Hottest Game Releases of February 2021
February 2021 Brings New Exclusives and Indie Hits
A new year of gaming is just getting started! January 2021 had a handful of note-worthy new releases. Though February isn't traditionally one of the big months for major releases, the launch of the Xbox Series X/S and the Playstation 5 have put significantly more focus on the early part of the year. Here are the hottest games we have to look forward to for February 2021!
Destruction AllStars (Feb 2 - PS5)
True 'next-gen' exclusive titles have been fairly rare so far, but Sony finally has another exclusive title for its PlayStation 5 on the way. Destruction AllStars is a vehicular combat game that feels like one part Demolition Derby and one part Rocket League. Drivers of high-octane vehicles seek to be the last driver standing in epic matches with spectacular crashes and unique special weapons.
Though initially intended to be a launch title for the PS5, Destruction AllStars is kicking of Sony's February release slate by not only providing what looks like an incredibly fun multiplayer experience, but one that might help to bring the long-dormant field of vehicular combat games back to life in a way that puts them more in line with modern hero shooters like Overwatch or Apex Legends.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood (Feb 4 – PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X)
If you were a fan of role-playing games in the 1990s, you're doubtlessly familiar with White Wolf's Werewolf. A part of the larger World of Darkness that has famously included games from the Vampire: The Masquerade line, Werewolf has always been a game that's been about keeping balance while exploring the beast within. This February, players will have a chance to get even more familiar with the world of the Garou by jumping into this action-RPG.
The big draw of Werewolf is the shapeshifting mechanic. Taking on the role of a Werewolf, players will be able to switch between a tool-using human form, a silent wolf, and a powerful werewolf form. Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood delves deep into the world of the RPG, so fans are sure to find something they'll love here.
Nuts (Feb 4th – PC, Switch)
In a world of games that seem to be big on making serious artistic statements, sometimes it's nice to get a little silly. If Nuts is anything, it's a game that delves deeply into the absurd. Taking on the role of a university researcher, you'll spend your time setting up a surveillance network to watch squirrels in this charming game.
Though there are some deeper mysteries involved in this game, the charming art style and the silly premise help to make it one of the lighter and breezier releases to find their way to the PC and Switch this winter. This is definitely a must-watch for fans of the unusual.
Little Nightmares II (Feb 11th – PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch)
Little Nightmares was a surprise hit, a fiendishly clever horror puzzle-platformer that thrusts players into the role of a child in an incredibly unusual and macabre world.
Little Nightmares II looks to offer a continuation of the original story, with a much broader scope and an all-new world. Though players of the first game will be happy to get a chance to continue Six's adventures, even those who have never had a chance to play through the original will still get a lot out of the game's unique world and its commitment to offering up a twisted and terrifying sort of experience.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (Feb 12 – Switch)
Super Mario 3D World was a great addition to the Super Mario universe that went largely unnoticed thanks to its release on Nintendo's underperforming Wii U. Luckily, the game is getting a chance to find an entirely new audience on the Switch and the updated port even comes with a brand new expansion.
While players can and should give the original a shot, the real star here is Bowser's Fury. An all-new experience that features a Godzilla-sized Bowser, it's one of the most entertaining Super Mario Bros. experiences to come out in recent years. If you're a fan of the original or just want a chance to spend more time with the world's favorite plumbers, this might be a game for you.
Shattered: Tale Of The Forgotten King (Feb 17 – PC Early Access)
This new action-RPG is a freshman effort for Redlock Studio, and there's no doubt that it's an ambitious project. Shattered: Tale Of The Forgotten King looks to combine the punishing sensibilities of the Dark Souls games with exploration and platforming, it's the kind of dark action-RPG that seems tailor-made for certain types of players.
Though it's still in Early Access at this point, the game shows every sign of having a promising final build. Though it takes elements from other games, there's no doubt that this game is trying to create something that feels new.
30XX (Feb 17 – PC Early Access)
If you're a fan of the Megaman series or action-platformers, 30XX should be at the top of your list this February. It's an Early Access game that liberally borrows the aesthetics of the old Capcom games and combines them with more modern roguelite elements, 30XX takes features like precision platforming and big boss battles and puts them into an entertaining blender.
30XX is definitely a game for those who have always wanted an updated spin on the classics, this is a fantastic throwback release for fans who have been left wanting by the recent releases from bigger developers.
King of Seas (Feb 18 – PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
Pirate games are surprisingly few and far between. Though Microsoft has had some success with Sea of Thieves, there's clearly room for more of these games on the open ocean.
King of Seas drops players into a huge open, procedurally generated world and allows them to find their own paths to becoming the King of Seas. With a world full of larger-than-life characters, amazing naval combat and some interesting navigational systems, this is a game that really scratches the kind of piratical itch that keeps players coming back to this genre.
Persona 5 Strikers (Feb 23)
Persona 5 was one of the best-received RPGs on the Playstation 4, and it's already received a few spin-offs. The latest, Persona 5 Strikers, combines the series with elements of the Dynasty Warriors franchise.
What that means for players is that not only will they get the typical deep story and mechanics that they're used to from a Persona game, but they'll also get the kind of frantic hack-and-slash action that typifies a Dynasty Warriors experience. A fun new chapter in the world of Persona 5, this game is not only a must-play for anyone who loved the original game but also a great experience for fans of beat 'em ups.
Curse of the Dead Gods (Feb 23 – PC (available now), PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
There's something about roguelikes that keeps players come back again and again. Curse of the Dead Gods takes elements from games like Hades and Darkest Dungeon to create its own macabre world, one that's replete with monsters to fight and curses to embrace as you make your way through a seemingly-endless dungeon.
With frequent updates and a unique atmosphere that makes it stand out in a crowded genre, Curse of the Dead Gods is a game to watch if you're a fan of dungeon crawlers or if you've got a desire to see how the roguelike genre can continue to grow.