Games to Look Out for in October 2023

There have been too many Game of the Year contenders to keep track of so far in 2023. With all the blockbuster games out so far, you would be forgiven for thinking that the best is behind us. I am here to tell you that October keeps the hits coming! Here are some of the games we are looking forward to coming out in the next month.

Station to Station

In a month all about being scared, “Station to Station” looks to bring you to a more soothing place on October 3rd. In this relaxing game, you are setting up and connecting railways all throughout the peaceful land. This colorful voxel-art game, developed by Galaxy Grove, is set to be the stress-free puzzle experience that is needed to put your mind at ease. Try the demo on Steam today if you are looking for a preview of what the game has to offer.

The Fabulous Fear Machine

If you are in the mood for something unique, how about a strategy game with a narrative focus? Now take that, add a comic book aesthetic and a horror theme, and you have Fictiorama Studios “The Fabulous Fear Machine” coming out on October 4th. Spread fear to increase your influence from town-to-town and create your own Legends.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Go back to the roots of the Assassin’s Creed franchise with this latest entry in the series. We have seen Basim as a mentor in the Hidden Ones in “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla”. In “Assassin’s Creed Mirage”, we are taken on Basim’s journey earlier in his life as he is introduced to the Order. With a smaller scale, more of a focus on stealth, and a return to The Middle East, this game promises to be familiar to long-time fans of the 2007 classic as well as those who played the more recent AC titles. Get this one on October 5th!

Wargroove 2

Get ready to build your army, take to the battlefield, and outwit your enemies in this sequel to the very well-received 2019 “Wargroove”. Inspired by the juggernaut that is Advance Wars, this retro turn-based strategy game wears that inspiration on its sleeve while expanding on what made the first original one so good. With the addition of sea and sky battles, as well as improvements to the combat, “Wargroove 2” looks to be a must-play for fans of the genre.
Detective Pikachu Returns
Join Pikachu and his partner Tim Goodman as they search for Tim’s father Harry. Players are able to talk to other humans and Pokémon that inhabit Ryme City as the get to the bottom of the mystery. You will be able to play this latest adventure in the world of Pokémon on October 6th.

Forza Motorsport

The latest in the Forza series is a love letter to the driving simulation series. With over 500 vehicles to race with, there is more customization than ever. With real-time ray tracing, realistic damage and wear to vehicles, and a dynamic time-of-day system, this reboot of the franchise looks to be better than ever. Check out “Forza Motorsport” on October 10th.

Lords of the Fallen

If you are in the mood for a new Souls-like game, “Lords of the Fallen” is coming out on October 13th. You may be thinking that this game’s title sounds familiar to you. That is because this is half sequel and half the reboot of the 2014 game by the same name. The original did not get the best reception, but 2023’s Lords of the Fallen could be the redemption that developer HEXWORKS is hoping for.

Sonic Superstars

Sonic the Hedgehog holds a special place in my heart. The original 1991 game is the first video game that I ever played as a child. So, to say that Sonic games historically have been hit-or-miss is greatly underselling my feelings. Sonic Superstars looks to carry the momentum of the too-good-to-be-true awesomeness that was Sonic Mania, but with the official Sega modern touch that has me and so many others hesitant to try. The team is all back together in this fast-paced side-scrolling platformer coming out on October 16th. Hopefully, it lives up to some of the more recent Sonic titles.

Endless Dungeon

Continuing the trend of part reboot/part sequel, “Endless Dungeon” will be familiar to those who played 2014’s “Dungeon of the Endless”. While sharing the blend of fast-paced tactical tower defense and roguelike genres of the original, Amplitude Studios’ new title looks to make this game stand out with a more modernized aesthetic and smoother gameplay. Keep an eye out for this one on October 19th.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

The sequel to one of the best games of the last decade, Spider-Man 2 continues the story of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales in the PlayStation Spider-Man world. This is a must-play and will surely be another Game of the Year contender! With the teases that have been seen from the official trailers, Insomniac Games has a lot in store for fans of our favorite web-slinger on October 20th.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

As a continuation of the “New Super Mario Bro. U” style of 2D gameplay, “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” is coming to the Switch. Whether playing solo or with others locally, you know what you are getting with a Mario game. October 20th is looking like a rough day for our wallets, as that is the day that this game will be available.

Cities: Skylines II

Back in 2015, “Cities: Skylines” was released to acclaim from players and critics alike. On October 24th, the Paradox-published sequel, “Cities: Skylines II”, comes out. While the core of the game will not have changed too much, this truly does look to be a sequel worthy of replacing the first one. With higher graphic fidelity, more simulation and building features, with the love and attention of the first, this is sure to eat hundreds (if not thousands) of hours for many fans of the genre.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Get ready for a Lord of the Rings experience like no other. Delve through the deep dwarven mines of Middle-Earth in search of finding Moria. Craft, mine, explore, and survive on your quest to reclaim the dwarven homeland. Play solo or lend your axe to your friends and play co-operatively on October 24th.

Ghostrunner 2

“Ghostrunner” was a surprise hit in 2020 with its lightning-fast and tough-as-nails gameplay, and the satisfaction of successfully pulling off the crazy moves required of the player. The sequel, aptly titled “Ghostrunner 2”, looks to be more of the same exciting and addictive gameplay that you would hope for. I know a few of us at Geek Freak will be playing this one when it comes out on October 26th.

Alan Wake II

Here is a game that most people thought was never going to be made. The cult classic mystery/thriller “Alan Wake” came out 13 years ago, and fans have been clamoring for more of this story from Remedy since then. Come October 27th, the wait is finally over. In “Alan Wake II”, you are playing not only as the titular writer but as Saga Anderson as well. Jump back and forth from solving a life-of-death case and attempting to re-write reality in what is sure to be a twisted and story-rich game.

What game are you most excited about this month?