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February - traditionally a quiet period of the year - sees a big release practically every other week. Role-playing fans will rejoice with Ni No Kuni and Persona 4 Golden, while fans of blockbuster shooters will enjoy Dead Space 3, Aliens: Colonial Marines and Crysis 3.
There's also the long-awaited release of Skyrim DLC on PS3, as well as new coloured 'super slim' PS3 hardware.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Release date: February 1 (Europe), January 22 (North America)
Platforms: PS3
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch follows a 13-year-old boy named Oliver, who is transported to a fantasy world as he embarks on a quest to revive his deceased mother.
The PlayStation 3 RPG is a collaboration between famed animation company Studio Ghibli and Professor Layton and Dragon Quest VIII creators Level-5.
> Read our review of Ni No Kuni: A charming adventure
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Release date: February 8 (Europe), November 18 (North America)
Platforms: Wii U, 3DS. PC
This Wii U launch title finally makes it to Europe. The creative puzzle game allows players to create their own items for the first time and use them to solve puzzles and share with others online. It also features exclusive extras with the inclusion of characters and items from the Mario and Zelda series.
> Read Digital Spy's review for Scribblenauts Unlimited
Dead Space 3
Release date: February 8 (Europe), February 5 (North America)
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Dead Space 3 introduces new changes to the fan-favourite horror action series, including a snow-covered planet, co-operative play and Kinect support.
> 'Dead Space 3' preview: Five reasons to pick up the sci-fi horror shooter
> 'Dead Space 3' interview: Visceral Games explains why co-op makes sense
Watch Digital Spy's hands-on video for Dead Space 3:
Aliens: Colonial Marines
Release date: February 12
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Set 11 months after the events of the second movie, it will see marines crash-land on LV-426 and attempt to survive against the Xenomorph population, including enemies new to the Alien canon. The campaign can be played in single-player, or co-operatively by up to four players.
> Our preview of Aliens Colonial Marines: Embrace the terror
Blue, red 'super slim' PlayStation 3
Release date: February 15
The latest 'super slim' iteration of Sony's console will be available in Azurite Blue and Garnet Red, complete with coloured DualShock 3 controllers and a 500GB hard drive.
The console was first released in black in late 2012, and features a top-loading disc drive and a 25% smaller and 20% lighter form factor over the previous slim model.
Copyright: Sony
Crysis 3Release date: February 22 (Europe), February 19 (North America)
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Crysis 3 sees an alien-infested New York become encased in a 'Nanodome' which has created a natural environment within the city, adding a rainforest, swamplands and rivers, as well as seven distinct locations named the Seven Wonders.
Meanwhile the game's multiplayer, which is called Hunter mode, pits two players equipped with nanosuits and bows and arrows against up to 14 heavily-armed soldiers.
> Our Crysis 3 preview: Hunter mode brings campaign experience to multiplayer
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Release date: February 22 (Europe), February 19 (North America)
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Developed by Bayonetta and Vanquish studio Platinum Games, this shifts the focus away from Solid Snake and stealth, focusing instead on over-the-top arcade action, courtesy of cybernetically enhanced ninja Raiden and his razor-sharp sword.
> Our Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance preview: Raiden goes solo
Persona 4: Golden
Release date: February 1 (Europe), November 20 (North America)
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
This Vita version of the fan-favourite PlayStation 2 role-playing game contains a new character, new social links and story events not seen in the original, as well as more voiced dialogue, new personas to collect and an expanded Okina City to explore.
It also includes an online dungeon rescue feature, which allows users to call on their friends list for assistance when they are about to die in the game's TV world.
Assassin's Creed 3: Tyranny of King Washington DLC
Release date: February 19 (Xbox 360, PC), February 20 (PS3)
This campaign DLC explores what would have happened if George Washington had become a tyrant, as Connor wakes from a dream to discover that Washington has become king and attempts to dethrone him. This will be the first part of three separate episodes.
> Read our review of 'Assassin's Creed 3'
Skyrim: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, Dragonborn DLC
Release date: Throughout February (undated)
Platforms: PS3, PC
After failing to see release on PS3, Bethesda is to launch all three DLC packs during the month of February, and will be available at half price during their respective launch weeks.
Bethesda also confirmed that 'Dragonborn' will be released on the PC through Steam on February 5.
Also out this month:
Hitman HD Trilogy (Xbox 360, PS3 - February 1)
Special Forces Seal Team X (Xbox Live Arcade - February 6)
What games are you buying this month? Add a comment to the space below!
