November 2013 is poised to be one of the biggest months of gaming of the last few years. Perhaps the biggest. We don’t need to tell you why, so let’s not beat around the bush and just get to the point. First up, excluding the next generation console software, here’s the games you can look forward to in the month of November.

• 01/11 – War Thunder (PC)
• 05/11 – Call of Duty: Ghosts (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U)
• 06/11 – Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PlayStation 3)
• 09/11 – Mario & Sonic at the Sochi Winter Olympics (Wii U)
• 09/11 – Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (3DS)
• 13/11 – World of Warplanes (PC)
• 13/11 – Lego Marvel Super Heroes (PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS, PlayStation Vita)
• 15/11 – X Rebirth (PC)
• 20/11 – Tearaway (PlayStation Vita)
• 21/11 – Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Wii U, PC)
• 21/11 – Need for Speed: Rivals (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U)
• 22/11 – Zumba Fitness: World Party (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U)
• 23/11 – The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS)
• 27/11 – Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita)
• 28/11 – Zoo Tycoon (Xbox 360)
• 29/11 – Contrast (PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
• 30/11 – Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

And now for the big ones.

Xbox One – 22/11

• 21/11 – FIFA 14
• 21/11 – Madden NFL 25
• 21/11 – NBA Live 14
• 21/11 – Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
• 21/11 – Battlefield 4
• 21/11 – Need for Speed: Rivals
• 22/11 – Zoo Tycoon
• 22/11 – Zumba Fitness: World Party
• 22/11 – Killer Instinct ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 22/11 – Crimson Dragon ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 22/11 – Dead Rising 3 ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 22/11 – Forza Motorsport 5 ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 22/11 – Ryse: Son of Rome ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 22/11 – Skylanders: Swap Force
• 22/11 – NBA 2K14
• 22/11 – Just Dance 2014
• 22/11 – Call of Duty Ghosts
• 27/11 – Lego Marvel Super Heroes

PlayStation 4 – 29/11

• 21/11 – Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
• 27/11 – Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
• 27/11 – Lego Marvel Super Heroes
• 28/11 – Battlefield 4
• 28/11 – FIFA 14
• 28/11 – Madden NFL 25
• 28/11 – NBA Live 14
• 28/11 – Need for Speed: Rivals
• 29/11 – Call of Duty Ghosts
• 29/11 – Contrast
• 29/11 – Just Dance 2014
• 29/11 – Killzone: Shadow Fall ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 29/11 – Knack ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 29/11 – NBA 2K14
• 29/11 – Resogun ***EXCLUSIVE***
• 29/11 – Skylanders: Swap Force
• 29/11 – Warframe
• 29/11 – War Thunder

Jarrod Mawson

Mother of god look at all those games. I feel like slowly backing away from the keyboard and pretending November doesn’t exist. We should probably have a moment of silence for all the bank balances out there, because not one but two major console launches are going to ravage the average gamer’s monthly budget.

With that out of the way: HAH! PSYCH! I’m not buying an Xbox One, nor a PlayStation 4. I admit, the temptation is there, but the launch investment just isn’t worth it when both systems aren’t grabbing me with their line-ups. Okay, Killer Instinct almost breaks me, because goddamn do I love that series. But I’m holding out. One of the two will win me over eventually, but for now I can hold off, as so many of the big November games are multi-platform, and thus available on my PC.

Of those games? I’ll give Call of Duty: Ghosts a shake, probably, because I insist on torturing myself with the series. Black Flag might get a tour. X: Rebirth? If I can pry myself away from Battlefield 4 then I’m sure to lose dangerous hours to that galactic adventure. And hey, that’s not even multi-platform. In fact, my most anticipated games for November are exclusive to other consoles. The huge E3 2013 disappointment that was Super Mario 3D World has miraculously manifested into genuine excitement, the latest trailers showcasing EAD Tokyo’s unmatched understanding of how to make good video games. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is coming along pretty well too. Admittedly I wanted a full 3D adventure for 3DS, teased by Ocarina of Time 3D, but I’m down with a more old-school re-imagining. Plus, A Link to the Past is one of the better Zelda games, so this quasi-sequel has good foundations to build from. If I’ve got any money leftover I’m sure to get Tearaway too, a game that looks to properly showcase the Vita device, enveloped with a ton of personality and charm.

Kind of ironic that two of my most wanted games are on struggling platforms brimming with potential, yet I’m not putting a cent down for the obvious hardware choices. A part of me does feel like he’ll be missing out, so spare a thought for me while your enjoying the likes of Killer Instinct, Crimson Dragon, and Killzone: Shadow Fall.

