What’s Geeky in March 2022

Welcome to March, Geeks!

As always, Geek Alerts brings the latest in movies, shows, video games, and books for your consideration.

There’s a lot of stuff to get excited about, including a new Batman movie, a cyber-stone video game, a new book by Victoria Schwab, and more. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Movies and TV shows

March 3rd: Our Flag Means Death and Star Trek: Picard, season 2

Guys, I’m really excited for this day!

Our Flag Means Death by HBO Max
Our Flag Means Death by HBO Max

First, we get the HBO Max show about pirates, Our Flag Means Death, starring Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet and Taika Waitit as Edward Teach (that is to say, Blackbeard). Funnily enough, this show—while a comedy—is actually about real events in the early 18th century.

Stede Bonnet, also known as “The Gentleman Pirate,” was a real man who left his comfortable life as a landowner in Barbados to become a pirate, despite having no experience whatsoever as a sailor.

Star Trek Picard by Paramount +
Star Trek Picard by Paramount +

Next, we have Sir Patrick Steward returning in Star Trek: Picard, season 2. While season 1 introduced us to the various Romulan secret societies, season 2 promises to return us to some of our favorite characters, both good and bad, from Next Generation.

The biggest reveal the trailer gave us was the return of Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan. Of equal importance is the return of John de Lancie as the mysterious and malignant Q, who, true to form, seems to be behind all of the drama that unfolds this season. And, lest we forget, the Borg Queen.

March 4th: The Batman, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, and The Legend of Galactic Heroes, season 3

This is a very busy day for superheroes.

THE BATMAN  Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
THE BATMAN Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

First up is the much anticipated movie The Batman, premiering in theaters and starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/the Caped Crusader and Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman. And Sméag—I mean, Andy Serkis, as Alfred Pennyworth.

From what the trailers have shown, it looks like we’ll be getting a lot of our favorite Cat and Bat romance as well as plenty of baddies to punch, stab, shoot. It looks like the main villain will be the Riddler, but with plenty of others, including the Penguin, making an appearance.

The Boys: Diabolical on Amazon
The Boys: Diabolical on Amazon

And speaking of vigilantes, we have The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Proving to be just as gruesome, warped, and damaged, this spin-off series of Amazon’s hit superhero show, The Boys, tells more stories of superheroes behaving badly within the same universe.

If the idea of babies massacring innocent bystanders in gruesome ways makes you giggle, then this is going to be the show for you.

The Legend of Galactic Heroes from Production I.G.
The Legend of Galactic Heroes from Production I.G.

Finally, we have season 3 of the new anime series Legend of Galactic Heroes from Production I.G. Based on the light novels by Yoshiki Tanaka (the same author behind The Heroic Legend of Arslan), the story tells of the rivalry and respect between Reinhard von Lohengramm of the monarchal Galactic Empire and Yang Wen-li of the democratic Free Planets Alliance.

March 6th: Outlander, season 6

Outlander of Starz and Hulu
Outlander of Starz and Hulu

The Starz show about the time-traveling woman is back for a sixth season. Having moved from Scotland to the American colonies, Jamie and Claire have settled down with their children. But this tranquility is threatened by the arrival of new homeowners, the Christies, who threaten the Frazers’ status quo.

And on top of that, you have discontent simmering between the settlers and the Native Americans and the beginning skirmishes of the American Revolution.

March 9th: Kung Fu, season 2

Kung Fu 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Kung Fu 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

The CW’s martial arts show is back!

Having trained at a Shoalin temple in China, Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang) returned to her home in San Francisco only to find it overrun with triad gangsters. Last season saw her join forces with her siblings and ex-boyfriend to take on the powerful mob as well as track down the man who murdered her martial arts mentor. A ruthless assassin who also hunted her.

This show had record-breaking numbers for the CW and was a welcome reimagining of the original Kung Fu from the 1970s. In fact, with the exception of hunting down her master’s killer, it has very little relation to the original.

March 11th: Charmed, season 4; Upload, season 2; and Turning Red

Charmed on CW
Charmed on CW

So, first up is the CW’s reboot of 1998’s Charmed, now in their fourth season. Spoiler alert: after the death of their sister Macy, Mel and Maggie (played by Melonie Diaz and Sarah Jeffrey) grieve their sister and their loss of the Power of Three. But a new player on the scene (Lucy Barrett) might just be a Charmed One.

Which is just in time, since season 4 promises all new enemies.

Upload on Amazon
Upload on Amazon

Next up, we have season 2 of Upload, Amazon’s comedy about a man whose consciousness is saved in a virtual reality full of apps, ads, system updates, and buffering. This satirical look at technology also has a strong romance between Nathan (Robbie Amell) and Nora (Andy Allo).

And then there’s the unresolved mystery of who killed Nathan?

