February is stacked. Atomic Heart, Hogwarts Legacy, Company of Heroes 3, PlayStation 2 VR is launching, EA’s take on Monster Hunter is coming, and there’s even a Final Fantasy rhythm game. And it’s the year’s shortest month! Who does that?!?

It would be easy to blame today’s violent media, climate change, or chalk it up to some sort of ancient prophecy written in blood finally being fulfilled - but who knows? We kind of knew this was coming though. There was an inevitable tide of games slated for 2023 after forced delays over the past couple of years saw release dates and windows slip, which means videogame droughts are officially a thing of the past. Now we just have to worry about the real kind.

Here’s what you can expect for February 2023, across all major gaming platforms.

Deliver Us Mars

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 2



A story-driven sci-fi adventure and a sequel to the impressive Deliver Us The Moon, like its title suggests Deliver Us Mars swaps out the lunar setting for the red planet. As a sequel of a relatively small indie title everything about this looks bigger and more impressive in scope, from larger environments to more traversal options and even some thrilling action.

Fashion Police Squad

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Platform: PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 2



It’s not often you get to use the words “Doom clone” mixed with “fashionista” and “couture”, but in Fashion Police Squad -- an old-school shooter centred around arresting those with no nose for fashion. And yes, it’s as off-the-wall as it sounds, but as a non-violent shooter with a mind towards fun and flair, you can’t get any dressier than Fashion Police Squad.

Raiden IV x MIKADO remix

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 3



The shoot-em up (or shmup) has always been a staple of the arcade scene, and when it comes to shmups Tecmo's Raiden series has been at the forefront of bullet-hell action since its debut back in 1990. Raiden IV x MIKADO remix updates a 2007 release for modern hardware, but it features vertical screen play for that authentic Raiden arcade feel.

Hogwarts Legacy

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Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 10



A game that has garnered a lot of interest for reasons that aren’t really related to gameplay might wind up being one of the best of the month, but also one of the most challenging to pony up for, depending on your stance on all things J.K. Rowling. Problematically, the game is made by a hugely diverse group of people who don’t all buy into her narrative, and who have also poured their creative selves into this project. For many, the absence of Potter and co might make the decision here easier, for others, however, an invisibility cloak might be donned when considering an outright purchase.

Journey to the Savage Planet: Employee of the Month Edition

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Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 14



Journey to the Savage Planet released in the early part of 2020, where we praised its comedic sci-fi co-op action in our review. And now the game is getting updated for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S hardware with the Employee of the Month Edition that features a new Performance Mode in addition to the game’s post-launch DLC, formally exclusive to the now defunct Google Stadia.

Wanted: Dead

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 14



From devs who worked on the Ninja Gaiden series, this love-letter to action games of yesteryear is another candidate for game of the month. Featuring a kick ass protagonist and plenty -- PLENTY -- of cannon and blade fodder, and an attitude to match, Wanted: Dead is every bit of itself cool; from its title through to its action and gore. And if you don’t believe those words, just watch the insane trailer above.

Returnal

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Platform: PC
Release Date: February 15



PlayStation 5 sci-fi rogue-lite action game Returnal is coming to PC. NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR support will be there on day one, alongside expanded ray-tracing options covering RT reflections and shadows. Plus, Ultrawide at 21:9 and Super Ultrawide 32:9 is coming too -- pointing to this being another excellent port of a previously PlayStation exclusive.

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line

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Platform: PS4, Switch
Release Date: February 16



Another Square Enix title with a near Welsh-like name, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a rhythm game featuring more than 350 songs from throughout the Final Fantasy series coming to the homes of those games -- PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. This one has already likely found its niche, but if you don’t mind a bit of gaming history and applying some decently-timed button presses, it’s also probably worth a look.

Rooftop Renegade

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Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release Date: February 17



A fast-paced futuristic platformer from Australian indie studio Melonhead Games, Rooftop Renegade is all about running in a neon city, and avoiding obstacles using smooth and precise modevents. Using hoverblades to move about, the game also supports same-rom 3v1 asymmetric multiplayer where the other players try to interrupt and mess your flow.

