Unveiling the Must-Play New Games of September 2025
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness enters the air, the video game industry prepares for one of its busiest seasons. September 2025 promises an exhilarating lineup of new games, threatening to overwhelm even the most dedicated players. With so many diverse titles arriving across multiple platforms, discerning which experiences truly stand out can be a significant challenge. This comprehensive guide, expanding on the insights shared in the video above, aims to simplify your choices, highlighting the top releases and offering deeper dives into what makes each game a potential highlight of your fall gaming schedule.
Dystopian Action and High-Speed Racing
The month kicks off with intense action and adrenaline-fueled competition, catering to fans of both grim futures and vibrant racing. These initial releases set a high bar for the rest of the month, promising hours of engaging gameplay for various player preferences.
Metal Eden: A Brutal Descent into Mobius
Kicking off the top new games of September 2025 is Metal Eden, developed by Reikon Games, known for their previous title, Ruiner. This sequel immerses players in a profoundly dystopian world, where subtlety is indeed overrated. You assume the role of a hyper-unit Android, tasked with the critical mission of rescuing human consciousness, or “cores,” stored in limited-edition data backups within the formidable orbital city of Mobius.
Mobius, once a symbol of humanity’s brightest achievements, has transformed into a glittering death trap. The gameplay dynamically blends the fast-paced, visceral combat reminiscent of Doom 2016 with the parkour agility of Ghostrunner and a touch of Mirror’s Edge fluid movement. Players can dash, grapple, wall run, and even transform into an armored ram ball, a unique nod to classic Metroidvania elements. Initially slated for a May release, Metal Eden was strategically delayed to September 2nd, ensuring extra polish. It will launch on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC, inviting players to embrace its full-throttle mayhem.
Sonic Racing: Crossworlds – A Multiversal Race to the Finish
While often overshadowed by other kart racing giants, the Sonic racing franchise consistently delivers joyous, high-speed fun. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds elevates this tradition with a multiverse-oriented approach, distinguishing itself among the September 2025 games. Although Sonic hasn’t fully embraced open-world racing, this title introduces an innovative “crossworlds” mechanic.
Players will jump through travel rings mid-race, dynamically altering each lap with one of 15 distinct crossworlds. The game features an impressive 24 tracks and an expansive roster planned to exceed 50 characters, although the starting count is yet to be confirmed. Furthermore, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds supports a 12-player multiplayer mode and, crucially, local split-screen for shared fun. Sega has ambitiously included characters from various franchises beyond Sonic, such as Joker from Persona 5, Kasuga from Yakuza, Steve from Minecraft, Hatsune Miku, Pac-Man, SpongeBob, and Avatar characters, promising an enjoyable and diverse racing experience. This title speeds onto PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC platforms on September 25th.
Mysteries, Sports, and Supernatural Horrors
Mid-September brings a blend of atmospheric horror, annual sports updates, and intriguing new intellectual properties. These titles demonstrate the breadth of experiences available to gamers this month, offering something for almost every palate.
Hell is Us: A Terrifying Hunt for Truth
Hell is Us stands apart from typical action-adventure titles, opting for a highly immersive, old-school approach. Players embody a UN peacekeeper who has gone AWOL, returning to a war-torn country in search of their parents. The twist, however, is the discovery of the region being infested with supernatural horrors. This game commits fully to a 1990s immersion mode, intentionally foregoing modern conveniences such as a minimap, quest log, or any hand-holding mechanics.
Navigation relies entirely on environmental cues and enigmatic NPC chatter, requiring players to “old-school Zelda” their way through grotesque monsters and overwhelming existential dread. It features elements akin to a cyberpunk Zelda, despite its non-cyberpunk setting, combined with strong inspirations from Resident Evil. A demo is currently available, providing a glimpse into its peculiar yet cool aesthetic. Hell is Us is scheduled for release on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC on September 24th.
NBA 2K26: The Annual Court Update
The highly anticipated annual installment, NBA 2K26, arrives with promises of enhanced realism and gameplay refinements. This edition introduces a new technology called ProPlay, designed to map actual NBA footage onto gameplay, aiming for a more lifelike presentation. While this technology seeks to bridge the gap between virtual and real-world basketball, its impact on overall gameplay fluidity remains a point of discussion among enthusiasts.
