October 2017 - The Month in Gaming
While October may be traditionally known as the month of madness, all things horror-related, and eating way too much candy, it can be celebrated for another reason too. Namely, the mountain of games we're getting as the fall starts, and the run-up to Christmas begins.
So, for the first instalment of 'The Month in Gaming', here's some of the games you should be keeping an eye on for the month of October 2017.
Stardew Valley
Release Date: 5th October
Platform: Switch
Starting off we have a game that, in truth, has been out for over a year now. Originally released in February 2016 as a PC-exclusive, Stardew Valley has captured many hearts and minds with its farm and dating sim gameplay (it's sold over a million copies on Steam alone). There's also some monster-slaying thrown in for good measure. What more could you want?
Since its initial release, Stardew Valley has found a place on PS4, Xbox One, and now, the Nintendo Switch. In the likely scenario that your Switch may not have too many games other than Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart, and especially if you've yet to play it elsewhere, Stardew Valley's one to add to the pile.
Just keep in mind that once you start, you may not want to stop. Ever.
Mario & Luigi: Supertstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Release Date: 6th October
Platform: 3DS
Continuing with the trend of games previously available, here's a remaster of the acclaimed first game in the Mario + Luigi RPG series. It features updated graphics and a new campaign (that's where 'Bowser's Minions' comes in) not found in the original 2003 Game Boy Advance release.
For those unfamiliar, imagine Mario, Luigi, and turn-based combat. You've got the gist. It works a lot better than you might think.
And 6 years after release, the 3DS continues to dish out great exclusives.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Release Date: 10th October
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
The sequel to 2014's stellar Shadow of Mordor sees Talion and his ghost elf spirit Celebrimbor (long story) continue the fight against Sauron and his armies. The game will expand upon the Nemesis system of the first, where particular enemy Uruks were named, tracked, and ultimately killed after failing to get their revenge on you. These features are sure to return, and recruiting these enemy forces looks to be in larger focus this time around.
Shadow of War looks set to deliver a hat trick of more Batman Arkham-like combat, more precious Middle-Earth lore, and of course, more Troy Baker. Just try not to get too hung up on the microtransactions.
The Evil Within 2
Release Date: (Friday the) 13th October
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Shinji Mikami's Tango Gameworks returns with the sequel to 2014's The Evil Within, itself in many ways a spiritual successor to Resident Evil 4, and a great one at that. This time around, Sebastian is fighting to save his daughter from creatures that hopefully don't include that safehead guy from the first game. I hate that guy.
Expect more disturbing enemies, gory action, and running. Lots of running. What could be more fitting this Halloween?
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Release Date: 17th October
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Ubisoft's second South Park adventure, after mutliple delays, is finally almost ready to give more of everything that makes the show so loved. Thankfully, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have returned to write this installment, despite swearing to never make another game again.
Gender choice, more in-depth combat, and a race-slider that determines difficulty are but a couple of the new features in The Fractured But Whole. Can't wait to see what gets censored this time around.
Hidden Agenda
Release Date: 24th (NA)/25th (EU) October
Platform: PS4
Supermassive Games, the developer of the fantastic Until Dawn, return this month with their next title. Hidden Agenda is more of a crime thriller than horror title, but the choice-infused gameplay of Until Dawn remains.
Also notable is the inclusion of the Playlink feature, meaning friends and family will be able to help you pick how your two heroes get murdered, with nothing more than their smartphones. Fun!
Assassin's Creed: Origins
Release Date: 27th October
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
After a two year hiatus, Assassin's Creed is back, and with quite a revamp. The latest installment is looking quite like a full-blown RPG. Revised combat and an all-seeing eagle companion join new hero Bayek in his journey across Ancient Egypt. As is customary for AC, our Assassin will come across real historical figures, such as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. And probably some cats.
No word on what sort of present-day gameplay will be cropping up, but as this game seems to be a sort of soft reboot for the series, anything can be expected. There's also an exploration mode where you can journey around Egypt learning about its real-life counterpart, without all the killing and stuff. Isn't that nice?
Super Mario Odyssey
Release Date: 27th October
Platform: Switch
Over 15 mainline games and a million spinoffs later, the world still can't get enough of Mario. And for good reason, as Odyssey looks to be yet another fantastic title. Joined by an anthropomorphic hat named Cappy, which lets him "capture" (read: possess) anything from Goombas to a T-Rex, Mario is again setting off to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Because what else would he be doing?
As they did so well for Zelda with Breath of the Wild earlier this year, Nintendo seems to be taking a more open-world route for Mario with Odyssey. And it looks superb.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Release Date: 27th October
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Closing out the frankly insane 27th October is the sequel to one of the best modern first person shooters there is, 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order. Clearly invincible B.J. Blazkowicz is back again to punch more Nazis than you can shake a stick at, this time in 1960s New Orleans. Inciting revolution is the name of the game here, and B.J. has plenty of new tools to do it (just how deep are those pockets?).
How MachineGames is going to top fighting Nazis on the moon is yet to be seen, but there's little doubt it's going to disappoint.
And that closes off this round of The Month in Gaming. Which of October's games are you most looking forward to? Perhaps one I didn't mention? Let me know in the comments.
