The February 2021 Games Playlist - Here are our top picks
From werewolves to ASCII dungeon crawlers and even the odd dragon-riding adventure, February's lineup is amusingly diverse.
Note: This feature was first published on 29 Jan 2021.
Image: Playwing
Hello, good fellows, and welcome back to the February edition of the HardwareZone Games Playlist!
As we make the preparations leading up to the Lunar New Year (minus the auspicious sayings at our yusheng sessions), there are quite a few games that we feel might be worth using that spicy red packet money on. So, as you sit there chomping through mountains of love letters, bak kwa and kueh bangkit (my personal favourite), it might be best to prep a calculator too. You know, just to double-check the budget.
Putting the Lunar New Year humour aside, February's spread of titles is actually incredibly diverse in terms of genre, and we've got everything from werewolves to dragons and even an ASCII dungeon-crawler somewhere in the pile. There are a total of seven interesting picks today, so let's not waste time and get right into it.
1. Control: Ultimate Edition (PS5, XSX - Feb 2)
Ok, so this isn't exactly a new one, but credit should be given where it's due. Control is still an excellent game that's won more awards than I have fingers, and the Ultimate Edition (that's the one with all the DLCs) will finally be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles come Feb 2.
For those who might have seen it on game stores but never checked it out, Control is an action-adventure title from Remedy Games that puts you in the shoes of Jesse Faden, the newly-appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Control, an agency that deals with paranatural forces and events. As they progress through the story, players will be able to unlock and use various psychokinetic abilities, as well as the versatile Service Gun to aid Jesse's search for her missing brother Dylan in the Oldest House.
Check out our review of this award-winning game here!
2. Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood (PS4, PS5, XBO, XSX, XSS, PC - Feb 4)
To be honest, I was fully expecting this one to have a Victorian setting, as most vampire and werewolf-centric games tend to feature. However, developer Cyanide has opted to take a different route. Instead of top hats, gentlemen's canes and horse-drawn carriages, Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood takes place in a futuristic world not unlike that of Black Ops 4. As the powerful werewolf Cahal, you'll be able to switch between and upgrade three different forms as you try to take down the nefarious Endron corporation.
At first glance, combat might seem like the usual "beat opponents to smithereens" gig we're used to, but it starts to get crazier later on, when Cahal has to adopt different stances (like in the original Witcher game) to deal with certain enemies. Plus, some enemies will sport mutations of their own too, which adds points to the whole monster-beatdown formula they've got going on here.
3. The NiOh Collection (PS5 - Feb 4)
Like all the games encapsulated within the Soulslike sub-genre of RPGs, Team Ninja's NiOh franchise is a bit of an acquired taste. Those who don't like dying too often might want to stay away from this one, although the lure of a good challenge is certainly hard to turn down. That's especially true when said challenge involves remastered versions of both NiOh games presented in 4K with support for up to 120 FPS.
The premise in NiOh is pretty straightforward. Players will make their way across feudal Japan wielding their weapons alongside powerful demonic abilities (which look amazing), and no, the enemies aren't going to play nice at all. As such, if you're a first-timer, do be prepared to see the respawn screen come up a lot. For a little more detail, how about checking out our review of NiOh 2?
4. Little Nightmares 2 (PC, PS4, XBO, Switch - Feb 11)
Why is there a horror game in February? Because waiting for Halloween is overrated. The sequel to the masterfully crafted survival horror title Little Nightmares finally rears its monstrous, grotesque head on Feb 11, and developer Tarsier Studios has gone all out with the spooks once more.
For those who might scoff at how scary kids' nightmares can be as a grown up, let's just say the developers are experts at blending the two most defining characteristics of a child's fears with the dark, gothic style of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. First off, there's the fear of things that are bigger than yourself, and second, there's the fear of the unknown. We're naturally afraid of things that we know nothing about, and as an innocent child, that list is really, really long. As such, in the hands of a skilled artist, a situation, character or place that grown ups might deem as normal has the potential to become truly frightening.
5. Ultimate Ancient Domains of Mystery - Caverns of Chaos (PC - Feb 11)
For the record, I've only been introduced to the ASCII format of gaming several years back in the form of the mobile masterpiece A Dark Room, but I found the simplistic beauty of the formula rather exciting. That sentiment hasn't changed since then, which is why the sequel to the classic dungeon crawler Ancient Domains of Mystery is already on my "must-buy" list for February.
According to developer Assemble Entertainment, it's a chronological sequel to the original title, and features an updated style of gameplay, although diehard fans and interested parties can go back to using the old-school ASCII-format anytime. Apart from that, there are also lots more spells, characters, enemies and loot, all bound together with a pretty new narrative.
6. Century: Age of Ashes (PC - Feb TBC)
Do you like dragons, riding on dragons or fighting other dragons while riding on dragons? If the answer is yes to any of that, then you're probably going to love Century: Age of Ashes, an upcoming title from the folks over at Playwing.
For now, we're still not sure if this multiplayer-centric game will have a narrative aspect, but the gameplay itself already seems exciting enough. Not only will you be tackling other dragon riders in the wide open skies with projectiles and other tools, but sometimes you'll need to duck and weave through medieval fantasy cities too, among various other magnificent environments.
Naturally, there are different types of dragons as well, so pick the one that fits your style, and take to the skies!
7. Destruction AllStars (PS5 - Feb TBC)
Sometimes, all you need to brighten up your day is a little more boom. Or in the case of Destruction AllStars, you're going to get a crap ton of it whether you like it or not.
Like the cast of in-game characters, developer Lucid Games has also put together a motley crew of ideas into one game. Blending intense vehicular combat with your typical last-man-standing competition and a wide array of creative weapons and tools, the AllStars formula certainly seems like a great fit for parties or even to jazz up your boring weekend afternoon.
However, what makes it really interesting is that the action doesn't end when your vehicle is blown up. Instead of heading back to the bleachers, you'll be able to continue fighting on foot, and there's even the option to hijack another competitor's car. Which is to say that you'll have to be adept at both vehicular and regular combat in order to come out on top.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.