As 2019 enters its penultimate month, gamers will once again be spoilt for choice with this month’s gaming offerings. Among November’s releases will be a journey through a galaxy far, far away, dystopian travels closer to home, blacktop battles, animal adventures and the next chapter of a beloved franchise.
Planet Zoo
Create a wildlife paradise in this new title from Frontier Developments. In Planet Zoo, players will be able to create their own dream zoos. With over 50 animals available at launch to include in their builds, players will have to carefully manage each habitat if they want to succeed. Every decision made will have consequences as conservation and animal welfare are heavily prioritised, with players having to use research tools to enhance the park to deal with evolution and changing dynamics within each unique species.
The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game’s soundtrack by JJ Ipsen, unique wallpapers and three new animals to include in the zoo – pygmy hippopotamus, Thomson’s gazelle and Komodo dragon – along with their individual habitats and needs to bring new challenges for players.
Planet Zoo will be available on PC from November 5*
Need for Speed: Heat
Own the streets in the latest Need for Speed release. For this instalment – Need for Speed: Heat – players will be travelling to the streets of Palm City. This new location brings new challenges, the most prevalent being the city’s police force led by Lt. Mercer. Determined to shut down street racing, Mercer’s force will stop at nothing to take down the player – especially as their reputation within the city grows. Players will be able to switch between day and night racing to make their name on the streets, even though this will put them higher on Mercer’s hit list.
Players who pre-order will unlock the K.S Edition Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X as a starter car with select retailers including a Steelbook case with the game. The Collectors Edition includes a copy of the game, limited edition Steelbook case, notebook stickers, magnets and a 1:43 scale model of a Hero car in a special collectors’ box.
Need for Speed: Heat will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from November 8*
Death Stranding
A fractured world awaits in this highly anticipated release from Hideo Kojima. In Death Stranding, players take on the role of Sam Porter Bridges, a man who is living in a new version of the United States where people have taken to living in isolation. Tasked with travelling the country as a way of reconnecting it, players will explore this world through Sam’s eyes as humanity faces mass extinction. Exploring themes of life, death and what connects humanity on a daily basis, Death Stranding also includes an all-star cast, led by Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen and Léa Seydoux.
Players who pre-order will receive a Death Stranding theme, Chibi Ludens avatar and a gold-themed item pack – including sunglasses, armour plate, hat and speed skeleton for Sam. The Special Edition includes a copy of the game in a steelbook case, a behind the scenes video, a copy of the game’s soundtrack Timefall and gold mask sunglasses for Sam. The Collectors Edition includes a copy of the game, Ludens key ring, custom steelbook case, 1:1 scale BB Pod, 10 PSN avatars, soundtrack, behind the scenes video and gold unlockable items for Sam.
Death Stranding will be available on PlayStation 4 from November 8*
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield
Train to be the best in the latest release from the Pokemon franchise. For Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, players will be travelling to the new region of Galar. Based on the landscapes of the British countryside, prospective trainers will have new Pokemon to discover, new characters to meet and new battles to face to become the very best. With three new starter Pokemon – grass-type Grookey, fire-type Scorbunny and water-type Sobble – players will explore this new open world and discover all that Galar has to offer.
Players who pre-order either Pokemon Sword or Pokemon Shield will receive the game in a steelbook case and unlock a special tracksuit for their trainer characters. Players will also have the option of purchasing both games together in the Dual Pack. This special edition includes both games in an exclusive Golden Dual steelbook case as well as two codes for Dynamax Crystals to use in-game.
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield will be available on Nintendo Switch from November 15*
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Stay one step ahead of the Empire in this action-packed prequel adventure. Taking place after the events of the film Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order follows the story of Cal Kestis. A padawan who managed to survive Order 66 and the massacre of the Jedi, Cal’s anonymity is destroyed when an accident forces him to reveal his powers. With the Empire dispatching the Second Sister – an inquisitor trained by Darth Vader – to hunt down Cal and his allies, the future of the Jedi hangs perilously in the balance.
Players who pre-order will receive a unique set of cosmetic equipment for their lightsaber and droid, with select retailers also including a Tundra BD-1 skin with pre-orders. The Deluxe Edition includes a Director’s Cut suite of behind the scenes content, a digital artbook and a selection of custom skins for droids and ships. The Collectors Box – available through select retailers – will include a copy of the game, exclusive steelbook, metal pin set, gold foil art cards, bonus content and a light-up Collector’s Edition Box.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from November 15*
Shenmue III
A quest for revenge becomes an epic journey in this highly anticipated release. Shenmue III follows the story of martial artist Ryo Hazuki, who is on a mission to avenge his father’s death. Hell-bent on this revenge, Ryo travels to rural China in search of the Phoenix Mirror – an ancient artefact which was sought by his father’s killer, Lan Di. Joined on this journey by Shenua Ling, a young woman who is apparently prophesied to join Ryo by local legends, Ryo must journey deep into hostile territory to find out the truth about this artefact and avenge his father’s death.
