January ends with a couple big games but February is rocking. Leave it up to gaming to release more huge games in the shortest month but here we are.
Many of these I am reviewing currently or have previews up so make sure to Subscribe to see the exclusive coverage coming up KCD 2, Avowed, monster hunter, Sniper Elite resistance and more day and date.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 - 4th
We are almost there. Kingdom come came years ago delivery a dirt and blood simulator, an immersive sim where you got to see just what it would be like being a no one and then climbing the ranks of the med-evil elite only to also still be no one.
I am playing it now for review, but everyone in the world on the 4th will be able to leap into the muddied pantyhose of the loser known as Henry
The developers at Warhorse Studios have doubled down on the scale of the world the sequel raises the stakes with a game world twice as large. Two key areas make up this sprawling map: Bohemian Paradise and Kutná Hora.
As with the prior game Kingdom Come 2 is diving into the old immersive sim world. Diving into the life of Henry as his story continues across a new locations, through a world with dynamic day and nights, full weather, NPCs schedules where walking around at night without a torch instantly gets ya suspicion, and trying to sell bloody cloths to the wife of the guy you just murdered may get you worse where reputation follows you and in fact many times proceeds you.
When you step into the shoes of Henry again you’ll find a character who has grown pretty spectacularly since the first game. No longer just the blacksmith's son, Henry has matured into a battle-tested warrior and a figure of significance in the political and military chaos of Bohemia. The story picks up directly where the original left off. Without spoiling too much, it revolves around the continuation of Bohemia's civil war and the looming threat of Emperor Sigismund. Along the way, you’ll encounter historical figures, unravel conspiracies, and be forced to make tough decisions that could tip the scales of power.
Combat is getting a major upgrade in this sequel. If you remember the first game’s emphasis on realism, that same philosophy is carried forward, but now it’s even sharper. The introduction of crossbows and early firearms adds complexity to places where it just wasn't there in the original.
Armor and weapon maintenance remain critical in the upcoming sequel. Neglect your equipment, and you’ll find your sword dull or your armor failing in the heat of battle. This mechanic continues the franchise’s commitment to realism, requiring players to actively care for their gear to ensure optimal performance during intense combat scenarios.
One of the standout features of the first game was its emphasis on meaningful choices, and the sequel cranks that up to 11. Every decision you make ripples through the world. NPCs respond to your actions dynamically; for example, stealing from a merchant might lead to higher prices in nearby towns as word spreads of your thievery. Dialogue options adapt based on Henry’s reputation, skills, and past actions. If you’ve built a reputation as a merciless warrior, characters may fear you, while a silver-tongued diplomat might charm their way out of conflict. Additionally, multiple quest outcomes ensure that no two play-through are the same. For instance, a side quest can have a ton of parts one part stealth, the other threats, fighting off some bandits, hunting down wolves and then working through a mystery to find out where the culprit made off to. They are complex and many times multi part. Almost nothing Henry does or gets done to him or doesn't want done to him is complicated.
Warhorse Studios continues its tradition of grounding the game in real history. Every location, character, and piece of lore has been researched to be realistic in some way. I mean shit its still a game so expect crazy antics and your Henry which means a bevy of bad decisions in a fucking DMV line of hilarious memories and most likely a huge number of random passerby's deaths.
Authenticity shines through in the game’s design, with buildings, clothing, and tools crafted based on historical records. Even the smallest details, like how a blacksmith forges a sword or the layout of a medieval inn, feel true to the period.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, built on an improved version of CryEngine, offers detailed visuals that enhance the game's realism. The dynamic lighting system allows sunlight to filter through trees, creating natural-looking shadows that change with the time of day. Weather effects contribute to the atmosphere, with rain making surfaces slick, mud accumulating on boots, and snow covering the landscape in winter, changing how you travel, who is traveling and in what way, as well as of course your ability to dial in a crossbow shot on that pack of wolves that thinks that an unwashed Henry covered in blood is the same thing as a slice of fish on a hook for great white.
My time spent with the game has had me taking on all kinds of crazy quests. For instance, a quest involving a stolen artifact might lead you to uncover a larger conspiracy within the church. Alternatively, joining a traveling troupe of actors could culminate in you performing in a play—or sneaking backstage to uncover a hidden stash of stolen goods. These quests are thoughtfully designed, often presenting moral dilemmas that ensure they never feel like filler, but rather integral parts of the game’s intricate world.
With these features, the sequel is set to build on its predecessor’s legacy, offering an immersive and historically grounded experience that challenges players to think critically and engage deeply with its vibrant world.
