Upcoming Games: Splendid September

Space Marine 2, Frostpunk 2, Hollowbody, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, Tiny Glade...

Those are just some of the games coming out this month - We've overstuffed this edition because there were simply too many good games to cut.
We've got something in almost every genre, we've got games for all ages and every one of these games seems to be doing something new or interesting in their own way.
So if you think you don't have games you should be playing - you'd be incorrect.
And don't forget that every Monday on Loading Screen, we make sure every game worth talking about each week is highlighted to make sure you don't miss anything.

Sumerian Six

Developer: Artificer
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 02/09

What if the Commandos series was set in Weird War 2 rather than World War 2? That's the premise of Sumerian Six - a real time tactics game built around stealthily infiltrating Nazi bases and stopping their plans. The weird part comes from the fact they're not just Nazis - they're Nazis trying to to take advantage of the eldritch occult in order to win the war.
Fortunately you've got your own weirdness in the form of Enigma Squad - including experimental tech and even your own werebear, magic users and more.
This seems like a pulpy take on a classic genre we've seen a resurgence of lately, hopefully it continues the quality release trend.

The Casting of Frank Stone

Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Behaviour Interactive
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation
Release Date: 03/09

A single player tie in to Dead By Daylight could be a terrible idea, but there's maybe something to keep an eye on with Until Dawn/Dark Pictures Anthology developer Supermassive Games on board.
Expect a wider look at the worldbuilding of Dead By Daylight as a group of friends making an amateur horror movie in an abandoned steel mill deals with the malevolent spirit of a killer.
Sounds like a cheery good time where absolutely no one will get murdered brutally if you make bad decisions - perfect for Supermassive.

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions

Developer: Unbroken Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros Games
Platforms: PC/PlayStation/Switch/Xbox
Release Date: 03/09

Conspicuously absent from Hogwarts: Legacy, the sport of Quidditch returns to video games with Quidditch Champions.
Having gone 21 years since the release of its predecessor Quidditch World Cup in 2003, there's plenty of space for a glow up here.
Developer Unbroken Games has promised competitive and non competitive modes, full options to play any position in the game and full control over designing every aspect of your character - but there's a lingering question over the gameplay after early trailers suggested it would use very similar mechanics to the 2003 title.

Star Trucker

Developer: Monster and Monster
Publisher: Raw Fury
Platforms: PC/Xbox
Release Date: 03/09

Where we're going, we don't need roads - because there's highways in space to transport cargo on. Star Trucker is blending the freighter elements of the likes of Elite with American Truck Sim - explicitly giving you a space 18 wheeler to haul with.
Beyond trying to make your way between jump gates and gossiping with other drivers, the biggest change here from its terrestrial truck sim inspirations will see players scavenging as they go, trading contraband and dealing with dangerous routes - and you'll need to customise and upgrade your truck to handle them.

Age of Mythology: Retold

Developer: World's Edge, Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, CaptureAge, Virtuos Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Platforms: PC/Xbox
Release Date: 04/09

With Age of Empires being one of Xbox's secret powerhouses of player satisfaction, it was only a matter of time before the spin off came back too. The trade off here is that they aren't just reproducing the original and polishing it graphically - this is a full overhaul so that Mythology can be scoped up. More units, more effects - and more god powers.
The trend here is that all of the limits on the 2002 version (graphical or performance) are being updated to allow this to feel like the game you remember playing - rather than the game you actually played.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PC/Xbox One/PlayStation 4/Switch
Release Date: 06/09

It took thirteen years, but Ace Attorney Investigations 2 will finally be released in the west, having been consigned to Japanese DSs this whole time. Thanks to Capcom being in a golden era of wanting to port whole franchises over, Miles Edgeworth's Investigations games will finally be in a package that's more accessible.
Full HD redesigns (with the option to restore the original style), multiple QoL features and the same classic crime scene investigation gameplay means that we can finally see what we've been missing out on.

Space Marine 2

Developer: Saber Interactive
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation
Release Date: 09/09

More than ten years in the making, Space Marine 2 is one of the biggest releases of the month. A third person shooter where you don't need to take cover - you are the cover as the titular nine feet tall space marine Lieutenant Titus, returning from the first game to take on even more foes.
The biggest change up here is the presence of new developer Saber Interactive - who have helpfully brought along their swarm tech from World War Z in order to render hundreds of actual enemies on screen in a seething mass of claws and chitin. They've also used that experience in expanding the original game's competitive multiplayer (which returns) with a three player co-op mode that will see players challenged with new missions adjacent to the main campaign.
There's a huge legacy to live up to here, with the original Space Marine being widely beloved - so let's hope Saber can pull it off.

What The Car

Developer: Triband
Publisher: Triband
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 09/09

From the makers of the absurd puzzler What the Golf? - now we have What the Car? Get your car to the end of the level - nice and simple racing game.
But your car has legs, or is a ball, or can only windsurf or can only jump through water like a shark - Cause this is a puzzle racing game and you need to meet each level's weird twist on its own terms.
Originally this was one of the more well received apple arcade games, but now it's weirdness has been unleashed for everyone to enjoy.

