Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

When Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was announced as a first-person title, many fans would have understandably been skeptical as to how such an action-adventure-focused title would work within the context of a first-person game. But those skepticisms were pleasantly washed away when the game actually came out. In addition to a very engaging story with memorable characters, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle features intriguing puzzles and a great deal of flexibility in how you choose to go about quests.

However, the biggest headlining release is Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Available for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers on August 7th, the prequel to Assassin’s Creed Valhalla follows Basim in ninth-century Baghdad as he joins the Assassins. Co-op shooter Aliens: Fireteam Elite returns to the service on August 12th, while rogue-lite city-builder 9 Kings will be available on August 14th via Game Preview.

Game Pass Standard subscribers also have plenty to look forward to, including Citizen Sleeper: Starward Vectory, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, MechWarrior 5: Clans, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap on August 6th. Three titles will leave Game Pass on August 15th, so play them now or purchase them at 20 percent off:

• Anthem (Console and PC via EA Play)
• Farming Simulator 22 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Persona 3 Reload (Cloud, Console, and PC)

With Xbox attending Gamescom in a big way, expect even more Game Pass titles to be announced on August 20th and 21st. Stay tuned for updates until then.

The First Descendant

Kicking things off with free to play third-person looter shooter The First Descendant, this co-operative RPG tasks teams of up to four with saving humanity from a string of hostile invaders. It harbours everything you could ever want in a modern-day shooter: flashy gunplay, intricate visuals, and a varied cast of colourful characters each with unique skills and capabilities. However, there are problems in its frustratingly slow progression, non-existent story, and atrocious balancing. Sort these issues out and The First Descendant could achieve some longevity in what is becoming an increasingly challenging domain.

It would grow in fame with FASA’s MechWarrior franchise, which sought to capture the feeling of being a MechWarrior pilot, attempting to reign in multiple tonnes of moving steel, ammunition, and explosives throughout tense operations. Though the developer’s glory days are long past, MechWarrior has carried on thanks to Piranha Games, known for 2013’s MechWarrior Online and, more recently, 2021’s MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries.

"The campaign is otherwise fairly straightforward – once school is out and the invasion is on, you’re assigned missions on different planets."

Despite the numerical similarities with the latter, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a new standalone title that’s more narrative-focused, as you take control of a new Star of cadets from Clan Smoke Jaguar. What starts as a trip to Huntress to graduate into full-fledged MechWarriors quickly erupts into a full-blown invasion of the Inner Sphere and the start of Operation Revival. As Star Commander Jayden, you lead your allies – Ezra, Mia, and Liam – into conflicts against other BattleMechs in various biomes.

Since story-telling is a greater focus here, there are plenty of cinematic cutscenes, in-mission dialogue and events, and more to connect you to the cast and greater war. For the most part, MechWarrior 5: Clans succeeds in this regard, though some characters can come across as somewhat superficial. At some points, it’s due to the dialogue and voice acting – I can buy Ibrahim Ismiril as the gruff instructor trying to whip these recruits into shape (tired as the cliché may be).

But it feels unconvincing when Liam proclaims his desire to break free from his namesake and rebel against tradition. On the other hand, the squad’s descent from tough recruits who think they’re ready for war to experiencing its harsh realities first-hand makes for some decent story-telling. Overall, it seemingly boils down to direction – the main cast (and the many other characters encountered throughout the story) put in solid enough performances, even if some of them cross the line into outright silliness. At least the lore and stakes remain compelling.

The campaign is otherwise fairly straightforward – once school is out and the invasion is on, you’re assigned missions on different planets. Though the objectives often boil down to neutralizing opposing targets, they do mix things up. “Touchdown” starts fairly rote as you try to locate Santander’s Killers, but things suddenly go wrong, erupting in a massive melee.

"You might want to throw on some of the biggest guns and lasers available, especially when enough slots are available. However, if it’s over the tonnage limit, forget about Command even allowing it on the battlefield."

Subsequent missions also task you with scanning environments for switches to open gates, hack mines, etc. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but MechWarrior 5: Clans has competent pacing, offering enough downtime before encounters and ramping things up in a suitable fashion.

