Ad Infinitum is about a German soldier stuck in a strange nightmarish loop, reliving the horrors within the trenches and traversing his family’s manor. Players learn more about their parents and upbringing, including the devastating effect of the war on the family. There are different monsters to deal with, either via stealth or by solving puzzles.

What’s going on and how players can escape remains to be seen. You can check out our review, where we gave it a 6 out of 10. Long story short, it’s not a full-fledged horror experience, but there are certainly some disturbing sights.

Looking at all this, it may seem that the developer’s reach exceeds its grasp. While it balances these disparate themes and weaves a dark tale of family, war and loss, Ad Infinitum suffers due to the jankier elements of its gameplay, poor AI and lackluster horror. It’s not a complete failure so much as uneven and delivers some great visuals and voice acting to go with its solid but sometimes oddly matched soundtrack.

"A palpable atmosphere of dread is present at first, but it never quite reaches the heights of, say, the Amnesia titles."

As the player wakes up in the run-down room of their childhood manor, there’s a smashed mirror in one corner while various paraphernalia scattered about bring back memories, good and bad. Venturing into the hallways reveals locked doors galore and the wails of something big and mean.

From the outset, Ad Infinitum is more of an adventure title, one where you locate items and solve puzzles. Some puzzles tend to get a bit more complex, like creating a chemical solution to melt a chain barring a door or searching through shelves for a key that can open a display case for an item that reveals a hidden safe, which requires a combination. There are some moments where you stop and ponder what to do next, with copious amounts of backtracking, but nothing too crazy. It’s very linear with very little experimentation as you’re just combing through the environment for that one thing you missed that’s necessary to proceed.

As you discover various documents, the war from the outside looking in contrasts heavily with its brutal reality as you’re transported through the trenches first-hand. Given the amount of voice-over done to convey the protagonist’s family, the voice acting is pretty decent. It’s nothing revolutionary, and the writing does an acceptable job of encompassing the eventual decline of the household (and the parents’ marriage).

For the most part, there’s a lot of searching and backtracking, trying to find what’s necessary to progress. A palpable atmosphere of dread is present at first, but it never quite reaches the heights of, say, the Amnesia titles. You’re not being hunted so much as uncovering and trying to make sense of your story with the occasional spooky entity here and there (and sometimes not even that).

"When caught by any of these creatures, you’re subject to a button-mashing sequence to escape. It’s easy to get locked into an animation when trying to crawl through an opening, resulting in your quick demise…"

That is until you’re transported into the trenches of The Great War. The gameplay takes on a considerable shift here, with elements like breaking through boards, crawling under barbed wire and tackling various monstrosities. “Tackling” is a strong word – there’s more sneaking going on, and running around to be had as you avoid making any sounds. Certain sequences warrant making noise and then sneaking past, though this highlights the game’s overall jank.

When caught by any of these creatures, you’re subject to a button-mashing sequence to escape. It’s easy to get locked into an animation when trying to crawl through an opening, resulting in your quick demise…but then you’re respawned past the checkpoint anyway. Other areas showcase how uneven the AI can be, especially when it suddenly lunges at you from behind a curtain without any kind of hint of being spotted. Other times, it’s completely oblivious to your walking just a few steps near it as it munches on some remains.

There are bigger boss-like horrors to tackle, though their encounters are more puzzle-focused. One such encounter involved fleeing from a monster and activating three gramophones. You could go with evil music or good, and the decision had long-standing consequences (because the game outright tells you). After that, you activate a single switch and then conclude the fight.

There isn’t much tension to any of this, as the monster has a set radius within which it can pursue you. It leads to some ridiculous moments where you walk into its detection radius, watch it lumber towards you as the music swells and then back out, upon which it returns to casually strolling around. It’s an odd sight, for sure.

"Overall, it’s hard to get a bead on Ad Infinitum. There are horror elements, for sure, with some of the creatures coming across as grotesque…"

Still, there was a lot to glean from wandering the trenches, whether it was the blinded soldier who begged for morphine to ease the pain, gathering the dog tags of the fallen or discovering documents about various atrocities committed on the battlefield. The photos, letters and reports crafted a grim picture of it all and made me want an adventure game solely focused on the war and its soldiers.

As noted before, Ad Infinitum is a good-looking game, whether it’s the environment and its dilapidated textures, the lighting and shadows or the texture quality. The animation for some of the creatures could be better, as they come off looking more uneven than otherworldly or terrifying, especially in the close-up sequences.

There are some pop-in issues, which got especially egregious in one part where an entire area suddenly loaded in, but overall performance is fine. The music is composed well, though there are times when it feels unnecessary, diminishing any feeling of tension. It did reinforce the feeling of playing through a dark thriller instead of a horror title, for whatever it’s worth.

