Welcome to the first in a monthly Fextralife series highlighting the Top 5 RPGs for the next month. In our first entry, we’re going to take a look at what we think are the best RPGs releasing in the month of February, and talk a little about each and why we think so highly of them. Hop in and discover some new games you haven’t heard of or learn a little more about ones you do know.
Honorable Mention: For Honor
Release Date: February 14th
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Although not technically an RPG, we’d be remiss to not mention Ubisoft’s multiplayer hack festFor Honor, which pits three different factions, Samurai, Viking and Knights against each other in some massive battles against AI and human enemies. The game features a visceral combat system that will makeDark Soulsfans feel right at home and the game’s Art of Battle mode will heighten the dueling of champions on the battlefield. A variety of game modes and and arenas will keep players tapping back in time after time.
5. Ys Origin
Release Date: February 21st
Platform: PS4, PS Vita
Developer: Falcom
Publisher: Falcom
After being released for PC in Japan only in 2006, Ys Origin is finally making its way to the PS4 and the PS Vita on February 21st. Yes, that’s right, the Vita is actually getting a game! Ys Origin is a prequel to the very popular Ys series of games, of which there are 7. The Ys games are an action RPG series that follow the adventures of a character named Adol as he travels across the different regions of the world, combating demons and enemies who conspire around the construction of a mysterious tower. Origin is set 700 before the events of the first game and tells much of the backstory of the world, the tower and the magic that resulted in the demons appearance. It is the first game to not feature Adol as the main character, instead you will choose from 3 different playable characters who have their own stories, combat styles and skills. The game features the series' hallmark dungeon crawling action, light story narrative and wonderful musical score. It’s sure to brighten any gloomy winter day.
4. Horizon Zero Dawn
Release Date: February 28th
Platform: PS4
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Horizon Zero Dawnis poised to be Sony’s next flagship exclusive for the PS4. Developed by Killzone creator Guerrilla Games and releasing on February 28th in NA, Horizon Zero Dawn places you in the shoes of main characterAloy, in a world where civilization has crumbled and the earth has gone native again. With the exception of massive dinosaur likemachinesthat roam like wildlife. In this combat focused Action RPG, you will set out to discover the truth of the events of the world as well as the truth of who Aloy is. Aloy will make use of a variety ofweaponsandskillsto take down and even hack the machines as she engages inquestsandhuntsfor the varioustribesthat inhabit the land. Ultimately she must contend with an enemy tribe who means to control the machines for their own world conquering purposes. From what we’ve seen of the game so far, the beautiful landscapes and engaging monster battles will be keeping us glued to our screens for hours.
3. Torment Tides of Numenera
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Publisher: Techland
Torment: Tides of Numenerais one of the more esoteric games to come along in awhile. Releasing on February 28th, it is a spiritual successor to 1999’s Planescape: Torment. The game takes place in the Ninth World, Earth one billion years into the future. You take on the role of the changing God, an immortal being who has survived the ages, who will answer the question, “What does one life matter?” The game returns gamers back to the classic genre of RPGs and features detailedquestswith a ton of branching dialogue. All of your choices and responses have subtle impacts on something calledTides, which functions like a morality meter and alters your interactions withNPCs. Incombatyou’ll choose 1 of 3 uniqueclasseswhich feature specialabilitiesthat will compliment yourparty members. The game received a resounding crowdfunding response and fan anticipation has been building steadily over the course of its development, right into early access. This is shaping up to be a game you can play for years as you explore all the many different story paths and decisions.
Release Date: February 23rd
Platform: PS4, PC
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Square Enix
Nier: Automatais the high speed sequel to Nier, and is developed by Platinum Games and published by Square Enix. It releases February 23rd in Japan and worldwide in March. The game follows the adventures of the game’s mainplayable characters, android warriors named2B,9S, and the obsolete prototypeA2as they find themselves thrust into the middle of a proxy war between machines and what remains of humanity. The combat is dynamic and fluid, with a variety ofweaponseach with unique movesets and their own narrative stories. SupportPODsaccompany the characters and provide combat and traversal assistance. Players can customize theirskillsvia the game’s uniqueplug-in chipsystem and can gathermaterialsto improve their gear viacrafting. A playable demo was released last December and was one of the most enjoyable half hours of gaming we’ve had in a long time.
Release Date: February 7th
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, KOEI Tecmo
What can we say about our anticipation forNiohthat we haven’t already? This game stole our attention at TGS 2015 and we’ve been following its development ever since. The Onimusha flavored Action RPG from Ninja Gaiden developer Team Ninja releases on February 7th in NA and on subsequent days worldwide. The game takes the challenging combat mechanics of Ninja Gaiden and merges them with the level design sensibilities of Dark Souls, withshrinesreplacing bonfires and a death mechanic that tasks you with returning to the site of your fall. That’s where the similarities stop and the game takes on a life of its own. Players will don thearmorof the samurai during a seminal period in Japanese history. You’ll methodically cut your way throughenemies, using yourweapons,skills,magicandninjutsuas well as some specialGuardian Spiritswho can turn the tide of battle. When you complete a stage you’ll do battle with some seriousbosseswho are surely going to cause some controller breaking frustrations. Repeatablemissions, a Diablo style loot system and uniqueBlacksmithmechanic all round out what the game has to offer and should give players tons to dig into. Oh and did we mention the game will featureco-opat launch and aPvPmode that will release as freeDLCshortly after launch?
Looking Ahead
February is going to be an uncommonly packed month for the RPG genre, full of big name releases that each span the various subgenres of the RPG world. Thoughts on the list? Any other RPGs you’re looking forward to in February? Let us know what you think! Happy roleplaying!
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