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 fest For 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 make Dark Souls fans 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 Dawn is 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 character Aloy, in a world where civilization has crumbled and the earth has gone native again. With the exception of massive dinosaur like machines that 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 of weapons and skills to take down and even hack the machines as she engages in quests and hunts for the various tribes that 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
Release Date: February 28th
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Publisher: Techland

Torment: Tides of Numenera is 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 detailed quests with a ton of branching dialogue. All of your choices and responses have subtle impacts on something called Tides, which functions like a morality meter and alters your interactions with NPCs. In combat you’ll choose 1 of 3 unique classes which feature special abilities that will compliment your party 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.
2. Nier
Release Date: February 23rd
Platform: PS4, PC
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Square Enix

Nier: Automata is 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 main playable characters, android warriors named 2B, 9S, and the obsolete prototype A2 as 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 of weapons each with unique movesets and their own narrative stories. Support PODs accompany the characters and provide combat and traversal assistance. Players can customize their skills via the game’s unique plug-in chip system and can gather materials to improve their gear via crafting. 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.
1. Nioh
Release Date: February 7th
Platform: PS4
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment, KOEI Tecmo

What can we say about our anticipation for Nioh that 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, with shrines replacing 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 the armor of the samurai during a seminal period in Japanese history. You’ll methodically cut your way through enemies, using your weapons, skills, magic and ninjutsu as well as some special Guardian Spirits who can turn the tide of battle. When you complete a stage you’ll do battle with some serious bosses who are surely going to cause some controller breaking frustrations. Repeatable missions, a Diablo style loot system and unique Blacksmith mechanic 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 feature co-op at launch and a PvP mode that will release as free DLC shortly 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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6 responses to “Top 5 RPGs of February 2017”
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It’s because they love you and want you to stay busy!
Also, Nioh, Horizon Zero Dawn and Torment are my top ones right now. Too bad I’m so busy next month, I won’t have much time to play the first few weeks.
Feb through April and September through November are the peak seasons. The industry all but shuts down releasing in December and January and again over convention season from May to August. That’s why they pack shit in like this, to make journalists and wiki makers miserable until December.
I like this new monthly series!! Will be looking forward to it!! To @fexelea, all I keep telling myself is, “Thank goodness it’s tax return time!” 😉
As I understand it:
The real heavy hitters tend to release in November and December (CoD, Battlefield, Fallout, ect) so they get out in time for christimas buyers, and people have limited money, and most of the genre’s that contain the heavy hitters (ie FPS, Bethesda stuff) have significant audience overlap with other genres so releasing along side heavy hitters without serious, serious star power is essentialy dooming your game to failure regardless of quality (Tomb Raider on Xbone and Titan Fall 2 come to mind) because they’ll spend their limited money on the big stuff and then forget about your game by the time they have money/time again.
So everything that’s not expecting 10s of millions of sales is either rushed out before it has to compete with the heavy hitters, or they hold off till late January and Febuary to give peoples wallets time to recover from christmas shopping and for the shiny new game luster to fade off whatever AAA release so people have money and time for something new.
February is going to be a very busy month for gaming.. Why do games do this and they all come out at the same time????
Biggest one for me would be Horizon. Looks amazing visually, and the setting and themes are unique and interesting. If there’s an axe weapon, I’m sold (will probably rent it first).
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