11 Video Games Coming This Fall That You Don’t Want To Miss

It’s that time of the year again, when the trees are turning auburn, the leaves are starting to drop and the days are slowly but surely getting shorter. For most people, the end of summer is a picturesque but rather depressing inevitability, but as the rest of the world mopes about the onset of gloomy weather, gamers revel in the excuse to hunker down and enjoy some quality video games. More importantly, the fall marks one of the busiest and most exciting times in the video game industry as publishers time the launch of their latest projects with the end of year holiday season. Indeed, this year’s lineup of new games is set to be an especially packed one, with a some heavy hitting franchises set to do battle and some highly anticipated titles that are due to explode onto the scene as well. Here, we’ve compiled the 11 most exciting AAA games launching this fall that you absolutely don’t want to miss out on. There’s something here for everyone and all of these titles are sure to impress. So, without further ado, let’s crack on with the high octane, high budget, and highly anticipated blockbuster games due out this fall: 11) Forza Horizon 3 The Forza Horizon series has been long been delivering the very highest standard of open world racing simulation. The third installment, launching this week, takes players Down Under for more racing mayhem across Australia’s sweeping deserts and varied coastline. With an array of different environments, and some updates to its gameplay formula, Forza Horizon 3 is set to dazzle us with its visuals and challenge players with its signature well honed driving physics. Though the game isn’t wildly different from previous iterations, we still thoroughly enjoyed our time with the it, and for a more detailed look at what to expect, you can check our recent review. 10) Mafia III With a new protagonist, a new setting and a host of tantalizing gameplay additions unseen in Mafia games previously, Hanger 13's next installment is taking the series in a new and exciting direction. Set in a funky 1960s New Orleans setting, Mafia III features an immersive and densely populated open world that oozes atmosphere. Gameplay, too, seems much improved thanks to greater player agency and choice afforded by stealth options and an array of brutal weaponry. Thanks to its branching narrative and the ability to ally oneself with different gang factions, player choice will determine progression throughout its main story arc. Due to launch October 7th, there isn’t too long to wait until you can get your hands on Mafia III. In the meantime, though, be sure to check out our preview of Mafia III from back at E3 2016. 9) Battlefield 1 Even though there had long been rumors that WW1 would be the setting for the next Battlefield title, EA stunned everyone when that became a reality. Modern warfare and futuristic shooters have been the zeitgeist for quite some time, and while breaking that convention might pay dividends, we just don’t see many games, let alone multiplayer shooters, set in WW1. But, after the game’s initial trailer reveal was met with thunderous applause, and the beta was incredibly well received, things are looking good so far for the upcoming Battlefield 1. Releasing next month, Battlefield is locking horns with two other heavy hitting FPS titles due this out this fall (Infinite Warfare and Titanfall 2), and it’s going to be fascinating to see who comes out on top. 8) Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare After Battlefield 1 opted to go back in time, Infinity Ward decided to boldly take Infinite Warfare where no COD has gone before, but the game’s first trailer was hung out to dry by FPS fans. With a dislike to like ratio on YouTube that even shocked Justin Bieber, gamers made their impressions of upcoming sci-fi shooter evidently clear. COD has been progressively becoming more futuristic and for the first time in the series, we’ll be taking to the stars as Infinite Warfare introduces dog-fighting in the vacuum of space and zero gravity combat, but based on the negative reaction to its big reveal, the game hasn’t won over everyone. That being said, we’re confident that it's still going to do big numbers. Regardless of whether or not you believe COD has become formulaic in recent years, Infinity Ward knows how to make a great game, and Infinite Warfare is more than likely going to prove to be another solid addition to the franchise. 7) Titanfall 2 The original Titanfall was a solid game, maybe even a great one, but its lack of any decent single player campaign and Xbox exclusivity saw a significant drop of interest after less than a year after release. The upcoming sequel has made some big changes, most notably the inclusion of a decent single player offering which looks set to expand the wider lore that gamers always felt held such potential. Reception from critics and those with access to the beta has been positive, but the success of Titanfall 2 is largely going to depend on where FPS fans hedge their bets, thanks to the strange decision to sandwich the game’s launch between Infinite Warfare and Battlefield 1. Either way, Titanfall 2 absolutely looks like a game worth picking up this fall, offering a point of difference in its blend of traditional shooting and mechanized combat. More to the point, who doesn’t want to indulge in a heartwarming story in which man’s best friend is a giant gun wielding robot? 