The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero and its sequel The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure have both launched in the West in recent months, but in Japan, both games in the Crossbell arc have been available only on the PS4 up till now.

On August 31, however, Nippon Ichi Software will be launching both games for the Nintendo Switch as well, so those looking to continue their journey in Falcom’s long-running saga on Nintendo’s platform will soon be able to do just that. Check out brief new trailers for both releases below.

Also make sure to read our reviews for both The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero and The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Trails from Zero, like the other Trails games, isn’t just about the ending. It’s about all the resolutions and developments leading up to it. So seeing Renne finally join with Estelle and Joshua after finally getting closure on her family, Lloyd learning about his brother’s fate, or the D∴G Cult finally being brought down and KeA rescued all lead to a great catharsis. The Special Support Section is celebrated, and Crossbell is seemingly at peace…until Trails to Azure, of course.

Horizon Forbidden West

The conclusion of Forbidden West had it all. A siege on the Zenith base via air, Aloy rescuing Beta, the deaths of Erik and Gerard – you name it. But perhaps the biggest surprise is that Nemesis, which the Zeniths accidentally created, was responsible for everything. The extinction signal that reactivated HADES in the first game; the destruction of the Zeniths’ colony, prompting their whole plan to steal GAIA; and so on. After Tilda betrays Aloy and is soundly defeated, everyone bands together – even Sylens – with Aloy to stop Nemesis when it arrives. Sure, it’s a cliffhanger, but it feels like one storm has already calmed and another is getting ready to rage.

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

Say what you will about Destiny 2’s story-telling, but The Witch Queen’s story is pretty good. It starts with the implication that Savathun stole the Light, but it’s revealed that she died following the effects of Mara Sov’s ritual. The Traveller resurrected her and bestowed the Light, perhaps finding her worthy. In return, Savathun sought to seal the Traveller. Before dying (though her Ghost gets away, so who knows if she’s dead), she speaks of the Witness, and we see the Black Fleet on its way to the Solar System. There’s a lot more to unpack, like Rhulk and his role in Savathun’s creation, but the campaign and shock twist more than make the expansion worth playing.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

The lore behind Kirby and the Forgotten Land is fascinating, whether it’s Fecto Fargo’s role in teleportation technology’s creation or the origins of those who established Planet Popstar, Kirby’s home. On top of defeating Fecto Elfilis to save the regular Elfilis, players also travel to Isolated Isles: Forgo’s Dreams to defeat Forgo Leon and ultimately save Leongar. But that’s not the end either. Upon venturing back to Forgo Land and defeating Morpho Knight, Kirby partakes in the Ultimate Cup Z to face Chaos Elfilis. Defeating it once again makes Elfilis whole, resulting in the happiest ending.

Beacon Pines

Beacon Pines is the story of Luka and his friends, Rolo and Beck, as they navigate the strange goings-on in the titular town. What makes the story so amazing is that Luka will learn specific actions and words throughout the story book-esque setting, and can apply them to different situations. This can result in different endings, like the town suddenly freezing over. On reaching the climax, learning that the entire ordeal was masterminded by Sharper Valentine is a shock, but one that makes sense. That’s one of the strengths of the story and ending: Through all the ridiculousness, it feels refreshingly grounded.

Citizen Sleeper

As a rogue Sleeper living on Erlin’s Eye, there are plenty of story threads to pursue through Citizen Sleeper. You could help a repair shop with some ventures, assist a captain in repairing her ship and chase after a bounty, infiltrate the network, learn what other entities exist in the Eye’s systems, and much more. Perhaps the most noteworthy is being able to leave the Eye to an unknown planet with a father and his daughter, experiencing various cycles en route to finally shutting down. Alternatively, you could stay on the Eye and continue, seeing what life has in store.

Tunic

Tunic’s story revolves around freeing the Heir, a hero sealed in the Far Shore after revealing a terrible truth. If you fight the Heir in the final fight, their soul disappears, and you take their place until the next hero comes along, which could mean repeating the entire cycle. However, if you gather all 56 pages of the in-game manual and show it to the Heir, a fight doesn’t happen. After breaking down in tears, the curse binding them is also broken, and their body restored. You then explore the world together, taking in the sights. It’s a nice subversion of the traditional hero’s journey, providing that there’s more to being one than slaying “the villain.”

