A month chock-full of important releases

Jan 31, 2023 19:00 GMT  ·  By

With January 2023 behind us, it’s time to look forward to what February brings us in terms of game releases. I know I said January was just a warm-up for a pretty stacked February, but that’s because this month has more triple A titles than what we usually get this time of the year.

On top of that, there are some controversial games coming out this year, including Hogwarts Legacy and Atomic Heart. Each of these titles are tied to some major controversy that either touches subjects like gender neutrality or the war in Ukraine. Of course, feel free to decide for yourself whether or not you’ll support the developers of these titles.

That being said, let’s deep-dive into what appears to be the best month of 2023, although that’s saying too much considering this is just the second month of the year. Anyway, the beginning of February is pretty crowded, with indie title Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets launching on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on February 1.

The first important release of the month, Deliver Us Mars (PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), drops on February 2, alongside several other interesting games like Perish (PC), Fashion Police Squad (PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch), Active DBG: Brave's Rage (PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch), and Tails: The Backbone Preludes (PC).

I personally recommend getting Tails: The Backbone Preludes, even if you didn’t play the original. It’s an interesting post-noir point & click adventure game where you play a raccoon private eye and explore a dystopian Vancouver inhabited by animals.

Still counting as a week 1 release, Prison Tycoon: Under New Management lands on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on February 7. The next major release scheduled for this month is Hogwarts Legacy. The controversial title due to JK Rowling stance on trans community will arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 10. Judging from the latest gameplay trailers and previews, Hogwarts Legacy shapes up to be an interesting open-world adventure RPG.

Moving on to the next game set to launch in February, we’ll have to wait until the 14th to play Wanted: Dead, a quirky hack & slash, third-person shooter that’s coming to PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

On the same day, Karagon, an open-world survival that focuses a lot on crafting, enters Steam Early Access. Once a PlayStation exclusive, Returnal is being ported to PC, so if you’ve been dying to get your hands on this amazing action game with roguelike elements, you’ll able to play it starting February 15.

Corpse Keeper, a challenging action-strategy roguelite is set to enter Steam Early Access on February 15. The next day, Square Enix is supposed to release Threatrhythm Final Bar Line for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, but fans of rhythm games can play a demo on either of the two platforms starting February 1.

Yet another Steam Early Access, Wild West Dynasty, arrives on February 16. A survival RPG where own your own ranch, grow it into a settlement to convince more settlers to join you in your quest, Wild West Dynasty feels very ambitious.

Wild Hearts, EA’s version of Monster Hunter, is scheduled for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 17. Developed by KOEI TECMO, the game didn’t seem to benefit from too much marketing, so it’s probably better to wait for the first reviews to drop.

Tales of Symphonia is getting the remaster treatment and that’s great. One of the best games in the series, the JRPG was ported on PC seven years ago, but it was marred with technical issues. Unfortunately, the remaster will only be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch on February 17, which is weird to say the least.

Originally scheduled for release in March 2022, Ubisoft’s reboot of The Settlers franchise, The Settlers: New Allies is scheduled for launch on PC on February 17. Yakuza fans rejoice, as Like a Dragon: Ishin is just three weeks away. The remake of Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! and its localization for Western markets was influenced by the success of Ghost of Tsuhima. Titled Like a Dragon: Ishin, the remake is set to arrive on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 21.

The second controversial title coming out in February, Atomic Heart, is a first-person shooter, action RPG developed by Russian studio Mundfish. The game is scheduled for release on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 21.

Redemption Reapers, the dark fantasy tactical RPG developed by the same studio behind ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, is coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch on February 22. If you love turn-based strategy games, keep your eyes on this one.

The third major entry in the Blood Bowl series is next on the list with a release date confirmed for February 23. This one will be playable on just about any platform except Nintendo Switch, including PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

The month of February seems to have something for everyone, but the next title is particularly aimed at strategy fans. SEGA’s Company of Heroes 3 releases for PC on February 23.

The next one is for JRPG fans, as Square Enix’s sequel to Octopath Traveler is coming to PC, PlayStation 4/5, and Nintendo Switch on February 24. After the success of the original game, we have no doubt that this will be a big hit for Square Enix.

We have a few more important titles in the latter part of the month, including an interesting indie title that involves resource management, The Pale Beyond (PC), another entry in a very big franchise, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch), and the conclusion of the Atelier Ryza series, Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (PC, PlayStation 4/5, and Nintendo Switch). All three games are coming out on February 24.

On the same day, Kerbal Space Program 2 is set to enter Steam Early Access. The last two games confirmed for release in February are Scars Above (PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S), and Destiny 2: Lightfall (PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S) on the 28th. Keep in mind that if you have PlayStation Plus, you’ll be getting Lightfall for free.