Overall, it’s hard to get a bead on Ad Infinitum. There are horror elements, for sure, with some of the creatures coming across as grotesque, but you’re not bombarded with jumpscares or subject to mounting tensions in the dark while managing your resources. Sometimes, it can border on a walking sim (well, running, if you feel like it). At others, it’s more rudimentary stealth with some light puzzle-solving.

"Did I expect much more beyond this? Not really, but there’s no denying that what’s here is very straightforward when it doesn’t feel overtly janky or uneven."

To that end, much of your enjoyment will come from the story and atmosphere as you attempt to unravel the threads governing your identity. Perhaps you make peace with the never-ending cycle of psychological torment, discovering why you’re stuck in this purgatorial loop. The visuals could draw you in as you admire the environmental details, even as you comb over the same annoying locked doors for the nth time.

The horror feels more like an accessory than the main selling point at times, but this still isn’t an experience for the faint of heart. Ad Infinitum lacks polish in other areas, making it an even tougher sell for those seeking thrills. It’s serviceable and even enjoyable when you get into it, yet entirely above average.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Of course, that doesn’t include the long-awaited expansion – and revamp – to a once-maligned action RPG, a new chapter in Electronic Arts’ football gaming franchise or the follow-up to one of the best co-op games in history. Without further ado, here are the biggest games launching in September.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

While Phantom Liberty is an expansion, it’s by no means small. On top of a major new location in Dogtown, it offers a new story with charismatic characters. There’s Rosalind Myers, the current president of the NUSA whose flight crashed in the area and is the result of a hunt by the Barghest led by Colonel Kurt Hansen; Solomon Reed, a Federal Intelligence Agency sleeper agent reactivated to save Myers; and many more. Even Keanu Reeves returns to reprise his role as Johnny Silverhand, with him and V not knowing who to trust.

In addition to new story missions and over a hundred new items, not to mention a new radio station, vehicle theft quests and Courier missions, there’s the new Relic tree. It provides several new skills, like Emergency Cloaking to cloak in the middle of combat and escape or a teleport for slicing enemies apart with the Mantis Blades. Phantom Liberty also coincides with the launch of a massive free update that revamps the entire game.

Vehicular combat, including the ability to mod vehicles with weapons; an overhauled police system, with escalating levels of pursuit; overhauled Perks for new finishers and other appealing options; and even an Edgerunners-style Cyberware Limit. It’s like a completely new game as a result, making it worthwhile for anyone jumping back in.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty launches on September 26th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Payday 3

The gang is back, forcefully unretiring after the events of Payday 2 and venturing to New York City to deal with a brand new threat. Releasing on September 21st, over a decade after its predecessor, Payday 3 will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Fans can expect the same game across all platforms, with crossplay and cross-progression included (though you’re always online, even when playing solo).

Eight heists are available at launch, and while the same incredible co-op gameplay remains, developer Starbreeze Studios is revamping almost everything about the heisting formula. Progression is overhauled, with guns now having separate progression paths. Skill Trees are replaced with Skill Lines, offering much more flexibility when customizing your build (thanks to the new Master Nodes), with Infamy Levels influencing the total number of Skill Points available.

You can complete more tasks when not donning a mask ,and stealth has soft fails, thus ensuring you can try again if a strategy doesn’t work out. New enemies like the Nader and Zapper also appear, while classics like the Cloaker and Bulldozer have been buffed and sport new tactics. While it remains to be seen how longer-term support pans out, Payday 3 looks to be a chaotically fun experience at launch.

Lies of P

That Bloodborne remaster/sequel/remake is probably never happening, but Lies of P isn’t the worst substitute. Developed by Round8 Studio and NEOWIZ, it’s a twist on the old tale of Pinocchio, set in a dark Belle Epoque era. Players start with P, who awakens in the Krat. The puppets have gone berserk, slaughtering everything in sight. However, you must find Geppetto, your creator, above all else and unravel the secrets behind Krat’s downfall.

The city is teeming with violent puppets, from heavy bruisers cop units to clowns and flame-wielding horrors. You’ll meet other characters and undertake different side quests. Depending on how you handle them, either answering truthfully or lying, the game’s ending may change.

In combat, you have several weapons, from rapiers and two-handed swords to massive wrenches. You can also modify P with Legion Arms to utilize different abilities to gain an edge. While you could summon NPCs to help in battle, there’s no co-op available. The gothic-style visuals and vivid colors make Lies of P stand out, and it could make for a worthwhile Souls-like experience. It’s out on September 19th for PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

Witchfire

Witchfire is a long, long time coming, initially announced at The Game Awards 2017 and making sporadic appearances at shows throughout the years. It’s gone from a sci-fi survival sim to a dark fantasy first-person shooter. While it took inspiration from Dark Souls, it would embrace a rogue-lite format, with titles like Dead Cells serving as influences. If that wasn’t enough, it would also embrace a semi-open world format.

