These are the game highlights in November
1.11.2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Chrome-plated robot policemen, spies with rocket boots and a reunion with a near-forgotten Mario game. Just a small taste of our game highlights in November.
November kicks off with a constant stream of promising games. It only subsides somewhat towards the middle of the month. But even then, there are still some bangers waiting for you.
Alien Hominid Invasion
The studio behind Castle Crashers and Battleblock Theater is returning to its roots. Alien Hominid was a wacky flash game that made The Behemoth famous. Now the quirky Alien is back, with some friends by its side. You can shoot your way through an endless swarm of enemies alone or with up to four players. Countless weapons and mutations ensure maximum chaos.
When: 1 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
The Talos Principle 2
One of the games that comes closest to the genius of Portal. Now it’s time to continue the puzzle with a philosophical twist. Tricky challenges and beautiful scenery await you once again. Fun fact: the game is being developed by the studio responsible for the Serious Sam series. Maximum brain capacity vs minimum, the perfect balance.
When: 2 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot
Vampire Survivors has created a new genre that may not (yet) have a name, but which is already getting its next entry with Slime 3K. You play a trigger-happy blob mowing down hordes of puny humans with a smile on its face. In the process, you unlock new, unusual murder instruments that make your work even more efficient. Play until you’ve left your last trail of slime and then start all over again.
When: 2 November
Where: PC
Gangs of Sherwood
In Gangs of Sherwood, you fight the Sheriff of Nottingham in a world inspired by Robin Hood. I say inspired because the legendary, selfless avenger of the poor doesn’t just use a bow and arrow. In the steampunk-like world, there’s room for giant cannons as well as magic. The four of you set out to steal riches and distribute them among the needy.
When: 2 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Thirsty Suitors
Thirsty Suitors offers an extremely interesting mix. You play Jala, trying to heal the wounds of her past. She tries her best in this story-based adventure with wild dance interludes, turn-based battles, skateboarding and cooking. Looks wonderfully crazy.
When: 2 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
RoboCop: Rogue City
After the successful demo, I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll actually get another good RoboCop game. You play as the iconic cyborg, bringing justice to the streets of Old Detroit. Not only do you dismantle your opponents into individual parts, your intuition is required as well. You solve cases by searching for evidence and conducting interrogations, often getting the opportunity to make your own decisions. Seems to capture the vibe of the cult movie well.
When: 2 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
WarioWare: Move It!
The latest instalment of the WarioWare series again features an array of microgames. You have to imitate shapes on-screen within seconds. The game relies on the motion control of the Switch Joycons. You can now play the whole game as a group again, which should provide plenty of entertainment and crazy contortions.
When: 3 November
Where: Switch
EA Sports WRC
Better graphics thanks to Unreal Engine 5 and realistic physics from the Dirt games promise a feast for rally fans. 18 locations straight from the official calendar of the FIA World Rally Championship are available to choose from. That’s 600 kilometres of asphalt, gravel and snow which you can hurtle over at criminally high speeds.
When: 3 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
The Invincible
You search for your lost crew on the alien planet Regis II. A range of strange retro-futuristic tools help you do this. There’s also a dreamlike and somewhat eerie sci-fi world. The plot is inspired by the story of the same name by successful Polish author Stanislaw Lem.
When: 6 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Football Manager 2024
Is EA Sports FC too hectic and not tactical enough for you? Then you can again choose to make a career in the new Football Manager instead this year. In terms of gameplay, it should offer more freedom thanks to various upgrades for tactics and the match day. I’m really only interested in whether it’s still so complicated to import databases. This way I could get original player names, jerseys, pictures, etc.
When: 6 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
Robocraft 2
Fight for supremacy on Mars with custom vehicles that fly apart like Legos when fired upon. If your vehicle is completely wrecked, continue shooting with your assault rifle or turrets. If you like building your own fighting machines, check out this multiplayer game.
When: 7 November
Where: PC
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
Just two years after the first part, SpongeBob, Garfield and Danny Phantom are back in the ring. Just as we’re used to from similar games like Super Smash Bros., you get to punch each other in the face as various well-known Nickelodeon characters. There are 25 characters from 17 shows to choose from.
When: 7 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
Tintin Reporter – Cigars of the Pharaoh
Tintin sets off on his next adventure with his faithful four-legged friend Snowy. The roving reporter departs in search of the tomb of the pharaoh Kih-Oskh. The title is a mixture of detective game and wild chases. Certainly worth a look for fans of the cult comic character.
When: 7 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
My colleague Domi was blown away by the demo at Gamescom. Ex-Yakuza Kiryu Kazuma is now a secret agent. The gameplay should be just as unusual as the gadgets at your disposal: a swarm of killer drones and rocket shoes are just two examples of what awaits you.
