March PC Gaming Update
Welcome, PC Gamers to the March 2019 PC gaming update! It’s honestly been hard to write this, considering how many awesome games from January and February are still vying for my attention. We’ll see if April gets done at all, considering what March still has in store for us. Of course I jest, however I am struggling to remember a stronger start to a year in gaming than the one we’ve had in 2019. Without further ado, let’s talk about the games coming out in March!
- Alien League
- Alien League, developed and published by indie company Kraken Inc., is a party game that supports up to 4 players. Once purely console fare, the party genre has seen increasing acceptance on the PC as of late (see 2018’s Pummel Party), and I for one welcome the genre. One of the most well-known titles in the party genre is the Mario Party franchise. Like Mario Party, Alien League features an array of cooperative and competitive minigames to play with up to 4 people. Alien League’s simple controls, family-friendly style, and reasonable $13.99 asking price should put this on any family’s short list. Available March 1st, 2019 on Steam.
- Alien League, developed and published by indie company Kraken Inc., is a party game that supports up to 4 players. Once purely console fare, the party genre has seen increasing acceptance on the PC as of late (see 2018’s Pummel Party), and I for one welcome the genre. One of the most well-known titles in the party genre is the Mario Party franchise. Like Mario Party, Alien League features an array of cooperative and competitive minigames to play with up to 4 people. Alien League’s simple controls, family-friendly style, and reasonable $13.99 asking price should put this on any family’s short list. Available March 1st, 2019 on Steam.
- Dead or Alive 6
- The fighting juggernaut returns! Dead or Alive is back for its sixth installment, and rest assured, the *ahem* trademark style the previous entries are so well known for is alive and well. The franchise’s trademark “triangle system” returns as well; abilities are balanced in a rock-paper-scissors fashion, with each style of attack having its own appropriate counter. Dead or Alive 6 also introduces a new “break system” that the game’s Steam page describes as “a new dramatic strategic element to the fights”. If it’s anything like Soul Caliber VI, then the “breaks” would be like an Overwatch ultimate ability, with each character getting their own bespoke break. Between the just-released Soul Caliber VI, and Mortal Kombat XI in April, Dead or Alive 6 is entering a crowded arena (pun intended). Time will tell if it can stand on its own. Dead or Alive 6 is available through major resellers at $59.99 MSRP.
- The fighting juggernaut returns! Dead or Alive is back for its sixth installment, and rest assured, the *ahem* trademark style the previous entries are so well known for is alive and well. The franchise’s trademark “triangle system” returns as well; abilities are balanced in a rock-paper-scissors fashion, with each style of attack having its own appropriate counter. Dead or Alive 6 also introduces a new “break system” that the game’s Steam page describes as “a new dramatic strategic element to the fights”. If it’s anything like Soul Caliber VI, then the “breaks” would be like an Overwatch ultimate ability, with each character getting their own bespoke break. Between the just-released Soul Caliber VI, and Mortal Kombat XI in April, Dead or Alive 6 is entering a crowded arena (pun intended). Time will tell if it can stand on its own. Dead or Alive 6 is available through major resellers at $59.99 MSRP.
- ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!
- ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! is the long-awaited followup to 1991’s Sega Genesis cult classic ToeJam & Earl. Thanks to the power of Kickstarter, this indie rouge-like promises tounge-in-cheek antics and nostalgia-inducing visuals. The original game was known for it’s hip-hop inspired soundtrack, which thankfully returns in this version, as well. Fans of other platforming adventure games like Bastion should find the gameplay appealing. Developed and published by HumaNature Studios, the game is available March 1st on Steam for $19.99.
- ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! is the long-awaited followup to 1991’s Sega Genesis cult classic ToeJam & Earl. Thanks to the power of Kickstarter, this indie rouge-like promises tounge-in-cheek antics and nostalgia-inducing visuals. The original game was known for it’s hip-hop inspired soundtrack, which thankfully returns in this version, as well. Fans of other platforming adventure games like Bastion should find the gameplay appealing. Developed and published by HumaNature Studios, the game is available March 1st on Steam for $19.99.
