February Games Release Radar: Big games are finally back again!

It looks like 2022 is finally getting under steam for gaming fans! TAG24's Games Release Radar is here to give you an overview of what February has in store, with hits for nearly every system.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

In Dying Light 2, you have to deal with nasty zombies and the last remnants of humanity.
In Dying Light 2, you have to deal with nasty zombies and the last remnants of humanity.  © Techland Publishing

Facts:

  • Genre: First-Person Shooter
  • Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
  • ESRB Rating: M for Mature
  • Release Date: February 4

Dying Light, the brutal first-person action title from 2015, was very popular at release, and is still very popular today.

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It's no surprise that the sequel Stay Human is finally coming to all major consoles (except Nintendo Switch).

According to developer Techland, the setting will be even more dramatic than in the first game.

Protagonist Aiden, who was born into a dystopian world full of infected undead, is looking for his sister Mia – and apparently has some special abilities at his disposal to ensure his survival.

Those skills are also bitterly necessary, because especially at night, showdowns with nasty creatures are no walk in the park.

But just like in the first game, you have to contend with more than just zombies. The last human survivors are potential friends and foes, and the way you play the game will change how they react to you.

Lost Ark

Amazon could gain a foothold in the gaming sector with Lost Ark.
Amazon could gain a foothold in the gaming sector with Lost Ark.  © Smilegate RPG/Amazon Games

Facts:

  • Genre: Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game
  • Platform: PC
  • ESRB Rating: M for Mature
  • Release Date: February 11

You've already farmed out every last piece of armor in Final Fantasy XIV and Diablo 3, and you're longing for a new MMORPG that you can invest endless hours in once again? This time, the answer won't come from Blizzard, but rather from Amazon.

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The delivery giant set itself the goal of releasing Lost Ark to the rest of the world, after the game was previously only released in South Korea.

The title has already been described as a successful Diablo clone, but there is much more to it than just being a copycat.

In fact, Lost Ark has some great inspiration – including the aforementioned Final Fantasy – and has managed to create its very own formula.

If you like a huge game world, profound skill systems, and lots of monster-bashing, you should definitely keep an eye on this title.

According to Steam, the basic game will be free of charge. Deluxe editions start at around $20.

Horizon Forbidden West

Equipped with bow and arrow, Aloy explores an open world in Horizon Forbidden West that has it all. Not only machines are out to get her, but other humans become her enemies as well.
Equipped with bow and arrow, Aloy explores an open world in Horizon Forbidden West that has it all. Not only machines are out to get her, but other humans become her enemies as well.  © Guerrilla Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment

Facts:

  • Genre: Action role-playing game
  • Platform: PS4, PS5
  • ESRB Rating: T for Teen
  • Release Date: February 18

Hardly any other game managed to impress the gaming community more than Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017. As the young hunter Aloy, you had to fight your way through an open world that had been overrun by overpowered machines.

Back then, the varied gameplay and the mix of nature and futuristic tech were highly acclaimed – and that's exactly what the sequel Horizon Forbidden West is supposed to surpass.

PS5 players, in particular, will get their money's worth, as the first trailers and gameplay reveals promise impressively dynamic graphics that should easily outshine most of the competition this year.

In post-apocalyptic America, Aloy not only has to deal with the machines in the main and side quests this time, but also with the threat of extinction for the rest of humanity. It's all or nothing!

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

In the latest expansion of Destiny 2, we finally get to deal with the witch queen Savathun herself!
In the latest expansion of Destiny 2, we finally get to deal with the witch queen Savathun herself!  © Bungie

Facts:

  • Genre: Loot-Shooter
  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Stadia
  • ESRB Rating: T for Teen
  • Release Date: February 22

In 2021, Destiny 2 celebrated by far the best year since its release, so the anticipation for the next DLC The Witch Queen is naturally all the greater.

Finally, we can take on the long teased big baddie, Savathun, and even take the fight to her own world and face new opponents there.

On top of that, developer Bungie has already announced a new raid, new weapons, a new crafting system, and the revision of the some class abilities.

Perhaps the biggest news for some, however, is that new maps will finally be added to the Crucible Player vs. Player mode!

It all sounds pretty great on paper, so February 22 can hardly come soon enough!

Elden Ring

Crafting beautiful settings has always been one of From Software's great strengths.
Crafting beautiful settings has always been one of From Software's great strengths.  © From Software

Facts:

  • Genre: Action role-playing game
  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
  • ESRB Rating: M for Mature
  • Release Date: February 25

After years of waiting, Elden Ring will finally be released at the end of February and will hit every fan of some of the hardest games ever made right in the heart.

As usual, developer From Software – this time in cooperation with Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin – has included some oversized, nasty enemies in the role-playing game that will make your life very difficult.

At the end of 2021, some of our lucky testers were already allowed to play in a network test. Their conclusion? Elden Ring will be Dark Souls in an open world.

But the popular dungeons that have made the series so strong will not fall by the wayside, and there will still be plenty of temples and labyrinths that each hold a big boss.

Anyone who has even a rudimentary interest in some of the most challenging games ever made will not be able to avoid a purchase on February 25. Elden Ring could very well be the game of the year!

New games for Playstation Plus and Xbox Game Pass

Sony will offer these free games for the PS Plus service:

  • Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep, DLC for Borderlands 2
  • EA Sports UFC 4 for PS4 players
  • Planet Coaster Console Edition for PS5 owners.

The Xbox Game Pass will feature these games in February:

  • Dreamscaper
  • Besiege
  • Edge of Eternity

Cover photo: Collage: Techland Publishing + Guerrilla Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment + Smilegate RPG/Amazon Games + From Software

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