The games to look forward to in September
The autumn gaming season kicks off with far-out adventures from Starfield and ends with a shot into the top corner with EA Sports FC. And there’s barely any let-up in between.
Bank robberies, deposed presidents and combat tournaments in parallel universes. Things are going to get wild in September. Read on for a rundown of the games to watch.
Baldur’s Gate 3
PC gamers have been unravelling the schemes of the mind flayers and rulers of Baldur’s Gate for a month now. In September, you’ll also be able to dive into the epic role-playing game on your PS5. Warning: you could become addicted. The Xbox Series version will take a little longer.
Release date: 6 September
Platform: PS5 (already available on PC)
Starfield
You’ll soon find out whether Bethesda’s space saga is actually as impressive as the studio behind Fallout and Skyrim wants us to believe. Not only are over 1,000 planets waiting for you; you can also design your own spaceship, build outposts and complete more quests than are possible in a human lifetime.
Release date: 6 September, early access 1 September
Platform: PC, Xbox Series S/X
NBA 2K24
Thanks to the latest version of Pro Play technology, player animations should look even more realistic. Attacking moves like shots, layups and dunks have been reworked to make the game more exciting. In addition to the four classic game modes – My Team, My Career, My NBA, and Play Now – Mamba Moments lets you recreate iconic moments in Kobe Bryant’s career.
Release date: 8 September
Platform: PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
The Crew Motorfest
The Crew Motorfest gives you access to over 600 vehicles, from monster trucks to speedboats to aeroplanes, which you can use to whizz around the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. The game is obviously based on the fun racing title Forza Horizon. We’ll see how successful it is on 14 September.
Release date: 14 September
Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Monster Hunter Now
Pokémon GO makers Niantic have launched the next GPS-based mobile game. This time, instead of pocket-sized monsters, you’ll be catching giant, dinosaur-like beasts. The game relies on a combo system where you have to use weapons such as a great sword, a hammer or a bowgun.
Release date: 14 September
Platform: Android, iOS
Inspector Gadget – MAD Time Party
Who doesn’t know the scatterbrained inspector in his exhibitionist trench coat with gadgets coming out of every orifice? In retrospect, the children’s cartoon seems disturbing. Nevertheless, I still loved the series. The game includes all the crazy inventions like the helicopter hat, rocket shoes and wooden hammer. Alongside Sophie and dog Brain, you’ll fight the latest threat from Dr. Claw and his MAD agents. You can play alone or with up to three other people.
Release date: 14 September
Platform: Switch, PC, PS4, PS5
Mortal Kombat 1
The bloodiest fight tournament of all time is heading into the next round and starting all over again. So, this instalment is actually a continuation of part 11. Liu Kang has changed the story and now Raiden and Kung Lao are cabbage farmers and Shang Tsung is disguising himself as an old medicine salesman. Yeah, it’s complicated. The story should once again be the highlight – which isn’t a given for a fighting game like Mortal Kombat.
Release date: 19 September
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Lies of P
Pinocchio, steampunk and a big pinch of soulslike await you in Lies of P. You play a human version of the wooden puppet with a mechanical arm that you can equip with gadgets. This lets you engage in brilliant battles against loads of bizarre biomechanical creatures. The lying element from the book also comes into play. This is how your decisions influence the course of the game.
Release date: 19 September
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Witchfire
A first-person shooter in a medieval fantasy setting. We’re not talking about EA’s already forgotten Immortals of Aveum here; this is Witchfire. Using a mix of magical revolvers, repeating rifles and magical attacks, you fight against a smorgasbord of demonic creatures.
Release date: 20 September
Platform: PC
Party Animals
My colleague Domi and I played the party game at Gamescom and loved it. We never laughed harder at a demo. In this chaotic multiplayer game, you control cute little animals that stagger around vaguely and give each other a good beating. Actually you should be collecting sweets or punting a ball into a goal. It’s just as fun to stop your opponents with kicks and headbutts. You play with two teams of four animals each.
Release date: 20 September
Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
Payday 3
The third part of the bank robbery series unlocks new tools, weapons and scenarios. The cooperative gangster game for up to four people seems much faster than its predecessor. Good planning and coordination still seem to be important. Knowing me, it’ll still end in complete chaos every time. But that’s part of Payday.
Release date: 21 September
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Paleo Pines
To come down from the adrenaline-filled Payday, I recommend Paleo Pines. In this magical farm simulator, you can ride dinosaurs, till fields with them, explore a secluded island world and discover secrets. It’s not every day that you see a T-Rex acting as a sprinkler system or a Triceratops ploughing a field. Sounds like the perfect way to slow down.
Release date: 26 September
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
The first and only add-on for Cyberpunk 2077 is not only supposed to be extensive; it also comes with patch version 2.0. This alone makes it worth reinstalling. In addition to improved graphics, the update delivers profound changes to the skill system and hacking mechanics. This means you can not only manipulate other vehicles, but also equip them with weapons. The latter may not be available with Phantom Liberty. The add-on features a new district, Dogtown. The president crashed there and your mission is to save her. It sounds and looks like Escape from New York, the classic 1981 film by John Carpenter starring Kurt Russell. I’m looking forward to it.
Release date: 26 September
Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Cocoon
Cocoon is an unusual puzzle adventure game from the lead designer behind Limbo and Inside. You’ll take on the role of a beetle-like creature that puzzles its way through mysterious worlds. The worlds exist in spheres that you have to transport through the levels.
Release date: 29 September
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Switch
EA Sports FC 24
Finally, there’s EA Sports FC 24. The FIFA series has a new name. Other than that, there are no dramatic changes. The animations now rely on an AI process instead of people in motion capture suits. I can’t see any crucial differences in the trailers. According to EA, there should be 1,200 different movement styles. There are also different playing styles that star players can use to unlock new abilities to make them feel unique. The women’s teams can also play with the men and you can create mixed teams. And of course you can plough your money into packs of cards again in Ultimate Teams.
Release date: 29 September
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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