With September coming to an end and the fall season in full swing, video games are going to start coming out in droves. Some will be good, some will miss. As we know it, our bank accounts are going to take a bit of a hit as we get closer to the Holiday Season. To kick things off, we have notable releases this week like FIFA 22, Hot Wheels Unleashed, and a major DLC to The Outer Wilds. Here are all the major video game releases for this week.
September 28
AWAY: The Survival Series – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Steam)
This game has been fairly in the works for a long time. It feels very identical to the previously released video game Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. According to the game’s site, you assume control of a sugar glider and journey through natural environments to save your family. You’ll encounter predators along the way like you would in a nature setting. Think of this like you’re actually playing out some kind of documentary on the National Geographic Channel.
Dandy Ace – Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Dandy Ace is a roguelike game that seems to offer lots of replayability because of the genre, but also provide a fun, action-packed time. The art style is very vibrant and very reminiscent of the very popular Hades. You play as the protagonist, Dandy Ace, who has to survive the trials of the procedurally generated palaces and defeat the “Green-Eyed Illusionist”, Lele.
Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai: A Hero’s Bonds – Android, iOS
From the very popular anime and video game series, this mobile-exclusive title has a different approach to the typical genre of the Dragon Quest franchise. It’s not the typical turn-based JRPG that fans are used to. Instead, it’s a three-lane, continuous action video game. The three lanes does make it sound like it’s something akin to League of Legends, but that isn’t the case.
Lemnis Gate – PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series S/X, PC (Steam)
This might be one of the most unique blends of genres in video games. Combine the elements of a turn-based strategy game with an arena shooter. Add a layer of “time manipulation” according to Steam, and you have something that requires more than just FPS reflexes. Having the brains and a game plan will totally help in a game like this.
New World – PC
Watch out WoW and Final Fantasy 14, another big hitter is joining the mix of MMORPGs. This game has been in talks and in the works for quite some time and just recently came out of a final beta earlier this month. It’s finally slated for a launch this week. Check here for more details like install sizes and release times.
Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC (Steam, Epic Games)
From the critically acclaimed action-adventure game of 2019, the Outer Wilds is going to have quite the sizable expansion. Continuing from the base game, you’ll be the newest recruit of a startup space program in furthering research of the solar system. You’ll also be going into the final frontier and exploring some of the most unknown, uncharted, and possibly dangerous regions in space.
September 29
Insurgency: Sandstorm – PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series S/X
This team-based, tactical FPS game has been out on PC for a few years and is now going to find new audiences on consoles. It has been praised heavily for its realism, with things like its minimal HUD and heavy reliance on sounds and environments. Any other larger FPS titles out there have a much more streamlined approach that breaks away from realism, but things here raise the stakes like many other titles don’t. This is one of the few that creates intense moments.
September 30
Astria Ascending – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
A beautifully hand-drawn 2D JRPG is looking up to be among the greats of the JRPG world like Final Fantasy, Bravely Default, and Dragon Quest. It’s going to be one of those games where you’ll have a few hundred hours of gameplay before finally putting it down. As previously mentioned about the “greats”, Astria Ascending actually has people who have worked on games like Final Fantasy, Nier Automata, and Bravely Default.
Doctor Who: The Edge of Reality – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
Save the universe on an epic quest with the thirteenth doctor (Jodie Whittaker) in this narrative-driven game. You’ll also face a number of classic foes from the Doctor Who universe including Daleks, Cybermen, and more! Speaking of classic returns, it was said that even the tenth doctor, actually voiced by David Tennant, is to make an appearance.
eFootball 2022 – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PC (Steam)
The game, PES (Pro Evolution Soccer) is getting a rebrand to eFootball. This game will be running on an entirely new engine and has been built from the ground up. It’ll also be a free to play title that will span across all major current platforms including mobile. For those really into Soccer/Futbol simulation types of games, keep an eye out for this.
Hot Wheels Unleashed – PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series S/X, PC (Steam)
If you are a fan of the TrackMania series or any sort of arcade-y and over-the-top racing or karting game, this is definitely something to have on your radar. This is an actually licensed Hot Wheels game with such a high potential for creativity. With a very promising starting selection of over 60 customizable vehicles and the ability to create your own tracks, this will be the next best thing and modern selection.
Mary Skelter Finale – PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
This dungeon crawling RPG will bring the conclusion to the Mary Skelter trilogy. It’s been five years in the making to reach this point, and the Finale will hopefully bring a satisfying conclusion to its fans. This game might be really confusing to some as it seems to have a very niche audience, but with a grim undertone to it. Also, to clear things up, it is a dungeon crawler, but has turn-based combats like typical Japanese RPG video games.
Melty Blood: Type Lumina – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
This 2D anime fighter should be familiar to those who were fans of video games like Persona 4 Arena, Blazblue, and even Guilty Gear. It’s impressive that this game will be released on multiple platforms, but the fact that it doesn’t have crossplay in this day and age may hurt overall player retention. It’s looking up to be a pretty decent anime fighter, too.
Toy Soldiers HD – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
This game was originally set to release earlier this month, but it seemed like the team at Signal Studios needed just a bit more time to release something fully baked. It is basically the HD remaster of one of the more popular video games of the Xbox Live Arcade days on the 360. Hopefully the game was just as people remembered it back from two console generations ago.
October 1
FIFA 22 – PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series S/X, PC (Stadia, Steam, Origin)
EA Sports will really be utilizing higher grade tech to create even more next-generation experiences in their video games. Thanks to HyperMotion Technology, current gen systems like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S and X will make the most of the features for FIFA 22. This means things like more animation in team interactions, better AI, more ball control, and just creating a field of authenticity like nothing before.