Stray

Now, we know what you’re thinking. Despite opening up the ancient Walled City 99 and defeating the Zurks, the cat from Stray loses its droid B-12. It doesn’t even reunite with the family it separated from at the beginning. However, someone calculated that the opening the cat leaves through is very close to where it first fell in. Even if you don’t believe it, there’s no denying that the cat seems to hear something nearby before it goes offscreen, perhaps responding to its family.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

After events that cause Hugo’s powers to rise again, Amicia travels with him to a mysterious island that could seemingly provide a cure. Throughout the journey though, it becomes clear that this isn’t the case. Eventually, after thinking that Amicia may be dead, Hugo gives in to his powers, and the only way to stop him is by killing him. It’s a somber result, for sure.

But one year later, Amicia finds the strength to continue and works with Sophia to find the next carrier to protect and guide (before tearfully bidding farewell to Hugo’s grave). The post-credits scene shows a baby’s arm before indicating the Macula within, hinting at them being the next carrier.

God of War Ragnarok

God of War Ragnarok’s final act has received some criticism, and rightfully so. But there’s no denying just how much it gets right. The turnaround in Thor’s character as he finally opposes Odin; the chaos caused by Surtr-turned-Ragnarok; Sindri’s appearance, which brings down the walls of Asgard; and seeing Kratos, Freya and Atreus trounce Odin; and much more. Freyr sacrificing himself to ensure everyone escapes is a bummer, but we finally get Aesir and Vanir at peace.

Atreus embarks with Angrboda on a journey to find the remaining Giants, Kratos sets out to bring peace to the Nine Realms, and almost everyone gets a happy ending.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion

Yes, this is technically an ending from an older game, but it’s incredible. After escaping from Shinra, Zack and Cloud are on the run, with the latter being catatonic. Eventually, they run into Shinra troops, and Zack fends them off on his lonesome to protect Cloud. Throughout the fight, memories flash through the Digital Mind Wave, as we’re essentially seeing his last moments. By the time all enemies have been eliminated, Cloud has finally come to, and a dying Zack passes on his sword – and his legacy – to him.

The Last of Us Part 1

If there’s one ending which stood the test of time, it’s The Last of Us, and it looks even better in the remake. Upon reaching Salt Lake City, Joel learns the Fireflies are attempting to create a vaccine for the Cordyceps infection using Ellie’s brain. However, the procedure will kill her, which causes Joel to go on a rampage, killing everyone in his path to saving Ellie. After leaving, he lies to her about the entire ordeal, planting the seeds for events in The Last of Us Part 2.

Sifu

The overall story of Sifu centers on forgiveness and Wude, a martial mortality system. As such, players can kill each member of Yang’s gang, before taking him down, but this leads to a bad ending. The supposed “good” ending sees the protagonist sparing each member and Yang, leading to their death as they awaken in the peaceful afterlife. A mid-credits scene plays if you gather all the components of the magical talisman, which shows a seemingly reformed Yang, with his student following Wude.

Tiny Rogues

Launched in early access this year, Tiny Rogues is a dungeon crawler/rogue-lite/action RPG/bullet hell title with retro-style visuals. As minimalistic as the presentation feels, the combat is solid with several starting characters, tons of different weapons and spells, challenging and varied bosses, and great build variety. Want to become a tower shield-wielding magic wielder that rains down meteors? Perhaps a barbarian that inflicts poison arrows? You can do that and so much more.

Brotato

Of course, you can’t mention excellent early-access titles without mentioning Brotato. Essentially a rogue-lite horde shooter with timed waves, it offers some unique mechanics like the ability to hold and use multiple weapons at once. Combine this with some crazy upgrades, weapon rarities, and tons of different builds, from the super lucky guy to the streamer, and you’ve got hours and hours of fun on your hands.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero has been a long, long time coming, having been available in Japan till now. Sporting the same old-school RPG look as Trails in the Sky, the Western release remakes these visuals in extraordinary fashion while still delivering an excellent plot, stellar combat, and some excellent world-building. While those who played the Sky trilogy will get more out of it, Trails from Zero capably stands on its own.

The Case of the Golden Idol

If a more thorough detective title is to your liking, The Case of the Golden Idol is worth checking out. It takes place over four decades, with the player detective attempting to solve 12 grisly murders by filling in the blanks with a select set of keywords. There’s plenty of conspiracy and intrigue, and the bizarre art style is appealing in its own right. More importantly, the story and characters are simply excellent and well worth the trip.

