Hogwarts and all
CHERYL MULLIN
End Of Level Boss
JANUARY is finally at an end, and the interminable wait for payday is over. February might bring Valentine’s Day, but it also brings a slew of new games to keep us entertained.
Harry Potter fans can get their wizarding fix with the arrival of Hogwarts Legacy, and thrillseekers can head to Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex to see if they can survive.
As the month dips out – and to coincide with the release of Sony’s new PlayStation VR2 virtual reality headset – players get to revisit the incredible Horizon universe.
SpongeBob SquarePants:
The Cosmic Shake (PEGI 7)
PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, Switch, PC
Who doesn’t love a bit of SpongeBob SquarePants?
The Cosmic Shake is a new 3D platformer which sees the beloved sponge make his way through several distinctly themed ‘Wishworlds,’ packed with cowboys, knights, pirates, and prehistoric snails.
SpongeBob is accompanied on his adventure by his best friend Patrick, who for reasons which will become clear, is now a balloon.
Billed as a ‘spiritual successor’ to 2020’s Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated, expect hijinks and costume changes.
Look out for the ‘BFF edition’, which will cost you an eye watering £219, but comes packed with extras including a SpongeBob statue, an inflatable Patrick, an amulet, and much more.
■ Release: February 1
PS5, XBOX X/S, PC
This is the ‘wizarding world’ simulator Harry Potter fans have been waiting a very long time for.
Set in the 1890s, you play as a Hogwarts student about to begin their fifth year at wizarding school.
Players will be able to attend classes and explore areas from the books, like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade or the Forbidden Forest, and interact with much-loved characters like Nearly Headless Nick, and Peeves.
As a Hogwarts student you’ll even be able to venture into never before seen areas, such as the common rooms of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
As well as learning to cast magical spells, and brew potions, you’ll be trained in combat, evolving your spell casting skills and style as the game progresses.
While PS5 and XBOX X/S owners will be able to play this game from February 10, PS4 and XBOX ONE players will have to wait until April, and Switch players until July to get their hands on the game.
■ Release: February 10
Five Nights at Freddy’s:
Security Breach (PEGI 12)
PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, Switch, PC
It’s been nearly 10 years since the first Five Nights at Freddy’s debuted, and it’s gone on to gain a large cult following.
Security Breach is the ninth game in the series, and the first that requires you to survive a single night in the company of Freddy and co.
You play as Gregory, a young boy who finds himself locked inside a large shopping centre. As well as the night guard trying to hunt you down, there’s a host of murderous animatronics on the prowl.
You must complete a number of tasks to survive the night and escape Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzaplex.
Released late last month on PC and PlayStation, now XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S owners can see how long they can survive.
■ Release: February 10
Wanted: Dead (PEGI 18) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, Switch, PC
This hybrid slasher/ shooter comes from a good pedigree – the makers of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive.
The game follows a week in the life of an elite Hong Kong police squad – Zombie Unit – which is on a mission to uncover a major corporate conspiracy.
Developer Soleil claims this will be one of the most challenging and rewarding games you’ll have ever played, and I have to say from teaser trailers and previews, it looks insane.
Giving off an old school PS2 era vibe, combat promises to be tough as old boots. Players can choose two weapons to carry, and your choice of back up weapon could be the difference between life and death.
The masochist in me is really looking forward to this one.
■ Release: February 14
Horizon Call of the
Mountain (PEGI 12)
PS5
Sony’s new virtual reality headset, the PlayStation VR2, is released this month, and spanking new hardware needs a shiny new game to show it off.
And what better title to launch on it than Horizon Call of the Mountain.
A spin-off to the acclaimed Horizon series, it follows Ryas, a former Shadow Carja rebel described as “a master at climbing and archery.”
To atone for his crimes, Ryas is sentenced to join an expedition to investigate a new threat to the Sundom. On his journey he’ll meet new and old faces, including the series’ main protagonist Aloy.
Horizon is well known for its stunning graphics, so players can expect an incredible, immersive VR world.
■ Release: February 22