February Release] 9 new PS5, PS4 & Switch games recommended by our editorial team to buy this month!

February 2023

Hogwarts Legacy

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Switch/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC
• Release date: 2/10/2023* PS4 and Xbox One versions on 4/4, Switch version on 7/25
• Genre: Open world action RPG
• Price: PS5 / Xbox Series X|S Normal Edition: 9,878 yen
• PS5 Deluxe Edition (packaged version): 10,978 yen
• Deluxe Edition (digital version): 10,978 yen
• PS4 / Xbox One Normal Edition: 8,778 yen
• PS4 Deluxe Edition (packaged): 9,878 yen
• Switch version: undecided
• Manufacturer：WB Games

Set at Hogwarts in the 1800s, players become students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and try to become wizards while unlocking ancient secrets that will determine the future of the wizarding world. The game features an open world, allowing players to freely roam around Hogwarts and the world of the original story. The game also features a system for learning spells and mixing magic potions.

Yakuza Restoration! Pole

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/Steam
• Release date: 2/22/2023
• Genre: Action Adventure
• Price: 7,689 yen (including tax) *Digital Deluxe Edition is 8,789 yen (including tax)
• Manufacturer: Sega

Based on "Yakuza Restoration!" released in 2014 is a full remake version incorporating various elements based on "Yakuza Restoration! The setting is Japan at the end of the Edo period. Ryoma Sakamoto joins the Shinsengumi to avenge his mentor's death, but decides to change his name to Hajime Saito and go undercover, risking death in the process.

This title features the flashy action typical of the "Yakuza" series. Players can switch between four battle styles in real time: the "Itto" style, in which the sword is a one-hit-kill weapon; the "Shogun" style, which specializes in long-range attacks using a revolver-type short rifle; the "Ranbu" style, which uses a sword and gun to fight as if dancing; and the "Fighting" style, which specializes in speed and is fought using only bare hands. In addition, Kyo, the setting of the game, is filled with a wide variety of places to play, including Japanese dancing, udon shop help, and a singing bar where new songs are also available.

Many elements unique to "Kyoku" have been added, including new sub-stories featuring familiar characters from the series, a "Memoir Collection" that offers a glimpse into the emotions of people living at the end of the Edo period, and a "Photo Function" that allows players to take screenshots in their favorite poses or in any direction they like.

Octopath Traveler II

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Switch/Steam
• Release date: 2023/2/24
• Genre: RPG
• Price: 7,800 yen (tax included)
• Maker: Square Enix

Sequel to "Octopath Traveler" which sold 3 million copies worldwide. Eight main characters are prepared, each with a different birthplace, purpose of travel, and special skills, and players can choose their favorite character to advance the story. The system that was well received in the previous title is still in place, and players can enjoy a high degree of freedom in character development by combining jobs and abilities, self-enhancement using "boost points," and exhilarating battles in which players can shave off opponents' shield points to put them in a breakdown state and then fold them all up at once.

LOOPERS

• Compatibility: PS4/Switch
• Release date: PS4 version 2023/2/16 Switch version 2022/6/2
• Genre: Visual Novel
• Price: 3,520 yen (including tax) *2,970 yen (including tax) for download version
• Maker: Prototype

A visual novel with a scenario by Ryuunishi 07 of "Higurashi When They Cry," the story follows the escape of a group of boys and girls trapped in a "looping world" that infinitely repeats August 1. The story is a one-way story with no options, and the lack of branching allows the reader to smoothly follow the development of the scenes and the dialogue between the characters.

This title also features an extensive set of extensions. The story can be enjoyed comfortably with a backlog that allows you to check before and after conversations, a maximum of 120 saved data creation, quick save and quick load, full HD quality, and more. Incidentally, the Switch version of this game will be released on June 2, 2022, so you can play that version as well.

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX

• Compatibility: PS5/PS4/Switch/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/
• Release date: 2/23/2023
• Genre: Shooter
• Price: 4,180 yen (including tax) *Limited edition is 7,920 yen (including tax)
• Maker: Moss

This title is the result of a collaboration between "Raiden," a well-known arcade shooting game, and Mikado, a game center. Based on "Raiden III," one of the most popular games in the "Raiden" series, new remixed BGMs and features have been added, including BGM remixes by renowned artists such as the Gou Sato Band and Heavy Metal Raiden.

