The weather has turned and the nights are drawing in – and that can mean but one thing. October is here and the gaming season is in full swing, with new games coming to Xbox and Game Pass throughout the month. But is October as jam-packed as we’ve just witnessed through September?
Well, it ain’t far off to be honest and whilst we could easily top the 19 great games that we focused on for September release, we’re cutting the list a little for the new launches on Xbox and Game Pass for October. Not by much mind, and here are no less than 13 great new games that you should be sticking on your radar. Make it 14 if you add in the eventual release of Parcel Corps after a last-minute delay in September.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game
Calling all Patrick Star fans! Prepare for the ultimate goof-off in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game!
Bikini Bottom is YOUR open-world playground for silly, unpredictable fun. Skydive without a care, unleash mayhem in Mrs. Puff’s Rage Room, and transform the world with hilarious physics-based gameplay.
Take on absurd challenges from SpongeBob, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, and even Plankton. Or embrace the art of doing absolutely nothing – the Patrick way.
If you have played any of the SpongeBob games previously, most notably in The Cosmic Shake, then it is now time to unleash your inner Star and experience the most side-splittingly funny adventure in Bikini Bottom history!
SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream
SWORD ART ONLINE: Fractured Daydream blasts onto the scene, marking a thrilling new chapter in the beloved series. Time and space have been disrupted, heroes and villains from across the SAO universe collide, and Kirito must once again rise to the challenge.
This time around you’ll get to choose your destiny, by taking control of 21 iconic characters, each with unique skills and roles. Team up with players worldwide in epic 4-player parties for intense co-op battles! You’ll also get to confront the impossible – Face off against high-difficulty raid bosses that will test your skills and teamwork, all as you strategise, prepare, and fight for survival in the ultimate online adventure.
The fate of ALfheim Online hangs in the balance. Are you ready to answer the call?
We were quite disappointed with the last Sword Art Online game to launch on Xbox, that of Last Recollection, and so hopes are high that Fractured Daydream ups things massively.
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO
Get ready to unleash the ultimate Dragon Ball experience in DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO.
This one delivers the most explosive battles yet, featuring the biggest roster in history, running at over 180 iconic fighters from across the entire saga. You’ll need them too as you experience breathtaking 3D fights with authentic anime-style visuals and combat mechanics.
Mastering devastating beam clashes, lightning-fast movements, and planet-shattering ultimate attacks will be par for the course. And from there it’ll be about challenging rivals online, training with friends offline, and proving your strength in thrilling tournaments.
And of course, as a Dragon Ball game, you’ll get to relive epic story moments and unlock new encounters for your favourite Z-Fighters.
Ready to unleash your creativity and recreate legendary battles or craft your own dream matchups? Sparking! ZERO is on the Xbox Store.
Sky Oceans: Wings For Hire
From PQube & Octeto Studios is Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire – the age of sky pirates returns.
Take flight as Glenn Windwalker, a young sky pirate captain searching for meaning in a world brimming with beauty and wonder. You’ll get to gather your crew, customise your airship, and soar through the clouds, engaging in thrilling turn-based battles against the formidable Alliance.
What it most means is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a heartwarming story filled with unforgettable characters and touching moments. Strategically plan your every move in exhilarating aerial dogfights, where adaptability is key to victory. As you progress, recruit unique air pirates and enhance your airship with powerful new abilities.
There’s a breathtaking world inspired by the magic of Studio Ghibli to enjoy too, with diverse environments and charming towns waiting to be discovered. That will be accompanied by a beautifully orchestrated original soundtrack, creating an unforgettable experience.
UNDISPUTED
Boxing is back, and it’s Undisputed!
Step into the ring with the most authentic boxing game ever created, meticulously crafted by passionate fight fans and seasoned boxing professionals.
In Undisputed you’ll get to experience the thrill of the fight with physics-driven interactions and intense inside fighting that will leave you breathless. Choose from a roster of over 70 licensed fighters, including legendary names like Muhammad Ali, before battling it out in iconic venues around the world and gearing up with authentic equipment. To succeed, you’ll want to execute strategic footwork, unleash a devastating arsenal of over 60 punches, and outsmart opponents with clever feints and counters.
Undisputed: It’s more than just a game; it’s the championship fight you’ve been waiting for. And my god, have we been waiting for this one…
Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the visionary creators of Persona (and don’t we love a Persona game!), comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a captivating new RPG where your choices shape destiny in a breathtaking fantasy world.
This one provides the opportunity to embark on thrilling quests and dungeon dives by day, then deepen relationships and personal growth by night. You’ll traverse stunning landscapes on your gauntlet runner, accompanied by immersive visuals, you will also engage in exhilarating turn-based battles infused with real-time action.
Of course, customisation is key, building your party through unique Archetype powers. And that should well mean that Metaphor: ReFantazio from Atlus and SEGA will be a fantastical adventure where your choices matter.
SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS
Another from SEGA, and another in the loooooong line of Sonic games is SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS.
Shadow the Hedgehog returns alongside Classic and Modern Sonic for a double dose of high-speed action. Experience a brand-new story campaign as Shadow, harnessing never-before-seen abilities to battle Black Doom and save the world.
