the size of its predecessor, rich with depth and improved performance, "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" will have its success measured by how well it adjusts to this expanded scope—a feat that could lead to a surprising standout in a month crammed with major contenders.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite facing challenges, I still hold high hopes for the developers behind my favorite "Assassin’s Creed" game, "Odyssey." As a beloved franchise, "Assassin’s Creed Shadows" has much to prove this February, especially after Ubisoft’s recent stumbles with "Skull and Bones" and "Star Wars: Outlaws."
Setting the game in Japan has been a dream for the series since its inception, but with titles like "Ghost of Tsushima" and "Rise of the Ronin" raising the bar for open-world feudal Japan settings, there’s a pressing question about how Ubisoft will deliver something fresh and intriguing without leveraging the mythic allure of Greek or Norse backdrops.
Mechanically, "Assassin’s Creed Shadows" appears poised to tackle some long-standing issues in the franchise. For starters, the game features two protagonists, the ninja Naoe and samurai Yasuke, each offering unique combat styles with a diverse arsenal including katana, tanto, kanabo, and naginata.
Another intriguing feature is an overhauled stealth system—a much-wanted enhancement that I hope truly elevates the stealth experience in the series. Moreover, the game’s dynamics between the main characters are compelling. Yasuke is a towering figure who commands attention wherever he goes, while Naoe embodies the silent, shadowy killer archetype.
While I found "Valhalla" to be padded with filler, "Shadows" seems to pivot towards missions with less hand-holding, alongside more meaningful and varied mechanics across its two protagonists. This could be the installment to reinvigorate the series once more.
Avowed – February 18, 2025
Navigating a fluid and crowded release schedule can be a gamble, as "Avowed" discovered when it shifted to 2025 to dodge direct Game Pass competition from titles like "Stalker 2" and "Indiana Jones." But now, it finds itself between two of the year’s biggest releases—will its ease of access through Game Pass be the key to its success?
While "The Outer Worlds" was Obsidian’s punchy, space-themed take on the "Fallout" formula, "Avowed" seems to draw inspiration from "Skyrim," with maps designed like "Dragon Age" that offer treasure, enemies, and twisty quests, packed with unexpected turns and tough choices—the studio’s specialties.
As a fan of nearly every Obsidian game—be it "Fallout: New Vegas," "Alpha Protocol," "Grounded," or even "South Park: The Stick of Truth"—"Avowed" is my personal focus this February. Yet, it’s also the title that risks being overlooked.
Set within the "Pillars of Eternity" universe, its dreamy, swashbuckling fantasy art style promises compelling storytelling and classic questing. If it can marry that narrative depth with compelling gameplay, "Avowed" might just surprise us, despite its likely smaller budget compared to its competition.
Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
The "Monster Hunter" series has vastly evolved since "Monster Hunter World" made a splash during a quiet release in February 2018. After attempting to break into the Western market for years, the franchise clicked in a massive way when time was right and schedules were clear.
Now, with numerous challengers trying to claim a piece of the monster-hunting pie—from free-to-play "Dauntless" to indie "Fera: The Sundered Tribes" and EA Original "Wild Hearts"—"Monster Hunter Wilds" is here to reaffirm its position as the genre leader.
"Monster Hunter Rise" succeeded on a smaller scale, tailored to the Nintendo Switch. However, "Wilds" looks to be colossal, with richer environments, tough terrain, and varied, vertical landscapes among its biomes.
The game promises dynamic encounters, with monsters darting through sand, climbing branches, and attacking in packs to overpower unsuspecting hunters—all adding depth to the expressive lineup of creatures that steal the show in every "Monster Hunter" game.
Make no mistake, "Monster Hunter" is far from niche, and this entry is set to be a significant success—let’s see how many hunters hoard their supplies for the adventure ahead at month’s end.
So, which of these are you picking up? Which might sit on your backlog for a few years? The options are endless this month, even before you consider releases like "Elden Ring: Nightreign," "Borderlands 4," "Death Stranding 2," "Ghost of Yotei," "Pokemon Legends Z-A," and, of course, the mighty "GTA 6."
