The Top Video Game Releases Coming in October 2024

Not to be outdone by either September before it or November after it, October 2024’s game release calendar is absolutely stacked. Between major new entries in long-running and hugely successful franchises and several other games that have been on players’ radars for the better part of a year, gamers have plenty to look forward to in the final stretch before the 2024 holiday season begins. While the month’s biggest release is undoubtedly Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, this list of upcoming titles proves that there’s a lot more to the month than just the latest game in Activision’s (and Microsoft’s) billion-dollar franchise. Remakes, new IPs from established studios, franchise reboots, early access hits in the making, and much, much more are all on the table for what’s shaping up to be a jam-packed fall season.

MechWarrior 5: Clans

• Release Date — October 3, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Piranha Games Inc./Piranha Games Inc.
• Genre — Shooter, Simulation

The long-running mech piloting simulation series MechWarrior got an excellent reboot and single-player campaign in 2019’s MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries. Fittingly, October’s MechWarrior 5: Clans is set to be an equally exciting expansion and follow-up. This side story puts players in the shoes of a rising star cadet within the illustrious Smoke Jaguar unit. As this new cadet, it’s up to players to put their battle-hardened skills to the test in strategic and intense mech battles from behind the cockpit of one of the advanced machines, utilizing intricate and immersive simulation mechanics for piloting and shooting. The MechWarrior series has always been synonymous with merging science fiction and realism, and Clans looks to continue that tradition.

Silent Hill 2

• Release Date — October 8, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5
• Publisher/Developer — Konami/Bloober Team SA
• Genre — Survival Horror

One of the most anticipated video game remakes in years, players will finally get their hands on Bloober Team’s reimagining of Silent Hill 2 on October 8. After years in development and not much footage revealed, we’ve been steadily getting more and more glimpses of what to expect from the title. While it might be a hard sell to dyed-in-the-wool original Silent Hill 2 fans, it at least appears that Bloober Team is remaining faithful to the tone, visuals, and atmosphere of the original. That said, the gameplay (which was always Silent Hill 2‘s weakest aspect, if we’re being honest) is getting a shot in the arm courtesy of a new behind-the-shoulder camera perspective a la the Resident Evil remakes.

Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred

• Release Date — October 8, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Blizzard Entertainment, Inc./Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
• Genre — ARPG

Notably, October will also see the arrival of the promised first-story expansion to Diablo 4, Vessel of Hatred. While all that we’ve seen so far is the story trailer, Blizzard has at least given us plenty of information regarding what to expect. In addition to a brand new expansion to the map of Sanctuary, Vessel of Hatred will deliver the first new class to Diablo 4 – the Spiritborn. Again, not much is known about the Spiritborn and their playstyle or RPG class archetype, but here’s hoping that it’s somewhere between the Monk and Witch Doctor from Diablo 3. Aside from the new content Vessel of Hatred will deliver, players will also be getting plenty of updates to the base game of Diablo 4, including the addition of pets.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

• Release Date — October 10, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Bandai Namco/Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
• Genre — Fighting, Arena Fighting

After several genre offshoots, the Dragon Ball Z franchise is returning to its fighting roots with Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Zero. An arena fighter in the same vein as the classic Dragon Ball Z games in the Budokai Tenkaichi line of titles, Sparking! Zero is a 3D arena fighter with incredibly vibrant visuals and massive environments that do the anime and its characters justice. Though we’ve seen some Dragon Ball Z fighting games in recent years (including the phenomenal Dragon Ball FighterZ), it’s been almost 15 years since the release of the last mainline Budokai Tenkaichi game, making Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! Zero an exciting homecoming and return to form for the franchise.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

• Release Date — October 10, 2024
• Platforms — Nintendo Switch
• Publisher/Developer — Level-5/Level-5 Comcept
• Genre — RPG, Simulation, Crafting

