Fall is one of the most thrilling times of the year for gamers across the globe. From September to December, heavy-hitters like Ubisoft, EA, and Activision release some of their biggest projects in time for the holiday season. Fall 2023 is shaping up to be one of the busiest seasons for the industry in a long time, with October in particular standing out thanks to the bevy of titles releasing throughout the month. It's enough to make any gamer positively giddy, and it's enough to make any gaming company brace for some stiff competition.

When it comes to the games releasing in October 2023, it's clear that some have more of the spotlight than others. From Marvel's Spider-Man 2 to Super Mario Bros. Wonder, much of the gaming community has their sights set on these titles while others have faded into the background. In such a busy month, however, it's important to keep lower-profile games in the conversation. While they may not be as monumental or mainstream as Assassin's Creed Mirage or Sonic Superstars, the following games can still shine bright among the stars that dot the October 2023 release schedule.

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Lords of the Fallen Brings More Soulslike Action

From the samurai action of the Nioh series, to the sci-fi style of the Star Wars Jedi games, the Soulslike genre has reached into almost every corner of the industry. Lords of the Fallen looks to provide even more Soulslike action for gamers who can't get enough of dark fantasy settings and challenging combat. A successor to 2014's Lords of the Fallen, this new title from Hexworks doesn't have many competitors within its genre, but it will have the challenge of releasing between Forza Motorsport and Sonic Superstars on October 13. Time will tell if its take on the Soulslike will be enough to help it stand out.

Cities: Skylines 2 Is A City Builder's Fantasy

The Cities: Skylines franchise has emerged as the premiere city-building sim in the industry, and Cities: Skylines 2 looks to expand the experience and give players more control than ever before. From new ways to control traffic, to modular upgrades for key city services, Cities Skylines 2 is shaping up to be a great way to relax and get lost in a game for a few hours. It does have the tough task of releasing four days after Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder on October 24, but developer Paradox Interactive seems to have nonetheless made something special with Cities: Skylines 2.

Ghostrunner 2 Delivers Breakneck Cyberpunk Combat

Some games are crafted in a way to give gamers the ultimate adrenaline rush. Ghostrunner 2 is no exception to this, as the first-person action platformer looks to provide enough fast-paced cyberpunk thrills to make just about anyone's head spin. Combining carefully timed platforming akin to Mirror's Edge with dynamic time-manipulation mechanics, it has the potential to be a standout release in October 2023. Ghostrunner 2 isn't doing itself any favors releasing October 26, a day before the long-anticipated Alan Wake 2, but it appears to have enough substance to ensure it's not completely lost in the shuffle.

October 2023 is going to be a challenge for many gamers' wallets, but it's also going to be a challenge for developers and publishers who have worked so hard to get their games to the finish line. While big, recognizable IPs are worthy of the attention they get, it's often at the expense of titles that are more low-profile. Most titles will find their audience in due time, but in a sea of heavy-hitters, it's important to remember there are more intimate experiences out there worthy of some time in the sun. When the dust clears on October 2023, hopefully the industry will have a wealth of resounding successes.

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