Each mission has differing battle areas, visibility conditions, tonnage, and biome types, which all tie into your choice of arsenal. This is where the real variety – and the essence of MechWarrior – kicks in. Your Star begins with several BattleMechs – the Light Kit Fox, Arctic Cheetah, and Mist Lynx alongside a Medium Viper – but you can quickly expand the roster to include all the classics, from the Gargoyle to the iconic Timber Wolf.

The type of BattleMech determines tonnage, which influences what you can equip. You might want to throw on some of the biggest guns and lasers available, especially when enough slots are available. However, if it’s over the tonnage limit, forget about Command even allowing it on the battlefield. Thankfully, you can strip away and refashion the default loadouts as you see fit, from forgoing extra ammo to free up some slots and tonnage for other weapons to adding tools like Probes for improved sensor ranges or Heat Sinks to improve heat dissipation.

The latter can become important to deal with lower visibility and excessive HUD distortion from the enemies’ ECMs, or hotter climates, especially in locations that don’t have water sources for quick cooling. If a unit runs too hot, it can shut down in combat and become ripe for the slaughter. There are also options to assign weapon groups and adjust Chain Fire Mode for sequential weapon firing, which further helps to manage heat dissipation.

"Whether you’re employing jump jets to reposition, panning to catch sight of flying targets, or adjusting your reticle to account for projectile travel distance and spread, it feels like the best recreation of BattleMech combat yet."

Of course, you can hire Scientists to research projects to improve weaponry and tools based on components salvaged from each mission. A chassis in combat also accrues XP to spend on improving its torso rotation angle and speed, acceleration, top speed, and more (or other Omnipods with different loadouts).

If that weren’t enough, your pilots also gain XP to level up their respective skills, which can further influence the loadouts you may want to opt for. I could put Jayden on energy weapons and pour XP into upgrading their range or go all in on missiles and ballistic weapons thanks to the reduced cooldown time for both. Once again, it’s straightforward but works well enough. You also have the marketplace for acquiring new weapons, BattleMechs and tools as the situation dictates.

As for combat, it’s methodical and weighty, which is precisely the point and the highlight of MechWarrior 5: Clans. Whether you’re employing jump jets to reposition, panning to catch sight of flying targets, or adjusting your reticle to account for projectile travel distance and spread, it feels like the best recreation of BattleMech combat yet.

Even touches like ECM disrupting your HUD or land tanks and other obstacles getting crushed underfoot feel just right. Though you could opt for the classic control scheme, which separates locomotion from aiming, there are also modern controls for a more traditional shooting experience. The gameplay can take some getting used to, but ducking in and out of cover to land pot shots on an opposing BattleMech feels just as good as going toe-to-toe with fisticuffs and flamers.

"If you felt that Mercenaries skimped on the campaign and narrative, MechWarrior 5: Clans should fill that void."

The AI can feel uneven at times, with enemy units sometimes running into walls and having trouble getting out. I also felt that my allies were a little enthusiastic about shooting me in the back, though assigning them to take out different targets with the BattleGrid or having them form up with the command wheel is handled well enough. Both can feel awkward at first, especially during the heat of battle, but are easy enough to pick up and master.

Visually, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a step up from Mercenaries. Environments offer more natural atmospherics and dense foliage, while BattleMech models are extensively detailed. Clan Smoke Jaguar’s faces and expressions sometimes cross over into the uncanny valley, but otherwise, the facial animation is decent. Performance is prone to the odd stutter here and there, but for the most part, it felt pretty smooth after knocking down a few settings. Bugs also felt minimal, though there was one that necessitated a mission restart.

If you felt that Mercenaries skimped on the campaign and narrative, MechWarrior 5: Clans should fill that void. It offers extensive customization while recreating the feel of piloting a BattleMech with staggering realism while offering enough solid progression systems to encourage experimentation. There are the odd blemishes here and there, but it’s still a worthy successor to the MechWarrior name.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 comes to the service on October 25th for cloud, console, and PC. However, as recently announced, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone will also get cloud support on the same day (at least for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers). Ashen also returns on October 29th for cloud, consoles, and PC.

For PC players craving Halloween hijinks, Dead Island 2 debuts for PC via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on October 31st. StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2: Campaign Collection follow on November 5th.

Of course, several titles are leaving the service on October 31st. Check them out below.

• Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Headbangers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Inkulinati (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lonely Mountains: Downhill (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Mineko’s Night Market (Cloud, Console, and PC)

A cinematic, narrative-driven campaign that makes proper use of the BattleTech universe and its lore is something that fans have been desperate for for a while, and with its launch trailer, MechWarrior 5: Clans continues to look like it’s going to make good on that promise. From its characters to the action it showcases to the bits and pieces of lore scattered throughout, the trailer certainly looks promising, especially in terms of production values. Check it out below. 

MechWarrior 5: Clans is due out on October 17 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and will also be available via Game Pass at launch.

It’s been announced that MechWarrior 5: Clans will be available via Game Pass day one when it launches next week. More specifically, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers will have access to the game on the day of its release. 

Meanwhile, Piranha Games has also showcased a new gameplay trailer that offers another look at upcoming title’s mech action, while also revealing its Digital Collector’s Edition. Priced at $79.99, it will bonus in-game cosmetics, a digital artbook, a digital OST, and more. View the trailer below for more details.

MechWarrior 5: Clans is due out on October 16 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 

MechWarrior 5: Clans launches on October 17th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out 15 things you should know before enlisting based on hands-on time with a preview build.

Campaign

MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries has a story, though it’s not quite the deepest, with players accepting contracts for different factions. MechWarrior 5: Clans is different, as players take control of a new squad of pilots (known as a Star) from Clan Smoke Jaguar. After training, they’re thrust into the Clan Invasion of the Inner Sphere. It’s much more character-driven, with over 90 minutes of cinematics as Smoke Jaguar undergoes various conflicts across multiple planets, attempting to survive.

Characters

Among the core cast is Jayden, the Star Commander; Liam, who has a rebellious streak; Ezra, the more open-minded of the squad; and Mia, who’s driven yet compassionate. They’re tested by Kit Commander Ibrahim Ismiril, who becomes a mainstay of the story and offers his fair share of wisdom (and tough love) to Smoke Jaguar. Other characters emerge, adding on to the intrigue and conflicts that Smoke Jaguar faces.

Player Hub

The Player Hub is your de facto base, where you can choose which missions to embark on. It also features access to the different Facilities and Barracks, which we’ll get into later, and showcases your Honor Level, Merits, and Kerenskies used to purchase parts and BattleMechs.

BattleMech Types

MechWarrior 5: Clans offers four types of BattleMechs – Light, Medium, Heavy and Assault. These include mainstays like the Mist Lynx, a Light OmniMech which is good at all ranges thanks to its machine guns, LRM-10 launcher and Streak SRM-4, or the Viper, a Medium OmniMech with high maneuverability and armed with a Laser, AMS, and SRM4 launcher. Other options like the Mad Dog, Dire Wolf, Warhawk, Timber Wolf, and many more also return for your destructive pleasure.

MechLab

The MechLab is where you’ll spend time customizing the squad’s BattleMechs. There are multiple parts – the legs, torso, arms, and head – and each has different slots to fit weapons and other tools like Active Probes, Ferro Armor Pods, ammo, and much more. Other options open up over time, though you need to consider a BattleMech’s tonnage and balance things out.

Marketplace

While you can purchase different weapons and parts directly from the Mech Lab, the Marketplace offers its own selection of goods. There are Lasers, Gauss Rifles, and Flamers to acquire, but you can also purchase equipment and entire BattleMechs. It’s also a great place to sell excess parts and reinvest them into other upgrades.

Pilot Skills

Outside of customizing your BattleMech, each Pilot has different Skills to improve in the Barracks. As they earn XP, you can invest in increased melee damage, better handling, decreased cooldown on weaponry, and a chance to evade enemy attacks. Some Pilots, like Liam, have differing Skills like Electronic Warfare for increased Active Probe and ECM range and effects. Meanwhile, Mia possesses Heat Management for a higher rate of heat dissipation and more heat capacity.

Research

To further improve your squad’s combat weaponry, you’ll need to research different projects, like the duration of ER Lasers and reducing their cooldown or increasing the range of Active Probes. Scientists must be on hand to research projects with Components salvaged from missions.

You can bring on more Scientists, upgrade the Salvage Operations and much more, though it will take a few Cycles to complete projects. You’ll also want to earn Mech XP and unlock Chassis Upgrades to improve a BattleMech’s top speed and acceleration, torso movement speed, and more.

