Although we’re always looking to delight and surprise with our features, sometimes it pays to go back to basics. First we brought you daily recaps of gaming news, and now we bring you monthly schedules of what to expect from this adorable hobby. Or more precisely, how big of a hole a month’s worth of software will burn in your savings. We’re poor, and soon you will be too!

At the start of each month we will offer a run down of the noteworthy titles to be released during that period across all major consoles, portables, computers, and mobile, including their dates (accurate to the time of writing), along with some wisecracking from the staff on where they’ll be spending their hard earned dollars. We’d also love to hear from the community, learning what you’re most excited for, and if readers are keen we can look towards including community opinions in each month’s feature too.

But enough waffling, on with February’s line-up!

• 07/02 – Dead Space 3 (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
• 12/02 – Aliens: Colonial Marines (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
• 14/02 – Marvel Avengers: The Battle for Earth (Wii U)
• 14/02 – Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
• 21/02 – Crysis 3 (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
• 21/02 – Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
• 22/02 – Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires (PlayStation 3)
• 28/02 – Rayman Legends (Wii U)
• 28/02 – Persona 4 Golden (PlayStation Vita)

Michael Kontoudis

After the appetiser that was January, what with DmC Devil May Cry proving a most tasty morsel, February is shaping up to be a satisfying entrée to the banquet that is to come this year. Tortured metaphors aside, I’m very excited about this February’s releases for a number of reasons. The first is Dead Space 3, the third entry in one of my favourite horror-themed franchises. Mystifyingly, the marketing push for the game has been particularly weak, focusing on the newly-introduced co-operative mode, the weapon crafting, and the high-voltage set-pieces – but while I’m very sceptical about Dead Space 3, I’m going to dive in and judge it on its own merits to find out whether there’s more to the game than EA’s marketing machine has tried to lead me to believe. Following that up is not only Crysis 3, a game which piques my curiosity and craving for gorgeous visuals, is the showstopper that I’ve been anticipating for nigh-on 3 years since it was first announced under its less-ridiculous (and less awesome) nomenclature: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, from Platinum Games and Kojima Productions

While I’ll proudly admit to being the biggest Metal Gear geek on the staff, oddly enough it’s not the continuation of the Metal Gear lore and the post-MGS4 exploits of sensitive cyborg Raiden that have me salivating – rather, it’s the Platinum Games touch: the heady mixture of responsive controls, smooth visuals and over-the-top style that defines the studio’s best offerings, from Vanquish to Bayonetta. I’ve been playing the demo non-stop since its release, and even in unfinished form, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is addicting, responsive and intriguing in its intricacies. Can love bloom on the battlefield? When Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is finally unleashed later this month, I’ll tell you.

Bev Chen

ATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA! Ok, obvious quoting aside, it’s pretty exciting that Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage, the beat-’em-up take on the old school manga, did well enough financially and critically to warrant a sequel. Expect more ultra violence, ripped shirts, dead people and amazing battle cries.

Adam Shurey

This is an easy call, February is all about Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Rayman Legends for me. As a fan of the Metal Gear Solid games, I can’t wait to get my hands on this action packed title. Platinum Games have done a great job of bringing something new to the table, and they’ve done it with style. Not only is it a good looking game, but the combat is fast and intense, with an emphasis on parrying rather than blocking. It should be a very interesting experience. On the other hand, I loved 2011’s Rayman Origins. It was one of the most solid, challenging, yet fun platformers we’d seen in years, and it looked great to boot. Rayman Legends is following in the first game’s footsteps nicely, and is a welcome addition to the Wii U’s early software library. If possible, Legends looks even better than the first game, and the platforming is as enjoyable as ever. There’s even room for 5 players at once this time, with the addition of touch based GamePad features. The demos for both games were highly enjoyable, and I’m sure that we’ll be in for a treat. Meanwhile, for those who haven’t already imported the game from the US, Persona 4: Golden is a must buy for anyone with an interest in RPGs. The game is back, and better than ever on the Vita. With improved graphics, new Personas, new music, new events, new difficulties, new modes, and new characters, you’re in for a treat – even if you’ve played the game before.

Looking elsewhere, the other game that stands out is Crysis 3. It looks as though it’ll improve on Crysis 2‘s design, and will once again push the PS3 and Xbox 360’s graphical capabilities, while making an impressive appearance on PC. We’ll get to see what the CryEngine 3 is truly capable of, and it’s sure to be a pretty sight. The Crysis series has been a surprisingly solid one, and Crytek’s latest effort looks like a winner.

Jarrod Mawson

For me, February is all about two games: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Rayman Legends. Having just finished my latest playthrough of the Metal Gear saga, I’m more than prepared for Platinum Games (who can do no wrong) action heavy take on Kojima Productions crazy universe. Rayman Legends, on the other hand, delightfully comes about during an unfortunate Wii U software drought, and follows its excellent predecessor with more gorgeous platforming bliss. In both cases, playable demos left me salivating for much more, and I’ve played through the Rising demo alone upwards of ten or twelve times. On the fringe, Crysis 3 will bring about hardware melting graphics technology, and my fingers crossed for improvements over Crysis 2‘s design. Meanwhile Dead Space 3‘s design shift leaves me underwhelmed, though curious to see how the experience plays out. Aliens is Aliens, and should have me by the genitals, but…I’ve got a bad feeling about that one.

Cody Giunta

Out of everything this month, the title that I’m looking forward to the most would have to be Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Having Metal Gear‘d frequently in the past, I’m in the taut position of wanting to find out as much as I can of it and remaining blissfully unaware of what it will hold until I get the chance to play it in full myself. Will it live up to being a solid action game with a cerebral story bent, thanks to the folks who made Bayonetta being at the helm? Shall there be any major version differences? Will Raiden lose an even greater number of limbs and other bodily appendages this time around? Only time and a wickedly sharp blade will tell.

Anthony Capone

Oh Crysis 3, you beautiful sexy thing.

What are you looking forward to in February?