The last month of fall this year was particularly rich in simulations. This November, there is something for everyone – from building amusement parks in Planet Coaster 2 to the ultra-realistic Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. For fans of naval battles, we have prepared Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age, a strategy game about the Cold War confrontation. RPGs, horror, and our favorite post-apocalypse are also included. This is how VR helmet owners will be able to immerse themselves in the dark world of Metro in the new Metro Awakening spinoff.

But the main event of the month is, of course, the release of the long-awaited S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl by GSC Game World. The game, which took the first place in the list of the most anticipated Steam releases, went through a dramatic development process against the backdrop of war, and is finally ready to invite old and new stalkers to the Zone.

 

Metal Slug Tactics

Release date November 5, 2024
Genre tactical RPG with roguelike elements
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

After several postponements (and even for years!), the world will finally see the tactical RPG Metal Slug Tactics. In it, you have to assemble a squad and give the rebels a warm welcome. The developers promise an exciting campaign on hand-crafted maps, lots of challenges, and a driving soundtrack by Tee Lopes, the composer of Sonic Mania, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and other games.

Among the announced fighters are Ralph Jones, Clarke Still, and Leona Hayden. Ralph, who can replace an entire army by himself, is noted for his skill in close combat; Clark throws enemies all over the map, and the silent Leona can summon her copies to replace fallen opponents.

 

Planet Coaster 2

Release date November 6, 2024
Genre simulator, strategy
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

The first part of the amusement park simulator Planet Coaster has garnered 90% positive reviews on Steam and sold more than 3 million copies, and now Frontier Studio aims to surpass this success in the second part.

In Planet Coaster 2, players will be able to play with water parks. It will be possible to make a calm river for lazy people and slides with crazy descents for adrenaline lovers. We can also combine water activities with regular rides for more variety.

For creative types, the developers have prepared an event sequencer, a tool for creating shows with animatronics. This is essentially your own park, where robots perform performances prepared by you.

They also did not skimp on the tools for construction. There are four new themes for design: mythology, vacation, aqua, and Vikings. And almost everything can be repainted, enlarged, reduced, or attached to attractions.

The economic part hasn’t disappeared either – you’ll have to think about money, safety, and the whims of visitors. Although the developers promise that it will become easier to understand this, especially with new heat maps.

We also added some multiplayer: you can share your park with friends on any platform and build it in turn, compete in leaderboards, show off your creations, and visit other builders.

 

Metro Awakening VR

Release date November 7, 2024
Genre shooter, adventure
Platforms Meta Quest 2, PlayStation VR2, SteamVR

The Metro series spinoff for virtual reality headsets will finally be released this fall. It is being developed by Vertigo Games, a studio known for the VR shooter Arizona Sunshine. Meanwhile, the authors of the original games, 4A Games, are working on the next installment of the series.

Metro Awakening is a prequel to Metro 2033, which was written by Dmytro Glukhovsky, the author of the original books. Instead of a simple story “for show,” he created a deep personal drama about Dr. Serdar, who is looking for his missing wife. According to creative director Martin de Ronde, this is why the game has become more story-oriented than the previous installments in the series.

Interestingly, the developers have transferred all of Metro’s signature features to VR: survival, stealth, and shootouts. You will have to manually charge the flashlight, craft weapons from scrap materials, and monitor the condition of the gas mask (yes, you will have to wipe it). But the combat system will be slower, because the main character is a doctor, not an experienced fighter like Artem.

Vertigo Games gained access to all the assets of previous Metro games, so some locations and items will be familiar to fans. In addition, the developers focused on immersion: instead of the usual interface with the number of bullets, players will have to look into the clip, and spiders… Oh yes, spiders can crawl right onto the player’s face in VR. Arachnophobes better get ready.

The game will be released exclusively for VR devices, including PS VR2, and will take advantage of the headset’s features, such as haptic feedback.

 

Empire of the Ants

Release date November 7, 2024
Genre RTS
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 5, Series X|S

Tower Five decided to show us the life of an ant hill through the eyes of the ants themselves, and with such details that National Geographic would be jealous.

In this real-time strategy game, you will become ant number 103,683 (yes, they keep strict records). Your task is not just to run back and forth with twigs, but to build an entire empire. You need to collect resources, protect the queen, and expand your territory. You also have to research technologies, because the ants in this game are definitely not simple.

The game is based on the science fiction novel Les Fourmis by Bernard Werber and is set in the French forests. The developers used Unreal Engine 5, so every blade of grass and ant looks very realistic. In the trailers, the developers showed how the little heroes carry resources and fight with other insects. And, apparently, the most terrifying boss will be a spider – a classic of the “life of a small insect” genre.

