September went way too fast and, for some strange reason, we had better weather this month then we did all summer. Unfortunately, if today is anything to go by, we’ll soon be returning to those cold winter nights. Thankfully, October has an excellent line-up of games to make staying in your nice warm house completely worth it. Here’s four of them!

Dead Space

Release date: 24 October

Format(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360

EA’s new survival horror in space is looking absolutely terrific. Plus, EA have been doing wonders with the backstory; going as far as releasing comics, an animated film an alternate reality game on the No Known Survivors website.

Lashings of gore and more jumping-out-of-your-skin moments than you can shake a stick at means that Dead Space isn’t for the fainthearted. For the rest of us, however, it’s sure to be one hell of a ride. Just make sure you don’t play it in the dark (or do, like me, and then whimper when you realise what an idiot you’ve been).

Fable 2

Release date: 24 October

Format(s): Xbox 360

Lead designer Peter Molyneux recently said that online co-op might not be available on release (instead they’re aiming for about a week later) but don’t let that put you off! Apart from the jump-in jump-out co-op you can get married, have kids, become good or evil, or, you know, actually have a good old RPG adventure. Oh, and there’s a dog - a dog you’ll apparently cry over.

Sold? Sigh, I’m still getting it anyway.

Fallout 3

Release date:31 October

Format(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Here’s another dog (what is it with dogs and games lately?) but instead you’re tramping around with one in a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland (good look feeding him).

It’s been ten years since we last saw Fallout and the fan boys are literally peeing themselves with excitement over a futuristic - Oblivion - with-guns-and-incredibly-over-the-top-gore-and-a-side-order-of-good-old-1950’s-style-music…. phew. Well, I’m one of those fan boys anyway.

Apparently there are over 200 possible endings so that’s quite a lot of playtime right there.

Saints Row 2

Release date:17 October

Format(s): Mobile Phone, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

I don’t know what to make of the recent multiplayer videos other than they don’t exactly impress me. It think it’s one of those games that sound better when it’s described, or possibly are better when you actually get to play it. In any case it looks like a fun and over-the-top helping with deep customisation options and a stellar voice cast. Plus, I can’t wait to play through it on co-op.

It will probably suit those who weren’t impressed with GTA IV but I swing both ways. GTA IV had an enthralling and movie-like story, but the whacky parts were removed in favour of this. Saints Row 2 is looking to fill that void and the amount of things you can do is pretty ridiculous. I’m a gamer, we love ridiculous sometimes as constant seriousness would not be fun. Come on, we grew up playing a game that had a plumber trying to rescue a princess while eating mushrooms. Sometimes games are all about the fun, they don’t have to be realistic. Hopefully they’ll also be a pretty good story thrown in there too, and that may just mean it nears perfection…well…until you see a gang member wearing a hotdog costume.