September’s gaming releases include a brawling adventure lifted from the page, noble quests with familiar faces, the chance to test your skills on the pitch and the court, a bit of melodic metal mayhem and a whole lot of paint.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R
Battle your way through an epic saga in this remaster. Taking place across eight stories, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R will pit characters from the original manga against each other in combat as players work their way through the story. Capturing the unique art style of Hirohiko Araki, the brawler will feature over 50 characters from the manga – including Jonathan Joestar, Jotaro Kujo, Josuke Higashikata and Dio Brando – and a variety of game modes, including a Practise mode to hone your skills, Online and Versus modes to test your skill against other players and the All Star Battle mode features over 100 battles, including some which are unique to this remaster.
Players who pre-order will unlock the Prisoner Uniform outfit for Jolyne Cujoh. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a Special Event colour set and the Season Pass which will include early access to four additional characters and exclusive costumes. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, all the content of the Deluxe Edition, a Jolyne Cujoh Prison Plate, a 26cm Grandista series Jolyne Cujoh figurine and limited-edition collector’s box.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from September 2*
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Craft your own Disney life in this new life-sim adventure hybrid. In Disney Dreamlight Valley, players will have to free the realms from the Forgetting, a mysterious entity which has spread across the valley. In this once idyllic world, the Forgetting’s Night Thorns have taken hold, severing all the wonderful memories which made the valley the haven it was. With the inhabitants – which include iconic Disney and Pixar characters – retreating to the Dream Castle, it will be up to players to find a way to break the Forgetting’s hold on the valley and restore the magic one step at a time.
Players who pre-order will be able to have three days of Early Access to the game and will receive a Moonstones currency pack (amounts vary based on edition ordered) as a starting bonus. The Standard Edition includes a copy of the game, 8,000 moonstones (pre-order bonus), a 2-item clothing set, 3 design motifs and 9-item furniture set. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, 14,000 moonstones (pre-order bonus), Celestial Turtle companion and 5-item clothing set, a 10-item furniture set, 3 design motifs, Deluxe jersey & Mickey Mouse headband and all the cosmetic items in the Standard Edition. The Ultimate Edition includes a copy of the game, 20,000 moonstones (pre-order bonus), all the cosmetic items in the Standard and Deluxe Editions, a Regal Fox companion and clothing set, Ultimate jersey & Mickey Mouse headband, 3 design motifs and a 15-item decoration set.
Disney Dreamlight Valley will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from September 6*
NBA 2K23
The court awaits for this year’s NBA 2K release. Whether it is heading to The W to showcase your talent or navigating the highs and lows of MyCareer mode, there will be something for everyone. MyTeam will allow players to build their dream teams to pit against other players, while those looking for a bigger challenge can head into MyNBA to lead their own league as the commissioner. With true to life gameplay and teams from the NBA and WNBA, players can look forward to one of the most immersive NBA 2K experiences ever.
Players who pre-order any edition will receive 5,000 virtual currency, 5,000 MyTeam points, 10 MyTeam packs (delivered one a week, MyCareer skill boost, Gatorade Boost pack, a Devin Booker, MyPlayer Jersey and a 95 rated Devin Booker MyTeam Free Agent card. The WNBA Edition (only available via select US retailers) includes a Sue Bird Jersey in The W and MyCareer and a Diana Taurasi Jersey in The W and MyCareer. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a MyTeam pack – which includes 10 points, 10 tokens, 23 Promo Packs (10 at launch with two per week for six weeks), a Sapphire Devin Booker card, Ruby Michael Jordan card, a Free Agent Option pack, Diamond Jordan shoe and Ruby Coach card pack – and a MyCareer pack containing skill boosts, Cover Star t-shirts, additional cosmetic items and a 2-Hr Double XP Coin.
The Michael Jordan Edition includes a copy of the game, 100K virtual currency, a themed MyTeam pack including additional points, tokens & promo packs, MyCareer boosts, bonus clothing items and a 2-hr Double XP coin. The Championship Edition includes a copy of the game, 12-month NBA League Pass subscription (select regions and retailers only, redemption required), 100K virtual currency, a MyTeam pack – which includes a 10% XP boost on season progression, 10 points, 10 tokens, 23 Promo Packs (!0 at launch and two per week for six weeks), a Sapphire Devin Booker card, Ruby Michael Jordan card, a Free Agent Option pack, Diamond Jordan shoe and Ruby Coach card pack – and a MyCareer pack – including a Michael Jordan-themed Go-Kart, 10 boost for each skill type, 10 boosts for each Gatorade Boost type, 4 Cover Star t-shirts, backpack & arm sleeves, a custom-designed skateboard and a 2-hr Double XP coin.
