Keeping track of all the latest video games coming out is an increasingly complex task, what with multiple PC storefronts, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile, and more to keep track of, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every month I'll be running down the games you need to be keeping an eye on, from the big triple-A headliners, to the intriguing indies you might overlook.
While the holiday gaming season hasn’t started quite yet, things definitely pick up in September, with major titles like Starfield, Mortal Kombat 1, Lies of P, and the big annual sports franchises NBA 2K24 and EA Sports FC 24. Meanwhile, on the indie front we have the intense WWI horror game Ad Infinitum, mind-bendy puzzle-adventure game Cocoon, and more.
Note: While I may have played demos or got early access to some of the games recommended in this article, in most cases I’m simply choosing games that look promising, and can’t vouch for the end product. Do wait for reviews before buying!
That said, here are the games you should be looking out for in September…
The Headliners
Starfield (PC & Xbox Series X/S, Sept. 6)
Bethesda Game Studios’ first original IP in 25 years, the hugely ambitious sci-fi RPG Starfield, is almost here. Starfield is trying to be everything to everyone, offering up a full Bethesda RPG experience, intense shooting action, and space exploration set in a procedurally generated galaxy stuffed with over 1000 planets. Will Starfield live up to the hype? We’ll have to wait and see, but early indications are positive. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about the game. You can pre-order Starfield here.
NBA 2K24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 8)
Another year, another round of the most dependable hoops game in town. NBA 2K24 promises a number of new features, including a Kobe-Bryan-focused “Mamba Moments” mode similar to the Jordan Challenge of years past, the ProPlay animation system that translates moves from real-life games, and crossplay. Last year’s NBA 2K was excellent, so it’s very unlikely this one’s an air ball. You can pre-order NBA 2K24 here.
The Crew Motorfest (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 14)
The Crew series returns, and this time around Ubisoft is narrowing their focus somewhat. Instead of trying to loosely simulate all of America, The Crew Motorfest sets its racing action on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Will this game be on he same level as something like Forza Horizon? Probably not, but if you’re looking for a virtual Hawaiian vacation, it looks like a solid bet. You can pre-order The Crew Motorfest here.
Lies of P (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 19)
If you had asked people a few years ago, I doubt any of them would have predicted we’d one day get a hardcore Soulslike based on Pinocchio, and yet, here we are. Coming to us from Korean developer Neowiz Games, Lies of P looks like one of the most stylish Dark Souls wannabees to come along in a while, let’s just hope it measures up on the gameplay front. You can pre-order Lies of P here.
Mortal Kombat 1 (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 19)
It’s time for another reboot, as NetherRealm Studios has gone back to the drawing board and come back with the somewhat-awkwardly-titled Mortal Kombat 1. This time around, we’re doing a tag-team gimmick, with main roster fighters being able to team up with “Kameo” fighters who can be summoned to the fight to provide some quick assistance. In addition to that, expect a new storyline, rollback Netcode, and yes, the absolute most disgusting Fatalities in MK history. You can pre-order Mortal Kombat 1 here.
Payday 3 (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Sept. 21)
The development of Payday 3 has been a rocky one, to say the least, with the game originally announced all the way back in 2016. At a certain point, it seemed like Payday publisher Starbreeze may go under, but they managed to survive, and lo and behold, Payday 3 is finally arriving. The game doesn’t really look to reinvent the wheel, but it should provide more of the fun co-op heist action the franchise is known for with more modern tech under the hood. You can pre-order Payday 3 here.
EA Sports FC 24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 29)
Wait a minute… EA Sports FC 24? What the heck is that? Yes, after threatening it for a while, EA finally dumped the FIFA branding. That said, while it doesn’t roll off the tongue nearly as well, EA Sports FC 24 should be the same solid footie experience you’ve come to know. You can pre-order EA Sports FC 24 here.
Promising Indies
Land Above Sea Below (PC, Sept. 13)
Tile-based building sims aren’t exactly rare, but Land Above Sea Below brings an interesting gimmick to the table. You goal is to build your chill little island getaway while taking into account constantly-rising sea levels. Look for synergies between titles and fight against the rising tide. Here’s the Steam page for Land Above Sea Below.
Ad Infinitum (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Sept. 14)
Ad Infinitum from developer Hekate offers a premise I guarantee you haven’t experienced before. The game casts players as a shell-shocked German World War I veteran and is split between atmospheric P.T.-flavored horror and intense monster-packed Outlast-style flashbacks set amongst the horrors of trench warfare. Of course, expect the two sides of Ad Infinitum to blur in ways that will keep you on your toes. Here’s the Steam page for Ad Infinitum.
Thunder Ray (PC, Sept. 14)
To this day, the Punch-Out games remain some of the most addictively simple challenges out there, and yet, very few games have managed to replicate their charms. Well, Thunder Ray may be the exception. Featuring a badass art style and super-fluid animation, you’ll want to go a few rounds with this one. Here’s the Steam page for Thunder Ray.
Cocoon (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 29)
Coming from Jeppe Carlsen, lead gameplay designer of indie classics Limbo and Inside, comes Cocoon, a super-stylish new isometric action-adventure. Cocoon’s mind-bending gimmick allows you to seamlessly jump between worlds that you can actually carry as an orb on your back. Expect this one to exercise your grey matter, folks. Here’s the Steam page for Cocoon.
Full List of Games Worth Watching in September:
- Chants of Sennaar (PC, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 5)
- Girl Genius: Adventures In Castle Heterodyne (Sept. 5)
- Rune Factory 3 Special (PC & Switch, Sept. 5)
- Starfield (PC & Xbox Series X/S, Sept. 6)
- Rugby 24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 7)
- Synched (PC, Sept. 7; Xbox Series X/S & PS5 coming soon)
- The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo (PC, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 7; Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S coming soon)
- Anonymous;Code (PC, PS4 & Switch, Sept. 8)
- Fae Farm (PC & Switch, Sept. 8)
- NBA 2K24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 8)
- Mary Skelter Finale (PC, Sept. 12)
- MythForce (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 12)
- Land Above Sea Below (PC, Sept. 13)
- Super Bomberman R 2 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 13)
- Ad Infinitum (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Sept. 14)
- Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster (Switch, Sept. 14)
- Deceit 2 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 14)
- Fading Afternoon (PC & Switch, Sept. 14)
- The Crew Motorfest (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 14)
- Thunder Ray (PC, Sept. 14)
- Ugly (PC & Switch, Sept. 14)
- Kallax (PC, Sept. 18)
- Lies of P (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 19)
- Mortal Kombat 1 (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 19)
- Party Animals (PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S, Sept. 20)
- Eternights (PC, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 21)
- Payday 3 (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Sept. 21)
- Rin: The Last Child (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 21)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender - Quest for Balance (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 22)
- Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 26)
- Mineko's Night Market (PC & Switch, Sept. 26)
- Train Sim World 4 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, Sept. 26)
- Disney Speedstorm (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 28)
- Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 28)
- Overpass 2 (PC, Xbox Series X/S & PS5, Sept. 28)
- Pizza Possum (PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 28)
- Cocoon (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 29)
- EA Sports FC 24 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 29)
- Fate/Samurai Remnant (PC, PS4, PS5 & Switch, Sept. 29)
And those are the games you should be keeping an eye on this coming month. What games are you planning to pick up in September? Did I miss anything you’re looking forward to?
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