Players who pre-order will receive the Snake Spirit starter pack – which includes 3x Snake power, 25 Capsule Toy tickets, 5,000 Playing tokens and the Blazing Kick Advanced Technique scroll. The Collectors Edition will include a copy of the game, double-sided Phoenix/Dragon mirror, sticker sheet, iron patches featuring designs from the series and a Shoji door-inspired Light Box in a limited-edition box.
Shenmue III will be available on PlayStation 4 from November 19*
Free to Play
Xbox Gold subscribers will receive four new titles to download and play for free this month. On Xbox One, Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter will be available from November 1-30* followed by The Final Station from November 16 – December 15*. On Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility – Star Wars Jedi Starfighter will be available from November 1-15*, with Joy Ride Turbo available from November 16-30*
On PlayStation, Plus subscribers will be able to enjoy two new titles for free this month. From November 5*, Nioh and Outlast 2 will both be available to download on PlayStation 4.
Over on Twitch Prime, five new games will be available to download and play for free. Available through the Twitch Prime website – which will also provide details on all the available offers – Double Cross, Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition, Planet Alpha, Sword Legacy: Omen and Turmoil will be available until from November 1 – December 2*
Also Released This Month
November 1* – Jalopy (Xbox One), Citadel: Forged With Fire (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Race with Ryan (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Golem (PS4), Forager (PS4, Switch), Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness (PS4, Switch), Disney Classic Games: Aladdin And The Lion King (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Hellmut: The Badass From Hell (PS4, Switch), VR Ping Pong Pro (PSVR),
November 5* – Red Dead Redemption 2 (PC), Garfield Kart: Furious Racing (Xbox One. PS4, PC, Switch), Conception Plus: Maidens of the Twelve Stars (PS4, PC), Blacksad: Under The Skin (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Just Dance 2020 (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, Wii, Stadia), Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Switch), Grip: Combat Racing – Ultimate Edition (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Cracked Crusaders (iOS, Android), Invasion 2037 (PC), Three Kingdoms: Domination (Android), Valfaris (PS4)
November 6* – A Year of Rain (PC – Steam Early Access), Carrumble (PC)
November 7* – Ritual: Crown of Horns (PC, Switch), Farmer’s Dynasty (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Jewel Match Atlantis Solitaire – Collector’s Edition (PC), Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San!: A River City Ransom Story (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch)
November 8* – New Super Lucky’s Tale (Switch), Disney Tsum Tsum Festival (Switch), Jumanji: the Video Game (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy – Deluxe Edition (Switch), Narcos: Rise of the Cartels (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Stranded Sails: Explorers of the Cursed Islands (PS4, Switch), Northgard (Xbox One), WILL: A Wonderful World (PS4, Switch), Horizon Chase Turbo (PS4), Super Street: the Game (Switch), The Princess, the Stray Cat, and Matters of the Heart 2 (PC)
November 11* – Romancing Saga 3 (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch, Vita, Android, iOS), Truck Driver (PC)
November 12* – Rune 2 (PC), Golem (PS VR), Doctor Who: The Edge of Time (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive), Thief of Thieves (Switch)
November 13* – XIII (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
November 14* – Tracks (Xbox One), Sparklite (Xbox One, PC, PS4, Switch), Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition (PC), Bee Simulator (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory (PC), The Unicorn Princess (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Off Road Racing (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Gear Club Unlimited 2 (Switch), WRC 8 (Switch), Kingdom Under Fire 2 (PC), Roterra Extreme – Great Escape (iOS), Some Distant Memory (PC, Mac, Switch)
November 15* – Tokyo Ghoul: re Call to Exist (PS4, PC), Astroneer (PS4), Beast Quest (Switch), Terminator: Resistance (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Let’s Sing 2020 (Switch), Risk of Rain 2 (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Valfaris (PS4, Switch), Harvest Moon Mad Dash (PS4, Switch), World of Warships: Legends (Xbox One, PS4), AeternoBlade II (PS4, Switch), Magic Brick Wars (iOS, Android)
November 19* – Bubble Bobble 4 Friends (Switch), Football Manager 2020 (PC), Box VR (PSVR), Munchkin: Quacked Quest (PC)
November 21* – Asterix & Obelix XXL 3: The Crystal Menhir (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Flashback/Another World (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Lumberjack’s Dynasty (PC)
November 22* – Civilization 6 (Xbox One, PS4), Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Zumba Burn It Up (Switch), Train Sim World Collector’s Edition (Xbox One, PS4), Children of Morta (PS4, Switch), Lastfight (Switch)
November 27* – SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays (PC)
November 29* – Weakless (Xbox One, PC)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. All information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh