The big-budget lineup for October's release calendar is packed: Gears of War and Castlevania both get new entries, and Call of Duty, Phantom Blade Zero, Switch Sports Resort, Final Fantasy Resonance, Valor Mortis and Star Wars: Galactic Racer are all on the schedule. Ace Combat is also arriving, and critics are already calling it one of the year’s strongest releases.
I left all of them off my list. These are the five smaller titles I’m making room for this month.
Ten years on, Jonathan Blow returns
1. Order of the Sinking Star. A decade has gone by since The Witness, which I still think of as a masterpiece. Blow’s next project is also a puzzle game, and it’s a large one.
I won’t pretend Blow isn’t divisive, because he is. As a designer, though, he’s one of the best, and I’m curious to see what he’s made this time.
Horror with a Twin Peaks feel
2. Silver Pines. This survival horror metroidvania is set in an odd little town, and its art direction is superb. Its influences are Resident Evil, Silent Hill and Twin Peaks.
I can’t say whether it will be any good. I’m interested in it all the same.
A playable road movie
3. Forever Ago. After a personal tragedy, a 70-year-old man sets off on a journey, and you play as him. I’m not sure what the gaming name for a road movie is, but this looks like one.
The emotional side is my only concern. I hope the game earns its feelings and doesn’t force them.
All the driving, none of the racing
4. Over the Hill. This exploration game is built around a 4×4 and comes from the people behind The Art of Rally. Lately I’ve grown a little tired of racing games, but I still love driving games.
Given who made it, it’s no surprise that it looks great. Its world also looks like somewhere I’d enjoy exploring.
The one I’ve already tried
5. The Séance of Blake Manor. It launched on PC last year, and I loved the first few hours I played.
I really don’t like gaming on my PC, though, so I held out for the console release. It comes to PS5, Xbox Series and Switch 2 on Oct. 27. Don’t pass on it if detective games are your thing.
Oct. 8 will blow up my schedule
Order of the Sinking Star, Silver Pines, Forever Ago and Hellraiser all come out on Oct. 8. That’s likely the busiest release day of the year for me. You might want to keep that evening free.