Out This Week: FIFA 15, Slender: The Arrival, CastleStorm PS4

We feel like Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park right now. The silly release schedule still hasn’t quite kicked off yet, but it’s approaching faster than a hungry tyrannosaurus rex – and the rippling mug of tea on our desk evidences as much. This week sees the arrival of arguably the most important game in Europe, with more FIFA 15 midnight launches than we care to count arranged around the continent. Don’t worry if you’re not a soccer follower, though, as there are also a few other games on the way.

Pick of the Week: FIFA 15

It’s that time of the year where our American compatriots roll their eyes and ponder just why football – of the traditional kind – is so popular. Or maybe not. The consistency of EA Sports’ soccer series has seen the FIFA franchise’s fortunes improve in regions outside of Europe, making it a real force to be reckoned with globally these days. In fact, with Battlefield Hardline delayed and Dragon Age Inquisition appealing to a niche crowd, you could easily argue that this is EA’s most important game of the year.

So, what’s new, then? Goalkeepers, for starters, have been completely overhauled, allowing you to re-create the heroics of US shot stopper Tim Howard at the World Cup. More importantly, the match day atmosphere has also been enhanced, with new celebrations, bench reactions, and all of the stadiums from the Premier League implemented. This is all in additional to the usual tweaks to artificial intelligence, team tactics, and visual enhancements. Considering that EA Canada gets about nine months to work on these games, that’s already quite an impressive list.

PS4, PS3, Vita | 23rd September [US], 26th September [EU]

Everything Else

Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star
PS3 | 23rd September [US], 26th September [EU]

Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!
PS3, Vita | 23rd September [US]

CastleStorm: Definitive Edition
PS4 | 23rd September [US], 24th September [EU]

Defense Grid 2
PS4 | 23rd September [US]

Flockers
PS4 | 23rd September [US]

Frozen Synapse Prime
Vita | 23rd September [US], 24th September [EU]

Slender: The Arrival
PS3 | 23rd September [US], 24th September [EU]

Will you be slide tackling FIFA 15 this week, or saving your cash for the onslaught of October releases? Play a pin-perfect pass into the comments section below.