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Ambulance Life A Paramedic Simulator
From the same folks who brought you Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, now comes Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator, a game that throws you straight into the chaotic, adrenaline-fueled world of emergency response. This isn’t just another day at the office—it’s a ride-along in the most stressful, heart-pounding, and sometimes downright bizarre situations a paramedic can face. Your goal? Get to the accident site at breakneck speed, assess the chaos, and deliver life-saving first aid before things go from bad to worse.
We all know what that means. Probably killing more people on the way to the event than ever saving in one but as a lover of sim games I am all for trying my hand at in the field tracheotomies and compartmentalizing compartment syndromes versus compound fractures.
Each call-out is different, each patient a potential wildcard, and it's on you to adapt, improvise, and make those split-second decisions that could mean life or death. Or a slower death, or a less than excellent future life.
Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of the West Coast, Ambulance Life takes place in the bustling city of San Pelícano—a fictional metropolis that feels like it’s just one jaywalking tourist away from a full-blown catastrophe at any given moment. The city is divided into three diverse districts, each with its own distinct vibe, from charming historic quarters to towering business districts and gritty industrial zones. One minute, you’re dealing with a minor scrape in a quiet residential area; the next, you're in the middle of a multi-car pileup in the financial district during rush hour as every Karen is trying to order an extra larger latte on their way to a useless yoga class.
You’ll weave through traffic with all the finesse of a Hollywood stunt driver, dodging clueless pedestrians, impatient commuters, and the ever-present risk of turning your ambulance into an impromptu wrecking ball. The challenge? Finding the fastest route through crowded streets while keeping your cool under the relentless ticking of the clock. Time isn’t just money here—it’s survival.
Once on-site, the real challenge begins. You'll need to analyze the scene like a seasoned pro, piecing together what happened, calming down panicked bystanders, and figuring out whether your patient just needs a bandage or a one-way ticket to the emergency room. With 17 medical instruments at your disposal—from the trusty stethoscope, to gas masks, to finding out if they have shock-able rhythms. On scene you get to perform a range of checks, treatments, and diagnoses. But it’s not just about following protocol; every patient is unique. Some might have allergies, others might have underlying conditions that turn a routine treatment into a ticking time bomb of medical surprises. And when things take a turn for the worse, it’s all about getting them to the hospital, fast.
Its basically Sherlock Holmes crimes and punishments the medical version with you having to take in the clues of what has happened and try to keep humans are going.
As you gain experience and build your reputation, new districts will open up, each more challenging than the last, with bigger incidents and even tougher calls to make. With every shift, you'll unlock new tools and skills that could make all the difference between stabilizing a patient and watching things spiral out of control.
And then there are the catastrophic events—the moments where everything hits the fan. Explosions, multi-victim accidents, and large-scale disasters will push your skills and moral compass to the limit. Triage becomes your best friend, as you decide who gets treatment first and who has to wait. Not everyone can be saved, in soccer their are red cards, in events their are black cards, which basically means, sorry bud but heads can exist without bodies attached.,
I cant wait for this one. on PC Feb 4th
Avowed 18th
Avowed is up next coming out on the 18th, the same geniuses who brought us The Outer Worlds and Fallout: New Vegas. So yeah, expectations are pretty god damned high, maybe too high but who knows.
Set in the fantastical world of Eora—if that rings a bell, it’s the same universe as Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2. Which may not help as those were CRPG titles and didn't exactly fly off the shelves.
Avowed drops you into the role of an envoy from the Aedyr Empire. Your mission? Head to the Living Lands, a wild, untamed place, to investigate something called the "Dream Scourge." Sounds ominous, right? It’s a mysterious plague spreading chaos, and it’s up to you to figure out what’s going on and, naturally, probably save the day.
And that includes classes or in this case just like me its classless. You can you can mix and match abilities to suit your style. Want to dual-wield pistols like a swashbuckling rogue? Done. Prefer a sword and shield for that classic knight vibe? Go for it. Or maybe you’re like me and think there’s nothing cooler than dual-wielding magic wands like some kind of battle mage straight out of a heavy metal album cover. The choice is yours. The flexibility means you can experiment, which is perfect for someone who likes to explore every nook and cranny of a game.
Obsidian has made it clear that they aren't diving into insane romances with the characters but instead establishing the side characters as companions in the more true sense, fighting, dying and help you make others fight and die. And the world? Oh man, the Living Lands are a visual feast. Obsidian isn’t messing around when it comes to creating a place you want to get lost in. The environments are richly detailed, from lush forests to sun baked deserts. Verticality is a big deal here too, so it’s not just about walking in a straight line—you’re climbing, jumping, and scouring every inch for secrets. The level of detail in the lore and world-building is what you’d expect from Obsidian: immersive, layered, and totally captivating.
