Bright ideas for dark nights
T HE magical month of October has arrived, meaning Halloween is just around the corner.
And the new month also heralds the arrival of longer nights – and getting even longer when we turn the clocks back in just a few weeks.
But there’s no need to despair. This month also sees the arrival of a host of lovely new games – games that will keep you entertained on the dark winter nights ahead.
A new Assassin’s Creed lands this week, Super Mario is having a party, and as we head towards November, Red Dead Redemption 2 rides onto consoles.
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey PS4, XBOX ONE, PC Release: Friday
THE Assassin’s Creed franchise shows little sign of slowing down as this, the 11th major instalment in the series, proves.
Set in the year 431BC, the game plays out during a fictional history of the Peloponnesian War.
Choose between controlling a Delian League mercenary, or fight with the Spartans, and this time you can choose to play through the whole game as a female character.
Early reviews say in-game mini challenges feel more organic, and that the menace of microtransactions looms as a way to pay real cash to level your way through the game.
Super Mario Party Switch Release: Friday
THE Mario Party series continues to be some of the most fun you can have with friends on a games console.
Its original board game style has been made richer, with deeper strategic elements to keep players on their toes.
In Standard Game mode, up to four players can compete against each other – moving around the board collecting stars, and going head-to-head in various mini games.
In Partner Party mode, two teams of two players can battle it out to collect the most stars – just like in Mario Party: Star Rush.
For the first time in the series, Super Mario Party supports online play, so if your friends can’t make it, you can join thousands of players for some Mario fun.
WWE 2K19 PS4, PC, XBOX ONE Release: October 9
THE response to last year’s WWE release was, quite frankly, heartbreaking, but developers Yuke and Visual Concepts are hoping that this year they’ve hit on the magic formula.
The game’s creative director has been quoted as saying this will be the first game in the series to shun a simulation-style action in favour of a ‘faster and more fluid gameplay style’. Showcase mode returns, this time focusing on the career of Daniel Bryan as he fights his way to wrestling glory.
MyCareer mode has been revamped to focus on a more linear storyline, and, for the first time, your aspiring wrestler will have a voice.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 PS4, PC, XBOX ONE Release: October 12
ANOTHER franchise which remains hugely popular, this is the fifth COD ‘subseries’ release, and the 15th instalment in the overall series.
Black Ops 4 has no traditional single-player mode, instead focusing on Solo Missions Mode.
Gamers can play through each of the ‘Specialist’s’ backstories, with action taking place between Black Ops II and III.
This game is the first to not feature auto-health regeneration in multiplayer mode, and introduces a new ballistics, and predictive recoil system.
Fans of the series’ now legendary Zombie mode, will be pleased to hear there’s three new maps on release – four if you’re a super fan with a Black Ops Pass – with fights on the Titanic, Alcatraz and in Ancient Rome.
Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4, XBOX ONE Release: October 26
ONE of the year’s most anticipated games, Red Dead Redemption 2 is actually a prequel to 2010’s hit. Set in 1899, it follows the adventures of outlaw Arthur Morgan – a member of the Dutch Van der Linde gang.
The ways of the Old West are dying, and as gunslingers face extinction Red Dead 2 is a last hoorah for Morgan and the gang, on the run in the wilderness after a bank robbery goes terribly wrong.
Boasting a huge open-world map, great pain has been taken to help you live out the wild west fantasy.
The longer Arthur stays out in the wilderness his clothes become more dirty, battered and bloody. Even his beard will grow, and his hair become unkempt, which can be brought back under control with a visit to the barber.
Red Dead Redemption 2 promises to be an incredible experience.