NBA 2K23 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from September 9*
Splatoon 3
Journey to the Splatlands for the next chapter in the Splatoon series. Playing as either an Inkling or an Octoling, Splatoon 3 will take players through the sun-scorched deserts of the Splatlands to Splatsville, a rapidly developing city which is becoming more chaotic by the day, all the way to the snow-covered Alterna, which is full of half-built areas teeming with Fuzzy Ooze. Having been recruited by the New Squidbeak Splatoon, it will be up to players to explore these areas and take on all manner of enemies in colourful combat.
Players who pre-order through select retailers will receive Squid and Octopus keyrings. Players who purchase the digital version on the Nintendo Shop before September 30 will earn 10% of the amount they pay in Nintendo Gold Points. Also launching on September 9 will be a Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch OLED Edition and Pro Controller with the signature blue and yellow colours.
Splatoon 3 will be available on Nintendo Switch from September 9*
Metal: Hellsinger
Battle to the pounding beat in this rhythm-based FPS. In Metal: Hellsinger, players are the Unknown. Cast into the Infernal Planes, you must fight your way through hordes of demons to hunt down the Red Judge. Through lands of ice, fire, stone and madness, one thing remains the same: your success in battle is all down to how well you can follow the beat of a song. As you travel through each region, a heavy metal soundtrack – which has been crafted for Metal: Hellsinger with a host of metal icons including Matt Heafy, Alissa White-Gluz, Tatiana Shmailyuk and Serj Tankian – will power attacks with your weapons of choice. As the songs build, so do your abilities to slay all who stand in your way.
Players who pre-order will unlock two days of Early Access play prior to launch.
Metal: Hellsinger will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from September 15*
FIFA 23
The end of an era comes with this year’s FIFA release. While FIFA 23 may be the final game under the partnership between FIFA and EA, the game itself will bring players an experience truly powered by football and the passion of those who play. With over 700 teams from over 30 leagues – including the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Division 1 Arkema for the first time at launch – and the HyperMotion2 technology bringing more realistic playstyles and animations to the game players will be able to craft their own footballing experience from day one, either alone or with friends via the new crossplay feature (same-gen only). An experience which will feature content from both the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup and the Australia & New Zealand 2023 FIFIA Women’s World Cup.
Players who pre-order will receive a FUT Ambassador Loan Pack, a Team of the Week player item, a Kylian Mbappé Loan Item for five Ultimate Team matches and a Career Mode Homegrown Talent. The Ultimate Edition includes a copy of the game with Dual Entitlement, three days Early Access, a Ones to Watch player item, 4600 FIFA Points, and the pre-order content.