I Am Your Beast

Developer: Strange Scaffold
Publisher: Strange Scaffold, Frosty Pop
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 10/09

Delayed by a month from its original release date so the team wouldn't have to crunch, this is the latest adventure in tone and style from Strange Scaffold (El Paso Elsewhere).
A shortform comic book aesthetic FPS where you play a secret agent taking revenge against the agency who burned you in a madcap rampage.
Each level presents as a mini open world sandbox, with the aim being to take out opponents by any means necessary - immersive sim style weapon kills, environmental damage, parkour based movement - with that replayability coming from aiming for better times/completing mini objectives.

Towerborne

Developer: Stoic
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Platforms: PC/Xbox
Release Date: 10/09

An Xbox published game that will only be releasing on Steam to start with - as developer Stoic (The Banner Saga) want to use their familiarity with Steam Early Access to test their survival game with a smaller (paid) audience before unleashing it on Game Pass and into Free To Play.
This is a gorgeous cel shaded side scrolling action RPG that will bring to mind Gauntlet - but filtered through the design chops of Stoic. Players build a party around their character of either NPCs or other players, take on bosses to uncover new areas and uncover the lands around the titular tower.
The pitch going forward is for this to be a live service style RPG - but there's nothing really quite like this in the premium game space right now.

Mirthwood

Developer: Bad Ridge Games
Publisher: V Publishing
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 11/09

It would not be a month of game releases without a life sim RPG - and Mirthwood's hand drawn visuals really do set it apart. This fantasy medieval game sets players up as a simple farmer trying to flee approaching wars - and setting up a new life.
But with a simulated open world of three towns, filled with people to trade, talk and romance - as well as adventures and threats between those towns in the open wilds - there's maybe more to this than the cosy art might suggest.

Reka

Developer: Emberstorm Entertainment
Publisher: Fireshine Games
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 12/09

Our second fantasy life sim of the month - but this time a lot more spooky.
Reka is one of those games that started life with shared gifs, as the developer's rendition of Baba Jaga's chicken legged hut captured the imagination of thousands of would be witches.
The natural landscapes are wild and fully realised (despite being procedurally generated) but you'll also have a full story to progress through as you help (or hinder) villagers and see to uncover the secrets of the Baba Jaga herself.

Hollowbody

Developer: Headware Games
Publisher: Headware Games
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 12/09

Hugely inspired by the likes of Silent Hill, Hollowbody wants to capture the spirit of those foundational survival horror games with a new take on the fixed camera survival horror.
Coming from the creator of cult title Chasing Static, we already know Headware Games can create an exceptional horror title in short bursts. Hollowbody though expands the action to a fully abandoned future London where a black market smuggler is just trying to find her missing partner, only to be trapped in the fallen city.
The tone and vibes are immaculate here, so if you really can't wait for Silent Hill 2 Remake - give this a look.

The Plucky Squire

Developer: All Possible Futures
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation/Switch
Release Date: 17/09

Channelling A Link Between Worlds, The Plucky Squire takes its storybook aesthetic and then lets players get meta with it. Need to solve a puzzle but don't quite have the solution? Pop outside the book into the full 3D world and see if the answer is out there.
This looks delightful and has done since its first trailer - and early previews suggest the puzzle/adventure gameplay is just as fun as it seems.

FFXVI

Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 17/09

Final Fantasy XVI but on PC! Simple as.
Well it also comes on day one with the two follow-up DLC and a host of PC specific graphical features, so it's a bit more complex. But if you've been excited to get the latest mainline Final Fantasy but didn't care for the PS5, now's your chance.

What's maybe the most surprising aspect of this though is the price. Patient gamers win again because it will only be $49,99 for the base edition, a discount compared to the version that's still on the PS5.

God Of War: Ragnarök

Developer: Santa Monica Studio/Jetpack Interactive
Publisher: PlayStation Publishing
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 19/09

New calendar quarter, new PlayStation first party release on PC.
This time, Kratos returns for God of War: Ragnarök.
Expect the same level of quality that all of PlayStation's PC ports have had in recent years with a huge range of options - and the same core gameplay that players have been enjoying on PS5.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation/Switch
Release Date: 19/09

Capcom's second remake of the month but this one is a lot more substantial.
Returning (from the dead) once more, the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster takes the original 2006 game and updates it with 4k graphics, a whole host of QoL options and more.
All while retaining the same tightly designed action game that sees players struggling to uncover the mystery behind a zombie outbreak within 72 hours - while finding time for protagonist Frank West to get some great pictures along the way.

Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged

Developer: Revolution Software
Publisher: Revolution Software
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation/Switch
Release Date: 19/09

Taking the classic adventure game, redrawing the whole thing to work in 4k and then enhancing everything with a new UI, new audio and even more.
This is a fresh chance for new audiences to experience one of the best examples of the point and click adventure game - with no technological compromise.

