What to play in October 2026: Phantom Blade Zero, Gears of War: E-Day, Ace Combat 8 and more
Publishers are used to saving the juiciest releases for November, but this year someone else took that spot. That one game that made the entire game development world hold its breath. But more on that in our next digest. For now, we suggest not saving money for a rainy day - especially if you're a die-hard PC gamer (you weren't invited to the November celebration). Let's play now.
Main Releases of October
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X) — October 2 (September 29 — Premium Access)
Ace Combat is a well-deserved series: the first game was released back in 1995, and the thirty-year anniversary logo still flashes on the splash screens. It's not a hardcore flight simulator, but it's not a mindless arcade shooter either: you'll have to learn elementary piloting, speed control, and G-force management.
The trailers for the eighth installment focus on the story campaign — cinematic, bombastic, and vibrant, with interactive dialogues and cutscenes directly from the cockpit. But the campaign is just a garnish to the main course — online battles. A full-fledged Ace Combat Online has appeared with PvE and PvP battles, a “Threat Level” system, electronic warfare aircraft, and a new damage model.
The game is already in early premium access: the first virtual pilots complain about the technical state and traditionally expect that the day-one patch will “fix everything.” Bandai Namco apologizes and promises to fix everything quickly. Many believe them. But in any case, reviewers praise the campaign, sound, and direction. So, sky lovers should take a look now.
Gears of War: E-Day (PC, Xbox Series S|X) — October 6 (October 1 — Premium Access)
What do developers do when a series hits a dead end, and bold new ideas don't work out as intended? Dig deeper! Not in the sense of sinking further, but creating a prequel, trying to carefully return to the origins. It seems that's what The Coalition decided after the mixed reception of Gears 5.
Fans, don't rush to throw tomatoes: many were happy with the campaign (including our Mikhail Shkredov), but it didn't receive the warm reception of the first four installments, and the open world and leisurely ATV rides weren't for everyone. None of that will be in E-Day. The name officially returns to “of War,” and with it, a dense, refined level design without meaningless running around desolate landscapes. The classic third-person cover shooter isn't going anywhere: rolls, cover, active reload, and bloody firefights with the Locust remain.
The plot takes us back 14 years, to the very beginning of the war with the Locust — to that very “Emergence Day.” We will see young Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, and also learn how the legendary Lancer assault rifle with a chainsaw was created. The narrative now focuses on horror and the grim atmosphere of hopelessness of the first hours of the invasion.
Multiplayer has also been revised. The Coalition is betting on an “old-school” experience: abandoning battle passes and intrusive service in favor of classic modes. The return and refinement of Horde is expected, as well as new maps for online battles.
We hope the developers truly succeeded. More than just review scores are at stake: after recent reshuffles and layoffs at Xbox, this game is a kind of exam for the entire platform. It must prove that Xbox has not forgotten how to create story-driven exclusives. Otherwise, things could end badly for both The Coalition and Gears. And this brand is one of the pillars of Xbox.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X) — October 6
With Star Wars games and movies, you never quite know what to expect these days. LucasArts in its heyday churned out hit after hit, but now one of the most famous names in the world on the cover doesn't guarantee quality at all. Ubisoft's Outlaws was ambiguous — although our editor-in-chief Maxim Dragan liked it. Zero Company by Bit Reactor, according to our author Daniil Shepard, even became the main heir to XCOM — but the turn-based tactics genre is very niche these days.
The racing genre itself is not new to this universe — just remember Episode I: Racer (1999) and Racer Revenge (2002). Galactic Racer also doesn't reinvent the wheel: acceleration, drift, and special abilities are familiar mechanics. Only the background has changed: the Empire has fallen, the New Republic is trying to restore order, but in the unruly Outer Rim, the “Galactic League” — an underground racing tournament — thrives.
We play as a mysterious racer named Shade, whose goal is not to save the galaxy, but personal revenge and the overthrow of the ruthless champion Kestar Bul, who uses races to consolidate criminal power. And what about the roguelike elements? The campaign is built on a branching map principle: before each stage of the “tour,” we choose a race mode or challenge, some of which can lead to unexpected plot twists. Mistakes are punishable: too many accidents in one tour — a failed race, and a decision once made can have unpleasant repercussions later.
What's the result? The big name and recent relatively successful franchise releases have secured Galactic Racer a spot on the list of the month's main releases and player interest. But it still needs to prove itself in practice. And we want to believe that the creators of the legendary Burnout installments — Revenge and Takedown — will not disappoint. It's definitely worth a look for fans of arcade racing and Star Wars.
