Dragon’s Dogma 2, Rise of the Ronin, WWE 2K24 and more: March’s biggest game releases

2024 is shaping up to be the toughest year yet for video game releases, with big titles like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League already around the corner. March promises to be a busy month for video games as well. WWE 2K24 was released on March 8, delivering its familiar and fun wrestling playground in an updated package. Team Ninja’s latest action RPG, Rise of the Ronin, is out later this month. The developer is known for its grueling yet rewarding Souls-like Nioh series, and this time it’s expanding the scope with a narrative-driven open-world RPG.

Several major ports are also coming this month. First up is Hi-Fi Rush, an Xbox and PC exclusive that launches on PS5 on March 18. Last month, Xbox announced plans to release four of its first-party titles for the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The award-winning rhythm action game from Tango Gameworks is up first. Then there’s Horizon Forbidden West, which finally arrives on PC on March 21st, after a two-year exclusive run on PlayStation consoles.

The most notable release of the month is probably Dragon’s Dogma 2, the long-awaited sequel to 2012’s Dragon’s Dogma. The Capcom-developed action role-playing game lets players take on monsters alongside their party members in an open-world environment. The game arrives on March 22 for current-gen consoles and PC. Coming this month are some other interesting games from different genres. Here are our picks for the biggest titles for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch in March.

The Thaumaturgist

When: March 4

Where: computer

If you’re an RPG fan and find yourself returning to Baldur’s Gate III, then The Thaumaturge will be right up your alley. The top-down turn-based RPG may not match the production value and scale of last year’s hit game, but it certainly punches above its weight in terms of rich narrative and engaging gameplay. The main character of the game is Viktor Shulsky, a detective and thaumaturge investigating the death of his father.

A thaumaturge is a mage who can capture and command a special type of spirit class known as saluters who represent a certain human flaw. Once captured, the thaumaturge can use their abilities during combat. The description is enough to emphasize the mystical and supernatural genre of the game, but there is an equal part of historical fiction in it, as the story moves through Russian-controlled Warsaw during the reign of a tsar.

The dialogue-heavy narrative helps build the rich narrative of a complex protagonist fighting battles both in the outside world and within himself, but the gameplay is also interesting. The main combat is turn-based, giving you plenty of room to build your own strategies. You’ll also need to hunt for clues and interact with people to learn lore and progress through chapters.

WWE 2K24

When: March 8 (March 5 for Deluxe Edition)

Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X

WWE 2K24 arrives just in time for Wrestlemania XL, which is scheduled for April 6. The annual arcade-style wrestling simulation comes with some new attractions this year. 2K features four new game modes including Special Guest Referee, Ambulance Match, Coffin Match and Glove Match. Some of these game modes have not been seen in recent years and will help gamers relive the nostalgia of Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels in a casket match and John Cena vs. Kane’s Ambulance match.

A new super finisher has also been added which will allow you to get an extreme version of your finisher. Single-player fans get two new MyRISE experiences and the new Showcase of Immortals mode, which takes you on a journey through 40 years of Wrestlemania. You can also play as more than 200 WWE superstars, including legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Eddie Guerrero, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Macho Man Randy Savage, and the full current roster. One small downside is that the visuals and gameplay aspects haven’t seen much improvement.

Hi-Fi Rush

When: March 19

Where: PS5

An Xbox-first title, Hi-Fi Rush released exclusively on Xbox consoles and PC last year and captivated audiences with its rhythm-based action gameplay and distinctive art style. Tango Gameworks title is finally going multi-platform. Last month, Microsoft announced plans to release four of its exclusive titles on PlayStation consoles and Nintendo Switch. Hi-Fi Rush will be the first among these four.

The main character of the game, Chai, is a rock star who has a music player embedded in his chest. This allows players to fight in tune with the rhythm of things. Hi-Fi Rush follows every action to the beat, with a colorful art style to complement the live sounds. Coming to PS5 on March 19th.

Alone in the dark

When: March 20

Where: PC, PS5, XSX/S

After several iterations since the original 1992 game, the 2024 Alone in the Dark reboot sticks to its classic survival horror roots. You are trapped in a horrible home shrouded in mystery and darkness. You must go through creepy passages and solve complex riddles to discover the mysteries buried in the walls. You are not alone in this cold environment. Sinister creatures lurk in the shadows, ready to pounce on unwary victims.

