The second month of 2021 is upon us, and that means that there are plenty of big new video game releases on the way. The January 2021 new releases included the critically-acclaimed Hitman 3 as well as indie darlings like Cyber Shadow, so it will be interesting to see exactly how fans react to the February 2021 offerings.
Here are all the big video game releases for February 2021.
Destruction AllStars was originally scheduled to release alongside the PlayStation 5 as a launch title for Sony's next-generation console. Unfortunately, Sony had to delay the game at the last minute, and so to make it up for fans, it announced that it would be a free PlayStation Plus game for February 2021. Sony has since confirmed the exact Destruction AllStars release date, including when the title will be made available to PS Plus subscribers.
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As confirmed by Sony, Destruction AllStars launches February 2, exclusively for PlayStation 5. As one of the first big PS5 exclusive releases of the year, there's heightened interest in Destruction AllStars, and it will be interesting to see if it's able to establish a fanbase. The game mixes elements of the hero shooter genre with vehicular combat, which is a unique spin on the genre that could help it stand apart from the pack. PlayStation Plus subscribers can try Destruction AllStars at no additional cost on February 2.
Coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood is an action RPG set in the World of Darkness franchise. In the game, players take control of Cahal, a shapeshifting, supernatural being who has three different forms: wolf, human, and werewolf. Each of Cahal's forms in Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood grants him unique abilities that players will be able to use both in combat and while traversing the game world.
Much attention has been given to another World of Darkness game in development, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, and so Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood has been somewhat overshadowed. But with no release date in sight for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood will soon have its own chance to shine, and it will be interesting to see if how it turns out.
Marrying macabre imagery with 2D side-scrolling platforming and puzzle solving, the original Little Nightmares proved to be a hit with horror fans when it first launched in 2017. Developer Tarsier Studios supported the game with a DLC release, but now it's set to take things to the next level with the upcoming Little Nightmares 2, aiming for release on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on February 11. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game are also in development, but won't be available until later in 2021.
Regardless of when the next-gen version launches, Little Nightmares 2 looks like it will definitely please fans of the original game. This new release sees the return of original protagonist Six, who is trying to help a young boy named Mono. The two of them will have to work together to survive in the terrifying Pale City, which is chock-full of monstrosities not unlike what Six encountered in the Maw in the first game. Mono and Six will have to make their way through an eerie school, a creepy forest, and various other haunting locales while they learn more about the franchise's disturbing game world.
One of the Wii U's highest-rated exclusive games is Super Mario 3D World, a multiplayer take on 3D Super Mario gameplay. With the Wii U having such a small install base, especially compared to the Switch, Nintendo has worked to bring most of the console's big game to its home console/handheld hybrid, with the latest being none other than Super Mario 3D World, though it's going to be much more than a simple port.
While Nintendo likely could have gotten away with simply porting Super Mario 3D World to the Nintendo Switch, it's going above and beyond, speeding up the gameplay, making quality of life improvements, and adding online multiplayer support. Not only that, but this Super Mario 3D World re-release includes access to a brand new adventure called Bowser's Fury, which seems to have more in common with celebrated games like Super Mario 64.
What was once a relatively niche franchise has become one of the biggest JRPG franchises ever, and the Persona phenomenon will continue in February with the release of Persona 5 Strikers on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in February A musou spinoff of Persona 5, the story of Persona 5 Strikers actually takes place a few months after the conclusion of the game, and has already proven to be a success in Japan. Whether or not that success will translate to western audiences remains to be seen, but fans won't have to wait all that much longer to find out.
Square Enix's Bravely Default franchise has been praised for paying homage to the company's roots, offering more traditional JPRG experiences to fans of the genre. After two successful Bravely Default games, Square Enix is moving forward with Bravely Default 2, which looks to tell a completely original story separate from the previous games in the series. With both previous games earning strong sales and positive reviews, hopes are high for Bravely Default 2 to do the same when it launches as a Nintendo Switch exclusive at the end of the month.
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