Upcoming video game releases: 'Mass Effect: Andromeda', 'Dreamfall Chapters', 'Zero Escape: The Nonary Games'

SPACE exploration epic Mass Effect: Andromeda is positioned to become one of the biggest releases of early 2017, launching the same week as brand new co-operative, Scandinavian-themed action adventure Troll and I, and two re-releases in high concept, multiverse crossing jaunt Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey and crime thriller puzzle double-pack Zero Escape: The Nonary Games.

Mass Effect: Andromeda
Dates: March 21 (North America), March 23 (International)
Systems: PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One
Grand science fiction epic that appears to have taken notice of a trend towards exploratory themes since the original Mass Effect trilogy concluded in 2012. Players become either Scott or Sara Ryder, twins with a family interest in an excursion to find a suitable colony planet. The franchise typically leans on both action and conversation, detailed supporting characters, and involving plot lines.
masseffect.com
Troll and I
Date: March 21
Systems: PS4, XBO, WinPC
Friendly co-operation between human and monstrous beast usually wins immediate comparison to The Last Guardian (though here players can control the Troll, young Otto, or – with a friend – both) while the adventuring of Troll and I references genre giants like Tomb Raider and Uncharted. For small-team independent developer Spiral House, it's a second internal project in 17 years (first was the Sega Dreamcast's Silver) after assisting on games like Blur, MotorStorm and LittleBigPlanet.
trollandi.com
Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey
Date: March 24
Systems: PS4, Xbox One, iOS
A three-stranded story that takes place in (and in between) a near-future earth and an old-world fantasy realm, with three distinct characters -- Zoë Castillo, April Ryan, and Kian Alvane, returning from well received mid-2000s prequel Dreamfall: The Longest Journey, though pre-existing familiarity isn't necessary. Previously released on PC, Mac and Linux after a successful 2013 crowdfunding campaign.
redthreadgames.com/games/chapters

Zero Escape: The Nonary Games
Date: March 24 (Japan: March 25 on PC, April 13 on PlayStation)
Systems: PS4, PlayStation Vita, WinPC
Collecting the first two entries to locked door puzzle and mystery thriller franchise Zero Escape, which are 2009's astounding Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (Nintendo DS, iOS,) and worthy follow-up Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward (Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita.)
zero-escape.com — AFP Relaxnews