Beacon Pines

I will forever sing the praises of Beacon Pines, Hiding Spot’s gorgeous mystery that’s equal parts choose your adventure and visual novel. It sports characters that are likeable and incredibly fleshed out; a cosy setting brimming with secrets; and a story full of twists, turns, and interesting developments. There’s so much to like, and it’s a shame that more people haven’t played it.

Citizen Sleeper

Citizen Sleeper is great, and you can’t say enough about its brilliance. Erlin’s Eye is a melting pot of characters, culture, and intrigue, whether you’re conversing with NeoVend, the sentient vending machine or trying to piece together the motives behind Sabine, the slum doctor. Actions play out through dice rolls, with light resource management, but it’s the extensive (and excellent) dialogue, coupled with the overall plot, makes this a must-play title.

Nobody Saves the World

Guacamelee developer Drinkbox is doing a lot with its overhead action RPG Nobody Saves the World. It sports fun combat with multiple classes, each offering unique abilities and upgrades – like the Rat, Ranger, Horse, and much more – and the ability to mix and match these into killer builds. It offers a large world to explore with procedurally generated dungeons and fun bosses. If that weren’t enough, it supports two-player co-op and has a solid comedic bent. If any of that sounds like something you’d enjoy, it’s worth a look.

Iron Lung

A short but sweet psychological horror set in a submarine navigating a strange Blood Ocean, Iron Lung has you traveling to locations and taking pictures. Seems simple enough, but you’re working with an iffy camera and relying purely on sensors and an incomplete map. Sometimes, you need to seal the submarine’s porthole because of depth pressure, but something is out there, waiting. Developed by David Szymanski of Dusk fame, Iron Lung is a claustrophobic and creepy experience.

Prodeus

A retro-Doom-style shooter with tons of gore and particle effects with stellar level design and action? That describes Prodeus in a nutshell, but the overall experience is so much more. Everything feels right, from the weapon feel and the overall pacing to the enemy design and difficulty. Plus, with a map creator and browser, hundreds of levels offer even more potential for slaying monsters.

Strange Horticulture

Being a horticulturist in a video game sounds like a drag, but Bad Viking’s Strange Horticulture is anything but. It’s equal parts plant management and mystery as you identify and recommend plants to customers in the small town of Undermere. As the story progresses, dark events and secrets come to light, and you’ll venture to mysterious places, converse with cults, and frequently pet the cat. It’s a stellar gameplay loop and one that keeps you coming back.

Sephonie

From the minds of Anodyne 1 and 2, Sephonie is more of a 3D platformer set on Sephonie Island with Amy, Riyou and Ing-wen as the protagonists. Upon navigating its various caves using wall runs and vaults, memories and dreams of the trio manifest while a strange force seems to manipulate them. In addition to a beautiful and unique aesthetic, Sephonie also offers puzzles using a grid system, as you Link different creatures in your research. It’s an unorthodox mix of genres that works well and delivers a great story.

Signalis

Touted as a classic survival horror, rose-engine’s Signalis tells the story of a Replika, Elster, who awakens in a wrecked ship and ventures onto a mysterious planet. What happened? That’s up to you to discover as you solve puzzles, manage your inventory and fight terrifying enemies. With gorgeous visuals and an aesthetic inspired by Stanley Kubrick and Hideaki Anno, Signalis is a surreal, terrifying experience worth playing.

Shredders

Have you ever craved the days of grounded but not super hardcore snowboarding titles? FoamPunch’s Shredders may fill that avoid. It offers numerous pro riders and a massive open world to explore, with locations ranging from parks to the countryside. The sheer depth of the controls, combined with the smooth animations and plethora of content, including a story mode and online play, make this a worthy successor to the Amped series.

Far: Changing Tides

Much like Far: Lone Sails, Far: Changing Tides is a side-scrolling adventure game where you manage a ship constantly on the move in a post-apocalyptic world. The twist is that you’re sailing through a flooded world and can occasionally leave the vessel to either gather resources or clear the way forward. Maintaining and upgrading the ship opens up underwater excursions to progress further. It’s a melancholic experience without any chance of failure and a sense of wonder.

