Wow! January had a few good game releases in its pocket (including the surprise drop and ultra-fun Hi-Fi Rush), but February looks to pick up the pace with a couple of highly anticipated releases that are sure to have gamers of every level salivating at the mouth to get their hands on. I know that I am personally looking forward to quite a few here, myself. I just wish I was a fan of VR gaming to fully appreciate every releases this month, but that doesn’t mean that I do not recognize how incredible the anticipation for certain games that I myself may not get. Though the way that my kids are pushing me to but them a VR gaming set (*cough* PlayStation VR2 *cough*) I may see myself owning one by year’s end. But let’s get into the list of my 5 most anticipated games of February 2023.
Hogwarts Legacy
Developed by: Avalanche Software
Published by: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: February 10, 2023
My feelings towards the Wizarding World creator aside, I cannot deny that I am a huge fan of the world and lore that was created for this property. Well, with the exception of those atrocious Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films. But ignore that, this month we see the release of Hogwarts Legacy, a game that has the player taking up the role of a student at the wizarding school that takes place around 100 years before the main WW series. And from what I have seen of the game from previews and trailers, this game looks like it is the kind of game for all us WW fans out there and live out a fantasy of living in this magical world and partake of the fantastic adventures ourselves.
Wild Hearts
Developed by: Omega Force
Published by: Electronic Arts
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: February 17, 2023
Wild Hearts has this Monster Hunter kind of vibe to it that I am totally for, but it also seems to include some kind of building mechanic to it that will help players and their teammates hunt down these incredible beasts. Admittedly I am really intrigued by this mechanic and how much it will affect the overall gameplay, but I think as long as it can deliver on the hunting action without slowing down pace or being to intrusive, this should be quite a fun fair to play through. Anyway, we’ll see soon enough as it launches this month.
Atomic Heart
Developed by: Mundfish
Published by: Focus Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: February 21, 2023
I don’t know about some of you out there, but I am getting some major Bioshock vibes from this new FPS, Atomic Heart – but I am all for it. The mixture of traditional weapon attacks with some impressive looking elemental attacks certainly seems like it will draw in shooter players with what it is presenting them. Everything from the look and sound design of the game as well as the unique robotic enemies the player will encounter make this game look like a “can’t miss” kind of game. I just hope that the long developmental cycle this game went through didn’t diminish any of the polish this game is looking to deliver, but I think that Mundfish and Focus are set to deliver a fun and exciting romp in this shooter that players will enjoy.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain
Developed by: Guerilla Games, Firesprite
Published by: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (PlayStation VR2)
Release date: February 22, 2023
When I first heard of Horizon: Call of the Mountain I was surprised by two things that I noticed right away. One, that you are not playing as Aloy but rather as another hunter exploring their way through the world and, two, that this was a PSVR2 game. Since I don’t own any kind of VR gaming set, I am admittedly not as drawn to this game as much as I would be, considering I love the Horizon series… but I am still intrigued enough to see how this game turs out; and I am looking forward to seeing some of my favorite content creators play this game on their respective channels. I mean, just because I don’t own any VR gaming sets doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the scale of anticipation these games deliver – and if any game was set to have me finally break down and buy a VR set, it seems like Call of the Mountain could be that game.
Company of Heroes 3
Developed by: Relic Entertainment
Published by: SEGA
Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Release date: February 23, 2023
Oh yeah! As a huge RTS fan, I am so looking forward to the release of Company of Heroes 3 to help satisfy that strategy itch. I was a huge fan of the two previous games and I am looking forward to this game set in the late stages of World War II. I only hope that Relic Entertainment has addressed and corrected some of the criticisms and controversies that the previous game generated and is a bit more respectful of all sides in this game, but I think that in the ten years since that game that the development team has done just that. I really hope they did because for all its flaws, the Company of Heroes series was a fun and exciting romp to strategize through, and I have been awaiting its return to get back into that WW2 tactical gameplay.
So, there you have: my 5 most anticipated games of February 2023. Did I miss a game that you are looking forward to this month? Are you looking forward to some of these games yourselves? Let me know in the comments below or look for me on various social media sites to chat about these games. Stay safe and take care, and I will see you next time, my friends.
