January 2024 started the new year off with a surprising huge hit: Palworld (first impressions). The game has sold over eight million copies and at one point, had over two million concurrent users on Steam. Surprise hits like Palworld are one of the best parts of being a video game enthusiast. February, meanwhile, has a lot of expected hits but we could be in for even more surprises with one particular crafting survival game entering Early Access. Here are our picks for the top games to play in February 2024.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
The Granblue Fantasy franchise continues to grow with Granblue Fantasy: Relink arriving in February. This action RPG boasts up to four-player co-op and features a diverse roster of skyfarers. Players can embark on quests solo or with others, experiencing fast-paced combat while battling for the fate of the Sky Realm. For those not big on action combat, Granblue Fantasy: Relink provides assist modes, including Full Assist, which takes control of your characters during battle.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink releases on February 1 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Persona 3 Reload
Believe it or not, Persona 3 Reload might not be the biggest JRPG release in February. However, this remake remains one of our most anticipated games of the year. Persona 3 introduced me to the franchise, and to this day, it remains one of the most memorable games I’ve ever played, so I can’t wait to revisit it with Persona 3 Reload. I have high hopes that it will earn a spot on my list of the best games I’ve ever played once I’ve sunken 80 to 100 hours into it.
Persona 3 Reload releases on February 2 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Some people are already playing Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, as the game is offering Early Access if you pay extra. Although the early reception seems underwhelming, I’m including it on the list nonetheless, as it’s fascinating to witness what seems like the downfall of Rocksteady Studios, formerly one of the top superhero game developers. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could potentially be DC’s equivalent of Marvel’s Avengers. The two games are eerily similar, and not in a good way.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League releases on February 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Helldivers 2
Gamers looking for a multiplayer co-op shooter will want to check out Helldivers 2. In this sequel, players take on the role of Helldivers, peacekeepers entrenched in a Galactic War, striving to protect their home planet. For those wondering, Helldivers 2 isn’t a direct continuation of an ongoing storyline. So you don’t necessarily have to play the first game, which was released in 2015, if you haven’t played it yet. However, experiencing the original is recommended, since it’s a pretty fun game.
Helldivers 2 releases on February 8 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Don’t Nod’s next title, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, looks to be an interesting one. Known for narrative and story-driven games where decisions matter, the team’s trailers for Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, however, show a surprisingly bland game. Nevertheless, as fans of many Don’t Nod creations, we’re looking forward to seeing how Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden unfolds, with its story of Red and Antea.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden releases on February 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Skull and Bones
Personally, I still don’t believe Skull and Bones has a real release date and is even a real game. Ubisoft’s pirate game was first announced at E3 2017, slated for a late 2018 release. Clearly, the game has faced numerous delays, now pushed to 2024. Since its announcement, Google Stadia has shutdown and E3 has been canceled. It’ll be interesting to see how long Skull and Bones manages to survive. The game is on our list because we’re mainly curious to see how it actually plays after all these years.
Skull and Bones releases on February 16 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
One of video game industry’s oldest rivalries is back with a new Mario vs. Donkey Kong game. This time, Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys from the factory, and it’s up to our favorite plumber to get them all back. Featuring over 130 levels, this puzzle-platformer adds co-op play, brand-new worlds, updated music and visuals, and new ways to play.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong releases on February 16 for Switch.
Last Epoch
Last year, I spent more time playing and enjoying Last Epoch in Early Access (first impressions) than I did playing Diablo IV (review). Now, I’m very much looking forward to returning to Last Epoch with its official release and seeing what improvements and features the game has added. The game was far from perfect when I played it in 2023, but it offered a much more compelling loot system and endgame loop than Diablo IV.
Last Epoch exits Early Access on February 21 for PC.
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story
I’m really hoping that, with all the releases in February, I manage to find some time to check out Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story. I haven’t actually played League of Legends since its release year, but I really enjoy playing Teamfight Tactics. The combination of yordles and a cozy-type game looks to be a recipe for success. It’s also from Lazy Bear Games, the developers behind Graveyard Keeper.
Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story releases on February 21 for Switch and PC.
Sons of the Forest
The Forest was one of our favorite crafting survival games, and we loved our initial experience with Sons of the Forest (first impressions) when it was released into Early Access last year. We haven’t really revisited the game since then, but I am looking forward to experiencing what I hope will be a complete story when the game exits Early Access in late February. Hopefully, our friend Kelvin has learned a thing or two.
Sons of the Forest exits Early Access on February 22 for PC.
Pacific Drive
The premise of Pacific Drive is really interesting and I plan on spending some time with the game as soon as I can. It’s a first-person driving survival game in which your car basically serves as your base. In the game, players navigate a surreal reimagining of the Pacific Northwest, dealing with supernatural dangers while exploring the Olympic Exclusion Zone. The gameplay loop involves players gathering precious resources to upgrade their wagon, as they try to unravel the mystery of the Zone.
Pacific Drive releases on February 22 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Nightingale
Given Palworld’s massive success (first impressions), I anticipate that every decent crafting survival game will garner some interest in the coming months. Enshrouded reached over one million players, despite its Early Access launch coinciding with the height of the Palworld craze. I have a feeling that Nightingale will see a good level of success, assuming it isn’t a buggy disaster. The game, a PvE open-world crafting survival experience, features transdimensional portals that allow players to explore various fantastical realms.
Nightingale enters Early Access on February 22 for PC.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
While Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons may not necessarily need a remake, the recent success of other Josef Fares games—like the Game of the Year winner It Takes Two—makes the decision for a remake less surprising. I believe this game will lean more towards being a remaster rather than a full remake, featuring updated visuals while maintaining the core gameplay. Regardless, if you haven’t yet experienced Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, I highly recommend it, and this upcoming version will likely be the ideal way to play.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake releases on February 28 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster
Growing up in the 90s, I played many Star Wars games that have since become memorable classics. I must have spent hundreds of hours playing X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter back then, but another classic, widely considered a masterpiece, is Star Wars: Dark Forces. As the first Star Wars first-person shooter, it puts players in the shoes of Kyle Katarn, a former Galactic Empire operative turned mercenary. Nightdive Studios is handling the remaster, which will utilize their proprietary KEX engine, enabling up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster releases on February 28 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Remember when I mentioned Persona 3 Reload might not be February’s biggest JRPG release? That honor will likely go to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the highly anticipated second entry in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. Based on what Square Enix has revealed, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth could indeed meet the lofty expectations of fans. It remains to be seen how the story will unfold, particularly as this game addresses one of gaming’s most infamous scenes. The big question remains: will they or won’t they? We’ll finally get the answer, and whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll set the internet on fire.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth releases on February 29 for PlayStation 5.
