Editorials

The Best Games of 2013: March Releases

With the first two months of 2013 firmly behind us, the month of March is destined to be forever remembered as the most massive month of gaming in recent memory. Blockbuster titles like Tomb Raider, BioShock InfiniteGod of War: Ascension, and Gears of War: Judgment are just a taste of the monster lineup of games that will decimate our wallets all month long. The following list showcases 15 games coming out this month along with videos and links for more info on each game. Without further ado, here are the Best Games of 2013 for the month of March.

Full Title: Tomb Raider
Developers: Crystal Dynamics
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC
Release Date: March 5th (North America and Europe)

The popular Tomb Raider series receives a much needed reboot that not only explores the origin story of Lara Croft, but also shows her evolution into the hardened, animalistic warrior we all know and love. After engaging in a griping story of action and drama, fans can emerse themselves in a unique multiplayer experience based upon the same framework of teamwork and survival. While I personally am not a fan of this mode, there is no denying that many will at least try it out to see what it has to offer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDZzTtmSIw

Full Title: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate
Developers: MercurySteam
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: March 5th (North America) March 8th (Europe)

The Castlevania franchise makes it’s way onto the Nintendo 3DS in a direct sequel to the rebooted Castlevania: Lords of Shadow video game.Konami has promised that this game will feature more exploration features similar to those found within the Symphony of the Night game. 3DS owners who have been anxiously waiting for new games to pick up should definitely have this game on their radar.

Full Title: MLB 13: The Show
Developers: SCE San Diego Studio
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 3, & PlayStation Vita
Release Date: March 5th (North America and Europe)

Sony’s flagship Baseball series is poised and ready to change the game with a series of new features in MLB 13: The Show. Improvements to Franchise Mode, and the addition of Post Season mode are just a few of the features that longtime fans will get their hands on when the game hits stores next week.

Full Title: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3
Developers: CyberConnect2
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Platforms: PlayStation 3, & Xbox 360
Release Date: March 5th (North America) March 8th (Europe)

Fans of the Naruto Ultimate Ninja fighting series have been following this game for quite awhile and are only days away from playing it. With a roster filled with over 80 playable characters and a modified combat system, this game could very well be the best entry in the series yet.

Full Title: SimCity
Developers: Maxis
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PC, and Macintosh
Release Date: March 5th (North America) March 8th (Europe)

The sixth game in the popular SimCity series makes use of a new simulation engine called GlassBox. This alone will account for different gameplay experiences across the board and keep the game fresh and captivating for both new and old fans alike.

Full Title: God of War: Ascension
Developers: SCE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Release Date: March 12th (North America and Europe)

The latest entry in the popular God of War series follows Kratos’ redemption from his past sins and his violent rise of rage as he breaks free from Ares’ bond. While fans of the franchise can expect a single player campaign filled with epic boss battles, the addition of a brand new multiplayer mode is an interesting experiment that promises to extend the replayability in more ways then one.

Full Title: Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2
Developers: City Interactive
Publisher: City Interactive
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U & PlayStation Vita
Release Date: March 12th (North America and Europe)

Developed by City Interactive, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 allows the player to take control of a private security operative as he hunts down various targets from around the globe. With the use of CryEngine 3 technology, the studio aims to push the boundaries of normal first-person shooter games by adding hand-to-hand kills, specialized sniping sequences, and stealth assassinations to this gameIf you enjoyed the first game in the series, then you definitely should add this one to your collection.

Full Title: StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm
Developers: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: PC, and Macintosh
Release Date: March 12th (North America and Europe)

Last year, Blizzard released Diablo III and received many mixed to positive reviews overall. With the launch of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm later this month, this expansion pack is expected to offer several multiplayer changes as well as 20 new missions to extend the story from Wings of Liberty.

Full Title: Lego City Undercover
Developers: TT Fusion
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
Release Date: March 18th (North America) March 28th (Europe)

The next big release in the popular world of Lego games comes in the form of the Wii U exclusive Lego City Undercover. This sandbox-style action-adventure game thrusts players into the role of an undercover cop as he tracks down criminals. Considering that the Wii U won’t be getting any of the bigger titles this month, this game immediately becomes an must have game for anyone with the console.

Full Title: Gears of War: Judgment
Developers: Epic Games and People Can Fly
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox 360
Release Date: March 19th (North America) March 22nd (Europe)

Gears of War fans can satisfy their chainsawing urges when the latest game in the series drops the week of March 19th. Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel that takes place roughly 15 years before the original Gears of war. With new multiplayer modes and a unique campaign starring Baird and Cole, this prequel is expected to pack a powerful punch that fans of the series won’t soon forget.

Full Title: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Developers: Next Level Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: March 24th (North America) March 28th (Europe)

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon is a sequel to the 2001 Gamecube hit Luigi’s Mansion. Fans of the previous game will find themselves right at home with this new title when it releases later this month.

Full Title: Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel
Developers: Visceral Games and EA Montreal
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PlayStation 3, & Xbox 360
Release Date: March 26th (North America) March 29th (Europe)

EA’s third-person shooter buddy series gets a third installment courtesy of rap artists Big Boi and B.O.B. Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel is expected to up the ante with new lead characters and unique gameplay missions. Gamers who are fans of co-operative games should definitely check this out towards the end of the month.

Full Title: BioShock Infinite
Developers: Irrational Games and 2k Marin
Publisher: 2k Games
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, & PC
Release Date: March 26th (North America and Europe)

Ken Levine’s groundbreaking BioShock series finally gets a long awaited spiritual sequel in BioShock Infinite. Embattled ex-agent Booker Dewitt is given the task of traveling to an air-city called Columbia to rescue a special woman named Elizabeth.Fans of the original Bioshock already expect greatness from this sequel and no doubt Levine and company are ready to deliver.

Full Title: Lost Planet 3
Developers: Spark Unlimited
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC
Release Date: March 31st (North America and Europe)

Lost Planet 3 is a prequel to Lost Planet: Extreme Condition. This third-person shooter is expected to be more story driven then previous installments in the series and is being handled by western developers. Given that DMC: Devil May Cry was also developed by western developers, this may spark a great deal of negativity from some fans while also winning over many critics.

Full Title: Metro: Last Light
Developers: 4A Games
Publisher: Deep Silver
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 & PC
Release Date: March 2013

When fans of Metro 2034 learned that THQ was going under, many feared for the life of this title and questioned whether or not it would hit stores. Luckily, Deep Silver’s acquisition of this survival horror FPS does give hope to many despite a firm release date never being confirmed. At the time of this post, March 2013 is the only date that we have to work off of and we will gladly provide an update as soon as we get one.

This concludes my list of the best games worth picking up this month. Will any of you guys be purchasing any of these titles? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.