Today is March 9th, 2021 and I have not bought or played a new game since last November.
We are in one of the biggest video game droughts I have seen in a very long time. Normally by now, gamers have gotten at least 3-4 triple-A titles and a few sneaky good “double As” like last year’s Journey to the Savage Planet.
But alas, we’re being hung out to dry, anxiously awaiting that first gem of 2021.
Sure, we got Hitman 3 which was decent, and that new Bowser’s Fury DLC looks awesome, but they really are just expansions of games that are 5+ years old. The best new game we’ve gotten so far is Little Nightmares 2, which I still haven’t played but cannot wait to play later this week. But even so, it’s only about 6ish hours long and in no way is going to satisfy my gaming urges.
So when are all the good games of 2021 coming out? Is March finally the month where our everlasting thirst for good fucking games is finally quenched?
Um…no. We have at least another month. But here are some games coming this month I think might hold you over until some of the big boys drop in April.
Disclaimer: I’m sure you’re gonna thinking that I’m getting paid to promote these games by their publishers. Nope. None of these games are #ads. This list is strictly my opinion on the best games getting released/re-released this month.
Mortal Shell
This is not a new game, but I’m sure it slipped past MANY of you last year since it’s an indie. But I’m not letting it slip past you now especially if you’re a Soulsborne hoe like me because until Elden Ring emerges from whatever hobbit hole its devs and George R.R. Martin have been living in since 2019, this is the best you’re gonna get. Mortal Shell is very reminiscent of Dark Souls 1 but with more story, a bit less customization, and a whole lot better graphics. It’s a phenomenal game by a rookie studio that I’m going to be looking at much more in the future.
And the best news of all, it’s available on next-gen consoles TODAY. Well worth the $30 price tag.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Yes. I know. This is a 2020 game as well. But here’s the deal: it’s coming out on Switch and next-gen consoles this month and it’s the best platformer I’ve played since Super Mario Odyssey. It pays homage to the older entries in the series while still bringing new and innovative levels and mechanics to the table. It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran of the franchise or this is your first entry either. If you love platformers, you need to play this game.
It Takes Two
This is probably my most anticipated game of the month. I’m a sucker for a good co-op game and Josef Fares has been feeding that urge of mine for years with games like A Way Out and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Seriously, this guy knows how to make a good fucking game and It Takes Two is undoubtedly going to be one of his best yet. And guess what? You only have to buy one copy! The game requires you to play with a friend (no single-player option) and all you have to do is send them a code and they can play with you. Genius.
Monster Hunter Rise
I’m not going to sell you on the Monster Hunter franchise because if beating the absolute fuck out of giant dragons and beasts with huge swords, battle axes, and clubs doesn’t appeal to you then you will not enjoy this game. But if you do, congrats. You are going to be very happy later this month when Monster Hunter Rise comes out…exclusively on Nintendo Switch.
That has to be the most mind-boggling decision of all time. Monster Hunter World was one of the best-selling entries in the franchise and it came out on every platform. It was even up for a few Game of the Year nominees. So why in the world would Capcom decide to release the newest entry in the franchise on one of the least owned platforms in gaming? Just doesn’t make sense. They’re working on making a PC version now because so many people have asked for it, but it’s not coming until 2022.
So if you have a Switch and love cracking skulls and befrending little cat people things, get this shit.
Disco Elysium
And finally, another old game is getting a re-release on next-gen consoles. Disco Elysium is one of the best stories you will ever play in gaming and it’s because you have complete control. It’s a top down RPG that is supposed to feel kinda like the old school text adventures (you know like your grandparents used to play on thier Commodore 64) but you never feel like you’re playing a dated game. I mean, the open world has been compared to The Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2; two of the best RPGs of the last decade. It’s well worth the $40 price tag if you’re interested in a crime RPG thriller with a large amount of choices.
If you’ve made it to this point and you’re still like “dude fuck those games there’s nothing I saw I want to play”, don’t worry I feel ya. If I have to play one more game of League of Legends with my friends because there’s nothing else to do I’m legit going to go insane. It’s taking a much longer time than usual this year for gaming to start up but I’m sure once it does, we’ll be off to an incredible year. We just are gonna have to wait a bit longer.