- Left Alive
- Left Alive is a new game developed and published by Square Enix. In Left Alive, Square Enix tapped veteran talents from games and other media like Armored Core, METAL GEAR SOLID, and Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Described as a “survival action game”, Left Alive chronicles the invasion of fictional European country Novo Slava through the eyes of three different characters in the year 2127. Subjectively, it definitely has the look of METAL GEAR and Armored Core. As of this writing the Steam reviews sit at negative, however most of the poor reviews cite poor performance. If you get this game and you’re on an nVidia graphics card, make sure you update your graphics driver because the latest update resolves this issue. Reviews mentioning the latest update seem to be positive. Time will tell if Square Enix’s latest franchise will be, well, left alive to see get a sequel.
- Left Alive is a new game developed and published by Square Enix. In Left Alive, Square Enix tapped veteran talents from games and other media like Armored Core, METAL GEAR SOLID, and Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Described as a “survival action game”, Left Alive chronicles the invasion of fictional European country Novo Slava through the eyes of three different characters in the year 2127. Subjectively, it definitely has the look of METAL GEAR and Armored Core. As of this writing the Steam reviews sit at negative, however most of the poor reviews cite poor performance. If you get this game and you’re on an nVidia graphics card, make sure you update your graphics driver because the latest update resolves this issue. Reviews mentioning the latest update seem to be positive. Time will tell if Square Enix’s latest franchise will be, well, left alive to see get a sequel.
- Devil May Cry 5
- Devil May Cry 5 marks the return of demon hunter Dante for the first time in nearly 10 years. Fans remember the Devil May Cry genre for it’s fast-paced, flowing action, and over-the-top characters. Devil May Cry 5 returns in tip-top shape thanks to the help of Capcom’s RE Engine (previously deployed in Resident Evil 7 and January’s Resident Evil 2 Remake). In this game we have another franchise returning from an extended hiatus, which puts a lot of expectation on the shoulders of Capcom. Will it live up to the anticipation? Find out March 8th on Steam starting at $59.99.
- Devil May Cry 5 marks the return of demon hunter Dante for the first time in nearly 10 years. Fans remember the Devil May Cry genre for it’s fast-paced, flowing action, and over-the-top characters. Devil May Cry 5 returns in tip-top shape thanks to the help of Capcom’s RE Engine (previously deployed in Resident Evil 7 and January’s Resident Evil 2 Remake). In this game we have another franchise returning from an extended hiatus, which puts a lot of expectation on the shoulders of Capcom. Will it live up to the anticipation? Find out March 8th on Steam starting at $59.99.
- The Caligula Effect: Overdose
- The Caligula Effect is a port of a 2016 game for the Playstation Vita. Developed by Aquria and published by Atlus USA, this anime-styled turn-based RPG should be immediately familiar to anyone familiar with any of Atlus’ other offerings, such as Catherine and the Persona franchise. While I must confess I am not personally familiar with Atlus’ stable of games, I’ve generally heard positive things about all of their games. Additionally, it’s nice to see more Japanese game make their way from consoles to PC. If you’re a fan of Japanese RPGs with rich stories, turn-based strategy, and whimsical characters, then The Caligula Effect: Overdose should be right up your alley. You can pick it up on Steam March 12th, for $59.99.
- The Caligula Effect is a port of a 2016 game for the Playstation Vita. Developed by Aquria and published by Atlus USA, this anime-styled turn-based RPG should be immediately familiar to anyone familiar with any of Atlus’ other offerings, such as Catherine and the Persona franchise. While I must confess I am not personally familiar with Atlus’ stable of games, I’ve generally heard positive things about all of their games. Additionally, it’s nice to see more Japanese game make their way from consoles to PC. If you’re a fan of Japanese RPGs with rich stories, turn-based strategy, and whimsical characters, then The Caligula Effect: Overdose should be right up your alley. You can pick it up on Steam March 12th, for $59.99.
