They coming up fast and there’s a ton of games releasing. As you know, we sort through the chat to try to figure out what’s important to pay attention to and what’s not. Hi folks, it’s Falcon and today on Gameranx, the top 17 new games of October 2023.
The Lords of the Fallen
Starting off at number 17, it’s “Lords of the Fallen.” So if you’re interested in the first next gen “Souls”-like with some unique mechanics, this is it. This is an Unreal Engine 5 title. It very much looks it. I don’t know exactly to what extent it’s utilizing the new features of Unreal Five. But wow, it is a pretty looking game. It’s also got a unique parallel worlds mechanic, which we’ve seen a little bit more of since the “Dishonored” and “Titanfall” missions. Honestly, it kind of reminds me of “Effect and Cause” and the time travel mansion in “Dishonored” except it’s everywhere.
And I’ve seen this in a couple of games recently too. Having it in a “Souls-“like though I think could be a really unique mechanic. I don’t think it’s time-based, it’s a parallel world. I’m cool with that. It all looks great. From everything I’ve read, the controls are nice and tight too. I haven’t been able to play it unfortunately, but I’m definitely gonna.
I didn’t really play the original “Lords of the Fallen.” I know it was one of the original “Souls”-likes, quote unquote. This game is both a sequel and a reboot to that game, and it kind of looks like it’s done a little bit more to differentiate itself versus the original game. I’m excited to play it. Full next gen release, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. That’s the only platforms that its coming to and it’s landing October 13th.
Forza Motorsport
At number 14 is “Forza Motorsport.” Kind of a reboot, kind of another “Forza” game. They’ve been describing this one as the most technically advanced racing game ever made, and I don’t know if that’s true. I think we’re going to have to see a lot of comparison done after the game’s released. But I’ll say it looks pretty fricking incredible. Between the ray tracing, the physics, the tire wear, weather, it all looks really cool.
I don’t doubt the idea that it’s among the most technically advanced racing games ever made. Just from the looks of it, it’s hard to argue with. I am a little bit more of a “Forza Horizon” person than a “Forza Motorsport” person. I kind of like that little injection of a tiny bit of arcade into the formula. But obviously “Motorsport” is a hell of a series or subseries I guess, and I am, of course, really excited to see where they take “Forza Motorsport.” It’s landing on Xbox Series and PC on October 10th.
Dark Envoy
At number 13 is “Dark Envoy,” a co-op party-based tactical/classical RPG. Which I mean that’s a lot of words, but in all seriousness, in terms of visually what we’re talking about, it’s a pretty good looking game. We’ve got a nice fluid movement model, speed controls, stealth, cover, honestly pretty cool looking mechanics. I mean it’s a decidedly Double-A looking game, but I mean that in the best possible way.
It’s kind of a guns and sorcery type, magic, tale of destiny type thing where you control a party of relic hunters. Beyond that, we’re not really given a huge amount of story. But when you’re selling a game on the gameplay and the gameplay looks good, that’s good. That’s what has me interested in it. It really does look like a fun RPG. “Dark Envoy” is landing on PC October 24th. At number 12 is “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria,”
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
A survival/crafting game where Gimli goes and decides, “Hey, let’s take back the Dwarven Kingdom.” Apparently, the developers have taken a pretty broad range of interests. They’ve talked about “The Forest,” “Subnautica,” “Valheim,” these types of games being influences on what they’re trying to do with this one. So honestly, it sounds pretty interesting. There’s cooperative multiplayer as you’re going down into the ground to excavate resources.
Apparently, there’s a lot of fighting in the game. Not just with Orcs, which are apparently kind of one of the bigger problems in the game, but there’s also other stuff, creatures that exist underground and all that. I think this game sounds like it has a lot of potential. I haven’t been able to play it obviously, but I will when it lands on PS5 and PC on October 24th. It is coming to Xbox Series, but not this year. Still keep your eyes out. At number 11 is “Total War: Pharaoh.”
Total War: Pharaoh
Which just by saying those three words, you should probably completely understand what it is. If you’re not a “Total War” fan, “Total War” is turn-base strategy, realtime tactics. They’ve covered a large number of different eras and even fictional worlds like Warhammer. And they’ve talked about how they want this to be a little bit more deliberate than their other Bronze Age collapse, “Total War” game, “Troy.” They talked about the player making less decisions in the game, but that they have more impact so they’re taking a little bit of emphasis off of management.