Phantom Blade Zero (PC, PlayStation 5) — October 29
Chinese development studios are increasingly confident in the AAA segment. And Phantom Blade Zero is one of the most anticipated action games of October. You look at the trailer and you understand: I want to play this. The battles are so vividly staged, the graphics and visual effects are so impressive. The production elements are also not lagging behind: it looks really cool and stunning. The entire game description on Steam is imbued with love for traditional Chinese martial arts and the wuxia genre. To explain to laowai, wuxia (武侠) is a classic Chinese genre about wandering knights, where supernatural abilities are organically woven into a historical setting.
The main character, named Soul, is accused of murdering his own master and is mortally wounded in the heart. He has exactly 66 days to unravel a large-scale conspiracy that has engulfed the entire martial arts world, clear his name, and lift the curse before time finally runs out. The arsenal includes 30 types of main weapons and over 20 unique “Phantom Blades” that can be dropped by defeated enemies and used in combat. The term “kung fu-punk,” which the developers from S-GAME used to describe their project, deserves special mention – an original mix of traditional Chinese culture and martial arts with elements of modern pop culture.
Not all games from Chinese developers find understanding in Western markets, but recent breakthroughs inspire optimism. Suffice it to recall the phenomenal success of Black Myth: Wukong, which proved that deep Chinese mythology and cultural specifics can conquer a global audience and our author run. code (see review). But we will not predict an unequivocal and instant triumph for Phantom Blade Zero – the competition in the genre is huge, and inflated expectations of a “genre killer” often lead to disappointment.
If the gameplay implementation is at least 80% as visually stunning as the trailers, the game has every chance of becoming a new benchmark for the genre and another loud statement from the Chinese gaming industry.
Worth Paying Attention To
RetroSpace (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch 2) — October 1
RetroSpace is an immersive space horror-shooter from a first-person perspective in a disco-punk style. It seems this description could be enough. But if you watch the trailer and read more than just the headlines, it turns out: this is not only a tribute to classics like System Shock (1994), but also an attempt to bring something new to the genre.
Our hero, as usual, is a simple cleaner on the Aurora-5 station. He has to save the station from a black hole, various misfortunes, and, by coincidence, humanity. The black hole here is not a soulless anomaly, but something much more sinister and, possibly, intelligent. However, it's not certain that he will succeed in escaping: the game has several endings, and, as is customary in the genre, you won't be led by the hand. All by yourself.
Mutamods deserve special mention: “they can significantly make your life easier and improve your combat and stealth skills.” Side quests are included. And also: “Death will be an integral part of the journey, but don't worry! Aurora can create an infinite number of your clones. True, there is one small problem: cloning is never perfect, and you must be prepared for serious degenerations.” Together with mutamods, it sounds like roguelike elements.
“Immersive space horror-shooter from a first-person perspective in a disco-punk style” — yes, but also stealth, metroidvania with a pinch of roguelike. The game is clearly “not for everyone.” But for connoisseurs, it can be a real find if the developers have implemented everything they claimed.
Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch 2) — October 8
“Hellraiser” is an entire media franchise based on Clive Barker's novella “The Hellbound Heart.” Since 1986, 11 feature films have been released, with TV series, comics, and books in development, but... not a single full-fledged game based on the Hellraiser universe has been released, although game designers have attempted to approach Barker's work. So, the first-person horror game Hellraiser: Revival is a kind of debut, and the title Clive Barker's probably emphasizes that the game is based more on Barker's original work than on the films. Pinhead here is definitely his own, not based on any of the actors who played him in the movies.
Saber Interactive's vision for Hellraiser: Revival is how it was conceived in the 1980s, but at an unprecedented technical level. The plot will transport us to the grim world of the Cenobites — beings from a dimension of pain and pleasure who enter our world through a mysterious puzzle box. The protagonist finds himself drawn into a nightmarish confrontation between the world of the living and otherworldly entities.
We do not recommend it! If you have a delicate psyche and RGB desk lighting. We recommend it if you are a connoisseur of old-school horror, a fan of Clive Barker's work, or simply want to experience a sense of dread that is so lacking in modern games. And if you do have case or desk lighting, turn it off. It's not the right atmosphere.