Frostpunk 2

Developer: 11Bit Studios
Publisher: 11Bit Studios
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation
Release Date: 20/09

As we move into the colder seasons - the best thing to do is stay inside and build a city in the frozen tundras of Frostpunk 2 on the 20th.
After a short delay to revamp systems and UX, one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year will finally be out.
This is one of those sequels that wants to offer audiences something fresh as you desperately try and survive the blizzards and disasters, the scale has now shifted from micromanagement of individual citizens to being the leader of a society. Balancing the demands of political groups and attempting to avoid the radicalisation of fringe elements brings a whole new flavour of challenge to what was already one of the most brutal city builders on the market.

Zoochosis

Developer: Clapperheads
Publisher: Playworks
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 23/09

A viral trailer for a horror game is sometimes all you need to sell the game - and this one is really grotesque.
You're a zookeeper, in a zoo filled with animals. Some of the animals though - aren't so much animals as horrifying violent mutants that need to be saved lest they run rampant.
Folks who can't handle body horror may be best skipping this one as we approach the spooky season.

Tiny Glade

Developer: Pounce Light
Publisher: Pounce Light
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 23/09

One of the most played demos of the last Steam Next Fest was Tiny Glade - the latest in a series of adorable toy games that audiences are flocking too.
You have a tiny glade's worth of space, and you can make whatever building you like with the tools available to you.
In particular, Tiny Glade's tech has allowed them to have a really granular level of modification available so if you start placing windows, doors or support pillars - the whole structure will adapt to make it appear as naturally incorporated as possible. The results are fairly impressive to behold based on what's been shown so far.

Ara: History Untold

Developer: Oxide Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 24/09

Xbox's second strategy game of the month - this time taking on the turn based genre. Ara is hoping to carve out its own niche in the Civilisation-alike genre before Sid Meier's behemoth returns early next year.
What sets it apart?
Seemingly much more granularity. Within your nation you have a full crafting/resource economy, tech can be discovered without progressing through a gated tree and the fidelity of the game will let you zoom all the way down to the level of individual populace members.
What's maybe most interesting though is that Ara is promising fully simultaneous turns - meaning reacting to your opponents will be much more dynamic and suspense filled than "you go, I go".

Greedfall II : The Dying World

Developer: Spiders
Publisher: Nacon
Platforms: PC/PlayStation/Xbox
Release Date: 24/09

I have a big soft spot for Greedfall developer Spiders - who seem to approach every game with a AA budget and indie earnestness. With Greedfall 2 though they're really pushing the boat out for trying new ideas though.
The first game was an action RPG in the modern Bioware mould - companions, quests and action based combat in a new world fantasy setting, which built up a great fanbase.
The sequel is launching in early access (a la Baldur's Gate 3) to make sure the game is as refined as possible - which they need to do because they're changing the combat model to be the tactical pause led strategizing of Dragon Age Origins.
It's very ambitious - which is par for the course for these folks, so I'll be keeping an eye out for updates as the game develops further.

Disney: Epic Mickey Rebrushed

Developer: Purple Lamp
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation/Switch
Release Date: 24/09

The 2010 Wii exclusive Epic Mickey is back - and per previews has been almost entirely rebuilt by hand to bring the game up to the standards of non Wii visuals. This is one of the weirder licensed games of the era, a Disney game where you played as Mickey Mouse (armed with a wiimote waggling paintbrush) trying to extricate yourself from the wasteland of forgotten Disney properties.
To do so in the remake, you'll be engaging in a much more traditional platformer with redesigned controls, camera movement and more.
Epic Mickey did very well commercially, but being stuck on the Wii meant it never quite had the long life it could have.
This release could change that.

Shadows of Doubt

Developer: ColePowered Games
Publisher: Fireshine Games
Platforms: PC/Xbox/PlayStation
Release Date: 26/09

One of the most complex and interesting games releasing this year - Shadows of Doubt is finally launching from early access.
This is a voxel based cyberpunk noir city where absolutely every aspect has been procedurally generated. The citizens, their backstories, the murders and crimes you're investigating and even the criminals themselves.
It shouldn't work - but it does, and after a long period of Early Access there's plenty of proof that audiences are thrilled for the prospect of quite literally piecing together a mystery that they can't just google the solution for.

Reynatis

Developer: FURYU Corporation
Publisher: NIS America
Platforms: PC/PlayStation/Switch
Release Date: 27/09

Releasing in the west to end the month, Reynatis takes contemporary Shibuya, Japan - and overlays a magical realism setting that sees the player taking on dual protagonists. One a wizard trying to hide his magic, the other a police officer trying to keep magic users in line.
From there, players will take on an action RPG story that will see them digging into that world - as led by Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts writer Kazushige Nojima.
There's a lot to like here, with a stylish (and supposedly very accurate) depiction of modern day Shibuya with some great visual flair.