I don’t know if that’s gonna be a positive or a negative, but we’ll definitely see it. Like that’s gonna have an effect one way or the other. I’m personally interested because they don’t make a lot of huge changes in the overall formula generally with “Total War.” It’s more of an aesthetic and like per unit stuff. So I’m interested in seeing where “Total War: Pharaoh” goes when it lands on PC on October 11th.
Jusant
At number 10 is “Jusant,” a platforming game by Don’t Nod. This is a game that the demo came out a few months ago. It’s one that I played. It is different. So platforming is probably the correct word for the genre, but you might almost call it a puzzle climbing game. It’s kind of like if the climbing stuff from “Uncharted” was a lot more complicated and well fleshed out, and that’s not to say that that stuff isn’t fleshed out. It’s fleshed out as far as it needs to be in “Uncharted.” Here, it’s the whole game and it’s as thoughtful as it could possibly be. Honestly, from the demo, I think this has potential to be a really, really good game.
The control scheme is novel to say the least. Like it is definitely taking it a step beyond press A to do the next thing in the climbing and I think that that’s good. I’m excited to play the entire length of it. Don’t Nod is a developer that just really does not to predict what they’re going to do next. want you “Jusant” is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC October 31st.
Sonic Superstars
At number nine is “Sonic Superstars,” which kind of looks like the game that’s going to break the 2.5D Sonic Curse in that it looks like they just decided to make a game that completely handles like a 2D Sonic that looks like a 3D, 2.5D thing. We’ve got physics, we’ve got momentum, we’ve got evidence that this plays much more like “Sonic Mania” than “Sonic the Hedgehog 4.”
Except for we’ve got four player co-op now, which is great. Honestly, what a great idea. If this thing lands the way we want it to land, this is probably the best possible idea for another 2D Sonic game after “Sonic Mania.” And if it’s good and is commercially successful, I would guess this is the path going forward on the 2D end of Sonic. It definitely brings stuff into the game that I wouldn’t have expected while retaining a familiarity that is exactly what you want in 2D Sonic.
I don’t know how both Sega and Nintendo basically came up with the same idea to do to their mainline platformers at the same time. I don’t know, maybe they decided like one called up the other and was like, “Ah, you want everybody to think we’re still doing the mascot war.” I don’t know. But in terms of somebody like myself that loves both “Super Mario World” and the Sega Genesis “Sonic the Hedgehog” games, this is a good month. “Sonic Superstars” landing on the PlayStations, the Xboxes, Nintendo Switch, and PC October 17th.
Ghostrunner 2
At number eight is “Ghostrunner 2.” I don’t know if you played the original “Ghostrunner” It wasn’t a huge title, but it is a great title. Back when it came out, I kind of compared it to if “Mirror’s Edge” was a lot more violent. There is a demo if you’re interested in playing that. It really takes the first game and builds on it. And also adds a motorcycle and the motorcycle is awesome.
Seriously, if you haven’t given “Ghostrunner 2” a shot, just in the demo, it’s a perfect demo for the game.
It’s one level, level’s broken up into your Ghostrunner stuff, things that you would remember from the first game. Little more open, little more choice, more options, things that you can do to get to the end. Also, it looks better than the first, and then you hit the motorcycle and it’s nuts. “Ghostrunner 2” is landing on the PS5, the Xbox Series, and Windows October 26th.
Alan Wake 2
At number seven is “Alan Wake 2.” If you are anything like me, you love Remedy Entertainment. “Control” is fantastic. The “Alan Wake DLC” really wet your whistle for this, and it’s time. Now “Alan Wake 2” looks like it ramps up the survival horror pretty significantly compared to the first game, which is fine because that’s kind of what everybody wanted the first game to be.
I mean, “Alan Wake” is a fricking classic, but it is a little janky. And Remedy has really ramped up what they’re capable of in the following decades. I mean, “Control” is a masterpiece. I fully expect “Alan Wake 2” to be the exact same thing. There’s some major differences here. You got two protagonists for one, and everything else that ensues I’m just really excited for. I love “Alan Wake.” I love Remedy. I love “Control.” I’m excited to see how the Remedy Connected Universe continues to develop. “Alan Wake 2” is landing on the PS5, Xbox Series, and PC October 27th.
