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GAMING FEATURE

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INCOMING!

We’re heading into that exciting time of the year when a bunch of huge games hit, ready for us to launch into some serious playtime.We’ve plucked out a selection of 15 of the biggest titles that are expected in the final months of 2023 that we reckon are well worth watching out for. Words Amy Flower

EA SPORTS FC 24

CRICKET 24

DETECTIVE PIKACHU RETURNS Release date: 6/10/23

Release date: 29/9/23 This year marks a major changing of the guard in EA Sports’ soccer offering, as it’s goodbye FIFA and hello FC 24 ! This next evolution of the sport promises “the most true-to-football experience ever”, via new tech that includes a system which converts real-world play into in-game representation. Plus, fans who play by November 1 this year will gain exclusive FC Founder status, meaning perks!

Release date: 5/10/23 The latest cricket game from Aussie sports game champs Big Ant is set to be a big one, featuring the Big Bash, The Hundred, the Caribbean Premier League, and “a host of international squads”, as well as Indian T20 teams. Basically, it’s set to feature more licenses than any cricket video game ever has before. Plus, a deep career mode, overhauled fielding, and cross-platform play – howzat?!

Get ready to don the deerstalker hat and grab that magnifying glass, for the sleuthing – and coffee-worshipping - Pokémon mascot is doing his mystery-solving thing once again in the thriving metropolis where Pokémon and people live side-by-side, Ryme City. Unravel a series of mysteries in this big new adventure, as our great detective is joined by partner in solving crime, Tim Goodman.

FORZA MOTORSPORT Release date: 10/10/23 The next track-based iteration of the legendary Xbox series is going back to its roots by name, but it’ll look like nothing that has come before it. Harnessing all the technical wizardry of the latest hardware, such as 4K graphics at 60fps and on-the-fly ray tracing, this is set to be the shiniest Forza yet. Add truly dynamic weather and a cavalcade of cars and it’s fair to say that we’re very excited!

ASSASSIN’S CREED MIRAGE

HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED 2: TURBOCHARGED Release date: 19/10/23 How are Mattel and Milestone planning to follow up the wild, orange track action of Hot Wheels Unleashed ? Well, they’re starting with a story mode, all-new mechanics, five fresh environments, plus new vehicle styles and game modes. It’s set to launch with over 130 vehicles, and as well as four-wheeled classics, we’ll also be able to race with motorbikes and ATVs for the first time.

Release date: 12/10/23 With an eye to rekindling the magic of old school Assassin’s Creed games, Mirage will take us to ninth-century Baghdad, at the peak of its Golden Age. It's set to be more of a narrative-driven adventure, stripping out many of the RPG-styled elements that have been a part of more recent outings. So, that means a focus on parkour, stealth, and assassinations via a new hero named Basim Ibn Is’haq.

28 AUGUST 202 3

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