These are the game highlights for November

Rewind ten years and November 2014 was also packed with gaming highlights. My favourite was Dragon Age: Inquisition. Bioware’s epic role-playing game has just received its long-awaited but [hotly debated] successor, The Veilguard(/page/dragon-age-the-veilguard-im-test-fuer-alle-denen-baldurs-gate-3-zu-kompliziert-ist-35357). This month’s games should also provide plenty to talk about.

Metal Slug Tactics – this time with feeling

For once, Metal Slug doesn’t play like a merciless bullet-hell platformer. As the name suggests, you need tactics in the latest offshoot of the now almost 30-year-old franchise. In turn-based style, you control your trigger-happy troops on a straightforward battlefield, reminiscent of a board game. The pixel graphics look fantastic and it comes with the typically upbeat soundtrack.

When: 5 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Planet Coaster 2 – the fun’s all down to you

Are Alton Towers and Disneyland too boring? In that case, build your own theme park. In Planet Coaster 2, you create the wildest rollercoasters that will make you sick just watching them. Water slides that wouldn’t pass safety inspections are, of course, also a must. Planet Coaster 2 offers countless other attractions that will hopefully entice lots of adventurous visitors. As manager, you influence everything, from the choice of drinks at the ice cream stand to the design of the toilet facilities.

When: 6 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: online co-op

Empire of the Ants – here come the tiny critters

In this game, you get to accompany ants on an epic adventure through a photo-realistic forest. There are lots of challenges to overcome, things to explore and battles to fight, such as those against giant praying mantises. This title looks incredibly beautiful and shows the world from a new perspective. It’s based on the novel by French sci-fi author Bernard Weber.

When: 7 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: online PvP

Mario & Luigi: Brothership – cruise away with the plumber brothers

Fancy a big role-playing game but Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3 just seem too serious? Then take a look at Mario & Luigi: Brothership. The two brothers venture on an epic voyage of discovery through a picturesque island world and defeat fantastical opponents in turn-based battles.

When: 7 November
Where: Switch
Multiplayer: no

Metro Awakening – tunnels, mutants and VR

This new game in the Metro universe is being released exclusively for VR. Awakening is set a few years before the events of the previous editions. You take on the role of Artes Sedar, who’s looking for his wife after the fallout in order to give her important medicine. You sneak through dark underground tunnels and fight against bloodthirsty mutants.

When: 7 November
Where: PCVR, PS VR2
Multiplayer: no

Slitterhead – body swap

This is a third-person action game where you play a disembodied being called Hyoki. It can take over other people and fight with them against the monstrous Slitterheads that threaten the neon city of Kowlong. The battles seem a bit stiff, but with all the body switching, there should be enough variety. I also like the unusual monster design. The creator of Silent Hill, Keiichiro Toyama is the brains behind it all. He might be onto something.

When: 7 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: no

Chicken Police: Into the Hive – no time for chickening out

Chicken Police is an adventure game with a film noir setting. In a wicked city of human-like animals, you play a rooster detective who needs to uncover a conspiracy of global proportions. The first part alone was a masterpiece. With the help of numerous oddball characters, a gripping story and unique black-and-white style, I was thoroughly entertained throughout. So, bring on the next adventure.

When: 7 November
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no

Everholm – not just another farm sim

By day, Everholm looks like a typical Stardew Valley farm game. Cuddly pixel graphics, picturesque farm, colourful vegetable fields, cute little animals, fish mini-game: check, check, check, check and check. As soon as the sun goes down, the game becomes darker in more ways than one. Farmer Lilly isn’t just there to grow the biggest pumpkins. She’s also looking for her missing sister. By night, monsters come out of the woodwork and you have to fight them. At the same time, you uncover the secrets of this supposedly peaceful world.

When: 11 November
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no

Farming Simulator 2 – hold tight, it’s about to get wild

You can grow rice in the latest installment from Zurich-based developer Giants Software. You’ll be using the new irrigation system and, of course, new machinery. There are over 400 authentic farming devices to choose from. The developer’s in-house engine has been upgraded and now delivers beautiful lighting effects, fog and also shows dirt on vehicles. What’s more, you’ll find tornadoes and cute little baby animals.

When: 12 November
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: online co-op

The Rise of the Golden Idol – the conspiracy continues

Similar to the acclaimed The Case of the Golden Idol, in the sequel you have to guess the course of events from a crime, based on various scenes. It’s all about murder and intrigue. In the first part, the story about the legend surrounding a mysterious golden jewelery was set about 300 years ago, while the sequel begins in the 1970s. The graphic style is the biggest change. Once again, the game requires a lot of brainpower and powers of deduction.

