A flood of new games is arriving in October, with 35 major releases listed on the Inven Game Calendar alone. The lineup is stacked, featuring a numbered title making its return after seven years, a 2D entry after 18 years, and a blockbuster shooter set on the Korean Peninsula. Among them, we have selected 12 titles to watch, ordered by release date. While 'Astrae Oratio' is a closed beta test (CBT) rather than an official release, it has been included due to high player interest.
October opens in the skies. 'Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve' is the first numbered sequel in roughly seven years since its predecessor in 2019. Bandai Namco's Project Aces recreated the series' iconic world of "Strangereal" in Unreal Engine 5. Players step into the flight suit of a fighter pilot who lost their homeland, taking to the battlefield alongside the aircraft carrier "Endurance."
The sheer scale sets it apart. Excluding the prologue, the game features 30 main missions. Brand Director Kazutoki Kono described it as having the largest scope in the series' history. It emphasizes bonds with comrades through first-person cinematic presentation and a squadron command system, while also featuring "Ace Combat Online," a standalone mode with progression separate from the campaign.
30 main missions boasting the largest volume in series history according to the developers. Online mode extends replayability beyond the campaign. View in Game Calendar ›
Astrae Oratio's October schedule is not an official launch, but a five-day global closed beta test (CBT) running from October 2 to October 6. The official release date has yet to be determined. Participant recruitment closed on September 21, meaning only selected testers can log in. Nevertheless, it earned a spot on this list because it marks the full unveiling of the game's core framework, following its first playable demo at Tokyo Game Show 2026 in September.
Developed by Dynamis One and published globally by NC, the title is set in an alternate 1889 Tokyo where magic is woven into everyday life. The protagonist is not a world-saving hero, but a civil servant assigned as a "Supervisor" at the Special District Bureau, an agency responsible for magician administration. This CBT offers 18 characters, 3 main story chapters, 2 mini stories, and newly unveiled raid content. The test will run on mobile platforms supporting Korean, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and English.
A CBT rather than a full release. The key draw is seeing player reactions to the first-time raid content and 18 playable characters during the five-day test. View in Game Calendar ›
The high-stakes pod racing that a young Anakin risked his life for in 'Star Wars: Episode I' returns in gaming form. 'Star Wars: Galactic Racer' is set during a transitional era as the Empire falls and the New Republic works to rebuild. Players step into the boots of racer Shade, entering the high-stakes Galactic League for massive prize pools and embarking on a quest to dethrone the reigning champion.
Vehicles go beyond pod racers. Options include landspeeders, speeder bikes, and skiff speeders, each featuring distinct physics and handling characteristics, along with custom modifications to fit your playstyle. The game supports a story campaign, arcade mode, and scenario mode, with online multiplayer matches hosting up to 12 players. H2 Interactive will release the PlayStation 5 physical Korean edition on the same day.
Directly capture the thrilling speed of cinematic pod racing. Distinct handling for each vehicle type and 12-player online matches are the main attractions. View in Game Calendar ›
The series returns to its roots. 'Gears of War: E-Day' is a prequel set 14 years before the original game, depicting Emergence Day—the moment the Locust Horde first erupted from beneath the surface. A young Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago take center stage once again. Recreated in Unreal Engine 5, even familiar Locust faces appear vastly more threatening, alongside entirely new enemy types.
It delivers more than just a campaign. The co-op survival mode expands with "Horde Siege." Players form a four-man squad by choosing from Assault, Sniper, Medic, or Breaker classes, teaming up with other squads to take down world bosses. The 4v4 multiplayer mode adds modern mobility options like jumping and sliding while preserving the series' trademark cover-based combat. It will also be available on Game Pass on day one.
The first battle of Marcus and Dom. A well-rounded package featuring campaign, Horde Siege, and 4v4 multiplayer. View in Game Calendar ›
Amid a lineup of blockbuster console games, a Korean MMORPG is quietly building massive heat. 'World of Dokkaebi' is a 2.5D MMORPG developed by Supercat and published by Kakao Games, based on the Naver web novel and webtoon 'Myeonggwisudojeon' (The Tale of Cultivation and Demon Extermination). The first character reservation event that launched on September 22 closed in about an hour, while the second round the following day filled up in roughly five hours, prompting Kakao Games to add three new servers. Official release is set for October 8 at 11:00 AM.
The game is set roughly 300 years before the original webtoon, an era when humans and dokkaebi had not yet built mutual trust. Combining 2D pixel characters with 3D environments, the visuals capture distinct Korean aesthetics such as tile-roofed houses, jangseung totem poles, and bamboo forests. Free from fixed classes, players can combine 12 skill styles to build custom decks, switching between guild-centric co-op hunts and optional large-scale battlefields. The AI chatbot "Myorong" analyzes play data to guide player progression. The developers stated they will not attach progression stats to outfits and mounts.
An MMORPG that interprets Korean folklore through pixel art. Character name reservations sold out early in two consecutive rounds. View in Game Calendar ›
Tucked between blockbusters, this title might be the highlight of the month for puzzle fans. 'Order of the Sinking Star' is the latest creation from Thekla, led by Jonathan Blow, creator of 'Braid' and 'The Witness.' It features over 1,000 hand-crafted puzzles that interconnect to form a single, sprawling mystery.
