Guide
These are the game highlights in April
by Philipp Rüegg
These are the game highlights in October
1.10.2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Spider-Man 2, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Alan Wake 2, Cities Skylines 2. October is sequel month, and that’s by no means all that the gaming fall has to offer.
This part of the year is often called «Broketober» by gamers. And the pun applies more than ever now. In fact, I even had to be quite picky for my highlight list. Nevertheless, it’s still overflowing with huge games.
Station to Station
Let’s start out slow. Station to Station is a relaxed railroad manager. You build stations and ensure growth with new connections. The whole thing looks like a magical model railroad landscape with its large-block voxel graphics.
Release date: 3 October
Where: PC
The Fabulous Fear Machine
Ever since I played the game at the Gamescom before last, it’s been on my wishlist. It’s a mix of pulp horror story and strategy game. You’re the master of creepy automatons, reminiscent of the fortune teller from Futurama. Your goal is to strike fear into the world and expand your influence. You do this by using agents to spread urban legends, scary stories and conspiracy theories. An unusual approach for a game that I definitely want to take a closer look at.
Release date: 4 October
Where: PC
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
As the open-world of Assassin’s Creed grows ever larger, Mirage returns to old strengths. The game is apparently much shorter. As in the very first part, it’s set in 9th century Baghdad. Ubisoft is once again focusing more on the Assassin Brotherhood and its fight against the Templar Order. Sneaking and silent murder come back into focus.
Release date: 4 October
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Asterix & Obelix – Slap Them All 2
You’d rather slap people around than sneak through crowds in disguise? Then check out Asterix & Obelix – Slap Them All 2. The iconic Gaul duo at your side, you’ll fight your way through hordes of rotten Romans in this beat’em up. Can be played alone or with a friend.
Release date: 5 October
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Detective Pikachu Returns
The legendary yellow lightning Pokémon puts his detective cap back on to solve some crimes. Instead of pika pika, the coffee-sipping investigator speaks in complete sentences for once. Together with his human partner Tom Goodman, he has to uncover mysterious incidents in Ryme City. Throughout your investigation, other Pokémon will help you with special abilities, like Fukano with its sense of smell.
Release date: 6 October
Where: Switch
Forza Motorsport
Forza Motorsport is a new top contender for fans of simulators. The eighth instalment in Microsoft’s racing series offers a huge fleet of cars and realistic driving, as well as a revamped career mode. You’ll start with a lame buggy before gradually unlocking the real speeders. The upgrade system has also been revised. Instead of simply spending money, you’ll have to earn experience points to tune your vehicles. As is commonplace for a racing game, the graphics are also turbocharged.
Release date: 10 October
Platform: PC, Xbox Series
Total War: Pharaoh
My colleague Domagoj and I have already gone into battle with the Pharaohs. Compared to its predecessors, the real-time strategy/building game lacks a bit of innovation, but epic mass battles in a historical setting are still fun. Dynamic weather also influences the gameplay and requires tactical rethinking.
Release date: 11 October
Where: PC
Lords of the Fallen
2014 already had a game with the same name. But since then, the studio behind the game has switched from Deck 13 to CI Games. Still, little has changed in the Souls-like gameplay. A gloomy fantasy setting, evil monsters and an extremely difficult challenge throughout look to provide sweat-inducing moments.
Release date: 13 October
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
Sonic Superstars
Another game we played at Gamescom that left an extremely positive impression on us. Sonic Superstars is a classic Sonic game with a colourful 2D design that you can even play as a foursome.
Release date: 17 October
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series Switch
The 7th Guest VR
The 7th Guest was one of the most visually impressive adventure games of the 90s, along with Myst. The new edition lets you experience the iconic mystery about a mysterious house and six, respectively seven illustrious guests in virtual reality. I thought it was creepy even then, and I can well imagine that the leap into the virtual dimension works perfectly.