EA Sports UFC 5
At number six is “EA Sports UFC 5,” which they’re most specifically boasting about its new damage model. I don’t really know a whole lot about it if I’m completely honest. I do know that it’s been a while since “UFC 4” came out in 2020, and I’ll say it’s just, it’s definitely time for a refresh. This is a great series. It goes back a ways. And “UFC 4” is a pretty fun game. If I’m completely honest, the fact that it’s not a yearly title I think is part of why “UFC 5” is something I even want to play.
It has established itself as a series that iterates when it’s time and that’s great. I want more of that honestly. I don’t need to play the same game every year. Like give me something new, and here, we got a new damage model. It looks incredible. It’s a next gen-only game. It’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series, and hopefully eventually PC although nothing’s confirmed about that yet.
It’s landing on the 27th though. Excited to play it.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
At number five is “Super Mario Brothers Wonder.” I mentioned this during the “Sonic Superstars” point, I don’t know how it seems like these two companies decided to do the same thing with their mascots the same month, but I’m not gonna complain. Here, we got a four-player co-op “Super Mario Brothers” game. Which I’ll say this, it’s not the first time they’ve done that. They have a little bit more of a background of doing the four-player co-op, but one should be able to root that influence back to how Sonic added Tails.
So there’s always been a back and forth between these two titles, and I’m really excited that we get one from both of them. And they look like the best possible version of those things. This is a visually stunning, 2D Mario side scroller, and it also looks like they’re actually coming up with a bunch of new original ideas for it. I am really excited to play it and the Sonic game. “Super Mario Brothers Wonder” is landing on Nintendo Switch, I will be playing it, duh, on October 20th.
Cities: Skylines 2
At number four is “Cities: Skylines 2.” Now, “SimCity” is a game I used to play the hell out of, my favorite is actually the Super Nintendo one, and there’s never really been anything quite like that that’s ever come out since. However, “SimCity,” overall, deteriorated pretty significantly and “Cities: Skylines” kind of became its spiritual successor and holds the current crown. The first “Cities: Skylines” is a fantastic game and “Cities: Skylines 2” apparently expands on everything from transportation to construction. A lot more fine tuning is apparently present in this game. Also, they’ve added a technology tree for the development of technology within your society.
There’s some pretty cool ideas here. I’m definitely going to be playing this one. Not because I think it’s going to give me the feeling that Super Nintendo “SimCity” did way back in the day, but because it’s the rightful heir at this point. This is the city simulator. It’s the best one and they’ve improved it, from its looks, pretty systemically. I’m excited. It’s coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC on October 24th. At number three is “Detective Pikachu Returns,”
Detective Pikachu Returns
A sequel to the 3DS game, which inspired, frankly, one of the best video game movies ever made. Basically, it’s an adventure game. It’s very different from “Pokemon,” but it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Now, if you’re unfamiliar with the world of Detective Pikachu, it’s hilarious. Just hearing Pikachu talk is one of the funniest things possible. It’s automatically funny ’cause they gave him a gruff voice. I just, it’s amusing. Obviously, he’s Ryan Reynolds in the movie. Very different experience, still very good. I love the movie, but I am really excited to play “Detective Pikachu Returns,” which is coming out on Nintendo Switch October 6th.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
At number two is “Assassin’s Creed Mirage,” which, well, this is what we said we want so hopefully it lands the way we want it to, right? I love the idea of a shorter, more story-oriented, focused “Assassin’s Creed.” I’ve said it for years. I do enjoy the big ones. I’m glad that there’s kind of both series that are going to exist, but I really wanted this so I really hope this one does it.
Like this looks like a more video game-y “Assassin’s Creed.” Although it’s got an open world, a nice, pretty substantial looking in size one, just a lot smaller than the recent ones. It’s a single city. You’re an assassin. There’s a lot of stealth that’s apparently gonna be going on. And this is, on paper, exactly what I want. So man, they better land it.
I want them to land this so bad because it’s so much the type of thing I’ve wanted to see for a while, and I’m sure there’s a lot of people feeling the exact same thing I am about this right now. I’m excited for it. I just know who Ubisoft is. I’ve seen them do what they do. They’re capable of greatness, but they’re also capable of tempering their greatness in what can only be called Creative Wave. “Assassin’s Creed Mirage” is coming to the PlayStations, the Xboxes, and PC October 5th.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
And finally at number one, perhaps one of the heaviest of heavy hitters possible, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2″ is landing and wow, do I want to play it. I mean this month is insane, seriously. There’s so many things that I want to play desperately bad. I am so excited for the games this month. “Spider-Man 2” is gonna be one of the best superhero games ever made, period. It’s the sequel to the previous one of the best superhero games I ever made, and it builds on it in every conceivably good way.
