Gaming
Games
These are the biggest games coming your way in October
In a big year for games, October may be the biggest month.
We all know what’s coming out this month. It’s big, it’s bad, it wears a cowboy hat. But Rockstar’s epic isn’t the only big release to get excited about, with a slew of top titles coming our way over the next few weeks. So saddle up, because here’s what you should play in October.
Forza Horizon 4 (October 2, Xbox One, PC)
Forza Horizon has proved itself time and time again as one of the best racers available for Xbox One, with a gorgeous open world and an unbeatable selection of cars that make it a compelling choice for petrolheads. Forza Horizon 4 looks to be no different, offering up a lovingly created open world Britain with changing seasons, where lakes freeze over in winter and the weather is as unpredictable as it is in the real UK (though hopefully with less rain).
The game looks stunning, is packed with features and its shared open world has us eager to hit the motorways and start racing other players as soon as possible. Put simply, we can’t wait for Forza Horizon 4.
Super Mario Party (October 5, Nintendo Switch)
Anyone who’s played Nintendo’s Party series will know full well what to expect from a new entry. Oodles of minigames, hours of fun, and the occasional angry word tossed at your fiercely competitive chums. And it’s fair to say that the Japanese giant delivers on these expectations with Super Mario Party, with the first in the series to appear on Switch featuring 80 bonkers minigames for you to swing your Joy-Con at. It’s also the first in the series to let you compete in these minigames online, so it’ll be fascinating to see how this traditional couch multiplayer translates.
That said, as a party game, Super Mario Party can’t be beaten, and is a series seemingly made to flourish on Switch. We can’t really believe it’s taken so long for this to arrive, but we’re so glad to have the plumber and his pals back for another roll of the dice.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (October 12, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC)
The latest in COD’s strange, sci-fi tinged sister series, Black Ops 4 promises much of the same madness that permeated its predecessors, and will no doubt include even more ferocious gunfights, ludicrous uses of technology (nano-bees, anyone?) and storming multiplayer options for fans to dive into.
Perhaps one of the strongest suits of the Black Ops series has been its glut of features. From the much-loved zombie mode, to the co-op campaign, it’s fair to say Treyarch give you plenty of bang for your buck. In this latest addition to the series, the inevitable has happened: a battle royale mode. Whether it’s going to offer the same thrills as fighting hordes of the undead, we can’t say, but we do know one thing: Black Ops 4 won’t be boring.
Dark Souls Remastered (October 19, Nintendo Switch)
What is there to say about FromSoftware’s monolithic, monstrous RPG that hasn’t been said already? The notoriously difficult adventure is finally arriving on Switch, and we couldn’t be happier. The gloomy, bloody and yes, dark world of Dark Souls represents something truly different for the usually kid-friendly Switch, and it’s a welcome introduction for those seeking a bit more grit on the Nintendo favourite.
If you haven’t played it, Dark Souls is exactly as difficult as you’ve heard – but it’s also enormously deep, incredibly atmospheric and richly rewarding. Thanks to its recent remaster it also looks better than ever, and for anyone yet to acquaint themselves with this brilliantly brutal series, now’s your chance.
Soul Calibur VI (October 19, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC)
Soul Calibur, the famous sword-focused fighter, has been around for quite some time. The series debuted way back in 1996 with Soul Edge, and while there have been changes, the one constant is quality: these are fantastic fighters. Soul Calibur VI looks to continue this tradition, with new tweaks to the combat (including new systems like reversal edge, soul charge, and lethal hit systems), a whole new story mode, and a raft of ace new characters. Most exciting of which is our favourite Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.
Needless to say fighting fans should already be excited about the arrival of Bandai Namco’s next big hitter.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (October 26, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
Now, for many people this isn’t the release of the month – it’s the release of the year. Heck, some would even say decade. Rockstar’s Western epic hit PS3 way back in 2010, and it’s fair to say it left quite the impression. The eagerly awaited follow-up was originally pencilled in for release in fall last year, and the extra year has felt like an age. Thankfully, we have full faith that Rockstar have spent this time perfecting the vast game world RDR 2 promises, and the scale seemingly on offer is absolutely mindblowing.
From the new survival mechanics, to the enhanced gunplay to the ability to form a posse online, Rockstar look to have pulled out all the stops to ensure RDR 2 gives us the full wild west experience. We know to expect a top notch story, but this could be the next step in open world gaming. It’s been long enough. It’s time for Red Dead Redemption 2.
