6 Hottest Games of November 2021

November marks a big month for game releases, as we see a new release in one of gaming’s biggest franchises, along with some other notable launches that should make for a very interesting end-of-year period.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Release date: 5 November 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | Xbox One | PS4 | PC)

The latest entry into the FPS behemoth that is Call of Duty sees the series return to its World War II roots, which will be a ‘coming home’ of sorts for developer Sledgehammer Games, who helmed the 2017’s brilliant Call of Duty: World War II. There will be both a single-player campaign, as well as multiplayer, with the single-player following four different characters, each from a different nation among the Allied forces and fighting on a different front of the war. The story will explore how they have to survive their respective battles and come together to form a unique team near the conflict’s end. Vanguard runs on a modified and enhanced version of the engine we saw in action in 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot, with destructibility of the environments getting some additional attention.

Forza Horizon 5

Release date: 9 November 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | Xbox One | PC)

Forza‘s open-world Horizon spin-off series gets a new entry this November, delivering the biggest and most robust release in the franchise to date. A new Mexican setting sees the series shifting to some stellar seaside vistas and desert locales, along with the sandstorms and tropical challenges that go with them. Forza Horizon 5 is also, quite arguably, one of the best-looking games you’ll find, with a new photorealism technique helping bring the environment and cars to life. Of course, there are hundreds of licensed cars and a full campaign to indulge in as Forza Horizon 5 hits Xbox platforms and PC this November.

Jurassic World Evolution 2

Release date: 9 November 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | Xbox One | PS4 | PC)

Jurassic World Evolution was an interesting spin on the Jurassic Park scenario, turning the doomed-dino-park theme into a management sim, and while it was incredibly enjoyable, it did have some UI and gameplay drawbacks. The sequel, Jurassic World Evolution 2, builds on the foundation of the first game, with a compelling, new narrative campaign, tweaked features and gameplay, and awe-inspiring new dinosaurs brought to life with captivating authenticity.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition

Release date: 11 November 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | Xbox One | PS4 | Switch | PC)

Grand Theft Auto is the franchise that just seems to keep on giving. The three beloved GTA releases of the sixth generation, GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas, are all bundled together in the GTA Trilogy pack, all with updated graphics and gameplay elements. Some of these enhancements include revamped lighting and environmental upgrades, high-resolution textures, increased draw distances, Grand Theft Auto V-style controls and targeting, and much more, bringing these fan-favourite worlds to life with all-new levels of detail.

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One

Release date: 16 November 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | PC)

Frogwares’ Sherlock Holmes games are underrated gems that should be played, but if you want a new jumping-on point, the series is getting somewhat of a reboot/prequel with Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One. Playing as the iconic detective, albeit as a younger and more naive version, you’ll get to explore the island and city of Cordona, seeking truth by using clues, rumours, disguises, tags, and pinned evidence to build a solid case within your Mind Palace. There are also combat sections, allowing you to use your intuition to shoot off enemy armour and disarm those trying to stop you. It’s a lot more open-ended than the previous Sherlock Holmes games, and we can’t wait to get our hands on this one.

Battlefield 2042

Release date: 19 November 2021 (Xbox Series X/S | PS5 | PC)

The Battlefield franchise sees its return to claim the FPS shooter crown, but this time, it’s only playing in the multiplayer area. Battlefield 2042 doesn’t feature a single-player campaign and solely focuses on its online modes, and, as the name suggests, jumps to the near future, where technology has beefed up warfare in numerous ways. Furthermore, rising sea levels, collapsing economies, and broken alliances between Russia and the US have made things a little worse. The game also features massive 128 player battles on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, where dynamic storms, environmental hazards, huge combat freedom, and Battlefield’s signature destruction are turned up to 10.

Which game are you most excited for? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.