Combat

Those new to MechWarrior shouldn’t expect something fast-paced like Gundam or Zone of the Enders. It’s more grounded and heavy, and you’ll feel the weight of BattleMechs as they stomp around or hover and drop back down.

Each unit has limited ammo for each weapon, though Lasers generate Heat and have a short cooldown before being used again. During combat, you can target different parts of enemies and destroy them, but the same applies to the squad. Damage doesn’t automatically heal either – you need to find a repair station to recover and refill on ammo.

Heat Management

Depending on the climate of a biome and the weapons used, your BattleMech will generate heat. Too much, and your unit can shut down. Heat can be managed by dipping into water sources, but it’s also worth installing Heat Sinks and considering the different weapons installed. Of course, you must also consider the Cooling, Heat Capacity, and much more.

Modern and Classic Movement Styles

MechWarrior 5: Clans offers two ways to control your BattleMech. Modern is more conventional, with your movement aligning with your reticle’s aim, similar to a first or third-person shooter. Classic offers more control, with your BattleMech moving independently of your aim, allowing for relatively free aiming. The latter takes some getting used to but adds to the immersion.

BattleGrid

During combat, you can issue orders to your team with a Command Wheel and have them form up on you, focus a target, guard a location, etc. However, there’s also the BattleGrid, where the camera pulls out and provides an overhead view of the action, allowing you to manually hand out marching orders for your team. It’s possible to queue up actions, and get a better view of the battlefield and where threats are coming from to decide the best tactics.

5 Player Co-op

While you can play through the entire game with AI teammates and guide them accordingly, there’s also support for co-op. Other players can assume the roles of Smoke Jaguar members and experience the entire campaign together. As enjoyable as it is to issue commands and manage the battlefield, there’s nothing like wreaking havoc with a full squad.

Unreal Engine 5

Unlike Mercenaries, MechWarrior 5: Clans is developed on Unreal Engine 5, with the team leveraging it in “every way we possibly can.” Speaking to WCCF Tech, Piranha Games CEO Russ Bullock confirmed the full use of Nanite and Lumen, Chaos for the dynamic destruction, motion capture for the cinematics, and World Partition. Thus far, it’s leveraged quite well, and the full-scale mech battles are fun to witness.

PC Requirements

In terms of system requirements, PC players will need an Intel Core i5 8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 16 GB RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 590 with 6 GB VRAM, at the minimum, which is enough for 720p resolution at Low-Quality settings. Recommended requirements include a Core i7 8700 or Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB RAM and an RTX 2080 or Radeon RX 6700 for 1080p at High-Quality settings. A solid-state drive is “strongly recommended,” and you’ll need 80 GB of space for installation. On the plus side, it’s confirmed that an internet connection isn’t required for single-player.

Until Dawn Remake

Before it dabbled in horror anthologies and that one underwhelming Dead by Daylight crossover, Supermassive Games had its big break with Until Dawn. It’s getting the remake treatment, launching on October 4th for PS5 and PC, courtesy of Ballistic Moon. Rebuilt from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5, it features improvements to character models and textures, liquid physics (like, say, blood spatters), effects, facial animations, and more.

There’s also a new third-person camera, providing an alternative perspective on classic scenes, new areas prompting new interactions, and even a reworked prologue. PC players will have to suffer mandatory PSN requirements, but if you’re interested in Supermassive’s best work yet, then Until Dawn’s remake could be worth it.

Silent Hill 2 Remake

Counterpoint: Wait four more days and experience Bloober Team’s remake of one of the best horror games ever. Silent Hill 2 remake arrives on October 8th for PS5 and PC, with “other platforms” (they know who they are) having to wait another year. The story of James Sunderland as he ventures into the mysterious Silent Hill at the behest of his deceased wife is intact, as is the series’ iconic fog and horrors like Pyramid Head.