- One Piece: World Seeker
- One Piece: World Seeker is an open-world action-adventure game set in the One Piece anime/manga universe. You play as Monkey D. Luffy exploring the all-new Prison Island. Thankfully, the game appears to have the blessing and input of series creator Eiichiro Oda, an encouraging sign that should indicate the game will be true to the source material. Looking at the press images, the game really seems to nail the manga aesthetic for which series fans will go crazy. One Piece: World Seeker will be available on Steam beginning March 14th for $59.99
- One Piece: World Seeker is an open-world action-adventure game set in the One Piece anime/manga universe. You play as Monkey D. Luffy exploring the all-new Prison Island. Thankfully, the game appears to have the blessing and input of series creator Eiichiro Oda, an encouraging sign that should indicate the game will be true to the source material. Looking at the press images, the game really seems to nail the manga aesthetic for which series fans will go crazy. One Piece: World Seeker will be available on Steam beginning March 14th for $59.99
- Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
- Hot on the heels of February’s Anthem comes Ubisoft’s The Division 2. Now comes Ubisoft’s turn at the “loot shooter” genre. Given Anthem’s absolutely abysmal launch, it seems The Division 2 has a prime opportunity to win over the hearts and minds of gamers who have been left unsatisfied by Anthem. This time set in Washington DC, The Divison 2 has players battling ever more powerful enemies who drop ever more powerful weapons, with that cycle repeating throughout the game. Making this cycle engaging is at the heart of Anthem’s failure, and so too will The Division 2’s success hinge upon this. The Division 2 also has the somewhat dubious distinction of being available only on Uplay and Epic Games Store, a clear ploy to drive consumers towards Uplay in the midst of ongoing backlash against the Epic store. Either way, the game will be available through the aforementioned storefronts March 15th starting at $59.99.
- Hot on the heels of February’s Anthem comes Ubisoft’s The Division 2. Now comes Ubisoft’s turn at the “loot shooter” genre. Given Anthem’s absolutely abysmal launch, it seems The Division 2 has a prime opportunity to win over the hearts and minds of gamers who have been left unsatisfied by Anthem. This time set in Washington DC, The Divison 2 has players battling ever more powerful enemies who drop ever more powerful weapons, with that cycle repeating throughout the game. Making this cycle engaging is at the heart of Anthem’s failure, and so too will The Division 2’s success hinge upon this. The Division 2 also has the somewhat dubious distinction of being available only on Uplay and Epic Games Store, a clear ploy to drive consumers towards Uplay in the midst of ongoing backlash against the Epic store. Either way, the game will be available through the aforementioned storefronts March 15th starting at $59.99.
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Last but not least on this list is FromSoftware’s highly anticipated new action game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. FromSoftware is the developer behind the immensely popular Souls games (Dark Souls I, II, III, etc). The late 1500s Sengoku-era Japanese setting seems extremely compelling. You play as “the one-armed wolf”, charged with protecting a young lord. When plans go awry (as they tend to), it is only you that stands between the young lord and the vicious demon hoards. Expect challenging melee combat and physicality. Pick up Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice on Steam March 22nd, starting at $59.99.
- Last but not least on this list is FromSoftware’s highly anticipated new action game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. FromSoftware is the developer behind the immensely popular Souls games (Dark Souls I, II, III, etc). The late 1500s Sengoku-era Japanese setting seems extremely compelling. You play as “the one-armed wolf”, charged with protecting a young lord. When plans go awry (as they tend to), it is only you that stands between the young lord and the vicious demon hoards. Expect challenging melee combat and physicality. Pick up Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice on Steam March 22nd, starting at $59.99.
From the dark and gritty Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, to nostalgia joyride of ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove!, once again we have a wonderfully eclectic set of games coming our way in March. What are some of your must haves this month? If you’re reading this dreaming of a gaming PC of your own, don’t hesitate to consult the gaming specialists at DNA Computers, where brand-new gaming PCs start at just $699. DNA Computers, your friendly neighborhood computer store.
