The end of the year is fast approaching as are the release dates for two of the most anticipated games of the year. Those two titles will be fighting it out in November but that doesn’t mean October releases are giving gamers a break. The monthly games guide for October is one of the longest this year, which means there are several things for everyone out there. From new installments in beloved franchises to new stories, remasters, and indies, October is showing that 2026 has no plans of slowing down when it comes to incredible games.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
The Federation of Central Usea has fallen. It is July 2029 and adrift the Endurance, an outdated aircraft, are refugees who have fled the occupied nation. The main character is a pilot, lost at sea, and recovered by the Endurance. You become the hope of all aboard and all that remains, taking on the mantle of “Wings of Theve”, named after the FCU capital. But the legend of the ace tied to it is a lie spread to keep morale up. Despite this, you alongside three new comrades must take to the skies and fight for your lost homeland. For those who can’t wait, the deluxe edition offers early access a full three days before the release alongside a premium Ace Pass Plus voucher and a customizable cosmetics set.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release Date: October 2
Gears of War: E-Day
Jump back in time 14years before the first game in the series to experience the day that started it all. Emergence Day. Join both Dominic Santiago and Marcus Fenix as they face the horror of the eruption of the Locus Horde. Face reimagined enemies, more dangerous and dark iterations of familiar foes from the past. But you don’t always have to go it alone. Step into multiplayer in PvE Horde Siege mode or try out brand new maps and 4v4 PvP modes. Beloved gameplay and combat from before haven’t been changed but instead enhanced with up-to-date movement and traversal. This includes the return of beloved classic weaponry alongside new weapons built for the brutality of this modernized take on Gears of War.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release Date: October 6
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
The Galaxy has finally been shaken free of The Empire and as societies rebuild and look to futures much brighter than before, new hobbies emerge. A new past time emerges in the form of high-speed racing and the gambling that comes along with it. The Galactic League emerges, an unsanctioned racing league on the lawless outer rim. Syndicates sponsor pilots in these high-stake races where only those who have the speed and skill reign supreme. Players can expect a story-driven campaign experience alongside PvP grudge matches where you’re a loss away from losing it all. Varying vehicles such as landspeeders, podracers, and more await. Choose your racer, your ride, go forth and claim your place across multiple planets and tracks. With a standard, deluxe, and stunning collector’s edition there are plenty of ways to enjoy this upcoming Star Wars title.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release Date: October 6
Neon Abyss 2
The Grim Squad, a task force put together by none other than Hades himself, descends into New Athens. A neon-drenched cyberpunk dystopia, the goal is to oust the New Gods. These New Gods are a mix of mechanical monsters and deities of rather odd things such as the gods of fast food. This colorful, fast-paced roguelike has plenty of variation for playstyles and combat across a stunning pixel art backdrop. From sabers to more classic weapons and item synergies with no end, players can take on the challenge as a solo player or in a new online co-op option. A team of up to four players can run amok in this run-and-gun platformer.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2
Release Date: October 8
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival
This latest chapter in the world of Hellraiser aims to take first-person action horror to another level. Players take on the role of Aiden, wielding the power of the Genesis Configuration. This mysterious puzzle box is used in aid of his girlfriend, Sunny, who is trapped in the hellish world that is the Labyrinth. The Genesis Configuration is not the only weapon that this pair can use to secure her safety. Conventional weapons play a role in the fight against cultists, deviants, and more. Be ready for Hellraiser and horror like you’ve not experienced before.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2
Release Date: October 8
Kingdom Hearts Collection I-III
Grab your keyblade and get ready! The Kingdom Hearts Collection is bringing the entirety of the Dark Seeker Saga to modern platforms for fans to enjoy all in one place. The collection spans Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind. Platform bonuses unlock a special in-game weapon that varies depending on where you choose to play. For fans who already own one or more of the individual titles in this collection, a 50% discount is available for those choosing to pick the game up on Switch 2. There isn’t a better time to step in as a new fan or come back and enjoy some of your favorite tales once again.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
Release Date: October 8
Forever Ago
Forever Ago positions itself to pull on your heartstrings in this single-player story. Play as Alfred, an old man and his Vanogan, embarking on a trip full of beautiful and painful memories. The trip is his attempt at redemption in light of tragic circumstances. Unlike other games where the main character wields a weapon of some sort, Alfred has his camera. Taking photos is but one way to interact with the world. Environmental puzzles await at each locale he visits that unlock his past in poignant cut scenes. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters that all play a role in this bittersweet tale. Interested in an in-depth look at the first thirty-minutes? Check that out here.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2
Release Date: October 8
Truckful
Explore picturesque countryside as you deliver items and complete errands for the townsfolk in a quaint but mysterious town. Load efficiently and drive as carefully as you can to ensure timely and deliveries. But there is more to this world than simply going to and fro, running errands. Deep within the old forest awaits something ominous, ready to derail your delivery attempts. Appease the townfolk, watch out for errant sheep, and solve the mysteries that unravel in this gorgeous indie by MythicOwl.
