There’s no shortage of video game releases this fall to drain UB students’ time and bank accounts. We can’t go out much anymore, but we can stay home and discover new worlds. Here are some of The Spectrum’s favorite video games dropping this fall.
‘Star Wars: Squadrons,’ Oct. 2 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
This may be the closest thing yet to flying and the most immersive science fiction game ever. “Star Wars: Squadrons” from Motive Studios and EA promises to simulate the space pilot experience via virtual reality. Gamers will even have a detailed cockpit filled with information on power, targeting, and shields and can have space battles in single-or multiplayer mode. Also, the makers have promised "zero microtransactions,” meaning all cosmetic and customization items will be available through game unlocks. Players will earn experience from everything they do in the game, which will allow them to level up their character and earn Requisition points used to unlock customizations.
The game takes place after the destruction of the second Death Star in “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” Single-player mode allows the player to switch between sides, rebel (Vanguard Squadron) or Empire (Titan Squadron). The game also provides two types of multiplayer modes: Dogfight and Fleet Battles.
‘Remothered: Broken Porcelain,’ Oct. 13 - Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
The horror game “Clock Tower” was released in Japan in 1995 on the Super Famicom. The haunting atmosphere and iconic antagonist, Scissorman, led the game to become one of the pioneers of the survival horror genre and to have multiple sequels. The last game in the franchise was released in 2002, but there have been several spiritual successors that have attempted to bring the horror spirit of the “Clock Tower” franchise to the modern era. The “Remothered” series is one of these spiritual successors.
“Remothered: Broken Porcelain,” developed by Italian studio Stormind Games and published by Modus Games, is the sequel to the well-received “Remothered: Tormented Fathers.” Similarly to the “Clock Tower” franchise, the “Remothered” games focus on female protagonists solving puzzles and struggling to survive against antagonists they can only stun, run or hide from. The sequel brings back the protagonist of the first game, Rosemary Reed, who is still trying to search for a missing girl, Celeste Felton. It also focuses on two young maids, Jen and Linn, as they discover the horrifying secrets of the Ashmann Inn.
‘Assassin's Creed Valhalla,’ Nov. 10 - PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows
After a couple of years, Ubisoft’s popular action-adventure role-playing series “Assassin’s Creed” is returning with its twelfth main game, “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.” The game takes place in the 9th century and follows Viking clan leader Eivor, who can either be male or female and can be customized by the player. Similar to other “Assassin’s Creed” titles, this game provides an alternative history to the main historical event or time period the game is centered around, which in this case is the Viking invasion of Britain. As Eivor raids the Anglo-Saxon settlements, they become caught between the two main groups of the series: the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order.
Players will get to raid and explore the vast open-world map of Britain as they complete the main story quests and numerous side-quests. Unlike previous games in the franchise, the game does not progress linearly and players will consistently have to move between locations and even backtrack. New weapons and enemy types have been added as well as the ability to dual wield any weapon, including shields.
‘Yakuza: Like a Dragon,’ Nov. 13 - PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 5
“Yakuza: Like a Dragon” is the latest main game of Sega’s popular “Yakuza” series. However, the game differs thematically from others in the franchise. “Yakuza” has always been known as a Beat-em Up series — a genre where players use hand-to-hand combat against enemies — that usually centers on Kazuma Kiryu, a Yakuza from the Tojo Clan, as he fights through the fictional district of Kamurocho in Tokyo. In this latest version, the game is now a turn-based RPG that focuses on a new character, Ichiban Kasuga, who was shot by his former Yakuza boss and left for dead in the fictional district of Isezaki Ijincho in Yokohama.
Although there are many differences, this new installment still allows players to roam around the district and complete various tasks and minigames such as Karaoke. The story also keeps the same soap-opera-like drama fans expect.
‘Cyberpunk 2077,’ Nov. 19 - Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, Google Stadia, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
After several delays, the highly anticipated action role-playing game “Cyberpunk 2077” is being released toward the end of November. Developed by CD Projekt, the game is an adaptation of the dystopian tabletop role-playing game “Cyberpunk.” The game takes place in Night City, California, which is a futuristic city governed by corporations, filled with robots and cybernetic modifications, and struggling with high-rates of violence and poverty. Players assume control of the protagonist known as V, a customizable mercenary.
This open-world game will feature six distinct locations filled with quests and minigames players can choose from. The player can obtain upgrades and vehicles for V, and non-playable characters can react to the changing day-night cycle and weather conditions of the virtual world. Famous actor, Keanu Reeves, also plays a starring role in this game.
Anastasia Wilds is an assistant arts editor and can be reached at anastasia.wilds@ubspectrum.com and on Twitter @AnastasiaWilds
Anastasia Wilds is the senior arts editor. She has been writing for newspapers since her junior year of high school, and she has appreciated all forms of art for even longer. When she’s not writing, she is either reading, listening to music, hanging out with her friends on discord or streaming on Twitch.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
