New month, somewhat new year, and a new list of my top picks for this month. It's weird to think that this is the seventh time I have made a top five games list, but that is neither here nor there. Let's look at my top picks of video games for the shortest month of the year, but before that let's get into the rule.

Rules are fun and for everyone. Here they are: the game has to be released on at least on of the major systems (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch). The game has to be new, so no remasters or re-releases onto new systems. One thing I do count is a game either entering or exiting early access, but that game can only be counted once. If a game does have multiple release dates like Destiny 2 or GTA 5, then I will only count the earliest release date. Finally, it has to be a game, not a DLC. With the rules out of the way, let's look at my top picks for February.

5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open-world RPG game in which you play as a blacksmith's son out for vengeance for his parents' deaths during the Holy Roman Empire. When I think of medieval open-world RPG games, I think of The Witcher or Skyrim, but what makes this game special and one big reason I am looking forward to it is for its realism. It strips away all of the mystical stuff and instead focuses on telling a realistic story and creating a world once lived. But this game isn't just a realistic game. Non-linear missions with consequences based on choices, plenty of activities to do in this world, and more are in this stunning world waiting to be interacted with. What holds me back on this game is the gameplay itself, as for the controls look rather clunky and despite my praise for its realism in its history, I think some of that realism like health can be rather annoying. Still, I hold high hopes for this game and will check it out when it releases on the 13th.

4. Fe

Fe is an action-adventure game in which you play as a fox-like creature exploring the Nordic woods and is trying to stop an evil force known as the Silent Ones from destroying the harmony of the woods. What I love about Fe is its hands-off approach to the game. I think that some of the best moments you can have in any video game aren't ones made by the developer, but by self discovery. One of my favorite video game moments didn't come from a cutscene or a story sequence, but from discovering the true scale of the game Everything. This hands-off approach as well as its interesting world, art style, and song mechanics blend to make an experience that is both unique and amazing. Whether or not the game will be a great experience will be determined on the 16th when the game releases for Switch, Xbox, PS4, and PC.

3. Aegis Defenders

Aegis Defenders is a 2d platformer-tower defense hybrid in which you play as four characters in search of a device that can save their village from an evil empire. It's been awhile since I have played a TD game, but at the same time I don't want to play another basic TD game. So having an alternative TD game like this game is refreshing to me. But more than the TD is the environmentally-diverse world, different characters and the ability to swap between them, the ability for co-op, the ability to combine items from different characters, and more. Hopefully the blend of platforming and tower defense is a good blend, but that can only be found out when the game releases on the 8th.

2. Metal Gear Survive

Metal Gear Survive is a survival action-adventure game that branches off the story of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. I know that some are mad about this game considering the title was taken away from Hideo Kojima (I don't have history with the franchise but even I am mad about that). Despite this, I still think this game has potential to be fun. Such aspects like base building and exploration are things I love to do (Slime Rancher, anyone?) But it is the co-op that will keep me interested in the game, as for I think this could be a solid game with one or more friends. What holds this game back from being number one besides the number one game looking great to me are the microtransactions. I am not as exasperated as I used to be on microtransactions, and I can live with unnecessary ones. As long as they aren't necessary, I will be fine with the game; I only put this because I don't know how severe they are. We will find out about what can be bought with real money when the game releases on the 21st, and hopefully it won't weigh down on the game too heavily.

1. Dandara

Dandara is a 2d metroidvania game about a world being oppressed and a heroine known as Dandara being awoken to save this world with one twist: Dandara doesn't walk around, but hops onto salt piles. Normally, I am not into these kind of games, or at least I don't hold as much interest in these games as others. But I have been playing a lot of Dead Cells, and I have had a blast with the game. I know it isn't the same exact, but my view on the genre has shifted. On top of that, I think the world and the movement style looks like a blast to play. I can't wait to get my hands on this game when it releases on the 6th for both major systems and mobile phones.

Special: Bayonetta One and Two, Assassin's Creed: Origins Discovery Tour, and Shadow of the Colossus

For my special list(a section where the items listed do not count towards my list), I have a whopping four games. I wanted to mention Bayonetta One and Two as well as Shadow of the Colossus, as for they are games that would've made this list if it wasn't for the fact that they are re-releases. I haven't played any of those games, but I look forward into getting into them. As for AC: Origins Discovery Tour, I just wanted to give it a shoutout because I think it is a really cool piece of content as well as a neat way of learning about the time period.

Well, that is the list. What are your top five? Put them in the comments and see how they compare. Anyways, thanks for looking at my list and I will see you on the next one, next month.