When: 8 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Beyond Sunset
No gaming month is complete without retro shooters. Beyond Sunset is a promising newcomer. I was able to try it out briefly at Gamescom and was very impressed by the fast-paced action spectacle. You play as Lucy, a modified street samurai, who shreds her way through Yakuza, zombies and robots in this cyberpunk world.
When: 8 November
Where: PC
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
What should I even say? All right, while you’re here. It’s a new Call of Duty with an explosive campaign and frenetic multiplayer mode. Fans have most likely had the date marked red for ages. In what’s probably the 75th instalment, you chase ultra-nationalist Vladimir Makarov across the globe. Price, Ghost, Gaz and the rest are also back in the mix. On the multiplayer side, an open-world PvE zombie mode will provide «variety».
When: 10 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
The Day Before
It was one of the most hyped games of recent years – until the first longer gameplay trailer was released. The initially breath-taking graphics dropped off significantly in the latest videos. The gameplay doesn’t seem quite as fresh either. We’ll soon find out whether the twice-postponed zombie MMO will get its act together after all.
When: 10 November
Where: PC
KarmaZoo
KarmaZoo is far more original than the umpteenth zombie shooter. In this co-op game, you combine the skills of 50 unique characters to master a wide variety of levels. You can play with up to eight people locally or with up to ten online.
When: 14 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch
Broken Roads
Another game that I was allowed to try out at Gamescom. Broken Roads is an Australian role-playing game set in an apocalyptic world à la Fallout or Wasteland. The focus is more on dialogue than turn-based action. It didn’t quite grab me visually, but it looks promising in terms of content.
When: 14 November
Where: PC
Coral Island
Zombies and the apocalypse aren’t your thing? How about Coral Island? A relaxed farming simulator on a dreamlike island world awaits you. You don’t just look after your vegetable garden, but you also raise animals, explore a lively underwater world and make friends with the villagers.
When: 14 November
Where: PC
American Arcadia
American Arcadia seems refreshingly original. The game combines 2.5D platforming with puzzle elements from a first-person perspective. You play Trevor, the protagonist of a reality show in an alternative 70s world. As his life is too boring, he’s put on a hit list – unless he can escape. The premise sounds exciting and the trailers also look very promising. Keep it on your radar.
When: 15 November
Where: PC
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR
In the first VR Assassin’s Creed, you travel across three different eras. Accompany Connor from Assassin’s Creed 3 through the American Revolution. Then there’s a reunion with Cassandra from Odyssey in ancient Greece. And finally, Ezio from the first trilogy once again uses his hidden blades to assassinate his way through the Italian Renaissance.
When: 16 November
Where: VR
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin
New Warhammer games are almost as common as new retro shooters. Frontier, who have already delivered a rock-solid game in the grimdark universe with Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters, dare to make the next attempt. Instead of turn-based sci-fi action, there are now real-time battles in a fantasy world. You can choose one of four factions, and if the campaign and multiplayer don’t offer enough content, you can create your own maps in the editor.
When: 17 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Super Mario RPG
For all those who, like me, missed this Super Nintendo classic, you now have an opportunity to make up for this omission on the Switch. The first Mario role-playing game was developed by Square – now Square Enix – the studio behind the Final Fantasy series. The battles are also turn-based. The game has been completely reworked in 3D for the remake, the soundtrack has also been updated. Composer Yōko Shimomura is once again to thank for this.
When: 17 November
Where: Switch
Persona 5 Tactica
The epic JRPG Persona 5 is already seven years old. That doesn’t stop publisher Atlus from releasing the next spin-off, Tactica. With an all-star squad of new and old faces, you face the next threat, leading you into a mysterious world oppressed by the tyrannical Legionnaires. You sweep them away in the usual brilliant, turn-based battles. I promise this is the last time I’ll write «turn-based» in this preview.
When: 17 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
Bluey: The Videogame
If you have children, you know Bluey. If you don’t, you should urgently catch up and bin Paw Patrol. Instead of toy-marketing propaganda, the Australian series tells loving anecdotes about a family of four dogs. In the game, you can explore familiar locations, play hide-and-seek or master simple challenges alone or with up to three friends. Like the series, it’s primarily aimed at preschoolers.
When: 17 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch
Last Train Home
To end, let’s board the last train to Czechoslovakia. During the Russian Civil War, you try to get a group of soldiers home safely on the Trans-Siberian Railway. To do this, you not only have to keep the train in good condition, but also look after your crew. There are repeated skirmishes with Russian troops, taking place in real time.
When: 28 November
Where: PC
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
