Save the date
FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH FOR LOVE AND THERE’S PLENTY TO SET GAMERS’ HEARTS AFLUTTER
JANUARY is nearly at an end, and the loved up month of February is just around the corner.
A new month brings new titles, and there are some absolute corkers heading our way.
Horror fans can get their mitts on Dying Light 2 as the month opens, while the highly anticipated Horizon Forbidden West lands mid February.
And fantasy fans are in for a treat as the month ends, with the arrival of Elden Ring, penned by Game of Thrones author George R.R Martin, and legendary game director Hidetaka Miyazaki.
I hope you’ve saved some pennies, because this month could be very expensive.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human (PEGI 18)
PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX X/S, PC Release: February 2
The long-awaited sequel to 2015’s superb Dying Light, this RPG survival horror introduces new heroes to the zombie apocalypse.
Set 20 years after the fateful events of the first game, we find humanity on its knees.
There’s a new protagonist, who will use his impressive parkour skills to jump, flip, climb and scramble his way through swathes of undead.
Combat is much more connected to the game’s parkour system, and of course, weapon modding will allow you to craft some incredible melee weapons.
Developer Techland has also confirmed gamers who buy the PS4 or Xbox ONE versions of the game will be able to upgrade them to the PS5 and XBOX/S versions when/if they buy the new consoles.
Assassin’s Creed Ezio Collection (PEGI 16) Switch
Release: February 17
Players will find themselves rolling back the clock in more ways than one with this collection, which is landing on the Switch.
The Ezio Collection features three consecutive games in the long-running Assassin’s Creed series, 2009’s Assassin’s Creed II, 2010’s Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, and 2011’s Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.
Each game takes place in the distant past, Assassin’s Creed II in 15thcentury Renaissance Italy, Brotherhood in 16th-century Rome, fighting
the Borgias, and Revelations staying in the 1500s but this time in Constantinople and the feud between the Ottomans and the Byzantines.
As well as the base games – which have been beautifully remastered in 4k – the collection also includes all the subsequent DLC releases for the titles.
The King of Fighters XV (PEGI 16)
PS4, PS5, XBOX X/S, PC
Release: February 17
Of all the fighting game franchises over the years, I have to say, I think King of Fighters has been consistently the best.
Set after the events of the previous game, the story for this new release will primarily revolve around Shun’ei and Isla – two fighters with supernatural powers.
Developer SNK Corporation has confirmed there will be 39 playable characters at launch, consisting of 13 teams of three.
Gameplay-wise, the parry system has been renamed Shatter Strike, and MAX Mode system – which sees players able to unleash stronger techniques once energy bars are filled – has been reintroduced.
Horizon Forbidden West (PEGI 16) PS4, PS5 February 18
Release:
Huntress Aloy is back in this PlayStation exclusive, which fans have been chomping at the bit for since it was announced in June 2020.
Alongside new mechanical enemies to fight, Forbidden West introduces new characters to Aloy’s story – Tenakth warrior Kotallo, and the mysterious Tilda, voiced by Matrix star Carrie-Anne Moss.
There’s even a new villain – Regalla – voiced by the wonderful Angela Bassett.
Trailers and sneak peeks have hinted at some stunning new environments to explore, including some underwater segments.
PS5 owners had better be prepared for this game though, as leaks suggest it weighs in at a hefty 86GB – possibly closer to 100GB for players in Europe.