If you thought September was a big month for new releases, then you ain’t seen nothing yet. As the days tick down to the November launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, numerous games are looking to avoid being caught in the blast radius of the year’s biggest release, which has led to an absolutely stacked October. Between original releases, sequels, and hot indie games, the next couple of weeks are loaded with options across a wide variety of genres and ideas. You can check out our top picks below, and if you want to see what’s closing out the year, you can also read through our list of upcoming 2026 games.
Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered
- Release date: October 1
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
We’re suckers for a good Dynasty Warriors game, as these one-against-too-damn-many-enemies simulators are perfect for when you want to turn your brain off and revel in being a battlefield badass. There have been many games in the series over the years, and Dynasty Warriors 3 is often considered a high point for the series, as it further refined its musou formula. If you’ve never played it, you can grab this new remaster, which enhances the original with Unreal Engine 5 graphics, numerous gameplay tweaks, and plenty of cannon-fodder troops to mow down.
Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition
- Release date: October 1
- Platforms: PS5
Ghost of Yotei fans can look forward to a whole lot of new content for the game–like the new narrative expansion Echoes of Sekigahara and the new combat-survival mode–but if you haven’t played it yet, now is a fine time to grab the game’s Complete Edition. This $70 version of the game gets you all of that new content, as well as the base game, the online co-op mode Ghost of Yotei Legends, and all of the Digital Deluxe Edition content.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
- Release date: October 2
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
In the mood to take a trip to the danger zone? You can do just that in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, Bandai Namco’s long-running aerial-action series. This new entry in the franchise will let you take to the skies to participate in dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through the ranks to earn your wings. Developer Project Aces has done its homework to push the series to new heights with Wings of Theve, and when you’re not in the cockpit, there’s a first-person story mode to experience.
Aion 2
- Release date: October 5
- Platforms: PC
Aion 2 wants to be the one game where the sky isn’t the limit, as Developer NCSoft has made verticality a key part of the MMORPG. Built on Unreal Engine 5 across a world that NCSoft says is up to 36 times bigger than the original Aion, combat is built around seamlessly chaining skills–on or above the ground–adapting to encounters, and using precision timing to triumph. The game also looks visually stunning thanks to its Unreal Engine 5 visuals, and you can expect to dive into over 200 dungeons after you’re done spending a few hours in the highly detailed character creator.
Gears of War: E-day
- Release date: October 6
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
After seven years, Gears of War is back and ready to tell the story of humanity’s first, disastrous encounter with the Locust. So far, it looks like the campaign will harken back to the horror-inspired roots of the first game as you fight through several days of hell, using an arsenal of classic weapons and completely overhauled gameplay mechanics. Multiplayer is where Gears of War: E-day looks like it’ll really shine, as alongside classic PvP, the new Horde Siege mode looks like a playground for creating unique stories as teams fight against the odds to accomplish various objectives and at least one Smash Mouth-inspired Achievement.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer
- Release date: October 6
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
We’ve had several Star Wars racing games in the past, but Star Wars: Galactic Racer looks like it’ll stand out from the pack by cribbing a few ideas from successful genres and throwing in some Burnout influences for good measure. Developer Fuse Games is aiming to evolve the racing-game genre by fusing roguelite progression and replayability with high-speed competition, while also showing what the citizens get up to for fun when they’re not dealing with warring empires on a daily basis. Just remember: Sebulba did nothing wrong.
Hellraiser: Revival
- Release date: October 8
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
In a welcome change of pace, a cult-classic horror franchise from the ’80s and ’90s is getting a video game adaptation, and it’s not an asynchronous multiplayer title. Instead, Hellraiser: Revival looks and plays like a very horny Resident Evil, as you’re thrown into a struggle for survival against Pinhead and his Cenobite goons–and all in the name of love. Saber Interactive has been promising a fresh spin on Clive Barker’s books and film adaptations that is designed to make you feel uncomfortable–one that holds nothing back and isn’t afraid to create a realm of pure, gory torment. No tears please! It’s a waste of good suffering.