 

Mario & Luigi: Brothership

Release date November 7, 2024
Genre platformer, adventure
Platforms Nintendo Switch

The Mario & Luigi sub-series is interesting because it adds a lot of RPG elements to the usual adventures of plumbers. So here we not only jump on platforms, but also fight enemies in turn-based battles, complete side quests, and so on. And the highlight of the game is the interaction between the brothers: when Mario and Luigi work together, their attacks become much stronger than single attacks.

In the new adventure, our heroes go to explore the open world of the kingdom of Concordia. Once upon a time, it was a single continent, but some cataclysmic event happened, so now it’s a bunch of islands. Mario and Luigi will have to work together with the locals to fix everything. Along the way, they’ll meet both new friends and old acquaintances from the Mushroom Kingdom – a kind of family reunion with a twist of saving the world.

 

Slitterhead

Release date November 8, 2024
Genre horror, adventure
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Series X|S

After completing the remake of Silent Hill 2, I needed a break from horror, so now I’m traveling the world of the Moomins with Snufkin. But if you’re looking for a continuation of the gloomy fall, pay attention to the horror-action Slitterhead.

The game is being developed by Bokeh Game Studio, headed by Keiichiro Toyama, the creator of Silent Hill, Siren, and Gravity Rush. It seems that in his new project, he has collected the best of his previous works.

The story takes place in the neon metropolis of Kowloon, where the main character, a disembodied creature named Hyoki, hunts for slithers, monsters that hide in human form. Interestingly, Hyoki can inhabit citizens and use their bodies to move around the city and enter dangerous areas. She is also able to turn people’s life force into weapons. Some media are particularly “compatible,” allowing for more powerful attacks.

Toyama noted that he was inspired by the energy of Hong Kong and his previous game Forbidden Siren. He aims to create something more than just a horror game – there will be intense combat and detective elements. Interestingly, Slitterhead has a third-person camera, like Gravity Rush, because the team includes the authors of that game.

The music is composed by the legendary Akira Yamaoka, the composer of Silent Hill. He promises to apply his unique approach: to create a sense of fear with the help of musical elements unusual for horror. In one of his interviews, Yamaoka mentioned the Japanese phrase “Ki wo terau” (to deliberately act strange) as an example of his approach to the soundtrack.

 

Farming Simulator 25

Release date November 12, 2024
Genre simulator
Platforms Windows, Mac, PlayStation 5, Series X|S

And you can take a break from the horror in the garden, or rather, on the farm. Judging by the sales of the Farming Simulator series, which has already sold more than 30 million copies, many people do this. In the new part of Farming Simulator 25, we will travel to East Asia, where we will be able to grow rice (there will also be locations in North America and Central Europe). Two types of rice and spinach will be added to the list of crops, and buffaloes and goats will be added to the livestock. The developers promise new production chains and buildings, as well as more than 400 types of real equipment, tools, and items from more than 150 brands.

The updated engine is now capable of handling fog from a distance, improved shadows, dynamic weather effects, and land deformation. And for true fans, there will be a collector’s edition with USB ignition and keys (which can be used to start and stop tractor engines in the game), as well as a 16-bit Farming Simulator demo for those who miss the 1990s.

 

Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age

Release date November 12, 2024
Genre simulator, strategy
Platforms Windows

Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age is currently on the fifth place on the Steam wish list of November releases. And no wonder: this is a strategy game about the confrontation between NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries, where the USSR played a major role.

The events take place in the 60s and 80s of the last century, at the height of the Cold War. The developers have prepared both historical scenarios and alternative ones for fans of “what if…”. The game promises realistic real-time battles where you can control more than 50 types of ships and 30 types of aircraft.

For complete immersion, we added dynamic weather, day and night changes, and advanced 3D graphics. There is also an original soundtrack and a scenario and mission editor so that everyone can create their own version of the Cold War.

 

Tetris Forever

Release date November 12, 2024
Genre puzzle
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch

What do Minecraft, Tetris, and GTA V have in common? First of all, it’s their enormous popularity: players are willing to buy these games and invest hundreds of hours of their lives in them. And it is Tetris, with its numerous versions for all platforms, that is the absolute leader in sales among video games.