APICO

Similar to Minecraft’s Forestry mod, APICO is about beekeeping. You venture to Port APICO, manage bees, cross-breed them for over 30 different species, make products and sell them, and much more. It’s a relaxing game with a hefty amount of content, from different biomes to minigames, and co-op support for up to four players. The latest update added butterflies, new flowers, and much more for even more stuff to do.

It adds new settings, including an option to disable message beeps and rich presence. You can also play voice lines in the message log even after the “Other Voices” option is off. Various fixes for bugs, localization, and the map, have also been deployed. For Steam players, an experimental “fast text speed” has been added, though it’s not for general use.

PH3 Games is currently investigating issues of crashes on older integrated Intel CPUs. Updating one’s drivers is advised since that solves the issue in many cases. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months.

In the meantime, The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is out in 2023 for PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Check out its latest trailer here.

Trails from Zero v1.3.7 Patch Notes

Changes and Improvements

• Added a new audio setting to disable message beeps
• Added a new setting to disable rich presence
• Play voice lines in the message log when selected even if the “Other Voices” option is set to OFF

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a potential crash when returning to the title menu
• Fixed an issue where movie sound effects were still played after skipping a movie
• Draw the BGM Info overlay in some additional situations where it was hidden before
• Various localization and map fixes

We’ve also added an experimental “fast text speed” option: to use it, set “fastTextSpeed” to “true” in the [Game] category in “%localappdata%\Falcom\Zero\settings.toml”. This is not intended for general use.

Joined by Elie MacDowell, Randy Orlando and Tio Plato, the SSS undertakes different requests akin to the Bracer Guild, but it’s not long before they cross paths with the underworld. Much like The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky series, combat is turn-based with grid movement, although new mechanics like Team Rush, Combination Crafts, and Support Crafts are present.

In terms of improvements, the release features a conversation log (which wasn’t present in the original) along with revamped environments, improved character sprites, and a High-Speed Mode. For more details, check out our review of the PC version here. Its follow-up, The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure, is currently set to release in 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PC, and PS4.

The timing precedes the launch of The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero next week on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC in North America and Europe. In Japan, The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki 2 -CRIMSON SiN- launches on September 29th for PS4 and PS5. An English localization for the original game has yet to be announced, which means the sequel could be even farther away.

Thankfully, Western fans will have The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure, Trails into Reverie, and Boundless Trails: The Legend of Nayuta next year. All three games will be available for PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. In the meantime, check out our review for Trails from Zero here.

However, at the end of the latest saga, the absence of one storyline felt pronounced, namely that of Lloyd Bannings, Elie MacDowell, Tio Plato and Randy Orlando – the Special Support Section or SSS of Crossbell. From their struggles to the challenges faced to reform the Crossbell Police Department and ultimately save the city-state.

For the first time, Trails from Zero has been localized into English and made officially available in North America and Europe. If you’re a fan of either series, then Trails from Zero is already a no-brainer. The best part is that even newcomers will find plenty to like on jumping in, even if some aspects can take getting used to.

"Unlike other titles in the series (those localized in the West, at least), there’s a greater emphasis on investigation, gathering clues and then piecing these together to solve cases."

The story sees Lloyd Bannings returning to Crossbell, his hometown, after three years following the passing of his brother Guy. Lloyd has trained to become a police officer and detective like Guy, hopefully living up to his legacy. So when offered a position in the Special Support Section, a new group full of unique characters and a laissez-faire approach to case-solving – which subsequently earns some mockery for imitating the Bracer Guild – he’s not nearly as enthused. Nevertheless, there is something to its establishment, and it may be (just maybe) the solution to rooting out the darkness in Crossbell.

The pacing, especially in the early going, can take some getting used to. Conversations mostly strike a fine line between being crisp and drawn-out, but there’s still plenty of dialogue to go through, even when sticking to the main story. There are also some situations where some dialogue could be trimmed.

Thankfully, this doesn’t take away from the atmosphere, and Zero plays its cards very close when it balances the characterization, plot development and world-building. Unlike other titles in the series (those localized in the West, at least), there’s a greater emphasis on investigation, gathering clues and then piecing these together to solve cases. Keeping track of witness testimonies and evidence while presenting a theory is vital.