Despite some reservations about the annual updates, the NBA 2K series consistently delivers robust action and maintains a dedicated player base. The core appeal lies in its engaging basketball simulations and the ever-evolving MyCareer mode, even with its often-debated virtual currency transactions. NBA 2K26 is set to release on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC platforms on September 5th, continuing its tradition as a major player in the September 2025 games lineup.
Cronos: The New Dawn – Bloober Team’s New Venture
From Bloober Team, the studio behind the anticipated Silent Hill 2 remake, comes a brand-new intellectual property: Cronos: The New Dawn. This title presents itself as a compelling fusion, drawing comparisons to the atmospheric dread of Dead Space combined with the psychological intensity of Alan Wake. The game boasts a distinct European flavor, being set in a decaying future and the 1980s Poland, with time-traveling elements weaving through its narrative.
Bloober Team has demonstrated their capability for creating impactful horror experiences when afforded sufficient resources. As a self-published title, Cronos: The New Dawn carries a unique blend of high hopes and cautious anticipation. Its visually striking design has garnered considerable interest, making it a noteworthy entry among the upcoming September 2025 releases. Players can expect Cronos: The New Dawn on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC on September 25th.
Unique Mechanics and Beloved Franchises
The latter half of September delivers a range of innovative gameplay concepts and highly anticipated sequels within established universes. From experimental walking simulators to foundational horror titles and explosive looter-shooters, this period offers a rich tapestry of gaming experiences.
Baby Steps: The Art of Literal Movement
Developed by an esteemed team including Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzzillo, and Maxi Boch—creators known for challenging titles like Getting Over It and Ape Out—comes Baby Steps, a literal walking simulator. Players control Nate, a slacker with an unsteady gait, by independently managing each of his legs. This mechanic makes the balance challenges of games like Death Stranding appear almost simplistic by comparison, demanding precise foot placement to prevent a tumble.
Unlike Foddy’s notoriously frustrating past games, Baby Steps is designed to be challenging yet accessible, aiming for an arcade-like experience rather than pure rage-quitting potential. The humor and unique premise of the game have captured significant interest, promising a distinctive and potentially hilarious adventure. Baby Steps is scheduled for release on PS5 and PC on September 8th, offering a fresh take on player-character interaction within the September 2025 games roster.
Silent Hill F: A Japanese Twist on Classic Horror
Silent Hill F presents a fascinating evolution for the iconic horror franchise, blending familiar elements with a refreshing new perspective. While maintaining the series’ signature mist and fog, this entry introduces a much richer color palette and a distinct setting in 1960s Japan. The game aims to explore the Japanese approach to horror, emphasizing the beauty found within terror rather than relying on jump scares.
Combat appears to be melee-focused and takes place in close quarters, featuring weapons such as pipes and spears. Players will engage with dodging and stamina mechanics, hinting at a potential Souls-like influence, though developers affirm it is not a full-blown implementation. This unique stylistic and thematic direction positions Silent Hill F as a captivating new chapter for fans. It will be available on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series on September 25th.
Borderlands 4: The Most Ambitious Vault Hunting Adventure
Borderlands 4 emerges as the most ambitious installment yet in the beloved looter-shooter series, promising substantial advancements to its core formula. This iteration introduces seamless loading and screen-free zones, significantly enhancing player immersion. Traversal tools, including grappling hooks, gliding, and double-jumping, offer unprecedented mobility across environments.
The adventure unfolds on a brand-new planet called Kairos, where vault hunters will confront the dictator known as the Time Keeper and his formidable synthetic army. While the visual style and humor remain distinctly Borderlands, the developers are committed to refining the narrative and comedic elements, aiming for a quality that surpasses previous entries. If the game delivers on its promise of improved storytelling alongside its expanded gameplay, Borderlands 4 could potentially be the best in the series. This highly anticipated title launches on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC on September 12th.
