What are the biggest new games released in March 2023? After a packed schedule last month, March 2023 continues to heat things up on the AAA front, ensuring a good time for players this year. The survival horror genre takes the front row, starting with the remake of Resident Evil 4, transporting us back to a European cultist village on a mission to track down the daughter of the US president. Developer Capcom claims the timeless classic has been completely rebuilt, keeping the essence of the original intact. The RE4 remake launches on March 24 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. Pursue it with The Last of Us Part I, which finally hits PC on the 28th, allowing a whole new range of players to experience the thrilling zombie apocalypse story of an unlikely duo.
Oil up, flex your muscles and step into the ring once more in 2K’s ultimate wrestling showdown. Released March 17 – March 14 for Early Access – WWE 2K23 features 16-time World Champion and DC Studios Peacemaker, John Cena as the cover star, whose iconic career can be relived at this year’s 2K Showcase. A new soul from the creators of Nioh is also on this month’s menu. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty — available now on all major platforms — puts you in the fantastical, fictional realm of the last Han Dynasty as you face corrupted demons in extremely difficult combat.
Keeping with tradition, Nintendo arrives with a new offering on the portable front. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a look at the early days of the Umbra Witch and, understandably, a lot less raunchy. This spin-off title puts the trainee witch on a quest to save her imprisoned mother, accompanied by a demonic cat, Cheshire. The game lets you take control of both characters and will be released on March 17th on Nintendo Switch. Indie darling Dead Cells is also getting substantial DLC on March 6th, Return to Castlevania, which lets you play as vampire hunter Richter Belmont, navigating the courtyards and corridors of Dracula’s Castle. Dead Cells’ Return to Castlevania paid DLC will be available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch.
With that, here are the seven biggest titles coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X in March 2023:
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
When: March 3
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Enter a twisted and war-torn version of ancient China, with the Han Dynasty in its final days as demonic forces drag the once prosperous kingdom towards collapse. As an unnamed militia soldier, you dive into the battlefield to eradicate the Yellow Turban Rebellion and deadly creatures in fast-paced melee combat that relies on timed defenses/deflects. Scroll through weaponry, learn magic spells and practice martial arts to overcome all odds. To ease the punishing souls experience, developer Team Ninja has added summonable spectral beings and a plethora of flag poles that serve as checkpoints for leveling up and resetting any afflictions.
Expect theatrical boss battles and a high-risk, high-reward playstyle with an emphasis on the Morale system. The higher your morale, the more damage you do. Alternatively, if you die, you lose everything until you get it back from your killer. Think of it as a passive buff that helps in long fights. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty also has a free demo available for download on all platforms. On our first impressions of the PC version, we noticed how the mouse-based camera controls had detection and sensitivity issues – which explains the game’s negative reviews on Steam. If you’re really looking forward to playing Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty on PC, we recommend using a controller for now.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
When: March 6
Where: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Motion Twin’s popular roguelike Metroidvania title Dead Cells is set to get DLC that will let you embark on an all-new Castlevania-themed adventure. Step through a mysterious portal to a gothic-themed castle to defeat an evil vampire, while fighting alongside warrior Richter Belmont and Alucard.
However, catching up with the evil Dracula will not be easy – first you will have to defeat three bosses and several new enemies in two biomes. However, you’ll have access to 14 weapons – including a throwing axe, vampire slayer and holy water – along with 20 outfits for Richter, Trevor, Simon Belmont, Maria Reynard, Sybha Belnades and the evil Dracula.
WWE 2K23
When: March 17
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
John Cena is the official cover superstar of the upcoming WWE 2K23 wrestling title. The 16-time world champion stars in an interactive sports documentary that lets you play through his 20-year career as he takes on his biggest rivals. You can also take on other players in teams of three or four to fight in two rings inside a steel cage with the new WarGames mode.
The game will feature iconic WWE Superstars such as Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Steve Austin and Cody Rhodes. WWE 2K23 will also have modes called MyRISE and MyGM that let you make decisions that affect your WWE Superstar career and compete against rival General Managers, respectively. MyFACTION, on the other hand, lets you collect WWE Superstar cards and upgrade them while competing with other players.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
When: March 17
Where: Nintendo Switch
PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta franchise stands out for its frenetic hack-and-slash combat, unique visuals, and indulgence in lewd innuendo. After three main games, the developers have now worked on a spinoff – one that has strayed quite a bit from its roots. Unveiled at The Game Awards 2022, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon ditches Bayonetta’s edgy art style, third-person Devil May Cry action, and racy aesthetic to embrace more colorful, indie visuals, an isometric camera perspective, and a more family-friendly theme. This game feels more at home in Nintendo’s catalog than the mainline Bayonetta games. Frankly, it’s just Bayonetta in name.
In Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, players control its two titular characters, Cereza (a younger version of the main games’ iconic witch and namesake) and her demon companion, Cheshire. Cereza, who has not yet become Bayonetta in leather, corset and glasses, travels with Chesire through a fantastic forest, where they face beasts and creatures. Cereza’s powers are, of course, far from fully formed, but you can utilize her magical abilities and Cheshire’s demonic strength to navigate the wilds. The game also offers puzzles and platforming, where teamwork between the two characters is key.
While the game differs from Bayonetta’s raunchy adventures, it could bring new players (including those too young to play the main games) to the franchise.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon and Beyond, Nintendo Direct February 2023 Highlights
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon adopts more colorful and indie visuals
Photo credit: PlatinumGames
resident Evil 4
When: March 24
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Six years since the biological disaster in Raccoon City, series stalwart Leon S. Kennedy has been deployed on a new mission to rescue the U.S. President’s daughter, Ashley Graham. As with the original 2005 game, players will be transported to an isolated and macabre Spanish village filled with hostile villagers who swear allegiance to the Los Illuminados cult. In addition to updated visuals, Capcom has added several new gameplay elements to the Resident Evil 4 remake, expanding on the lore with new side missions, deeper exploration, and a new parry mechanic that turns Leon’s knife into a limited resource. The knife’s durability can be upgraded in stores, though players will need to be mindful when using it to dodge attacks from smaller enemies.
The captive Ashley has also changed in some major ways. Once rescued, Leon can order her to stay close or at a distance while he takes care of larger hordes. Alternatively, she takes care of unlocking the doors for you. The stealth mechanic has been expanded, allowing you to silently kill enemies with your knife or create distractions and sneak past them. The developers also have some post-launch content in store for us, including a virtual reality mode for PS VR2. It is currently in development and will be available as free DLC for those who own the base game.
The Last of Us Part I
When: March 28
Where: PC
At this point, The Last of Us, first released in June 2013, has to be one of the most played games on PlayStation. From its first entries on PS3 and its second life as The Last of Us Remastered on PS4, to its final form as The Last of Us Part I on PS5, Naughty Dog’s action-adventure title is a platform classic.
These days, Joel and Ellie’s story is hard to miss; those who don’t now know about them through the hit HBO TV adaptation, which has become a phenomenon in its own right. Now, nearly a decade after the release of the original game, PC gamers will finally be able to step into the shoes of the two iconic characters and journey across a post-apocalyptic America, battling the infected and the deranged. The remake of the PS5 game, The Last of Us Part 1, is being ported to PC and arrives on March 28th. Those who played the original or checked out the new TV show will know that The Last of Us is less about your undead and more about your life.
While the acclaimed story and beloved characters remain the same, the game has been rebuilt from the ground up, with shiny new visuals, quality of life changes, an AI overhaul, and more. All this brings it up to modern standards, closer to its sequel, The Last of Us Part II. Building on the buzz of its ongoing live-action adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us Part I on PC is likely to appeal to a whole new audience, including those who don’t necessarily consider themselves gamers.
Crime Boss: Rockay City
When: March 28
Where: PC
A trailer for Crime Boss: Rockay City dropped out of nowhere at The Game Awards 2022, showing off an all-star cast that includes Michael Madsen, Chuck Norris, Danny Trejo, Danny Glover, and Kim Basinger. Along with its retro cast, Rockay City looks to offer retro first-person shooter action.
Developed by In Game Studios and published by 505 Games, this action FPS title is set in the 1990s and set in the titular city inspired by Miami, Florida. Players take control of Madsen’s character, Travis Barker, and begin building his criminal enterprise. Rockay City offers both single-player and co-op experiences for up to four players, letting you indulge in turf wars, heists, and all-out madness. The game also lets you choose your crew, plan missions and slowly build your empire.
With its Miami Vice vibes and colorful cast, Crime Boss: Rockay City comes to PC March 28th.