After a somewhat slow summer in regards to major video game releases, September is starting off the busy fall season with a bang. While 2021's highest-profile releases like Halo Infinite, Far Cry 6 and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are coming later in the year, this month is set to be huge in its own right.
Across all platforms, there are new releases that will appeal to all kinds of gamers, from fans of fast-paced action to turn-based RPGs to innovative indie games. Here are 13 to keep an eye out for.
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
Releasing September 2 for PC, with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions launching on March 1, 2022
Fans of Pazio's fantasy tabletop-RPG Pathfinder should check out Wrath of the Righteous, a game that builds upon Pathfinder: Kingmaker's foundation. Like the game that inspired it, this is a mechanically complex game that allows players to build and customize characters to their liking, however, our hands-on time with the beta found it's also approachable for newcomers. Wrath of the Righteous features plenty of tutorials to help new players understand its many systems and abilities, as well as plenty of options to keep things fresh and encourage additional playthroughs.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate
Releasing September 7 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch
The Blue Blur is celebrating his 30th anniversary this year with Sonic Colors: Ultimate, a remaster of the 2010 platformer originally released for Nintendo DS and Wii. This new version will be a faithful upgrade to the original that improves the visuals and adds new collectables and customization options. But while Colors is a beloved entry in the popular franchise, those who took issue with some of the controls and momentum of the original will likely view this version the same way.
Life Is Strange: True Colors
Releasing September 10 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Stadia, with a Nintendo Switch port coming later in 2021
The next entry in Square Enix's graphic adventure series is coming this month. Life Is Strange: True Colors follows Alex Chen, a young woman with psychic empathy powers that allow her to see other people's emotions as colorful auras -- though sometimes at great cost to herself. After growing up in a foster family, Alex reunites with her brother Gabe after eight years. However, Gabe dies in a mysterious accident, which Alex must investigate using her powers. Unlike previous Life Is Strange games that released episodically, True Colors will be available in its entirety at launch.
Lost in Random
Releasing September 10 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch
One of Tribeca Games Official Selections, the EA-published indie Lost in Random offers a unique adventure in the Kingdom of Random, a gothic fairy-tale-inspired world where everyone's lives are governed by dice rolls. Upon reaching the age of 12, each citizen must rolls the Queen's dice to determine where they will live, a practice that separates sisters Even and Odd. However, when Even believes her sister is in danger, she leaves her home in Onecroft to find her sister in the Queen's realm. Along the way, Even meets Dicey, a sentient die with powers that help her along her journey.
Tales of Arise
Releasing September 10 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Known for its Linear Motion Battle System, deep storylines that tackle difficult themes and complex villains with interesting motivations, Tales of Arise is the next entry in the long-running series of action-RPGs from Bandai Namco. Arise is set in both the medieval Dahna and technologically advanced Rena, two worlds with vastly different values. Rena has ruled over Dahna and enslaved its people for centuries, and the game's main characters originate from different places. Those looking forward to Tales of Arise should check out the demo currently available on PlayStation and Xbox consoles
WarioWare: Get It Together
Releasing September 10 for Nintendo Switch
Nintendo fans have long hoped WarioWare would make its glorious return on Switch, so it was a pleasant surprise when WarioWare: Get It Together! was announced during this year's E3 Nintendo Direct. A microgame compilation like its predecessors, Get It Together! is putting a new spin on the formula by allowing players to tackle challenges as different characters, each with their own abilities. It will also feature two player co-op so players can tackle the chaos together. A demo is currently available on the eShop.
Deathloop
Releasing September 14 for PC and PlayStation 5
As a timed PlayStation 5 exclusive from Bethesda announced before but releasing after the company's acquisition by Microsoft, Deathloop is in an interesting spot. Regardless, based on our own experience with the game back in May, it might be one of the most compelling PS5 games yet. Deathloop follows Colt, an assassin stuck in a time loop on the island of Blackreef. Colt will have to take out eight target to break free, but that won't be an easy task. At the end of each night, time resets, and Colt must start again, retaining the knowledge learned in previous attempts to help him get further and further.
Aragami 2
Releasing September 17 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
The stealth action-adventure game Aragami 2 is a sequel to developer Lince Works' debut title. In it, players will control Kurai, one of the last elite warriors of the Aragami. These are victims of a supernatural affliction that affects the body and mind who can control shadows using a mystical power. Kurai must fight the Akatsuchi Empire, which has enslaved members of the clan, freeing them while also searching for a cure. The game allows players to complete its campaign in either single-player or cooperative multiplayer, and it encourages both stealthy, tactical approaches as well as high risk and high reward combat.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Releasing September 21 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC
Another Tribeca Games' selection, Kena: Bridge of Spirits has been garnering attention for its gorgeous visuals since its reveal during Sony's Future of Gaming event last year. Ember Lab's action-adventure title has players control Kena, a young spirit guide who helps the deceased move from the physical world to the spirit world. While Kena has magical abilities, she can also collect and call on her spirit friends (known as the Rot) to complete tasks, giving the game a Pikmin-like element. CBR's preview called Kena "enjoyable," though we also noted that the game "feels less like a next-gen experience and more like the mascot-themed platformers of generations."
Sable
Releasing September 23 for PC and Xbox Series X|S
Yet another one of Tribeca's selections is launching this month. Sable is an open-world game that stands out for more than its distinct art-style. It follows a young woman on a rite of passage, setting up an intriguing world and taking an approach to the open-world adventure genre that sets it apart from games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Unlike other games, Sable lacks combat and weapons, making gameplay solely about exploration and the introspective journey Sable is on.
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Releasing September 24 for PlayStation 5
One of 2019's most divisive games -- and Kojima Productions' first title since splitting from Konami -- is getting an updated rerelease. Death Stranding Director's Cut will bring the definitive version of the game to PS5, enhancing its technical aspects and adding new content like additional quests, equipment, modes and storylines. These range from a cargo launcher and boots that decrease fall damage to a way to revisit boss battles and a race track that turns the game from a walking simulator into Mario Kart.
Lost Judgment
Releasing September 24 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
The Yakuza spinoff that maintains the franchise's original beat 'em up action gameplay, Lost Judgment is a sequel to 2018's Judgment, which itself received a next-gen remaster earlier this year. The game will again focus on Takayuki Yagami, a private detective investigating a man accused of sexual harassment and murder. Lost Judgment will also allow players to explore the cities of Kamurocho and Isezaki Ijincho, playing classic arcade games and completing side-quests the involve the game's secondary characters. It also features a "Detective Dog" who will help Yagami during different parts of the game.
New World
Releasing September 28 for PC
After years of failed launches and cancellations, Amazon Games may finally have its first success with New World. The MMORPG is set on the fictional Aeternum Island, which players are tasked with exploring and settling. Along the way, they may join one of the game's three factions (Marauders, Syndicate or Covenant) and team up in groups of up to five to gather resources, take over settlements, complete quests, fight other players or monster, and more. While the game has been delayed several times (with the most recent delay pushing its August 31 release date back to September 28), feedback for the closed beta that began in July makes the game seem promising.