February’s gaming releases will see players travel through the mysteries of space and a familiar world of magic, exploring the past while forging their own future while taking the next step in immersion with the release of PlayStation VR2.
Deliver Us Mars
Find your family and hope for the future in this adventure sequel. Set 10 years after the events of Deliver Us The Moon, Deliver Us Mars follows the story of Kathy Johanson. Now an astronaut in training, Kathy has joined the crew of the Zephyr for one final mission: to recover technology that was stolen from the ARK colony ships. Along this journey across the unforgiving terrain of Mars, Kathy hopes to not only find the technology that will save the Earth and humanity from certain extinction but also find the source of a mysterious message hinting at the truth about the fate of her long-lost father, Isaac.
Players who pre-order will receive a discount on their game. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game along with a copy of the game’s soundtrack, which features a range of all-new tracks by composer Sander van Zanten.
Deliver Us Mars will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 2*
Hogwarts Legacy
The wizarding world awaits in this action adventure. Set in the 1890s, Hogwarts Legacy is a new tale in the world of Harry Potter, Playing as a new student of Hogwarts starting in the fifth year, players will soon find themselves in the middle of a battle for control. With the power to understand and master ancient magic, the player character must decide how their future will unfold – do they protect their secret and bury it deep inside or do they give into temptation and explore their power, embracing sinister magic to gain more power? This decision is made all the harder with a rising goblin rebellion and dark wizards hiding in the shadows of Hogsmeade.
Players who pre-order will receive an Onyx Hippogriff mount, with PlayStation users also unlocking the Haunted Hogsmeade Shop quest. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a Felix Felicis potion recipe and the Dark Arts Pack – which includes a Thestral mount, Dark Arts battle arena, Dark Arts cosmetic set and 72 hours Early Access. The Collector’s Edition – which is only available from select retailers – includes a copy of the game, Steelbook case, all the content in the Deluxe Edition along with a Kelpie robe and a life-size Floating Ancient Magic Wand with book base all in a limited edition collector’s box.
Hogwarts Legacy will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 10*
Wanted: Dead
Duty and truth collide in this cyberpunk adventure. In Wanted: Dead, the players are Lt Hannah Stone, a member of Hong Kong’s Zombie Unit. This elite police squad takes on the city’s seedy underbelly, taking on mercenaries, gangs and even private militias head-on to keep the people of Hong Kong safe. Following this unit for a week in their lives, players will be put in the middle of an investigation into a massive corporate conspiracy, complete with high-octane action with an explosive mix of slasher and shooter moves.
The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game in a Steelbook case, a copy of the game’s soundtrack on CD, 116-page hardcover Design Works artbook, a Zombie Unit magnet, postcard set and a collector’s box.
Wanted: Dead will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 14*
Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Take your place in history with this epic tale. Set against the backdrop of the Bakumatsu years of the Edo period in the mid 1800s, Like a Dragon: Ishin! follows the story of Sakamoto Ryōma. After returning to his hometown after the end of his sword training, Sakamoto soon finds himself on the run following the murder of his mentor, Yoshida Tōyō, by a highly trained warrior. Living under an alias in Kyoto, it will be up to players to help Sakamoto find out the truth of what happened while tracking down the practitioners of Tennen Rishin, the fighting style which led to Yoshida’s assassination.
Players who pre-order will receive three bonus weapons – the Kijinmaru Kunishige, the Tsuyano Usukurenai and the Black Ship Cannon. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, the pre-order bonus content, a Dragon of Dojima skin, gun upgrade kit, sword upgrade kit and a Third Division Armament Expansion kit.
Like A Dragon: Ishin! will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 21*
PlayStation VR2
Experience the next generation of virtual reality with the launch of PlayStation VR2. With 3D audio technology, intelligent eye tracking and 4K visuals, players will be able to experience virtual reality gameplay on a whole new level. With launch titles including The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2, Resident Evil Village, Horizon: Call of the Mountain and The Dark Pictures: Switchback, players will be able to jump right into all the action from some of their favourite franchises.
With finger touch detection, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in the PSVR2 Sense controller and four times the visual resolution of the original PSVR system and a 110-degree view, this aims to be the most immersive virtual reality experience and a whole new dimension of play. PlayStation VR2 comes either as a standalone item with controllers, charger cable and headphones or as a bundle with a digital copy of Horizon: Call of the Mountain. Additional controllers, wireless headsets and controller charging docks are sold separately.
