Over the past decade, some of the gaming world’s most unexpected hits have launched in the period after Christmas, when the New Year’s confetti has settled and we’re still digesting the holiday feast. Traditionally, this is a quiet spell on the gaming calendar—the time when our attention is occupied by the games we unwrapped during the festive season, leaving little room for anything new.
Despite this tendency, savvy publishers have discovered that this post-holiday downtime can be the perfect opportunity to capture audience interest with hidden gems that might otherwise be overshadowed by bigger titles. Going back about ten years, I remember the release of “Dying Light” in 2015. It came roaring onto the scene as a new title just when the zombie craze and open-world excitement for the PS4 were at their zenith.
Following that, nearly every year saw an indie darling or overlooked game series make a splash by avoiding the crowded autumn season, landing instead in a window where gamers were craving something fresh and unexpected.
This trend only strengthened over the years. A prime example was when Resident Evil solidified its reign in the gaming world with the release of the Resident Evil 2 Remake. This masterpiece not only captivated the gaming zeitgeist but also sparked a remake trend that continues to this day.
Now, in 2025, the secret is well and truly out. This February alone is jam-packed with four major releases from both renowned global publishers and top-tier indie developers alike.
Some of these titles landed in this release window due to delays or development hiccups (like the latest Assassin’s Creed and Avowed). Meanwhile, other games (such as Monster Hunter and Kingdom Come) have previously benefitted from this magical launch period and are undoubtedly hoping to replicate past successes.
Whatever brought them to this point, February 2025 is shaping up to be an intense showdown among role-playing games. With numerous epic 100-hour RPGs vying for your attention, it’s sure to be interesting to see which one will claim dominance. Let’s meet the contenders.
### Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – February 4, 2025
Kicking things off is “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2,” which looks to take the throne, quite literally. This sequel stands as both the most down-to-earth and yet the most ambitious of the bunch, delivering a thoroughly immersive medieval role-playing experience. It leans hard into the philosophy of “dungeons, not dragons,” creating a mix of historical adventure and unpredictable chaos.
Built on the CryEngine—an engine typically suited to first-person shooters—”Kingdom Come” was initially stretched to its limits to bring bustling medieval towns and a persistent open world to life. This resulted in a visually stunning game world that was always pushing the technological envelope.
Reflecting on my time with the original Kingdom Come, the series is brimming with inventive role-playing concepts that often sound incredible on paper. However, these ideas sometimes led to mixed outcomes in practice. For example, the unconventional leveling system made skills easier the more you utilized them, rather than escalating in complexity.
This unique idea made features like lockpicking notoriously difficult at launch, not to mention turning necessary story battles into frustrating cycles of defeat if you’d focused on stealth or negotiation. Conversely, there were brilliant moments, like having to learn to read before making sense of scrambled books and signs.
As a direct follow-up, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” once again follows Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith whose wit and circumstance have thrust him into the epic conflict for the Holy Roman Empire. I’m keen to see how the game will handle Henry’s growth from the first installment, especially as they can’t simply hit the reset button like in other franchise sequels.
The upcoming game reportedly doubles in size compared to its predecessor, with smoother performance and improvements in key areas. Its success amidst the fierce February competition will largely depend on how well it adapts to this broadened scope, potentially leaving many players pleasantly surprised.
### Assassin’s Creed Shadows – February 14, 2025
While it has faced delays, I’m hopeful for “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” particularly since the studio behind my personal favorite, “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” from 2018, is at the helm. Yet, as one of the most recognizable franchises in gaming, Assassin’s Creed has a lot riding on this release, especially considering Ubisoft’s recent high-profile flops like “Skull and Bones” and “Star Wars: Outlaws.”
Japan’s feudal landscape has long been an anticipated setting for the series. However, with acclaimed games like “Ghost of Tsushima” and “Rise of the Ronin” already showcasing the era, the challenge lies in how Ubisoft can make their vision distinct and exciting—especially without the mythical elements of past settings like Ancient Greece or Norse mythology to lean on.
Mechanically, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” seems poised to tackle some of the series’ long-standing issues. The dual protagonists, the shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke, offer diverse combat styles, using everything from katanas to naginata spears, promising a fresh dynamic to the gameplay.
Finally—something long overdue—we’re seeing an overhaul in the stealth system. Could this be the Assassin’s Creed entry where stealth genuinely feels integral? If so, that’s a big step forward.
The interplay between the two leads is another intriguing element. Yasuke stands out wherever he goes due to his imposing presence, while Naoe embodies the archetype of a quiet, shrouded assassin.
One criticism of “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” was the way it stretched its main campaign unnecessarily. However, “Shadows” seems to be expanding on the more open-ended mission style seen in recent entries, possibly reshaping the series once again.
### Avowed – February 18, 2025
In the unpredictable world of game releases, a delay can sometimes land you right in the thick of competition. “Avowed” from Obsidian Entertainment finds itself sandwiched between two major releases after shifting to avoid contesting with fellow Game Pass titles like “Stalker 2” and “Indiana Jones.” Even so, its easy accessibility might be just what it needs to stand out.
If “The Outer Worlds” was Obsidian’s pared-down, space-themed “Fallout,” then “Avowed” aligns more closely with “Skyrim,” enriched with “Dragon Age” influences. It offers carefully crafted zones packed with treasures, enemies, and the kind of intricate, decision-heavy quests that Obsidian excels at.
Personally, as a long-time fan of Obsidian’s portfolio—including classics like “Fallout: New Vegas” and “South Park: The Stick of Truth”—”Avowed” is my most anticipated title for February. Yet, I worry it might get lost in the shuffle.
Set in the vibrant “Pillars of Eternity” universe with an enchanting, swashbuckling art style, “Avowed” is expected to shine through its engaging storytelling and classic questing elements. If the game manages to pair these strengths with compelling gameplay mechanics, it could very well exceed expectations, despite being the lowest-budget option among the giant releases.
### Monster Hunter Wilds – February 28, 2025
The “Monster Hunter” franchise has evolved tremendously since “Monster Hunter World” capitalized on a clear schedule back in February 2018. The game leveraged the moment to captivate western audiences, becoming a phenomenon.
Now, with several other contenders in the monster-hunting genre—ranging from “Dauntless” to “EA’s Wild Hearts”—”Monster Hunter Wilds” steps up to assert itself as the leader once more.
“Monster Hunter Rise,” despite its success, was limited in scale due to its focus on the Nintendo Switch. In contrast, “Wilds” appears expansive and ambitious, offering environments with increased interactivity, challenging terrains, and greater verticality across diverse biomes.
Monsters no longer merely occupy their habitats; they blend seamlessly into the world, bursting through sands, climbing high branches, and coordinating in packs, enhancing the vibrant display of monster personalities that stand as the hallmark of the series.
“Monster Hunter” is now mainstream, set to be a substantial release. Whether fans will save their resources for this expedition at the month’s end remains to be seen.
So, which of these games will you dive into first? And perhaps more tellingly, which will you finally start years later, when you find the time? With February’s plethora of options, not to mention upcoming ventures like “Elden Ring: Nightreign,” “Borderlands 4,” “Death Stranding 2,” “Ghost of Yotei,” “Pokemon Legends: Z-A,” and, certainly, the colossal “GTA 6” in the horizon, the choices seem infinite.
