Keeping up with all the latest video games is an increasingly complex task, with several PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile and many more stores to follow, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every month I will be showing you the games you need to keep an eye on, from the big AAA headliners to the intriguing indies you could ignore.
As is usually the case, February has few AAA experiences, but there is still a lot to expect this month, especially if you are looking for something to play on your Switch. Highlights include Super Mario 3D World + Bowser Fury, Bravely Default II, Little Nightmares 2 and Destruction AllStars exclusive to PS5. On the indie front, you can look forward to the cute yet challenging action platform game Blue Fire, crazy retro mashup, Speed Limit and more.
note: Although I may have played demos or gained early access to some of the games recommended in this article, in most cases, I am simply choosing games that look promising and cannot guarantee the final product. Wait for reviews before you buy!
That said, here are the games you should be looking for in February …
The Headliners
AllStars Destruction (PS5, February 2)
Looking for something to fill that Twisted-Metal hole in your heart? Well, Destruction AllStars may be the game for you (after going to the doctor). The PS5 exclusive vehicular combat game offers 16 different “AllStars”, which can run in arenas or on foot or jump on a unique ride, each with their own special abilities. Destruction AllStars is being offered “free” to PS Plus subscribers in February, so there’s no good reason not to try it out. If you want to own the game permanently, you can order it here.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS4, February 2; Switch Summer 2021)
Ys’ favorite cult series returns this month with Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. This time, the protagonist of the series finds Adol himself imprisoned in Balduq, an imposing city under several monstrous threats. Along with several new allies, it’s up to you to find out exactly what’s going on at Balduq. Ys IX looks a bit like Ys VIII in terms of gameplay, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it was one of the best entries in the series (take a look at Wccftech’s 9.5 out of 10 Ys VIII reviews here). Pre-order the game here.
Little Nightmares 2 (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, February 11; Xbox Series X / S and PS5 2021)
Little Nightmares was one of the best horror games under the radar of recent years. Sure, the game has a visual cartoon style, but it tells a compelling story without words, and it’s strange, the leather enemies “Muppets that went wrong” are more genuinely disheartening than many “realistic” horror game monsters. Little Nightmares 2 seems to deliver more of the series’ trademark terror, along with a more expansive world, some horrible new villains and a major new feature – cooperative play. Get ready for some insomnia. Pre-order the game here.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser Fury (Switch, February 12)
Super Mario 3D World is one of the most underrated games in Nintendo’s historic franchise. Packed with creative, fast-paced levels and co-op that’s really fun, it’s a game you need to play if you lost on Wii U (as most did). Ultimately, the big selling point here may be Bowser’s Fury, a larger-than-expected add-on game in which Mario joins Bowser Jr. to explore an open world while facing periodic attacks from the size “Fury Bowser” of Godzilla. Many have defined Bowser Fury as Mario’s version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which may be creating very high expectations, but it looks quite different from anything the plumber has ever done before. Pre-order the game here.
Persona 5 Strikers (PC, PS4 and Switch, February 23)
At first glance, Persona 5 Strikers may seem like just another Dynasty Warriors themed spin-off, but look a little closer and you will see that Koei Tecmo and Atlus put a surprising effort into the game. Persona 5 Strikers is not a straightforward hack n ‘slash – battles also have turn-based elements that allow you to wield the series’s main Personas. You can also form groups, explore a higher world and dungeons, and enjoy a complete canon story set after the events of the original Atlus game. In fact, Persona 5 Strikers is more or less a complete stealth sequence, so you might want to give the game a try, even if you normally ignore the Warriors stuff. Pre-order the game here.
Bravely Default II (Switch, February 26)
Nintendo Switch owners get another dose of retro-JRPG this month, with the creators of Octopath Traveler launching Bravely Default II. For those unfamiliar, Bravely Default started on 3DS and features a simple, but unique, turn-based system that allows you to make multiple turns in a row or place them for later use (it is more strategic than it may seem ). And yes, there was already a follow up on 3DS (Bravely Second), but it reused a lot of content from the original and at times it felt more like an expansion than a sequel. Fortunately, Bravely Default II promises to be an appropriately ambitious complete sequel, featuring a more developed upper world and an entirely new story and cast of characters. Pre-order the game here.
Promising Indies
Killer: infected one of us (PC, February 1)
Looking for another party game where you can happily trick and kill your friends? Killer: Infected One of Us seems to offer some fun between us with a viral twist. The game takes place in an artic research station, which players divide between infected and healthy. The person with the virus tries to spread it without letting it stick, while Healthy tries to cure it. So yes, if you are looking for something less cute and a little more up-to-date for your party night, it’s worth a try. Here is the Steam page for Killer: Infected One of Us.
Blue Fire (PC and switch, February 4)
Coming from Argentine developer Robi Studios, Blue Fire is a new platform and action game that doesn’t play well. The main character of Blue Fire may look like a Funko Pop, but the game promises many challenging twitch platforms and intense action as players explore a dark interconnected world. This looks like it has the potential to be one of Metroidvania’s 2021 independent big hits (every year it needs at least one couple). Here is the Steam page for Blue Fire.
Speed limit (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, February 16-19)
Speed Limit is a crazy mashup action game that challenges players to return home from work by any means necessary. The game jumps from one classic arcade genre to the next – side scrolling shooter, top-down running, “fake 3D” dogfight and more, with no pauses to catch your breath. The Speed Limit seems like the perfect way to vent your frustrations related to commuting (damn, buy the Switch version and get distracted while commuting). Here is the Steam page for Speed Limit.
Lemon Cake (PC, February 18)
There was an explosion of themed cooking games after the success of Overcooked, but Lemon Cake looks more charming than most. Take on an abandoned bakery and fill customers’ faces with sweets, cinnamon rolls and other goodies! A touch of Harvest Moon / Stardew Valley has also been added to the dough, as you will have to grow your ingredients from scratch and update your character and business. Here is the Lemon Cake Steam page.
Full list of games worth watching in February:
- Killer: infected one of us (PC, February 1)
- AllStars Destruction (PS5, February 2)
- Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS4, February 2; Switch Summer 2021)
- Habroxia 2 (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and PS Vita, February 3)
- Blue Fire (PC and switch, February 4)
- Field of Glory II: Medieval (PC, February 4)
- Nuts (PC, February 4)
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, PS4 and PS5, February 4)
- Kill the Dragon (PC, February 5)
- Little Nightmares 2 (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, February 11; Xbox Series X / S and PS5 2021)
- Return of Gal weapons (PC and switch, February 12)
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser Fury (Switch, February 12)
- Fallen Legion: Revenants (PS4 and Switch, February 16)
- Speed limit (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, February 16-19)
- Nebuchadnezzar (PC, February 17)
- King of Seas (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, February 18)
- Lemon Cake (PC, February 18)
- Mutrópolis (PC, February 18)
- The Shore (PC, February 19)
- Curse of the Dead Gods (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, February 23)
- Persona 5 Strikers (PC, PS4 and Switch, February 23)
- Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos (PC and Switch, February 23)
- Ghosts and goblins: resurrection (switch, February 25)
- Bravely Default 2 (Switch, February 26)
And these are the games that you should keep an eye on next month. What games do you plan to start in February? Did I miss something you are waiting for?