Welcome to the last few days of September and the first few days of October, which might be nice if you live in the southern hemisphere. This week is full of Japanese games and the biggest release has something to do with catching creatures, but without the poking. This is followed by a JPRG FPS, a tactical JRPG based on a well known franchise and finally a party-based JPRG. This pivots us to a stop-motion puzzle game and we finally end the week with a touch of Slavic mythology. Don't forget to check out this week's other games, they're not Japanese.

Digimon Story Time Stranger / This week's major release / Friday 3 October
Digimon Story Time Stranger is an RPG with monster-taming elements that explores the deep bond between humans and Digimon in an epic story that unravels the mystery of the world's collapse. Embark on an adventure that spans across the human world and Digital World, collecting and raising a diverse array of Digimon to fight in turn-based battles. Steam link

Today, developers Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy and publisher Devolver Digital have unleashed Baby Steps upon the world. It's time to put one foot in front of the other and step into a literal walking simulator adventure. Launching today on PC and PlayStation 5, Baby Steps tells the story of Nate, an unemployed failson with nothing going for him, until one day he discovers a power he never knew he had: walking. But staying upright is easier said than done for our unlikely hero.

Explore a world shrouded in mystery, one step at a time, as Nate makes human connections more extraordinary than he could ever have imagined. Hike the serene mountains by placing each footstep yourself, in original physics-based gameplay from the minds behind Ape Out, QWOP and Getting Over It. Take in the sights, fall in love with the local fauna, and try to find meaning in a wasted life.

Get ready to embark on a weird and wacky point-and-click adventure game set in a fairy tale forest with a dark secret! Developed by indie developer Animatic Vision and published by Dionous Games, Mutants Ate My Carrots is launching on PC via STEAM on October 1st and features a rabbit on a mission presumably ending in total chaos unless you intervene!

Mutants Ate My Carrots starts off as a fairytale long ago; once upon a time, there was a black rabbit with a wild temper who lived an outcast life outside the Deep Wood Forest. One day, all his special carrot crops disappeared! He embarks on a wild adventure to find the thief, using his powers of observation as well as his martial arts skills on anyone who gets in his way, even if it means taking on an entire forest!

Today, 2K and Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands 4, the definitive looter-shooter and latest entry in the genre-defining Borderlands franchise, is now available worldwide for PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Borderlands 4 for Nintendo Switch 2 will be available on Friday, October 3, 2025.

"On September 12, Borderlands 4 puts the mayhem back into the hands of the fans - the people who made Borderlands a worldwide phenomenon," said Gearbox founder and president Randy Pitchford. "Borderlands has always been a wild ride we at Gearbox take with our fans, and with Borderlands 4 we've given everything we've got to make it the biggest and best game we have ever created."

[Editor's note: Don't forget to check out our performance benchmark review of Borderlands 4]

Marvelous USA today announced the launch of the dark sci-fi action game, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows PC via Steam. The publisher also shared a pulse-pounding launch trailer showcasing some of the high-speed action, titanic enemies, and intense narrative moments that await players as they take the role of an Outer and pilot their very own Arsenal. Players who have played the free digital demo can continue their adventure right where they left off, as all progress saved from the demo carries over to the full version of the game on the same platform after purchase.

Alongside the launch trailer, Marvelous USA also released a new gameplay trailer showcasing Titanic Scion's "Sovereign Axiom Special Facilities." Scattered across the map, these dungeons can be highly dangerous, but also highly lucrative for players in search of rare items and materials. Whether playing alone or with friends, players can uncover different rarity key cards to raise the stakes and increase their potential rewards and even trade cards with friends online. Explore these challenging dungeons at your own peril.

Welcome to the first week of the month of September, no matter if you're prepared for it or not. This week's major release is a sequel to a 2017 game, but this time the main character is a princess turned knight and it'll be available on just about every platform imaginable. The rest of this week is packed with new releases and we kick off the week with some 1920s animation inspired psychological horror, which is followed by a first person sci-fi shooter and a 3D action platformer with a rather unique looking art style. Then we get to experience hell on earth and we round the week off with some third person time travel sci-fi horror. Don't forget to check out the additional games that didn't quite make the list this week.

Hollow Knight: Silksong / This week's major release / Thursday 4 September
As the lethal hunter Hornet, adventure through a kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and taken to this unfamiliar world, prepare to battle mighty foes and solve ancient mysteries as you ascend on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom's peak. Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. Journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover secrets tied to your nature and your past. Steam link

Today, Eclair Games announced RatScum, debuting its first-ever teaser trailer during The MIX Fall Showcase. This atmospheric narrative adventure invites players to scurry through vents and pipes, solve puzzles, befriend strange rats, and spy on the human tenants who share the building.

