We're halfway through February, and one of the big releases of 2025 is upon us. It has set the standard in everything fun, open-world, and medieval.
And if that doesn't take your fancy, there is also a recently released iconic remaster that should rekindle your love of all things Nintendo...
So, if you've cleared your back catalog of games from Christmas and are hungry for more adventure, check out a pair of new releases that are well worth your time...
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a story-driven RPG set in the medieval era. With easily over one hundred hours of content, it promises an endless sea of adventure, where you take protagonist Henry of Sjkatlkiz on a whistle-stop tour of the Trosky region of Bohemia.
As someone who missed out on the first Kingdom game, I was a little worried about how I'd fare taking on the sequel first. And yet, a detailed summary at the beginning of the game brings you up to speed quite effectively. Newcomers, you are more than welcome to the festivities.
From the offset, you'll learn that Henry is an honorable man whose humble beginnings keep him well-grounded. However, elements of tragedy in his background motivate him to seek revenge. But there are more pressing matters to attend to first.
While on a peacekeeping mission with Prince Hans of Capon, your party suffers a devastating ambush. Both Henry and Hans barely survive and look worse for wear. Sadly for them, the medieval era judges a book by its cover. No matter how much you insist that you are who you say you are, your ripped clothes, bloodied knuckles, and stench tell a different story.
With no proof of their noble identity, Henry and Hans must find a way to rise through the ranks of Bohemia to deliver their message and hopefully prevent a war from happening. And so begins your riches-to-rags-to-riches-again story, where you must build Henry back into the man you know he was. But as an open world, the game gives you so much freedom in deciding how you go about that feat.
Choose your words wisely...
With a reported 2.2 million lines of dialogue, there are so many different ways you can approach KHC2. Even the simplest of conversations in this game has the scope to turn into something entirely different for every player.
Conversations are laden with wit and curse words. And I don't think there was ever a moment when Luke Dale (who plays the snobby Hans) didn't have me in stitches with his outrage at being surrounded by peasants.
Through dialogue, players can craft protagonist Henry as whatever man they want him to be. You can focus on diplomacy and negotiate your way out of problems. Or, if you're feeling bold, threaten people to do as you want or leave you alone. The option is and always will be yours.
That said, it helps to be consistent, as your reputation with characters is influenced by your choices. In the game's early stages, I opted for a peaceful exchange with a greeting party as I didn't dare risk a brawl. But as soon as bandits were mentioned, and I offered to help fight alongside them, everyone, including my allies, called out my contradictions.
Trying to deceive an NPC and have it backfire is hilarious and embarrassing. Characters will spot inconsistencies in your manner, which could lead you into dicey situations. So keep a clear mind of who your Henry actually is, and try to be somewhat consistent in how you approach matters.
The medieval world is alive, kicking, and merciless
As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. And in truth, what you do and how you do it can have a greater influence on your time in medieval Bohemia. You'll learn that your behaviour can help or hinder you. If Henry suddenly appears in an area with a surge of crime, it won't take them long to point the finger at you. If you're skulking around an area you're not supposed to, people will follow and apprehend you.
Unfortunately, you're often compelled to rob what you can to make ends meet. Especially in the beginning, I was running around the vast countryside with no items, health, or regard for the law. Guards can conduct spot checks on your items to ensure you aren't carrying stolen goods. You'll need to pawn what you can at regular intervals to keep your rap sheet clean.
After a spell spent in the stocks (for a crime I still protest my innocence at), the interactions with everyone in the first town of Troskowitz change immediately. People shrieked at my bloodied body. The tavern woman refused to give me work, saying she hadn't forgiven me yet for my antics. That stung.
Later, when I returned to Troskowitz, I was sporting better clothing and attitude. I had bandaged my wounds and washed myself. And I was greeted with brand-new interactions, pleasantries, and relieved smiles from villagers. The tavern lady had forgiven me. All was well in the world.
This kind of responsive world makes KHCII a joyous, open-world adventure. No matter where you are or who you meet, you're always mindful that your conduct is key. What you do feels purposeful.
As Henry grows in strength and renown, he is still at the mercy of his mistakes. Having the wrong conversation, robbing the wrong person, or being found in the wrong area can pivot an ordinary game back into chaos. And you back into the stocks.
A sharp slice of knight action keeps the adrenaline pumping
It wouldn't be a medieval game without knights. And when words fail, you can always talk your way out of a situation with your sword, mace, or a bow and arrow. Combat can be gory and gruesome, and blood will be spilled across the screen in seconds (hopefully not Henry's.)
Rather than spamming a button to slash and hack your way to the top, Henry must attack from a specific direction to exploit enemy weaknesses. It's fun and engaging, where you're always looking for the best opening to lay down damage or what side you should block an attack from.
I recommend seeking skilled teachers across the region to unlock better combos and abilities. In the game's early stages, between bandits, wolves, and guards, my screen was a permanent 'game over' as I tried to defend myself from multiple enemies.
Speaking of death, I had one issue with the game: the save mechanics. Often, you can find yourself on the wrong end of a sword during a quest or even simply by traveling from A to B. Once Henry breathes his last breath, you'll realise you might lose 20 to 30 minutes of playtime since your last auto-save.
While this might be designed to make you think long and hard about every action, sometimes you lose yourself in the moment and bite off more than you chew. Repeating this multiple times can be a hassle. The only solution I found was to 'cheese' a save file by exiting the game at regular intervals. The paranoid feeling that I would die at any point kind of broke the game's flow. Perhaps better knights won't have this issue.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is already 2025's first big triumph
As the first big name of 2025, the pressure was on for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II to deliver a knockout experience. And it pulled it off flawlessly. A gripping narrative, fluid combat, and a seemingly endless world to explore means your time spent in the medieval era is one of immense fun.
I suspect I haven't even begun to uncover the game's true secrets and delights. And even if you have no experience with the series, there's a seat in the tavern for you to enjoy. If you've even the faintest interest in action, story-telling, or medieval life, prepare to get lost in this expansive game.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD
It wouldn't be a gaming recap without a remaster of some sort. This time, it comes in the form of Nintendo's banana-wielding hero, Donkey Kong, and a revisit to the 2010 classic from the Nintendo Wii, titled Donkey Kong Country Returns.
This HD version is a carbon copy of the original, complete with the exact levels and mechanics you'll know and love from the classic, as players help Donkey Kong and side-kick Diddy to recover a banana hoard from the Tiki Tak Tribe. Oh, the memories.
To do this, you'll blast barrels, stomp foes, and swing your way through various platform levels. It's as fun as you'll remember, and your screen will always be a source of colour and action. The visuals are probably going to be the biggest seller for this remaster. Die-hard DK fans might have hoped for some unique content or more bells and whistles to warrant a revisit to the past.
Like Paper Mario and Luigi's Mansion from last year, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD prioritizes graphics before everything else. That said, it allows Switch owners to play classic games that ordinarily would be out of reach from older platforms. And I'll also commend Nintendo for keeping their back catalog of classics alive.
New textures and character models make the game look and play smoothly. Coupled with co-op options, you can share the original story with younger gamers who may not have yet experienced it. As we approach the end of the Switch 1.0 lifespan, this could be one of the last blasts from the past we can expect for some time.
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is available to play on Nintendo Switch
