The Top 10 Best Games Releasing this October

Elite Dangerous – Xbox One (Oct. 6)

There is just something about flying through the cold, endless expanse of space that just really hits the spot. Whether it’s strictly exploratory, or if you happen to find yourself hunting down some of the universe’s more nefarious denizens, it can’t be denied that the freedom offered by the stars is one that is hard to resist. That means it’s a pretty good thing that October kicks off the month with Elite Dangerous on the Xbox One in order to let console gamers get in on some of the action that their PC buddies have been relishing for quite some time now.

Fly around and choose a career path that is right for you as you make a name for yourself among the stars and explosions lighting up the sky. It doesn’t hurt that it happens to be one pretty game to look at as you experience a freedom that isn’t usually offered. For you PlayStation 4 players looking to get in on the intergalactic travel as well (and want something other than No Man’s Sky), there is no date yet, but a port to Sony’s home console has been confirmed to happen at some point in the future. But for now, Xbox players should suit up and practice their barrel rolls before this hits your console next week.

Dragon Age: Inquisition GOTY Edition – Xbox One, PS4, PC (Oct. 6)

Remember that RPG that came out last year? You know, the one with the dragons, awesome character creator, intriguing companions, and tons of evil for you to fight? Of course we’re talking about Dragon Age: Inquisition, BioWare’s latest entry in their fantasy role-playing series. On Oct. 6 it is getting a Game of The Year (GOTY) edition that bundles the game and all of its add on content into one convenient package along with a nice little Deluxe Edition upgrade.

If you somehow managed to miss this amazing adventure last holiday season, then you owe it to yourself to dive in and save the world from the rifts that are tearing it apart. There are plenty of nods to the previous games to treat fans to something amazing, and a story that does a damn good job of standing up on its own. A combination of the best parts of Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, Inquisition is sure to please RPG fans looking to scratch that itch. 

Rock Band 4 – Xbox One, PS4 (Oct. 6)

Time to get the old band back together to rock out in your living room, because Rock Band 4 hits the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on Oct. 6. With a soundtrack of over 60 playable songs, new instruments, and a new focus on social interaction, the game aims to be a platform for music lovers rather than just another entry. Harmonix has gone back to the drawing board after a few years of absence and put together a way for you to be the rock star you’ve always dreamed of being. Sure it will be by banging on plastic drums and using a string-less guitar, but the feeling will be there.

If you’ve been waiting for a rhythm game to take over your life once more, or have been dying to throw a Rock Band party but want to use one of those shiny current gen consoles, this is your chance. Just do everyone a favor and keep the fog machines and pyrotechnics to a minimum please?

Civilization Beyond Earth: Rising Tide – PC (Oct. 9)

The Rising Tide expansion takes last year’s Civilization: Beyond Earth and casts it out to sea with a ton of new features that go beyond just adding a bit of water to the mix. We’re talking new biomes, four new factions, new artifacts, hybrid units, an enhanced diplomacy system, and…well, water colonization. Civilization: Beyond Earth- Rising Tide takes the strategy of the base game and adds some much needed depth while also expanding its horizons.

New threats and environments will provide veteran players new challenges as it provides newcomers an awe-inspiring, deep, and rewarding experience. Humans must press on if they are to survive, and it is up to you whether or not you’re going to take the reigns and lead them into prosperity. Just make sure not to step on too many toes along the way. 

Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection – PS4 (Oct. 9)

We may not be diving into a brand new adventure alongside Nathan Drake and Sully this year (we’re coming for you, Spring 2016), but fans can at least relive Drake’s adventures powered by the PlayStation 4. That means an even more beautiful version of all of our favorite adventurer’s exploits. Climbing up a derailed train? It’s there and more beautiful. Searching for the Fountain of Youth? Check. Having to decide between treasure hunting and the woman you love? There in all three games and now in glorious 1080p (wow, they all do have pretty much the same theme).

This is a great opportunity for those who switched over to PlayStation with the advent of the latest generation of consoles and never had the opportunity to experience one of the PS3’s best exclusives. Or, if you are the type who needs a refresher course before a sequel, then this is a perfect bundle to get you up to speed. Playing the series in order (back-to-back) provides one of the most interesting cinematic gaming experiences out there, plus you get to shoot things, so there are no cons to this deal. 

Guitar Hero Live – Xbox One/360, PS4/PS3, Wii U (Oct. 20)

With Rock Band 4 helping music loving gamers set up their own concerts at the beginning of the month, there was no way that Guitar Hero was going to be upstaged. Like its rhythm game competition, Guitar Hero Live is switching things up a bit. This time, instead of matching buttons and watching some avatar rock out on the screen, you’ll get a first person view of what it’s like to be front and center during a concert. Whether it’s playing to a room fool of boos or a packed stadium cheering you on, you’ll get to experience it all.

Guitar Hero Live will also have a heavy focus on social interactivity with its Guitar Hero TV mode. Play against others, curate playlists, and more as you go from a nobody to a world renowned rock god. 

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water – Wii U (Oct. 22)

It’s been quite some time since a Fatal Frame has made its way to North American shores (10 years actually), so the fact that Maiden of Black Water will be haunting the Nintendo eShop later this month on the Wii U is one worth applauding. Just like in past entries players will defeat ghosts and evil spirits by snapping photos of them, only this time the camera is the Wii U gamepad, which manages to add an extra layer of dread to every encounter as you scan around for threats.

Making this game even more perfect for October is the horror that is so sorely needed for Halloween. With all of the colors and action present in a vast majority of October’s releases, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a breath of horrific air that reminds everyone why this month is so great. 

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate – Xbox One, PS4 (Oct. 23)

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate has managed to take an annualized series an make it feel new while still maintaining the familiarity that fans have come to know and love. Set in London during the Industrial Revolution, you will take control of the Frye siblings. There is Jacob, the brutish thug assassin who put fists to face in order to affect change in the city he calls home. Then there is Evie, the cunning sister who adopted the shadows like series fans are more accustomed to. Both have their strengths and will prove useful as fans uncover yet another Templar fueled mystery.

This also happens to be Ubisoft’s chance at redemption after Assassin’s Creed Unity, something that they are very aware of and have been taking every step to ensure. After some hands on time back at E3, and a bit more at PAX Prime, it’s looking like the developers have found their groove once again and are ready to deliver the sequel this series needs. So get ready for a healthy dose of stealth and fisticuffs, because in a few weeks, you’ll be approaching missions with tons of options for you to choose in order to stop the Templar threat.

Oh, and there are horse carriages you can commandeer and use to ram people off of the road. Assassination has never been more fun.

Halo 5: Guardians – Xbox One (Oct. 27)

Let’s not beat around the bush here, there are many individuals out there who purchased an Xbox One solely to play Halo, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. There are very good reasons why the series is one of the biggest in the world of gaming. Halo 5: Guardians is lined up to add more reasons to that list, and it all starts with the challenging of Master Chief’s legacy. It takes a lot of guts to build up a character only to potentially tear him down and 343 is going in guns blazing. Fans are already at the edge of their seats as they wonder what is going on between the two teams that they will get to control on Oct. 27. Just what is happening, and will the truth shock the world?

The Xbox One actually has a solid holiday season ahead, and it’s all being kicked off by everyone’s favorite green-helmeted mascot. The game that reinvented console FPSs and put the green machine on the map is back once again, and that is reason enough to be excited. 

WWE 2K16 – Xbox One/360, PS4/PS3 (Oct. 27)

Do you like wrestling? Have you been a fan for decades? Have you noticed John Cena being mentioned everywhere but it’s never wrestling connected? Does that make you sad? Well, good news for you. WWE 2K16 is right around the corner. Unlike some of the more recent iterations, this latest one doesn’t skimp out on the roster. Boasting over 100 combatants (not counting future DLC),  a deeper career mode that gives players more control over their own wrestler, and quite possibly the greatest Showcase Mode ever, since it follows Stone Cold Steve Austin.

WWE 2K16 is taking the series and increasing the scale to superstar proportions. If there was ever a time to get into the series, it’s now. Also, there will be no confusion when John Cena’s name is yelled through your TV speakers, you get to watch the man himself come out and whoop ass, or not, whatever you’re into.

How do you feel about this month’s lineup? Excited for anything on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.