About RatScum
In the shadow of a decaying apartment building at the city's fringe, a lone rat stirs, surrounded by the unknown. Every shadow conceals both danger and discovery. Even in the filth and forgotten places, there is beauty. And something like peace.

Believe it or not, but we're already hitting the last week of August and we have a week packed of remakes for you. That said, this week's major release is about saving a younger sibling from dimensional invaders while not worrying about losing your soul or something along those lines. This is followed by a game that takes place outside of the map, some kind of war that apparently involves gears, an anime-inspired MMO for one to four players, a game where you apparently have to eat snakes and finally you get to dress up in white as a Japanese assassin.

Lost Soul Aside / This week's major release / Friday 29 August
Run the gauntlet of formidable enemies and colossal bosses in this breathtakingly stylish single player action-adventure RPG; chaining weapon and spectacular attack combos in high-octane, dynamic combat. Adapt your fighting style, solve puzzles, and evolve incredible abilities on a truly heroic quest. Steam link

As we are about to enter the third week of August, we have yet another somewhat slow week of new game releases, although that doesn't mean it's all bargain basement releases this week. This week's major release involves surfing across a wide range of less than liquid surfaces, on a sword. This is followed by brawling stickmen, trying to break free from the system, managing passenger transportation on a global scale, herding weird creatures in the mountains and finally operating a waterpark.

Sword of the Sea / This week's major release / Tuesday 19 August
Surf across magnificent waves of sand and glistening waters on an epic quest to restore a lost ocean. From the visionary artist behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey, Sword of the Sea is an atmospheric surfing adventure with fast movement inspired by classic skateboarding and snowboarding games. Steam link

Welcome to the second week of August and this week's major release involves a pig bladder, shoulder pads and helmets. This is followed by some co-op survival horror set in 1998, a co-op brinepunk adventure, a spot of dungeon stalking, a definitive package of hammers of war and finally you get the chance to play as a toy in a sequel toy world.

EA Sports Madden NFL 26 / This week's major release / Thursday 14 August
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 leverages a new AI-powered machine learning system to convert thousands of plays from nearly a decade of real NFL data into more explosive gameplay—with new player-specific traits, authentic play-styles, and adaptive counters that match on-field tendencies and strategies of NFL quarterbacks and coaches. Steam link

Today, 2K and Hangar 13 announced that Mafia: The Old Country, the highly anticipated latest installment in the acclaimed Mafia franchise, is now available worldwide for PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The story will take players back in time to 1900s Sicily, which has been painstakingly created with the utmost authenticity and detail.

"The team has passionately crafted this new chapter in the Mafia franchise, designed to captivate both long-time fans and new players," said Nick Baynes, President of Hangar 13. "Mafia: The Old Country is a premium experience in the vein of earlier Mafia entries, rooted in rich narrative, memorable characters and a beautiful environment, delivering what we feel is an unforgettable story at incredible value."

Unlock the keys to your kingdom for the first time at Gamescom 2025! RAEV: Kingdom on the Distant Shores will debut its first playable demo at the Ravine Games booth, located at hall 10-1, booth B060 from August 20th - 24th!

Developed by Ravine Games and published by V Publishing, RAEV provides players with a strategic adventure spanning an entire continent. RAEV is an innovative city builder that combines large-scale world building, strategic resource management, and dynamic storytelling that is largely impacted by your decisions.

August brings new levels of gaming excitement on GeForce NOW, with 2,300 titles now available to stream in the cloud. Grab a controller and get ready for epic adventures - a dozen new games are coming to the cloud this month. Each week brings fresh titles for members to discover, stream and conquer. Get ready to shrink down for big fun - early access for Grounded 2, announced as a surprise in June at XBOX Games Showcase, will be available to stream on day one: tomorrow, Aug. 1. Plus, finish off July with the eight games available to stream this week, alongside the latest update for the acclaimed open-world action role-playing game Genshin Impact.

The Park Is Calling
Step into the wild, unpredictable world of Brookhollow Park - Grounded 2 is launching in early access in the cloud, and the backyard has never felt bigger or more alive. Shrink to the size of an ant, navigate towering blades of grass, uncover hidden secrets and face off against bugs that can be friend or foe. Craft weapons and armor from scavenged materials, build creative bases and raise Buggie companions to help explore and survive. Whether playing solo or with friends, every day brings new challenges and surprises. Grounded 2's quirky humor and inventive gameplay make every moment an adventure, from dodging predators to racing Buggies through underground tunnels.

