GRIND's Recommendations for February 2026
February throws us right back into the action!
If January wasn't too generous with releases, well... February is here to tip the scales. Now that the 'hangover' from the gift-giving season is over and most of us have returned to our normal rhythm, LOOK OUT! A veritable flood of fresh titles is coming: release after release, from different genres, so everyone has something to play. And for those who want a more 'gamer' Valentine's Day with their loved one, don't worry: we've included a co-op title perfect for playing together.
Quick disclaimer: delays and, more recently, cancellations have become perfectly normal in this wonderful industry. Although we were almost convinced that the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was going to be released last month, it was cancelled without much explanation. Unfortunately, we can't turn back time or fast-forward, because we don't have the Dagger of Time, so we can't know if the release dates of the games in the list below will change or if some titles will disappear completely at the last minute.
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined
Release date: 6 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam
We're kicking off the month strong with a classic JRPG: the remake of Dragon Quest VII, now rebranded as Reimagined. After three excellent remakes released in just two years, namely Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake and Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Square Enix brings us its fourth major project in 2026! And we're not talking about a simple remaster, but a complete 3D recreation of one of the most beloved titles in the franchise, Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past. It's worth mentioning that this is the game's second remake, the first being released in 2013 on Nintendo 3DS in Japan and in 2016 in the rest of the world.
The difference between the original title and the current version is night and day: the action no longer takes place in a 2D space, but in a fully 3D world, built in a way that evokes carefully crafted dioramas. The emblematic character and monster design, signed by the legendary Akira Toriyama (creator of Dragon Ball), does full justice to the famous artist, and battles and exploration now benefit from modern mechanics, such as fast-forward and battle skip. In addition to these additions, Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined also includes the "Moonlight" system, which allows choosing a secondary class, as well as a new story chapter.
Nioh 3
Release date: 6 February 2026
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
After two new IPs, namely Rise of the Ronin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, as well as an epic continuation in the Ninja Gaiden universe, Team Ninja returns to one of its most beloved franchises: Nioh. The third game promises an expansive adventure, unfolding across multiple historical eras, where we step into the role of Tokugawa Takechiyo, the grandson of the first shogun Tokugawa. Unfortunately, he is betrayed by his own brother, Tokugawa Kunimatsu, a character obsessed with the idea of ruling Japan at any cost. Following the betrayal and the decimation of the castle by the yokai of Kunimatsu's army, the protagonist is thrown into different famous eras of Japan, such as Sengoku, Heian, and Bakumatsu, where he will try to discover the origin of the darkness that corrupted his brother and how he can defeat it.
From the hours spent in the demo, we can tell you that the game represents a clear evolution of the established formula and the culmination of everything the Team Ninja team has learned in the last decade. Nioh 3 seems to be the most accessible title in the trilogy, coming with an intuitive but difficult-to-master combat system, along with vast open-zone areas. In addition, the two new fighting styles, samurai and ninja, allow players to craft their own playstyle, adapted to personal preferences.
Crisol: Theater of Idols
Release date: 10 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC-Steam
What happens when we throw the legendary BioShock into a cauldron, generously sprinkle reinterpreted Spanish Catholicism, and add a dash of Lovecraftian Deep Ones? Apparently, we get Crisol: Theatre of Idols, the newest game distributed by Blumhouse Games! Yes, you read that right, the famous horror production house has had a video game division since last year. Getting back to Earth, Crisol: Theatre of Idols is exactly the combination described above: a slow-paced title with an oppressive atmosphere, where we step into the role of Gabriel, a soldier in the service of the Church of the Sun God, sent to the island of Tormentosa to discover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of the parishioners.
The protagonist is not just a mere witness to the horrors, but will actively fight them. Being a soldier, Gabriel has the necessary skill to use the various firearms he finds on the island, but he also possesses a unique ability: blood manipulation. Through this power, he creates his own bullets by sacrificing his life, a mechanic that generates a tense loop where every shot fired counts.
Romeo is a Dead Man
Release date: 11 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Suda51 is an often-overlooked genius of creativity, and his latest project, Romeo is a Dead Man, can only be described as a fever dream translated into a video game. The master of action returns with a crazy story, in which the protagonist Romeo Stargazer, an ordinary policeman, searches for his missing girlfriend, Juliet. The investigation brings him face to face with a mysterious killer who murders him, but a mad scientist brings him back to life with an experimental device. This unfortunate episode propels him into the attention of the FBI's temporal-spatial division, which recruits him to hunt down the most dangerous criminals across time and space!