Between the Dark Cloud series and the incredible duo of Ni no Kuni titles, Level-5 is no stranger to crafting phenomenal RPG experiences. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is the newest title from the developer and is set to arrive this October. Somewhat unsurprisingly, Fantasy Life i is a spin-off of another Level-5 game, the aptly named Fantasy Life, and is the first new entry in the franchise in 10 years. The original Fantasy Life was an excellent blend of role-playing game mechanics with life-sim and crafting elements, and Fantasy Life i looks to deliver more of that addictive mix on the Nintendo Switch. In the time between the release of the original Fantasy Life and Fantasy Life i the “life-sim RPG” subgenre has seen some massive successes, so it will be interesting to see how that crowd takes to the title.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

• Release Date — October 11, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Sega/Atlus
• Genre — RPG

One of the most exciting games to arrive this October is Sega and Atlus’ new JRPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Despite having a development team made up of veterans from the Persona series, Metaphor looks to be branching out in terms of its fantasy setting and unique spin on turn-based combat. Still, there are several core elements of the Persona series that are on bold display in Metaphor: ReFantazio. In addition to an obvious emphasis on a unique style and a compelling narrative, Metaphor features some of the most gorgeous art direction and UI design of any upcoming JRPG, seemingly continuing those trademarks of both the Persona series and its parent Shin Megami Tensei franchise.

Starship Troopers: Extermination

• Release Date — October 11, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Offworld/Offworld
• Genre — FPS, Co-Op

After several months in early access, Starship Troopers: Extermination is set to hit 1.0 and launch on consoles this October. The co-op PvE shooter was a massive hit on its initial launch into early access, but player counts have since dwindled somewhat in the face of Sony’s competing Helldivers 2. The success and player adoption of Helldivers 2 might make Starship Troopers: Extermination‘s console launch a case of “too little, too late”, but there are enough differences between the two to where it’s entirely possible that Extermination will find an audience. Regardless of whether Helldivers 2‘s success has beat Extermination to the punch, fans of the dark satire and bug-shooting mayhem of the Starship Troopers license will find plenty to sink their teeth into.

Undisputed

• Release Date — October 11, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Deep Silver/Steel City Interactive
• Genre — Sports, Boxing

It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten a dedicated boxing game, but Undisputed is looking to change that. The debut game from new studio Steel City Interactive, Undisputed aims to provide one of the most realistic and satisfying boxing simulations ever seen in the world of interactive media, and from what we’ve seen so far it looks to be on track to deliver. The last major AAA boxing game was 2011’s Fight Night Champion, and since then most combat sports games tend to stick to the worlds of MMA. Undisputed is clearly bucking some trends by focusing specifically on the “sweet science”. Further, its strong visuals and real-to-life mechanics make it a solid spiritual successor to the Fight Night series.

New World: Aeternum

• Release Date — October 15, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Amazon Games/Amazon Games
• Genre — MMORPG, Crafting, Survival, Open-World

It’s no secret that New World can’t seem to catch a break. Amazon Games’ ambitious open-world MMO went from being one of the most played games at launch to quickly becoming one of the gaming world’s most-reviled. New World: Aeternum looks to try and course-correct the title in two distinct ways. First, Aeternum is set to deliver a slew of updates and quality-of-life fixes that bring New World into a much better state. Second, Aeternum will see New World arriving on modern consoles for the first time after its PC exclusivity. The title is currently in a closed beta ahead of its October launch. That said, it remains to be seen whether Amazon’s investment in the MMO space will pay off.

