Eight years ago, Halo Wars managed to pull off the tricky feat of bringing the real-time strategy genre to the Xbox 360, taking the Halo mythos in a bold new direction. Now the sequel that many thought would never arrive is finally coming to the Xbox One. There are other crowd-pleasers dropping on the console this month, including the stealthy shooter Sniper Elite 4, the sword combat adventure For Honor and the creation-oriented sandbox Lego Worlds.
Here’s a look at the best Xbox One games coming out in February:
5. Torment: Tides of Numenera
Publisher: Techland Publishing
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Release date: February 28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-n59Jy4nt8
Launched by Kickstarter back in 2013, this fantasy RPG follows in the footsteps of the beloved 1999 PC game Planetscape: Torment. Set in a far future that finds a post-apocalyptic Earth sent back to the Middle Ages, you seek out artifacts that help you gain the resources and powers you need to battle evil.
PRE-ORDER: Torment: Tides of Numenera here
4. Lego Worlds
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Release date: February 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRfo4sKxtk
In a natural fit, Lego dynamics come to a Minecraft-like setting, which grants you access to countless Lego structures and minifigures that let you build characters and settings you’d previously only dreamed of. A deep online system lets you share your best work, download the cream of the crop and visit friends’ brick-laden domains.
PRE-ORDER: Lego Worlds here
3. For Honor
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release date: Feruary 14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1HkuGUaNBY
Vikings, samurai and knights swing their swords, axes and maces to take over territory and vie for rule of the kingdom. The timeline-twisting setup makes for some excellent chances to geek out over historical what-if battles, and the immaculately detailed combat system will have you tweaking your stances, weapon customizations and battle technique for months to come.
PRE-ORDER: For Honor here
2. Sniper Elite 4
Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Release date: February 14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8rpeBBLMpc
There are few gaming thrills that can match stalking an enemy, lining up a clean headshot, holding your breath and popping your victim without him ever having seen it coming. While the Sniper Elite series has been hit and miss in the past, it’s gradually gotten better over time. Graphical, control and layout design improvements promise to make this the best the franchise has ever seen.
PRE-ORDER: Sniper Elite 4 here
1. Halo Wars 2
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Ensemble Studios
Release date: February 21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjN1eWhzPeA&t=16s
Real-time strategy fans have been dreaming of this one for most of the last decade. Now that Halo 4 and 5 have so vastly expanded the franchise’s universe, developers have more units, vehicles and settings to play with. Expect intense multiplayer showdowns, along with a sprawling, twist-filled campaign.
PRE-ORDER: Halo Wars 2 here
Order Phil Villarreal’s novel, Zeta Male, here.
