Xbox Officially Has 4 GOTY Contenders Coming in September

September will see an absolute deluge of new video game releases across all platforms, and Xbox is no exception. It's been a turbulent summer for Microsoft's gaming platform, with another hefty hike to hardware prices beginning Aug. 1 and the July 6 announcement that the company would divest from five of its development studios and cut a total of 3,200 jobs by July 2027.

For those searching for a bit of distraction to offset all that grim news, there's a heaping helping of new games to play. Many of these come from third-party developers like Capcom, CD Projekt Red, and Remedy Entertainment, though the Microsoft-owned Mojang is in the mix with a new Minecraft spin-off at the end of the month. We'll have to wait a little bit longer for big-ticket Xbox exclusives like Gears of War: E-Day (Oct. 6) and the new Fable (Feb. 23, 2027). That said, Xbox players have plenty of exciting new games to sink their teeth into this September, including several titles that are already generating Game of the Year buzz. Here are a few of our top picks.

1 The Blood of Dawnwalker

Release date: Sept. 3

Fancy a little romance? This open-world, dark fantasy RPG developed by a team of ex-Witcher 3 devs features multiple potential love interests and dedicated questlines. You'll play as Coen, a broody, man-bunned fellow in 14th-century central Europe. He's a human by day, vampire by night. During the course of the story, you'll be forced to choose whether to preserve your humanity or preserve your cursed powers. It's great to have options, but embracing the path of a himbo bloodsucker seems like the most fun.

2 Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Release date: Sept. 4

Can Capcom continue its incredible hot streak? The venerable developer has moved from strength to strength this year, with February's Resident Evil Requiem launching to rave reviews and becoming the fastest-selling game in series history, moving a whopping five million copies in just five days. Then the long-delayed Pragmata finally launched in April, selling more than a million copies in just two days — no small feat for a new IP in 2026. Next up is the first new Onimusha game in 20 years, an action-adventure game set in Edo-period Kyoto. Expect plenty of heated boss battles against terrifying supernatural foes, as well as a deep progression system to customize your abilities to your playstyle. (If you like the sound of that, be sure to check out our recent preview.)

3 Control Resonant

Release date: Sept. 24

When most game developers make a hit, they'll double down on the same formula in the sequel. But Remedy Entertainment isn't most game developers. Where its 2019 predecessor was a trippy third-person shooter, Control Resonant embraces hack-and-slash melee combat in the vein of Devil May Cry, allowing you to swap freely between scythes, whips, hammers, and more. That said, judging from the 2.5 hours we spent with the game at Summer Game Fest, "Resonant still feels like Control through and through where it matters," preserving the surreal vibes and spectacular setpieces of the original.

4 Silent Hill Townfall

Release date: Sept. 24

Sept. 22 marks the official first day of fall. That means it's time to ditch your sandals and embrace the spooky-season vibes by diving into Konami's latest installment of the terrifying Silent Hill franchise. Townfall takes the series to a remote island off the coast of Scotland, and we came away from a three-hour demo earlier this summer absolutely captivated. As amnesiac protagonist Simon, you'll explore the quaint-yet-terrifying seaside town of St. Amelia, as you attempt to uncover what prompted the abrupt disappearance of its inhabitants. Well, most of its inhabitants. There are still some supernatural ghoulies lurking about, but they're not big talkers.

5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered

Release date: Sep. 29

Geralt of Rivia is back, and he's looking better than ever. Ahead of the release of the new DLC Songs of the Past next year, CD Projekt Red announced during Gamescom Opening Night Live that The Witcher 3 is getting a glow-up in the form of enhanced visuals, combat, and enemy AI. Best of all, the remaster will be completely free to those who already own the game. If you haven't already played this modern classic, now's a great time to dive in — the previously released DLC is currently free for new and existing players, too.

6 Minecraft Dungeons 2

Release date: Sep. 29

Looking for something a little less intense? Mojang's co-op dungeon crawler returns with a visual overhaul, a new jump ability, and a reconfigured equipment system that allows for deeper customization than its 2020 predecessor. The sequel moves away from linear missions, allowing players to explore a larger, open-world environment called the Sift, which is totally new to the Minecraft franchise. It's also available Day One on Xbox Game Pass.