Regular readers of this column may remember that this isn’t the first time we’ve squeezed Halo Wars 2 into this space. Heck, it’s not even the second time. We’ve talked about the beta, the definitive edition of the first Halo Wars that was only available to those who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition of Halo Wars 2, and we even gave the game a shout out last week because those who bought the Ultimate Edition also got to play the full game then. But this is the last time we’ll spotlight Halo Wars 2. We mean it. The game is out now, for real, for everyone, and we won’t be dredging it up again.
Well, unless they put out DLC…
Read on to get the lowdown on all the new releases, including our picks for the most exciting games out this week. And if you’re wondering about future release dates, check out EGM’s full list of gaming release dates in 2017 and beyond, updated regularly as new dates are announced.
EGM’s top picks for this week:
Halo Wars 2 (February 21st)
Available for: Xbox One, PC
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Developer: 343 Industries, Creative Assembly
Why we’re excited: Halo Wars wasn’t as huge hit as the shooters it spun off of, but it’s gained a reputation as that rarest of games, an real-time strategy game that actually works on consoles. This sequel brings the (now) series up to 2017’s levels of visual and design polish, along with its first ever release on PC. The early buzz: EGM’s own Ray Carsillo gave Halo Wars 2 a 9.0 out of 10 in his glowing review. Other critics agree it’s good; the Metacritic average currently stands at 81. Some Assembly required: Halo minders 343 Industries enlisted the development help of Creative Assembly, the studio behind the Total War series of real-time strategy games as well as Alien: Isolation. Only fitting that a studio with expertise in the RTS genre and games about aliens is now making an RTS game about aliens.
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin (February 21st)
Available for: PS4, PSVR
Publisher: Double Fine Productions
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Why we’re excited: It’s been 12 years since Psychonauts released, but Tim Schafer is finally taking us back to the world of Raz and psychic secret agents. The early buzz: Not many reviews are in yet. In fact, there weren’t even enough for a Metascore at time of writing. If there’s any early consensus, it’s that Rhombus of Ruin keeps the original game’s humor intact, but this VR spin-off is a little on the short side. Psy-quel: If you want a meatier experience, Psychonauts 2 is currently in development. The game launched a successful crowdfunding campaign on Fig in late 2015, and is expected out sometime next year—though we’re already being treated to early footage.
Night in the Woods (February 21st)
Available for: PS4, PC, Mac, Linux
Publisher: Finji
Developer: Infinite Fall
Why we’re excited: Night in the Woods continues gaming’s recent streak of long-overdue projects finally seeing release. While this colorful indie adventure game can’t compete with the decade-plus development of The Last Guardian or Final Fantasy XV, it was first announced way back in 2013 with a successful Kickstarter. Way back then, the predicted launch date was early 2015. Whoops! And yet: You know, despite that long development cycle, and despite that fact that the EGM Crew has seen the game from afar at events for years now, we’ve somehow never actually written up a preview or anything, really. Just a single news article. Double whoops! The first taste is free: If you’re like to get a taste of what you’re in for, you can download two supplemental games—Lost Constellation and Longest Night—from the official website completely free of charge. Just scroll down a bit to find the links.
Also releasing this week:
February 21st
Berserk and the Band of the Hawk (PS4, Vita, PC)
Beyond Enemy Lines (PC)
Chime Sharp (PS4)
Chowdertwo (PC)
Clouds & Sheep 2 (PS4)
Dystoria (PC)
Ethereal Legends (PC)
Final Fantasy XV Booster Pack DLC (PS4, Xbox One)
Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One, PC)
Malicious Fallen (PS4)
Mervils: A VR Adventure (PS4, PSVR)
Night in the Woods (PS4, PC, Mac, Linux)
Please (PC)
Polterheist (PC)
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin (PS4, PSVR)
Resident Evil 7: Banned Footage Vol. 1 DLC (Xbox One, PC)
Resident Evil 7: Banned Footage Vol. 2 DLC (Xbox One, PC)
Typoman (PS4)
Vaccine (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, Linux)
Warhammer Quest (PS4)
Watch Dogs 2: Human Conditions DLC (PS4)
Ys Origin (PS4)
February 22nd
Beauty Bounce (PC, Mac, Linux)
Dodge Master (PC)
Open Sorcery (PC, Mac)
Shift Happens (Xbox One)
Super Spring Ninja (PC, Mac)
A Trip to Yugoslavia: Director’s Cut (PC, Mac, Linux)
Zombie Vikings (Xbox One)
February 23rd
ACA NeoGeo Neo Turf Masters (PS4)
Bedfellows Frenzy (PC)
Choppa (PC, Mac)
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – “A Criminal Past” (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Dye (PC)
Forma.8 (PS4, Wii U, Vita, PC, Mac, Linux)
Frog Hop (PC)
Geology Business (PC)
Shadows of Adam (PC, Mac, Linux)
Vive le Roi (PC, Mac, Linux)
February 24th
911 Operator (PC, Mac)
Blackwake (PC)
Bokosuka Wars II (Xbox One)
Chime Sharp (Xbox One)
City Climber (PC)
Eternal Return (PC)
Forma.8 (Xbox One)
Hollow Knight (PC)
Just VR Slingshot Target Practice (PC, Vive)
KByte (PC, Linux)
Land it Rocket (PC, Mac, Linux)
Midnight at the Celestial Palace: Chapter I (PC)
A Pixel Story (PS4, Xbox One)
Riptide GP: Renegade (Xbox One)
Seabed Prelude (PC, Rift, Vive)
The Shadows of Pygmalion (PC)
Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion: HD Renovation (PC)
Trulon: The Shadow Engine (Xbox One)
Warhammer 40K: Deathwatch (PS4)
Warhammer Quest (Xbox One)
We Are the Dwarves (Xbox One)
Wizrogue: Labyrinth of Wizardry (PC, Mac, Linux)
February 27th
Flix and Chill (PC, Mac)
The Last Weekend (PC)
River City Ransom: Underground (PC, Mac, Linux)
Stories Untold (PC)