Game of the Month: October 2014 - Alien: Isolation

Here at Push Square Towers, we reviewed a mighty 38 titles in October, and, for the most part, they've given us plenty of enjoyment. 7s rained down from the gaming heavens, and there were plenty of 8s to shout about, too. Now, however, we're into the industry's busiest month, with blockbuster after blockbuster strutting onto the scene as publishers attempt to hype up their releases for the holiday rush. But let's not ponder about the present – let's take the time to look back into the past, and to October's Game of the Month.

As you may have guessed from the name of this article, stalker sim Alien: Isolation pounced on the prize. "When it’s on form, this is a nail biting affair, as you use sound and cunningly constructed items in order outwit your incredibly intelligent enemies," wrote editor Sammy Barker. Our head honcho awarded the Xeno-'em-up [Does that even work? - Ed] a solid 7, concluding that "outstanding audio and impressive art work make this more than just another bug hunt".

But who needs a 7/10 game when you could be playing Samurai Warriors 4? "Boasting a superb story mode, a delightful cast, and countless improvements to the Warriors formula, musou fanatics shouldn't even blink before buying," wrote this thoroughly impressed author, before presenting Koei's hack and slasher with a more than honourable 9. Of course, despite nabbing the highest score of the month, the winner of Push Square's esteemed award is voted for by the staff, and so Samurai Warriors 4 garnered just a single vote, despite its obvious, absolute brilliance. Don't worry Yukimura, we'll never forgive them.

Going back to horror, the year's scariest month also played host to The Evil Within, which, like Alien: Isolation, fell to our fearless editor to review. "Legendary director Shinji Mikami doesn’t disappoint in the gameplay department, forcing you to get creative with your plentiful combat options due to an unending absence of resources," he wrote, probably trying desperately to keep hold of his senses, before concluding: "It’s here that developer Tango Gameworks finds the breathless brilliance within." Sammy tossed a 7 at the game, and then hid beneath his bed sheets until we came to see what all of the screaming was about.

Meanwhile, pun-tastic reviewer Kell Andersen landed himself a look at yet another indie title, and this time, it was the colourful and charming Pix the Cat, which he called "a fiendishly addictive arcade experience". Once again proving that he's a massive indie apologist and should really be stopped before he gives some 2D piece of rubbish a 10, Kell gave Cat Pixels or whatever it's called an 8. He voted for it, too, like the awful, awful person that he is.

Our final nominee for Game of the Month was the highly anticipated Freedom Wars, which also latched onto a 7. "Freedom Wars is a solid action RPG," wrote this particular author, adding that its best features are "its deliciously dystopian premise and intense boss battles". Alas, freedom was just out of reach for the handheld hunt-'em-up, and, much like many a space marine, it succumbed to the terrors of the Xenomorph.

Do you agree with our winner, or are you outraged by our team's ignorance? Browse through the list of reviews that we've embedded, vote for your favourite game in our poll, and then explain yourself in the comments section below.

Frozen Synapse Prime - 9/10
Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! - 7/10
CastleStorm: Definitive Edition - 8/10
Futuridium EP Deluxe - 8/10
Anomaly 2 - 8/10
Slender: The Arrival - 3/10
Alien: Isolation - 7/10
Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star - 7/10
Defense Grid 2 - 8/10
Fibbage: The Hilarious Bluffing Party Game - 4/10
Chariot - 8/10
Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition - 7/10
Dust: An Elysian Tail - 7/10
The Evil Within - 7/10
Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus - 7/10
Skylanders: Trap Team - 7/10
Don't Starve: Giant Edition - 7/10
NBA 2K15 - 8/10
Pier Solar and the Great Architects - 6/10
F1 2014 - 5/10
Jet Car Stunts - 6/10
MXGP: The Official Motocross Game - 5/10
The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series - The Complete First Season - 8/10
Samurai Warriors 4 (PS4) - 9/10
DriveClub - 7/10
Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes - 2.0 Edition - 6/10
Minecraft: PS Vita Edition - 8/10
The Walking Dead: Season 2 - A Telltale Games Series - 8/10
Samurai Warriors 4 (Vita) - 8/10
Peggle 2 - 7/10
Just Dance 2015 - 7/10
Shadow Warrior - 5/10
The Legend of Korra - 6/10
Pix the Cat - 8/10
Lords of the Fallen - 7/10
Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut - 7/10
Freedom Wars - 7/10