February’s gaming releases offer a delightful selection to enjoy. From pirate adventures to ancient Europe, the opportunity to shape the world, uncover secrets of the past, or simply carve your own path in a new life means there’s something for everyone to explore this month.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
It’s back to Bohemia for this highly anticipated sequel. Kingdom Come Deliverance II continues the story of Henry of Skalitz, the son of a blacksmith turned knight. Now serving as an envoy for Sir Radzig Kobyla, Henry is also out for revenge against the usurper King Sigismund – the man responsible for the deaths of his family. This time around, Henry is accompanied by Sir Hans Capon and a small entourage as Henry is tasked with getting a message to an ally of Sigismund’s whose allegiance to the King may be wavering. Along the way, players will have to the opportunity to mould their story through their choices and interactions as they travel through the Bohemian Paradise.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Lion’s Crest bonus quest. The Gold Edition includes the base game, the Gallant Huntsman’s Kit and the Expansion Pass – which includes three upcoming expansions and the Shields of Seasons Passing. The physical Collector’s Edition includes the base game, all the content in the Gold Edition, a Coats of Valor enamel pin set, Letter of Hope, Alley of Kuttenburg cloth map, The King’s Rebels collectable card set and 12in/30cm statue of Henry and Pebbles all in a special Collector’s Edition box.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 4*
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
Build the greatest civilization the world has ever seen with the latest edition of Sid Meier’s Civilization. In Civilization VII, players will be able to choose their leaders and civilisations independently and there will be more scope in what makes a leader. In prior editions, leaders have been heads of state, but now philosophers, religious leaders and scientists are now among the options – with civilizations favouring certain attributes. With careful planning and resource management, players will be able to guide their chosen civilizations through the various eras of history, adapting as they go. This will also include navigating “crisis events” which will impact future eras depending on player choices.
Players who pre-order will receive the Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack, adding a new Exploration Age civilization to the game along with their leader, Tecumseh. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, Early Access from February 6, Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack, the Crossroads of the World collection – which will add two new leaders, four new civilizations, four new Natural Wonders and other post-launch content – and the Deluxe Content Pack with bonus leader personas, profile customisations and an alternate scout skin.
The Founders Edition includes the base game, all the content in the Deluxe Edition, Early Access from February 6, the Right to Rule Collection including new leaders, civilizations, wonders, cosmetic bonuses and post-launch DLC and the Founders Content Pack including two additional leader personas, profile customisation options, Fog of War tile set and Founders palace skin.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac from February 11*
Avowed
Explore the Living Lands in this magic and melee RPG. Set in the world of Eora, Avowed sees players take on the role of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire who has been sent to the Living Lands. This region of Eora is full of lush forests, caves, valleys and desert land. With help from companions and knowledge from the Grimoire, players will travel through the different locations as they discover more about the entity known as the Dream Scourge – which has been plaguing the peoples of the Living Lands and could only just be the beginning of something much deeper and more sinister bubbling under the surface.
The Standard Edition will also be available on Game Pass at release. The Premium Edition includes the base game, up to five days Early Access, digital artbook, digital soundtrack and skin packs featuring two sets of bonus skins for each companion. Players with the Standard Edition will have the option to upgrade via the Premium Upgrade Pack, which is available as a standalone item.
Avowed will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PC from February 18*
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1
Rewind and revisit the mysteries of the past with this narrative adventure. Taking place in Michigan in both 1995 and 2022, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is the story of four girls – the player character Swann and her friends Nora, Autumn and Kat – as they form a punk band one summer and forge bonds through player interactions and decisions. On this journey of self-discovery, players will also be faced with a fateful event which impacted the lives of the girls and shaped who they would become as adults. It will be up to players to learn more about this during the first tape – Bloom – and the second – Rage – in April.