Silver Pines
- Release date: October 8
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
Time for some horror, and Silver Pines looks like an intriguing new game to check out if you’re looking for some metroidvania-inspired suspense. Billed as a love letter to classic survival-horror games, Silver Pines follows an investigator caught up in a dark web of intrigue as they have to slug it out with the terror lurking in a small town and solve the puzzles blocking their progress. The game oozes atmosphere with its eye-catching art direction, and you’ll also need to carefully manage your scarce resources as the darkness creeps up on you.
Legion Was Here
- Release date: October 13
- Platforms: PC
What’s the coolest part of the Mission: Impossible movies? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not watching Tom Cruise tempt fate with a risky stunt, but those glorious disguises. Legion Was Here captures that charm, as you’ll need to use your skills to steal faces and impersonate dangerous individuals to survive deadly conversations in this dark-comedy spy deduction game. If you’re the kind of person who spends far too long in the character-creation part of games, then you’ll get a kick out of Legion Was Here.
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen
- Release date: October 9
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
In case you thought Capcom was done after releasing four big games this year, think again. Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is an expanded version of the sequel, featuring a new region to explore and enhanced gameplay. Set in the long-abandoned region of Norgan, players will join forces with the enigmatic Eir and journey to unravel the secrets of the undying Fallen Dragon.
Valor Mortis
- Release date: October 13
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Your typical soulslike is a third-person adventure, but can shifting to first-person shake up that formula? That’s an interesting premise from Ghostrunner developer One More Level, as the studio is reimagining the Napoleonic Wars through a lens of challenging combat and mutated soldiers who’d look right at home in a Resident Evil game if it took place during the Battle of Waterloo. One other ace that the game has up its sleeve is its price; as compared to the other $70 releases coming this month, Valor Mortis will set you back just $40, and it’s a day-one Game Pass title.
Planet Zoo 2
- Release date: October 13
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
The first Planet Zoo game tasked players with building a planet-sized sanctuary for all creatures big and small, and the sequel looks like it’ll expand considerably on that idea. Even more tools will be at your disposal to help with your conservationist creativity, and the game’s menagerie will include new aquatic and flying species.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2
- Release date: October 14
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
The first Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun game was a fun throwback to the past with its boomer-shooter design, and it looks like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 isn’t straying far from that established formula. More guns and more enemies to turn into pixelated giblets sounds like a fun time, and to seal the deal on its heavy metal influences, the game even features a musical cameo by none other than Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal composer Mick Gordon. The sequel is slightly switching things up, as you can choose to play as either Ultramarine Malum Caedo or Battle Sister Nyra Veyrath when you take on the daemonic demigod Vashtorr and hordes of enemies from the Warp.
Over the Hill
- Release date: October 14
- Platforms: PC
If you enjoyed cozy racing games like Art of Rally and Absolute Drift, then you’ll want to check out Over the Hill from Funselektor Labs. This time, the focus is on the golden age of offroading, as you’ll need to guide your trusty all-terrain vehicle to its final destination. If you don’t feel like tackling challenging trails on your own, the game features a co-op mode for friends to join you for a few sessions of scenic minimalism.
The Witch’s Bakery
- Release date: October 14
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
What’s better than a fresh loaf of bread from a French baker? A fresh loaf of bread from a French baker who also happens to be a witch, that’s what. The Witch’s Bakery is a 2D narrative adventure where you’ll get to serve up delicious baked treats, but also use your baking skills to heal the hearts of local Parisians. Each day is split into three phases, where you’ll get to work, explore, and hone your magic. But more importantly, are you going to finish that croissant?
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
- Release date: October 15
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Gears of War isn’t the only big franchise making a comeback after a years-long absence, as Castlevania is once again cracking its whip this month. Set in a version of Paris that has seen better days before Dracula transformed the French capital into a monster-infested hellscape, this new entry in the series has been developed by the Rogue Prince of Persia studio Evil Empire. It looks like classic Castlevania, with the 2.5D approach that Evil Empire has taken, as you’ll be battling all manner of monsters, fallen French legends, and more on your journey to take down Dracula. Heck, it’s even a Netflix reunion of voice actors from the Castlevania animated series.