Grounded 2 only just launched to Steam Early Access, and it has already broken its predecessor's record for concurrent Steam players. According to SteamDB, Grounded 2 has already attracted an all-time peak player count of 49,836 players, and that was a mere two hours after the game went live on Steam. That's compared to the original Grounded, which peaked at 32,012 players a year after it launched in Early Access. Since the launch Grounded 2 has plateaued somewhat, settling at around the 33,000-player mark, however, the game launched at the start of the week, and player counts tend to pick up around the first weekend after launch. It would not be surprising to see more players pick up Grounded 2 on its first weekend after launch, since the first game was quite successful over its five-year run. The launch of Grounded 2 resulted in a noticeable uptick in player counts for the original survival adventure game, to boot.

Grounded 2 builds on the premise of the first game, shrinking the protagonist down even smaller than before, revisiting the base-building and exploration mechanics in a larger open world with fresh twists, like insect breeding, new threats, and new challenges. Grounded 2 currently costs $29.99, and those who have played the new game and reviewed it on Steam have been impressed for the most part. The game currently has a 73% Positive Steam review rating from a total of 1,385 reviews. Grounded 2 is still in Early Access, and it will likely be for a while—the original Grounded game only exited Early Access over two years after its initial release. The launch price also saw a $10 increase when Grounded exited Early Access, so the same may be true for the sequel.

Welcome to the last week of July and another fairly packed week of new game releases. We kick off the week with a cosy trip to the shire, which is swiftly followed by some vehicular combat, some insect action, a virtual rebellion, a bit of law and order and finally landing in a post-apocalyptic world. We also have a few more new games that didn't quite make the list this week.

Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game / This week's major release / Tuesday 29 July
Welcome home, Hobbit! Live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, & share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits & familiar faces awaiting your arrival in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game. Steam link

Welcome to the middle of July and this week we have a lot of Japanese games for you. We kick off with this week's major release which is based on an anime series, like several other games this week, although this one is a bit more pink. This is followed by a space colony sim, a JPRG based on a manga/anime series, a Japanese fighting game, a cop that is partially robot and we round things off with what is said to be an alternative take on Pac-Man.

Madoka Magica Magia Exedra / This week's major release / Wednesday 16 July
Characters from the hit anime series "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" come together! Featuring an all-new story setting and characters from the original ideas of Gekidan Inu Curry (Doroinu), experience the action alongside Magical Girl memories in this battle RPG. Steam link

Welcome to the first full week of July, which continues to be a rather slow week for new game releases. This week's major release puts you in a time loop with your fellow resistance fighters. This is followed by an online tactical action shooter, some old balls and bats, a post-apocalyptic 2D side scroller, a remake and another remake, although the two have nothing in common with each other.

Every Day We Fight / This week's major release / Thursday 10 July
Citizens from either side of an ongoing war must set aside their differences as a mysterious alien invasion threatens humanity - time has come to a stop for all but your small band of freedom fighters. Caught in a seemingly endless loop, you must shape these ordinary civilians into heroes as they repeatedly fight and die in this turn-based tactical roguelite. Real-time exploration, stealth, and teamwork are essential as you acquire new skills, seek out more powerful weapons, escape the time loop, and save the world. Welcome to the resistance. Steam link

Star Citizen's annual Foundation Festival returns from July 2 to 14, celebrating the Star Citizen community and welcoming new pilots to the 'verse. This year's event also features a Free Fly period, giving all players free access to the game and the chance to fly eight distinct ships and vehicles - a perfect introduction to Star Citizen's rich and varied universe. Hot on the heels of the Alpha 4.2: Storm Breaker release, which introduced new missions and the towering irradiated Apex Valakkar, a colossal worm-like creature from the depths below, the Foundation Festival arrives at the perfect time to prepare new players for the adventure ahead.

To get started, newcomers can check the New Player Essentials, packed with helpful tips, guides, and must-know information to take their first confident steps in the 'verse. There are also in-game tutorials, beginner friendly articles and videos on the Welcome Hub, and the Guide System further connects beginners with veteran players eager to lend a hand and share their knowledge.

Welcome to the first week of July, which is yet another slow week of new releases, which might have something to do with this Friday being a major holiday in the US. This week's major release is a free to play mecha PvP game. This is followed by a relaxing trading game, some psychological horror, a fantasy MMORPG, a cat adventure and finally you get to relax in a tavern.

Mecha Break / This week's major release / Wednesday 2 July
After the Catastrophe, humanity harnessed the power of Corite—a mysterious carbon-silicon mineral driving rapid technological recovery. But its pathogenic nature and relentless spread threaten to consume Earth's last habitable spaces. In just decades, Corite is projected to engulf the globe. Humanity must find a way to preserve civilization before the countdown reaches zero. Resist. Adapt. Escape. Or follow Corite's call and forge a new path. Steam link

NetEase Games and 24 Entertainment (Lin'an) Studio today unveiled Blood Message, a cinematic, single-player, linear story-driven action-adventure currently in development for PC and consoles. Powered by Unreal 5 Engine and enhanced with proprietary tools and technologies by the studio, Blood Message is NetEase Games' first AAA single-player title, blending brutal survival combat with profound Eastern storytelling.

