Games to look for – October 2023 -.

If you had something exciting planned for October this year, cancel it. This coming month is one for the ages, with tons of promising and anticipated games all looking to make their debut. Between horrors and platformers, to strategy games and racers, there is such a wide range of games to check out. So, to prepare you for this incredibly busy month, let’s dive into another installment of Games To Look For.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series) – Oct. 5

Assassin’s Creed games have gotten bigger and bigger over the years, but Assassin’s Creed Mirage will not fall into this trend. Instead, looking to the past for inspiration, this installment in the long-running series will focus on the stealth and parkour elements that made Assassin’s Creed so famous in the first place, while featuring a story revolving around Valhalla’s Basim and how he evolved from street thief to Master Assassin.

Detective Pikachu Returns (Switch) – Oct. 6

Since we’re not getting a new mainline Pokémon game this year, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have instead turned their attention to reviving the Detective Pikachu series in October. This follow-up brings the witty, hardboiled, coffee-drinking super sleuth electric mouse back to the forefront and tasks him with solving a series of curious incidents that take place throughout Ryme City.

NHL 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series) – Oct. 6

Just as we can rely on the leaves falling from the trees each fall, we can also rely on EA to release a new NHL game. For this year, NHL 24 aims to offer an all-new gameplay experience that will give players unparalleled control over their players all using the Exhaust Engine. To add to this, EA has doubled the visuals and presentation and even introduced a few new game modes to boot.

Forza Motorsport (PC, Xbox Series) – Oct. 10

It had quite a few delays until now, but Turn 10 is finally ready to put the latest installment in its simulation racing series in the hands of fans in October. Forza Motorsport brings a highly detailed and deeply simulated experience to racers around the world, all as part of a game with more than 500 cars, 800 performance upgrades and 20 fully rebuilt tracks from real locations around the world. Designed to be deeply immersive, racing fans won’t want to miss this one.

Total War: Pharaoh (PC) – Oct. 11

Creative Assembly are back and ready to take players on a journey deep into the past with their latest project. Total War: Pharaoh takes fans to the heights of ancient Egypt to command a variety of leaders and generals as they attempt to unite and take control of the vast desert kingdom. With dangerous weather systems to survive, tons of factions to meet and fight, vast swaths of land to conquer and more, Total War: Pharaoh is one to keep an eye on for strategy fans.

Lords of the Fallen (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – Oct. 13

If you recognize the name of this game, it’s probably because you’ve seen it before, and not too long ago. Hexworks is completely rebooting the Lords of the Fallen series with this new title that shares the same name as the game that originally kicked off the series. Designed as a challenging Souls-like action-RPG, this game sees players battling monsters in two different realms, all in an attempt to overthrow the powerful and ruthless demon god Adyr.

Sonic Superstars (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch) – Oct. 17

While the big Sonic game for 2022 saw the blue hedgehog go 3D for a big open-world adventure, in 2023 the blue blur and his friends return to their 2D roots. Sonic Superstars is a platform game that is a bit different from previous Sonic 2D games, as this title revolves around working together and navigating through never-before-seen environments to stop Dr. Eggman and some new opponents from turning the island’s animals into Badniks.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch) – Oct. 19

It didn’t take long for Milestone to give the green light for a sequel to Hot Wheels Unleashed, and in October we’ll get that same game. Bringing back the signature arcade racing mechanics that made the original title such a blast to play, this sequel gets bigger and bolder with new jumps and lateral dash moves, as well as a slew of new vehicles to collect and tracks to race on. Needless to say, you won’t want to miss Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5) – Oct. 20

Perhaps the most anticipated launch of the month, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 brings back the web-slinging duo of Peter Parker and Miles Morales for a sequel that looks to be bigger and more chaotic than what came before. With new villains to face, more of New York City to explore, more powers and skills to put to the test, and all while being designed specifically for the PlayStation 5, this sequel has huge potential and will undoubtedly be seeking the crown of best game of the month.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Switch) – Oct. 20

To throw a spanner in the works of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 plans, Nintendo is launching Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the same day. This platform game brings us back to the beloved 2D format, but introduces a host of exciting new gameplay features, including new power-ups, ways to interact with other players, a wider and more complex multiplayer offering and an art style and visual setup that looks wow. Could this be Mario’s grand return to 2D space? We’ll know for sure soon.

Cities: Skylines II (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – Oct. 24

City builders rejoice. After years of managing and creating sprawling and impressive cityscapes in Cities: Skylines, Paradox and Colossal Order are finally ready to move on and deliver a sequel in Cities: Skylines II. This title, which will feature much larger environments and sandboxes, as well as deeper and more complex simulation systems, will test the talents of city planners and managers like never before.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria (PC, PS5) – Oct. 24

This year has not started great for video game adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, thanks to the disaster that was Gollum, but thankfully Free Range Games is looking to get the series back on track with the exciting Return to Moria. As the name suggests, in this title players will lead a group of dwarves as they attempt to return to the kingdom of Moria in hopes of reclaiming it from orks and building it back to its former glory.

Ghostrunner 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – Oct. 26

After the success of the exciting Ghostrunner, One More Level plans to continue this cyberpunk storyline with a direct sequel called Ghostrunner 2. Putting players back in the shoes of protagonist Jack, this game will feature more of the exciting action-packed gameplay we’ve come to love, while introducing a few interesting additional features, such as a lightning-fast motorcycle that allows Jack to take his talents beyond Dharma Tower.

Alan Wake 2 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – Oct. 27

After years of waiting, Remedy fans can finally experience the next chapter in Alan Wake’s story. The famed horror writer is back in a highly anticipated sequel that looks to use powerful modern technology to truly raise the bar in how it excites players and keeps them on the edge of their seats. With Alan Wake 2 also featuring an interwoven story with two protagonists, this title aims to compete with Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 to be the best game in October 2023.

EA Sports UFC 5 (PS5, Xbox Series) – Oct. 27

While the month begins with a new NHL game from EA, it concludes with a new UFC title from the major publisher. EA Sports UFC 5 aims to take the gameplay and systems that have made the fighting series so popular and then expand them thanks to the fact that the game is based on the powerful Frostbite engine. With new damage systems, a major graphical improvement and numerous game modes to participate in, this one is for the UFC fans out there.

Jusant (PC, PS5, Xbox Series) – Oct. 31

Don’t Nod had a pretty busy end of 2023, with Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden previously set to kick off November, but now that that has been postponed until February, the French developer will only be looking to debut its climbing title, Jusant. This game asks players to climb a massive tower, full of obstacles and challenges, all in the effort to return life to its barren body. With an ever-present theme of environmental stewardship, expect a meditative journey as you search for the pinnacle of the vast rock formation.