Dying Light: The Beast – Embracing the Inner Monster
After a strategic four-week delay for additional polish, Dying Light: The Beast is set to unleash its unique brand of zombie-infested parkour on players. This game brings back Kyle Crane, the original protagonist of Dying Light, who has undergone experimentation and been infused with “zombie stuff,” leading to a fascinating “Warehog” mechanic. This transformation allows players to harness monstrous abilities, adding a new dimension to combat and exploration.
Shifting from the urban jungles of previous titles, The Beast presents a more rural, almost Twin Peaks-esque environment. Parkour remains an essential and exhilarating component, maintaining the series’ identity, while the game introduces heightened brutality, environmental chaos, and visceral melee combat. Furthermore, a renewed emphasis on stealth and intense night sequences promises to deliver the authentic Dying Light experience fans crave. The inclusion of four-player co-op ensures a thrilling shared experience when it arrives on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC on September 19th.
Long-Awaited Triumphs and Unexpected Gems
The culmination of September’s releases features a game that has become almost legendary for its anticipation, alongside a collection of intriguing bonus titles. These offerings round out a truly exceptional month for the gaming community.
Hollow Knight: Silksong – Finally Dancing onto Screens
One of the most ardently awaited titles in recent memory, Hollow Knight: Silksong, appears to be finally gracing screens in September 2025. This sequel to the critically acclaimed Metroidvania classic promises to expand on its predecessor’s formula in truly spectacular fashion. Players will control a much more nimble character, Hornet, exploring the entirely new kingdom of Farlume.
The game boasts an astounding roster of over 165 unique enemies and features 100 save point benches, indicating a vast and intricate world to traverse. An expanded quest system and numerous new ideas for the Metroidvania genre are also promised, ensuring a fresh yet familiar experience for fans. The excitement surrounding Hollow Knight: Silksong is palpable, as it stands poised to redefine expectations for the genre. It is scheduled to arrive on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC on September 4th, marking a monumental release among the September 2025 games.
Additional Titles to Enhance Your Gaming Library
Beyond the top ten, September 2025 also offers a rich assortment of other noteworthy games, catering to a wide array of interests and providing even more options for your gaming pleasure.
EA Sports FC 26: Precision on the Pitch
EA Sports FC 26 aims to deliver a crisper, more serious soccer simulation experience. The developers are focusing on making this a more precision-driven game, which is designed to enhance player control and realism on the pitch. Furthermore, fans of the popular Ultimate Team mode can anticipate a significant facelift, introducing new features and improvements to the team-building experience. This annual sports staple will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC on September 26th.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Order of the Giants (DLC)
Fans of archaeological adventures will be thrilled with the new DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, titled Order of the Giants. This expansion plunges Indy into the dark and mysterious catacombs of Rome, the grandeur of the Coliseum ruins, and the ancient sewer systems. Players will confront cultists and uncover lore about enigmatic giants, adding thrilling new chapters to the iconic adventurer’s journey. This DLC is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series on September 4th.
Hirogami: Origami Meets Platforming
Hirogami offers a refreshingly unique take on the 3D platformer genre, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese paper folding, origami. The game features an innovative shape-shift mechanic, requiring players to adapt their form to navigate various environmental puzzles and obstacles. Its distinctive visual style and potentially satisfying sound effects create an appealing aesthetic. Hirogami looks like a genuinely fun and imaginative platformer, landing on PC and PS5 on September 3rd.
NBA Bounce: Family-Friendly Hoops Fun
For those seeking a lighter, more whimsical basketball experience, NBA Bounce steps onto the court. This family-friendly game is characterized by its goofy, weird aesthetic and features all 30 official NBA mascots. Players can also create custom avatars, adding a personal touch to their gameplay. It provides an excellent option for kids or families looking to enjoy a casual basketball game together. NBA Bounce will be available on PlayStation, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC on September 26th.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – A Revitalized Classic
A true gem for strategy RPG enthusiasts, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings a beloved classic back with a comprehensive revamp. This edition not only offers significant polish and UI improvements but also thoughtfully includes the option to play the original 1990s version, allowing purists to experience the game as it was. This dual-version approach is a welcome model for remasters, providing both nostalgia and modern enhancements. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will be available on PlayStation, Switch, and PC on September 30th, providing a fitting conclusion to the list of new games in September 2025.