Expect to speed through iconic stages, uncover hidden secrets in an expansive hub world, and unlock devastating new powers, all whilst also reliving the legendary SONIC GENERATIONS, now fully remastered with enhanced visuals and bonus content.
Ready to blast through a greatest-hits collection of Sonic stages in a time-traveling adventure like no other? Sonic has done that multiple times over the years, but this one still manages to excite. Doesn’t it?
Neva
Prepare to embark on an emotionally charged journey with Neva, the latest masterpiece from the creators of GRIS.
This captivating action-adventure follows Alba, a young woman forever bound to a wolf cub after a devastating encounter. Together, they navigate a decaying world, their bond deepening as they face perilous challenges.
Witness the wolf’s transformation from mischievous cub to independent adult, testing Alba’s love and resolve. That transformation will come about as you explore a meticulously designed world, brought to life with delicate art, haunting music, and intuitive combat.
Neva promises an unforgettable experience, reminding us of the enduring power of companionship and resilience in the face of adversity. Our full review is on the way, but we’re very excited for what Nomada Studios have created here.
Unknown 9: Awakening
Embrace the extraordinary as Haroona, a Quaestor gifted with the ability to traverse the enigmatic Fold, a parallel dimension teeming with hidden knowledge and power.
In Unknown 9: Awakening you’ll discover the opportunity to master your unique connection to this realm, channeling its forces to navigate the challenges of our world. But beware, your abilities have caught the attention of the Ascendants, a shadowy faction determined to exploit the Fold for their own sinister agenda.
How will that play? Find out when Bandai Namco drop Unknown 9 to the world.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed
New York City is in chaos! Mutant mayhem has erupted, leaving Mewbies running rampant and citizens terrified. It’s up to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to restore order in TMNT: Mutants Unleashed from Outright Games.
Join Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello in an epic adventure straight from the sewers. With April’s intel and Splinter’s wisdom, battle through the city, deliver pizzas on time (resisting the urge to snack!), and unravel the mystery behind the mutagenic ooze.
You’ll also get to team up with a friend in co-op mode for double the shell-shocking action. Of course, you can always go solo to really prove your ninja skills. Whatever, the fate of NYC rests in your hands.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Max Caulfield’s world shatters when her closest friend is murdered. Desperate to save her, Max unleashes a long-dormant power, opening a portal to a parallel timeline where Safi is alive but still in danger.
Now, Max must race against time, navigating two realities to unravel the truth and stop the same murder from happening twice. Can she outsmart a relentless detective and unmask the killer before it’s too late?
It’s that which is the set up for the latest Life is Strange game – Double Exposure. And as with previous, you’ll discover some tasty abilities to utilise. It’s in Max’s new ability to shift between timelines, in which choices will shape the fate of both worlds.
Are you prepared for another heart-pounding adventure where every decision matters in Life is Strange: Double Exposure?
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Enter the vibrant world of Thedas, now teetering on the brink of destruction as corrupt ancient gods wreak havoc. Nations clash, alliances crumble, and darkness looms.In Dragon Age: The Veilguard you’ll find it is time to rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest champion, forging your own path to salvation.
Dive into the newest in the Dragon Age series and you’ll get to unite a diverse band of seven companions, each with their own compelling stories and unique skills. From assassins to necromancers, you’ll look to build a team you can trust, and together, face the impossible odds.
But there’s more and whilst the gritty cityscapes of Dragon Age II and the sexy witch times of Dragon Age: Origins are long gone, in The Veilguard you’ll shape your destiny as you explore treacherous landscapes, uncover hidden secrets, and make choices that will echo throughout Thedas.
Basically, become the leader the world desperately needs and defy the gods themselves.
Call of Duty: Black ops 6
What’s that? Call of Duty is back? This time with Black Ops 6? Oh yes…
Enter a world of shadows and secrets in the early 90s, where the Cold War’s end has left a power vacuum and the rules of engagement are blurred. Become a rogue agent, hunted by your own, in a mind-bending campaign filled with dynamic gameplay, blockbuster set pieces, and high-stakes heists. You know, like Call of Duty does.
But you’ll also get to experience best-in-class multiplayer combat across 16 new maps, including intense 6v6 battles and strategic 2v2 Strike missions. And brace yourself for the epic return of round-based Zombies, where you’ll face relentless hordes of the undead across two terrifying new maps.
Like Call of Duty? Black Ops 6 is going to be a no-brainer…
Go and pre-order the version of your choice from the Xbox Store. Does the £99.99 Vault Edition tempt you in? Or will you just be playing through Game Pass?
So what do you think? A decent month ahead to be an Xbox player and a Game Pass subscriber? We think so but let us know which of these games you’ll be playing in October and beyond. Perhaps we’ve missed a personal favourite out? The comments are below.
You can use those comments to let us know what you’re most looking forward to in November too. We’ve already got our eyes on a release of Farming Simulator 25, Planet Coaster 2 and the amazing looking Empire of the Ants. Surely there will be no further pushing back of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl either. Will there? We’ll have a full list in the weeks ahead.
