October 2016
Endless Space 2 (Amplitude): 6 October (Early Access)
The 4X space-sequel takes to the Early Access stars in early October. Expectations are high after the success of Endless Legend. If Early Access lasts roughly the same amount of time for Endless Space 2 as for Legend, then expect a full release around March or April 2017.
Mafia 3 (2k): 7 October
Mafia 3 is promising a “cinematic narrative that responds to player choice,” set in what sounds like a pretty open city of New Orleans. At the very least it’s said to be one which “responds to Lincoln’s actions,” as he sets about getting revenge on the Italian mob and setting up his own criminal network.
Everything you need to know about Mafia 3
The Silver Case (Grasshopper Manufacture): 7 October
The remastered PC release of visual novel The Silver Case will show up in October.
Gears of War 4 (The Coalition): 11 October – Windows 10 only
The manliest manly cover shooter of them all makes another of its sporadic appearances on PC. Gears of War 4 is another Microsoft joint so it’s Windows 10 only.
Shadow Warrior 2 (Flying Wild Hog): 13 October
Lo Wang returns as the main protagonist, but he’s “brought some friends” to help him out this time. Seems like a good idea, because within seconds of the trailer’s start, Wang has already lost his car to an errant demon-creature.
Read more about Shadow Warrior 2
Civilization VI (Firaxis): 21 October
The long-running 4X strategy series will be back in October 2016. Hexes will be returning from Civilization V, but there will also be (limited) unit stacking. A Cultural ‘Civics tree’ is now a separate research mechanic.
Everything you need to know about Civilization VI
Battlefield 1 (DICE): 21 October
The predominately multiplayer shooter heads back in time to WW1 in an effort to adapt it’s usual brand of dynamic destruction and class-based modes to the most senseless conflicts of the early 20th century. No playable French army in multiplayer, for some bizarre reason. Which is a bit like leaving America out of WW2.
Everything you need to know about Battlefield 1
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Dimps): 25 October
His release date … i-it can’t be. Yes, Dragon Ball Xenoverse will return in a sequel set for release in Autumn. It’s another time-hopping jaunt.
Titanfall 2 (Respawn): 28 October
EA thinks the best time to release Titanfall 2 is one week after Battlefield 1. I don’t understand publishers. But I do understand Titans, of which this sequel will have more. This time they have swords and personalities and stuff. Plus there’s a single player campaign.
Everything you kneed to know about Titanfall 2
Skyrim: Special Edition (Bethesda): 28 October
Hey, you, remember Skyrim? Want to play it on PC but with prettier graphics? Oh, you already did with mods. Well, good news, this update is free on PC if you already own the Legendary Edition or all the DLC.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (DIMPS): 28 October
Also joining a busy 28 October is this sequel to Dragon Ball Xenoverse. Once again you’ll be patrolling through time with a custom character to make sure the Dragon Ball ‘canon’ is upheld.
Just Dance 2017 (Ubisoft): October
Making its way to the PC for the very first time, it’s Ubisoft’s venerable dancing title Just Dance. Not really sure what to expect from this, but E3 suggests Queen and giraffes.
November 2016
Super Dungeon Bros (React Games): 1 November
The co-op dungeon brawler will be coming to the PC on 1 November priced £14.99 / €19.99. The heavy metal heroes have been summoned on a quest by the Gods of Rock as they head into the fantasy realm of Rökheim. Designed for co-op on and offline for up to four players, there’s random room generation there’s plenty of level variety promised.
Moto Racer 4 (Artefect Studio): 3 November
The game has been developed under the supervision of Paul Cuisset who created the original classic bike racers and Moto Racer 4 will come with two modes, the regular racing on asphalt and also on dirt with motocross bikes.
Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation (Stardock): 3 November
The release is an “expandalone”, in other words buy this and get the original game as part of the deal. There are numerous improvements that the development team have been working on since the initial release and they are all included.
Stardock readily admit work was needed to improve the game adding that the presentation was “sometimes bland and uninspiring”. With that in mind, Escalation’s campaign mode will dig deeper into the lore . Strategic zoom has also been added in a similar way to Sins of a Solar Empire making large armies more manageable, a feature that Stardock admit should have been added originally.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (Infinity Ward): 4 November
Can’t fool me, Infinity Ward, this warfare is going to last a year, just like all the other times. I was fooled by The Neverending Story, but never again. This time, CoD goes to space or something.
Football Manager 2017 (Sports Interactive): 4 November
My natural 20 stat in vision means I know this is coming. A little later this year, it’s due in November.
Tyranny (Obsidian): 10 November
Another isometric-ish RPG offering from Obsidian. In Tyranny, the forces of evil were victories. You are an officer in the Overlord Kyros’ army. Will you use your power to inspire loyalty, or spread fear? Due in November.
Everything you need to know about Tyranny
Dishonored 2 (Arkane): 11 November
As Emily (or Corvo,) you’ll be travelling to Serkonos to dispense Outsider-powered justice to various unpleasant, oppressive types. The E3 trailer gave this a bit of a Thief 2: The Metal Age vibe, which is something I desperately want to be true. New powers, new levels, new protagonist option, voiced main characters, and more new bits you’d expect from a sequel.
Everything you need to know about Dishonored 2
Everything you need to know about Watch Dogs 2
Planet Coaster (Frontier): 17 November
Elite developers Frontier return to their other love, rollercoasters. It’s due in Q4 2016 (so, late in the year), and it’s probably going to be a bit Rollercoaster Tycoon-ey.
Killing Floor 2 (Tripwire Interactive): 18 November
Tripwire’s predominantly co-op zombie shooter will be clawing its way out of Early Access in November.
Watch Dogs 2 (Ubisoft): 29 November
Ubisoft is back with more Watch Dogs 2 later this year. Hack the planet as a member of the thoroughly unlikable DedSec group, and go up against a conspiracy of San Francisco corruption but still come out looking like the baddies because you ran remote cars into everybody. The PC version is coming 29 November (later than console versions).
December 2016
Steep (Ubisoft): 2 December
Open-world winter sports shenanigans from Ubisoft.
Dead Rising 4 (Capcom Vancouver): 6 December – Windows 10 only
Frank West returns with numerous new elaborate ways to smash, crunch, and craft his way through hordes of mindless zombies. This one will be locked down by Microsoft to Windows 10 at first. Expect a Steam release about three months down the line.
Space Hulk: Deathwing (Streum On Studio/Cyanide): 14 December
Anybody with fond memories of the absolute lunacy behind EYE: Divine Cybermancy should be aware that the same guys are involved in making this licensed Space Hulk shooter. Cyanide are also involved, so your guess is probably as good as ours about how this one might turn out. I just want more Brouzoufs.
Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator (Arc System Works): 14 December
More anime punching is PC-bound this December. Xrd Sign was a pretty good port, so let’s hope Revelator is too.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier (Telltale): 20 December
Clementine is back, and now a teenager, in Telltale’s third Walking Dead season. Play as Clem and new guy Javier through an episodic story that’s said to be approachable for those new to The Walking Dead, but still has links to the prior seasons. Episode one (of five) is due on 20 December.
