Ah, September. The month where pumpkin spice lattes make their grand return, leaves start to change color, and game publishers decide to drop some of the most anticipated titles of the year.
Historically, September has been the gaming industry’s version of a red carpet event. As we inch closer to the holiday season, AAA titles start to pop up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. This year was no exception, with a slew of games that had us reaching for our controllers (and occasionally, our wallets).
But how does it stack up against the history of September releases? In this article, we’ll take a trip down memory lane, checking out the top September game releases from the past 10 years and seeing how they measure up to this year. To gauge their success, we’re using nominations and awards from The Game Awards, which began in 2014.
So, without further ado, here is a detailed list of all major September releases since 2014:
2014
- Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor – 3 nominations and 1 win
- Destiny – 3 nominations and 1 win
- Bayonetta 2 – 2 nominations
- FIFA 15 – 1 nomination
- NBA 2K15 – 1 nomination
- The Sims 4
2015
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – 4 nominations and 2 wins
- Undertale – 3 nominations
- FIFA 16 – 1 nomination
- Forza Motorsport 6 – 1 nomination
- NBA 2K16 – 1 nomination
- Soma
- Jotun
- Pokemon Super Mystery
- Blood Bowl 2
- Mad Max
2016
- Persona 5 – 4 nominations and 1 win
- Forza Horizon 3 – 1 nomination and 1 win
- NBA 2K17 – 1 nomination
- FIFA 17 – 1 nomination
- Masquerada: Songs and Shadows
- Rive
2017
- Metroid: Samus Returns – 1 nomination and 1 win
- Destiny 2 – 6 nominations
- Divinity: Original Sin II – 1 nomination
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – 1 nomination
- Total War: Warhammer II – 1 nomination
- FIFA 18 – 1 nomination
- NBA 2K18 – 1 nomination
- Project CARS 2 – 1 nomination
- Tooth and Tail – 1 nomination
2018
- Marvel’s Spider-Man – 7 nominations
- Life Is Strange 2 – 2 nominations
- FIFA 19 – 1 nomination
- NBA 2K19 – 1 nomination
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
2019
- Gears 5 – 3 nominations
- Borderlands 3 – 2 nominations
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – 2 nominations
- FIFA 20 – 1 nomination
- Magic: The Gathering Arena
- Children of Morta
- NBA 2K20
2020
- Genshin Impact – 2 nominations
- NBA 2K21 – 1 nomination
- Marvel’s Avengers
2021
- Deathloop – 9 nominations and 2 wins
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits – 3 nominations and 2 wins
- Life Is Strange: True Colors – 3 nominations and 1 win
- Tales of Arise – 1 nomination and 1 win
- The Artful Escape – 3 nominations
- Sable – 1 nomination
- FIFA 22 – 1 nomination
- Hot Wheels Unleashed – 1 nomination
- Lost Judgement
2022
- Splatoon 3 – 2 nominations and 1 win
- The Last of Us Part I – 1 nomination
- Return to Monkey Island – 1 nomination
- JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle – 1 nomination
- FIFA 23 – 1 nomination
- NBA 2K23 – 1 nomination
- Metal: Hellsinger – 1 nomination
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
Note: This list does not include expansion packs/DLCs.
Among the mentioned years, it’s evident that September 2020 saw the fewest major releases, while September 2021 had the highest number, many of which achieved recognition at The Game Awards. With this in mind, let’s now explore the standout major releases of this year, keeping in mind that 2021 is the year to beat.
2023
- Lies of P
- Mortal Kombat 1
- Starfield
- Baldur’s Gate III
- Counter-Strike 2
- Payday 3
- Party Animals
- The Crew Motorfest
- EA Sports FC 24
- NBA 2K24
Now, anyone who’s spent a decent amount of time immersed in September’s gaming scene will agree that Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, Mortal Kombat 1, and Lies of P stole the spotlight. It’s like the gaming gods looked down and said, “Let there be epicness!”
First up, Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian Studios might be the new kid on the block in regards to the Baldur’s Gate series, but its RPG pedigree with hits like Divinity: Original Sin II made it the perfect candidate to take up the mantle. The result? A game that’s been hailed by many as the potential Game of the Year. Not too shabby for a studio that didn’t even create the original series, right?
Then there’s Starfield. Ten years in the making, and Bethesda’s first new IP in almost a quarter of a century. The hype was real, and while some critics might have nitpicked, the game has soared (pun intended) to rival the vastness of No Man’s Sky. And let’s be honest, after a decade of waiting, it’s a relief that the game didn’t turn out to be the Duke Nukem Forever of space RPGs.
Next up is Mortal Kombat 1. NetherRealm Studios, in a move that surprised everyone, decided to hit the reset button on its iconic franchise. The gory series was revitalized with revamped storylines, striking visuals, and the kind of action that makes you wince and cheer simultaneously. It’s not a reinvention but a rejuvenation, and by the Elder Gods, it worked!
For those who enjoy the sweet, sweet torture of Soulslike games, Lies of P was the jam of the month. It’s as if Bloodborne and Sekiro had a baby, and then that baby read The Adventures of Pinocchio and thought, “I can make this darker.” Kudos to Neowiz Games and Round8 Studio for creating this punishingly delightful experience.
Looking ahead to The Game Awards, it’s hard to see many titles challenging the might of Baldur’s Gate III. Maybe, just maybe, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 might give it a run for its money.
Payday 3 stumbled out of the gate with a myriad of launch issues, while NBA 2K24 seems to be stuck in a creative rut, offering little more than its predecessor did. Counter-Strike 2, although an upgrade, feels too familiar, and Party Animals, while superior, might not generate enough buzz for a nomination.
In the sports corner, while The Crew Motorfest and EA Sports FC 24 might get a nod, they’re probably going to be left in the dust by Turn 10 Studios’ upcoming sim racer, Forza Motorsport.
So, was September 2023 the best gaming month in history? It’s a tough call. While it’s hard to definitively crown this year as the emperor of September releases, it’s safe to say it’s in the running, with some strong contenders for The Game Awards.
Who knows, the coveted Game of the Year award might just land in the lap of one of September’s releases. You know which one I’m subtly nudging at, don’t you?