The Settlers: New Allies

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Platform: PC
Release Date: February 17



After a few delays and a number of changes made to the game based on early player feedback, Ubisoft is finall ready to release The Settlers: New Allies - a reimagining of the classic real-time strategy series. With impressive visuals, a campaign, multiplayer, and even console versions on the horizon, here’s hoping it’s a return to form for The Settlers.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered

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Platform: PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Release Date: February 17



The GameCube classic that endeared itself to many a JRPG-starved Nintendophile from back in the day (us included) is the latest game to get the remaster treatment, though with this game’s depth, status and charm, it’s hard to find a negative reason for it joining the re-releases pile. Join Lloyd and his pals on a classic Tales of adventure that grows with every real-time battle and every conversation you have across a vast game-world filled with monsters, treasures, secrets and more.

Wild Hearts

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Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 17



A game that sort of dropped out of nowhere, Wild Hearts from Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force studio and EA is best described as a co-op sandbox hunting game steeped deeply in a spin on Ancient Japanese folklore and mythology. Crafting and tactical preparation are keys to achieving success with each hunt, which just so happens to be of some very large, very scary and very challenging bosses. Wild Hearts is definitely a surprise packet that could be a sleeper hit for 2023.

Atomic Heart

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 21



Atomic Heart has been a longtime coming, we’ve been following this one since it made its debut as one of the first games to make use of real-time ray-tracing for the then brand-new GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. Russian alternate history BioShock vibes can seen throughout this visually impressive first-person shooter, and it’s one of our most anticipated games for 2023.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 21



Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a remake from Yakuza developers Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Created in Unreal Engine 4 it brings the 2014 original into the modern era. As per the trailer, the combat is real-time, action-packed, and very cinematic - and not the turn-based style seen in 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon. You'll wield a samurai sword (natch) in addition to a revolver and it looks awesome.

Horizon Call of the Mountain

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Platform: PS5 (PSVR 2)
Release Date: February 22



A lot has been made of the expensive barrier of entry for Horizon’s foray into the virtual, but for die hard fans of the series there’s no better way to experience Guerrilla’s post-apocalyptic world than in high definition VR. You play as Ryas, a former Shadow Carja warrior in an ever-escalating adventure that is set to truly highlight the power and possibilities with Sony’s PSVR2 gear.

Company of Heroes 3

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Platform: PC
Release Date: February 23



Relic is a studio that is still delivering high-profile RTS games, and is following its work on the brilliant Age of Empires IV with the next iteration of WWII-based strategy with Company of Heroes 3. The sequel features many of the classic elements of the first two entries, with addition of a new pause-and-command mode adding a dose of turn-based action to the campaign. With several settings, armies, and battles, it’s shaping up to be something quite impressive.

Sons of the Forest

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Platform: PC
Release Date: February 23



A survival game set in a cannibal-infested hellscape that also happens to be a visually impressive island, Sons of the Forest is the follow-up to a hit PC game and might just become one of the first sleeper hits of 2023. Mixing survival horror with survival mechanics makes this one to keep an eye on.

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

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Platform: Switch
Release Date: February 24



Nintendo has been doubling down on its cute puffball in the Switch era and we couldn’t be happier. In Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe we return to Kirby’s side-scrolling roots in a stunningly presented game-world full of enemies and puzzles all requiring use of Kirby’s patented copy ability. Old and new abilities feature throughout, while the game also supports up to four players in local co-op. What’s not to love?

Octopath Traveler II

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch
Release Date: February 24



The latest entry in Square Enix’s beloved Octopath Traveler series is a sprawling JRPG presented in shiny and stylish pixelated form. Eight new adventurers offer up disparate stories to unfurl in the stunning world of Solistia, in one will likely be an instant Square Enix classic, regardless of platform, though it is great to see this one also makes it onto PC.

Scars Above

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 28



The sci fi genre is truly alive and kicking in gaming at the moment, and this new sci fi third-person shooter from Prime Matter looks to tick off all the right boxes for fans of the genre. Alien worlds, challenging and creepy enemies, survival and puzzles look to permeate the playspace with Scars Above having us hoping this new tilt for Prime Matter will become a longstanding series. Another potential sleeper hit for the year.

Destiny 2: Lightfall

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Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Release Date: February 28



The next major expansion for Bungie’s Destiny 2 sees the action shift to a Neptunian city called Neomuna, with a new campaign and several new features being added to the game. Destiny 2 continues to evolve, with the game of 2023 being very different to the one that debuted in 2017, and Lightfall presents the next chapter in the long-running story.