Valor Mortis (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X) — October 13
Traditionally, the souls-like genre is associated with a dark fantasy setting from the Middle Ages. Meanwhile, dark times also existed in other eras. For example, in Europe at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, things were not fun at all. The Napoleonic Wars redrew the map of Europe and broke many human lives. Valor Mortis is not just a souls-like in the setting of the Napoleonic Wars. Unlike many representatives of the genre, where the plot is purely functional, in this project, the developers paid much more attention to it.
The main character finds himself embroiled in a mystical conflict where historical events intertwine with mysticism. Not only soldiers roam the battlefields, but also supernatural entities. However, the core of the souls genre has not been forgotten here. The arsenal includes authentic cold weapons of the era: sabers, rapiers, bayonets. Firearms are present, but they are imperfect: long reload times, limited ammunition, low accuracy — all as in reality at the beginning of the 19th century. Unusual is the first-person view. This is a rarity for souls-likes.
The genre is currently in vogue, and it's rare when another month doesn't bring another release. Not all games gain player attention, even if they deserve it. Not all souls-likes that have sold well are worthy of attention. But that doesn't matter. The genre lives and evolves. And Valor Mortis is an example of this. It's not a given that fans of the genre will like the unusual setting and first-person view, but if you're tired of endless knights in armor and castles with gargoyles, this game could be that breath of fresh air.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X) — October 14
“Ultramarine, get your bolter! Time to purge heresy! For the Emperor!” If these phrases don't resonate with you, you can safely skip Boltgun 2. But if something stirred within you, the game is worth at least a quick glance. However, to pay attention to this retro-shooter with pixel graphics, classic level design, and most importantly — frantic dynamics and brutality, you don't necessarily need to be an encyclopedist of Warhammer 40,000 lore.
A story in a boomer shooter? Leave that to modern projects. You are given a choice between Ultramarine Malum Caedo or Battle Sister Nira Veirath. And you won't be given a choice of enemies: all heresy must be burned to the ground.
Boltgun 2 is certainly not a project on the level of the recent large-scale Space Marine 2 (see review). And you shouldn't expect cinematic production or photorealistic graphics from it. The trailers demonstrate a visual level from the time of Quake II or III: sprite enemies, pixelated textures, and a complete absence of modern “bells and whistles” like ray tracing. So, what we have here is isolated, pure, dynamic, and bloody gameplay.
Should you get it? Yes, if you're a fan of brutal shooters, the Warhammer universe, or both. And the modest system requirements certainly won't make you rush to the store for an urgent upgrade. The minimum requirements are a GeForce GTX 980. That's not even the generation before last. But it's not a GeForce 2 MX 400 either. Although... where would you find those now?
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch, Switch 2) — October 15
It's hard to write anything specific about Castlevania in terms of gameplay. Those who have played it already know what kind of game it is. For them, the release of Belmont's Curse is a great reason to return to that atmosphere. And those unfamiliar with the universe cannot be immersed with words alone. Trailers partially convey these feelings, but it's still not the same. The atmosphere of Castlevania needs to be felt.
However, there's a question about Belmont's Curse. The game wasn't made solely by Konami. Evil Empire (creators of The Rogue Prince of Persia) and Motion Twin (authors of Dead Cells, as consultants) worked closely on the project. So, we're confident that the mechanics will be fine. But hardcore fans might have questions about the visual style. “Not dark and gothic enough,” the old-timers will probably grumble. The visuals are serious and moderately gothic, which perfectly matches the plot, unfolding in France in 1499, 23 years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
Belmont's Curse does not deviate from the metroidvania genre canon, the foundation of which was laid by the first installments. The game features a progression system through Arcanas (tarot), as well as the ability to deeply personalize your combat style. Game zones, as expected, will be filled to the brim with secrets, puzzles, and merciless traps.
The game's release coincides with the franchise's 40th anniversary (!!!). So, the old-timers can wipe away a tear of nostalgia and open their wallets. We also recommend the game to all fans of the genre. After all, the developers are experienced enough not to mess up the balance and mechanics. Which means we have every chance to pick up the whip again.
Final Fantasy Resonance (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch, Switch 2) — October 22
FFR almost ended up in the “Re-release” section. After all, it's not exactly a new game, but an adaptation of the free-to-play mobile game Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius, which closed in 2024 after 9 years on the market. However, the game is not a simple port: it has been seriously reworked for release on “adult” platforms, so what we have is essentially an updated version with improved graphics, a redesigned interface, and the absence of gacha, which was an integral part of the mobile original.
