Crazy days are closing in, with the action-packed holiday season almost upon us. If you’ve been waiting for games to play, don’t worry: They are coming. They are coming in hot, and sooner than you realize, starting this month. Destiny might be the most hotly anticipated game of the year, and it’s out in a week. After that you’ll have all the AAA sequels and quizzical art games you could ever hope for. Get ready for the deluge by reading our brief list of the games we’re most interested in this month.
1. Disney Infinity 2.0
Release date: 9/23
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 3, Wii U, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Vita, iOS
I’ve been a shameless, unflinching fan of both Marvel and Disney since George P. Shultz was our Secretary of State. Still, I’m not that excited about Marvel horning in on Disney Infinity. It will scratch my collector addict itch to have a row of tiny Avengers on my bookshelf, but couldn’t we get more classic Disney figures before jumping into the ancillary properties? At least we’re finally getting a Donald Duck out of this. Disney Infinity wasn’t necessarily exceptional as a game, but it was a great toybox for Disney nuts, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the new game builds on that foundation.
2. Destiny
Release date: 9/9
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
I’ve been writing about Destiny for over a year, and it’s finally about to come out. The wait’s actually been a good thing—after killing hours in the alpha and beta, I’m more interested in Bungie’s new shooter than I ever expected to be. The player vs. player is some of the most fun I’ve had with a FPS in years, and the MMO-light structure of the campaign should make it stand out from the regular retinue of shooters.
3. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Release date: 9/30
Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360
It took a year but the second fighting game based on Persona 4 finally hits North American consoles at the end of the month. Developed by Persona’s owners Atlus and Arc System Works, the company behind Blazblue, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax pits almost two dozen of the moody Persona teens in hand to hand combat. It may not have the depth of a Persona RPG, but the first one was a surprising blast for both Persona fans and fighting game types. Hopefully this sequel keeps the good times rolling.
4. Hyrule Warriors
Release date: 9/26
Platform: Wii U
Speaking of characters popping up in unusual places, Hyrule Warriors dumps various beloved Legend of Zelda characters into what’s basically the next Dynasty Warriors game. That means Link will be hacking, bombing and boomeranging his way through huge mobs of enemies en route to an inevitable showdown with whatever version of Ganon or Ganondorf shows up this time. Dynasty Warriors games can be a bit repetitive, but the introduction of a few Zelda-inspired elements and a more fleshed out story might make Hyrule Warriors worth playing.
5. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Release date: 9/16
Platform: 3DS
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is the second rhythm game based on Square’s role-playing game series. Like the first one, it asks players to tap their way through songs from various Final Fantasy games, with over 200 songs and dozens of characters. The original Theatrhythm was a weird treat for both Final Fantasy and rhythm game fans, and with a new multiplayer mode Curtain Call could have more fun in store.