This week is a busy one, just like the last week, and the week before that… 2017’s been filled with stellar releases so far. But just in case you’re not knee deep in Zelda or Horizon Zero Dawn, here’s a slew of additionally excellent looking titles in this week’s game releases for March 6th, 2017. This, as always, doesn’t count the games we’ll see hit Steam, which we’ll highlight later in the week.
NieR: Automata – PS4 (PC Release Date – 3/17)
Platinum Games and Square Enix’s latest Action RPG collaboration is getting solid reviews in Japan, and has hopes riding high in the US for yet another excellent RPG to add to the 2017 release year.
About the game: Invaders from another world attack without warning – unleashing the machine lifeforms. To break the deadlock, a new breed of android infantry is sent into the fray: the YoRHa squad. NieR: Automata™ is a fresh take on the action role-playing game (RPG) genre that gracefully blends mesmerising action with a captivating story.
LEGO: Worlds – PS4, XB1, PC
LEGO: Worlds is riding under the radar a bit. I mean how many LEGO games do we get daily? But this one seems like it could be special: a procedurally generated universe filled with worlds curated and maintained by its players. Build it, wreck it, explore, and quest – this one could very well delight the young and old.
About the game: LEGO® Worlds is an open environment of procedurally-generated Worlds made entirely of LEGO bricks which you can freely manipulate and dynamically populate with LEGO models. Create anything you can imagine, one brick at a time, or use large-scale landscaping tools to create vast mountain ranges and dot your world with tropical islands. Drop in prefabricated structures to build and customize any world to your liking. Explore using helicopters, dragons, motorbikes or even gorillas and unlock treasures that enhance your gameplay. Watch your creations come to life through characters and creatures that interact with you and each other in unexpected ways. In LEGO Worlds, anything is possible!
Ghost Recon Wildlands – PS4, XB1, PC
Ghost Recon Wildlands is the first installment of the venerable Tom Clancy series to take the Ghosts into a massive open world, and one that’s always online with drop-in/drop-out multiplayer as seen in the Division. With an deep RPG-like skill system, tons of weapon customization and the humongous explorable Bolivian landscape, this one will likely sell millions and see legions of fans.
About the game: Go behind enemy lines in Ghost Recon: Wildlands. As a member of The Ghosts, a legendary US Elite Special Operations team, create chaos that will destabilize and eventually break the alliance between the Santa Blanca Cartel and the corrupt government. Ghost Recon: Wildlands comes out on March 7, 2017 on PS4, Xbox One & PC.
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey – PS4
Last but certainly not least is the latest game from the Atelier JRPG series. A turn-based fantasy adventure, I’ll be honest and say I know jack squat about the Atelier series – but I know it’s got a loyal following, and that this game’s anime-styled visuals look charming as can be.
About the game: One day, Firis meets Sophie and Plachta, who came to visit her town. Upon witnessing Sophie’s alchemy, Firis starts to think that alchemy could help her see the outside world. Firis becomes Sophie’s apprentice, but her parents oppose. She starts learning alchemy to convince them otherwise.
Talisman: Digital Edition – PS4/Vita
The first console version of Talisman is finally here – a faithful adaptation of the Fantasy Flight board game, it sports online and local multiplayer, cross-play on Vita and PS4, and tons of the expansion content all for 30 bucks.
About the game: In Talisman Digital Edition, there are 14 characters a player can control, from the heroic Warrior to the powerful Sorceress. In this perilous adventure, players battle it out to journey across a dangerous land and be the first to claim the Crown of Command, a magical artefact with the power to destroy all rivals and make the bearer the true ruler of the kingdom. On your travels, you will need strength, courage and some good dice rolls to survive the dangers you face and beat your opponents to the centre of the board.
Robert Lashley
I really wish these releases were staggered better.