November Games Release Radar: Vampire slaying, Pokémon training, and goat chaos reigns

In the lead up to Christmas, game publishers are once again launching their big hits – making November packed with potential bestsellers. Here are a few of the biggest titles to keep an eye out for.

The Chant – Release date: November 3

Into an atmospheric horror action adventure that doesn't break the bank? The Chant might be worth the buy.
Into an atmospheric horror action adventure that doesn't break the bank? The Chant might be worth the buy.  © Brass Token

Mix a spiritual group, questionable rituals, and traumatic backstories together and the result is a good horror action adventure. If The Chant is anything to go by, then that's probably the case.

The game will be released at the beginning of November and judging by its trailers, the previously unknown developer studio Brass Token has chosen a rather atmospheric setting.

In terms of gameplay, it looks like a mixture of The Medium and The Quarry at first glance. The island you are on is supposed to be freely accessible, and typical puzzle fare awaits you in the course of the six playable chapters.

Olivia Rodrigo riffs viral AMC ad at Guts World Tour: "We come to this place for magic"
Olivia Rodrigo Olivia Rodrigo riffs viral AMC ad at Guts World Tour: "We come to this place for magic"

Players not only have to deal with a cultist group's crazed followers, but also with supernatural creatures that can even trigger panic attacks for their virtual characters after being exposed to stressful situations.

Depending on what moves you make, a different game ending awaits you.

Facts:

  • Game: The Chant
  • Genre: Horror-Adventure
  • Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series
  • ESRB: T for Teen
  • Price: $40

God of War: Ragnarok - Release date: November 9

Kratos and Atreus are finally back in God of War: Ragnarok.
Kratos and Atreus are finally back in God of War: Ragnarok.  © Sony

Four years after the outstanding first installment, Sony and developer SCE Santa Monica Studio are sending their dream team Kratos and Atreus on a highly-anticipated new adventure with God of War: Ragnarok.

As in the game's predecessor, the duo will once again take on all kinds of Norse gods and mythical creatures. The passage of the last four years also seems to be noticeable in the game: son Atreus is now a teenager and, judging from the trailers so far, seems to behave accordingly.

That's good, because God of War thrived exploring the relationship between Papa Kratos and his boy, and we can't wait to see more of it.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hit the gym together after lavish vacay
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hit the gym together after lavish vacay

All of that with chic PS5 graphics, too? This game still takes the cake as one we can't wait for!

Facts:

  • Game: God of War: Ragnarok
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Platform: PS5, PS4
  • ESRB: M for Mature
  • Price: $70 for PS5, $60 for PS4

Goat Simulator 3 - Release date: November 17

Goat Simulator 3 will bring the madness back once again.
Goat Simulator 3 will bring the madness back once again.  © Coffee Stain Studios

A seemingly stupid idea turned into a cult title, and will rule the barnyard once again. With Goat Simulator 3, the chaotic maze is returning to the video game world for a third round.

Pilgor (no, not the panda from World of Warcraft, but here, the protagonist goat) is up to her completely exaggerated and physics-defying mischief again, and lays waste to her hometown.

Those who know the game's first two installments will be able to enjoy the same merriment and mayhem.

Plus, a multiplayer option will allow up to four friends to slaughter through the city together, or play mini-games against each other.

Facts:

  • Game: Goat Simulator 3
  • Genre: Action
  • Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5
  • ESRB: T for Teen
  • Price: $30

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet - Release date: November 18

Playing in the Paldea region, Pokémon fans should get much more freedom in the new releases than in titles before it.
Playing in the Paldea region, Pokémon fans should get much more freedom in the new releases than in titles before it.  © Nintendo

In mid-November, Pokémon fans can look forward to the next two editions of games related to the franchise's main series.

Scarlet and Violet will take you to the Paldea region, where numerous new monsters are waiting to be caught. Much like the series' last game Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the world will be much more open to explore this time around.

Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company, has promised "trainers will once again embark on an epic journey of discovery and exploration."

"Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will be an adventure unlike any other, and I cannot wait to share this incredible experience with all of you," he added.

There's no shortage of publicity for the upcoming titles, with musician Ed Sheeran recently releasing the song Celestial, a track that will be featured in the game itself.

Since Scarlet and Violet will be released just a month before Christmas, a sales hit is almost certainly in store.

Facts:

  • Game: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
  • Genre: RPG adventure
  • Platform: Switch
  • ESRB: E for everyone
  • Price: $120 for both titles, $60 for each

The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me - Release date: November 18

The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me promises lots of blood, horror, and thrills.
The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me promises lots of blood, horror, and thrills.  © Bandai Namco

So far, the developer Supermassive Games hasn't exactly wowed with its The Dark Pictures series. All three previously released installments promised horror and suspense and in the end delivered disappointment and frustration.

The studio has already proven that it knows how to make horror games work: The Quarry, for example, successfully delivers fun and a good story to boot.

Will The Devil in Me make up for its lackluster predecessors?

Its plot revolves around a television crew working on a documentary about serial killer H. H. Holmes. The problem: they're slowly running out of money, so they can't visit the last stop on their journey, the so-called Murder Castle.

When they suddenly receive an invitation to the supposedly faithful replica of the horror hotel, the group of five don't hesitate for long and quickly sets off. But there, of course, it's not a normal shoot waiting for them, but a gruesome trap.

According to the developers, The Devil in Me should have the bloodiest storyline and the most gruesome deaths in store for players yet. Will that be enough to revive the series?

Facts:

  • Game: The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me
  • Genre: Survival Horror
  • Platform: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PC
  • ESRB: M for Mature
  • Price: $40

Evil West - Release date: November 22

Torn nail got you down? Don't forget about the demons and monsters in the Wild West in the world of the new Evil West.
Torn nail got you down? Don't forget about the demons and monsters in the Wild West in the world of the new Evil West.  © Flying Wild Hog

Imagine slaying vampires and demons in the Wild West, and you've got Evil West from developers Flying Wild Hog.

You will find yourself playing as one of the last of a dying breed of vampire hunters on mission to save the US from being taken over by ravenous blood suckers.

Promising to be dirty, wild, and incredibly bloody in all the best ways possible, Evil West seems like a game that probably won't take itself too seriously.

This action title from the makers of Shadow Warrior definitely looks enticing, and with a dark aesthetic, will include "myths and legends retold."

Hopefully, if the gameplay is as good as the game looks, it will make for a title worth playing over and over again.

Facts:

  • Game: Evil West
  • Genre: Third-person shooter
  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series
  • ESRB: Pending
  • Price: $60

As the weather starts to get colder, it looks like game releases will definitely be getting hot in November.

Cover photo: Montage: Flying Wild Hog + Nintendo + Sony + Bandai Namco

More on Gaming: