The floodgates have opened, and gamers are about to get a deluge of game releases throughout the month of September. There is going to be something for everyone and you are bound to find a game that is right up your alley. If you are already done with Baldur’s Gate 3 or Diablo IV that is.
So here are the game releases that you either already know about or you should definitely put on your wishlist.
Starfield
FUS, RO…wait a minute. I am not in Skyrim anymore am I? | Bethesda Softworks
Release Date: September 1 (Early Access), September 6
Platform: PC, Xbox Series X
Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Softworks have once again made big claims and promises when it comes to what has to be one of the developers’ most anticipated games of all time. Starfield is touted as the next-generation role-playing game and is Bethesda’s brand-spanking new IP that is free from the Elder Scrolls and Fallout shackles that sees you “explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.”
Instead of the post-apocalypse or high-fantasy setting, Starfield mainly takes place among the stars (surprise, surprise!) and unknown planets. Set in the year 2330, humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, and discovered and settled on new planets. You play as a space explorer who is part of the Constellation group that seeks rare artefacts throughout the galaxy.
This beats hacking, slashing and shouting at enemies any day of the week. | Bethesda Softworks
To explore a galaxy filled with more than 1,000 planets that vary in terms of fauna, flora and resources, you will have your very own ship to pilot and command. The look of your ship can be personalised and you can even modify critical systems, including weapons and shields, which is important because you will engage in dogfights while exploring the unknown parts of the galaxy.
While you are back on the ground, you will also have to defend yourself against various threats by using long-range rifles, laser weapons, and even demolitions. There are also Zero-G environments where your boost pack will give you the freedom to manoeuvre as you have never done before in a Bethesda game. When the dust settles and pew pew stops, you can then focus on building outposts and crafting new tools to aid your adventure.
Fae Farm
Fae Farms looks like your average farming cozy sim. | Phoenix Labs
Release Date: September 8
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch
Have you ever thought what Stardew Valley would be like if it had more whimsical fantasy elements and was 3D instead of 2D? Well, wonder no more because you are about to get exactly that with Phoenix Labs’ cosy farming simulator, Fae Farms.
Instead of escaping to a quaint little town or a deserted island, Fae Farms transports you to the colourful and magical island of Azoria, inhabited by a cast of enchanting characters and mythical creatures. Similar to Stardew Valley, it is important for you to befriend your neighbours as not only can they teach you new skills, but also you might find them falling in love with you.
Until you start thwacking enemies with magic spells. | Phoenix Labs
But if you prefer having the help of your real-life friends, Fae Farms supports four-player co-op and cross-play. This means you and three other friends will be able to explore Azoria and restore it to its former splendour together.
There are a few major differences between Fae Farms and other games in this genre, such as the fact that you have the ability to use magic to help you while exploring and to defeat the nastier creatures you encounter. The other difference is that you have the opportunity to own not just one but up to four homesteads, and you can design the inside and outside as you wish. There is also the unique “Cosy System” that rewards you with buffs to your health, stamina and mana when you craft specialised furniture and home decor.
The Crew Motorfest
Similar to The Crew 2, other than some of the most sought after cars, you can also use bikes, planes and boats. | Ubisoft
Release Date: September 18
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
The Crew Motorfest is the third entry into Ubisoft and Ivory Towers open-world racing game series and will be the first game in the series that takes place outside of the U.S. mainland. Racers will now be tearing up the streets, hills, waterways and skies of O’ahu in the Hawaiian archipelago. While the island is not as massive as the scaled-down United States mainland, it still has plenty to offer in the shape of idyllic streets, ashy volcanic slopes, lush rainforests and curvy mountain roads.
Similar to the previous games, The Crew Motorfest will have over 610 vehicles at launch and is made up of iconic vehicles from the past and the future such as the Lamborghini Revuelto, Toyota Supra and more. For players who have played The Crew 2, you can even import your collection of vehicles for free into the new game.
Remember, you should only be racing in a video game. Unless, you are a professional racer of course. | Ubisoft
The game also introduces the new Playlist system where you will have access to a selection of themed campaigns offering unique and exciting car culture experiences. There will be more than a dozen Playlists available at launch and these will run the gamut of mastering cutting-edge electric supercars, American Muscle or Japanese Tuners.
Other than that, The Crew Motorfest will also have new races such as the Grand Race, which supports up to 28 players competing on randomly generated tracks and the Demolition Royale where it is all about causing as much mayhem and destruction as possible.
