Coming up in Gaming – February 2017
The time after Christmas is not traditionally a big boom for the video game industry. Most of the biggest releases have come out in the preceding months in the run-up to the holiday period and the next instalment of AAA games does not normally hit until the beginning of Spring. That doesn’t mean there aren’t a few exciting titles set to hit store shelves this February, though, as you can see below.
Big Hitters
Arguably the most high-profile release in February is the Xbox One and Windows 10 exclusive Halo Wars 2. The sequel to the 2009 game Halo Wars, which was created by Age of Empires developer Ensemble Studios, it is one of Microsoft’s biggest exclusives this year. Developed in a partnership between 343 Industries and Creative Assembly, it will see players take control of the same UNSC group from the first game, though, the events take place some 28 years later just after the events of Halo 5: Guardians. The real-time strategy game features similar gameplay to its predecessor but also introduces a new Blitz game mode that streamlines many of the mechanics to create a more fast-paced variation. It is set to launch on February 21.
Nioh, set to hit store shelves on February 9, is a new game from Team Ninja. Created as an action role-playing game it will be available from February 7, giving players the chance to explore 1600s dark fantasy version of Japan as they search for a villain who has escaped to the country. The game focuses on a hack and slash style of gameplay as the samurai protagonist battles through enemies that include the supernatural yokai.
Nintendo has had few big releases in the last few months as it gears up to launch its newest console with the Nintendo Switch. One of the few is a 3DS version of a well-received Wii U platformer in the form of Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World. The port includes all of the levels from the original game alongside a new bonus mode known as Poochy Dash, whereby players can take control of the dog through a collection of new areas. Players in Europe and America can grab the game from February 3.
Finally, the last large release is a title from Ubisoft called For Honor. The online action fighting game will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One from February 14. Inspired by a medieval fantasy setting, the game will see players choose between three different factions as they try to gain supremacy. These factio0sn are inspired by knights, samurai, and Vikings respectively, with a collection of classes also provided for players to choose from.
Other Releases
Candleman | February 1 | Xbox One
Gladiator: Sword of Vengence | February 1 | PC
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 | February 1 | iOS / Android
Alwa’s Awakening | February 2 | PC
Fire Emblem Heroes | February 2 | iOS / Android
Knee Deep | February 3 | Xbox One
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Ultimate Ninja Storm 4: Road to Boruto | February 3 | PC / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One
Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic | February 3 | Xbox One
Mobius Final Fantasy | February 6 | PC
Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book | February 7 | PC
Gunmetal Arcadia | February 7 | PC / Mac / Linux
Nights of Azure | February 7 | PC
Touhou Genso Wanderer | February 7 | PlayStation 4 / PS Vita
BOOR | February 14 | PC
MX Nitro | February 14 | PC / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One
Amy Gals | February 15 | PC / Mac / Linux
The Wardrobe | February 15 | PC / Mac
Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf | February 16 | PC
Beserk and the Band of the Hawk | February 26 | PlayStation 4
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns | February 28 | Nintendo 3DS
The Last Weekend | February 28 | PC / Mac
X-Plane 11 | February 28 | PC / Mac / Linux
Free Games
Games With Gold
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime | Xbox One
Project CARS | Xbox One
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge | Xbox 360
Killer Instinct Season Two Ultra Edition | Xbox 360
PlayStation Plus
LittleBigPlanet 3 | PlayStation 4
Not a Hero | PlayStation 4
Starwal | PlayStation 3
Anna – Extended Edition | PlayStation 3
Ninja Senki DX | PS Vita
TorqueL | PS Vita