Platforms: PC
Release Date: October 9
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen
Dark Arisen picks up where the original title leaves off, but with new tales for players to enjoy. This DLC seeks to hit the mark for three goals created by the development team: enhanced gameplay, expanded adventures, and enticing value. To achieve these three goals, three major additions are coming for players. The first is a new tale and side quests awaiting in a brand new location – Forsaken Dominion. Another addition are 12 dungeon challenges known as the Lost Rites where legendary treasure awaits. Finally, a welcome addition to character creation with brand new hairstyles and tattoo options to really make your character feel like your own. This release will also herald the debut of the base game plus the Dark Arisen DLC for the first time to Switch 2.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2
Release Date: October 9
Valor Mortis
Enter a world rife with war and supernatural beings in this alternate 19th-century Europe inspired world. The story hinges around William Dowsett, a deceased soldier of Napolean’s Grande Armee who doesn’t stay dead. He discovers he is not alone in his reanimation and that a plague has spread across the continent, birthing monsters in its wake. Combining both souls-like and Metroidvania elements, follow the corrupted power within alongside the voice of Bonaparte himself as players seek to understand this brutal world. Combat is a mixture of ranged and close weaponry paired with strange abilities as players seek to discover the secrets of a blood-drenched and demented world.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release Date: October 13
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
Twenty-three years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse comes this epic new tale in the series. Belmont’s Curse is a 2D action-exploration game featuring fast and fluid gameplay alongside the growth of Rose Belmont. The year is 1499, Paris has burned and monsters run the streets. Trevor and his daughter, Rose, venture forth armed with the Vampire Killer, a legendary whip to keep them safe. However, Rose is mixed into a dark conspiracy that threatens Paris’s continued existence. Can she stand against it?
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch
Release Date: October 15
Tales of Eternia Remastered
Return to two intertwined worlds, Infernia and Celestia, whose destruction is imminent. Reid Hershel, Farah Oersted, Keele Zeibel, and Meredy must somehow stop an incoming calamity known as the “Great Fall” which, if not stopped, will result in these two worlds colliding. The core storytelling of this emotional tale remains the same in this beautiful remaster. Returning players can expect enhanced visuals, exciting battles, and the story that made them fall in love with it all. If you’ve been interested in Tales of Eternia, the remaster is an excellent starting point.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch, Switch 2
Release Date: October 16
Tenebris Somnia
Tenebris Somnia, Latin for “dreams of darkness” is a 2D retro survival horror game arriving just in time for spooky season. The art is reminiscent of old NES games, utilizing an 8-bit/16-bit visual style. However, cut scenes are live action featuring real actors. Inspired by both Silent Hill and Resident Evil, play as Julia, a woman who has descended into a terrifying parallel dimension. Her ex-boyfriend, Ivan, is somewhere within and she must ask herself if what she’s living is real or simply a nightmare as she seeks to rescue him.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch, Switch 2
Release Date: October 16
Final Fantasy Resonance
Whether a longtime Final Fantasy fan or someone looking for a solid starting point, Resonance may just be that game. Created as a self-contained narrative, no prior knowledge of other games is required to enjoy this tale. The story follows Rain, a Grandshelt airship knight, and his deputy, Lasswell, as they attempt to protect the world’s crystal barriers from the Veritas of Dark. The pair was also joined by Fina and Lid as they stand against this mysterious force. Resonance is the first in the franchise to make use of HD-2D pixel-art. It does hail to its roots in the use of turn-based combat and allows for the usage of iconic characters from Final Fantasy’s legacy such as Cloud or Zidane. Each of these characters, known as “Visions” have unique powers, passives, and limit breaks. Build your team and take on the force that seeks to leave everything in ruin.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch, Switch 2
Release Date: October 22
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort
With holidays coming, every family could use a party game to bring the family – blood, found, or otherwise – together. Look no further than Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. Set on Wuhu Island enjoy 12 motion-controlled sports solo or up to a party of four. Explore the island in varying ways: on the open waters, across the resort utilizing a skateboard, or in the skies. As you travel, challenges will pop up along the way. If you’re itching for some competition, hope into the Island Crown competitive mode. This single-player venture competes across nine sports as you climb to the top. But before you dive into single player or co-op games, enjoy deep customizations to ensure your Mii is exactly how you like them.
