September has long been a standout month for video game releases, and one reader has shared their favourite titles that launched during this time, from Driver: San Francisco to GTA 5, while looking ahead to this year's bumper crop.
Memorable September Launches
Reflecting on the month's significance, the reader notes that September begins one day after their birthday and marks the start of the school year in the UK. In the gaming world, September brings excitement, and the reader highlights several games that made a lasting impression.
One standout is 2011's Driver: San Francisco, described as one of the coolest games to grace any console. It combined the series' classic chase movie action with an out-of-body astral projection experience. Players take on the role of John Tanner, a man in a coma who discovers the ability to cause vehicular mayhem from above the San Francisco clouds.
Platformers and Blockbusters
Another favourite is 2013's Rayman Legends, which the reader calls perhaps the best platformer in existence. The game's variety and fluid platforming are sublime, with colour and whimsy bursting from every fibre.
The same year saw the release of GTA 5, a massive title that showcased Rockstar's impressive scale. While the story isn't on the level of GTA 4, the game offers three playable protagonists, excellent writing, stunning visuals, and insane mission variety.
Recent Hits and Future Releases
Marvel's Spider-Man swung onto the PlayStation 4 in 2018, capturing the true essence of the character and delivering the Spidey title fans had waited over a decade and a half for. It was one of the Game of the Year contenders alongside God Of War and Red Dead Redemption 2.
In 2020, Mafia: Definitive Edition proved to be one of the best remakes ever made, transforming the original into a gorgeous modern shooter. More recently, 2024's Astro Bot brought astronomical joy to PlayStation gamers, with its collection of PlayStation icon bots and specialised levels.
Looking ahead, September this year features Onimusha: Way Of The Sword, The Blood Of Dawnwalker, Marvel's Wolverine, Silent Hill: Townfall, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and Control Resonant. The reader concludes that September is a month like no other for gaming excitement.