The title marks the first completely new IP from Grasshopper Manufacture Inc., the studio behind cult creations such as killer7, No More Heroes, and Killer is Dead.
Mario Tennis Fever
Release date: 12 February 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2
We're in the midst of the Mario franchise's 40th anniversary, and we're just starting to see what surprises the big N has prepared. After the Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 remasters, we're also seeing the release of the first exclusive Switch 2 game to join the famous plumber's universe: Mario Tennis Fever!
The title is a direct sequel to Mario Tennis Aces and introduces a completely new system for fans: Fever rackets, capable of executing special shots that differ from character to character. In addition to a plethora of accessories and customisation options for the famous athletes and their sports gear, the game also includes a new mode called Adventure Mode, where heroes must learn how to play tennis again after being transformed into babies! This mode seems to represent the game's main campaign and promises varied challenges, as well as intense boss 'battles'.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Release date: 12 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, PC
SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continue the tradition started ten years ago with the first Kiwami. Titles in this series are, in essence, remakes of games from the main series, and Kiwami 3 promises to bring more changes than its predecessors. In addition to the camera angle, changed from fixed positions to an over-the-shoulder perspective, and a world recreated with modern graphics, the game introduces new side activities and a separate story. This practically functions as a Yakuza 3.5, giving us the opportunity to witness the transformation of Yoshitaka Mine, the title's antagonist, from a disgraced CEO into the leader of the largest Yakuza clan in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The demo is already available and, unfortunately, has not been received with much enthusiasm by fans. They have noted a series of major changes that are more reminiscent of the disastrous Definitive Edition of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas than a remake made with care and respect for the original material.
High on Life 2
Release date: 13 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
After the surprising success of the first game, High on Life returns with a sequel titled High on Life 2. Still developed by Squanch Games, but without the involvement of Justin Roiland (removed from the project after two scandals in 2023), the new title introduces elements not present in the first game and slightly changes the gameplay direction, pivoting towards a Metroidvania-style structure. The series' specific humour is still present, but this time we have more weapons and a new world traversal mechanic: a cosmic skateboard.
Reanimal
Release date: 13 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC-Steam
We promised you a title to play with your partner, didn't we? Reanimal is the first project from Tarsier Studios and the spiritual successor to the Little Nightmares franchise. So, if you were disappointed by Little Nightmares 3 and felt it didn't capture the essence of the first two games, the explanation is simple: it wasn't made by the original team. Reanimal seems like a natural continuation of their established formula, and the atmosphere observed in the trailer is ten times more oppressive in the demo. We can't promise you a syrupy experience, but it will certainly be a memorable one! And it might even make your relationship stronger!
Styx: Blades of Greed
Release date: 19 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC-Steam
I couldn't believe it either, but the series that began in 2012 with Of Orcs and Men is still alive. After three games, the last one released almost nine years ago, the famous goblin assassin Styx returns for a new adventure! This time, our hero infiltrates the Iserian Continent and forms a gang of thieves, on a risky mission to obtain the world's most coveted resource: Quartz. This magical stone grants unimaginable powers to its users, which is why the kingdoms of men, elves, and orcs are ready to wage war for control of this finite resource.
Styx benefits from new powers and can traverse the world both horizontally and vertically, offering the player almost total freedom in approaching missions. However, abusing these abilities comes at a cost, and enemies learn and adapt to the tactics used by our little protagonist. Progression is inspired by the Metroidvania genre, encouraging revisiting already explored areas once new tools and abilities are unlocked.
Resident Evil: Requiem
Release date: 27 February 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC-Steam, Nintendo Switch 2
One of the most anticipated titles of the year, Resident Evil: Requiem is the ninth game in the main series of the famous franchise. As in most classic titles, the story can be played from the perspective of two protagonists: the famous agent Leon S. Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft, a completely new character. Leon's sections are seemingly ripped from action films, while Grace's segments are closer to pure horror. The two will find themselves in the midst of a conspiracy unfolding in the ruins of Raccoon City, the same location where the events of Resident Evil 2 took place.
My dears, these are the recommendations for February! We sincerely hope that at least one of the titles above catches your eye in the month of love... and we apologise in advance for the backlog that will surely grow even more...