Summer is ending and school is starting—but don’t fret, there are lots of high-profile games releasing this month.
While there are a few games offering open betas, like the cozy MMO Palia, the sci-fi trading card NFT game Parallel, and Yuga Labs’ Legends of the Mara, there are also plenty of major AAA titles that will fully launch in September. Here’s a look at the biggest video games releasing in September 2023.
Starfield
Starfield is an ambitious sci-fi action role-playing game (ARPG) from Fallout and Elder Scrolls (Skyrim) developer Bethesda Game Studios. Starfield marks the studio’s first new IP in nearly 30 years, and shots from its trailers and gameplay reveals have generated plenty of excitement online.
The game lets players embark on virtual space quests, customize spaceships and characters, create their own backstory, and explore over 1,000 planets—100 of which will contain some form of life.
Starfield will release on September 6 for most players, but Premium Edition buyers can already access the game as of September 1. The game will be released for Windows PC and Xbox Series X and S, with Xbox Game Pass subscribers gaining access at launch.
Mortal Kombat 1
Despite what the name suggests, Mortal Kombat 1 is the 12th installment of the classic fighting game series, releasing for Windows PCs, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on September 14. Mortal Kombat 1 will offer 20 playable characters at launch, including some of the franchise’s original retro fighters like Johnny Cage, Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden.
A screenshot from Mortal Kombat 1. Image: Warner Bros.
Mortal Kombat 1 looks promising, offering polished AAA-quality animation and plenty of magic and blood sprinkled in. The NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. game looks like a gory 2023 update to the classic series, offering 1v1 combat with a range of different backdrops.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
The open-world ARPG Cyberpunk 2077 from CD Projekt Red was first released back in 2020, but its Phantom Liberty expansion is expected to be a substantial addition. After an initially buggy launch for the base game, it’s quite possible that Phantom Liberty could provide the overhaul needed for players to fall in love once more.
The Phantom Liberty expansion will offer players new game environments as well as more quests or “gigs,” new cosmetics, and new in-game gadgets. Notably, vehicle combat will also make its debut with the expansion, allowing gamers to shoot while driving, deploy weapons attached to their cars, and hack other vehicles to destroy them. A significant free Cyberpunk 2077 game update will also launch on the same date for all players, whether or not they buy the expansion.
EA Sports FC 24
Love soccer? Electronic Arts is releasing its next soccer sim, EA Sports FC 24, on September 29. Ultimate Edition buyers, however, will get access to the game early on September 22. EA Sports FC 24 will be available for Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and the Xbox One and Series X and S.
EA Sports FC 24 is the first EA soccer game to be released since the studio ended its long-running partnership with FIFA last year. Unlike its FIFA-branded predecessors, EA Sports FC 24 will let gamers add female players to their teams to battle alongside the men. It has a massive roster of 19,000 licensed players and 100 different stadiums, too.
Back in June, Nike announced that its .Swoosh NFT brand would be integrated into future EA Sports games. It’s unclear which games such NFTs will be usable in, however. EA told IGN in June that it’s not “offering NFTs,” but merely “collaborating with Nike” to explore how .Swoosh items could be brought “into future EA Sports experiences.” Stay tuned!
NBA 2K24
Want some NBA action before the next season starts? NBA 2K24 is a basketball simulation video game that will be published by 2K Games on September 8 for Windows PCs, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4/5, and the Switch.
The officially licensed game will offer a large roster of NBA and WNBA players to choose from. Players will be able to collect virtual card packs and trade them online—but no, they’re not NFTs. NBA 2K24 will also include new Badges and reworks to shooting, adrenaline boosts, and takeovers. For the first time in the game series’ history, cross-play will be available for the latest generation of consoles—meaning players on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S can all compete against each other.
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis
Final Fantasy fans rejoice—a new mobile game is on the horizon. Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is an Android and iOS game releasing on September 7. The free-to-play RPG will offer gacha or loot box-style mechanics for weapons and gear as well as new character attire.
Ever Crisis will bring three new stories and reveal more information about young Sephiroth’s backstory and origins. But Ever Crisis will also offer an amalgamation of numerous FF7 titles, incorporating lore and elements from the original PlayStation classic and spinoffs The First Soldier, Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII, and even the movie “Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.”
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