Week In PC Game Releases: Rallying And Rising Towards The End Of February

February is coming to a close, but new PC game releases keep on coming. This week (February 25 to March 3) bring us two racing games in the form of Dirt Rally 2.0 and Trials Rising. Likewise, we’ll see some primate pouncing action by way of Ape Out, and a glimpse into a harsh winter in Fimbul. If that’s not enough, Dead or Alive 6 sets the tone as the first major release this March.

If you’d like to see all the releases for February, you can check out our listing here. As for all PC game release dates from 2019 onwards, you can find those here.

Dirt Rally 2.0

• Release Date: February 26
• Developer: Codemasters
• Publisher: Codemasters

Codemasters have been giving gamers countless racing titles for almost a quarter of a century now. Dirt Rally 2.0 is their latest offering. Dirt Rally 2.0 almost seems like a dream come true for those that follow the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the organization’s series and championships. The game will feature eight circuits from the FIA World Rallycross championship and over 50 off-road cars for you to fine-tune and customize.

As you race in various tracks around the globe, you’ll also be able to build your team to help you win races. As for competition, well, you can also tackle daily, weekly, and even monthly challenges along with leaderboards.

Trials Rising

• Release Date: February 26
• Developer: RedLynx
• Publisher: Ubisoft

Not shying away from the racing spotlight is Trials Rising from RedLynx. If Dirt Rally 2.0 is about off-road racing in simulated tracks, then Trials Rising is over-the-top to a degree. Featuring 3D motorbikes and 2.5D backgrounds, Trials Rising will have you race to the finish with multiple jumps and obstacles thrown your way.

Certain tracks would take you to the Great Wall of China or the Eiffel Tower. If the game’s default tracks weren’t enough, you can always customize your own creations and upload them. It mixes the frenetic action of racing games while adding a bit of wacky humor — such as the case of using a “Tandem Bike” (two players control the same bike), or even pre-order bonuses that let you wear a gorilla costume. You can check out Tim McDonald’s official review of Trials Rising as well.

Ape Out

• Release Date: February 28
• Developer: Gabe Cuzillo, Bennett Foddy, Matt Boch
• Publisher: Devolver Digital

Speaking of gorillas, if you don’t want to wear that as a costume then you can always play like one. In Ape Out, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. Your primate pal is trapped in a cage, and you’ve got the keys to freedom.

You’ll be able to tackle, charge, and pounce your way through multiple stages. You can evade your captors, or better yet, just use them as human shields. It’s gory and cartoony at the same time and touts a soundtrack that should put the beat in beat-em-up.

Fimbul

• Release Date: February 28
• Developer: Zaxis
• Publisher: Wild River Games

It’s fitting that Fimbul closes out the cold months of February as it is also a game that’s set during the end of days in Norse Mythology. Ragnarok is upon us, and the dreaded Fimbul Winter has turned the land into a harsh, inhospitable place.

Fimbul takes you on a comic book-style journey to battle other Vikings or recruit them. You’ll fight trolls, giants, and other dark creatures of Ragnarok. You’ll also be able to replay your previous decisions, make changes, and follow a different path that just might lead you to victory… or doom.

Dead Or Alive 6

• Release Date: March 1
• Developer: Koei Tecmo
• Publisher: Koei Tecmo

February might be drawing to a close, but March is heating up with a lot of action. That’s because Dead or Alive 6 brings the franchise back to systems with an all-new engine that tries to capture the physicality and realism of combat. Old favorites such as Kasumi, Helena, Tina, Bass, and Ryu Hayabusa will be making their returns. Even newcomer NiCO joins the fray.

Dead or Alive 6 has the franchise’s “Triangle System” formula — strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat strikes. A new key addition, however, is the “break system.” This beginner-friendly mechanic lets you counter or parry, getting you out of tough situations, following up with quick counters, all with a single press of a button. Although this is very helpful for beginners, expert players can definitely use this to their advantage to unleash more potent combinations on-the-fly.

Dead or Alive 6’s backgrounds aren’t just for show. Combatants that get knocked over into boxes and blocks will get hit by explosions, and those knocked into onlookers will get pushed back unceremoniously towards the middle of the arena.

Next Week

Next week’s PC game releases will see the return of Dante and Nero in Devil May Cry 5. Destiny 2 welcomes Joker’s Wild, a mini-expansion focusing on Gambit modes, Xur bounties, and increased power levels. We’ll also be able to check out the dystopian world of Left Alive. Oh, and if futuristic or dystopian settings aren’t to your liking, then you might see a more realistic take from The Occupation. We’ll see you then.

Release dates listed are for North America.