September Marked the Arrival of 61 New Video Games

September brought in a whopping 61 new games for folks to enjoy as the season slowly turns to fall. If you didn’t grab anything last month, perhaps this month has something more your style.

You might notice that September’s list also includes a couple of games that were delayed — including the highly anticipated MMORPG, New World. Please keep note that any of the games listed here could be delayed for further polish as well.

Sept. 1 — Cookie Clicker (PC)

Remember Cookie Clicker, the in-browser idle game with the creepy grandmas? It popped off some years ago, making the rounds in my social media circles as everyone succumbed to Cookie Clicker madness. It even hit Japan and inspired fans to create a flood of content ranging from artwork to an actual figurine.

Now, Cookie Clicker is on Steam with improvements like offline play, Steam Workshop support, and cloud saves. There’s no avoiding grandma anymore.

Sept. 1 — Lake (PC, Xbox Series X/S)

Lake is a story-focused indie game about returning to one’s hometown. It features quaint scenery, a very cozy atmosphere, and — because it’s set in 1986 — possibly some nostalgic memories of your childhood.

This isn’t an action-y type of game, however, so don’t expect much more than chill gameplay.

Sept. 1 — Rogue Spirit Early Access (PC)

This game is a roguelike, which means running into difficulties and dying will probably happen often. That’s the beauty of roguelikes, though. It’s all about overcoming that challenge.

Rogue Spirit is on Steam in Early Access, so it’s technically still under construction. But if you’re hankering for a new roguelike, you might want to check this one (and its 20 different playable characters) out.

Sept. 2 — El Shaddai ASCENSION OF THE METATRON (PC)

The only reason I got this game (back when it was first released in 2011 for the PS3) was because of the plethora of Japanese memes made from its E3 trailer. Not a single scene or line was spared from getting memed. The fan works were also insanely good and, in my opinion, ended up better than the scant story we got in the final game.

That’s not to say that El Shaddai was bad. I recommend it. It’s very artistic, colorful, and has a unique premise as a biblical tale. The developers tried to make each stage special in some way, and sometimes that meant switching from a 3D action game to a side-scroller or inserting a motorcycle chase sequence. It was fun to see what they’d throw at the player next.

My only word of caution: I remember running into at least one stage that was so artsy that I had depth perception problems. And I had to jump on platforms for that stage. It was a little rough, but just focus on where the main character’s shadow is and you’ll be able to see where he’ll land.

Sept. 2 — Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous (PC)

When Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous popped up on my radar, it instantly caught my interest. I like a good RPG and that’s exactly what the Pathfinder franchise is known for. I think I’ll keep this one on my radar.

Sept. 2 — Surgeon Simulator 2: Access All Areas (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

It’s Surgeon Simulator but multiplayer. The appeal to this game is the challenge of wrangling the janky controls long enough to “complete” a surgery.

This game has the potential to be the perfect party game or a potential friendship breaker.

Sept. 2 — WRC 10 (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

WRC 10 is all about rally cars — and the tenth entry in the series offers additional rally locations, 120 special stages, and “legendary” cars from well-known manufacturers.

There’s also an esports scene behind this series if you’re interested in taking a look at that.

Sept. 3 — Golf Club: Wasteland (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

This might be the only golf-related thing that has actually caught my attention. (Sorry, golf fans.)

This is a short golf game with an interesting story behind it. Rich people have fled to Mars but return to Earth to play some golf. Each hole tells a tale as you puzzle out how to successfully sink your ball. (Is this a golf-y term? I have no idea.) The game claims to “take swings at current events, Silicon Valley culture, and humanity,” so check this one out if you’re looking for a satire to play through.

Sept. 3 — Kitaria Fables (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

Kitaria Fables is both a farming simulator and an action game. It’s also a chance to achieve your dream of becoming an adorable bipedal kitty. Everyone dreams of that, right? Right??

Sept. 3 — The Medium (PS5)

Released on PC and Xbox consoles earlier this year, The Medium finally made its way over to the PS5 this month.

Sept. 6 — F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch (PS4/5)

F.I.S.T. is a strange acronym, but I love the style it has going for it. An angry rabbit fighting the forces of evil in an action-fueled Metroidvania? Sign me up.

Sept. 7 — Bus Simulator 21 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

I had to double-check whether the “21” in the name was because it was the 21st entry in the series or if it was just denoting the year. It’s just the year. Bus Simulator 21 is the sixth in the series, and it promises to bring aspiring bus drivers to a U.S. city based on San Francisco.