The story transports us to the world of Lapis, where young knight Rain, along with his companion Lasswell and the mysterious girl Fina, embarks on a journey to uncover the secret of ancient crystals and confront the forces threatening their world. In terms of gameplay, FFR is a classic jRPG with a turn-based combat system, world exploration, quest completion, and character leveling. Among its features is the combination of sprite-based two-dimensional characters with a three-dimensional environment (like in Octopath Traveler), which creates a unique visual style.
Overall, Square Enix's new release doesn't look like the number one candidate for purchase in October. This project is not on the level of FF7 Remake or FF16. But if you like classic jRPGs with turn-based combat and pixel aesthetics, then Final Fantasy Resonance could be a pleasant addition to your library.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch 2) — October 23
Two or three years ago, another CoD would have been the main release of the month, and the release date would have created a clear field. But Activision's perfectly tuned conveyor belt is faltering: the franchise remains one of the main console military first-person shooters, but no longer the undisputed leader, and player interest is declining. Infinity Ward can't find a foothold for a new vision capable of overshadowing both competitors and past failures. Alas, based on beta reviews and published materials, it's clear: MW4 will not be a saving anchor.
What's new? An emphasis on updated movement and shooting, more thoughtful map design, and an attempt to find a balance between tactics and dynamics. Plus, an official release on Nintendo Switch 2 — according to effective managers, this will increase the audience. But these are not radical changes, and old problems have not disappeared: the community and reviewers unanimously point to critical issues with spawning (spawn-kills), too fast TTK, turning firefights into a lottery, and a general feeling of “unfinishedness.” The game has long and acutely lacked a “wow effect.”
What will be the result? The result will be the same Call of Duty, a game familiar to many for years. Only now, perhaps, this is not enough to make players forgive the franchise's sins and return. This is neither bad nor good — it's a statement of fact. If you have money and you love CoD as it is, you will buy it without our hint. But if you are already tired of annual releases with the same problems, then, perhaps, this part is unlikely to be the trigger that will make you open your wallet again.
ASPIS (PC) — October 23
“USSR, 1987. Six volunteers are connected to ASPIS — an experimental system designed to predict historical events. A year later, none of them woke up” — this is how the project description on Steam begins. In this Russian horror game, the familiar panel houses of the late USSR are bizarrely combined with an otherworldly reality, into which we are immersed through the interface of that very system.
The space gradually distorts during exploration, turning into a viscous nightmare with chases and confrontations. Some opponents can still be dealt with: the trusty Makarov pistol and environmental elements that can be used in combat come to the rescue. But other enemies, such as the Guardian, cannot be taken down so easily, and all that remains is to run. On the way to one of the two endings, our hero, engineer Andrey, will meet other volunteers, the Institute Director, and “creatures for whom the worlds opened by the machine are not unknown.” And the further Andrey progresses, the more inextricably this insane experiment becomes linked to the true reason he agreed to be connected in the first place: the loss of his wife and daughter.
The genre of atmospheric first-person horror games with survival elements and “walking simulator” is currently going through difficult times. Even the return of titans like Silent Hill does not always guarantee triumph. However, this does not yet apply to “ASPIS”: the project is potentially very interesting, if only because you will have to be afraid in settings familiar to us from childhood (or from our parents' stories). We can only hope that the technical implementation and optimization will not fail at the most crucial moment.
Gennady (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Switch) — October 28
Chthonic, boomer, and tons of humor. The Gennady trailer captivated thousands of gamers at the “NASHY IGRY” show by iXBT.games, and since its presentation, it has not lost any of its initial charm. The game's visual style can only be described as outstanding. And outstanding in every sense of the word: the project not only stands out brightly against the sterile modern indie games but literally bursts out in all directions, which is the main compliment for this madness.
Gennady's comments during gameplay, sometimes brazenly breaking the fourth wall, are simply amazing and funny. However, is it the fourth wall he's breaking? There are two dimensions in the game. We have a dynamic two-dimensional platformer-roguelike. The authors openly focus on absurdity and classic animation from the era of the legendary Earthworm Jim (if you don't know it, be sure to check it out. See article by Dmitry Krivov about one of the main heroes of the 90s). But Gennady, even without a super-suit, in just his family boxers (too bad they're not red), looks much more brutal. Both externally and, apparently, in combat.
To make this madness even more interesting to play through, all the splendor is seasoned with full-fledged roguelike elements. All so that at the end of each biome, you meet a “Colossal Beast” (that's what it says, no joke, in the description!) and literally demonstrate what our boys are made of. Pardon, Russian boomers. To show it, as they say, literally. A definite must-have for those who are tired of the pathos of the AAA industry and just want to laugh heartily and feel like a conqueror.
Anomalith (PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2) — October 29 (October 28 — PC)
If you mix Resident Evil in its modern incarnation, the aesthetic of spaces from Control, and add a pinch of 80s Japanese retro ambiance, you get ANOMALITH. Is the game promising too much? The scale, of course, is not the same. But the script is written by Romeo Tanaka (Stella of The End, Rewrite), and the music is created by Yuka Kitamura — the main composer of FromSoftware, who gave us the soundtracks for Bloodborne and Elden Ring. Intriguing, isn't it?
The plot revolves around 17-year-old Reona Minatsuki, who joins the government's “Bureau for Counteracting Anomalous Zones” to find a friend who disappeared in the distorted space of a shopping mall. During her first dive, as other “divers” die one by one, a strange power awakens in Reona.
Anomalith is not a linear corridor shooter from a third-person perspective. It has a bit of extraction and looter-shooter elements: you'll have to strictly control your ammunition (Resident Evil), decide which anomalous objects from the distorted space (Control) to drag back to base for crafting and upgrading equipment, and use special “anomalization skills” to survive in combat. Survive, extract, return. Repeat. And there's a lot of fan service: eye-pleasing waifus, costume changes, fine-tuning weapons, 80s vibes. Just right for boys of all ages.
But there's one nuance that might spoil the playthrough: at release, the game does not support Russian — neither in the interface nor in subtitles. So, either prepare to delve into the plot in English, Japanese, or Chinese. If the language barrier doesn't scare you, and the concept of “survival in a distorted reality to atmospheric music” beckons — definitely take a look.
Remakes and Remasters
The Wolf Among Us Remastered (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Switch, Switch 2) — October 29
Given the stylized visual style of the original The Wolf Among Us, a global graphical overhaul wasn't critically necessary for this detective game with a deep story. But collecting all episodes under one cover, adding bonus content and behind-the-scenes materials — that's a very attractive offer. And improved lighting, updated animations, and refined locations are just a nice cherry on top.
But what kind of game is The Wolf Among Us? It's a noir detective quest in the Fables comic book universe, where characters from classic myths and folklore hide in modern New York, in a district called Fabletown. You play as Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf himself), a sheriff investigating a brutal murder that threatens to shatter the fragile peace between humans and “fabled” creatures.
Our editor Mikhail Shkredov, in his review of the first episode back in 2013, wrote: “The intrigue builds, the outcome of each scene is difficult to predict, the universe captivates with its original embodiment of characters familiar from childhood. Excellent.”
Missed or forgotten about The Wolf Among Us? The release of the remaster is a great reason to check it out. By the way, the original game's rating on Steam still holds at an impressive 97% positive reviews from over 40 thousand.
Add-ons
Dragon's Dogma II: Dark Arisen (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch 2) — October 9
Dragon's Dogma II is an ambitious and systemic combat RPG from Capcom, where you play as the Arisen, exploring a living, open world in the company of customizable AI companions (Pawns). The game is famous for its spectacular, “climbing” combat with colossal monsters and complete freedom in solving tasks.
To Maxim Dragan, DD2 seemed imperfect, but worthy of attention:
This is a unique experience that only a few projects can offer today. Every evening I trick myself into thinking I'll play “for a couple of hours before bed,” and seven hours later, I deliver the final blow to a dragon soaring into the air with me on its back, and I wonder how to get all the loot back to the storage chest.
What new features will the add-on bring? We can't give you many details about Dark Arisen: the developers are deliberately avoiding spoilers and are not rushing to share specifics. But they have published some information. One of the main features will be the new snowy region of Norghan, which players will be able to access early in the game, and which will bring new storylines.
The authors also confirmed that the add-on will not be limited to icy reskins of familiar enemies. In addition to new variations of existing monsters, players will encounter completely original enemies. According to Naoto Oyama, entirely new character skeletons were created for them, so encounters with such creatures should be one of the main surprises.
Among the new gameplay mechanics, the developers highlighted the Relic Appraisal system, reminiscent of evaluating rare finds from the Monster Hunter series, as well as an increase in the number of weapon skill sets from four to six.
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