Crossbell’s shiny exterior and rapid economic progress slowly give way to a hidden, murkier side. There is some heavy subject matter, but it’s handled well and with restraint. You’ll learn about each party member over an extended period, which perfectly aligns with the development of the team’s dynamic.

"Of course, the localization deserves tons of credit. Fan group The Geofront’s work served as the base for the official English translation, and it also lent its talents to the same."

The characterizations are also on point. Lloyd is optimistic but still skeptical of things due to his training while also harboring doubts about his skills. Elie is kind and sophisticated, but her social status is often at odds with her wanting to handle things. Tio can be standoffish and sarcastic yet kind and understanding, and Randy is a laid back dude whose happy-go-lucky nature belies his violent past.

Watching their relationship as the Special Support Section slowly but steadily grow (especially when a certain someone joins) is a joy, especially as they cast aside public doubts and consternation while fighting for what’s important. Some very familiar faces also appear – including one with a very large stick – and mesh well with the cast while still being great in their own right.

Each character in Crossbell, right down to the average patrolwoman on the streets or Wendy in GenTen, has unique dialogue. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but as events develop, they each get new lines, some shedding light on the current situation or simply updating you on their happenings. This adds character to the world, encouraging you to explore and get to know its citizens but also seeing how their lives are progressing.

Of course, the localization deserves tons of credit. Fan group The Geofront’s work served as the base for the official English translation, and it also lent its talents to the same. The results are excellent all-around, with perhaps only one mistake or odd translation spotted every dozen hours or so. It doesn’t always endeavor for direct translations but maintains the tone and essence of each exchange without completely going off track. Again, it’s a good balance which feels extremely comfortable over time. Also, shout out to the chest messages – they’re back and punnier than ever, for better or worse.

"The visuals are almost entirely remade, right down to the clean and sharp-looking environments and map textures. Character sprites are also superb, coming across as detailed but not too smooth as to feel unnatural."

Special mention must also be made of the porting work done by PH3 and Peter “Durante” Thoman (who is also responsible for other stellar Falcom ports to PC). The visuals are almost entirely remade, right down to the clean and sharp-looking environments and map textures. Character sprites are also superb, coming across as detailed but not too smooth as to feel unnatural. Performance is also on the mark, even when running the game with 8x MSAA and 16x Anisotropic Filtering, and the UI is crisp while offering scaling options.

Features like the Message Log, which aren’t present in the original release, are also incredibly welcome. In terms of blemishes, there was one part of a building with glitched textures (which was normal later) and a sign that didn’t feel properly upscaled, which says a lot about the sheer quality of everything else. The soundtrack, from travelling through Crossbell to navigating the Geofront and engaging in different battle situations, is just excellent all-around.

As noted earlier, combat starts slow. Like the Sky trilogy, you have a timeline with your party’s turns and the enemy’s. Attacking is immediate and based on one’s distance from a target. Some actions, like casting Arts, can take time to execute depending on a character’s stats. Crafts are executed immediately but require building up Craft Points, which are earned from attacking.

Certain Crafts can delay an enemy’s turn, which is great for gathering any random bonuses on the timeline – like healing, an immediate extra turn etc. – for your team. You also have S-Crafts which provide massive damage or benefits and can be initiated anywhere in the timeline with S-Breaks.

"It can all seem deceptively simple at first, but for me, it was a wonderful throwback. The focus on exploiting elemental weaknesses and using Crafts at the right time, especially when you need to interrupt a powerful incoming attack, is key."

Over time, you’ll unlock new features like Support Crafts, where the fifth and sixth members of your party can serve as Support members. They’ll appear in combat but aren’t directly controlled, doling out buffs or damaging and delaying foes. For instance, Lloyd’s Extend Hearts provides a 25 percent boost to Strength for all active party members while doling out 30 Craft Points.

You also have Combo Crafts, where two party members spend 100 Craft Points each to deal massive damage. Some are unlocked through the story, while others are available behind quests, providing plenty of incentive to go out of your way.

It can all seem deceptively simple at first, but for me, it was a wonderful throwback. The focus on exploiting elemental weaknesses and using Crafts at the right time, especially when you need to interrupt a powerful incoming attack, is key. However, there are plenty of other strategies that come into play, from applying buffs and debuffing enemies to using S-Breaks at the right time. The enemy design aids this as well – upon learning the right ways to combat foes, regular battles go by at a rapid clip. Meanwhile, boss battles are wonderfully designed and require more strategic thinking.

