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The Best Games of 2014: October Releases

With the traditionally busy holiday season of blockbuster titles now only a month away, October also promises to deliver several highly anticipated games for everyone. Super Smash Bros, Alien: Isolation, The Evil Within and Sunset Overdrive are just a few examples of what we can all look forward to playing as the days past by. Below is a detailed list of 15 games that should definitely stay on your radar all month long.

Full Title: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Sora Ltd. and Bandai Namco Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: October 3rd (North America and Europe)

Super Smash Bros. is easily the most anticipated 3DS game in recent memory. With a roster of 49 playable characters, returning features like Smash Ball and collectible in-game trophies, this installment aims to deliver the definitive Smash Bros. experience on a handheld device. If you’re a diehard fan of the series then you already know what to expect and should definitely buy this brawler when it hits stores later this week.

Full Title: Alien: Isolation
Developer: The Creative Assembly
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Release Date: October 7th (North America and Europe)

Alien: Isolation is an upcoming first-person survival horror stealth game developed by the talented team over at The Creative Assembly. This title is set 15 years after the original Alien film and revolves around Ellen Ripley’s daughter as she is stranded on a space station infested by an alien. If you’re already a fan of this franchise, do yourself a favor and pick this up as soon as humanly possible.

Full Title: Driveclub
Developer: Evolution Studios
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Release Date: October 7th (North America) October 8th (Europe)

Driveclub is the highly publicized racing game coming exclusively to the PlayStation 4. With Evolution Studios at the helm, this racing title is expected to compete with the likes of Forza Horizion 2, The Crew and Project CARS this fall. If you’re a PS4 owner in the market for a new racing game, then Driveclub is exactly what you’re looking for.

Full Title: NBA 2K15
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Release Date: October 7th (North America and Europe)

NBA 2K15  is the latest installment in 2K Sports popular basketball simulation series. With a brand new MyPlayer mode and several noticeable tweaks to other key game modes, NBA 2K15 may very well be the best entry in the series yet. If you’re still holding on to NBA 2K14, now is the perfect time to upgrade.

Full Title: Project Spark
Developer: Team Dakota and SkyBox Labs
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox One, PC and Xbox 360
Release Date: October 7th (North America and Europe)

Project Spark is a “game maker” video game created by Team Dakota and SkyBox Labs. This Microsoft exclusive has been in open beta for quite awhile on the PC and Xbox One. If you’re intrigued by the idea of creating your own game then you may want to see what this title has to offer.

Full Title: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
Developer: 2k Australia and Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2k Games
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 3
Release Date: October 14th (North America) October 17th (Europe)

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is the latest installment in the popular first-person shooter/ action role-playing series. The game takes place before Borderlands 2 and focuses on Handsome Jack and four new protagonists. Borderlands fans who refuse to wait for the PS4/ Xbox One version of this game should do themselves a favor and pick this up on day one.

Full Title: Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
Developer: United Front Games and Square Enix London
Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
Release Date: October 14th (North America and Europe)

Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the 2012 open world action-adventure title. The video embedded above highlights a few changes that fans can expect if they decide to buy this version of the game. If for any reason you still haven’t played this game, then you definitely should do so now.

Full Title: The Evil Within
Developer: Tango Gameworks
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Release Date: October 14th (North America and Europe)

The Evil Within is an upcoming survival horror game created by Shinji Mikami. This title is already being highly regarded as the most anticipated survival horror game of the year. While I’m still a bit skeptical of this being true, I’m at least glad that i don’t have to wait too much longer now to see if my thoughts are true or false.

Full Title: Killer Instinct: Season 2
Developer: Iron Galaxy Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox One
Release Date: October 15th (North America and Europe)

Killer Instinct: Season 2 is the followup season for Microsoft’s revamped fighting game series. Under the development of Iron Galaxy Studios, Season 2 promises to add 8 new fighters each month and a dedicated story mode. If you enjoyed the first season of Killer Instinct then picking up this season should be an automatic given.

Full Title: Bayonetta 2
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
Release Date: October 24th (North America and Europe)

Bayonetta 2 is the sequel to the popular hack and slash video game created by Platinum games. Fans of the original game can expect new adversaries and challenges to face around every corner. Wii U owners have been patiently waiting for this game and will finally have their hands on it later this month.

Full Title: Civilization: Beyond Earth
Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux
Release Date: October 24th (North America and Europe)

Civilization: Beyond Earth is an upcoming turn-based 4X video game and a spiritual successor to Alpha Centauri. The video embedded above dives into the overall gameplay experience to give fans an idea of what to expect. If you’re into strategy games, then you may want to give this game a try.

Full Title: Freedom Wars
Developer: SCE Japan Studio
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation Vita
Release Date: October 28th (North America) October 29th (Europe)

Freedom Wars is an action RPG developed exclusively for the PlayStation Vita. This first party title has already sold well in Japan and is expected to have the same success when it comes west later this month. If you own a Vita and you’re intrigued by this trailer, then you owe it to yourself to see why everyone is raving.

Full Title: Lords of the Fallen
Developer: Deck 13 Interactive and CI Games
Publisher: Bandai Namco Games
Platforms: Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4
Release Date: October 28th (North America) October 31st (Europe)

Lords of the Fallen is an upcoming hack and slash action role-playing game created by Deck 13 Interactive and CI Games. Players take on the role of a convicted outcast and are tasked with exploring a dark world filled with demons and destruction. If you are currently playing Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, then you may want to check this game out too down the road.

Full Title: NBA Live 15
Developer: EA Tiburon
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Release Date: October 28th (North America) October 31st (Europe)

NBA Live 15 is the next installment in the signature basketball series by EA Sports. From a visual standpoint, NBA Live 15 looks alot better than last year’s release. However, the verdict is still out on this game and it will be interesting to see if it performs well when all is said and done.

Full Title: Sunset Overdrive
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox One
Release Date: October 28th (North America) October 31st (Europe)

Sunset Overdrive is the highly anticipated open world third-person shooter created exclusively for the Xbox One by Insomniac Games. Set in the year 2027, players are tasked with saving the world from a dangerous energy drink company that has turned innocent people into mutated creatures. Having had the chance to take a deeper look at this game during E3 2014, I can safely say that this title has the potential to be a sleeper hit and a budding new franchise for Microsoft.

Honorable Mentions:

October 5th:

Skylanders: Trap Team (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 3DS and Wii)

October 7th:

Costume Quest 2 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PSN, XBLA, Wii U, PC, Mac and Linux)

Styx: Masters of Shadows (PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC)

October 9th:

Final Fantasy XIII (PC)

October 10th:

Ryse: Son of Rome (PC)

October 14th:

Peggle 2 (PS4)

Raven’s Cry (Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC)

October 17th:

F.E.A.R Online (PC)

October 21st:

Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey (PlayStation 4, PC, Mac and Linux)

Fantasia: Music Evolved (Xbox One and Xbox 360)

The Legend of Korra (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, PSN and XBLA)

October 24th:

Fantasy Life (Nintendo 3DS)

Pokemon Art Academy (Nintendo 3DS)

October 28th:

WWE 2K15 (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)

TBA:

The Walking Dead (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One)

The Walking Dead: Season Two (PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)

This concludes my list of the best games worth picking up this month. Please note that some of these release dates are subject to change at any given time. Do any of you plan on buying any of the titles listed above? Please feel free to let us know in the comments section below.