What’s crazy is that all of this comes together with their signature narrative expertise. If you’ve ever played their games, you know the stories are probably going to be top notch.
So here’s the big question will avowed with its focus on the same world as pillars of eternity which didn't really set the world on fire, and being a smaller hub based title, will it grab the attention of gamer in what can only be considered a super slammed February. Sure shadows moved out of the same time-frame which gives all games a bit more breathing room but its still a ton.
Lost records 18th
Diving into Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is like cracking open a diary you forgot existed, only to realize it’s stuffed with '90s angst, grunge band dreams, and enough nostalgia to make your Tamagotchi jealous.
I dig these games, I always have, with Tell me why, and the original Life is Strange being some of my favorite games to sit back and chill with. They always have excellent soundtracks and awesome nostalgic moments that remind me of goonies, or stranger things as lookback machines. Digital time capsules opened by the console start screen and filtered through by each action you make.
Developed by Don't Nod, the folks behind Life is Strange, this narrative adventure bounces between 1995 and 2022, weaving a story that’s as drenched in teen angst, nostalgia, some intrigue and from some of what I played, regret and something that feels like stranger things.
You step into the size 9 kicks of Swann Holloway, who seems to be the somewhat typical quirky introvert armed with an arsenal of teenage faux deep minded one-liners and, this time, an old-school camera for both narrative and puzzle-solving purposes.
It's a game-play mechanic that leaned harder into the whole “capturing memories” theme than puzzle solving in the preview. But its got Swann snapping shots of jam sessions in dingy garages, spontaneous deep convoys, and t14 year olds dropping fart jokes as if they are the first one to hear Cutting the cheese. And because this is a Don't Nod game, every choice you make seems to have that chance of being a butterfly effect moments
The story kicks off in the summer of ’95, a time when X-Files posters covered bedroom walls, cassette tapes littered floors, and the iconic screech of a dial-up modem was the soundtrack to an entire generation. If you’re like me, this era hits home—one of those nostalgia bombs that companies love dropping, and I’m totally here for it. But it’s not all sepia-toned good vibes. Swann forms an unbreakable bond with three others—Nora, Autumn, and Kate—as they chase band glory under the name Bloom & Rage. But, of course, something terrible happens.
The game ricochets between their carefree past and the weight of their adult lives in 2022, forcing them to confront the secrets they buried under layers of flannel and teenage bravado. A cryptic package reignites old wounds, and the mystery unfolds piece by piece, with each flashback adding context to the present.
Dialogue, like in other Don't Nod titles, isn’t just idle chatter. Your choices shape relationships and the story's trajectory in ways that feel organic. Backing Kat’s idea might solidify your friendship, but it could also push Nora further away, making those seemingly small decisions hit harder than expected. It’s all about the little things, those tiny emotional ripples that make your experience feel unique without hammering you over the head with "THIS WILL BE REMEMBERED" pop-ups.
Games built around nostalgia have become a genre within a genre, offering a mix of historical fiction and outright fantasy for those who lived through it—and a slightly skewed version of events for those who didn’t. If you've played Life is Strange, Tell Me Why, or any Telltale-esque game, you already know the drill. The controls have that familiar, slightly clunky "forklift with emotions" feel, where characters move like they're wading through knee-deep memories. But hey, that's part of the charm, right?
Visually, Lost Records lands squarely in the same neighborhood as its narrative cousins. It captures the '90s aesthetic pretty well—think oversized flannels, choker necklaces, and CRT monitors humming in the background. The art direction leans heavily on the era’s color palette, giving everything a slightly faded look, like a Polaroid left out in the sun just a little too long.
We'll have to wait and see if it turns out to be another hit or just a well-intention ed mix-tape of half-remembered youth.
Like a dragon Hawaii - 21st
Ah, the Yakuza series, where chaos meets charm, and everything—even the most absurd scenarios—feels like it makes sense. Randomly do a mission about a kidnapped escort then the next is dealing with a bunch of dudes in baby wraps at a 2nd story king factory and then somehow wind the day down with your pals singing karaoke and it still feels like eh you know what? this COULD happen
When I first heard about Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, I thought 2 things.
1. Wasted potential
Cause it should have been like Like a Pirate Dragon in Hawaii.
And 2. I am in
I mean come on. Pirates. Hawaii. Goro Majima. These words together feel like the kind of fever dream you’d have after a night of too much rum and an old Jackie Chan marathon. Yet here we are, staring down what could be one of the most fun and just eclectic Yakuza games and that's coming off of 2024's game of the year winner Infinite wealth.
Because I am sure for someone its game of the year so there ya god.
The game kicks off with Majima waking up on Rich Island, near Hawaii, without a single memory of who he is. And because its a frig gen Yakuza game somehow this all turns around and ends up turning him into a pilot. His ship, the Goromaru, becomes his lifeline as he sails between islands, looking for hidden treasures and trying to uncover his past. The setup is classic Yakuza a mix of the batshit bizarre with battle and the basics all laid out before you and then as you continue on more minigames, strategy moments and side quests than most entire quests lines of other games.
Majima’s amnesia isn’t just a plot device; it’s a way to reintroduce the character in a whole new light. You’re not just retracing his steps—you’re rebuilding him. This opens up ways to exploring what makes Majima tick, peeling back layers of his personality as he interacts with a brand-new cast of characters, including his loyal crew and some shady pirates who might just be more ruthless than the yakuza he left behind. Its crazy to see this well crazy character in a pirate setting, because it fits everything we have seen from him in the past, the eye patch, the crazy antics. he is like Jonny Dep in the Pirates of the Caribbean with all his fingers.
The setting alone feels like a character. Honolulu, first introduced in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, returns and its such a damned amazing location. The switch to this in infinite wealth showed just how much Yakuza had become familiar, fun, but ultimately a bit stale.
But the real draw is the open seas and islands scattered across the map. Sailing in Pirate Yakuza isn’t just a way to get from Point A to Point B or a mini game its a full part of the triangle that like a Dragon is presenting.
Whirlpools, environmental hazards, and boat battles. Like a child in a bathtub ramming boat toys into one another with far less accidental brown submarines.
The game has you engage enemy ships in real-time combat, customizing the ship with weapons like energy cannons, flame throwers, and ice-elemental guns. Once you’ve crippled an enemy vessel, you can board it, turning the fight into a full-blown deck brawl. Like Infinite wealth before it Pirate takes one element and blows it out into its own thing, where that game had the island and its assorted simulation of a resort, here its pirate battles.
Then there’s Madlantis, a pirate stronghold that feels like a gritty, chaotic version of the iconic Castle from previous games.
Combat has always been a cornerstone of the Yakuza series, and Pirate Yakuza takes it to a whole new level. Majima still has his Mad Dog style, which lets you chain together wild, unpredictable moves. But now he’s got the Sea Dog style, a combat system that makes full use of his pirate persona. Imagine dual-wielding cutlasses, flipping them around like a ninja, and then pulling out pistols for a flurry of ranged attacks. It’s stylish, fluid, and completely over-the-top in the best way.
It wouldn’t be a Yakuza game without a ton of side activities to distract you from the main story. Karaoke? Check. Dragon Kart racing? Back with new pirate-themed tracks. But the standout might be Masaru’s Love Journey, a series of missions where you help your loyal crew member recruit “Minato girls” to join your cause. If you are wondering if that's what you THINK it is.
YEEEP it is
Walking the plank, getting yanked, and then enemies to gank. its all here and pretty much pure Yakuza.
What’s amazing about Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is how it manages to take risks while staying true to the series’ heart. The blend of heartfelt storytelling, absurd humor, and deep gameplay mechanics is on full display here. The game doesn’t just lean into its pirate theme—it embraces it with both arms and a full push in hips first hug.
The Yakuza series has always been about delivering unforgettable experiences, and Pirate Yakuza is shaping up to be no exception. It’s not just a game; it’s an adventure that feels tailor-made for anyone who’s ever dreamed of being a pirate, a Yakuza, or both.
Coming in Feb for everything, I seriously can't wait.
Monster Hunter Wilds 28th
Monster Hunter Wilds, set to release on February 28, 2025, is poised to be the most approachable entry in Capcom's acclaimed series. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessors, Wilds introduces a host of new features, monsters, and quality-of-life improvements designed to welcome both newcomers and veteran hunters.
In Wilds, you assume the role of a custom Hunter exploring the "Forbidden Lands," an uncharted territory teeming with diverse biomes and formidable creatures. The narrative takes a more immersive approach, focusing on the world's inhabitants and featuring interactive dialogue from your Hunter. The storyline revolves around an expedition searching for a lost group called The Keepers and a mysterious creature known as The White Wraith which I am sure will be like the easiest damned fight in the game.
