After weeks of waiting, Microsoft finally revealed what Xbox owners are getting in March for their free Games With Gold offerings. The company offers up free games monthly as a perk for being enrolled in the Xbox Live Gold program, a subscription service that allows access to online gameplay and other features. Despite Game Pass receiving a big push as a subscription service, Microsoft continues to offer the free Games With Gold every month.
In March, gamers will find an exciting mix of action, adventure, platforming and classic gameplay. As always, the offerings include two Xbox One titles and two Xbox 360 titles. However, the Xbox 360 offerings are playable on Xbox One thanks to the system's backward compatibility.
TellTale Games Batman: The Enemy Within
While we're still waiting for The Wolf Among Us 2 from the revived TellTale Games, Xbox players can revisit one of TellTales' strongest titles with Batman: The Enemy Within - The Complete Season. Following the events of the original Batman: The TellTale Series, The Dark Knight finds himself caught between an army of assassins and Amanda Waller, all while The Joker rises in Gotham City.
Much like the original, Batman: The Enemy Within was praised for an engaging story and gameplay that focused on Batman's detective skills. While nothing has been announced yet, Batman is one of the properties TellTale retained when acquired by LCG Entertainment, so a third season could still happen. Batman: The Enemy Within - The Complete Season will be available March 1 through March 31 for the Xbox One.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
The fourth game in the popular series, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero continues the adventures of the titular genie heroine. This time, Shantae works to obtain components to complete the Dynamo, a device that will protect Scuttle Town from evil forces such as the pirate Risky Boots.
First debuting on the Game Boy Color, the Shantae titles have been well-regarded as platformers but remained underground hits. The games have stellar platforming with tight controls and exciting gimmicks based on Shantae's genie powers. Xbox Gold members now have an opportunity to revisit this modern classic before the next game in the series, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, releases later this year. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero will be available March 16 through April 15 for the Xbox One.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
Xbox Live Gold members can finally complete the latest Castlevania trilogy with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2. The other entries, Lords of Shadow and Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate, were previously offered in 2019, allowing players to experience MercurySteam's modern take on the Castlevania mythos.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 drops the players in Dracula's shoes as he attempts to regain his strength to battle the coming Lucifer. While previous Castlevania titles have been set in the future, this was the first to feature a modern-day setting. Lords of Shadow 2 had a mixed reception but the Lords of Shadow trilogy is still an interesting alternate universe take on the iconic adventure/horror franchise. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 will be available March 1 through March 15 on the Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Sonic Generations
As a property, Sonic The Hedgehog is soaring higher than it has in a long while. The character reached soaring heights in the '90s but crashed low as the 3D era first arrived. While Sonic Adventure is a classic, entries like Sonic the Hedgehog '06 and Sonic Unleashed highlighted a dip in quality. It was only with recent releases that the franchise really began to rebound, and Sonic Generations is arguably the title that started the resurgence.
Generations is a love letter to the history of Sonic, both the character and the game. As the world is threatened by an alliance between Doctor Eggman and his past self, Sonic and Tails must team up with their alternate timeline counterparts, Classic Sonic and Tails, in order to defeat the Time Eater. Gameplay blends both nostalgic 2D, side-scrolling Sonic of yesterday with the frenetic, over-the-shoulder 3D Sonic of the modern era. Sonic Generations will be available on Xbox One and Xbox 360 March 16 through March 31.