September kicked off what is arguably the busiest and best holiday seasons we’ve seen for video games. Destiny, Forza Horizon 2, Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes – 2.0 Edition, and Middle-earth Shadow of Mordor are just a few of the games released in September, but now it’s time to look ahead. October promises more excitement with the release of quite a few Xbox One exclusives, including Sunset Overdrive. Here’s what else Xbox One owners have to look forward to.
Skylanders: Trap Team – October 5, 2014
Kicking things off for Xbox One is Skylanders: Trap Team, the fourth installment in the popular action-adventure series which brings to life toy figurines in a digital world. Skylanders: Trap Team is adding to its collection a new line of figurines called “Trap Masters.” These new Trap Masters, which have been released from Cloudcracker Prison, must be captured by you — the Portal Master — using the new Traptanium Portal. Once captured, you can then play as these Trap Masters in the actual game.
Alien: Isolation – October 7, 2014
Alien: Isolation is a first-person survival horror game with an emphasis on stealth mechanics. It’s set fifteen years after the events of Alien and tells the story of Amanda Ripley, daughter of movie series' protagonist, Ellen Ripley. Amanda, now a Weyland-Yutani employee, heads to a large trading station where the audio log detailing the events from the Nostromo has been discovered. It’s there where Amanda encounters the nearly nine-foot tall Xenomorph that’ll hunt you down mercilessly.
NBA 2K15 – October 7, 2014
There’s no denying the NBA 2K series is the premiere game series for professional basketball fans. This year, developer Visual Concepts looks to one-up themselves with 2KTV, an “innovative, player-focused, in-game broadcast program” created as a way to present game-related features, NBA exclusives, and 2K community-inspired content. Of course, there’s other things to be excited for as well, including MyTEAM and the usual solid gameplay.
Project Spark – October 7, 2014
Project Spark has been in beta on Xbox One since March 2014, but October 7 marks the game’s official release. The best way to describe Project Spark is a “digital canvas” which can be used to make games, movies, and other experiences. Players can download user-generated content or create their own content and share it with the world.
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition – October 14, 2014
Sleeping Dogs was first released for Xbox 360 (and PS3) in 2012. After some surprising success, Square Enix has decided to re-release it for Xbox One and PS4 as a “Definitive Edition.” This remastered version includes improved graphical resolution and gameplay, as well as setting and audiovisual quality changes based on community feedback. And, of course, it’ll bundle all of its previously released DLC.
The Evil Within – October 14, 2014
The Evil Within is a survival horror game from Bethesda. It’s been developed by Tango Gameworks with Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil, and the the father of survival-horror, at the the helm — so you know it’s going to be scary. Although early looks at The Evil Within were a bit underwhelming, I’ve gone hands-on with the game for extended periods and can safely say that things aren’t all bad with the game. Contrary to initial belief, The Evil Within is indeed every bit as terrifying as advertised.
Killer Instinct: Season 2 – October 15, 2014
Killer Instinct: Season 2 offers Xbox One owners eight new fighters (starting with TJ Combo and Maya, and adding a new fighter each month), enhanced game modes, and a completely revamped “sleek” interface. Like last season, Season 2 will be free, sort of. The actual game can be downloaded for free with a rotation of free playable fighters; however, users can pay to unlock fighters individually or opt for one of the Packs that usually unlock all of the fighters.
Fantasia: Music Evolved – October 21, 2014
If you are an Xbox One early adopter then you’re already prepared for Fantasia: Music Evolved, the motion-controlled music rhythm game from Harmonix. Playable with Kinect, Fantasia: Music Evolved — like the name suggests — is inspired by “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment from Walt Disney’s 1940 animated film Fantasia. In the game, you are Yen Sid’s new apprentice, tasked with animating the worlds he has created. You do this by moving in rhythm with licensed popular music, with an emphasis on creative control.
Just Dance 2015 – October 21, 2014
Seriously, you should know what this is by now. If the five previously released games haven’t already made you familiar with the franchise, maybe the title of this game will. You dance to popular songs, following the on-screen dancer to earn points. New to the series in Just Dance 2015 is the “Community Remix” mode where you can dance to songs that have other players on the screen instead of the dancers. Check out the full track list here.
The Legend of Korra – October 22, 2014
Based on the popular animated television series, The Legend of Korra on Xbox One is a third-person beat ‘em up developed by Platinum Games. It’s one of two games being developed based on the same plot from the series. In it, you control Korra, the series’ heroine, as she fights villains from the first two seasons of the series.
Lords of the Fallen – October 28, 2014
Enjoy Dark Souls? You’ll probably want to check out Lords of Fallen, a hack-and-slash action role-playing game developed by Deck13 Interactive and published by Bandai Namco Games. I’d argue Lords of the Fallen isn’t quite as difficult as Dark Souls, but it still kicked my ass.
Sunset Overdrive – October 28, 2014
A true Xbox One exclusive, Sunset Overdrive is an open-world third-person shooter from Insomniac Games. I know it sounds generic, but if you’ve seen anything of the game you’ll see that it’s anything but plain and boring. The drops you into Sunset City, a fictional metropolis overrun by the OD’d, humans transformed into monsters after consuming FizzCo’s new energy drink, Overcharge Delirium XT. What makes Sunset Overdrive truly fun, though, is the fast-paced combat, outrageous weapons, and exhilarating traversal which sees you wall-run, zip-line, and rail grind to swiftly navigate the city.
Which Xbox One games will you be playing this October?