Sept. 7 — Chernobylite (PS4, Xbox One)

Chernobylite was released earlier this year on PC. I’ve heard a few good things about it; give it a try if you’re one of the many who still have a previous-gen console.

Sept. 7 — Dream Cycle Early Access (PC)

Made by one of the developers of Lara Croft (Tomb Raider), this adventure game seeks to offer players an “infinite adventure” that opens up as the game continues to update.

Sept. 7 — Sonic Colors: Ultimate (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a remaster to the original Wii title released back in 2010. Early reviews note that it’s not a super-duper improvement to the original, but still a fun Sonic game to play nonetheless.

Sept. 7 — Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodhunt Early Access (PC)

Vampire: The Masquerade is a franchise typically known as an RPG. However, this time the game is a battle royale; you get to play as different vampire clans from the series to fight and overpower your enemies.

Sept. 8 — Dull Grey (PC)

Dull Grey is an indie title that won awards in 2019 for its innovative storytelling and choice mechanic. The devs describe it as a “short but meaningful experience” that is “designed to be replayed.” If you like unique visual novels, don’t miss this one.

Sept. 8 — Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster (PC, iOS, Android)

Square Enix has been busy remastering its old-school titles one by one. It’s FFIV’s turn this time around.

FFIV is a funny one to remaster, in my opinion, because it’s had so many sequels and an actual 3D remake for the Nintendo DS. It’s received so much attention already — but, hey, what’s one more remaster on top of the other releases?

Sept. 8 — Struggling (PS4, Xbox One)

Previously released for PC and the Switch, this title makes its way to the PS4 and Xbox One in all its grotesque glory. Struggling is a co-op game where the point is just that: you and a second player struggle to control the limbs of a fleshy creature to navigate areas and survive dangers.

Sept. 9 — The Artful Escape (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Let the psychedelic world surround you in The Artful Escape as you play a teen guitar prodigy who’s trying to escape his dead uncle’s musical legacy. The developers describe this game as a “story about great expectations, towering legacies, aliens, folk music, guitar solos, making stuff up, and living your dreams like memories.”

Sept. 9 — BloodRayne Betrayal: Fresh Bites (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

I had no idea anyone was bringing BloodRayne back. This title is a remaster of the original BloodRayne Betrayal game released in 2011. The remaster will feature improved visuals and full voice acting (the original was text-only).

Sept. 9 — RICO London (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)

RICO London looks like a comic book come to life as a co-op FPS. It’s very straightforward; you and a partner blast through the floors of a building to reach the top. You can also play it solo if you can’t get a friend to join you.

Sept. 9 — Residual (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

This pixelated, survival platformer places the player as an explorer seeking an ancient secret on the alien planet he’s landed on. Planets are randomly generated using various rules, creating different environments to survive through.

“If a planet orbits close to the sun,” explains the game’s Steam page, “intense heat, high winds, and sparse vegetation will pose a set of challenges wildly different from other worlds. Further from the sun, long nights make stamina easier to maintain, but reduced solar power turns every suit function—like scanning the planet—into a critical decision.”

This makes me think there will be plenty of reasons to replay the game. Always a plus to me!

Sept. 9 — Ultra Age (PS4, Switch)

The wave of action games continues with Ultra Age, a game set in a future where mankind must be saved from extinction. A demo is available for both the PS4 and Switch versions.

Sept. 10 — Kraken Academy (PC)

A magical kraken! Wouldn’t that be a great pal to have? Then again, perhaps not? Maybe the answer is in Kraken Academy, where players can utilize time loops to help students, save the school, and prevent the end of the world.

Sept. 10 — Life is Strange: True Colors (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Stadia)

I never got into the Life is Strange series, but I’ve heard positive things about their games. Their strength tends to be the stories and characters — and True Colors looks like it’s aiming to flex those same muscles.

Sept. 10 — Lost in Random (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S/, Switch)

Lost in Random looks like an interesting action/adventure game with a gothic theme. Play as a young girl trying to save her older sister and learn more about the ruling Queen during your quest.

Sept. 10 — NBA 2K22 (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S/, Switch)

If the 2020 Olympics weren’t enough sports for you, then why not try a sports game? The NBA 2K series is back with another yearly entry that I only know about because it offered in-game bonuses if you pre-ordered with an American Express card.

I still can’t believe that was a thing.

Sept. 10 — Tales of Arise (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

As a fan of JRPGs, I’ve heard of the Tales of series, but I never got interested enough to try the games out.