There isn’t much to be said about Quartz and the Combat Orbment that series fans won’t already be familiar with. Slot Quartz to use Orbal Arts, combine them for specific Arts, and upgrade Slots for more powerful Arts and benefits. Straightforward, yes, but still offering tons of depth as you delve deeper into the game.

"Objectively, some things prevent Trails from Zero from being perfect, and it may not be to every RPG fan’s taste. But as a fan of Falcom and the series, this is pretty much it"

Trails from Zero is a long game, punctuated with side quests or Support Requests in each chapter, in addition to the hefty story quests. Gameplay-wise, many of the Support Requests devolve into monster slaying or finding items. The writing makes them feel like something more, immersing you in the city and its infrastructure when not further acquainting you with its citizens.

Whether it’s shining a light on Wald’s personality, learning more about the baker Oscar, or opening an account with the International Bank of Crossbell for better Mira exchange rates, there’s a lot to discover and do. Plus, it feels good to see the reputation of the SSS grow with each subsequent request. You also have activities like fishing, Challenge Chests, gathering recipes and cooking, reading books and the Crossbell Times, and so on. It may feel a bit tedious at first as you run back and forth between districts, but High-Speed Mode and eventually Fast Travel help alleviate this.

Objectively, some things prevent Trails from Zero from being perfect, and it may not be to every RPG fan’s taste. But as a fan of Falcom and the series, this is pretty much it. A compelling story with great characters, backed by superb localization; a stunning port with great quality-of-life features and visuals; compelling combat with extensive depth; and much more. It’s a hallmark of the series and well worth the wait.

This game was reviewed on PC.

The Last of Us Part I

Naughty Dog’s 2013 classic, which mixes cinematic story-telling with action-adventure and survival elements, remains an unforgettable experience. On September 2nd, fans can relive that experience on PS5 (for a $70 price tag, of course) with The Last of Us Part 1. Built from the ground up for the console, it offers more detailed environments, improved animations, shorter loading times, DualSense support, and a wide range of accessibility options.

AI improvements, a revamped crafting bench, and much more also await. Though multiplayer isn’t included, it’s still worth looking into for the sheer visual splendor.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero

Twelve years after its original release on PlayStation Portable, Falcom’s The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is finally being localized to English and released worldwide. Set months after the end of Trails in the Sky the 3rd, the story moves to Crossbell, a city-state of advanced technology and economic wealth. Crime and conspiracies run rampant, which results in the formation of the Special Support Section led by Lloyd Bannings.

Releasing on September 27th for PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the English version includes High-Speed and Skip Modes along with improvements to texture quality, bug fixes, and much more.

NBA 2K23

Dread it, run from it – NBA 2K arrives all the same. The year’s release features the usual ensemble of MyCareer (with The City and The Cruise returning for current and previous gen platforms), MyTeam, MyGM and MyLeague modes featuring both NBA and WNBA teams. However, significant revamps have been made to the gameplay, from new Pro Stick combos and Adrenaline Boosts to new Shot Meters and Shooting Attributes.

Even the Badge System and Player Builder have been improved, providing more freedom in customization. If that weren’t enough, The Jordan Challenges from NBA 2K11 return with the original 10 rebuilt and five new challenges added. NBA 2K23 is out on September 9th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Hopefully, it amounts to more than another yearly microtransaction fest.

Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3 will feel very familiar to fans of the previous two games, which is a good thing, but there are plenty of new features. Splatsville is the new hub with shops like Naut Coutour and Crush Station to purchase different gear, Ammo Knights for weapons, and a new digital CCG called Table Turf Battles. There are 12 stages for multiplayer in total, some new and several returning, along with new weapons like Stingers and Splatanas.

Even the core gameplay has received some new moves like the Squid Roll and Squid Surge maneuvers. Of course, those keen on PvE can experience a brand new campaign, “Return of the Mammalians,” and co-op with Salmon Run Next Wave. Splatoon 3 is out on September 9th for Nintendo Switch, with additional weapons, stages, gear catalogues, and more coming free after launch.

Soulstice

Reply Game Studios’ Soulstice may seem like your average hack and slash action game with launchers, Stingers, combos and so on. But there’s a lot more to this tale of two sisters, Briar and Lute, as they venture to the city of Ilden and battle forces from beyond the Veil. The dark fantasy art direction and story-telling, combined with the solid combat variety and intriguing story, should make for an interesting experience.