Nevertheless, it looks even more compelling than before. As a witch hunter, you’re out hunting the Witch of the Black Sea, cutting through her army in the process. The stunning visuals give way to a deep combat system, where you combine elemental and non-elemental spells, each with unique effects that interact with each other. Weapons are also fairly deep, becoming stronger as you gain Attunements.

Obviously, there’s a lot we don’t know. Since this is an early access release, launching on September 20th for the Epic Games Store (before coming to other platforms later), the amount of content is also up in the air. Still, if a solid first-person shooter from the minds behind Bulletstorm sounds good, Witchfire may be worth a look.

NBA 2K24

Love it or hate it, the NBA 2K series is back with new features and modes, and a familiar cover athlete. Kobe Bryant is the star and has Mamba Moments. Like last year’s Jordan Challenges, it allows players to relive the biggest moments from Bryant’s career on the Los Angeles Lakers, including a head-to-head match against Michael Jordan.

More realistic animations, captured from real-life footage, have been added courtesy of ProPlay, and there’s also crossplay, though both are exclusive to Xbox Series X/S and PS5. The City also returns, venturing to the beachfront while presenting new optional side quests, street games and other activities. Previous-gen players get The Neighborhood, but at least it’s a new location on the coast with its unique sights.

MyCareer, MyNBA, The W and more also return, while mechanics like Takeovers, Paint Play, Shot Timing, Badges and more have seen significant changes or overhauls. Yes, there’s likely to be an abundance of microtransactions, but the gameplay should remain as solid as ever. Hopefully. NBA 2K24 launches on September 8th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Crew Motorfest

From scaled-down versions of the entire United States of America to O’ahu in Hawaii, The Crew Motorfest appears smaller in scale than its predecessor (which makes sense since it was rumored to be an expansion for The Crew 2). Regardless, you can still look forward to a large open world with over 600 vehicles to race, from cars and bikes to monster trucks, powerboats and planes.

Motorfest takes several notes from Forza Horizon with a festival that serves as a hub for meeting other players and partaking in various activities. However, you’ll spend much time in Playlists – mini-campaigns focused on specific aspects of car culture. Each has different challenges and themes, from Made in Japan’s focus on street racing to Vintage Garage, which explores cars through various eras.

New modes like Demolition Royale and Grand Race also await, and players can import their cars from The Crew 2 free of charge. The Crew Motorfest launches on September 14th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Mortal Kombat 1

The time to test your might has arrived once more. However, Mortal Kombat 1’s universe isn’t the same as previous titles – it’s a reboot with new relationships between characters. Mortal Kombat is still very much a thing , as forces from Earthrealm, Outworld and more compete for the title of champion.

Established characters like Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Smoke, Liu Kang, Raiden, Kung Lao and more return but have seen significant changes to their move sets. Character variations are no longer a thing, but you now have Kameo Fighters, which act as assists. They have unique moves, from Motaro sending projectiles back at enemies to Kano lasering fools. You can also utilize different Fatalities with their help.

While Story mode aims for roughly the same length as Mortal Kombat 11, you can also look forward to Klassic Towers and Invasions, the latter a board game-like RPG where you battle invaders from other dimensions. Mortal Kombat 1 may be a clean slate of sorts for the franchise, but it’s looking to be the most epic entry yet. It releases on September 19th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

EA Sports FC 24

With the partnership between Electronic Arts and FIFA coming to a close, EA Sports FC 24 is the first football title from the publisher to go in some relatively new directions. Even without FIFA’s backing, it still features licenses for over 700 teams, 30 leagues and 100 stadiums, with Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga and Spain’s Liga F added. Of course, legendary players like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and more also appear.

In terms of features, Nintendo Switch players finally get Frostbite support, while movement is expanded thanks to the new AcceleRATE 2.0, with double the movement types as FIFA 23. There are over 11,000 animations with HyperMotionV collecting data from various real-world matches, and new PlayStyles capture a player’s abilities, whether it’s scoring and defending or goalkeeping and ball control.

Long-time franchise fans can still expect the likes of Clubs and VOLTA (now combined together) and Ultimate Team, which adds Evolutions for further improving players. There’s also a brand new Career Mode to jump into. EA Sports FC 24 launches on September 29th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Starfield

Starfield is a tale of numbers, but the eight years of development and +1000 planets stand out. As Bethesda’s first new IP in almost 30 years, it sees players joining Constellation and exploring the universe in search of mysterious artifacts. There’s a lot we don’t know about the story, but the pursuit of intelligent alien life and humanity’s significance are key themes.