However, almost everything else has seen an overhaul. A new third-person view and combat mechanics, new enemy attacks, changes to enemy locations and items, more buildings to explore – the list goes on. Whether it lives up to the original or not, Silent Hill 2 remake looks to prove itself.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake

Of course, if neither of the previous two options works out, there’s one more remake – Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8. Based on Koei’s turn-based strategy from 2001, it features a revamped aesthetic, new features like Tales and Destiny (the latter altering events significantly), and the option to play as any officer (with the total number raised to 1000 from 600). Unorthodox? It doesn’t offer the over-the-top hack-and-slash action of Dynasty Warriors, but Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake is still worth checking out for fans when it launches on October 24th for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

Following numerous rumors over the years, Guerilla Games finally revealed Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and it’s on track to launch on October 31st for PS5 and PC. Leaving aside the necessity of the release, several changes and features could make it worthwhile for old and new fans. Hours of conversations have been re-recorded, and multiple improvements can be seen in the character models, animations, and lighting.

There’s also support for the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, support save transfer from the original game, accessibility features from Horizon Forbidden West (which should make grinding for materials less painful), and a $9.99 upgrade option for current owners. At $49.99 for new players, it’s not the worst way to experience the 2017 open-world action RPG and its expansion, The Frozen Wilds, especially given the sheer amount of content. It even supports the PS5 Pro out of the box.

Throne and Liberty

A new free-to-play MMORPG? In this economy? Technically, Throne and Liberty was meant as a sequel to Lineage and announced as such in 2011. Plans changed, and it morphed into the current game, which launched in December 2023 for South Korea. It’s coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 1st, bringing its mix of castle sieges, massive PvP battles, combat styles, and even transformations to North America, Europe and Japan. Will it stand out and offer a fun new experience? We’ll find out soon enough.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred

You’d be forgiven for not remembering the ending to Diablo 4, especially with how its big bad turned out. Venturing to Nahantu to search for Neyrelle, the Wanderer encounters new enemies, dangerous new locations, and the Spiritborn, a new friendly faction that joins the fight. Players can choose the Spiritborn as a new class, harnessing different spirits and elemental properties to annihilate their enemies.

Regardless of how the story turns out, Vessel of Hatred promises tons of new content, from new Mercenaries with unique skill trees, the return of Runewords, and a new co-op activity, the Dark Citadel, to master. It launches on October 8th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC, alongside a free update that overhauls progression, introduces new skills per class, and much more.

Starship Troopers: Extermination

Arrowhead Game Studios’ latest update for Helldivers 2 appears to have dragged it out of an unfun state. However, if it’s another co-op-focused alien bug-stomping shooter that you want, then Starship Troopers: Extermination may be the ticket. Exiting early access on October 11th and becoming available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, it features a new campaign starring Johnny Rico from the original film with 25 missions. This is on top of all the base defense, fast-paced first-person shooter combat, 16-player co-op, and extraction that makes the current product such a blast.

Undisputed

Amid all its sports titles, it’s a shame that Electronic Arts hasn’t brought back Fight Night. Until then, Steel City Interactive’s Undisputed will have to fill that gap when it exits early access on October 11th for PC while also becoming available for Xbox Series X/S and PS5. Featuring over 70 fighters, multiple traits and attributes, +60 punches, and a Career Mode with champions from the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organization, and International Boxing Federation, it could very well be worth the wait.

Post Trauma

October isn’t just about highly anticipated sequels and blockbusters – it’s also prime horror season. If Silent Hill and Until Dawn aren’t enough, Red Soul Games’ Post Trauma launches on October 29th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It sees a train conductor, Roman, trapped in a bizarre world and attempting to escape, solving puzzles and escaping from horrifying monstrosities. While it channels old-school survival horror titles with its fixed camera angles, Post Trauma offers various control types, from modern style to tank style, for a truly classic experience.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead

Those seeking something scary based on a film franchise might want to check out A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. Picking up right after the murderous aliens arrive on Earth, players control Alex Taylor as she attempts to evade their cruelty and protect her loved ones. The focus on not making any sound, avoiding unnecessary contact with the environment at all costs, and even retrieving inhalers makes for some tense gameplay. Whether it translates into genuine scares or a memorable story remains to be seen, but it’s out on October 17th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Unknown 9: Awakening

Reflector Entertainment’s Unknown 9: Awakening is out on October 18th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC after being announced in 2020. The action-adventure occurs in the 19th century and stars Haroona, who possesses unique abilities tied to the Fold. She seeks answers while fighting off a dangerous organization known as the Ascendants, who have sinister plans for the Fold.

With the ability to cloak, possess enemies, and slip into the Fold, Haroona will traverse the globe, visiting India, Portugal and many other locations. Even if the gameplay could use more polish, the set-up is intriguing, and we’re curious to see how it pans out.

