October is right around the corner, and that means it’s officially videogame season! Loads of highly anticipated titles are about to drop, and it’s going to be nearly impossible to keep up with them all. Don’t worry, though, there’s no shame in adding a few or even all of these upcoming games to your backlog for future fun.
This October will, unsurprisingly, feature a plethora of Triple-A titles. However, there will also be a couple of high-profile, smaller titles available for anyone looking for a more intimate undertaking. These are the six most anticipated games releasing in October 2018.
Mega Man 11
- Release Date(s): October 2
- Developer(s): Capcom
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- Genre: Action Platformer
Unless jumping through doors is a must-have feature for you, the upcoming Mega Man 11 looks like a nostalgic delight. Combining the classic Mega Man formula with the graphic affordances of modern hardware, this game is sure to offer a terrific experience for newcomers to the series and veterans alike. Also, Mega Man 11 will introduce a mainline counterpart for Blast Man — a character from the spin-off title Megaman Battle Network 6. This will be the first time the main series games have adopted a spin-off character, which should be a fun treat for fans of the surprisingly good Battle Network series of games.
The Mega Man franchise is so prominent and refined that you pretty much know exactly what you’re in for with Mega Man 11. Using the same successful formula as previous entries — 2D platforming, an impressive variety of enemies and bosses, and power-ups galore — Mega Man 11 doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel to be a great game. All it has to do is deliver on the fun and challenging gameplay the series has refined over the course of more than 30 years.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Release Date(s): October 5
- Developer(s): Ubisoft Quebec
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- Genre: Action RPG
After the overwhelming success and critical acclaim of last year’s Assassin’s Creed Origins, do we really need another entry in the franchise to release so soon? The answer is a resounding yes. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set to be one of the most ambitious and over-the-top entries in the series so far. Set in Ancient Greece, the game will lean into that rich mythology and have the player face off against Minotaurs, Gorgons, and a many more fantastic foes.
Early impressions of Assassin’s Creed Origins suggest that this game will lean even further into RPG elements than previous titles. For a series that felt stagnant just a few years ago when Syndicate dropped, these innovations are more than welcome. Hopefully, this title continues Origin’s momentum and delivers dozens of hours of stealth-heavy combat. Also, Socrates analyzes and critiques every single decision you make in the game, which is bound to be meme-worthy.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- Release Date(s): October 12
- Developer(s): Treyarch
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- Genre: First Person Shooter
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (stylized as Call of Duty Black Ops IIII) may have a frustrating logo, but the game itself looks like it’s going to be a ton of fun — with scores of throwbacks for longtime fans of the franchise. While the game is ditching a narrative-driven campaign, it will feature a variety of online multiplayer modes. Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Zombies all make an expected return alongside Blackout, the new battle royale mode.
The addition of new mode implies Treyarch is trying to shake up the classic FPS series. Even so, Black Ops 4 still looks to be a by-the-numbers Call of Duty game. However, first-person multiplayer shooter fan interested in seeing Treyarch’s take on battle royale genre are sure to have a good time. With the rise of titles like Fortnite and PUBG, it feels the industry might be moving past the age of Call of Duty. Here’s hoping Black Ops 4 manages to prove that there is a place for the series in the modern gaming landscape.
The World Ends With You: Final Mix
- Release Date: October 12
- Developer(s): Square Enix and Jupiter
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Action RPG
The fantastic game The World Ends With You was unfortunately overshadowed by other titles in the Nintendo DS’ massive catalog of incredible titles. Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch is giving the game another chance to shine with an enhanced port simply titled, The World Ends with You: Final Mix. On top of a new control and display scheme to make the game a better fit for the Switch, this port will also feature a few new story beats and character interactions.
The World Ends With You is a delightfully weird game about teenagers trapped in an alternate version of Shibuya, Japan after they die. They are forced to compete in different challenges for a chance to return to the living world or transcend to a higher plane of existence. A lot is going on in The World Ends With You, and, thankfully, it’s all a stylishly good time. If you like melodramatic teenagers and innovative combat that brilliantly utilizes a touchscreen, this port will totally be worth your time.
Soulcalibur VI
- Release Date: October 19
- Developer(s): Project Soul
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- Genre: Fighting Game
After six long years of waiting, Soulcalibur VI will once again bless the fighting game community with its arena-style, weapons-based combat. Between the unmitigated success of Dragon Ball FighterZ and the hype surrounding Super Smash Bros Ultimate, it’s clear that fighting games are hot right now. Soulcalibur VI’s three-dimensional battles and overall goofiness set it apart from its more serious competitors.
While lots of fighting games embrace a handful of ridiculous elements — like Street Fighter’s incredibly weak Dan Hibiki or Mortal Kombat’s gory finishing moves — Soulcalibur really leans into the bizarre. The franchise has had some amazing cameo fighters, including Link, Darth Vader, and Kratos; and is set to keep the trend going with Geralt from the Witcher series. If you can look past the somewhat dated and problematic designs of some of the female fighters, Soulcalibur VI is sure to be full of fights to remember.
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Release Date: October 26
- Developer(s): Rockstar Studios
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
- Genre: Action-Adventure
Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR 2)is arguably the most anticipated game of this console generation. The original Red Dead Redemption was nothing short of a masterpiece, and its sequel looks to be everything that made the first great, and more. If RDR 2 incorporates the original game’s expansive open world, rewarding combat and missions, and fun Easter eggs; it will be a frontrunner for the best game of 2018.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the prequel to the first game and will have players take control of the outlaw Morgan, a member of the Dutch Van der Linde gang. Comprised of character from the first game, the gang and yourself will explore the wild west and witness the adventures hinted at in the first game. While it’s not totally clear yet how the gameplay will be different from Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar’s handling of the Grand Theft Auto and Max Payne series certainly inspire confidence. Really, the only major worry is that it will be too good and addicting. We do have other games to play this fall and during the holidays.