'Til next time.
So, for the first instalment of 'The Month in Gaming', here's some of the games you should be keeping an eye on for the month of October 2017.
Stardew Valley
Release Date: 5th October Platform: Switch
Starting off we have a game that, in truth, has been out for over a year now. Originally released in February 2016 as a PC-exclusive, Stardew Valley has captured many hearts and minds with its farm and dating sim gameplay (it's sold over a million copies on Steam alone). There's also some monster-slaying thrown in for good measure. What more could you want?
Since its initial release, Stardew Valley has found a place on PS4, Xbox One, and now, the Nintendo Switch. In the likely scenario that your Switch may not have too many games other than Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart, and especially if you've yet to play it elsewhere, Stardew Valley's one to add to the pile.
Just keep in mind that once you start, you may not want to stop. Ever.
Mario & Luigi: Supertstar Saga + Bowser's Minions
Release Date: 6th OctoberPlatform: 3DS
Continuing with the trend of games previously available, here's a remaster of the acclaimed first game in the Mario + Luigi RPG series. It features updated graphics and a new campaign (that's where 'Bowser's Minions' comes in) not found in the original 2003 Game Boy Advance release.
For those unfamiliar, imagine Mario, Luigi, and turn-based combat. You've got the gist. It works a lot better than you might think.
And 6 years after release, the 3DS continues to dish out great exclusives.
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Release Date: 10th OctoberPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
The sequel to 2014's stellar Shadow of Mordor sees Talion and his ghost elf spirit Celebrimbor (long story) continue the fight against Sauron and his armies. The game will expand upon the Nemesis system of the first, where particular enemy Uruks were named, tracked, and ultimately killed after failing to get their revenge on you. These features are sure to return, and recruiting these enemy forces looks to be in larger focus this time around.
Shadow of War looks set to deliver a hat trick of more Batman Arkham-like combat, more precious Middle-Earth lore, and of course, more Troy Baker. Just try not to get too hung up on the microtransactions.
The Evil Within 2
Release Date: (Friday the) 13th OctoberPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Shinji Mikami's Tango Gameworks returns with the sequel to 2014's The Evil Within, itself in many ways a spiritual successor to Resident Evil 4, and a great one at that. This time around, Sebastian is fighting to save his daughter from creatures that hopefully don't include that safehead guy from the first game. I hate that guy.
Expect more disturbing enemies, gory action, and running. Lots of running. What could be more fitting this Halloween?
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Release Date: 17th OctoberPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Ubisoft's second South Park adventure, after mutliple delays, is finally almost ready to give more of everything that makes the show so loved. Thankfully, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have returned to write this installment, despite swearing to never make another game again.
Gender choice, more in-depth combat, and a race-slider that determines difficulty are but a couple of the new features in The Fractured But Whole. Can't wait to see what gets censored this time around.
Hidden Agenda
Release Date: 24th (NA)/25th (EU) OctoberPlatform: PS4
Supermassive Games, the developer of the fantastic Until Dawn, return this month with their next title. Hidden Agenda is more of a crime thriller than horror title, but the choice-infused gameplay of Until Dawn remains.
Also notable is the inclusion of the Playlink feature, meaning friends and family will be able to help you pick how your two heroes get murdered, with nothing more than their smartphones. Fun!
Assassin's Creed: Origins
Release Date: 27th OctoberPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
After a two year hiatus, Assassin's Creed is back, and with quite a revamp. The latest installment is looking quite like a full-blown RPG. Revised combat and an all-seeing eagle companion join new hero Bayek in his journey across Ancient Egypt. As is customary for AC, our Assassin will come across real historical figures, such as Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. And probably some cats.
No word on what sort of present-day gameplay will be cropping up, but as this game seems to be a sort of soft reboot for the series, anything can be expected. There's also an exploration mode where you can journey around Egypt learning about its real-life counterpart, without all the killing and stuff. Isn't that nice?
Super Mario Odyssey
Release Date: 27th OctoberPlatform: Switch
Over 15 mainline games and a million spinoffs later, the world still can't get enough of Mario. And for good reason, as Odyssey looks to be yet another fantastic title. Joined by an anthropomorphic hat named Cappy, which lets him "capture" (read: possess) anything from Goombas to a T-Rex, Mario is again setting off to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Because what else would he be doing?
As they did so well for Zelda with Breath of the Wild earlier this year, Nintendo seems to be taking a more open-world route for Mario with Odyssey. And it looks superb.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Release Date: 27th OctoberPlatforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Closing out the frankly insane 27th October is the sequel to one of the best modern first person shooters there is, 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order. Clearly invincible B.J. Blazkowicz is back again to punch more Nazis than you can shake a stick at, this time in 1960s New Orleans. Inciting revolution is the name of the game here, and B.J. has plenty of new tools to do it (just how deep are those pockets?).
How MachineGames is going to top fighting Nazis on the moon is yet to be seen, but there's little doubt it's going to disappoint.
And that closes off this round of The Month in Gaming. Which of October's games are you most looking forward to? Perhaps one I didn't mention? Let me know in the comments.
'Til next time.
I'm looking forward to South Park the most. Loved the first game and am very much looking forward to seeing what they do with the superhero genre.
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