 

Tim Norman

IT BEGINS.

Unlike Jarrod, I’m a massive technophile and will absolutely buy both next-generation consoles at launch.

For the Xbox One, it’s all about Forza 5. I’m a huge car nut, and the Forza games have consistently been some of the best of this generation. Forza 5 promises to bring the series into the future, with trailers promising some serious HD motorsport action. Not only that, but the game heavily features the Top Gear presenters, who offer descriptions and opinions for each car. But the most important new feature for me, is, quite simply, Bathurst!

The Playstation 4 isn’t as clear-cut for me, as most of the games I’m interested in aren’t exclusive to it. I’ll most likely pick up the PS4 version of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, just so I’ve got something to play. I’m interested in seeing how Knack and Resogun turn out, as both games have a lot of potential.

But the game I’m most excited about this month is on the next-gen console you can buy right now. Super Mario 3D Word hits the Wii U, and it’s shaping up to be quite brilliant. I played a short demo version of it at PAX Aus back in July, and since then I’ve been looking forward to it more than any other game this season. How can you possibly say no to Cat Mario?

 

Adam Shurey

Just look at that release list! Enormous! There’s no doubt about it, this will be one of the biggest months that gamers have seen in years.

I can never resist buying new consoles at launch, and I even have two to choose from! Since the PlayStation 4’s launch titles appeal the most, that’s the next-gen machine that will be in my lounge room this month. Knack is my most anticipated title, managing to beat out Killzone: Shadow Fall. I’m a fan of Crash Bandicoot style platformers, and Knack is looking to deliver some solid gameplay with some interesting particle physics.

Meanwhile, Killzone is looking gorgeous, and is sure to be a big hit with the fanbase. It’s a solid FPS franchise, and going by what I’ve seen so far, Shadow Fall will definitely not disappoint. My third pick is one that I didn’t originally plan to purchase. Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will hopefully be the big step forward that the series needs. After the somewhat lacklustre Assassin’s Creed III, this new entry will need to impress. Fortunately, it’s shaping up well, and the weather effects in the next-gen version look great.

For the current consoles, two titles have my attention this month. Tearaway is looking like a very stylish game, one that will really show off what the PlayStation Vita can do, and not a moment too soon. Meanwhile, Ratchet and Clank: Into The Nexus might just manage to pull me away from my shiny new PS4 for a while. The PlayStation 3 may be on its way out, but Into The Nexus shows that it still has a fair bit of grunt left in it. I’m looking forward to seeing what crazy situations the duo get themselves into this time.

 

Alex Mann

World of Warplanes? Really? They couldn’t think of a less established title with a less established acronym to accompany their unaffiliated game? Wow indeed.

Anyway, THIS MONTH IS HUGE!!! And with its enormity comes a shrinking of my wallet… gorramnit. Gimme all the consoles, all the launch titles and all the candy. But seeing as I am not made of cash the following are on my essentials list.

#1 Playstation 4 – My choice in hardware, but not so much my choice in launch software.
#2 Xbox One – The opposite of the above.
#3 The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS) – I’m still not convinced with the art style (the conversion of A Link to the Past‘s loony dream-state doesn’t work as well in 3D as it does in 16bit) but i am always up for a new Zelda, and the gameplay videos show some promise.
#4 Dead Rising 3 – Zombies and ridiculous weapons = a gateway to happy, brainless fun. It’s like GTA V without the moral guilt.
#5 Ryse: Son of Rome – I surprisingly enjoyed the demo, and as a lover of all things Roman I will plunge into this head on.

 

Michael Kontoudis

Phwoar, we really are heading into the future now, aren’t we? And so it should be no surprise that my big pick for November isn’t so much any one particular game as it is the harbinger of the next generation of consoles, the PS4. Come launch date, I will be joyously plugging in my HDMI cables and installing mandatory patches like the rest of the masses. Who knows, I may even be able to play some games when I’m done.

In terms of software, for me it’s all about Killzone: Shadow Fall this month. Besides being a next generation show-piece, it also looks as if Shadow Fall might finally be the entry that evolves the series and grants it some much-needed personality. While previous entries were great games, they all seemed content to crib from modern military shooters without too much in the way of distinction. With Shadow Fall‘s open-ended areas and touted emphasis on player choice, Shadow Fall might finally be the Killzone that lives up to the franchise’s ample potential. The Cold War premise is pretty intriguing too – oh, and did I mention that it looks lovely?