When: 12 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Antonblast – Wario says hi

If you’re a wrestling fan, you’d better mark 12 March on your calendar for the release of Antonblast. This is a wonderfully chaotic declaration of love to the 2D action platformers of the time. Dynamite Anton looks even crazier than Wario and the gameplay is also more frenetic. But let’s face it, you’re messing with Satan himself.

When: 12 November, PC on 3 December
Where: PC, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Tetris Forever – 40 years of stacking blocks

1984 saw the release of the first playable version of Tetris. However, it didn’t become a global megahit until 1989 with the Game Boy. Tetris Forever is a collection of 15 classic Tetris editions. With Tetris Time Warp, there’s also a new game where up to four people travel through time and experience different Tetris games. What’s more, Tetris Forever includes a documentary about this cult game and its inventor, Alexei Paschitnow.

When: 12 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: local

Temtem: Swarm – fight monsters together

Temtem is a kind of Pokémon with multiplayer and an open game world. There’s now a co-op action spin-off to follow on from the surprise 2022 hit. Up to three people can fight against swarms of monsters. There are resources to collect, equipment and skills to unlock and increasingly stronger bosses to beat.

When: 13 November
Where: PC
Multiplayer: online co-op for up to three people

Lego Horizon Adventures – flabbergasting building bricks

Lego games are ten a penny. However, the block version of Playstation’s dino-robot adventure is the first to be made entirely of Lego bricks. This colourful fantasy world with giant, mechanical creatures is aimed at a younger audience. The usual humorous story takes you through many familiar and new places from the Horizon universe.

When: 14 November
Where: PC, PS5, Switch
Multiplayer: local and online co-op for two people

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake – from old to new

The iconic JRPG trilogy that began on the NES is being completely reissued. However, the third part starts off somewhat surprisingly. This is because it takes place in the timeline before parts one and two. The remake features lots of lesser and larger improvements, such as a refined combat system, new animations, customisable combat speed and an option for auto-battle. It’s aimed at all fans of the series as well as newcomers who missed the epic battle against arch-enemy Baramos.

When: 14 November
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – sky’s the limit

Rather than an expansion, this is a new, stand-alone game. The world looks even more photo-realistic and the underlying simulation all the more complex. There’s also a career mode that starts with classic flying lessons and takes you through the entire process to become a qualified pilot. You can then take on various missions as a rescue worker, airline pilot and firefighter to name just a few.

When: 19 November
Where: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: online

Toads of the Bayou – the amphibians are coming

Beautiful pixel art graphics, an atmospheric soundtrack and unusual setting with fighting toads – it all sounds incredibly promising. In search of a new home, a group of toads were tricked by the evil spirit of the dead, Baron Samedi, and transported to a cursed swampland. This is where all kinds of wicked await, for you to defeat in turn-based battles and with cards.

When: 19 November
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no

Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl – back to the zone

In 2007, Stalker created an incomparable open-world game with an atmosphere that remains unrivalled to this day. The world around the destroyed nuclear reactor at Chernobyl is eerie, threatening and yet incredibly appealing, despite the radiation. We’ll soon find out whether Stalker 2 manages to follow suit and create that fascinating experience once again. My play session at this year’s Gamescom was a lot better than the previous. Visually it should be beyond doubt, and hopefully it’ll be the same for the gameplay.

When: 20 November
Where: PC, Xbox Series X/S
Multiplayer: no

On Your Tail – summer holiday vibes

On Your Tail is an interesting mix of detective story, puzzle game and life simulation. Writer Diana is hot on the trail of a thief in a picturesque Italian coastal town with animals that are human-like. She chats diligently with lots of eccentric villagers, investigates crime scenes and then combines the clues on a kind of board game with cardboard figures. It looks very original.

When: 21 November
Where: PC, Switch
Multiplayer: no

Neon Blood – Blade Runner but make it 2D

Visually, Neon Blood oozes style. The mixture of 2D and 3D with atmospheric lighting is a sure win. You control Axel McCoin in a neon cyberpunk world that’s simultaneously dark and also glaring. It’s packed full of secrets and you get to explore freely. There are also turn-based battles against unusual monsters where you’ve got allies supporting you.

When: 26 November
Where: PC
Multiplayer: no