Traversing the expansive landscapes of Wilds is finally made easier with the introduction of Seikrets, bird-like bipedal wyverns that you can mount. These creatures can auto-navigate to mission points or monsters, allowing you to focus on the hunt. Additionally, Seikrets enable you to carry a second weapon, facilitating mid-fight strategy adjustments, and perform special mounted attacks that are ranged.
Honestly carrying 2 weapons might be one of the coolest parts of the game its going to foster one hell of a feeling of experimentation at least more than the original game as less friction to that testing and trying out new weapons the better.
Wilds also is introducing something long needed and that's Focus Mode, allowing players to target specific monster parts much more precisely in the game. And in a game where you may grind out a snakelike flying doohickey with a hunger for heroes and a huge amount of good guy killing moves, focus mode seems great for those grinding creature parts.
Speaking of weapons Combat in Wilds retains the 14 weapon types from previous entries, including great swords, hammers, dual blades, and bows. While the weapon roster remains the same, many have been updated with new moves and actions. A significant addition is the Focus Mode, which highlights Wounds—specific injuries on monsters that appear as red marks. Targeting and exploiting these Wounds deals substantial damage, adding a strategic layer to battles.
As in previous games the world is part of the juice. Weather and time of day also affect monster behavior, with some creatures appearing only under specific conditions that you have to track and plan for.
Wilds introduces new or returning monsters like the Congalala, which is basically a giant pimped out pink monkey with a fat belly that stuns you by farting in your face. That has always been one of the strengths of monster hunter to me, the ability to mix the fancy, farcical, ferocious and,, well in this game the fart heavy. The sense of horror and humor when it comes to monster is something I have always loved.
But if you are a complete pussy and afraid of spiders it even has a spider replacement mode that turns them into blobs which to me is about 1000x times more freaky than spiders but whatever.
Thats why its on The Top Upcoming February Games list.
Civilization VII 11th
Civ 7 is coming for your endgame computer cycles. Just kidding, well we will see.
But there are few things more fun than putting together than winning strategy of city synergies known as nations in Civilization games and 7 is finally coming our way February 7th.
The world of strategy gaming is about to be shaken up as the big daddy of strategy is finally here to tell the rest of the games to hold its beer.
Civilization has always been one of my favorites a turn based culture builder that's one of the few game series that has really stood the test of time, even if its competitors sometimes seem to age in dog years.
Civilization VII is coming out February 11, 2025.
One of the most exciting, contentious and downright weird changes to the game is the way it handles eras or ages with civilization being based in a new based structure. Civilization VII now divides its gameplay into three distinct ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. This hasn't caught on in prior games from other devs that have tried it, weather that's a case of execution versus elimination and people just want it done right versus never being in this kind of game we won't know until its out. I Will give it the benefit of the doubt as many of the other improvements and changes to the game are up my alley. The Age Progression system is another game-changer. As you make decisions and expand your empire, you’ll contribute to an Age Progression metric. Once it reaches a critical point, your civilization transitions to the next age, and you’re faced with impactful choices that shape your future. This system brings a more organic and dynamic flow to the gameplay, making each decision feel like a pivotal moment in history.
For the first time, Civilization VII allows you to mix and match leaders and civilizations to. Leading the US with Ceaser, or Africa with Stalin might be in the future, but its for sure going to create a weird, possibly awesome past.
You also have navigable rivers and instead of instantly building cities, seven has settlers building up Towns which only convert their usefulness into money until they reach a particular level and you can buy improvements to finally turn them into cities. I am not sure this will slow down civ 7, civ games don't really need anything more to slow them down. but we will see. I like the more nuanced approach.
Diplomacy takes center stage with the introduction of the Influence system. You can now use Influence as a form of currency to engage in cooperative or competitive diplomatic actions, you can sanction other nations, you can join in military pacts, you can buy yourself out of problems that crop up as well basically asserting the influence you have to shortchange something bad getting ready to occur.
The game also introduces Independent Powers—dynamic city-states that interact with major civilizations in new and unpredictable ways but they completely replace barbarians. That may change the general feel of the early game in Civilization as it always felt like a, we are smarter working together than these 50 dudes still banging doggy style and blowing on nose holes in skulls to make music.
Visually, Civilization VII looks to aim back at some of the prior games more realistic depictions which is nice as the prior game was considered more cartoon like that a lot of fans seemed to expect or like .
Overall, Civilization VII is shaping up to be a monumental addition to the series and with some very impactful changes.
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