PlayStation VR2 will be available from February 22*
Octopath Traveler II
New stories are waiting to be told in this JRPG. For Octopath Traveler II, players will head to Solistia and meet a new cast of colourful characters, each with their own story to tell. From the scholar Osvald’s quest for revenge, the haunting tale of the warrior Hikari and the lofty ambitions of the dancer Agnea and the merchant Partitio, these new tales weave into the discovery of all this world has to offer, with each new story bringing a new perspective, new goals and a sense of connection like never before.
Players who pre-order will receive the Travelers Provisions pack, featuring bonus in-game consumables, with a Steelbook case also available as a bonus via select retailers. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, an art album, a set of extended Battle Tracks and a Travelers Bust set in a limited-edition collector’s box.
Octopath Traveler II will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from February 24*
Scars Above
Discover a new world in this sci-fi exploration adventure. In Scars Above, players follow Dr Kate Ward, a scientist who is part of the Sentient Contact Assessment and Response, or SCAR, team. Sent to investigate a mysterious alien structure known as the Metahedron, Kate soon finds herself and her team hurtled across the galaxy to a mysterious planet. Waking up dazed and alone in the extrasolar world, Kate must use her skills as a scientist to find her team, survive in this hostile world and figure out the truth behind the Metahedron and unravel the mysteries hidden within – all with the hope of finding a way back home.
Taking inspiration from classic sci-fi, Sacrs Above will take a different approach to other games in the genre. At the core of this is that Kate is a scientist and not a soldier. Players will have to rely on their crafting skills, resource management and ability to adapt and learn as they go, using Kate’s scientific knowledge to figure out the best course of action. With different biomes – each with its own distinct set of challenges and secrets – spread across this alien world, players will have the chance to immerse themselves fully in this world and all it has to offer.
Scars Above will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 28*
Free to Play
Those with an active Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will have two titles to download and keep for free this month. For The King will be available from February 1-28*, with Guts n Goals available from February 16 to March 15*.
Over on PlayStation, players with any tier of Plus subscription will have four new titles to download and keep for free this month. From February 7*, Evil Dead: The Game, OlliOlli World and the Beyond Light expansion for Destiny 2 will be available on both PS4 and PS5, with Mafia: The Definitive Edition available on PS4.
Those with connected Twitch and Amazon Prime accounts will be able to claim the following games for free this month:
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind GOTY Edition
- Onsen Master
- Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield
- Divine Knockout
- One Hand Clapping
- BATS: Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad
- Space Crew: Legendary Edition
- Tunche
- Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator
Full details on how to claim these games, along with drops and bonuses for titles including Marvel’s Avengers, Fall Guys, Warframe, League of Legends and more, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
February 1* – Rhythm Sprout: Sick Beats & Bad Sweets (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch)
February 2* – Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Life is Strange 2 (Switch), Tails: The Backbone Preludes (PC), Perish (PC), Fashion Police Squad (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Active DBG: Brave’s Rage (PS5, Switch, PC)
February 7* – Endling – Extinction is Forever (iOS, Android), Prison Tycoon: Under New Management (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch)
February 10* – Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (Xbox Series X/S)
February 14* – Blanc (Switch, PC), Karagon (PC – Steam Early Access)
February 15* – Pharaoh: A New Era (PC), Returnal (PC), Corpse Keeper (PC – Steam Early Access)
February 16* – Theatrhythm Final Bar Line (PS4, Switch), Wild West Dynasty (PC – Steam Early Access)
February 17* – Gigantosaurus: Dino Kart (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Tales of Symphonia Remastered (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), The Settlers: New Allies (PC), Wild Hearts (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Hunt Showdown – Limited Bounty Hunter Edition Xbox One, PS4)
February 21* – Atomic Heart (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
February 22* – Digimon World: Next Order (Switch, PC), Rez Infinite (PS5), Tetris Effect: Connected (PS5)
February 23* – Blood Bowl 3 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Company of Heroes 3 (PC), Sons of the Forest (PC)
February 24* – Clive ‘N’ Wrench (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe (Switch), the Pale Beyond (PC), Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Kerbal Space Program 2 (PC – Steam Early Access), Do Not Open (PS4), SpongeBob Squarepants: Krusty Cook-Off (Switch), Broken Pieces (PS4, PS5)
February 28* – Destiny 2: Lightfall (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Dungeons of Aether (PC), Fernbus Coach Simulator (PS5)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Information correct at time of writing
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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