Upcoming video game releases: ‘MLB The Show 17’, ‘Thimbleweed Park’, ‘Has-Been Heroes’

The “Kingdom Hearts” series first debuted in 2002 and has been cherished by its fans since then. Image: Square Enix/Disney via AFP Relaxnews

Among video games launching by the end of March, there’s the latest entry to an annualized baseball series “MLB The Show 17”, old-school, multiple-perspective adventuring from two masters of the form in “Thimbleweed Park,” a new look at the “Plants vs. Zombies” formula in “Has-Been Heroes”, and a pretty comprehensive franchise catch-up in “Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix”.

MLB The Show 17
Play it on PlayStation 4
From March 28
Site: theshow.com

Tweaks to Franchise Mode let players skip ahead to crunch moments, focus on individual players, and benefit from an instant-feedback management feature, while Road To the Show gets even more involved in career progression. All-time great Ken Griffey Jr., cover star for the United States version, arrives in time for a new Retro Mode inspired by baseball games of yesteryear.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix
Play it on PlayStation 4
From March 28, North America; March 31, European Union; since March 9, Japan
Site: kingdomhearts.com

This is a four-game remaster of the fondly regarded Disney and Final Fantasy crossovers “Kingdom Hearts” and “Kingdom Hearts II” as well as two of the more significant spin-offs, plus cut-scenes from two more, previously available as two separate collections on PS3. Released for PS4 as anticipation grows for an expected 2017 release of “Kingdom Hearts III”.

Has-Been Heroes
Play it on PS4, XBO, Nintendo Switch, PC
From March 28
Site: frozenbyte.com/games/has-been-heroes

Two aging warriors and one of their biggest fans, have been called upon by the king to take his twin daughters on their school run. Thus begins a turn-based, battle-filled journey when a great ghoul unleashes a legion of undead upon them.

Thimbleweed Park
Play it on: Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC, Mac, Linux
From March 30
Site: thimbleweedpark.com

Uncover the truth behind an unsolved murder: supernatural detectives find out why a circus performer is cursed with eternal clown make-up, while a rich man’s estate is divided up in this very vintage-looking adventure game, from two of the genre’s most respected designers, Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick of “Maniac Mansion” and “The Secret of Monkey Island”.

Persona 5
Play it on PlayStation 4
From April 4
Site: atlus.com/persona5

Rave reviews greeted this epic, high-school-era adventure upon its Japanese, September 2016 release, hence the sky-high levels of excitement for the international launch. Blending action adventure and a neat graphical style with psychoanalytic concepts from Carl Jung, it’s a story of self-discovery and surprise and, like its predecessors, is unique in concept, excellent in execution. JB

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