This month is set to be one of the best and busiest (and most expensive) in video gaming in recent years. October alone has at least 10 AAA console titles and two handheld titles releasing.
We’ve gone back to look at previous years’ releases and none of them come close. In 2016 there were six AAA console releases in October, in 2015 there were two, in 2014 there were six and in 2013 there were three.
This October is going to incredible for gamers. We’ve compiled the biggest and best games to look forward to and why we think you should be excited.
Forza Motorsport 7 – October 3
Why you should be excited
Forza 7 is the first game to be released for the Xbox One X. On the new console, it will run in true 4K and at 60fps. It includes over 700 cars, 200 different configurations and 32 different tracks; and that’s only at launch.
Forza has become the ultimate console racing game over the past few years. Last year Horizon 3 gave players a taste of the arcade racer and the Australian outback. Forza 7 can be played as an arcade racer, but it also includes all the options rev heads crave. It can be a true racing sim, an arcade racer or somewhere in the middle.
Forza Motorsport 7 will be available from October 3 for Xbox One. Players who pre-ordered the Deluxe of Ultimate Editions gained access on September 29.
Layton’s Mystery Journey – October 6
Why you should be excited
If the title isn’t enough to do it for you, then maybe jog on…
But seriously, the Layton series of games are some of the best on 3DS. The latest release will see Katrielle “Kat” Layton take over the reins as she searches for her missing father; the beloved Hershel Layton.
Players will be challenged by dozens of brand-new puzzles and a mysterious story to follow and solve. Layton’s Mystery Journey will be split into 12 different cases, unlike previous entries that were split by chapter.
Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy will keep players busy on their commute and will definitely be a highlight for the 3DS this year. It will be available October 6.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions – October 6
Why you should be excited
The Mario & Luigi RPG series features some of the best handheld gaming you can find. This is a remake of the first title, though not much has been changed. The remake features slightly updated graphics and some new lighting, though it still looks great.
The biggest and best addition is the brand new storyline starring Bowser’s Minions. In the new quest, Captain Goomba teams up with other minions to save Bowser. The new storyline will feature brand new gameplay and will also be compatible with Boo, Goomba and Koopa Troopa amiibo.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions will be available for 3DS October 6.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War – October 10
Why you should be excited
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor came out of nowhere and was an incredibly pleasant surprise. Melding Tolkien with Assassin’s Creed and Batman: Arkham, Shadow of Mordor gained fans with its gameplay, story and of course, Nemesis System.
Despite some controversies surrounding micro-transactions, Shadow of War is the sequel to Shadow of Mordor that promises to be bigger and better in every way. Players will once again take control of Talion, the undead Ranger and his hitchhiker, Celembrimbor. The goal of Shadow of War is to forge a new Ring of Power, amass an army and defeat Sauron.
The Nemesis System has been expanded and now Talion can gain followers from multiple races as well as plan strategies and use his army to carry them out. The sequel also includes a multiplayer mode in which players will attempt to invade a friend’s fortress and conquer it.
Shadow of War will be available October 10 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
The Evil Within 2 – October 13
Why you should be excited
The sequel to survival horror’s best title in ages, The Evil Within 2 looks like it’s going to be scary as hell. Shinji Mikami’s Tango Softworks is back with what looks to be a bigger and scarier mindfreak. Or should I say Psycho Break?
Disgraced and fired from the police force after the events of the first game, Sebastian Castellanos is a broken man. Three years after The Evil Within he’s fallen off the wagon and lost contact with the world. His former partner, Juli Kidman, reveals that Castellanos’ daughter Lily has been kidnapped by the Mobius Corporation and created a STEM world dubbed Union from her mind.
Thinking she was dead for all these years, Castellanos sets out to enter Union, face his demons and save his daughter. The Evil Within 2 features a more open-world style of gameplay with multiple paths, crafting and the ability to use stealth rather than fight.
The Evil Within 2 will be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One on October 13.