Turning Red by Disney
Turning Red by Disney

Finally, we have Turning Red on Disney+ and theaters. Turning Red tells the story of Mei, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who discovers one day that she can turn into a gigantic red panda if she feels strong emotions. And as anyone who has been 13 before can tell you, it is impossible not to feel strong emotions at that age.

Turning Red stars Rosalie Chaing as Meilin “Mei” Lee and Sandra Oh as her mother, Ming Lee.

Honestly, this movie looks like it could be the best metaphor for going through puberty since the book How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found by Sara Nickerson (not to be confused with the book of the same name by Doug Richmond).

(In fact, I heavily recommend Sara Nickerson’s book to everyone, all the time, always).

March 18th: More Than Robots, Expired, Black Crab, and Alice

More than Robots on Disney +
More than Robots on Disney +

Up first is the documentary More Than Robots on Disney+, which follows several teens from around the world competing in the 2020 FIRST Robotics Competition. As we all know, these teens, many of them from poorer communities, will have to learn to put everything on hold with the outbreak of the pandemic while balancing stiff competition.

Expired feature Film
Expired Film Feature Film

Then, we have Expired, a film with limited release starring Ryan Kwanten, Hugo Weaving, and Jillian Nguyen about a hitman in a futuristic metropolis who mysteriously grows weaker as his relationship deepens with a club singer, the only woman he’s ever loved.

Black Crab on Netflix
Black Crab on Netflix

Next, coming to us from Sweden and Netflix, we’ll get a new post-apocalyptic thriller called Black Crab. This movie follows six soldiers trying to transport a mysterious package with the potential to end a war through enemy territory and across a frozen archipelago.

Alice Feature Film
Alice Feature Film

Finally, we have Alice, another film with limited release. Alice tells the story of an enslaved woman who escapes the brutal plantation owner in rural Georgia only to discover that she has been living a lie all of her life… because the year is 1973. This movie stars Keke Palmer, Common, and Jonny Lee Miller.

March 24th: Halo

Halo Series on Paramount +
Halo Series on Paramount +

The hit game series is finally getting its own tv show on Paramount+, the same network that has been giving us lots of new Star Trek adventures. Join the Master Chief and the other Spartans as they fight the nefarious forces of the Covenant with the help of my future wi—I mean, a computer program named Cortana.

While the trailer seems to be relying heavily on its similarity to Disney’s The Mandalorian, I’m hopeful that the show will prove to be its own thing and a worthy adaptation of one of the most popular game franchises out there.

March 31st: Moonshot

As of writing this article, not much is known about the movie Moonshot, set to release on HBO Max, save that it stars Cole Sprouse, Lana Condor, and Zach Braff among others. This science fiction romantic comedy is about two college students who join forces to sneak aboard a space ship headed for the already colonized Mars to be reunited with their significant others.

Video Games:

March 1st:

Elex II

Elix II Videogame.

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, and PC

Return to the post-apocalyptic science fantasy world in the sequel to Elex, brought to you by the award-winning team behind Risen and Gothic. Unite the various factions in a massive open-world against a new enemy that comes from the sky as you also look for your lost son.

FAR: Changing Tides

FAR: Changing Tides Videogame

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC

An atmospheric vehicle adventure game about a boy and his ship set in the FAR universe. Take control of a unique ship as you sail stormy seas and explore the ruins of past civilizations, solve clues and puzzles, and hunt for fuel.

Puzzle Quest 3

Available on PC, iOS, and Android

The latest installment in the famous match-3 puzzle game delivers even more dragons for you to fight and loot to plunder. Use your phone or computer to delve into this rich fantasy world.

Puzzle Quest 3 Mobile Game

Shadow Warrior 3

Shadow Warrior 3 videogame

Available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC

In this off-beat first person shooter, players take control of Lo Wang as he and his employer, Orochi Zilla, track down a gigantic dragon that they may have accidentally woken up… along with a horde of demons.

March 3rd:

Babylon’s Fall

Babylon's Fall videogame

Available on PS4, PS5, and PC

This hack and slash RPG lets players control the Sentinel, a former prisoner infected with a magical parasitic device called a Gideon Coffin that allows them to access magic and spectral weapons. Either solo or with up to four multiplayer coops, players must try to ascend the Ziggurat, also known as the Tower of Babylon.

March 4th:

Triangle Strategy

Triangle Strategy videogame

Available on Switch

Take control of a group of warriors in this turn-based tactical RPG similar to Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics. The game follows the adventures of Serenoa Wolffort, his friend Prince Roland, his fiancé Frederica Aesfrost, and his steward Benedict as they are pulled into the conflict between three rival nations.

March 9th:

RPG Time: The Legend of Wright

The Legend of Wright RPG game.

Available on Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, iOS, Android, and PC

This Japanese Indie game has a ton of heart. You are a wannabe game designer with a sketchbook and lots of arts and crafts to flesh out the game idea in your head. The end result looks like a love letter to classic games like Legend of Zelda and to every creative kid out there.

March 10th:

Aztech Forgotten Gods

Aztech Forgotten Gods videogame.

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC

This game is described as a “cyber-stone action-adventure” game that follows Achtli, who is forced to do battle with colossal gods in a futuristic Mesoamerican city filled with neon and stone to save the people she loves.

Chocobo GP

Chocobo GP videogame

Available on Switch

This is what happens when you combine Final Fantasy and Mario Kart. Chocobo, the cute mount that the characters ride in the Final Fantasy games, can now ride his own cart in this cart-racing game from, you guessed it, the same people behind Final Fantasy.

Submerged: Hidden Depths

Submerged: Hidden Depths vifeogame.

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, and PC

Described as “non-combat relaxploration,” this game lets you take control of Miku and Taku as you explore a ruined city with its skyscrapers just poking up above the ocean that flooded it. Inhabiting this sunken city are strange creatures that are somehow tied to the curse afflicting Miku.

March 15th:

The ides of March

BEWARE!!! (sorry, little joke, it is the ides of March, after all)

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V for PSV

Available on PS5, Xbox series X/S

After a long wait, we’re finally getting Grand Theft Auto V on the newer console systems. Get back in the (stolen) driver’s seat and cruise out to Los Santos, a city based heavily on Los Angeles, and take control of three different criminals as they rise and fall in the city’s underworld.

March 16th:

Tunic

Tunic videogame

Available on Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, and PC

Take control of an anthropomorphic fox with a sword as you explore ancient ruins filled with strange and futuristic technology and ferocious monsters in this isometric action game. All of this brought to you by Canadian indie developer Andrew Shouldice.

March 18th:

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin videogame

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, and PC

Square Enix is now taking their games back to the beginning by using the setting of the original Final Fantasy game in what the producer calls an “alternate retelling.” Players take control of Jack Garland, a man from another world brought in to fight the horned demon, Chaos.

March 22nd:

Rune Factory 5

Rune factory 5 videogame

Available on Switch

After almost a decade, we’re finally getting another Rune Factory game. This time, you’ll play as either Ares or Alice, an amnesiac who agrees to help a group of rangers keep the peace in the small town of Rigbarth. Your duties include fighting monsters, tending to your farm, and so much romance.

March 25th:

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land game

Available on Switch

Everyone’s favorite adorable pink murder-ball is back for more adventures, this time in a mysterious post-apocalyptic city where he must save the Waddle Dees, who have been kidnapped by the “Beast Pack.” Expect several opportunities to swallow enemies whole and gain their abilities.

GhostWire: Tokyo

Ghostwire: Tokyo videogame

Available on PS5 and PC

Nearly all of Tokyo’s citizens have vanished, being replaced by the otherworldly ghosts called Visitors. This is where you come in. You are Akito, a human possessed by KK, the spirit of a detective with his own agenda, but who still grants you unique abilities.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands game.

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, and PC

This spinoff of Borderlands, and sequel to Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, sees the player playing a character on a fantasy table-top game, that is in-turn being played by Tiny Tina as the game’s Dungeon Master. This first-person-shooter can either be played solo or multiplayer.

March 29th:

Crusader Kings III

Crusader Kings III videogame.

Available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

At long last, the hit PC strategy game comes to consoles. Take control of a dynasty from Spain to India during the Middle Ages and lead them to glory and conquest. Most recently, the game got a huge update that allows players to see and manage their court.

March 30th:

Death Stranding Director’s Cut

Death Stranding Director’s Cut on PC.

Available on PC

Now that Covid restrictions are starting to lift, journey back into the world of Sam Porter Bridges as he delivers parcels and packages all over the post-apocalyptic United States. And now, the director’s cut is available for PC users for the first time.

March 31st:

Starship Troopers—Terran Command

Starship Troopers—Terran Command on PC

Available on PC

Based off of the movie that made fun of fascism (and the book that… didn’t), take command of the Mobile Infantry as you fight against the Arachnid threat. Guaranteed, you will never have more fun killing bugs.

Weird West

Weird West videogame.

Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox series X/S, Xbox One, and PC

In what basically looks like what would happen if Diablo had a baby with Red Dead Redemption, Weird West is a dark fantasy game that lets you play as one of five characters as you traverse the American West killing (either by shooting, headbutting, werewolfing, or magic) monsters.

Books

March 1st:

Gallant by V.E. Schwab.

March 8th:

Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston

March 15th:

Memory's Legion by James A. A. Corey

March 22nd:

The City of Dusk by Tara Sim

March 29th:

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May

And that’s March

That, my friends, is the third month of the new year. There’s plenty for us to get excited about, and even more fun stuff coming up. Be sure to subscribe to Geek Alerts to be the first to hear about what’s coming.

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