Enshrouded
- Release date: October 15
- Platforms: PC, PS5
The early-access journey of Enshrouded comes to an end soon, as the game’s official 1.0 release hits PC and consoles on October 15. In case you missed it when it was first announced, Enshrouded draws inspiration from games like Valheim and Minecraft, giving you all the tools you need to survive and thrive in a fantasy world. You’ve got everything you could ask for to easily build a kingdom, or if that doesn’t appeal to you, you can drop the hammer and pick up a sword for some adventuring fun instead.
Bluey’s Happy Snaps
- Release date: October 15
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch
New Bluey games have been arriving at a steady clip lately, with the latest titled Bluey’s Happy Snaps. This time, it’s up to you to take the adorable Bluey and Bingo to new locations and start shooting–with a camera, you weirdo. You can visit familiar spots from the show, and use your snaps to create your own scrapbook of memories when you’re done.
Stupid Never Dies
- Release date: October 22
- Platforms: PC
It’s going to take a lot of effort to stand out in October, but Stupid Never Dies might have that magic sauce thanks to a weird title, imaginative visuals, and plenty of gameplay to sink your teeth into. As the weakest zombie alive, Davy, it’s up to you to power up the lovestruck hero by defeating the mysterious KOM, recovering humanity’s lost knowledge, and surviving the deadly depths of an interdimensional dungeon. The debut game from GPTrack50, Stupid Never Dies is all about eat-or-be-eaten action, as Davy can munch enemies to steal their powers, replace his body parts with powerful tech, and unleash his imagination to transform reality.
Final Fantasy Resonance
- Release date: October 22
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
1997 marked the start of a new 3D era for Final Fantasy, but what if the franchise stuck to its 2D roots? That’s the question that Final Fantasy Resonance aims to answer, as it revives a dead mobile game and transforms it into a HD-2D adventure. What might make this one special is how the original story features several famous faces from across the Final Fantasy franchise as “Visions” that can join you in battle, ranging from Final Fantasy 6’s Terra to Final Fantasy 16’s Clive Rosfield. The game also looks gorgeous–as you’d expect from an engine used to power titles like Octopath Traveler–and it has received various enhancements like voice acting and overhauled battle systems to make it play like a traditional RPG.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort
- Release date: October 22
- Platforms: Switch 2
Nintendo’s sports games are a fun way to keep your body moving, and in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, you can take part in a wide variety of activities. Both single-player and co-op multiplayer will be offered, and the sports included for your trip to Wuhu Island range from archery and tennis to some extreme activities like skateboarding and table tennis. The real star of the show is thumb wrestling, as after you’ve declared a thumb war, you can use the Joy-Con 2 controller to move your mighty digit to victory.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
- Release date: October 23
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, Switch
The year just wouldn’t feel right without some Call of Duty in the mix, and 2026’s entry in the blockbuster series is all about Modern Warfare once again. If you’ve played any Call of Duty games in the last 20 years, you know to expect a weekend-warrior campaign, this time with a conflict involving North Korea and an evil Mads Mikkelsen, plenty of multiplayer action, and an extraction shooter experience in DMZ. What you shouldn’t expect is a day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass this year, as Call of Duty is returning to its premium roots. Xbox gamers can still get an exclusive perk, as well as a heck of a cool weapon blueprint as a preorder bonus.
Emberville
- Release date: October 27
- Platforms: PC
Emberville has been in development since 2023, and if you’ve been looking for a blend of Stardew Valley-like farming and Diablo-flavored combat, this might be just the game for you. The action-adventure RPG features the voice talents of the Witcher himself, Doug Cockle, and Alex Jordan, who voiced multiple versions of the character Dolski in The Alters. The game also features a two-button system for combat that has plenty of depth, as well as a leveling system that allows you to experiment with classes and abilities.
Phantom Blade Zero
- Release date: October 29
- Platforms: PC, PS5
Action-game fans have been eating well throughout 2026, and we hope you saved room for a side of Phantom Blade Zero. Another action-RPG inspired by Chinese mythology, folklore, and horror, Phantom Blade Zero is all about mastering fast-paced combat in a dark fantasy semi-open world. Featuring martial arts inspired by the Golden Age of Hong Kong action films–and overseen by the legendary Donnie Yen–the game follows an assassin named Soul, who only has 66 days left to live and stylishly exact his revenge.
