Keeping track of all the latest video games coming out is an increasingly complex task, what with multiple PC storefronts, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile, and more to keep track of, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every month I’ll be running down the games you need to be keeping an eye on, from the big triple-A headliners, to the intriguing indies you might overlook.
February was a packed month, and the crush isn’t really letting up in March. Players can look forward to a number of heavy hitters and exclusives including the much-anticipated Dragon’s Dogma 2, Rise of the Ronin, Alone in the Dark, WWE 2K24, and more. Things are equally busy on the indie front, with Annapurna Interactive’s latest Open Roads, the long-awaited full release of The Outlast Trials, and more.
Note: While I may have played demos or got early access to some of the games recommended in this article, in most cases I’m simply choosing games that look promising, and can’t vouch for the end product. Do wait for reviews before buying!
That said, here are the games you should be looking out for in March…
The Headliners
Unicorn Overlord (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 8)
Vanillaware, the makers of acclaimed, visually-stunning games like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Dragon’s Crown, and Odin Sphere, returns with their latest oddly-title effort, Unicorn Overlord. A new tactical RPG in the vein of Ogre Battle or Final Fantasy Tactics, players can expect Unicorn Overlord to deliver a compelling storyline, deep combat, and some very pretty art. You can pre-order Unicorn Overlord here.
WWE 2K24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Mar. 8)
Another year, another round of pro wrasslin’ action! After the disastrous WWE 2K20, developer Visual Concepts has been putting the work into improving the series, and WWE 2K24 seems like it may be one of their better efforts in some time. In addition to further upgrades to the in-ring action, players can look forward to new Ambulance and Casket matches, a retooled Showcase mode celebrating WrestleMania’s 40th birthday, and more. You can check out my hands-on impressions of the game here and my interview with gameplay producer Bryan Williams here. You can pre-order WWE 2K24 here.
Outcast: A New Beginning (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 15)
While the original Outcast isn’t that widely remembered today, it’s notable for being one of the earliest 3D open world adventures and it retains a cult following to this day. For various reasons, a sequel never materialized, but over two decades later the original Outcast development team has reformed to deliver Outcast: A New Beginning. The end result is a game that looks a bit out of step with modern trends, but not necessarily in a bad way, with its big, varied, colorful world, and focus on freedom and movement. You can pre-order Outcast: A New Beginning here.
Alone in the Dark (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 20)
Before Resident Evil, Silent Hill, or any of the other survival horror giants we know today, there was Alone in the Dark. Things have been a bit rocky for the franchise in recent years, but the new Alone in the Dark looks surprisingly promising, serving up a unique setting, solid production values, and plenty of unsettling Lovecraftian horrors. Even if the new Alone in the Dark doesn’t vault the franchise back to the top of the survival horror pantheon, it looks like a fun and freaky time. You can pre-order Alone in the Dark here.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 22)
After years of pleading from fans, Dragon’s Dogma 2 finally arrives in March, and it looks like the game is going to deliver everything those fans could have hoped for. Expect a bigger world, even more of a focus on open-ended emergent gameplay, all-new classes and ways to play, giant colossus-sized bosses, and more. Modern Capcom doesn’t miss the target often, and I very much doubt they will with this one. You can pre-order Dragon’s Dogma 2 here.
Princess Peach: Showtime! (Switch, Mar. 22)
Princess Peach had a bit of a star-making moment in the recent Super Mario Bros. Movie and now she’s getting her first solo game in nearly two decades. Princess Peach: Showtime! sees the Mushroom Kingdom monarch taking on a variety of new roles, from ninja, to mermaid, to “dashing thief.” Is this going to be the new game for ultra-hardcore gamers? No, but if your kids dig movie Peach, this seems like it will be a good chaser. You can pre-order Princess Peach: Showtime! here.
Rise of the Ronin (PS5, Mar. 22)
Rise of the Ronin is the latest from the Team Ninja folks who made the acclaimed Nioh games. This time around, Team Ninja casts aside the supernatural stuff, telling a more grounded samurai epic set in an expansive open-world version of 19th Century Edo Japan. While you won’t be taking on demons, you can still expect plenty of blood-soaked, thumb-straining Team Ninja combat. For PlayStation fans waiting impatiently for another Ghost of Tsushima game, it looks like Rise of the Ronin could fill the gap nicely. You can pre-order Rise of the Ronin here.
Promising Indies
The Outlast Trials (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Mar. 5)
After a lengthy stay in in Early Access, The Outlast Trials 1.0 arrives in March. This co-op take on the Outlast franchise allows you to experience all the flesh-rending horrors with friends, while also adding a deeper character progression system to the proceedings. Wccftech was a bit mixed on the Early Access version of The Outlast Trials, but user reviews on stream have gone up over time and are now very positive, so maybe a shared shriek session with friends is in order. Here’s the Steam page for The Outlast Trials.
Open Roads (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 28)
Indie road trip games seem to be all the rage lately, with the latest being Open Roads. Featuring a unique mother-daughter narrative rarely seen in games and a slick animated art style, this one manages to drive away from the pack. This is also the latest joint from Annapurna Interactive, who usually don’t miss when putting their stamp on games, so get ready for a memorable ride. Here’s the Steam page for Open Roads.
Pepper Grinder (PC & Switch, Mar. 28)
Those looking for a new retro platformer to test out their thumbs should look no further than Pepper Grinder, the latest publishing effort from the usually-reliable Devolver Digital. Reminiscent of the cult-classic Drill Dozer from the GBA era, Pepper Grinder mixes the ability to drill through the environment with traditional 2D platforming and the action looks plenty spicy. Here’s the Steam page for Pepper Grinder.
Full List of Games Worth Watching in March:
- The Brew Barons (PC, Mar. 1)
- The Mobius Machine (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 1)
- Ufouria: The Saga 2 (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 1)
- Microcosmum 2 (PC, Mar. 2)
- Biomorph (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 4)
- Kingdom: The Blood (PC, Mar. 4)
- Sixty Four (PC, Mar. 4)
- The Thaumaturge (PC, Mar.4 ; Xbox Series X/S & PS5 later in 2024)
- Classified: France ’44 (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 5)
- Expeditions: A MudRunner Game (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 5)
- The Outlast Trials (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Mar. 5)
- Berserk Boy (PC & Switch, Mar. 6)
- Reveil (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 6)
- Blade Prince Academy (PC, Mar. 7)
- Top Racer Collection (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 7)
- Ancient Weapon Holly (PC, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 7)
- Bore Blasters (PC, Mar. 8)
- Summer House (PC, Mar. 8)
- Unicorn Overlord (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch,, Mar. 8)
- WWE 2K24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Mar. 8)
- Contra: Operation Galuga (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 12)
- Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 13)
- Crown Wars: The Black Prince (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 14)
- Rebel Transmute (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 14)
- Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 14)
- PJ Masks Power Heroes: Mighty Alliance (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 15)
- Outcast: A New Beginning (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 15)
- MLB The Show 24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Mar. 19)
- Alone in the Dark (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 20)
- Dragon’s Dogma 2 (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Mar. 22)
- Princess Peach: Showtime! (Switch, Mar. 22)
- Rise of the Ronin (PS5, Mar. 22)
- Palia (PC & Switch, Mar. 25)
- Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Mar. 26)
- Millennia (PC, Mar. 26)
- Outpost: Infinity Siege (PC, Mar. 26)
- South Park: Snow Day! (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 26)
- Open Roads (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Mar. 28)
- Pepper Grinder (PC & Switch, Mar. 28)
And those are the games you should be keeping an eye on this coming month. What games are you planning to pick up in March? Did I miss anything you’re looking forward to?