New features include customizable wallpaper, portrait mode, online ranking, and replay mode. The ease of play has been greatly enhanced for the modern age.

Kirby Wii Deluxe

• Compatibility: Switch
• Release date: 2023/2/24
• Genre: Action
• Price: 6,578 yen (including tax) *6,500 yen (including tax) for download version
• Maker: Nintendo

Kirby Wii" released in 2011 is now available on Nintendo Switch with a power-up. In order to save Mahoroa, the crew of a spaceship that has crash-landed, Kirby and his friends set out to collect ship parts scattered all over Pop Star. The familiar controls of the "Kirby of the Stars" series, such as sucking in air to float, expelling air to attack, and copying the abilities of enemies that you have sucked in, are still present in this title, making it easy to perform a variety of actions.

The graphics have been completely redesigned, and new copying abilities have been added: "Sand," which manipulates sand, and "Armor," which fights in a robot-like suit. Other features include a new sub-game, "Find it! Mahoroa Library," as well as several popular favorites from previous titles in the series, including "Setsuna no Misaari" (Setsuna's Misaari). Not only the graphics, but also the volume aspect has been greatly enhanced.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered

• Compatibility: PS4/Switch/Xbox One*.
• Release date: 2023/2/16
• Genre: RPG
• Price: 5,478 yen (tax included)
• Publisher: Namco Bandai Entertainment Inc.

A remastered version of "Tales of Symphonia," one of the most popular titles in the "Tales of" series. 4,000 years ago, a group of "Dzians" who were supposed to be sealed off by the hero Mythos exploited mana, and Silverlance, where the story takes place, is in danger of extinction. Colette, a divine child who has received an oracle from the heavenly institution Crucis, sets out on a journey with her childhood friend, Lloyd, to revive the world.

In porting the game to the current generation of consoles, the game has been adjusted for ease of play. These include the ability to skip certain events, improved frame rate stability when activating techniques, the addition of a date display on the save screen, and improved operability when moving at sea. The game will be released on PS4, Switch, and Xbox one.

• The images shown are from the game under development.
• Xbox One will only be available as a downloadable version.

THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE

• Compatibility: PS4/Switch
• Release date: 2023/2/16
• Genre: Theater Rhythm Action
• Price: 6,380 yen (tax included)
• Maker: SQUARE ENIX

A rhythm game in which players press buttons at the right moment to the rhythm of songs from the "Final Fantasy" series. The game contains a total of 385 carefully selected songs from all numbered titles from "Final Fantasy I" to "Final Fantasy XV" as well as remakes, spin-offs, and soundtracks.

This title also supports Internet multiplayer, allowing up to four players to play against each other. Players can enjoy battles that make full use of special moves such as the "Burst Technique," which can be used to trick other players or to turn the tables on a disadvantageous situation. The game can also be shared, and as long as there is a pair of Joy-Cons, multiplayer play is possible on the spot.

Oita-Beppu Mystery Guide: Distorted Bamboo Lanterns

• Compatibility: Switch
• Release date: 2023/2/22
• Genre: Adventure
• Price: 2,000 yen (tax included)
• Maker: Fly High Works

The third title in the mystery adventure series with a retro style. The setting is Beppu City in Oita Prefecture. The head of the Anan family, a famous art family, and Artenube, a company that specializes in art using cutting-edge technology, are planning a large-scale art exhibition called "Techmix. While there was much anticipation for this innovative event, the high publicity and attention it garnered led to a succession of slanderous remarks and criminal threats by those dissatisfied with the event. The protagonist and detective Ken, who came to the site to strengthen security for Technomix, work hard to ensure the success of the art exhibition, but they encounter an incident.

In addition to offering a profound suspenseful drama, this title is also equipped with a variety of features. Ten save slots are provided, the message display speed can be changed, and there is a dedicated mode for one-handed play, making this game retro yet easy to play.