Over the past few years, some of gaming’s most surprising hits have decided to launch during the quieter period between New Year and Spring. Traditionally, this season has been a downtime where we’re still digesting the holidays, content with the games we received, not actively seeking anything fresh.
Yet, over the last decade, publishers have cleverly used this window to bypass the crowded holiday releases, allowing hidden gems to rise to prominence without being overshadowed by blockbuster titles.
A memorable example is Dying Light, which launched about 10 years ago in 2015. As a fresh entry, it perfectly timed its release amidst the zombie craze and the excitement over PS4’s open-world games, breaking records in the process.
Since then, it seemed like almost every year had its own well-funded indie game or overlooked series that thrived by avoiding the Christmas chaos, instead finding success in the calmer post-holiday period.
This trend has only become more pronounced, with games like the Resident Evil 2 Remake re-establishing Resident Evil as a powerhouse franchise. It capitalized on this unique launching strategy, continuing to influence the industry today.
Fast forward to 2025, and it’s clear that the secret is out. February alone promises 4 major releases from top publishers and prestigious indie studios.
Some of these arrivals are due to delays and development setbacks, such as Assassin’s Creed and Avowed. Meanwhile, others, like Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come, have previously harnessed this prime launch window to great success and seem eager to replicate that fortune.
Regardless of how they got here, February 2025 is looking to be an epic clash of RPG titans. A host of 100-hour RPGs are in the running for your precious leisure time, but only one will come out on top. So, let’s dive into the contenders.
### Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Leading the charge is Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, aiming to take the crown in more ways than one. In certain respects, it’s the most realistic of the four, but its ambitions set it apart. This game sticks to the mantra of “dungeons not dragons,” presenting authentic medieval role-playing by blending elements of a ren-faire, a sandbox adventure, and a chaotic mishmash.
Built using CryEngine, typically used for FPSs with a small number of characters on screen, the game stretches the engine’s capabilities to populate bustling medieval towns and create a persistent world typical of open-world RPGs. The first game delivered a breathtakingly immersive world, albeit one that was constantly on the brink of falling apart.
I invested a lot of time into the original Kingdom Come, and it’s a series filled with clever role-play ideas that often sound brilliant in theory, but with inconsistent execution. Take, for instance, the evolving difficulty where skills become easier as you practice them, a novel approach that eschews traditional leveling.
Interesting concept, right? Yet it made activities like lockpicking nearly impossible initially and turned essential story battles into frustrating loops if you leaned into stealth or charisma. However, it also introduced intriguing mechanics, such as scrambling all written content until your character learned to read from a monk.
As a direct sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 follows Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith who must navigate a precarious path to influence the Holy Roman Empire. I’m curious to see how the game balances realistic character development without resorting to the cliched video game trope of hitting the reset button on previous achievements.
With promises of a game world twice as large and significantly improved performance, along with solutions to past issues, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s success will hinge on how it handles this expanded scope. It just might surprise the gaming community amidst a month overflowing with blockbusters.
### Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
Despite its challenges, I’m confident in the team behind one of my favorite Assassin’s Creed installments—2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. As a flagship franchise, Assassin’s Creed Shadows carries significant weight, especially in light of Ubisoft’s recent high-profile missteps with Skull and Bones and Star Wars: Outlaws.
Fans have long dreamt of visiting Japan through Assassin’s Creed, yet with Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin paving the way for open-world feudal Japan settings, it’s natural to wonder how Ubisoft might keep the experience fresh without relying on the mystical myths of Ancient Greece or Scandinavia.
Nevertheless, Assassin’s Creed Shadows appears to tackle some long-standing criticisms. The dual protagonists, shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, offer diverse, interactive combat styles through various weapons, including katanas, tanto short swords, and naginata bladed spears.
Another long-awaited improvement is a revamped stealth system. Could this finally be the Assassin’s Creed where stealth plays a central role? If so, it would be a huge leap forward for the series.
The game remains intriguing, particularly through the contrasting styles of its two leads. Yasuke, towering and formidable, lacks stealth, demanding attention wherever he goes. Naoe, on the other hand, epitomizes the classic silent assassin archetype.
In past games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the experience felt padded both in main missions and side content. Shadows seems to promise a return to more meaningful, less linear play, bringing two distinct characters into a richer, more engaging narrative. Could this provide the shake-up needed to revitalize the series?
### Avowed – February 18, 2025
Navigating delay in today’s fast-paced gaming world is tricky. Even if a game ducks out to avoid competition, there’s no guarantee it won’t find itself back in the thick of things. Case in point: Avowed, delayed into 2025 to dodge internal competition, now finds itself between two major releases. But perhaps the low cost of entry will be its saving grace.
If The Outer Worlds was Obsidian’s take on a streamlined, sci-fi Fallout, Avowed channels Skyrim and Dragon Age vibes. The game’s structured, smaller maps are brimming with loot, enemies, and quests packed with the nuanced storytelling Obsidian is known for.
A long-time admirer of Obsidian’s work, including Fallout: New Vegas and lesser-known gems like Alpha Protocol and Grounded, I am genuinely excited about Avowed. However, it’s the entry that could easily be overlooked amidst more hyped offerings.
Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, Avowed dazzles with its vibrant art style that mixes adventure and fantasy. While its narrative depth will be a strong point, providing engaging gameplay will be crucial to standing out. If it can marry compelling storytelling with captivating action, Avowed could outshine expectations, despite its relatively modest budget.
### Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
The Monster Hunter series is in a vastly different realm today compared to when Monster Hunter World captivated Western gamers back in February 2018. With a carefully calculated release and widespread anticipation, the series finally resonated deeply with global audiences.
Now, with many competitors vying for the title of monster hunting king—from Dauntless to Fera: The Sundered Tribes and EA’s Wild Hearts—Monster Hunter Wilds is set to reclaim its throne as the genre’s pinnacle.
Monster Hunter Rise thrived on the Switch, embracing a smaller-scale design. In contrast, Wilds is vast, featuring expansive environments, challenging terrains, and diverse, vertical biomes.
The monsters showcase advanced behaviors, popping in and out of terrains, climbing heights, and hunting in packs, enhancing their characters as the true stars of Monster Hunter games.
There’s no doubt Monster Hunter has shed its niche status and aims for the mainstream spotlight. The real question remains: how many gamers will reserve their resources for this wild expedition at month’s end?
So, which one will you choose? Or will you play catch-up years from now? February’s lineup is just the tip of the iceberg with future titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and, of course, the long-awaited GTA 6 looming on the horizon. The possibilities are endless, and 2025 promises a thrilling ride for the gaming community.
