It’s time to take another look at the upcoming slate of PC games, and this time around, we’re focusing on the holiday season and all the joy it brings.
Whether you’ll be picking up a brand new graphics card to soup up your rig this Christmas or you’re just looking for some great games to put your existing machine through its paces, you’ve got tons of options.
Huge mainstream releases, indie curiosities, and PC-specific launches are all scheduled for this month, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the best PC games making their way to the market in November 2023!
Phantom Galaxies (November 2nd)
As you might expect from a PC game, Phantom Galaxies looks phenomenally ambitious. It’s a mecha game, a sci-fi adventure, and a space shooter all rolled into one, and it’s hitting Early Access on November 2nd.
You can swap between mech action and space dogfighting with a single button press in Phantom Galaxies, which already sounds pretty thrilling, but as if that wasn’t enough, you’ve also got multiple classes and in-game customisation items to choose from as well.
Achilles: Legends Untold (November 2nd)
Having been on the Early Access proving grounds for some time, Achilles: Legends Untold is hacking and slashing its way to a full release on November 2nd, bringing its characteristic chunky Soulslike combat into the wider world.
The game marries the top-down perspective of action RPGs with the punishing difficulty and enemy observation focus of a Soulslike, so if you’re looking for a serious challenge this holiday season, then this is one to put on your wishlist. Just don’t be surprised if you end up banging your head against that infamous boss wall a few more times than you’d like.
Football Manager 2024 (November 6th)
Sure, Football Manager 2024 might be making its way to other platforms as well, but any true Football Manager fan knows that the only way to experience this game properly is to play it on PC.
All joking aside, Football Manager 2024 promises to be another superb entry into a series that rarely misses. Its in-depth statistics, surprisingly realistic match simulations, and massive range of options and systems make it the ideal choice for anyone who prefers the more cerebral side of the beautiful game.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (November 9th)
The word “gaiden” is usually used in Japanese game names to mean a sort of “side story”, and such is the case for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, which once again revolves around Kazuma Kiryu.
Taking place before Ichiban Kasuga’s extremely likeable first outing, Like a Dragon Gaiden tells the story of how Kazuma Kiryu faked his death, attempted to erase his former identity, and went into hiding. Of course, Kiryu is Kiryu, and if you know this series well, you’ll know why he can’t very well remain in hiding for long.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (November 10th)
If you loved Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, then you’ll be pleased to know that November’s upcoming sequel will follow the story of that game directly, which means it’s once again time to rejoin Captain Price and his comrades.
This time, they’re battling Vladimir Makarov, whose name you’ll probably know (and fear) if you’re a fan of the previous Modern Warfare series. Makarov is up to his old tricks, so it’s up to you to put him in his place. Of course, the game will also come with the usual suite of superb multiplayer modes and zombie diversions.
The Day Before (November 10th)
We’ll admit that we’re somewhat concerned about The Day Before, Fntastic’s immensely ambitious-looking open-world zombie survival game, and not just because it was delayed from its original March release date.
The background for this game isn’t particularly promising, with players skeptical about just how well Fntastic and publisher Mytona will be able to deliver on their promises. Throw in a trademark dispute that supposedly might mean a name change, and we’re a touch concerned, but we’re watching this one primarily because we desperately want it to make good.
Broken Roads (November 14th)
Disco Elysium seems to have kickstarted something in the collective development consciousness, and as far as we’re concerned, that can only be a good thing.
Broken Roads is a narrative RPG that takes place in post-apocalyptic Western Australia. There aren’t any character classes, so you’re free to develop your character and take whatever approach you see fit, and the game’s rather unique-sounding Moral Compass system sounds like it’ll take the usual black-and-white moral approach favoured by games and inject some shades of grey into proceedings.
Checkmate Showdown (November 15th)
Now here’s a rather curious experiment to get your head around. Checkmate Showdown is, according to its Steam blurb, a mixture of chess tactics and fast-paced fighting games.
If you’re wondering how that works, you’re not alone, but essentially, Checkmate Showdown imagines each chess confrontation as an actual fight. As you make moves on the chessboard, you’ll switch to a one-on-one fighter window, where you’ll get to call in other pieces to help you fight. A rather odd experiment, but an intriguing one nonetheless.
Persona 5 Tactica (November 17th)
Frankly, any opportunity to rejoin Joker and the Phantom Thieves on a heist is a welcome one, and so Persona 5 Tactica also promising some pretty in-depth and engaging tactical RPG battling is a bonus.
Still, that’s exactly what it looks like you’re getting in this endearing-looking strategy RPG, which sees Joker and his friends pulled into an alternate realm where they must lead a revolution against corrupt overlords the Legionnaires. Expect lots of the usual banter between the Thieves themselves, as well as plenty of stylish signature Persona action.