Terminator: Survivors

• Release Date — October 24, 2024
• Platforms — PC
• Publisher/Developer — Nacon/Nacon Studio Milan
• Genre — Action, Shooter, Crafting, Survival, Open-World

There have been quite a few Terminator games, but none quite like Terminator: Survivors. As the name implies, Terminator: Survivors is the first open-world survival game set in James Cameron’s Terminator universe. So far, official screenshots and footage for the game have been scarce. What’s more, none of the initial footage shows a single Terminator. Regardless, Terminator: Survivors promises a co-op survival experience set in the post-apocalypse. Players will get to take on the role of a human resistance fighter as they struggle to survive the onslaught of the machines, and getting to play through the whole experience in co-op makes it even more enticing. Given Nacon’s track record with the Terminator franchise and other licensed properties (like Robocop), Terminator: Survivors‘ premise and execution just might end up being a survival game sleeper hit.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

• Release Date — October 25, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Activision/Treyarch, Raven Software
• Genre — FPS

The biggest release of October 2024 is, without a doubt, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Whether you’re a lapsed Call of Duty player, have never played, or are a series veteran, there’s plenty to be excited about with Black Ops 6. Aside from the excellent multiplayer that millions flock to the franchise for, Black Ops 6 is promising one of the best single-player campaigns the franchise has seen in years. Additionally, Zombies mode is back with a whole slew of new additions right out of the gate. Black Ops 6 also marks the first Call of Duty game since Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision/Blizzard. As such, the title will launch on Game Pass day 1, making it a historic title in the trajectory of the gaming industry.

Sonic x Shadow Generations

• Release Date — October 25, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
• Publisher/Developer — Sega/Sonic Team
• Genre — Platformer

Sonic fans are eating well in this generation. Not only did they get Sonic Frontiers and last year’s excellent (and underrated) Sonic Superstars, but they also have Sonic x Shadow Generations to look forward to in October. Sonic x Shadow reintroduces everyone’s favorite/least-favorite edgy Sonic character as a companion character, and the game looks to blend the best parts of two distinct eras of the franchise. Right alongside traditional 2D levels reminiscent of the early Sonic games are brand-new 3D stages that call to mind the 6th and 7th generation Sonic titles. Now the only question is whether it will include third-person shooting stages like the ridiculously over-the-top Shadow the Hedgehog.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure

• Release Date — October 29, 2024
• Platforms — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
• Publisher/Developer — Square Enix/Deck Nine Games
• Genre — Adventure, Narrative

The always-interesting Life is Strange series is back once again with a new spin-off this October. This time, Life is Strange: Double Exposure puts players in control of a new protagonist who can shift between two alternate timelines to try and solve a murder. The Life is Strange series is traditionally one that fans can look to for excellent writing and character development coupled with some satisfying adventure gameplay, and Double Exposure‘s recent reveal indicates that it is in step with the rest of the franchise. Interestingly, Double Exposure marks developer Deck Nine’s first tenure with the franchise (taking over for Don’t Nod), but Deck Nine’s pedigree of delivering excellent narrative-lead adventure games means it’s in good hands.

Slipgate

• Release Date — October 31, 2024
• Platforms — PC
• Publisher/Developer — Madness Studio/Madness Studio
• Genre — FPS, Boomer Shooter

The burgeoning boomer shooter subgenre of FPS is getting a new entry in October courtesy of Slipgate. Since the game’s demo launch last November, it’s earned some positive early impressions. In terms of its visuals and atmosphere, Slipgate is certainly erring more on the side of Quake than Doom, but its shooting and enemy density seemingly owe a lot to the Serious Sam franchise. Slipgate is hitting all the right notes to be another high mark in the field of boomer shooters.

No More Room In Hell 2

• Release Date — October 31, 2024
• Platforms — PC
• Publisher/Developer — Torn Banner Studios/Torn Banner Studios
• Genre — FPS, Co-Op

It’s hard to think of a better release date than Halloween for No More Room In Hell 2. This co-op zombie-shooting FPS title boasts some incredible visuals that are a significant step up from its predecessor along with an exciting premise. Rather than taking players through a set campaign, No More Room In Hell 2 is a procedurally generated zombie apocalypse with survival mechanics. Essentially, players can endlessly replay scenario after scenario with up to several friends, shooting zombies and trying to survive by any means. With the threat of permadeath hanging over every new character, No More Room In Hell 2 is looking to be a zombie game with an appropriate amount of tension.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Metaphor: ReFantazio key art.