January is over, and with that we can state that Square Enix’s new big game Forspoken by no means delivered the goods, and could well have used more time in the pot. It fared much better with EA’s new version of the space horror Dead Space, which delivered an engaging and intense atmosphere. Furthermore, we got some fairly decent games in One Piece Odyssey and Fire Emblem Engage.
One of the things we enjoyed the most in January, however, is the first episodes of HBO’s lavish The Last of Us series, which is playing on the screens right now.
And with that we look forward once again.
Hogwarts Legacy
Now it will soon be your turn to play with sorcery.
Warner Bros Interactive
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows
Out: February 10
One of the most popular book series of all time seems to finally be getting the game it deserves. In Hogwarts Legacy, we take on the role of a new student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and get to explore the great school and all the exciting things around it. You get to create your own student, and through the game’s story you get to master various forms of sorcery, make potions, and even tame magical animals.
Naturally, there is trouble ahead, and as a promising student of magic, you will of course be an important piece in the challenges that follow. In Hogwarts Legacy, the tour takes you all the way back to 1890 to get a solid insight into a completely different time period in the Harry Potter universe.
See pictures, read articles and find the best price on Hogwarts Legacy
Wild Hearts
There is nothing to say about the view in any case.
EA Originals
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Windows
Out: February 17
It is not often that large Western game companies collaborate with Japanese developers, but EA found it was time to do so, allied itself with Dynasty Warriors studio Omega Force, and is now only weeks away from launching the monster hunting game Wild Hearts.
In Wild Hearts we travel to Azuma, a fantasy world inspired by old Japan. Here, up to three players can go on adventures together to hunt massive monsters. It must be allowed to say that the game draws a little inspiration from the Monster Hunter series, but there is not necessarily anything wrong with that, as long as the game is good. In any case, Wild Hearts seems to offer some original ideas where, for example, you get to build objects and machines in the fight against the beast.
See pictures, read articles and find the best price on Wild Hearts
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Here we have intense VR action in store.
Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform: PlayStation 5
Out: February 22
In February, Sony launches the PlayStation VR2, a brand new set of VR glasses for the PlayStation 5, and then we need an exciting game that demonstrates what the new hardware is capable of. Horizon Call of the Mountain is, as you probably understand, a game in the Horizon universe. We take on the role of Ryas, a mountain climbing and archery master who has to face many of the same challenges Aloy has already faced.
Unlike the other Horizon games, this game is in first person, and it is quite linear in structure, although you will be given many paths and ways to reach your goal. If you just want to take in the beautiful landscape, the game offers the River Ride mode where you get a guided tour through the vast landscape.
See pictures, read articles and find the best price on Horizon Call of the Mountain
Company of Heroes 3
Platform: Windows
Out: February 23
Shall we go to war or go to the beach today?
Sega
Almost ten years after the first game in the series, it is finally time for new strategic challenges based on the Second World War. This time we take the trip a little further south, and get to play as the Allied forces during the invasion of Italy, while the Axis powers go to attack North Africa.
When Relic Entertainment started development, they gathered modders and players to find out what they should focus on in the third game. This is one of the reasons why the game explores completely new areas in war history. Possibly as a consequence of this, we have got a new pause function where you can put several commands in a queue which will be executed when you start the game again.
See pictures, read articles and find the best price on Company of Heroes 3
Octopath Traveler II
Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Out: February 24
Octopath Traveler II introduces us to new heroes.
Square Enix
Octopath Traveler from 2018 was a pretty special game when it came out. It mixed a visual style inspired by the pixel graphics on consoles such as the Super Nintendo with a three-dimensional environment and modern effects, and it was a great success. The game did well for Square Enix, something that it is clear they will build on when Octopath Traveler II is just around the corner.
In Octopath Traveler II, we meet a whole new group of adventurers in a whole new world that will be much more modern than the traditional medieval setting from the first game. In addition, the story will be more connected this time, instead of a series of separate stories that barely touch each other. We can also expect more of the wonderful turn-based battle theme that made the battles in the original so entertaining.
See pictures, read articles and find the best price for Octopath Traveler II
Everything between heaven and earth
Destiny 2: Lightfall offers new adventures.
Bungie
We have a lot of games coming up in February, and the ones we’ve already mentioned are just the beginning. For those who love solid doses of action, games such as the shooter Atomic Heart, or the action game Wanted: Dead from a number of Ninja Gaiden developers may be something for you. The PlayStation 5 game Returnal is coming to Windows, and Journey to the Savage Planet is making its way to new platforms as well.
There will be more action in the Destiny 2 expansion Lightfall, which aims to get the players a little extra speed again. We get more action with a sci-fi twist in Deliver Us Mars and Scars Above.
For those who think it suits them better with a calmer pace and using the little grays, Ubisoft offers The Settlers: New Allies. Here the developers seem to focus less on resources and more on war, a risky move if you ask me. Furthermore, we find the restaurant simulator Chef Life, Football Manager 2023, and not least Blood Bowl 3.
If you need your monthly dose of Japanese games, there are a couple to brush up on. Cave crawler Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society offers turn-based battles from Nippon Ichi, while Like a Dragon: Ishin! sending us back in time for new Yakuza adventures.
Blanc offered something very unique.
Gearbox Publishing
Theathrhythm Final Bar Line is a new game in the rhythm music series from Square Enix, and if rhythm games are your thing, it might be an idea to check out Rhythm Sprout as well.
Furthermore, we find both one and the other this month. Fashion Police Squad is on its way to a console near you, while Life is Strange 2 makes its way to Switch. It’s not just that, since Digimon World: Next Order and Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe do exactly the same thing.
Finally, we can include the side-scrolling action game Helvetii, Sons of the Forest which mixes survival with horror, and finally the charming game Blanc, where in a hand-drawn black and white style we meet a small deer and a wolf who have to go on a journey together.
Happy playing!
