If you were hoping to get some time away from your PC or console this autumn – perhaps to kick leaves around in the park or sit beside a roaring fire in a country pub – you can probably forget it. Scores for the first batch of post-Destiny releases are coming in, and they’re looking very good.

We’re reviewing all of these titles right now, but to keep you in the picture, here’s what specialist game sites are saying about Microsoft’s latest open-world racer, a new Tolkien-inspired action adventure, and some legendary Nintendo characters hitting each other for no discernible reason.

All of these titles are due out on 3 October.

Forza Horizon 2 (Microsoft, Xbox One)

It’s an interesting time for racing games, with Sony’s DriveClub, Ubisoft’s The Crew and Namco’s Project Cars all revving up on the starting grid. But this sequel from Leamington-based Playground Games has squealed away first.

Set amid the beautiful scenery of southern France and Italy, the action once again involves an exotic car festival where players drive about freely in over 200 top-end motors picking and choosing events.

What we’re seeing so far are solid 9/10s and 4/5s. CVG (9/10), GamesRadar (4/5) and Digital Spy (4/5) all make similar points: while hardly revolutionary, the game builds perfectly on the foundations of its predecessor. Meanwhile, Eurogamer (9/10), IGN (9/10) and Joystiq (4/5) all wallow in the exuberant joy of the game, its emphasis on fun rather than slavish authenticity.

The main dissenting voice is Polygon (7/10), which feels the open-world focus is less well-executed than the more circuit-based original.

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (Warner Bros, PC/PS3/PS4/Xbox 360/Xbox One)

Developed by Monolith Productions, famed for very dark horror action games like F.E.A.R and Condemned Criminal Origins, Shadow of Mordor is an open-world action role-playing adventure set between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

Players take on the role of a ranger named Talion who must fight his way to Mordor for revenge after Sauron’s army slaughters his family. With a complex battle strategy system, combined with the sort of world exploration components gamers will recognise from titles like Assassin’s Creed and Batman: Arkham City, it’s an intriguing melting pot for players to stir as they wish.

Indeed, GamesRadar (4.5/5), Polygon (9.5/10) and Eurogamer (8/10) all enjoy the level of personal freedom being offered. Although there’s a suitably epic narrative behind the game, its open-world environment, morally flexible framework and in-depth character customisation, mean that everyone is able to craft their own personal stories through the adventure.

Meanwhile, GamesTM (8/10), ShackNews (9/10) and Gamespot (8/10) all concede that the title is a sort of grab bag of familiar action adventure components, but that it puts them together very nicely. Destructoid (6/10) is less certain, finding nothing new in its competent mix of strategic battle and exploration.

Super Smash Bros (Nintendo, 3DS)

Nintendo’s famed brawling series returns, once again pitching many of its most well-loved characters against each other in amusing multiplayer arena fights. Key among the latest additions is the ability to add your own Mii avatar to the roster and level him or her up as the game progresses.

As we’ve already seen with Mario Kart 8 this year, Nintendo is a master of re-energising ancient brands with superlative gameplay and novel ideas. VideoGamer (9/10) and NintendoLife (9/10) both point to the HUGE range of options, modes, stages and characters on offer. Polygon (9/10), IGN (8.8/10) and CVG (9/10) both praise Nintendo for the perfectly executed miniturisation of the game from console classic to handheld experience.

However, GamesRadar (3/5) points to latency problems with the vital local multiplayer mode and questions how much the new 3DS features add to the experience.

CVG and VG247 both have very complete score round-ups for all of these titles.

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