Welcome to the next entry in a monthly Fextralife series highlighting the Top 5 RPGs for the next month. In this edition, we’re going to take a look at what we think are the best RPGs releasing in the month of March, and talk a little about each and why we think so highly of them. Hop in and discover some new games you haven’t heard of or learn a little more about ones you do know. Watch the video above and read on for the text!

Honorable Mention: Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City

Release Date: March 28th

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Developer: From Software

Publisher: Bandai Namco

While this monthly series focuses on new games, from time to time an existing game will receive a new DLC or expansion that is notable. That’s the case in March asDark Souls 3is getting its final expansion, titledthe Ringed City. WhileAshes of Ariandeltook players to the frigid and snowy landscape of thePainted World of Ariandel, The Ringed City will transport us to World’s End to uncover secrets of the past. As players make their way to the fabled Ringed City, they’ll encounter ancientbeasts, a new cast ofcharactersteetering on the edge of insanity, newarmor,weapons,magicand at the bottom, a long lost city filled with new horrors for players to overcome. TheDLCwill feature newbossesto tackle as well as a new PvP map for the game’sarena. It’s the final sendoff to what seems to be the final entry in the Dark Souls trilogy. Bring on Bloodborne 2!

5. Vikings: Wolves of Midgard

Release Date: March 24th

Developer: Games Farm

Publisher: Kalypso media

Vikings: Wolves of Midgard is a hack-and-slash role-playing game set in a world inspired by Norse myths, developed by Games Farm and Kalypso Media. You play as Ulfung, a Viking clan chieftain, whose village is completely destroyed. He becomes the leader of the survivors and takes on a quest to save Midgard from Ragnarok. Inspired by the Diablo series, you choose your gender and class, and then explore a range of locations eliminating enemies along the way. There are a variety of weapons and items you can use to augment your abilities as you wreck carnage. You’ll rebuild your village over time and the game features a harsh winter storm mechanic that forces you to see the safety of warm locations with fire. If you’re a fan of the Vikings TV show as we are, you’ll find something to get lost in here.

4. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

Release Date: March 28th

Platform: PS4

Developer: Square Enix

Publisher: Square Enix

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX (say that 5 times fast) is a compilation of the first six installments of the Kingdom Hearts series created by Square Enix in cooperation with Disney. This bundle includes Kingdom Hearts FINAL MIX, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II FINAL MIX, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep FINAL MIX, and features remastered cutscenes from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. Sounds great but seriously what is with these names? Each has been remastered with new graphics, gameplay overhauls, more cutscenes, and extra boss fights that were previously only available in Japanese editions of the games. Each game will also run at a buttery 60 frames per second. Overall it’s a good package for Kingdom Hearts fans to dive into until that mystical day sometime in the future when Kingdom Hearts 3 finally comes out.

3. I Am Setsuna

Release Date: March 3rd

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory

Publisher: Square Enix

I Am Setsuna is a Japanese role-playing video game developed by Tokyo RPG Factory and published by Square Enix. It was released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in Japan in February 2016, and worldwide for PlayStation 4 and PC in July 2016. It is now coming to the Nintendo Switch as a launch title for the console on March 3rd. The story is set in a land beset by perpetual winter, and follows a mercenary and his charge, a maiden named Setsuna. Setsuna’s mission is to offer herself as a sacrifice to appease a collection of hostile demons. The game explores themes of sadness, depression and despair. Gameplay is a throwback to earlier forms of roleplaying games and uses an Active Time Battle system similar to early Final Fantasy games and Chrono Trigger. It’s a trip down nostalgia lane and is a perfect launch offering with Nintendo’s new console.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Platform: Switch, WiiU

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the next entry in the popular Nintendo series and the first launch title for the new Nintendo Switch. You play once again as the main character, Link, as you set out on a quest to discover what led to the downfall of the legendary land of Hyrule. The gameplay fuses adventure, action RPG, and survival mechanics to deliver a fresh experience. You’ll explore an open world, solve puzzles and fight enemies according to the game’s  iconic formula. Fans of the franchise have been hoping for a new Zelda game for a bit and now have a brand new console in the Switch to look forward to with it. Zelda on the go, yes please!

1. Mass Effect Andromeda

Release Date: March 21st

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Developer: BioWare

Publisher: EA

Mass Effect Andromedais the fourth part of the mega space action RPG series and represents a brand new story apart from the Commander Shephard trilogy. You now play asRyder, aPathfinderwho is leading a group of brave explorers hundreds of years into the future as they attempt to secure a new home for the Milky Way Galaxy races in the distant Andromeda Galaxy. The game features newcharacters,locations,racesandweapons. You’ll also be piloting a brand new ship theTempestas you explore the surrounding planets for resources and potential homes. The game is doing away with classes, and now has aprofileandskillsystem that allows for more flexibility and on the fly customization. A jetpack and dynamic cover system add a new verticality and speed to thecombat. We chose this game as ourTop RPG of 2017and we fully expect to lose thousands of hours of our lives to it.

Looking Ahead

There is a great mix here of big name and under the radar gems that we think RPG fans from all backgrounds are going to like. Perhaps your wallets won’t like it but that’s a different story! Thoughts on the list? Any other RPGs you’re looking forward to in March? Let us know what you think! Happy roleplaying!

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