September 2023 games you might have missed: Cocoon, Party Animals

The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each other Lottery Tickets of video games come out every month, and it’s only picking up as we approach October, which is particularly packed. The September video game release calendar is a good example. Thwap with the ol’ broom, a few huge AAA-tier games would likely drop to the ground like anvils this month. Games like StarfieldThe DLC pack for Pokémon ScarlThe e-mail address you entered is not valid.t The following are some examples of how to get started: Violet, Mortal Kombat 1,, Payday 3” Phantom Liberty: Cyberpunk 2077 kick up a cloud that overshadows the arrival of smaller games — potentially great ones, even, from developers you might’ve heard of and new indie creators alike. Some of these games may end up making your GOTY.

We don’t want to let these games slip by (and you’d probably like to know about them, right?), so each month we’ll be rounding up a handful of notable game launches that you should know about. Watch out near the month’s end for our latest batch of deep cuts.

Gunbrella

There’s a new side-scrolling platformer out this month that has everything I want in a game: gorgeous cinematics, floating down from big jumps like Princess Peach, dashing like Hollow Knight, and a badass shotgun with frenzied, gore-fest action akin to Broforce. It’s called Gunbrella, and it’s been on my radar since I first saw it in action. Doinksoft is the developer of the 8-bit inspired Gato RobotoIf you enjoy side-scrolling shooting games, I highly recommend.

The game has you playing as an individual who, perhaps the most sought-after spy movie weapon ever: a umbrella with a pistol inside. This is the first time I’ve seen a really cool umbrella since Penguin in Batman.

Gunbrella Steam is available for Nintendo Switch, Windows PC and now on Nintendo Switch.

Gloomhaven

Although technically not a brand new launch GloomhavenNow the console version of the popular tabletop board game has been released. The game graduated from early access on PC in 2021, and now more people get to play this excellent game, since it’s out on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Our 2021 review calls the game a “marvelous turn-based dungeon crawler,” and this new version, called Gloomhaven Mercenaries editionThe physical version of the game has more content as well as collectibles cards. You can buy it in any way you like. Mercenaries EditionIncludes the Solo Scenarios DLC: Mercenary challenges, which builds on the 95 missions in the basegame.

Gloomhaven The game is available now on Nintendo Switch as well as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One Series X. It can also be downloaded via Steam for Mac or Windows PC.

Chants by Sennaar

The core of the organization is its people. Chants by Sennaar is about decoding language through puzzles, and each language will help you understand the game’s characters and world. It requires patience to work through some of the tasks (including a few tense stealth sections), but it seems worth it to be able to comprehend the game’s languages and broader story.

I’d normally continue with more details, but Polygon already reviewed this game, so I suggest you read our Chants by SennaarReview it if you want to make sure you’re ready before buying.

Chants by SennaarIt is available now on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One.

Cocoon

This is the latest title from Lead Game Designer of Limbo The following are some examples of how to get started: The Insider isn’t what you might have expected. The trailer gives a good idea of what to expect. Cocoon seems to possess the slow-drip exposition and moody environments that made Jeppe Carlsen’s previous games so interesting, but with an all-new gameplay mechanic: world-leaping. You’ll activate portals, of sorts, to warp to new locations, showing off both how impressive the visual effects are and how fast the loading is as you go from world to world.

Cocoon On Sept. 29, the game will be available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (Windows PC), Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox 360, Xbox One via Steam and Xbox Series X.

Border Bots Virtual Reality

I’ve always thought a VR version of Please, PapersWould be a big hit. Alas, it doesn’t exist, but Border Bots Virtual RealityThe game is similar, at least in terms of mechanics. You play as a border agent, whose role is to monitor who enters security checkpoints. You’ll be checking the identification, credentials, and possessions of robots — not people. You even get to do the big ol’ stamp.

Notably, Border Bots Virtual RealityThe tone is much more positive than Please PapersThis game is deliberately gloomy and can be quite upsetting at times. In this futuristic game, the slapstick meter is set to high, though it’s still trying its hand at something fairly serious: You’re either allowing or denying the free travel of robots, which involves being instructed to discriminate. Regardless, I’m intrigued enough to try, and you might want to give this one a chance, too, if you have a PlayStation VR 2 headset, or any headset that supports SteamVR (that includes the Meta Quest 2, if you use Air Link to wirelessly connect to your gaming PC).

Border Bots Virtual RealityThe launch date for PlayStation VR 2 is September 28.

Animals of the Party

The game is adorable, and I’m already able to tell. Animals of the PartyThis game is likely to cause your family and friends to curse a lot. The multiplayer version of this game is similar to The Gang Beasts… but with even goofier graphics and carnage based on physics (and cute bipedal creatures instead of faceless, humanoids).

You’ll be tasked with competing against your pals in a number of challenges (a lot of them look inspired by zany Mario Party minigames), and in the end there can only be one winner. You’ll be mad if you lose, but you’ll be laughing anyway.

Animals of the PartyThe game will be released on Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X on Sept. 20, as well as Game Pass.

El Paso and Other Places

Max Payne fans who are looking for a game that uses the bullet-time slow-motion mechanic, and has familiar corridors with plenty of enemies in them to be mowed down should check out this new title called El Paso, Elsewhere. I’m intrigued by its dark, monster-filled world and its gritty protagonist who has an ax to grind against pharaohs of ancient Egypt, like Djedefre, and other frightful creatures.

It’s tough to get a sense of the full scope of the game from the trailer above, but I can totally get down with a stylish shooter with a side of shit-talking the pharaohs. Who knows what your elevator might do next, since it takes place within a motel that changes reality?

El Paso and Other PlacesOn Sept. 26th, the game will be made available on Windows PCs via Steam, Xbox One or Xbox Series X.

Paleo Pines

It’s tough out there for those of us who want dinosaurs in our chill exploration games, but Paleo PinesThis game is designed to fulfill that niche need. It’s part farming sim, featuring crops you can grow and harvest with dino pals that you tame and befriend, and part village simulator.

It’s all about taking things at your own pace in Paleo PinesYou can choose to go out and meet dinosaurs or forage materials, ingredients and recipes. Or you can focus on creating your dream home with the help of dinos.

Paleo PinesThe game will be released on Sept. 26 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows PC via Steam. Xbox One and Xbox Series X are also included.

Thunder Ray

Thunder Ray features gorgeous visuals, with characters that crash through the ceiling with style — all of whom you can bloody up in a fight. Just like in Punch-Out, it’s about pattern recognition, and each opponent appears to have drastically different move sets to keep you on your toes.

Thunder RayNow available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 via Steam, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

From our Sponsor: Under the waves

The prices are taken at the time of publication.

Under the Waves, a story-driven adventure about the power of grieving, is an immersive game. In the 1970s techno-futuristic North Sea, professional diver Stan struggles to accept a loss that will change his life.