As for what you can do in Starfield, it would probably be easier to outline what you can’t. Combat is in first and third person, with an extensive selection of guns, including electromagnetic and energy firearms, and melee weapons. An extensive toolset is available for designing a spaceship, and as you fly through space, it’s possible to board other ships, meet other travelers and raid others for their stuff.

That’s not including the range of companions to team with, settlement building, surveying planets, massive cities to explore, mission boards, resource gathering or character customization (which is its own whole thing. Starfield is easily one of the biggest games of the year, and we can’t wait to explore its reach when it launches on September 6th for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Ad Infinitum

Published by Nacon, Hekate’s Ad Infinitum is a psychological horror game grounded in reality. It focuses on a German soldier from World War 1, caught in an inescapable cycle within one’s mind. Various monsters inhabit it, and survival means understanding their motivations to progress. With themes like post-traumatic stress disorder and families separated by the horrors of war, Ad Infinitum is a heavy experience.

Its art direction and visual fidelity are on point, especially the monsters, which look terrifying. While it may be tough to stand out amid all the big releases in September, Ad Infinitum is intriguing and could offer a different level of terror. It’s out on September 14th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

The trailer was premiered at the recent Future Games Show, and does a good job of setting up the sort of tone we can expect from Ad Infinitum, offering a taste of its brand of psychological horror, as well as its World War 1 setting, and what unique flavours that will bring to the game’s story. Check it out below.

Ad Infinitumi is set to launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC not long from now, on September 14. Pre-orders for the first person psychological horror title are also live on all platforms. Stay tuned for more details on the game in the lead up to its release.

Originally set to launch in April this year, the game got delayed into September. Now, a specific release date has been confirmed. Nacon has announced that Ad Infinitum will launch on September 14, with pre-orders now live. A new trailer also offers promising glimpses of what it will have in store in terms of its environments, its brand of horror, and some of the monsters you’ll be crossing paths with throughout its nightmarish World War 1 journey. Check it out below.

Ad Infinitum will be available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

The trailer itself gives us a good look at some of the gameplay from Ad Infinitum, focusing on its aspects of exploration, as well as a look at the sort of survival horror experience that the game will be presenting.

Ad Infinitum, revealed back in July 2021, will feature a blend of a historical World War 1 setting alongside horrifying monsters, and a personal story that hopes to deal with madness and tragedy. While the game was originally announced for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, the latest trailer doesn’t mention versions for the PS4 and Xbox One.

A gameplay trailer released in July 2022 gave us a look at Ad Infinitum‘s gameplay, showing off a hospital on fire, as well as the trenches of a battlefield, all the while as the protagonist is chased by a sinister-looking monster.

Sons of the Forest

Instead of a full release, Endnight Games’ survival horror sandbox sequel is launching into Steam Early Access on February 23rd to add more features over time and get feedback from the community. There’s already tons to look forward to with this launch, whether it’s the map that’s four times larger than the first game, AI companions, revamped building mechanics, or all the little secrets. Even if it needs some more time to be fully “complete,” Sons of the Forest should be an incredible experience when it arrives later this month for PC.

Perhaps the biggest release on the calendar, Daedalic Entertainment’s The Lord of the Rings: Gollum originally planned to release last September for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X/S. It was delayed by a “few months,” and the publisher recently confirmed it would release sometime between April and September 2023. Perhaps a release date will be announced at Nacon Connect.

RoboCop: Rogue City is the other heavy-hitter, developed by Teyon of Terminator: Resistance fame. It’s coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch in June and could also receive new gameplay footage. Stay tuned for more updates when the digital showcase premieres next month.

https://twitter.com/Nacon/status/1623245248414769153

ANGER FOOT

There might be plenty of first person shooters coming out in the near future, but we doubt many of them will be as gleefully weird as Free Lives and Devolver Digital’s Anger Foot. There’s a lot of fast-paced running and gunning here, of course, and that’s looking suitably exciting, but Anger Foot’s USP is the fact that kicking enemies is just as central to the gameplay. Combining your movement, fast-paced shooting, and kicking action might come together very well in what’s looking like a very intriguing game.

The trailer gives a good idea of the sort of tone and atmosphere Ad Infinitum is going for. It alternates between a hospital crumbling in flames and the trenches of a battlefield, with the protagonist being chased by a sinister monstrosity as he rushes through the surroundings. Clearly, the game will be combining its period setting with some horrific sights and sounds. It’s looking a bit rough on the technical side of things, but the trailer does mention that this is alpha footage, so there’s that. Check it out below.

Ad Infinitum will launch on April 20, 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.