I’m tempted to change that with the upcoming Tales of Arise. The combat looks awesome. I don’t even know what the story is about, but I’m halfway sold based on the combat alone.

Sept. 10 — WarioWare: Get It Together (Switch)

As I said when I first saw the trailer, these kinds of motion-controlled party games are loads of fun with other (preferably drunk) people. Frequently getting together into groups isn’t exactly the best idea anymore — hopefully, WarioWare is still fun enough when played alone.

Sept. 14 — Deathloop (PC, PS5)

My expectations for Deathloop have been really up and down. The first trailer they released seemed so cool and stylish. But I became confused as more trailers and screenshots were released. At some point it looked like a murder/mystery. And then it looked like a team-based shooter. And now it might be a story-driven FPS, maybe? I have no idea anymore.

Still, it looks like it turned out to be pretty neat. I’m thinking of nabbing it sometime in the future.

Sept. 15 — Timberborn Early Access (PC)

IT’S A CITY BUILDER. WITH BEAVERS.

I LOVE IT ALREADY. LET’S PLAY IT.

Sept. 16 — Eastward (PC, Switch)

Chucklefish is another publisher I generally trust to have good taste in games. Eastward looks like another solid adventure game with lovely pixel graphics.

The game is set in a future where “society is starting to collapse, and the human population is at an all-time low,” according to Eastward’s Steam page. “A deadly toxic presence has spread across the land, destroying and devouring everything in its path.” Survivors fled underground to restart their lives.

You get to play the role of a young girl and a miner who dream of reaching the outside world in the aftermath of the destruction. Switch between the two characters to get past the obstacles in their way.

Sept. 16 — Gamedec (PC)

An isometric RPG, but cyberpunk. Need I say more? Gamedec is about a detective who solves crimes in digital worlds. It features a flexible choice system that influences the story as if you were playing a TRPG. Check out the demo on Steam to give it an early shot.

Sept. 16 — SkateBIRD (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Luna)

Skatebird was supposed to come out last month, but it was delayed to September instead. Hopefully, the game is ready for launch after some fine-tuning.

Also, I made a “Tiny Hawk” joke last month, only to discover that the YouTube comments for SkateBIRD’s trailer were full of nothing but Tony Hawk jokes. I’m sorry for being such an unoriginal parrot, devs.

Sept. 17 — Aragami 2 (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Control the shadows to free your kin in Aragami 2, an action game with the potential for three-player co-op. Team up to form an assassin crew to take down your enemies.

Sept. 17 — Nexomon (PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

The original Nexomon, a monster-collecting and battling title akin to Pokémon, will arrive on all major consoles this month. There will be over 300 creatures to capture in the game.

Sept. 17 — Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Prince’s Edition (Switch)

The Prince’s Edition of this 2018 game includes the full base game, Ni no Kuni II; all the expansions, and a bonus pack for one of the characters. Consider nabbing this one if you’re looking for a fantasy-driven adventure that looks remarkably like an animated movie.

Sept. 17 — Severed Steel (PC)

Severed Steel is an FPS that places you right into the front seat of an action movie. Perform acrobatics, tricky shots, and dodge bullets like the badass you’ve always wanted to be. (And with no risk of throwing your back out!)

Sept. 17 — Tails of Iron (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

Play as a rat trying to earn his kingdom back from the dreaded frogs in this souls-like title. The animal world is brutal, and Tales of Iron doesn’t appear to shy away from that fact.

Sept. 17 — Toem (PC, PS5, Switch)

Dear Google, please stop autocorrecting my Toem search to “time.” Yes, I clicked on the “search instead for Toem” link but it still sucks that typing “Toem” or “Toem game” will bring up results for “time” first. I hope this doesn’t hurt the game’s chances of being found.

If you’re interested in raging against the (search) machine with me, check out Toem — a chill game about taking photos in a Scandinavian-inspired environment.

Sept. 21 — Blood Bowl 3 Early Access (PC)

This game takes “fantasy football” very literally. Manage a team of orcs, elves, and other fantasy creatures to beat the enemy in a bloody game of ball.

Sept. 21 — Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PC, PS4/5)

Kena was delayed to September for some fine-tuning before its final release. Play as a spirit-guide and befriend the cute, fuzzy creatures called “The Rot” to achieve tasks and defeat enemies.

Sept. 21 — Sheltered 2 (PC)

Sheltered 2 is a colony simulator that places the responsibility of managing your faction. Take care of people’s needs, desires, and safety to make sure everyone survives the wasteland.

