Keeping up with the latest video games coming out is becoming an increasingly complex task, with multiple PC storefronts, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile, and more to keep track of, but don’t worry I’m here to help. Every month I’ll be reviewing the games to keep an eye out for, from the big triple-A headliners to the intriguing indies you might otherwise overlook.
As is often the case, February has pretty few major AAA experiences, but there’s still plenty to look forward to this month, especially if you’re looking for something to play on your Switch. Highlights include Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, Bravely Default II, Little Nightmares 2 and the exclusive PS5 Destruction AllStars. On the indie front, you can look forward to the cute yet challenging action platformer Blue Fire, the crazy retro mashup Speed Limit, and more.
Note: While I may have played demos or gotten early access to some of the games recommended in this article, in most cases I just choose games that look promising and can’t vouch for the final product. Wait for reviews before buying!
That said, here are the games to keep an eye out for in February …
The headliners
Destruction AllStars (PS5, February 2)
Looking for something to fill that twisted metal hole in your heart? Well, Destruction AllStars might be the game for you (after you go to the doctor). The PS5-exclusive vehicle fighting game offers up to 16 different “AllStars” that can run through arenas or jump on foot or in a unique ride, each with its own special abilities. Destruction AllStars will be 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 pre-order it here.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS4, Feb 2; Switch Summer 2021)
The cult favorite Ys series returns this month, with Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. This time, the series’ protagonist finds Adol himself trapped in Balduq, an imposing city under various monstrous threats. Together with several new allies, it is up to you to find out what exactly is happening in Balduq. Ys IX is quite similar to Ys VIII in terms of gameplay, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as that was one of the best entries in the series (check out the review of Wccftech’s 9.5 out of 10 Ys VIII here). Pre-order the game here.
Little Nightmares 2 (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, Feb 11; Xbox Series X / S and PS5 2021)
Little Nightmares was one of the best under-the-radar horror games in recent years. Sure, the game has a cartoonish visual style, but it tells an engaging, wordless story, and it’s weird, leathery “Muppets going wrong” enemies are really more obnoxious than many more “realistic” horror game monsters. Little Nightmares 2 seems to offer more of the series’ signature creepiness, along with a more expansive world, some ghastly new villains and a major new feature – co-op play. Prepare for some insomnia. Pre-order the game here.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Switch, February 12)
Super Mario 3D World is one of the most underrated games in Nintendo’s legendary franchise. Packed with fast, creative levels and co-op that’s really fun, it’s a must-play game if you missed it on Wii U (as most did). Ultimately, though, the big selling point here might be Bowser’s Fury, a bigger-than-expected add-on game in which Mario teams up with Bowser Jr. to explore an open world while enduring periodic attacks of the Godzilla format “Fury Bowser”. Many have referred to Bowser’s Fury as Mario’s version of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which may set expectations too high, but it looks very different from anything the plumber has tackled before. Pre-order the game here.
Persona 5 Strikers (PC, PS4, and Switch, Feb. 23)
At first glance, Persona 5 Strikers might just seem like another Dynasty Warriors themed spin-off, but if you take a closer look you’ll see that Koei Tecmo and Atlus put a surprising amount of effort into the game. Persona 5 Strikers isn’t a straightforward hack n ‘slash – combat also has turn-based elements that let you wield the series’ titular Personas. You can also throw parties, explore an overworld and dungeons, and enjoy a full canon story set after the events of the original Atlus game. Really, Persona 5 Strikers is more or less a full-on stealth sequel, so you might want to give the game a shot, even if you usually skip Warriors gear. Pre-order the game here.
Bravely Default II (Switch, February 26)
Nintendo Switch owners are getting another dose of retro JRPG goodness this month as the makers of Octopath Traveler deliver Bravely Default II. For those unfamiliar, Bravely Default got its start on the 3DS and features a simple, yet unique turn-based system that allows you to take multiple turns in a row or save them for later use (it’s more strategic than it might sound. ). And yes, there was already a sequel to 3DS (Bravely Second), but it reused a lot of content from the original and felt more like an extension than a sequel at times. Fortunately, Bravely Default II promises to be a pretty ambitious full-length sequel, with a more developed overworld and an all-new story and an all-new cast of characters. Pre-order the game here.
Promising India
Killer: Infected One of Us (PC, February 1)
Looking for a different party game where you can happily cheat and kill your friends? Killer: Infected One of Us seems to deliver some of that Among Us fun with a viral twist. The game takes place in an artic research station, which divides players between the Infected and the Healthy. The person with the bug tries to spread it without them sticking, while the healthy ones try to cure them. So yeah, if you’re looking for something a little less cute and a little more current for your party night, this one might be worth a try. Here’s the Steam page for Killer: Infected One of Us.
Blue Fire (PC and Switch, Feb 4)
Coming from Argentinian developer Robi Studios, Blue Fire is an adorable new action platformer that doesn’t play fun. The main character of Blue Fire may look like a Funko Pop, but the game promises a lot of challenging twitch platforming and intense action as players explore a dark interconnected world. This one looks like it has the potential to become one of the big indie Metroidvania hits of 2021 (needs at least a few every year). Here is the Steam page for Blue Fire.
Speed Limit (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, Feb 16-19)
Speed Limit is a crazy genre mashup action game where players come home from work in every way possible. The game jumps from one classic arcade genre to the next – side-scrolling shooter, top-down racer, ‘fake 3D’ dog fighting and more, without taking a breath in between. Speed Limit seems like the perfect way to vent your frustrations about the commute (heck, get the Switch version and distract yourself on the commute itself). Here is the Steam page for Speed Limit.
Lemon Cake (PC, February 18)
After the success of Overcooked, there has been an explosion of cooking-themed games, but Lemon Cake looks more charming than most. Take over an abandoned bakery and fill the faces of customers with pastries, cinnamon buns and other treats! A hint of Harvest Moon / Stardew Valley has also been added to the batter as you have to rework your ingredients from scratch and upgrade your character and company. Here’s the Steam page for Lemon Cake.
Full list of games worth checking out in February:
- Killer: Infected One of Us (PC, February 1)
- Destruction AllStars (PS5, February 2)
- Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (PS4, Feb 2; Switch Summer 2021)
- Habroxia 2 (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and PS Vita, Feb 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, Feb 4)
- Slay the Dragon (PC, February 5)
- Little Nightmares 2 (PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Switch, Feb 11; Xbox Series X / S and PS5 2021)
- Gal Gun Returns (PC & Switch, February 12)
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Switch, February 12)
- Fallen Legion: Revenants (PS4 & Switch, February 16)
- Speed Limit (PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch, Feb 16-19)
- Nebuchadnezzar (PC, February 17)
- King of Seas (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, Feb 18)
- Lemon Cake (PC, February 18)
- Mutropolis (PC, February 18)
- The Shore (PC, February 19)
- Curse of the Dead Gods (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, Feb 23)
- Persona 5 Strikers (PC, PS4, and Switch, Feb. 23)
- Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos (PC & Switch, February 23)
- Ghosts’ n Goblins: Resurrection (Switch, February 25)
- Bravely Default 2 (Switch, February 26)
And those are the games you should keep an eye on for the next month. Which games are you planning to pick up in February? Have I missed something you are looking forward to?