Raaargh! That’s it, we’re afraid – one of the only jump scares you’re likely to get from our list of the biggest October video game releases. Sorry! But while horrors may be light in the month of Halloween, we certainly aren’t lacking for big-budget games. We’ve picked out seven titanic October video game releases below that’ll be aiming to keep you safe from scares this month.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Release date: October 5
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
Once planned as DLC for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Mirage has been expanded into an entire stealth-and-stab experience. The game is primarily set in the Round City of Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age. It follows a young Basim as he turns from street thief to assassin after joining an ancient organisation. Developer Ubisoft is aiming to take the series closer to its roots with Mirage, focusing on aspects like social stealth and parkour. And yes, you can jump from a high place into a hay cart.
Detective Pikachu Returns
© The Pokémon Company
Release date: October 5
Platforms: Switch
The gruff-talking, coffee-drinking electric yellow mouse returns, and he’s on the tail of a new mystery. Detective Pikachu pairs human Tim Goodman with the Pokémon PI as they search for Harry, Tim's missing father. Tim will need to interview the people of Rhyme City for clues, while Pikachu rummages through the Pokémon world. By pairing up with different creatures, Detective Pikachu can harness their powers to track down answers and maybe, just maybe, close this concerning case.
Forza Motorsport
© Playground Games
Release date: October 10
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Gearheads, take note. The Forza Motorsports series – older, more serious sibling to the arcadey, fun-loving Forza Horizon games – returns this month, bringing more than 500 cars to race across 20 real-world tracks from across the globe. Challenge AI opponents and upgrade your car in the career mode or take your track skills online to compete in events with other players.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Release date: October 20
Platforms: PS5
Peter Parker has a bit more bite to him than usual thanks to an injection of symbiote powers in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. This highly anticipated superhero sequel will see you switching between both Parker and Miles Morales as the two Spider-Men tangle with new villains including Lizard, Kraven the Hunter, and Venom. The map has been expanded to include Queens and Brooklyn, but don’t be daunted – both characters’ outfits have been upgraded with wingsuits to help you zip through the city faster than ever before.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
© Nintendo
Release date: October 20
Platforms: Switch
An all-new 2D mario adventure set within the Flower Kingdom. Each level features a Wonder Flower which reshapes aspects like the level, goal, and even your character in entertainingly unpredictable ways! 12 different Mario characters are available to choose from, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Toad, and Toadette. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will support up to four players in local co-op, though expect plenty of arguments as the platforming gets precise in later stages. Less-experienced players can also join in the fun with Yoshi and Nabbit, who feature different powers and are immune from enemy damage.
Cities: Skylines 2
Release date: October 24
Platforms: PC (consoles in 2024)
Plan the metropolis of your dreams – again! And this time, in even greater detail. This sequel to the immensely popular 2015 city-building game promises deeper, AI-driven simulations and economics. Upgraded visuals pair with advanced building and road design tools. There's also a broader sense of scale – both laterally and vertically – than before. The climate of your city will affect the natural forces you need to contend with as your burgeoning urban environment reckons with pollution, seasons, and more.
Alan Wake 2
© Remedy Entertainment
Release date: October 27
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Finally, some scares! Troubled author Alan Wake returns, but he’s no longer the sole star of this story. Alan Wake 2 will introduce FBI agent Saga Anderson as a second protagonist. Both leads have separate but overlapping stories which can be played in either order. While Wake attempts to write his way out of his own horror story, Anderson arrives in Bright Falls to investigate an unsettling series of ritual murders, only to find herself trapped in Wake’s nightmarish tale.
Which of October's biggest video games are you most looking forward to playing? Check out some of the other cool games arriving in October here.