Developer Pieces Interactive brings Emily Hartwood (Jodie Comer) back to Derseto Manor with private detective Edward Carnby (David Harbour). You can choose to play as any of these characters, allowing you to observe a situation from two perspectives. Through a series of dialogues, puzzle solving and battles, you’ll be able to make choices that directly affect the outcome of the story – will you face your fears head on or take a more cautious approach, sidestepping the dangers that lie in wait?

Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition

When: March 21

Where: computer

Guerrilla Games’ acclaimed open-world action-adventure is finally coming to PC, two years after its release on PS5 and PS4. As with all first-party PlayStation titles, the PC port is handled by veterans Nixxes Software. If the studio’s excellent PC ports of Marvel’s Spider Man and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart are any indication, Horizon Forbidden West will be a polished experience on PC.

The game puts players in the shoes of hunter Aloy, now armed with new knowledge and abilities after her adventures in the first game. Aloy takes on a new threat this time as he heads west and explores more tribes. There are, of course, a bunch of new fighting and taming machines. The complete edition of Horizon Forbidden West will also include the Burning Shores expansion, offering a definitive story pack. The game is still one of the best-looking PlayStation titles, and its visuals are sure to shine on high-end PCs. It arrives on Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 21st.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

When: March 22

Where: Nintendo Switch

Princess Peach is set to be the main character of a game for the first time since Super Princess Peach came out in 2005, and Nintendo is pulling no punches to make the game as inventive as possible. The action-adventure game is not just a 2D platformer, but has many new ways to captivate and engage players. The whole story takes place at the Sparkle Theatre, where Princess Peach goes to see a play, but things take a dark turn as Grape and the Sour Bunch attack the place. Now the princess must seek the help of a sentient guardian band named Stella and gain abilities to play different roles that come with different abilities to save the game.

Not only is the plot and premise unique, but so is the gameplay. It does have elements of a 2D platformer, but players will find plenty of opportunities to break up the monotony by climbing up and down levels, exploring 3D arenas, and more. The different levels are thematically designed, and the whole visual experience feels like the backdrop of a play made of wood and cardboard. Princess Peach: Showtime! it might feel less like a Mario game because it doesn’t follow the conventional storytelling that most fans are used to – there’s no Bowser at the end of the road, no Mario to save the day, and Princess Peach isn’t hidden away in the castle – but it’s also why the gameplay feels fresh, the puzzles feel unique, and the levels reflect the personality of the newest character in the Mario Bros. universe.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

When: March 22

Where: PS5, Xbox Series S/X, PC

2012’s Dragon’s Dogma remains a fan-favorite RPG title that brought fresh monster-slaying mechanics, deep role-playing elements, and a diverse open world to explore. The sequel, Dragon’s Dogma 2, promises the same, but on a much larger scale. The open world map is now four times the size of the first game. Players will embark on the journey of an Arisen, a dragon-marked hero, just like in the first game, and fight monsters using their pawns.

Spawns and pawns have different classes, each with their own abilities. Players undertake quests and side activities, hunt all manner of monsters and abominations, and finally face the dragon. The RPG also allows players to climb on top of monsters and target their weak spots in a Shadow of the Colossus style. Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases on March 22nd for PS5, Xbox Series S/X and PC.

Rise of Ronin

When: March 22

Where: PS5

As a wandering samurai, a masterless warrior known as a ronin, you are tasked with navigating the turbulent landscape of medieval Japan in Rise of the Ronin. But this isn’t just any old hack and slash adventure; it is a tale of honor, betrayal and redemption. As you traverse lush forests, bustling cities, and ancient temples in the upcoming action RPG from Team Ninja, you’ll meet a diverse cast of characters, each with their own stories to tell.

From cunning ninja assassins to noble samurai lords, the world of Rise of the Ronin is alive with intrigue, danger and a deep combat system. Sure, you can fight your way through hordes of enemies, but true mastery requires precision, timing, and strategy. The stunning visual effects and smooth animations seen in the trailer promise to completely transport you to a bygone era.

South Park: Snow Day!

When: March 26

Where: PC, PS5, XSX/S, Switch

Also published by THQ Nordic after Alone in The Dark, South Park: Snow Day! is as different from a survival horror game as it gets. It’s a co-op action adventure that lets you celebrate a snow day with your friends! Fans of the South Park animated franchise should expect his signature brand of irreverent comedy and clever satire to be included in the game.

Blizzard, canceled school, Cartman, Stan, Kyle and Kenny. A recipe for madness and hilarity. There’s never a dull moment in this snowy paradise, whether you’re building the perfect snow fort with Butters or causing mischief with Cartman while doing daring sled tricks.