6) Dishonored 2 Dishonored is fondly remembered as one of the greatest games to grace the last generation of consoles. Its sumptuous stealth gameplay was lauded by critics for its ability to offer different play styles and approaches to the various missions set within each sandbox level. Its story, meanwhile, is a wicked tale of revenge set in one of the most ambient steam punk environments ever conceived. Unsurprisingly, then, its upcoming sequel, Dishonored 2, is eagerly anticipated by fans, and they won’t have to wait long for the next chapter, as it's due out next month. This time, players can choose to play as the iconic Corvo Attano from the first game or Emily Kaldwin, with each character offering different abilities. Oh, and Corvo actually speaks this time. 5) Watch Dogs 2 Despite being the advertisement for the next generation of console hardware, the original Watch Dogs went down like a led balloon. Ubisoft claim Sony and Microsoft’s unwillingness to share console specifications led to downgrades, but even if that was the case, the specifications didn’t have anything to do with Watch Dog’s dreary narrative and dismal protagonist. It's no wonder then that Watch Dogs 2 has an entirely new face, barely recognizable in anything but the hacking elements to its open world and the references to the DedSec faction from the first game. Marcus Holloway, the game's new protagonist, is whimsical where the Aiden Pearce was serious, and San Francisco is vibrant and colorful where Chicago was bleak and uninspiring. Here’s hoping it's a repeat of Assassin's Creed, in which the sequel blows its predecessor out of the water. 4) Gears Of War 4 The Coalition's upcoming third person cover shooter, Gears of War 4 is the highly anticipated next installment of what is arguably Microsoft's hallmark franchise. Set 25 years after the previous game, Gears Of War 4 marks the beginning of a second trilogy featuring a new enemy called the Swarm, and a host of awesome looking weaponry. From everything we've seen of the game so far, we're expecting a fresh new feel for Gears Of War 4. In particular, the narrative, which already looks set to be much more substantive. From what we know, old favorites such as Marcus Fenix make a return, in an adventure that spans just 24 hours and revolves around his son, JD. As always, you'll be able to enjoy the game's campaign solo or with friends via co-operative play when it launches this October. 3) World Of Final Fantasy With all the hype surrounding Final Fantasy XV, it would be easy to forget about the adorable World Of Final Fantasy, due to hit shelves on October 25th. Featuring a smorgasbord of the most beloved Final Fantasy characters from across several different games, World Of Final Fantasy is a mashup that blends both old and new. Mooted as a way to introduce younger audiences to the Final Fantasy series, World of Final Fantasy throws away photo-realism and opts for an animated cutesy aesthetic. Gameplay wise, it’s a traditional JRPG featuring an active time battle system similar to the older Final Fantasy series, which sounds fantastic. Expect a tale akin to that of JRPGs from the old school, which is sadly a theme that we don’t see enough of anymore. It might be aimed at a younger audience, but we’d wager that veteran JRPG fans are likely to go mad for World of Final Fantasy as well. 2) Final Fantasy XV Whether it’s genuine excitement or sheer morbid curiosity, we’re all looking forward to Final Fantasy XV’s impending release. That being said, there’s no denying it’s been a bit of nightmare for everyone involved. What was originally Final Fantasy Versus XIII directed by Tetsuya Nomura, has since morphed into Final Fantasy XV now headed by Hajime Tabata, with the entire project spanning nearly ten years in making. Despite that tortured development, and aside from that horrendous E3 gameplay presentation, there’s plenty to be optimistic about from what we’ve seen so far; a massive open world, crisp visuals, stunning enemy variety, and an intriguing, if not a little wacky, narrative premise. The game has been delayed once again, but we won’t have to wait too much longer to see whether this is Final Fantasy’s return to form or ends up being a spectacular flop. 1) The Last Guardian Echoing Final Fantasy XV, The Last Guardian is no stranger to development hell, having first been teased back in 2009 as a PS3 title, and then disappearing from the scene totally until last year's E3. Finally, getting our hands Team Ico’s long overdue title is just around the corner. Befriending a giant bird dog named Trico, players will navigate the eerily beautiful ruins of the game’s environment in a mixture of puzzle and platforming gameplay. It isn’t going to be a title for everyone, and we’re almost certain that no matter how good the game turns out to be, it’s never going to be able to live up to the tremendous weight of expectation that its ludicrously long production has been building up. Yet, there’s something magical about The Last Guardian that evokes a day dreamy sense of awe and wonder, and we’re not sure we'll be able to resist giving into its charm come December 6th.