As the Christmas songs are becoming all too audible, and the Christmas lists are being written, the big hitters are entering the arena. What a month November is shaping up to be.
Forza Horizon 5
Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, PC – November 9 (Ultimate Edition November 5)
Forza Horizon 5 was no doubt the big winner of E3 2021. Set in the wonderous location of Mexico, the latest entry in the arcade racing series looks set to finally deliver that next-gen experience. Expect the same arcade racing experience that we’ve grown to love from the series dialled up a few notches. The level of detail within this game appears to be insane from the individual needles on the cacti to the extreme mapping of the Mexican skies.
Of course, as Playground Games are a first party studio, this arrives Xbox Game Pass day one – no excuses not to be on that starting line. Forza Horizon 5 is one of our Playlist games for November, so expect a few community sessions throughout the month and maybe a Cross Seasons challenge too!
Battlefield 2042
PC, PS5, Xbox Series S|X, PS4, Xbox One – November 19
After a 3-year hiatus (and a month’s delay) Battlefield is back and bigger than ever, supporting up to 128 players in online multiplayer. Battlefield 2042 is set in the near future, with players set to take on, and hopefully overcome, dynamically changing battlegrounds.
With a lack of a campaign mode DICE have instead added a few new community requested features, the most notable being Battlefield Portal. Portal allows players to customise almost all aspects of their game including the use of maps from a number of previous instalments including 2042 and Bad Company 2.
Plenty to keep players happy at launch with much more to come!
Shin Megami Tensei V
Nintendo Switch – November 12
This highly anticipated JRPG lands exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. Originally announced back in 2017, it has taken its time to get here, with many fans worried that it would never see the light of day. Set in modern-day Tokyo, SMT V sees the player take control of a high-school student in the midst of a battle between angels and demons.
Early previews have been incredibly positive so hopefully this will be worth the wait for the JRPG fans out there!
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Nintendo Switch – November 19
Two years on from Sword and Shield, the latest release in the Pokémon universe sees a remake of the 2006 DS titles Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Players will embark on a return to the Sinnoh region with many of the region’s Pokémon making their Switch debuts.
Early impressions suggest these may be rather safe remakes, staying true to the original. Whether that will be enough to satiate the masses, time will tell.
Football Manager 2022
PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One – November 9
It is Football Manager season again, but this time also kicking-off Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass (console and PC). This year’s game isn’t reinventing the wheel, it is a football management sim after all, but it does include a number of new features including improved match experience, an all-new data hub, new true-to-life staff meetings and a redesigned Deadline Day experience.
With the console and PC versions arriving at the same time, and an impressive array of new additions and upgrades, Football Manager 2022 looks set to be as immersive (and addictive) as ever.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition
PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and the Rockstar Games Launcher – November 11
The long-rumoured remaster is finally a reality, and one that will be in our hands (figuratively and literally with the series’ Nintendo Switch debut) very soon. Featuring 3 of the franchise’s most beloved titles – GTA III, GTA Vice City, and GTA San Andreas – there is plenty for fans to be excited about.
At this point it’s hard to tell the extent of the remaster, however the screenshots and trailers hint at some excellent quality-of-life improvements to what were already masterpieces in the eyes of many.
The release schedule for this one proves interesting, with the digital release on November 11 followed by a physical release on December 7. Interestingly, it is the inclusion of different parts of the package within PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass that comes as the biggest surprise: San Andreas hits game pass on day 1 with GTA III landing on PlayStation Now at the same time as the physical releases.
Best of the rest
If that wasn’t enough, a number of other big franchises are getting in on the holiday action with Just Dance 2022 (November 4) and Call of Duty: Vanguard (November 5) also landing this month. A few other notable releases include the 10th Anniversary edition of Skyrim (November 11), The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch (November 12) and the Endwalker expansion for Final Fantasy XIV (November 23).
A busy month ahead, let us know what you plan on picking up in the comments below!
The Cross Players 