Mortal Kombat 1
In the immortal words of Mr. Freeze, “Alright, everyone. Chill!” | NetherRealm Studios
Release Date: September 19
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
NetherRealms Studios has done it (again) and they are rebooting Mortal Kombat (again). Mortal Kombat 1 is set after the events of Mortal Kombat 11 and its Aftermath expansion, where series protagonist and now Fire God Liu Kang has restarted history by crafting a New Era for the sake of peace. From what we have gathered from the many trailers released, the game will still feature many of the game’s favourite characters with a twist in their stories.
Some of the new story beats provide a fresh look at some of the series’ favourites such as Mileena and Kitana being infected by a dreadful and lethal disease; Lin Kuei warriors and brothers Scorpion and Sub-Zero fighting for the future of their clan; while Earthrealm champions Raiden and Kung Lao fight for family and honour.
The story may have changed, but the gore fest that is Fatalities remains the same. | NetherRealm Studios
Other than the new storylines, Mortal Kombat 1 will also feature a new Kameo Fighter system (similar to King of Fighters’ Striker system) that will provide assistance to players during fights by performing offensive and support-based moves, including Fatal Blows, Breakers and even Fatalities. These characters include Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, Kano and Goro, just to name a few, which are separate from the main roster and are based on their klassic versions.
Last but not least, NetherRealms has also unveiled a post-launch Kombat Pack DLC that not only adds mainstays such as Ermac, Quan Chi and Takeda to the roster but also includes guest characters Homelander from The Boys’ comics and TV series, Omni-Man from the Invincible animated series and comics and Peacemaker from the Suicide Squad (2021) and TV series.
Payday 3
If you ever see a bunch of clowns in business suits around the corner, RUN! | Starbreeze Studios
Release Date: September 21
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
The crew is back in town and about to pull off another heist! But that is if you do not bungle it up by accidentally shooting a civilian or walking right into a security guard as you try to sneak into the bank. Payday 3 sees the clown mask-wearing Payday gang coming out of retirement, heading to New York to face a new threat and get their hands on lucrative heists.
Payday 3 takes place in the 2020s, so Dallas, Chains, Wolf, Hoxton and two new accomplices, Joy and Pearl will now have to deal with more advanced surveillance systems and also the rise of cryptocurrency. However, it is still all about meticulous planning and sticking to the plan to ensure every heist goes smoothly. With a new game, of course, comes new skills, gadgets and weapons that you will have to choose carefully before each heist.
When plans go south, maybe the best thing to do is not shoot everyone in sight. | Starbreeze Studios
At the recent 2023 Gamescom Award event, Payday 3 was awarded the ‘Best PC Game’ and ‘Most Entertaining Game’ awards so we will have to wait and see if it really lives up to that hype. If you and your friends are fans of co-op shooters, then this might well be worth picking up.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
They may have added vehicular combat, but I wonder if they also tweaked the car handling. | CD Projekt Red
Release Date: September 26
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
By this point, everyone and their tech-savvy grandmothers will probably have heard of CD Projekt Red’s (CDPR) Cyberpunk 2077. It was a game marred with controversy at launch but little by little, the developers and the modding community have managed to turn the game’s fate around. Personally, I really enjoyed Cyberpunk 2077 for its story, side quests and the world that is Night City. Of course, it was not perfect, but I still had a lot of fun with the game.
The upcoming and only major expansion, Phantom Liberty looks like it might just breathe new life into the game as it not only offers a new spy-thriller storyline that features Idris Elba but also overhauls many of the game’s existing systems and adds in features that were missing.
If you have finished Cyberpunk 2077, it might be worth replaying to see what new insane build you can create. | CD Projekt Red
Prior to the release of Phantom Liberty, CDPR will be releasing the free Update 2.0 for Cyberpunk 2077 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This update will introduce the redesigned Perks system and tweaks to enemy AI to make fights more dynamic and intuitive; an overhaul to the police AI where the NCPD will not respond to your actions in more realistic ways, such as setting up roadblocks and attempting to ram you off the road; which you can deter with the new vehicle combat system that allows you to shoot while driving and quickhack enemy vehicles.
The new content that comes with Phantom Liberty includes the new Relic skill tree that offers a wide range of powerful abilities; a new location, Dogtown, with endless dynamic events and missions; new clothing items, weapons, cyberware and more.