FIFA 23 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, PC and Nintendo Switch (Legacy Edition) from September 30*
Free to Play
On Xbox, those with a Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will have four titles to download and keep for free this month. Gods Will Fall will be available from September 1-30*, with Double Kick Heroes available from September 16* – October 15*. On the classic side – which is available via Backwards Compatibility – Thrillville will be available from September 1-15*, followed by Portal 2 from September 16-30*
On PlayStation, three games will be available to download and keep for free across all PlayStation Plus subscription tiers. From September 6* Need for Speed Heat and Granblue Fantasy: Versus will be available on PS4, with Toem also available on PS5. On Extra and Premium tiers, there will be new additions to the Game Catalog from September 20* including Deathloop, Watch Dogs 2, Assassin’s Creed Origins and Chicory: A Colorful Tale while Spyhon Filter 2, The Sly Collection, Kingdom of Paradise are just some of the games being added to the Classics library on Premium tier from September 20*
Over on Prime Gaming, there are eight free games up for grabs this month. Starting from September 1*, the following titles will be available to download and keep for free:
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor – Game of the Year Edition
- Football Manager 2022
- The Dig
- Defend The Rook
- We, The Revolution
- Castle on the Coast
- Word of the Law: Death Mask Collector’s Edition
Full details on how to claim these games, along with drops and bonus content for Dead by Daylight, The Elder Scrolls Online, Fall Guys, Valorant and more can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
September 1* – Ooblets (Xbox One, Switch, PC), The Dragoness: Command of the Flame (PC), Gerda: A Flame in Winter (PC, Switch), Chenso Club (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Interkosmos 2000 (Quest 2), Mythbusters: The Game (PC), Onsen Master (PC), Chenso Club (PC)
September 2* – Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness (PS4, Switch, PC), The Last of Us Part 1 (PS5), Super Bullet Break (PS4, Switch) LEGO Brawls (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
September 6* – Biomutant (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Temtem (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), The Tomorrow Children: Phoenix Edition (PS4, PS5), Train Sim World 3 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Gunner, HEAT, PC! (PC), Circus Electrique (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Road Redemption (Switch), F.I.S.T: Forged In Shadow Torch (PS4, PS5, Switch)
September 7* – Nine Noir Lives (PC), Adventure Academia: The Fractured Continent (PC), Kaichu: The Kaiju Dating Sim (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
September 8* – Jack Move (PC), Steelrising (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Roadwarden (PC), Block’Em (PC), BPM: Bullets Per Minute (PC), Rift Sweepers (PC – Steam Early Access), Hyperviolent (PC – Steam Early Access), Tower Princess (PS4, PC, Switch), Justice Sucks (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), White Day: A Labyrinth Named School (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch)
September 9* – Betrayal at Club Low (PC)
September 12* – Kitsune Zero (PC)
September 13* – Little Orpheus (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), XIII (Switch), Isonzo (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Sunday Gold (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Freedom Planet 2 (PC), SCP: Secret Files (PC), Lovecraft’s Untold Stories 2 (PC)
September 14* – Food Truck Simulator (PC)
September 15* – Outer Wilds (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Wayward Strand (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Ultimechs (PCVR, Quest 2, Pico), Despot’s Game (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Switch, PC), Dungeons 3 (Switch), Fractured Online (PC – Steam Early Access), Blind Fate: Edo No Yami (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Recompile (PS5), Inertial Drift: Twilight Rivals Edition (PS5)
September 16* – Yuppie Psycho (PS4, Switch), Undernauts (PS5), Arcadegeddon (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Fell Seal – Arbiters Mark (PS4, Switch, PC)
September 17* – Return To Monkey Island (Switch, PC)
September 19* – Truck Driver (Xbox Series X/S, PS5)
September 20* – Hardspace: Shipbreaker (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Jack Move (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Soulstice (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Construction Simulator (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Stray (PS5)
September 21* – Scrap Riders (PC, Switch)
September 22* – No Place For Bravery (Switch, PC), Serial Cleaners (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Session: Skate Sim (Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC), The DioField Chronicle (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Electrician Simulator (PC), Slime Rancher 2 (Xbox Series X/S, Steam Early Access), Potion Permit (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch)
September 23* – Tee Time Golf (Switch), Dragons Legends of the Nine Realms (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch)
September 26* – World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic (PC)
September 27* – Grounded (Xbox Series X/S, PC), Hokko Life (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Life is Strange Remastered Collection (Switch), The Fridge is Red (PC), The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (PS4, Switch, PC), Tunic (PS4, PS5), Alfred Hitchcock – Vertigo (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Dual Universe (PC), Tunic (PS4, PS5), The Fridge is Red (PC), Airoheart (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Moonscars (Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, Switch), Psychonauts 2: Motherlobe Edition (Xbox Series X/S, PS5)
September 28* – Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter (PC), Post Void (PS4, PS5, Switch)
September 29* – Dorfomantik (Switch), Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (Xbox One, PS4, Switch), Valkyrie Elysium (PS4, PS5), Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (PS4, PS5), From Space (Switch, Stadia, PC), Moonbreaker (PC – Steam Early Access)
September 30* – Blade Assault (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Lemon Cake (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Paw Patrol: Grand Prix (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, Stadia, PC), Them’s Fightin’ Herds (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Sword Art Online (Switch), Demon Throttle (Switch), Squish (Switch), Maneater: Apex Edition (Xbox Series X/S, PS4), Willy Jetman: Astromonkeys Revenge (Switch)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates and content may vary. Dates are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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