The Month in Games – September 2020

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As summer draws to a close, gamers will be spoilt for choice as September’s gaming releases include the chance to be an icon of the pitch and the court, join Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, turn tricks in the skate park, duke it out in the squared circle and rise through the ranks of the Mafia.


Marvel’s Avengers

Join the ranks of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in this new story. Marvel’s Avengers see the Avengers disbanded after the team are blamed for the destruction of most of San Francisco and the release of Terrigen Mist following a terrorist attack on the Avenger base and Chimera Helicarrier. Five years on from the tragedy, now known as A-Day, superheroes are outlawed by San Francisco’s new leadership as the city is rebuilt by the A.I.M Organisation. Kamala Khan, an Inhuman teenager, soon discovers that not all is as it seems with A.I.M. She embarks on a quest to reunite the Avengers to fight against this new threat and find out the truth behind A-Day.

Players who pre-order any edition of Marvel’s Avengers will receive the Marvel Legacy outfit pack and nameplate along with an additional emote for Ms Marvel, while PlayStation users will also unlock a Dynamic theme. The PlayStation 4 exclusive Digital Edition will include three days early access, a Ms Marvel nameplate and 1,000 credits.

The Deluxe Edition includes the Obsidian outfit and nameplates pack along with three days of early access. The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Edition includes a copy of the game in a Steelbook case, Hulk bobblehead, Mjolnir keychain, Black Widow belt buckle, Iron Man Prototype Armour blueprints, an Honorary Avenger pin and Avengers group photo along with three days early access and all the content from the Deluxe Edition.

Marvel’s Avengers will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from September 4*


NBA 2K21

Step out onto the court with this year’s NBA 2K release. For 2K21, game is everything. Players will craft their dream teams from the NBA roster and put them to the test on the court. Those looking for a more focused challenge can step int MyPlayer, where they can mould their own player from the ground up. NBA 2K21 will immerse the player in every aspect of basketball, with the truest to life graphics and gameplay ever seen in the franchise. While looking to the future, NBA 2K21 will also look back at the storied career of one of the greatest players to grace the courts – the late Kobe Bryant.

Players who pre-order any edition through select retailers will receive a limited-edition basketball from LayUp along with 5,000 VC in-game currency and six additional skill boosts to use in MyPlayer. Players who pre-order the Standard Edition will receive 5,000 VC, six MyCareer skill boosts, 3 MyCareer Gatorade boosts, 5,000 MyTeam points, a five pair shoe collection, 10 MyTeam promo packs (delivered one a week) and a Damian Lillard Digital Collection pack including a MyTeam Free Agent card, player t-shirt and watch.

Players who pre-order the Mamba Forever Edition will receive the Damian Lillard Digital Collection. The Mamba Forever Edition includes 10,000 VC, 10 MyTeam tokens, 10,000 MyTeam points, 60 MyCareer skill boosts, 30 Gatorade boosts, 40 MyTeam promo packs (10 at launch, then 2 each week), Sapphire MyTeam cards for Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson, MyPlayer shoe collection and backpack, and the Kobe Bryant Digital Collection – including additional shoes and jerseys, a Black Mamba MyPlayer uniform and custom jerseys, and a host of bonus content. The Mamba Forever Edition will also include the next-gen Standard Edition of NBA 2K21 in the same console family along with 100K VC and the Zion Williamson Digital Collection.

NBA 2K21 will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from September 4*


Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2

Grab your board and head for the halfpipe in this remastered collection. Featuring two iconic titles, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2 will include full audio, visual and gameplay upgrades for a new generation. Fans of the franchise will be able to relearn all the classic skills and styles in familiar settings, while also trying their luck in new parks and adding even more skills and tricks to their repertoire. Players will also be able to not only design their own custom skater to follow in the footsteps of Leo Baker, Lizzie Armanto, Tyshawn Jones and, of course, Tony Hawk but will also be able to design their own dream skatepark before sharing it with friends.

Players who pre-order will gain access to the Warehouse Demo, with a set of exclusive shoelaces available through select retailers. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the collection, access to the Warehouse Demo, The Ripper skater from Powell-Peralta, a set of unique retro outfits and retro content for Create-A-Skater mode. The Collector’s Edition – available at select retailers – includes all the content from the Digital Deluxe Edition along with a limited-edition, full-size skateboard deck from Birdhouse featuring their iconic Falcon-2 design.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 & 2 will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from September 4*


eFootball PES 2021

A new season awaits in this update release. Straying from the traditional path, eFootball PES 2021 is a full game for new players, but a season update for existing ones. Featuring the latest club, player, and manager details, PES 2021 will also bring a new mode to the franchise thanks to their latest partnership with UEFA and the Champions League. Featuring the top clubs in European football, this elite tournament will test the player’s skill on and off the pitch as they have to make every move count in order to claim the trophy.

