There are so many game releases these days that they’re practically impossible to keep up with. It frustrates me missing out on a game, and probably does you too. So I’m writing a series that helps us keep up with all the new releases, so we can pick and choose what experiences we want to devour in a given week. Read these articles each week and you won’t have to trawl socials (dodging whatever horrific news or politics dominates currently, of course), and instead you can focus on the pure joy of gaming. We also focus too much on the big releases, and the live-service titles that demand we only play them forever… and ever. My hope is to shift more attention onto the creative, fun, but underestimated games that are currently swallowed up by the time monopoly current titles hold over us.
So what games are releasing next week that look interesting? Here is a list of our top picks, when they release, and what kind of experience to expect. Bear in mind games with editions that have paid for early access will be relegated to the bottom of the list if releasing this week, only full releases will be listed above other titles that don’t abuse this predatory tactic.
Space Marine 2
Release Date: 09/09/24
Platforms: PS5, PC, Xbox series x/s
An action adventure akin to the first Space Marine, we finally get another dose of Titus the titular Ultramarine. Space Marine 2 comes with a single player campaign, a set of co-op missions, and a 6v6 PvP mode – with the promise of additional content in the coming months. Definitely one of the biggest releases of the week.
Satisfactory (full release)
Release Date: 10/09/2024
Platforms: PC
Our lives shall once again be sucked into the aesthetic factory building game, Satisfactory. This game has been in early access for a long time, and is finally seeing a full release. One of the highest rated games on Steam, and rightly so. If you haven’t had the chance to jump in and love title like Factorio, I’d highly recommend this one.
Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
Release Date: 12/09/2024 (Xbox One 2025)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
A bunch of fun old arcade fighters return in this collection, with the added bonus of being able to play online. It even includes the trapped Marvel Vs Capcom 2. The Xbox One version will be arriving sometime in 2025, and a physical PS4 version planned for November 22nd 2024. I’m as always tempted to wait for a used copy of the PS4 disc.
Reka
Release Date: 12/09/2024
Platforms: PC
I love the look of this home building game, something about building a house that walks around with you just scratches the right itches. Suffused with witchy vibes, if you’re into crafting potions, gathering ingredients, and being cosy in your mobile home – this one might be for you.
Persona 3: Reload – Episode Aigis (DLC)
Release Date: 10/09/2024
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Persona 3 fans are being treated to yet more content with a meaty DLC, Episode Aigis. There are few changes to the original DLC, so if you weren’t a fan of the story don’t expect an improvement. However, if you need more Persona 3 (as is the only correct answer), this is no-brainer.
Wild Bastards
Release Date: 12/09/2024
Platforms: PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S
I’m surprised I haven’t heard more excitement around the release of Wild Bastards, a spiritual successor to the pretty well received Void Bastards. Build a gang and roam a series of procedurally generated sectors across the galaxy, all to escape a puritanical magnate. Tactical FPS combat is the central mechanic, as you blast your way through each sector. An increasingly difficult challenge mode also awaits those that finish the campaign.
I am your beast
Release Date: 10/09/2024
Platforms: PC
A hyper-fast FPS where you puzzle out how best to take out the many soldiers arrayed against you. You start every level with nothing, and find them by killing or scavenging. Everything is fair game, as long as you do it with -style-. You’ll probably like this one if you’re into plan-and-speedrun games like Neon White. Now I’m certainly not good at these, but this one looks fun enough I may just dip my toes in regardless.
Drill Core
Release Date: 12/09/2024
Platforms: PC
Tower defense, resource gatherer. Lead a team of miners to collect and defend your mining operations, survive the night, and do so again. Each mining success unlocks more complex challenges, for an experience that should continue to evolve well into Drill Core. It’s a tried and tested gameplay loop that works very well and is slow to get stale, like in the recent Dome Keeper.
Towerbourne
Release Date: 10/09/2024
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
A title that will be going free-to-play in 2025, you are essentially paying for early access. I’ve liked the look of this for a long time, though my excitement is somewhat stymied by the free-to-play announcement. This is a live service game where the story continues to evolve as you manage your party, quest and fight against the monsters that surround the Belfry. From the developers of the Banner Saga trilogy.
The Underdog – Hollowbody
Release Date: 12/09/2024
Platforms: PC
Potentially the indie I am most excited about next week, is Hollowbody. This survival horror looks like a Silent Hill esque game, which may have just managed to evoke the right atmosphere. This could be a gem in the mire, one to watch if you miss the PS2 era of horror games, for sure. Set in an abandoned British city, it’s basically a (safer) simulation of exploring Grimsby on a Tuesday night. Also it’s available on GOG…
Notable Mentions
Not everything can be listed, as I am simply a single human who has limited time and typing speed. My fingers hurt. So here are some other interesting titles that might also be worth checking out, that release next week:
- What the car?
- Fun looking racer/puzzler that after watching the trailer I wish I had put higher up and now potentially regret all my decisions
- Edge of Sanity
- Survival horror inspired by cthulhu mythos, narrative driven where you manage a camp, gather supplies, and must pick and choose fights carefully
- The Elder Scrolls: Castles
- Mobile game that’s essentially fallout shelter in elder scrolls
- Mirthwood
- Cosy fantasy homestead builder
- Railroad corporation 2
- Manage a train company, get if you like trains. Probably
- Chef RPG
- The gameplay is the game title
- Backrooms Media
- Classic co-op horror like Phasmophobia. Just check twitch, doubtless there shall be content. Good if you have friends unlike me
- Caravan SandWitch
- Cosy looking narrative-exploration. If you’re into games like A Short Hike this is probably one for you
- Fears to fathom: Woodbury Getaway
- Fifth installment of the Fears to Fathom anthology, a series of short psychological horrors. I would check out the previous games first
- Critter Cove
- Cosy town building game, fish, craft and farm. Cosy game fans are drowning this week!
- Stormedge
- Action-roguelite where you are a mage that must save the world. Gameplay looks satisfying and crunchy
- Garden witch life
- Cosy witch life, craft potions, tend to your witch garden. Reka but much more cutsey
- Lollipop Chainsaw rePOP
- Remake of the original lollipop chainsaw. I am sceptical it holds up.
- Stardiver
- Underwater exploration, that looks similar to a game like Everspace in aesthetics and combat.
- DeathSprint 66
- PvP racer where your car is your own body, run fast and entertain the audience to earn hype, activate powerups to win
- Elsie
- Roguelike platformer that has parrying. Can procedural generation create well-made enough levels to keep the fun and precision of a platformer? Will be interesting to see
- Hard Time 3
- Prison sim that has PS1 style graphics. Made by MDickie who seems to have a whole world of lore. Don’t understand why it’s Hard Time 3 and not Hard Time 2, as only Hard Time 1 exists, but this for some reason makes me want it more
- Nimbusfall
- Very retro looking boss rush
- Melobot – A Last Song
- Adventure game with rhythm sections where you control a cute bot. Looks aesthetically unique and like care has been taken during development, deserves more attention
- Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate
- A VR title, remake of the VR adventure Wanderer
- Yars Rising
- New game from the Atari Yar series. Metroidvania with a likely divisive animation style
- Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown
- Racing open-world game that could be good, but probably not. You’ll understand if you check out the steam page
Let us know what you are most looking forward to, and hope this article helped you decide what to get next week!