The game will launch with Tape 1, with those who order before the release of Tape 2 on April 15* gaining access to the content on launch day. Early buyers will also receive a 10% discount on their purchase. A physical release with both parts will be coming to PlayStation this Summer and is available for pre-order at select retailers now.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 18*
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Set sail and reclaim your life in this swashbuckling spin-off. Set after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii follows Goro Majima. Formerly of the Tojo Clan, Majima has ended up on Rich Island with no memories of his past life. With a little help from Noah Rich and his father Jason, Majima learns more about his location and the conflict going on between the local Hawaiian pirates and the Japanese Yakuza. After learning of a hidden treasure coveted by both sides, Majima decides to form his own crew on his own ship setting out on the first part of his quest – to the pirate haven of Madlantis and the fearsome Queen Michele.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Ichiban Pirate Crew and Ichiban Special Outfit sets. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, ship customization pack, Legendary Outfit pack, Legendary Pirate Crew pack and Extra Karaoke & CD pack. The Collector’s Edition includes the base game, all the content from the Deluxe Edition, cloth pirate flag, eye patch, Treasure Coin pin and 6in Acrylic standee of Goro Majima.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 21*
Monster Hunter Wilds
The ultimate hunting experience awaits in the latest chapter from the world of Monster Hunter. In Monster Hunter Wilds, players will be sent to the Forbidden Lands – a mysterious and mostly unexplored region. In the past, a young boy – Nata – was found near the border of these lands. After hearing tales of monsters and an attack on Nata’s village, the Guild chose to send an expedition team. Now, that team has gone missing and it will be up to the player – working either alone or in up to four players in co-op – to venture forth and discover what happened, learning more about the monsters that await beyond the borders of the Forbidden Lands.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Guild Knight armour and Hope Charm talisman. Those who pre-order on PlayStation will also receive a Digital Mini Art book. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and Deluxe Pack – which includes bonus cosmetics, Layered Armour set, gestures, sticker sets and Hunter profile nameplate. The Premium Deluxe Edition includes the base game, Deluxe Edition content, a bonus music track “Proof of a Hero”, Hunter profile set (nameplate, background, pose), bonus Layered Armor items and two post-launch cosmetic DLC packs coming in Spring and Summer.
Players with save data for either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter World: Iceborne will unlock an Armour Set and weapon for Felyne and a bonus nameplate based on their data. To be eligible for these bonuses, players will have to meet certain story requirements and the data must also be on the same system used to play Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from February 28*
Free to Play
On PlayStation, PS Plus subscribers on all three tiers will have three titles to download and keep for free this month. From February 4* High On Life and Pac-Man World Re-Pac will be available for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with Payday 3 available on PlayStation 5.
Additionally, there will also be a shift towards focusing on PS5 titles being offered as the Monthly Games on PS Plus starting from next year. More information about this can be found on the PlayStation Blog.
Full information on this month’s free titles available on Prime Gaming – and the Amazon Luna cloud streaming service – along with details on how to claim them can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
February 4* – Rogue Waters (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch)
February 5* – Rift of the Necrodancer (PC), While Waiting (PC, Switch)
February 6* – Big Helmet Heroes (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Moons of Darsalon (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Keep Driving (PC)
February 7* – Ys: The Oath in Felghana (PS4, PS5, Switch), Ailuri (PC, Switch)
February 13* – Recall: Empty Wishes (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Slime Heroes (Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC), Urban Myth Dissolution Center (PS5, Switch, PC), Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch)
February 14* – The Legend of Heroes: Trials Through Daybreak II (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Afterlove EP (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC)
February 19* – HPL Nyarlathotep Rising (PC)
February 20* – Godzilla Voxel Wars (Switch), The King of Fighters XIII: Global Match (PC), Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
February 21* – Die in the Dungeon (PC)
February 25* – Ninja Five-0 (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
February 27* – Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection (Switch, PC)
February 28* – OMEGA 6: The Triangle Stars (Switch, PC), PGA Tour 2K25 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Dollhouse: Behind The Broken Mirror (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary. Dates subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.