Tetris Forever is a collection of more than 15 classic games in the series, including, for example, multiplayer Tetris Battle Gaiden, Super Bombliss with explosion mechanics to clear lines, and even a recreated version of the original 1984 game for the Electronics-60 computer. It is worth noting that some of the games were previously available only in Japan. Of course, there was something new as well: the developers promised a new game, Tetris Time Warp, where up to four players can play simultaneously, switching between different historical versions of Tetris with their unique graphics and mechanics.

The collection also includes a 90-minute documentary about the history of the game, focusing on the collaboration between Tetris inventor Alexei Pazhitnov and The Tetris Company founder Hank Rogers (by the way, there is also a good Tetris feature film about this story, which was released on Apple TV+ in 2023, directed by John S. Baird).

 

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Release date November 19, 2024
Genre simulator
Platforms Windows, Xbox Series X|S

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will try to prove to players that even the most accurate simulators can get even better. While the 2020 version amazed the world with its detail, the new installment raises the bar even higher.

Simulators of this scale develop gradually – each version adds something new to the time-tested formula. This time, the developers have improved the physical model (it now supports more than 10,000 solid surfaces), added soft-body simulation for fabrics and ropes, and updated aircraft systems, including electrical, pneumatic, and fuel systems.

The world has become even more detailed: there are now more than 150 carefully recreated airports, 2,000 airfields, and 10,000 helipads. And the procedural system adds another 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and about 3 trillion trees. For the first time, it will be possible to get off the plane and explore 27 biomes with hundreds of plant species that change with the seasons.

Of course, such accuracy requires serious resources. For “perfect” graphics, you will need a top-of-the-line RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XT graphics card, a Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel i7-14700K processor, and up to 64 GB of RAM. But even the minimum requirements (GTX 970 / RX 5700, 16 GB RAM) will allow you to join the most detailed digital copy of our planet.

 

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Release date November 20, 2024
Genre shooter, role-playing game
Platforms Windows, Xbox Series X|S

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World is an example of how game development can be a real feat. After numerous postponements and the team’s forced relocation to the Czech Republic due to a full-scale invasion, the game is finally getting ready for release on November 20. And the fact that it ranks first on Steam’s list of the most anticipated games for November shows the incredible interest of players.

Journalists who have already tested the pre-release build note that the game has made a big step forward, while retaining the series’ signature atmosphere. Character movements have become smoother, weapon control is more convenient, and the inventory is faster and more intuitive. I’m especially pleased with the absence of intrusive music, which enhances the atmosphere of tension.

In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, players will take on the role of Scythian, who begins his journey with a simple exchange with Professor Herman – an artifact in exchange for “a new home and hope for a new life.” However, judging by the name of the first task, “There and Back,” it won’t be that simple. The developers have added Ukrainian cultural elements, such as national mosaics, and completely removed the Russian language from the game.

The developers focus on both new players and old fans, for whom they have prepared numerous Easter eggs. According to game director Evgeniy Grigorievich, the team tries to maintain a balance between disclosure and intrigue. The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass.

The dramatic path of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 development was featured in the documentary War Game: The Making of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which tells the story of the game’s creation during the war in Ukraine.

 

Other interesting games coming in November 2024

Elin – role-playing game. Adventure, survival, craft, house building, myths passed down through generations. November 1, 2024 (Windows)

Albatroz – An RPG adventure where the player searches for his lost brother, who disappeared while trying to reach a mythical mountain called Albatross. November 1, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S)

Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch – role-playing tactics with recruiting allies and traveling. November 5, 2024 (Windows)

Goat Simulator: Remastered – In October, we really need an up-to-date simulation of a tethered goat, because the other simulations this month are too serious. November 7, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S)

Chicken Police: Into the Hive! – we play as a black-and-white rooster cop, investigating crimes. November 7, 2024 (Windows)

ZEPHON – is a post-apocalyptic strategy game with a unique tactical combat system Proxy. November 8, 2024 (Windows, Linux)

Two Falls: Nishu Takuashina – is a historical adventurous game and a simulation of life in seventeenth-century Canada. November 8, 2024 (Windows)

DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake – a reimagining of a not-so-famous but legendary RPG, the beginning of Erdric’s trilogy. November 14, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)

LEGO Horizon Adventures – a strange combination, isn’t it? Check out what happened on November 14, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch)

Little Big Adventure: Twinsen’s Quest – a remake of the old Advent story about a planet of two suns, tyranny, and resistance. November 14, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S)

Towers of Aghasba – Here we are promised an open-world role-playing game with the ability to build settlements. November 19, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 5)

Neon Blood – is a role-playing adventure in a cyberpunk aesthetic. November 26, 2024 (Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch)