Historically notauthentic Japan in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, photorealistic life simulator InZOI, tin cans on wheels in Wreckfest 2, British history after the nuclear disaster in Atomfall, or maybe something more positive in the fun atmosphere of Split Fiction, a new creation of the developers of the best game of 2021? The choice is yours, and we’re going to make a traditional announcement of the most interesting projects of the month in the video game industry.
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Genre: Real-time strategy
Date: March 4
Platforms: PS5
Although real-time strategy games are primarily a PC gaming feature, in recent years almost all major projects of the genre have been released on consoles. The release of Age of Mythology: Retold on PS5 six months after its release on PC and Xbox consoles will close the gap in its presence on modern platforms. It has every chance of becoming a pleasant event for fans of the strategy genre, as the game combines classic gameplay with modern technological improvements. Thanks to updated graphics, improved animation and 4K support, the remaster of the 2002 game has gained a new level of visual depth, which is especially important for next-generation consoles. In addition, the adaptation of the controls to the PS5 gamepad will make the strategy game more accessible to those accustomed to console gaming, allowing them to comfortably control characters and mythical creatures without a traditional mouse and keyboard.
Another interesting feature of the remaster is the integration of network functions, which allows PS5 owners to compete online in advanced multiplayer. Thanks to the console’s power, the game promises to have faster loading times and more stable frames per second, which will make the gameplay smoother and more immersive. In addition, Retold contains both a classic campaign and new content that allows both veterans of the series and newcomers to plunge into the world of ancient mythology with updated mechanics and effects.
Age of Mythology: Retold will be only the second game in the series to come to Sony’s console
Genre: Business simulation
Date: March 4
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Are there any «dinosaurs» people who get a chill up their spine when the phrase «Night at the Museum» is mentioned? If so, the third month of the year offers your nostalgic nature a sequel to the business simulation games Two Point Hospital (2018) and Two Point Campus (2022). It beckons you to spend your leisure time creating and running your own museum, while also offering elements of management and creative design. Isn’t this the kind of job you’ve always dreamed of, Larry?
The game allows you to build exhibition halls, design exhibits, and entice visitors with unique artifacts, interactive exhibits, and even futuristic technologies. As in the previous projects of the British studio Two Point, there is a humorous style inherent in the series. The project is interesting not only for its deep simulation but also for its light and cheerful atmosphere, which can help you emotionally recover from a tense reality. In Two Point Museum, players will have to create beautiful galleries and manage finances wisely, attract visitors, and solve unforeseen problems such as broken exhibits or eccentric guests. In addition, the game offers a wide range of themes for the museum — from classical art to scientific experiments and archaeological discoveries, allowing everyone to create a unique space and tell their own story.
Out of 64 reviewers on OpenCritic, 94% recommend trying this cute museum simulator.
Genre: Action-adventure, platform, co-op
Date: March 6
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
You shouldn’t overlook the new creation of Hazelight Studios, the developers of the cooperative masterpiece It Takes Two, winner of the title of the best game of 2021. Split Fiction has every chance to interest with its unique combination of interactive storytelling and unique mechanics that require close cooperation between two players.
The game allows you to move between alternative realities, each of which has its style, rules, and characters. A special emphasis is placed on storyline branching: the players’ choice affects not only the development of the story but also the available techniques, which promises a unique gameplay that will change throughout the passage. The unique atmosphere will also be influenced by the vivid visual style and cinematic approach to telling the story of two writers, Mio and Zoe. They accidentally find themselves trapped in their stories after connecting to a machine designed to steal creative ideas.
The dream project «no microtransactions, no nonsense» will reach all modern platforms very soon and will be cross-play from the day of release. As a gesture of goodwill, the developers are allowing two players to buy only one copy of the game to play with a partner online.
Genre: Action, RPG
Date: March 13
Platforms: PS5
The eye-catching Dungeons of Hinterberg takes players to the alpine town of Hinterberg, which has become popular among adventurers for its mysterious dungeons.
Players take on the role of Luanne — a young tourist who explores these dungeons, fights dangerous creatures and solves puzzles. The gameplay is divided into two parts: exploration and combat, as well as social interaction in the city in the evening. The latter allows you to strengthen ties with local residents, which opens up new opportunities and affects character development.