Sept. 21 — World War Z: Aftermath (PC, PS4/5)

This zombie shooter is arriving just in time for Halloween month. Play with your friends or AI teammates to blast through zombie hoards using different classes.

Sept. 22 — Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend (iOS, Android — PC on Oct. 21)

Square Enix continues the nostalgia run by bringing another collection of old-school JRPGs. These titles were known as the start of the SaGa series in Japan, but came over to the U.S. under the Final Fantasy name. Hence the two different series’ names in the title.

It releases on mobile devices this month and will arrive on PCs on October 21.

Sept. 23 — Diablo 2: Resurrected (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

Speaking of nostalgia, the Diablo 2 remaster is arriving in time for Halloween as well. The graphics have been vastly improved, so if you loved the original you’ll likely love the new version as well.

Sept. 23 — Sable (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Sable is a low-pressure game where you can explore the desert, solve puzzles, and look really cool riding the hoverbike. The art style is very unique and eye-catching.

Sept. 24 — Death Stranding Director’s Cut (PS5)

This month, Hideo Kojima’s latest title jumps onto the PS5 with a “definitive edition” that features new content, better graphics and gameplay, and expanded storylines.

Sept. 24 — Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (Switch)

Relive the story of Dragon Ball Z again through another video game — but, this time, with more extras that expand on plot points as well as Goku and his friends. Originally released last year, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot makes its way to the Switch this month.

Sept. 28 — Lemnis Gate (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

This is a slightly confusing, but interesting, concept for a game. This is a turn-based FPS with 25-second rounds. You have to complete an action within those seconds. These actions can be anything from fixing a past mistake, setting up traps, or protecting the future-you from an attack you know will happen. Sounds like a lot to think about, right? The devs describe Lemnis Gate as a tactical shooter — and I think they mean it.

Sept. 24 — Lost Judgment (PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)

Lost Judgment, made by the same studio behind the Yakuza series, is the sequel to the highly praised legal thriller Judgment. There’s plenty of side quests, drama, and wild combat to delve into as you guide the main character, Yagami — a former lawyer turned detective.

Keep in mind that, as a legal thriller, the game will explore some disturbing content. From what I can glean from the summary, some topics include bullying, sexual assault/groping, and death (including mentions of suicide). Discretion is advised.

Sept. 28 — New World (PC)

New World is another game that was supposed to come out last month. The developers decided to delay the release to late September to iron out some kinks they found during the closed beta.

There will also be an open beta session from September 9 to September 12 for some last-minute server testing.

Sept. 28 — Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (PS4, Xbox One, PC)

The Outer Wilds continues with the upcoming expansion called Echoes of the Eye. The devs have remained secretive about what it’ll be about, but perhaps the lack of spoilers or plot hints means it’ll be just as good as the base game.

Sept. 29 — Insurgency: Sandstorm (PS4, Xbox One)

Already released on PC in 2018, the sequel to Insurgency lands on last-gen consoles late this month.

Sept. 29 — Synthetik 2 Early Access (PC)

This appears to be another roguelike, but it’s a top-down shooter instead. Synthetik 2 will go into early access to fine tune more accurate gameplay, weapon leveling, new classes, and modding tools.

Sept. 30 — Aeon Drive (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

Hit up Aeon Drive if you’re interested in an “action-packed, speed platformer” that looks like it’ll make a speedrunner out of you. Run through the levels with up to three friends to turn it into a four-player speedrun.

Sept. 30 — Astria Ascending (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

“As one of the Fated Eight, explore the world of Orcanon where twelve ancient beasts dwell, and fight against your destiny to save the world in this hand-drawn, turn-based JRPG.”

Astria Ascending hits all my JRPG hot spots, making it one of my most anticipated titles for the month. It looks beautiful, the story sounds intriguing, and the characters seem refreshingly mature (particularly for a JRPG). I’m really looking forward to checking this game out.

Sept. 30 — Bonfire Peaks (PC, PS4/5, Switch)

One of the quoted reviews listed on Bonfire Peaks’ Steam page describes it as “a puzzle game about burning stuff.” I love burning stuff. I’ll have to give the demo a try sometime.

Sept. 30 — Hot Wheels Unleashed (PC, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

It’s a racing game with Hot Wheels cars. You can make your own tracks and collect all kinds of toy cars (even your favorite ones from your childhood). That sounds simple and fun enough to me!

Sept. 30 — Rogue Lords (PC)

Rogue Lords is a roguelike RPG that sets you up as the devil. Take revenge on the devil hunters by using your dark powers and evil minions to take them down.

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