Gran Turismo Sport – October 15
Why you should be excited
Gran Turismo Sport is the first Gran Turismo since GT6 in 2013. It’s the first Gran Turismo title for the PS4, the first to feature VR support and the first to include live esports events. It is also the first Gran Turismo title to ever feature Porsche vehicles.
GT Sport will include three modes for players; Campaign, Sports and Arcade. The campaign will provide the classic Gran Turismo experience while Sports and Arcade are more casual and feature less strict simulations.
Gran Turismo Sport will include 177 vehicles, 27 configurations and 19 tracks. Gran Turismo Sport is essentially the PS4’s Prologue, though the developers have said it is much more substantial than previous Prologue titles.
Gran Turismo Sport will launch for PS4 on October 15.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole – October 17
Why you should be excited
Another sequel for October, The Fractured But Whole is definitely one to look forward to. Set directly after the events of The Stick of Truth, The Fractured But Whole lets players completely retcon things about The New Kid.
The New Kid can now be female or male and can also adjust their race by using a slider which is jokingly referred to as a difficulty meter. The darker The New Kid’s skin, the further the slider moves. The slider doesn’t actually change combat difficulty though and instead changes how NPCs react to The New Kid and how much money can be found.
The Fractured But Whole does away with the fantasy setting of The Stick of Truth and instead focuses on superheroes. A fracture in the boys’ group means two factions are created; Cartman’s Coon and Friends and the Freedom Pals.
The combat system has been heavily reworked and best of all, it’s coming to Australia completely uncensored.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole will be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One October 15.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins – October 27
Why you should be excited
Last year was the first time we didn’t have a new Assassin’s Creed game to play since 2007. After the lukewarm reaction to Syndicate, it behoved Ubisoft to take some time and recharge the batteries.
Set in Ancient Egypt, Origins takes us all the way back to the beginning of the battle between the Assassins and the Templars. Players will assume the role of Bayek as he strives to protect his people and his family from a dangerous new threat.
As usual, Origins will tell a fictionalised version of historical events and feature figures such as Cleopatra, Julius Caeser and Ptolemy. Taking the historical aspects a step further, Origins will include a special Discovery Mode that will allow players to learn about Ancient Egypt.
Origins will differ from past titles as the world will not feature many tall structures. Eagle Vision will be replaced with an eagle companion and Bayek will be able to tame other animals to assist him in battle.
Combat has been completely overhauled and will not utilise hit-boxes. Players will be able to hit enemies directly, damage limbs and do varying degrees of damage. A new horde mode will also be added, separately from the story.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins will be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One October 27.
Super Mario Odyssey – October 27
Why you should be excited
What more needs to be said about Super Mario Odyssey? It’s the first 3D Mario game since Galaxy 2 and it’s just about the most fun you can have.
We’ve already gone pretty in-depth in our preview of Mario Odyssey though if you’re not convinced let’s run the basics down.
Mario has a living hat named Cappy who can capture nearly any enemy you come across. When you play as these enemies you have all new skills and abilities. Mario can change his clothes. Mario can enter special 2D sections that play like classic Super Mario Bros; and so much more.
Super Mario Odyssey is a no-brainer. It’s coming to Switch October 27.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – October 27
Why you should be excited
Yet another sequel, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is set to be one of the biggest games of the year, not just October.
Wolfenstein: The New Order blew everyone away with its plot and pacing and excellent gun and gameplay. The cliffhanger ending demanded a payoff and finally, with The New Colossus, we’ll get one.
Players will again play as BJ Blazkowicz, except this time we’ll be returning to an America under the rule of Nazi order. With his ragtag group of guerrilla fighters by his side, Blazkowicz heads back to his homeland in 1961 to attempt to free themselves by igniting the Second American Revolution.
Wolfenstein: The New Colossus will be available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One October 27.
October is certainly shaping up to be an incredible month for gaming. The list above doesn’t even come close to including everything coming out.
The winners are gamers, but the losers are their wallets and bank accounts.
What are you most looking forward to?
