Focusing on the glass half full, let’s take a look at some amazing releases such as the updated version of Super Mario 3D World for Switch and Persona 5 Strikers debuting in the hack ’n slash genre.
Destruction AllStars - February 2
Supposed to be released together with the PS5, Destruction AllStars got delayed until February, where it will lead the pack into the new PlayStation Plus games on the first Tuesday of the month. A new drive-and-destroy car game from Sony. In Destruction AllStars, players should prevail in an arena against several other drivers using abilities, strategy, and guts. As the official game overview claims: “Pile on the destruction from behind the wheel or on-foot in the global phenomenon that is Destruction AllStars”. The game will feature several modes:
Mayhem: classic deathmatch where you should amass the highest score within a timeframe. Carnado: you must accumulate gears as you destroy enemies and then sacrifice yourself to score points. Then Back to square one, repeat the devotion to reach glory. Stockpile: players must dominate certain areas of the map, like capture and control. Gridfall: the world-famous Battle Royale where the arena gradually falls and eliminates the drivers until only one prevails.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox - February 2
A new game in the traditional action RPG series, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox follows the story of Adol “the Red” Christin, an adventurer who is transformed into a Monstrum and must unravel the mysteries of his curse along with six other Monstrums while facing threats that emerge from the dark dimension of Grimwald Nox. You control up to three players in action-packed combat and can seamlessly switch among them to unleash diverse sets of attacks and skills to overcome your enemies. With the usual level up system, equipment, and items to aid you through dungeons and forests and probably more. (I could only play these two scenarios in the demo!) The game will also be released for PC and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2021.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood - February 4
Based on the popular tabletop RPG, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Earthblood puts the player in the role of Cahal, a powerful Garou who went into exile after losing control over his devastating fury. Now, he seeks redemption by facing Pentex corporation and the pollution it causes, thus protecting the planet. Besides fighting in his human form, Cahal can transform into a ferocious wolf or a Crinos, a huge violent beast. In each version, the eco-terrorist will have useful abilities and powers, allowing players to master the three forms of the character. But one must be careful because although it is his greatest ability, his anger is also his greatest weakness. The game will be released for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The Nioh Collection - February 5
The Nioh Collection brings together the complete editions of the two games in the series - Nioh Remastered: Complete Edition and Nioh 2 Remastered: Complete Edition - in a single package for the PlayStation new generation. Both games will have 4K resolution and frame rate of up to 120 fps in the new platform, and (as the name of the games indicates) all the extra content of the duology. In the first Nioh, you play William, a foreigner who uses samurai skills to slay Yokais. In Nioh 2, you create a character who is a samurai and has Yokai powers. If there’s a Nioh 3, you will play a Yokai and will have to slay samurais. Besides the Nioh Collection, Nioh 2 - Complete Edition will also be available for PC and PS4.
Little Nightmares 2 - February 11
Following the acclaimed and popular horror game of 2017, in Little Nightmares II the player controls Mono, a small young man who must survive a world distorted by the Signal Tower. Alongside Six, the heroine of the original game, as your guide, The duo must work together using a combination of stealth and items to overcome complex puzzles and horrifying enemies. Mono has to muster the courage to save the girl in the yellow raincoat from her destiny. If you play, don’t expect little, but some big nightmares when you sleep. Little Nightmares 2 will be released for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury - February 12
Originally released in 2013 for the Nintendo Wii U, Super Mario 3D World resurfaces in the Switch with a new adventure in the package, entitled Bowser’s Fury. The game features several power-ups for Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad, ranging from cat transformation to a Goomba Suit and even clone creation. In Switch, the game will have an online multiplayer between up to four players and photo mode. Bowser’s Fury is an original adventure in which Mario forms an alliance with Bowser Jr. - which can be controlled by another player- and aims to defeat Fury Bowser, a giant and insane version of his iconic villain that loves to hear heavy-metal while throwing flames and showering lava at you. When exploring the region of Lapcat Lake, Mario must collect Cat Shines scattered throughout the different islands of the map - and avoiding Bowser’s fury whenever he awakens - until unlocking Giga Bell, which turns the hero into a giant super-Saiyan cat to face his nemesis on equal foot.
Persona 5 Strikers - February 23
Persona 5 Strikers is the mix between the Persona 5 universe and the gameplay elements from the Dynasty Warriors series. If you are not familiar, Dynasty Warriors puts you on a battlefield against a horde of enemies and you must complete the objectives while trampling them all over in hack ’n slash gameplay, aka musou. Persona 5 Strikers takes players on an epic journey with the Phantom Thieves, where they counter the corruption that plagues Japanese cities six months after the original game outcome. The summer vacation with friends takes a sudden turn as a distorted reality emerges. Now it’s up to you to reveal the truth and rescue the hearts of those trapped in the center of the crisis. Although both the original Persona 5 and Persona 5 Royal are exclusive to PlayStation consoles, Strikers will be released for PC and Nintendo Switch.
Ghosts ’n Goblins: Resurrection - February 25
The classic Capcom franchise returns in this remake for Nintendo Switch, Ghosts ’n Goblins Resurrection is a new game that bets on a graphic style inspired by the illustrations of the storybooks, trying to present a balance between modern and nostalgic. Players will have new spells and weapons to face new enemies. You play King Arthur in an adventure that will make you travel through a world full of dangers and enemies to save the princess. In the remake, there will be four difficulty levels, Page, Squire, Knight, and Legend. So far, the game will be a Switch exclusive.
Bravely Default II - February 26
Bravely Default II is the third game of the Bravely saga - for some reason, there’s a Bravely Second in between the games -, Bravely Default II tells a story with a world and characters completely new. The adventure follows four central characters: sailor Seth, princess Gloria, scholar Elvis, and mercenary Adelle. Developed by SquareEnix, you can find strong inspirations of the Final Fantasy franchise, not only in the role crystals play, the characters’ lives, and plot but also in the gameplay based on a job system and turn-based combat with the famous ATB (active-time battle), even though they call it otherwise. By defeating enemies, players receive Asterisks, by which they can then perform the change of jobs according to need. The series was born on Nintendo 3DS and has now moved to Switch.
