EA Sports UFC 3
Test your mettle in the Octagon in the latest edition of the UFC franchise from EA Sports. In UFC 3, players will have the opportunity to put their fighting skills to the true test in the new G.O.A.T Career mode. In this single-player mode, players will have to work their way through the ranks of the World Fighting Alliance in the hopes of advancing to the heights of the UFC. Hone your fighter, unlock new contract bonuses and make your gym the best it can be in order to earn the title of the Greatest Of All Time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiwpUtdmW-0
Players who pre-order will receive a bonus pack to help them kick off their Ultimate Team. The pack will include 500 UFC points, five premium Ultimate Team packs and a choice of one Loan Champion Edition Fighter and Move to use in Ultimate Team. Players who opt for the Champions Edition will be able to unlock early access to the game, up to three days early. In addition, the Champions Edition also includes one Permanent Champion Fighter and Move for Ultimate Team, 20 Premium Packs – to be delivered over 10 weeks – as well as the 500 UFC points and five Ultimate Team packs.
EA Sports UFC 3 will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from February 2*
Shadow of the Colossus
A classic tale is reimagined in this long-awaited remaster. In Shadow of the Colossus, players take on the role of Wander, a young man who is looking to resurrect a woman called Mono. Travelling to the Forbidden Land, Wander must face a series of creatures – the Colossi – in order to restore Mono. With only his horse Agro for company, Wander must rely on his wits to survive as there is nowhere to hide from the Colossi.
With this remaster for the PlayStation 4, players will be able to experience this classic tale like never before. With updated visuals, gameplay mechanics and sounds, Shadow of the Colossus looks to showcase what the PlayStation has become using one of the most beloved titles from the past with current ultra HD technology.
Shadow of the Colossus will be available on PlayStation 4 from February 7*
Dragon Quest Builders
Alefgard is yours to rebuild one piece at a time in this new story from Dragon Quest. In this spin on the original story – the player finds themselves surrounded by little more than desolate ruins after being duped by the Dragonlord. Now facing the gruelling task of rebuilding the once thriving lands of Alefgard, players are now put in the role of legendary builders, awoken by the Guardian Spirit to bless the land with magic once more and restore it to its former glory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCmct2rhOZc
With a little help from those left behind in Alefgard, players will have to gather resources and materials to accomplish their mission and will be able to have control over every aspect of rebuilding their kingdoms. With a cast of colourful characters to help – and possibly hinder – your progress, Dragon Quest Builders is a new twist on the franchise for players to explore.
Dragon Quest Builders will be available on Nintendo Switch from February 9*
Bayonetta 1 & 2
Battle through the magic-filled streets of Vigrid as the beloved Bayonetta series comes to Nintendo Switch with Bayonetta 1 & 2. In this Switch release, players will be able to play as the sword-wielding witch like never before. From battling angels and demons to journeying through the Gates of Hell, players will be able to enjoy the first two chapters of the story, now with the new addition of the Switch’s multiplayer capability to join forces in new online and multiplayer modes.
Each copy of Bayonetta 1 & 2 on Nintendo Switch will include a download code for the first Bayonetta and a physical copy of Bayonetta 2, allowing players to play the complete story in this action-packed magical saga. Also available will be the Special Edition, which will include both games, a limited edition steelbook case, sticker sheets and a set of verse cards.
Bayonetta 1 & 2 will be available on Nintendo Switch from February 16*
Metal Gear Survive
The world of Metal Gear goes to a whole new dimension in this latest edition. Set between Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Survive focuses on the soldiers of Militiares Sans Frontieres at Mother Base. After a mysterious wormhole opens up, the soldiers find themselves transported to another reality, where the area around the base is overrun with hostile creatures. Players will be able to work alone or a part of a unit to rebuild Mother Base and keep the hordes at bay while trying to find a way home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAkVfko1ulk
Players who pre-order will be able to unlock the Day One Survival Pack bonus, filled with extra items and accessories for players to use. Included in the pack are 2 additional player gestures, additional Kabuki face paints, four extra survival scarves, a Mother Base nameplate, Boxman accessory and four gold-plated weapons – a bat, sledgehammer, spear and machete – to add to the arsenal from the beginning.
Metal Gear Survive will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from February 22*
Age of Empires Definitive Edition
History is updated in this special edition release. In Age of Empires, players must build their civilisations from humble hunter-gatherer beginnings to being an expansive, conquering empire. With each of the twelve civilisations comes a series of obstacles to overcome if players wish to proper. Build armies to scout new lands and defend cities, collect resources to thrive, and research new technologies and advancements to evolve in this real-time strategy icon.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition will feature the base game – complete with 4K visual and sound upgrades – along with the complete Rise of Rome expansion. This first expansion includes new architecture and four additional ancient civilisations for players to explore – Palmyra, Macedon, Carthage and the titular Roman Empire. The expansion also includes new map types and sizes, military units and the pathfinding option unlocked for all unit types, allowing for greater exploration across the world.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition will be available on PC from February 27*
Free to Play
On Xbox, Gold subscribers will have four new titles to download and play for free this month. On Xbox One, Shadow Warrior will be available from February 1-28*, with Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India available from February 16 to March 15*. Over on Xbox 360 – and available on Xbox One via Backward Compatibility – Split/Second will be downloadable from February 1-15*, followed by Crazy Taxi from February 16-28*
Over on PlayStation, active PS Plus subscribers will have seven games to download and play for free across the PlayStation family. From February 6*, Knack and RiME will be available on PS4, Spelunker HD and Mugen Souls Z will be downloadable on PS3, with Exiles End on PS Vita and Grand Kingdom on PS Vita and PS4. Finally, as an additional bonus, StarBlood Arena will be available on PSVR.
Also Released This Month
February 1* – Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age (PC), Tangledeep (PC)
February 2* – Past Cure (Xbox One, PS4)
February 6* – Blackhole (PS4)
February 8* – The Binding of Isaac: AfterBirth+ (PS4), Sid Meiers Civilization VI: Rise and Fall (PC), Attack of the Earthlings (PC)
February 9* – Portal Knights (Switch), Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] (PS4), The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia (PS4), The Count Lucanor (Switch)
February 13* – Dynasty Warriors 9 (Xbox One, PS4), Overcooked: Special Edition (Switch), Kingdom Come Deliverance (Xbox One, PS4), Monster Energy Supercross (Xbox One, PS4), Owlboy(Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
February 15* – Secret of Mana (PS4),
February 16* – Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology (3DS), The Longest 5 Minutes (Switch), Fe (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC)
February 20* – Age of Empires Definitive Edition (PC)
February 21* – Rad Rodgers (Xbox One, PS4)
February 22* – Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus (Switch)
February 23* – Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet (Xbox One, PS4), Past Cure (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Payday 2 (Switch), Chicken Range (PS4, PS Vita, Switch), The American Dream (PSVR), Soldam: Drop/Connect/Erase (Switch)
February 27* – De Blob 2 (Xbox One, PS4), Shiny (PS4), Gravel (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. All dates correct at time of writing
Words by Megan Roxburgh