The game has a hand-drawn visual style and is aimed at those who appreciate atmospheric adventures. The release on Sony consoles will take place almost a year after the release of the X|S Series for PC and Xbox.
Genre: Action, RPG
Date: March 11
Platforms: PC
March — a real find for fans of Japanese culture. Rise of the Rōnin, which will try to compete with the massive Assassin’s Creed: Shadows on the PC market. While the new AC chapter will traditionally rely on stealth mechanics and a familiar approach to reconstructing historical events, Rise of the Rnin will lose its exclusivity for PlayStation 5 this month. It will also offer an open world of 19th century Japan, where the player gets significant freedom in completing missions and making decisions.
In this context, the question is not which game is better, but what type of experience players are looking for: Rise of the Rōnin with a more open structure with a choice of paths and allies; or «Shadows», which will be faithful to the formula of parkour, stealth missions, large-scale historical reconstructions of events and the world of the past.
Genre: Sports
Date: March 19
Platforms: PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
The popular overseas MLB The Show series has found a handful of fans in Europe in recent years. The new installment of the baseball simulator promises significant changes in its main modes, including the abandonment of the «Sets and Seasons» system that was introduced in the previous installments.
The developers aim to make the gameplay more stable and predictable for players involved in the long-term development of teams. Updates to the mechanics of hitting and serving, improved graphics, and expanded customization options are also expected. The game will traditionally bypass PC and remain the main baseball simulator for consoles.
Genre: Action, RPG
Date: March 20
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, macOS
The long-suffering new installment of one of the most successful gaming franchises in history seems to be coming out in the middle of this month after two postponements. After receiving devastating criticism from both fans of the series and people not close to the industry, Ubisoft Quebec has been rewriting the gameplay and story of this massive project on the fly.
The game is set in feudal Japan, and the main characters will be two characters, each with their methods of conflict resolution. The new chapter in the series will determine not only the future of the series (which is now more than ever in jeopardy), but also Ubisoft itself, which, according to analysts, is pinning its last hope on the financial success of Shadows.
Genre: Action-Adventure, beat ’em up
Date: March 20
Platforms: PC (early access)
Have you had enough nostalgia for twenty-year-old movies? It’s the turn of Her Majesty «What’s in the Heart», a veteran of the gaming industry who associates the word Fallout not with the post-apocalypse, and certainly not with Tom Cruise, but with something crazy, fast and four-wheeled from the noughties.
The sequel to the popular racing simulator with an emphasis on collision and destruction physics, like the original, will first be available for trial as part of Steam Early Access.
The game promises an improved damage system, new tracks, and vehicles, including motorcycles, which add variety to the gameplay. Thanks to the updated engine and expanded car modification options, Wreckfest aims to maintain a balance between arcade drive and realistic destruction mechanics.
Genre: Action, survival
Date: March 27
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Speaking of Fallout, let’s not forget to mention the upcoming release of Atomfall, an open-world adventure game that combines elements of survival, exploration, and psychological thriller. Developed by the British studio Rebellion, it takes players to an alternative version of Britain in the 1950s, where a mysterious nuclear incident turned a once ordinary area into an isolation zone full of dangers and mysteries.
One of the game’s key features is its atmospheric open world inspired by real-life events, in particular the accident at the Windscale nuclear complex
The game also focuses on the plot and characters. In a world that balances between science fiction and folk legends, meetings with other inhabitants of the zone can be both rewarding and dangerous. Players will be able to influence the development of the story by making decisions that will determine their place in this isolated society.
The unique combination of the British setting, nuclear disaster motifs, and survivalism can make the game stand out among future releases.
Genre: Life simulation
Date: March 28
Platforms: PC
Krafton’s ambitious life simulator aims to compete with the Sims series by offering a more realistic approach to the characters’ everyday lives. Players will be able to create their own avatars, shape their personalities and manage their lives in a large open city that develops dynamically and responds to user actions. The developers pay special attention to the artificial intelligence of NPCs, which will have their own goals, habits, and behavior.
Journalists note that InZOI can become a serious alternative to the once glorious creation of Maxis studio, thanks to improved graphics and more realistic simulation of social interactions. The game uses the Unreal Engine 5 engine, which provides detailed visuals and smooth animations. If the developers manage to balance freedom of action, interactivity, and depth of life simulation, InZOI can attract the attention of fans of the genre looking for a new level of realism.
Eventually, the game will also come to consoles.