Players who already own PES2020 or PES2020 Lite will be able to receive a 20% discount on their PES 2021 purchase and will unlock a Veteran’s Bonus pack of items at launch. Each of the five Club Editions – Barcelona, FC Bayern Munchen, Juventus, Manchester United and Arsenal – will include an Iconic Moment bonus, full squad and manager, digital kit, unique in-game menus, contract tickets and a Premium Agent. Players who pre-order any edition will also receive Lionel Messi on loan for their club.

eFootball PES 2021 will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from September 15*


WWE 2K Battlegrounds

Chaos in the squared circle awaits in this over-the-top release. In WWE 2K Battlegrounds, players will be able to choose from a roster of over 70 Superstars and Legends from WWE to battle in out in the ring – and out of it as well. With interactive environments, players will be able to pull off signature moves in battles against friends both online and in couch co-op. With match types including Fatal Four Ways, Steel Cages and the fan favourites Royal Rumble and King of the Ring, players will also be able to use new superpowers to ensure they get their arm raised in victory.

Players who pre-order will receive the Totally Awesome Pack featuring Edge as a bonus Superstar. The Deluxe Edition includes the Totally Awesome Pack along with the Digital Deluxe Bonus Pack, featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Ronda Rousey as playable Superstars, as well as 1100 Golden Bucks to use in-game.

WWE 2K Battlegrounds will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia from September 18*


Mafia: Definitive Edition

Step back in time with this criminal remake. In Mafia: Definitive Edition, players take on the role of Thomas “Tommy” Angelo, a down on his luck cab driver who finds himself embroiled in the criminal underworld after helping two strangers escape an ambush. Soon finding himself going ever deeper into the world of the Mafia and its feuding families, Tommy finds himself torn between his morals and his duty to his benefactors within the ruthless Salieri family.

Players who pre-order will unlock The Chicago Outfit which includes an exclusive player outfit, Smith V12 Limousine, and a gold semi-automatic weapon to use in-game. Players who purchase the game will also unlock Tommy’s Suit and Cab to use in both Definitive Editions of Mafia II and Mafia III. The game will also be released alongside Mafia Trilogy, featuring the three titles together with all DLC included.

Mafia: Definitive Edition will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from September 25*


Free to Play

Players with an Xbox Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will have four new titles to download and play for free this month. On Xbox One, The Division will be available from September 1-30*, with The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 available from September 16 – October 15*. Over on Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility – De Blob 2 will be available from September 1-15*, followed by Armed and Dangerous from September 16-30*

Over on PS Plus, subscribers will have two titles to download and play for free in September. PlayerUnknown’s Battleground and Street Fighter V will both be available on PlayStation 4 from September 1*.

As for Prime Gaming, formally known as Twitch Prime, there are five new titles that will be available to claim and play for free through the Prime Gaming websiteAutonauts, Pumped BMX Pro, Effie, Tiny Troopers Joint Ops and Outcast: Second Contact

Also Released This Month

September 1* – Crusader Kings (PC), Iron Harvest (PC), Ary and the Secret of Seasons (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Hitman/Hitman 2 (Stadia), MTV vs ATV All Out (Switch), Crusader Kings III (PC)

September 3* – WRC 9 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

September 4* – The Persistence (Xbox One, PS4), Doraemon Story of Seasons (PS4), Road to Guangdong (PS4, Switch), Willy Jetman: Astormonkey’s Revenge – Sweeper Edition (PS4), The Sojourn (Xbox One, PS4), Pode (Switch), Ministry of Broadcast (Switch)

September 8* – Necromunda: Underhive Wars (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Kingdoms of Amalaur: Re-Reckoning (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Minecraft Dungeons: Hero Edition (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)

September 11* – Inertial Drift (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Ninja Legends (PS4), Holy Potatoes! Compendium (Switch)

September 15* – Spelunky 2 (PS4), No Straight Roads (Switch)

September 18* – Crysis Remastered (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Void Bastards (PS4, Switch), NASCAR Heat 5 (PS4), Commandos 2 & Praetorians HD Remaster Double Pack (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

September 20* – Hello Neighbour (Stadia)

September 22* – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (PS4)

September 24* – Serious Sam 4 (PC, Stadia), Tears of Avia (Xbox One, PS4), Going Under (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Port Royale 4 (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Little Big Workshop (Xbox One), Total War Three Kingdoms: Royal Edition (PC)

September 25* – Dreamworks Trollhunters Defenders of Arcadia (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Budget Cuts (PSVR), Zengeon (Switch), Adam’s Venture Origin (Switch), Do Not Feed The Monkeys (PS4), Human Fall Flat (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)

September 29* – Stronghold: Warlords (PC), Untitled Goose Game (PS4, Switch), Sayonara Wild Hearts (PS4, Switch)

September 30* – Baldur’s Gate 3 (Early Access on PC and Stadia)

*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.

Words by Megan Roxburgh


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