It seems to take everything about the original and “Miles Morales” and turns it into one much bigger game. And it’s not just bigger, there’s a lot more new mechanics. The story looks like it’s much more interesting. And the suits, my friends. The suits. You don’t have to pay for the suits. When you ask where my super suit is, it’s just in the menu, unlockable after playing the game
I love Insomniac’s “Marvel’s Spider-Mans.” “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” is coming to the PlayStation 5 on October 20th. Be there or be square.
Atlas Fallen
A new game from Deck13 Interactive, who previously we know from “The Surge”, a couple of great Souls-like, like “Lords of the Fallen”, which I guess, is kind of technically a Souls-like as well. Although I’d say “The Surge” is probably what they’re better known for. They’ve taken a bit of a departure from the Souls-like genre, however, and “Atlas Fallen”, to me, looks a lot more like “God of War”. Although, allegedly, it retained some things from “The Surge”, like body targeting, but I don’t really know to what extent.
So when I say this looks like “God of War”, it. I mean, they acknowledge it looks like “God of War”, but if you watch footage of the combat in this game, it’s like watching “God of War”, and not like 2018 “God of War”. Although maybe not necessarily full-blown,
original “God of War”. It’s kinda like a 70/30 split, maybe. It definitely is speedier than the new “God of War”, making it more reminiscent of the old.
But it also contains open regions, what it’s calling, which are various different open worlds that aren’t necessarily full open world size, but give you the ability to free roam and fight stuff and collect stuff. And well, it looks like a pretty good game to me. Obviously, I really enjoy “The Surge”, and I really enjoy “God of War”, both the old and the new. So this is one that I’m pretty likely to be, at least, trying out. I have a feeling it’s gonna be quite good, and I hope I’m not wrong about that. It just looks really well-polished and well put together. “Atlas Fallen” is landing on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC August 10th.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Is “Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon”, The latest in what we, basically, thought was an abandoned series. In all seriousness, “Armored Core” are fantastic mech games and the last one happened in 2013. It was actually a spinoff of “Armored Core 5”, called “Armored Core: Verdict Day”. It served as a direct sequel to “Armored Core 5”, but it’s been so long, it’s almost hard to remember. And then, you see footage of the new “Armored Core”, which looks like a fantastic version of “Armored Core”. They didn’t change anything about it, at least in terms of, you know, mechanics.
It looks exactly like what I remember “Armored Core” to be, and that’s great. That’s exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want them to make a “Dark Souls” game that they were calling “Armored Core”. I wanted them to make “Armored Core”, and it looks like they are, albeit with much, much better graphics. “Armored Core 6” is landing on the PlayStations, the Xbox’s, and PC August 25th. A couple of bonus games for you.
The Bonus
Couple of bonus games for you. Firstly, “Hellboy Web of Wyrd,” a highly stylized action brawler roguelike. Honestly, a really novel-looking approach to a game. I don’t know, there’s a lot of variables in this game, especially it’s a procedurally generated roguelike. Like it’s just a collection of variables actually, but still, it looks interesting. It’s one of those games where it’s kind of like I kind of need to play this to fully understand what’s going on here. But hey, it’s a roguelike beat them up, bring it.
It’s coming to the PlayStations, the Xboxes, Nintendo Switch, and PC October 4th. And finally, “Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Volume 1.”
I don’t really know what to say about this other than it’s every “Metal Gear Solid” game that matters, except for “Metal Gear Solid 4.” And that isn’t a huge criticism, but I would like to place “Metal Gear Solid 4” somewhere other than the PlayStation 3 and not emulated on the PC with a bunch of setup and messing around with that whole mess. Also, “Metal Gear Solid 5” isn’t in this collection, but that makes sense too. Maybe Volume 2 is gonna be four and five. We can dream, right?
This looks like a very good version of the collection up till then. I’m looking forward to playing it. It’s landing on the PlayStations, the Xboxes, Nintendo Switch, and PC on October 24th.