Platforms: Switch 2
Release Date: October 22
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
Call of Duty returns to the world of Modern Warfare in this year’s installment in the franchise. On one side of the world, the Korean Peninsula is in turmoil as an invasion on North Korea’s behalf seeks to threaten the world at large. The front lines contain a squad of South Korea soldiers desperately trying to stay alive. Across the world another war is fought. This time waged by Captain Price, filled with vengeance as he attempts to stay ahead of those who seek to stop him. Alongside this thrilling campaign comes the PvP Call of Duty is known for. Multiple modes and maps await with weapons new and old for players to enjoy. And for those who missed the extraction action of DMZ, miss it no longer, as it is returning. The Vault edition awaits the most excited for this title. It unlocks campaign access a week prior to release alongside a list of goodies detailed here .
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch 2
Release Date: October 23
Village in the Shade
If cozy games call to you as soon as autumn hits, Village in the Shade may just be that game. At its core it’s a cozy farm sim in an adorable animated world where you can raise livestock and crops, fish, hunt, and make friends with the others who live in your village. Despite the cute and cozy, there is something a little off about this idyllic village. Exists a set of rules passed down for generations, a strict code, that if broken reaps awful consequences. But if that isn’t your thing, fear not, as you can put your game in Peaceful Life Mode where it’s impossible to break the code. If that’s not your thing, set forth on a different mode and don’t break the code! ….Or do and reap what you sow.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2
Release Date: October 27
Emberville
Another cozy game awaits in Emberville, the first game from Cygnus Cross. This adorable pixel adventure has all the trappings of a cozy game: homesteading, farming, and crafting. But it also has fun combat and dungeon crawling earning it the comparison of “Stardew meets Diablo.” In the world of Emberville you wake up, not knowing who you are, where you are, or how you got there. Slowly you discover, with some help along the way, that you were trapped in the Vitromotus, a massive underground world used as a prison where death is not the end. Fighting your way through, earning weapon, armor, and skill upgrades along the way, you get some answers to your many questions. Eventually you escape, with more help, and find yourself in the town of Emberville. It’s in ruins and this is where the farm sim element comes into play. With charming pixel art, smooth gameplay, and a truly star-studded cast of voice actors, Emberville is a do not miss game this fall. I was lucky to get a hands-on preview of the prologue, and you can find my thoughts here.
Platforms: PC
Release Date: October 27
Phantom Blade Zero
Dive into the dark wuxian world in this beautiful RPG. For those who don’t know “wuxian” is a blending of traditional Chinese Wuxia martial arts fiction that centers around a cynical, morally grey world instead of one that is idealistic and noble. And so is the world of Soul, the main character. Soul is an assassin for The Order who finds himself framed for the murder of the patriarch. The resulting chaos finds him wounded and he is healed with a tainted heart, giving Soul only 66 days to live. With 30 primary weapons and 25 secondaries, players have a massive arsenal to choose from as they seek to right Soul’s fate. The world is neither open nor truly linear, but instead regions woven together to aid in telling Soul’s story.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Release Date: October 28
The Wolf Among Us Remastered
Telltale is bringing back one of their most decorated narrative adventures. Return to or experience for the very first time this neon-noir thriller inspired by the Fables comic series. Play as Sheriff Bigby Wolf working on a grisly murder that is covering up a massive conspiracy that risks the balance between Fabletown and the “regular” world. And be careful what decisions you make as each ripple out into consequences for Bigby Wolf and those around him. Too many wrong choices and Fabletown may lose its trust in Bigby Wolf. This remaster features all five episodes as well as a new noir mode, depicting the tale in black-and-white noir. Switch between this mode and the stunning remastered art at will. While the story remains unchanged, lighting, animation, the environments in-game, and its presentation have all been modernized and enhanced to bring this tale into the two thousand twenties.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch
Release Date: October 28