Before diving into PS4 shenanigans, however, I will sit and wait patiently for Tearaway for the PS Vita. Being a new adopter of Sony’s impressive hardware, I’m definitely looking for something unique and captivating, and Tearaway might just fit the bill. My pinkies are crossed.

Anyway, a Happy November to all – it’s going to be a busy month.

 

Adam Ghiggino

I’m really looking forward to finally getting my hands on Zumba Fitness: World Party. For too long have I gone without a proper way to incorporate my love of exercise and Zumba with my love of multinational political organisations. There is so much I don’t understand about Zumba, and so much I want to learn.

Just what kind of world rhythms will produce the greatest benefits to my health? Can I integrate this Zumba lifestyle into my existing exercise regime? How should I adjust my nutrition to maximise my fitness level?

The answer to all these questions will be answered later this month, because there is literally nothing else of importance happening in videogames.

 

Bev Chen

This month’s big deal is the launch of two new consoles, meaning we’re well and truly in thenext generation of video games. How long will it be before people start referring to ‘next-gen’ as ‘current-gen’ and ‘current-gen’ as ‘last-gen’? Only time will tell. If the current generation is any indication, a few years at least.

There will be a bouncing baby PlayStation 4 in my household, but in all honesty, there isn’t much I’m interested in. In fact, I think I’ll sit back and see how this console launch goes, while catching up on the huge backlog I’ve accumulated over the previous months (not to mention years). Oh, but I guess Contrast looks pretty cool.

 

Matthew Dawe

November is a month of many games that I desire, and many more that I can’t afford. For next generation, I’ve opted for the cautious route to see where things stand once the initial blows have been traded and the dust has settled. This is partly due to hardware concerns, but mostly because the exclusives for both Xbox One and PS4 don’t particularly grab me as must-have titles. Nonetheless, my stinginess doesn’t prevent me dropping my two cents on next month’s line-up.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a title I’ve had on my radar ever since we previewed the game this past E3. Whereas I decided to pass on the recent Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker HD remakes, Between Worlds looks to do more than simply apply a fresh coat of paint. An interesting 2D mechanic, unique art style and new content has all piqued my interest, plus there’s the fact that many Zelda fans cite A Link to the Past as a series favourite – a game I’ve never had the privilege of playing.

On PS3, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus marks a return to the series more traditional gameplay, and that alone warrants a look-in. All 4 One and Full Frontal Assault were interesting experiments in co-op and tower defence, but they were hit-and-miss affairs that made me long for Ratchet’s earlier adventures. Into the Nexus will again be one of Ratchet’s shorter diversions (it’s been six years and counting now since fans got a 15 hour game), but I’m hopeful that both the Future series and current-gen Ratchet will receive a fitting conclusion this November.

Lastly, Ryse: Son of Rome is a game I’m interested in purely for its ancient historical setting and narrative, but don’t plan on buying any time soon. Typical of Crytek, the game looks stunning and seems to hold up well even under large-scale battles. However, I have issues with Ryse’s over-reliance on quick time events and what looks to be fairly by-the-numbers combat. I also expect Ryse’s narrative to draw criticism for its similarities to God of War (dead family, revenge as primary motive, etc.). Regardless, my deep love of Roman history may see me overlook these personal complaints of Ryse should I eventually get my hands on it.

 

Anthony Capone

It’s been an excellent year for gamers already, and things are just about to get even better. At the end of November, I’ll be jumping head-first into the next generation of gaming consoles. I shall be acquiring both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 at launch, though Microsoft’s next-generation system will be my default home for multiplatform games. My fondness for the Xbox controller and a multitude of friends on Xbox LIVE outweigh any notion of processing power between the two machines.

A trio of terrific shooters await on the new generation of video game platforms. First on PS4 is the exclusive Killzone: Shadow Fall, which is shaping up as the killer app for Sony’s launch. My experiences from E3 tell me this game will look amazing and be an all-round fantastic shooter.

On Xbox One, I’ll be getting another dose of Call of Duty madness in Infinity Ward’s Ghosts. I primarily play CoD nowadays for the campaign, and the next game in this endearing franchise looks to deliver another unbelievable but entertaining and bombastic experience. Finally, one final game will be eating up all my hours online. Battlefield is my go-to multiplayer shooter, and the next-gen version of the fourth iteration shall give console players what PC users have been playing for years. Next-gen Battlefield 4 boasts 60 frames per second and 64 players. I predict happy times ahead!