Release date: 19 October
Where: PC VR, Quest, PSVR 2
Endless Dungeon
Endless Dungeon is a tactical action game with roguelite elements. Alone or in a threesome, you’ll fight your way through supposedly abandoned space stations. In addition to various treasures, you have to reach a core and have it transported away by a bot. As soon as you do, disgusting monsters will crawl out of every corner to stop you. The game is a mix of bird’s-eye shooting and tower defence. You decide which rooms you want to defend and how. Your resources to do this are limited. I already enjoyed the beta a year ago.
Release date: 19 October
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Twice as much Spider-Man, twice as much New York. The sequel to the open-world superhero game has upgraded on all fronts. Now you can freely switch between the two Spider-Men, Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Both sport an individual Spidey suit equipped with an arsenal of new gadgets. And with Venom, Kraven the Hunter and Grizzly included, there’s plenty of work for both of them on the villain front as well.
Release date: 20 October
Where: PS5
Super Mario Bros Wonder
Probably the last big Nintendo game for the Switch before the successor is released. On the one hand, Mario’s new 2D adventure offers familiar platforming fare across colourful worlds you can visit from an overview map. You choose between twelve different playable characters, such as Mario, Peach, Yoshi or Nabbit. The latter don’t take damage and are ideal for younger players. The new power ups sound more exciting. With one, Mario can turn into an elephant and beat up opponents with his trunk. Or he traps them in bubbles and uses them as a springboard. The Wonder in the title refers to an effect that transforms the game world, turning tubes into snakes, the game view upside down, or putting you in the body of a Goomba.
Release date: 20 October
Where: Switch
Cities Skylines 2
While Sim City once made the genre famous, today Cities Skylines rules the world of city-building simulators. Even eight years after releasing. The anticipation for its successor is all the greater. I was able to play it at Gamescom, and I’m confident that the new entry will soon be available. All residents and vehicles are tracked and simulated, and there are countless new building options. Different regions ensure that everything no longer looks like a big US city, and dynamic weather not only brings seasons, but also has an impact on the energy supply. Sim fans can get their blueprints ready.
Release date: 24 October for PC, console version to follow in spring
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
Deep Rock Galactic but in the Lord of the Rings universe is the easiest way to describe the game. Up to eight dwarves can descend the mines of Moria and mine valuable ores to build legendary armour and weapons. You can also construct buildings to gradually restore the forgotten kingdom of Khazad-dûm to its former glory. Naturally, hordes of evil orcs and other threats lurk in the dim depths, waiting to devour your dwarven denizens.
Release date: 24 October
Where: PC, PS5
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
Strap on your Proton Pack and try to stop the Ghost Lord, either alone or in a team of up to four ghost hunters. Even though there are no familiar characters from the films, the plot is meant to tie in with some of the characters from the first Ghostbusters flick. Work as a team to track down ghosts with PKE metres and capture them with all sorts of new gadgets.
Release date: 26 October
Where: Meta Quest, PS VR 2
Ghostrunner 2
A game that hardly offers any breathers. You’re always on the move. As a cyber ninja, you’ll lithely shred your way across futuristic levels at a breakneck pace. The smallest mistakes will be immediately punished by death. The first part already made me sweat plenty. But when you’ve successfully made it to the next checkpoint and your heart is beating in your throat, you just feel great.
Release date: 26 October
Where: PC, PS5 Xbox Series
Alan Wake 2
Another pulse-pounding game. Less through heated battles, more with the eerie world and story. The first entry is now thirteen years old. Successful author Alan Wake has been trapped in an alternate dimension for just as long. You switch between playing Wake and FBI agent Saga Anderson. Anderson was sent to Bright Falls to solve a ritualistic series of murders. You can freely move back and forth between the two characters. To fight the shadow monsters, you have to weaken them with light before you can resort to firearms. In addition, your grey detective matter will also be challenged. You’ll piece together clues on your bulletin board to uncover the mystery behind the murders and Wake’s disappearance.
Release date: 27 October
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
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.
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