Europa

If an adventure with a more animated art style is your thing, Future Friends Games’ Europa is an option. Launching on October 11th for PC and Nintendo Switch, the story sees an android, Zee, venturing through Jupiter’s moon Europa. With utterly gorgeous environments to discover secrets, the gameplay mixes exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving combined with a mystery that could make for a more emotional tale amid all the serious offerings this month.

Alan Wake 2: The Lake House

Something wicked this way comes in Alan Wake 2’s second and final paid DLC, The Lake House. It returns to Cauldron Lake in Bright Falls, venturing into a facility of the same name set up by the Federal Bureau of Control (of Control fame). While very little is known about the story, it’s clear that something has gone wrong. Narrated from the perspective of Kiran Estevez, the story occurs parallel to the base game’s events, potentially opening up new clues about the lake’s powers and the Dark Presence.

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the expansion is that this isn’t a humorous or kitschy experience like Night Springs. Remedy Entertainment has focused on delivering a “chilling survival horror experience”, and while there’s more yet to be revealed, it’s teased that “monsters wear many faces.” Alan Wake 2: The Lake House launches in October and is available only with the Deluxe Edition and physical Collector’s Edition.

MechWarrior 5: Clans

Suffering a slight delay from October 3rd to 17th, Clans is the other half of the MechWarrior 5 experience, the first being Mercenaries from 2021. It features a standalone cinematic story where players participate in Operation Revival after graduating from the Smoke Jaguar program.

With your customizable BattleMech and numerous options, including an overhauled MechLab and Hardpoint systems, you harness new weapons, upgrade pilots, and lead your squad to victory. With dynamic destruction, the same brutal grounded combat fans know and love, and support for up to five players in multiplayer, MechWarrior 5: Clans could be a dark horse when it launches for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Sonic X Shadow Generations

Sonic X Shadow Generations offers a remaster of Sonic Generations, which features a “Greatest Hits” compilation of 2D and 3D Sonic levels from across the series (up to 2011). However, the main attraction is the standalone campaign starring Shadow the Hedgehog, which sees him battling the mysteriously resurgent Black Doom.

Shadow sports new powers and traverses areas from his memories, whether it’s venturing through Kingdom Valley from Sonic ’06, or battling the Biolizard from Sonic Adventure 2. There’s a lot to look forward to and some excellent re-renditions of classic tracks when Sonic X Shadow Generations launches on October 25th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure

Max Caulfield, protagonist of the first Life is Strange, returns in Double Exposure. Located at Caledon University, she settles down and finally feels comfortable after a long time. Unfortunately, when her new friend, Safi, is murdered, Max attempts to reawaken her Rewind powers and instead opens a portal to a parallel dimension.

Not only is Safi alive in this world, but things are significantly different all around. Time is ticking down, however, and Max must locate her killer before it’s too late again. With intriguing mechanics and puzzles that facilitate carrying over items between dimensions, Life is Strange: Double Exposure offers another compelling supernatural mystery. It’s out on October 29th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Last but certainly not least is Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the first new title for the series in almost ten years. While Solas, the Dread Wolf, is a wild card, you have seven companions to join your cause, each with distinct abilities and skill trees, unique quests and motivations.

Unlike Inquisition, Veilguard offers a mission-based campaign with real-time action RPG combat. Players can choose from three classes, each with three Specializations, and command two other party members, setting up combos and destroying enemies accordingly (with a tactical wheel available to plan everything). With an immense scale, gorgeous visuals, and a promising story, Dragon Age: The Veilguard could be BioWare’s long-awaited redemption when it launches on October 31st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

First announced back in September 2023, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a more story-focused spin-off of MechWarrior 5. The game takes place in the year 3050, and will focus on the story of the Clan Invasion, where players will take on the role of Clan Smoke Jaguar as they take part in battles across the galaxy.

Despite being a standalone spin-off MechWarrior 5: Clans will make use of the same core gameplay that is present in MechWarrior 5, offering a dense, technical experience when it comes to piloting mechs, as well as the logistics of running a clan. The game will also feature new progression and customisation items that will allow players to further tinker with their arsenal of mechs throughout the story.

MechWarrior 5: Clans also got a gameplay trailer back in March. The game is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.