February is shaping up to be another huge month for new video game releases, headlined by hotly anticipated titles like For Honor (Ubisoft), Halo Wars 2 (Microsoft Studios), and Horizon Zero Dawn (Sony Interactive Entertainment). For Nintendo 3DS fans, this month brings us an updated version of 2015’s Yoshi’s Woolly World, and the next entry in the best-selling farming/life simulation series Story of Seasons. Get your consoles and controllers ready, this is going to be an amazing month!
[Note: The below release dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of the game publisher at any time.]
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 – Road to Boruto
Release Date: February 3, 2017
Genre: Fighting, Action
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)
Road to Boruto is the definitive version of Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, the critically acclaimed fighting game from Bandai Namco that released last year on PS4 and Xbox One. The Road to Boruto edition follows the story of 2015’s Boruto: Naruto the Movie and will let you play as title character Boruto, along with Sarada, Hokage Naruto, and Sasuke. It will also include 3 DLC packs from the Season Pass (Gaara’s Tale extra scenario pack, Shikamaru’s Tale extra scenario pack, and the Sound Four extra playable character’s pack), and all the exclusive worldwide pre-order bonus content. Having thoroughly enjoyed Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, I’m excited to get my hands on all this new content, especially considering this could very well be the last game in the series (according to Bandai Namco), despite the franchise being a major commercial success.
Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly WorldÂ
Release Date: February 3, 2017
Genre: Platforming
Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS, Nintedo 3DS – amiibo bundle
ESRB Rating:
Yoshi’s lovable, helpful canine buddy is finally getting a breakout role in Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World on Nintendo 3DS. The game includes all the Yoshi levels in the 2015 Wii U version, along with all-new Poochy Dash stages, and introduces Poochy-Pups that can help you sniff out hidden items and discover secret areas. You’ll also be able to unlock 30 stop-motion animated shorts featuring Yoshi and Poochy in the Yoshi Theatre. The original game was so much fun to play, and the fabric-inspired graphics were especially charming, so I can’t wait to relive this adventure and explore all the new content on my 3DS.
Nioh
Release Date: February 7, 2017
Genre: Action role-playing
Platform(s): PlayStation 4
ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)
Every time I see new trailers for Koei Tecmo’s Nioh, I get more impressed. This dark, fantasy action role-playing game transports you to 16th century Japan, during the Sengoku period, where you’ll fight supernatural creatures known as yokai. The game appears to take influence from FromSoftware’s Souls series, and Team Ninja’s own Ninja Gaiden, both in presentation and gameplay. Nioh is a PS4 exclusive title, and will be published in North America by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
For Honor
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Genre: Action
Platform(s): PlayStation 4 – Deluxe Edition, PlayStation 4 – Gold Edition, Xbox One – Deluxe Edition, Xbox One – Gold Edition
ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)
Knight, Viking, or Samurai warrior—in Ubisoft’s For Honor you’ll choose your allegiance and take part in epic medieval-era battles. I played the Alpha, and I’m currently in the Beta, so first-hand I can say this game delivers intense combat, stunning medieval period graphics, and edge-of-your-seat multiplayer action. So far I’ve played the single-player Duel mode, that pits you against one opponent in a fight to the death, the 2-vs-2 Brawl mode, and large-scale 4-vs-4 Dominion matches where the objective is to take and hold capture points. I’m really impressed thus far with the game’s “Art of Battle” gameplay that focuses on attacking and blocking in three different positions using a streamlined rock/paper/scissors system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgvhOf-f9JE
Sniper Elite 4
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Genre: Tactical shooter
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)
Rebellion’s Sniper Elite 4 puts you back into the role of legendary sniper Karl Fairburne immediately following the aftermath of Sniper Elite III. As an agent for the Office of Strategic Services, you’re tasked with moving across Italy to support the Resistance’s effort to topple a new Nazi threat.
Halo Wars 2
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Genre: Real-time strategy
Platform(s): Xbox One
ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)
343 Industries and Creative Assembly have partnered to bring us the next entry in the Halo Wars real-time strategy franchise. Having played a bunch of matches during the recent Beta, and events like X16 and E3, it’s amazing to see this series back in such fine form. The story mode puts you back in control of Captain Cutter after nearly three decades of cryrosleep, and this time you’ll need to confront a terrifying new force called “The Banished,” comprised of rogue Brute forces. Several multiplayer modes are also included, such as traditional team vs. team Deathmatch, the objective-based Strongholds and Domination, and an all-new Blitz mode that centres on collectible cards and decking building.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: Action role-playing
Platform(s): PlayStation 4 – Standard Edition, PlayStation 4 – Collector’s Edition
ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)
At Sony press conferences over the couple of years, few games have impressed me as much as Guerilla Games’ upcoming Horizon Zero Dawn. This PS4-exclusive action RPG is set in a gorgeous post-apocalyptic world full of lush scenery and enormous mechanical creatures known as “Machines”. The game world looks huge, and as a hunter named Aloy you’ll need to traverse this vast, dangerous landscape to uncover the secrets of how the Machines and civilizations of the past.
The Walking Dead – The Telltale Series: A New Frontier
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: Graphic adventure
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)
Telltale Games’ fan-favourite The Walking Dead graphic adventure series continues with A New Frontier. The 3rd season of this interactive adventure continues the story from season 2, and this time you’ll play as Clementine, the heroine of the previous games, and Javier “Javi” Garcia, a former professional baseball player. Once again your choices matter and will impact the story in significant ways, including who survives and who doesn’t.
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: Farm simulation, role-playing
Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
The best-selling farming/life simulation series “Bokujo Monogatari” returns with Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns for Nintendo 3DS. After creating your customized character, for the first time ever you’ll be able to explore three different towns, each with their own regional crops, animals, and style. In addition to tending to your crops and decorating your home, you’ll also be able to establish relationships, and perhaps even propose, get married, and start a family together. This is such a fun and charming franchise, so I can’t wait to explore what’s new in Trio of Towns!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3SDKb_mFP0
More games releasing in February 2017
February 15
- Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 + Arcade Game Series (PlayStation 4)
February 21
- Berserk and the Band of the Hawk (PlayStation 4)