Soulstice is out on September 20th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, with a free demo available to try on Steam.

Slime Rancher 2

Monomi Park’s Slime Rancher 2 going into early access on September 22nd for PC and Xbox Series X/S. While Beatrix LeBeau returns as the protagonist, players will venture to the new Rainbow Island to gather its slimes. Though it offers improved visuals and new slimes, you’ll still be collecting and raising them to earn Newbucks and expand the farm.

Though the full extent of content for the early access launch has yet to be revealed, the developer promises “a big world to explore, many different slimes to collect and combine, and an introduction to the game story and the mystery behind Rainbow Island.”

FIFA 23

Unlike its contemporaries, FIFA 23 signals the end of an era as Electronic Arts’ agreement with FIFA comes to an end. As such, it offers much of what fans expect – over 19,000 players, more than 100 licensed stadiums, 30 licensed leagues, over 700 clubs and so on. In addition to HyperMotion2, which uses machine learning for more than 6,000 animations, and Technical Dribbling for more responsive turning and dribbling, this year features the FA Women’s Super League and French Division 1 Féminine (with more coming post-launch).

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be playable alongside the 2022 FIFA World Cup. And of course, it wouldn’t be FIFA without the return of Ultimate Team, for better or worse. Unfortunately, many of the new gameplay features are exclusive to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Google Stadia. Furthermore, the Nintendo Switch is getting the same Legacy Edition as the past few years with very few gameplay changes. With FIFA 23 releasing on September 27th, it remains to be seen if it ends the series on a high note.

Serial Cleaners

As the follow-up to Draw Distance’s 2017 breakout hit, Serial Cleaners leans more into the “fantasy” of portraying a cleaner for the mob. This time, there are four cleaners to choose from, each with their unique skills. However, you’re still working through different environments to dispose of dead bodies, clean up the evidence and avoid any police that happens by.

With a fast degree of stealth, open-ended maps with dynamic scenarios, and a non-linear story with different choices to make, Serial Cleaners promises a gritty experience inspired by Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. It’s out on September 22nd for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Return to Monkey Island

It’s been almost 31 years since the mysterious ending of Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge. Director Ron Gilbert thus returns to provide the thrilling conclusion to the saga with Return to Monkey Island, releasing on September 19th for Nintendo Switch and PC. It sees Guybrush Threepwood (reprised by Dominic Armato) getting his mojo back, encountering new and familiar faces, and ultimately, maybe, finally discovering the Secret of Monkey Island.

New locations like Brr Muda and Terror Island await along with reactive dialogue trees, an integrated hint system and even a new Casual Mode for the less hardcore players to enjoy the story.

Session: Skate Sim

Session: Skate Sim has been in early access since September 2019 for PC and Xbox One. Along with dual stick controls, it offers realistic physics, four difficulty levels and various locations to skate in like New York City, Philadelphia and the recently revealed San Francisco. In addition to challenges, which net cash for spending on t-shirts, caps, shoes, and more, players can customize their skateboard with over 250 parts.

There’s also a full-fledged video editor for creating clips, complete with different viewpoints, filters, and so on. Can Session fill the void before the new Skate launches? We’ll find out when version 1.0 arrives on September 22nd on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, and PS5.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero, while not technically a new release, is essentially the first time most gamers outside of Japan will get to play it. It is coming out on September 27 in North America, and September 30 in Europe, and will be available on PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a sequel to The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Taking place in Crossbell city, players work with the Special Support Section and get to the bottom of Crossbell’s dark secrets.

Alongside a comprehensive English localization, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero will also feature quality-of-life features like High-Speed and Skip modes to get through battles quickly.

Returning to Crossbell after several years to join the police department, Bannings is instead assigned to the Special Support Section. This is where he works with Elie MacDowell, granddaughter of the mayor Henry MacDowell; Tio Plato, a young scientist with a mysterious past; and Randy Orlando, a cool-headed soldier who has some connection to a famous Jaeger group. Together, they must investigate the dark events transpiring in the city and hopefully put a stop to them.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is out on September 27th in North America and September 30th in Europe for PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store. Its follow-up, Trails to Azure, is slated to release in 2023. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.