Blood Message introduces a forgotten odyssey of loyalty and survival where players join Dunhuang's uprising, taking control of a nameless messenger and his young son in this immersive third-person action-adventure. Caught in the crossfire of a righteous uprising and driven by loyalty to both family and country, players will embark on a perilous eastward journey to deliver a message that holds the fate of their war-torn homeland. Amidst the shifting sands of history, they will etch a final tale of loyalty.

Today, 2K and Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands 4 is now available for pre-order. The next installment in the critically and commercially-successful franchise that started a new genre of games will launch worldwide on September 12, 2025 via PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. It will also be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 later in 2025.

"I've been blown away by how high the team at Gearbox have raised the bar for Borderlands 4," said David Ismailer, President of 2K. "The development team crafted a premium AAA adventure that evolves the series' gameplay and storytelling in new ways, while delivering on the quintessential Borderlands looter-shooter experience fans know and love."

Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, has revealed its new open-world action-adventure collectible RPG The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin. The game is set to launch worldwide on multiple platforms simultaneously including mobile, as well as exclusively on PlayStation 5 for consoles and Steam for PC. Fans can pre-register and explore new information by visiting the game's official brand site: 7origin.netmarble.com/. Mobile pre-registration via the App Store and Google Play will begin at a later time.

Based on The Seven Deadly Sins, the popular Japanese manga and anime IP that has reached 55 million copies in global sales worldwide, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin follows the success of The Seven Deadly Sins: GRAND CROSS, a RPG that surpassed 70 million downloads around the globe. Developed by the same team, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin will feature a multiverse storyline original to the game and an expansive open world across the continent of Britannia, allowing players to collect heroes from The Seven Deadly Sins and Four Knights of the Apocalypse to customize their combat style and shape their own adventure. The game has been optimized to deliver a premium open-world RPG experience across various platforms. At launch, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin will support 12 languages, ensuring accessibility for players around the globe.

NEXON Co., Ltd. (Nexon), a global leader in online games, announced that ARC Raiders, a highly anticipated new game from the company's Stockholm-based Embark Studios, will be released globally on PC and consoles on October 30, 2025. ARC Raiders is a multiplayer extraction adventure that lets players carve their own path and write their own story, in an expansive PvPvE sandbox. Players take on the role of Raiders - rogue gunslingers who navigate a crumbling world filled with towering ARC machines, rival Raiders, and the ever-present threat of ambush.

With high-tension combat and an expansive world filled with mystery and opportunity, players scavenge the lethal surface and build their home in the underground neighborhood of Speranza. In both solo and squad play, where up to three players can join forces, each run becomes a balance of risk and reward. The release date was announced at the Summer Game Fest live show in Los Angeles, with a brand-new trailer, which gives players a glimpse into the chaos, camaraderie, and enemies that await them this fall.

Megabit and BKOM Studios have released an all-new trailer for Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults, showcasing brand new gameplay for the epic and unique hack-and-slash action-RPG based on Paizo's Tabletop Adventure Path.

The all new gameplay reinforces the challenges players will face as four iconics unite to conquer a sprawling mega-dungeon teeming with monstrous threats, hidden secrets and unforgettable encounters. The nonstop battles are endless as players fight through sinister spider lairs, face cunning foes in tactical squad combat, collaborate to survive environmental hazards and confront towering bosses in heart-pounding showdowns.

Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive, and developer Arctic Hazard today released an all-new story trailer for their upcoming Viking-age, turn-based tactical title NORSE: Oath of Blood, following its debut during the IGN Live event on June 7, 2025. The story trailer dives into the dark age of Norway, giving fans their first taste of the rich, historically immersive narrative of the game, penned by award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author Giles Kristian. Tune in to the IGN Live interview with the developers from Arctic Hazard to hear more about the story driving the gritty Viking saga. Currently in development for Windows PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, NORSE: Oath of Blood is scheduled for release in North America and Europe in 2025, and is currently available for wishlisting on PC storefronts.

Step into the rugged, untamed beauty of dark age Norway in NORSE: Oath of Blood, a turn-based tactics game that plunges players into the heart of the Viking Age. Embark on an epic quest for vengeance as Gunnar, a young warrior whose destiny is forged in blood and betrayal. After the treacherous Steinarr Far-Spear murders his father, Jarl Gripr, and usurps his high seat, Gunnar's path is clear: rebuild, ally, and rise to reclaim honor and justice.