The adventure unfolds across four distinct worlds, each featuring different rules, characters, and storylines. Rules learned separately early on combine the moment these worlds collide, transforming into entirely new challenges. Playable characters—ranging from a queen, a thief, a warrior, and a mage to a talking ship—possess unique abilities, altering puzzle solutions based on who meets whom. If you get stuck on a puzzle, you can leave it behind, explore another world, and return later.
The new title from the creator of 'The Witness.' Over 1,000 puzzles that multiply as rules overlap across four worlds. View in Game Calendar ›
Castlevania returns. 'Castlevania: Belmont's Curse' is the series' first new 2D entry in roughly 18 years since 'Order of Ecclesia' in 2008. Set in 1499 Paris engulfed in flames from demon attacks—23 years after 'Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse'—Trevor Belmont's successor, Rose Belmont, wields the sacred whip "Vampire Killer" as she heads into Castlevania.
Development is handled by Evil Empire, who proved their 2D action prowess with 'Dead Cells.' The whip serves as both a weapon and a traversal tool. Players traverse terrain using the "Arcana Whip" while combining seven weapon types and Tarot card spells in battle. Adjustable difficulty options make it accessible for series newcomers. A free demo containing the opening chapter releases on October 1, with save data carrying over to the full game on the same platform and account.
A new 2D Castlevania after 18 years, crafted by the developers of 'Dead Cells.' Try it early with the playable demo. View in Game Calendar ›
On the same day, a 26-year-old classic name makes its return. 'Tales of Eternia' is the third main entry in the 'Tales of' series, introducing mainstay staples such as Mystic Artes and guest cameos from previous titles. Neither the PlayStation original nor the PSP port received an official Korean release. This remaster marks the game's first official release in Korean.
The journey of country youth Reid, his childhood friend Farah, and the mysterious girl Meredy from another realm across the twin worlds of "Inferia" and "Celestia" remains intact. What has changed is quality-of-life convenience. In addition to destination markers and an encounter toggle, a "Boost Mode" allows players to adjust 13 parameters, including EXP, Gald rates, and damage multipliers. Players can also toggle graphics and audio between Classic and Remastered settings.
First-ever Korean release in 26 years. Preserves the feedback of classic 2D combat while eliminating tedium with Boost Mode. View in Game Calendar ›
The island that turned living rooms into gyms is back. 'Nintendo Switch Sports Resort' is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive title set on Wuhu Island—a resort blended with sporting facilities—featuring 12 motion-controlled sports. It even includes a standalone jump rope exercise to warm up before breaking a sweat.
Each sport offers distinct controls. Skateboarding utilizes Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, while jet skiing has players gripping the controllers like handlebars to turn. Propeller planes let players soar over the island by tilting the Joy-Con 2. Up to four players can play locally on a single console, while solo players can tackle "Island Crown" mode or compete against rivals online in the Pro League.
A proven choice for family and friends. 12 sports leveraging Joy-Con 2 mouse controls and motion features. View in Game Calendar ›
'Final Fantasy' dons HD-2D visuals for the first time. 'FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE' reimagines the initial storyline of the sunsetted mobile title 'Final Fantasy Brave Exvius' into a standalone console packaged RPG. Rain, a knight of Grandshelt, his sworn brother Lasswell, and Fina, a young girl entwined with the Crystal, stand against the darkness threatening the crystals. Developers noted that players can fully enjoy the story without any knowledge of the original mobile game.
Combat layers modern sensibilities onto classic turn-based systems. Striking enemy weaknesses breaks their balance to grant extra turns, while powerful Resonance attacks turn the tide of battle. Through "Visions" equipped on characters, legendary protagonists like Cloud, Tidus, and the Warrior of Light join the fray. The world map, traversed via Chocobos and airships, remains fully intact. The standard edition is priced at KRW 62,800 based on InvenGames pre-order listings.
The series' first HD-2D entry. A classic turn-based RPG where iconic protagonists assemble through "Visions." View in Game Calendar ›
This year's 'Call of Duty' holds a unique significance for Korean gamers. The campaign for 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4' depicts frontlines collapsing across the Korean Peninsula under a full-scale invasion by North Korea. The story follows two threads: one focuses on the desperate survival of a young South Korean squad and Private Park Hyeon-jun against overwhelming forces, while the other follows Captain Price, now a fugitive, conducting off-the-books missions on the other side of the globe.
Multiplayer refines gunplay by eliminating weapon bloom during aim-down-sights firing. It adds "Apex Attachments"—such as mounting an underbarrel shotgun onto a pistol—and "Kill Block" maps that dynamically shift structure each match. The extraction mode "DMZ" also returns after overhaul. Pre-order customers can play the campaign early starting October 16.
A campaign set on the Korean Peninsula and the return of DMZ. Releasing same-day on Nintendo Switch 2. View in Game Calendar ›
October concludes on the blade's edge. Developed by China's S-GAME, 'Phantom Blade Zero' is an action RPG touting "Kungfu-Punk," a fusion of traditional wuxia and mechanical machinery. Framed for the assassination of his order's patriarch, the assassin Soul has just 66 days remaining to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.
Combat takes center stage. Rapid combos, parries, and dodges weave together seamlessly, with wall-running and cinematic executions flowing like scenes from a martial arts movie. Actor Donnie Yen participated as a creative consultant to assist with action choreography. The game features over 30 main weapons and four difficulty settings. Market anticipation is already reflected in the numbers: within a single day of launching pre-orders in August, it reached #1 in global Steam sales.
Wuxia action featuring involvement from Donnie Yen. Reached #1 in global Steam sales within 24 hours of pre-orders. View in Game Calendar ›
