MARCH MADE IN HEAVEN
THERE ARE SOME TOP TITLES ON THE WAY VERY SOON – YOU COULD SAY IT’S A...
FEBRUARY is passing seamlessly to March, which promises lighter nights and warmer weather. It also brings a smattering of new games that should be on your radar. The month starts with a new Dead or Alive game, Dante and co are back with a fresh Devil May Cry adventure, and seeing out the month is a remaster of Assassin’s Creed III.
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 PS4, Xbox One, PC Release: March 1
NEVER one of my favourite fighting games, Dead or Alive is back with a sixth instalment, billed as a direct sequel to the storyline in Dead or Alive 5. There’s quite a bit of work gone into this new game, first and foremost its development on a new graphics engine.
New features include slow-motion moments and fighters will now sport visible damage over the course of the bout – and delightfully, the sweat effects introduced in its predecessor are more pronounced.
For the first time in the series you’ll be able to customise your characters’ costumes, and the game has been made more ‘beginner friendly’ with the introduction of Fatal Rush, which allows players to press a single button multiple times to execute a simple combo.
With a roster of 26 playable characters straight out of the starting gate, more will be added as DLC over the coming months.
Expect the game to be less ‘bouncy’ too, as the studio claims to have toned down the sexualized aspect of the franchise and more on the gameplay.
DEVIL MAY CRY 5 PS4, Xbox One, PC Release: March 8
IT’S been a strong start to the year for Capcom, thanks to the superb Resident Evil 2.
With Devil May Cry 5, Dante and Nero are back, alongside a new character – simply named V.
Dante’s arsenal has been dramatically overhauled, with our demon-hunting vigilante boasting a pair of buzz saw-like Devil Arms which, as you’d expect, combine into a motorcycle called Cavaliere, a set of fiery gauntlets and boots.
As well as his trusty Red Queen Sword, and Blue Rose Revolver, this time Nero comes equipped with robotic arms, subtly called Devil Breakers.
The mysterious V seems to wield only a cane and a book, so I’m sure there are great surprises in store.
This is the first Devil May Cry title that’s been developed on the RE Engine, the graphics software used to create Resident Evil 7, so teasers show it looking absolutely stunning.
TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION 2 PS4 Release: March 15
THERE’S a strong theme emerging around this year’s big releases – the fall of society. The plot of The Division 2 also focuses on a world-changing event, the release of a deadly virus in New York which has brought America to its knees.
Set in Washington DC seven moths after the fact, a civil war is breaking out between survivors who want to rebuild what we had, and a villainous band of marauders who want to steal power for themselves.
While this is an online multiplayer, there are single-player elements if you don’t fancy being sociable. Be warned though, the rewards for teamwork are much better than for being a lone wolf.
The first Division was incredibly popular, with more than 6.4million players taking part in the open beta ahead of its official release.
The beta for this release begins on March 1, which is open to all players, not just those who preordered the game.
UNRAVEL TWO Switch Release: March 22
THIS charming puzzle-platformer finally arrives on the Switch this month. You play as two Yarneys – cute little dudes made of string who are connected by a thread. It’s this connection which allows them to run, jump, swing and solve their way through the puzzles they need to conquer to move around their world.
It’s a beautiful world, too, a mix of urban and rural maps that are genuinely lovely.
While some of the puzzles are not exactly taxing, there’s a strange satisfaction to helping your adorable little creatures overcome an obstacle. Unlike its predecessor, Unravel Two gives you the option to play single-player or multiplayer, perfect for when you just want a quiet night of problem solving.
ASSASSIN’S CREED III REMASTERED PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch Release: March 29
THE Assassin’s Creed series is an absolute juggernaut which shows
very little sign of stopping. While there’s no new addition to the franchise this year, this remastered version of one of the series’ most popular early games (it was released in 2012) is a welcome sight.
Set around the American Civil War, you play as Connor, the son of a Native American mother and English father.
This remastered version has seen a new graphics engine introduced, the character models have been revamped and the game mechanics have been heavily modified.
For those lucky enough to have a console that runs in 4K, this promises to be jaw-droppingly pretty. For those who own Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, then this game will be available to download as an add-on – for everyone else, you can pick it up as a stand-alone title.