What are the biggest games in September 2022? Well, at first glance, this month looks a little dry on the AAA triple front, with offerings like FIFA 23, NBA 2K23 and The Last of Us Part 1 remake. The latter launched exclusively on PS5 with major technical improvements, revisiting the journey of an unlikely duo amidst a zombie apocalypse. And who said rhythm games were dead? This month, you can dive into Metal: Hellsinger, a Doom-like FPS where you destroy fiendish enemies while rock music blasts in the background.
Those looking for a Souls-like experience might opt for Steelrising – an RPG set during the French Revolution where you destroy hordes of mechanical armies. Think of it as Bloodborne meets an ax, but is more hack-and-slash oriented. Sports fans are eating well too, with the aforementioned NBA 2K23 and FIFA 23 console and PC. This time around, the football simulation game arrives with cross-play support, allowing for seamless play between Xbox, PlayStation and PC systems.
Portable gaming enthusiasts can rejoice, as Splatoon 3 comes to the Nintendo Switch, letting you splash colors in a deserted metropolitan city. At the end of the month, you can dive into the cozy embrace of Slime Rancher 2 as you suck up adorable slime bubbles on the new Rainbow Island.
The last of us part 1
When: September 2nd
Where: PS5
Rebuilt from the ground up, Naughty Dog’s remake of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic zombie survivor game is coming to PlayStation 5. The story follows a grizzled loner Joel, who after the loss of his daughter, becomes depressed and takes to the art of bootlegging. When tasked with escorting a teenage Ellie, he crosses paths with numerous life-threatening figures and situations, becoming a father figure to her. This remake weaves together the same emotional tale of the unlikely pair, while inviting a host of improvements on the technical side.
The PS5 hardware ensures that The Last of Us Part 1 remake plays in a stunning 4K, offering 60fps on dynamic settings. Mainstays like the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and trigger effects will be retained, with revisions to the character model and art design in the veins of the bloody, award-winning sequel. Improvements are also seen to the enemy AI, and it lists a new “permanent death” mode for masochists. That’s on top of the massive amount of accessibility features – 60 options – geared towards people who are visually or hearing impaired.
Naughty Dog also has a PC version in store for us, but there are no details on a release date.
The Last of Us Part 1 PS5 Review: Absolutely Gorgeous, But Expensive
Steelrising
When: September 8
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Fighting mechanical soldiers in the 1700s as a ballerina turned bodyguard, Aegis is ready to save the French Revolution. Developed by Spiders and published by Nucon, Steelrising is set in 1789, when King Louis XVI is trampling the French Revolution with his army of automatons. Unlike the rest of the automatons, Aegis was designed by Vaucanson to protect the queen. Now, she’s on a mission to defend the revolution from the king’s wrath and fight his mechanical army.
In this RPG, players will play as Aegis the automaton to be part of an alternate history and change it. Using carriages, claws and hidden passages, players will have the chance to explore France during the revolution. As Aegis, you’ll be able to use a variety of weapons and abilities to defeat bosses and other automatons that work for the king.
NBA 2K23
When: September 9
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch
The latest edition of one of the most popular basketball games, NBA 2K23 from 2K Games features Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker as the cover star. The upcoming title will add a new set of skill-based offensive moves for more effective attacks at the basket, and will let you use new one-on-one mechanics for better defensive play. You can participate in matches on a huge cruise ship, which will give you rewards.
With NBA 2K23, the publisher is also bringing back the Jordan Challenge, an immersive experience that debuted in NBA 2K11. This mode comes with era-specific visuals that will showcase MJ’s impressive growth from college basketball star to international superstar, along with immersive Jordan Challenges.
Pre-ordering the game will also grant access to 5,000 in virtual currency, 5,000 MyTEAM points, MyTEAM promo packs, a Devin Booker MyPLAYER shirt and other digital collectibles, according to 2K Games.
Splatoon 3
When: September 9
Where: Nintendo Switch
Nintendo’s upcoming third-person shooter is the third entry in the series, just like the name says. Splatoon 3 will let you play as an Octoling or an Inkling, with the ability to transform into a squid or an octopus respectively. You can then shoot ink at each other using weapons designed to resemble everyday items, each with varying levels of effectiveness in dispensing ink. You’ll start in the new Splatsville hub, while the single-player mode’s story is based in a location called Alterna.
While the game lets you choose your main weapon and sub weapons before a match, it’s worth noting that “ammo” is limited, and you have to morph into humanoid form and swim in ink to replenish it. The publisher revealed in February that Splatoon 3 will also feature a co-op mode that lets players team up, which will join Turf War, the online multiplayer game mode that pits two teams of four players against each other.
Metal: Hellsinger
When: September 15th
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
Developer The Outsider and Funcom are introducing Metal: Hellsinger, a rhythm-based first-person shooter. The game requires you to shoot your enemies to the sound of rock metal music playing in the background. Metal: Hellsinger takes players through eight hells, where they are forced to battle demons and demons.
Players will be able to unlock special challenges and compete through Torment Realms to climb the leaderboards. To defeat The Red Judge, the player will have to fight The Infernal Planes, Voke and Stygia. The developer calls The Infernal Planes a union of a thousand hells. The game features original metal soundtracks, so you fight your way to the top, to the sound of rock music.
slime rancher 2
When: September 22nd
Where: PC, Xbox Series S/X
A sequel to the 2017 indie hit Slime Rancher, Slime Rancher 2 is set in the new location of Rainbow Island. Continuing your journey as Beatrix LeBeau, you will create a new ranch in the vibrant surroundings of this mysterious island. This sandbox experience revolves around you exploring the vast prismatic expanse to collect and craft slimes.
Along the way, LeBeau will meet some of his old friends. You can also upgrade your gear, build gadgets and expand your ranch. Slime Rancher 2 also features several never-before-seen slimes such as the bouncy cotton slime and the water fisherman slime.
FIFA 23
When: September 30th
Where: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Stadia, Nintendo Switch
Thanks to new demands from the global footballing body, FIFA 23 is set to be the last game in EA Sports’ decades-old franchise. Starting next year, it will be called EA Sports FC.
With FIFA 23, the physics of the game have been updated using HyperMotion2 technology, with features like Technical Dribbling and Active Touch. And this time, HyperMotion (2) is also coming to PC, after being ignored last year.
The Manager Career and Player Career modes also come with a bunch of new features. A new Dynamic Moments feature can trigger more cinematic scenes during your player and manager careers. The transfer system has also been reworked.
Additionally, FIFA 23 finally offers the ability to customize your team’s third kit and goalkeeper kit. EA Sports has also promised free post-launch updates that will bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand tournaments into the game.
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