GeForce NOW Drops 17 Games in October: Little Nightmares III, Battlefield 6, Bloodlines 2, ARC Raiders, and More

Cloud gaming just got a nasty crit buff. NVIDIA announced that 17 games are landing on GeForce NOW this October — and it’s not just filler. We’re talking headliners like Little Nightmares III, the next big Battlefield entry, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, and ARC Raiders. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to boot up the GeForce NOW app again (or try it for the first time), this month’s lineup is basically a highlight reel for why cloud gaming is starting to make serious sense.

You can peep the official drop on NVIDIA’s own post here: GeForce NOW Thursday — October 2025. I’m going deeper, though — how these games actually play in the cloud, which tier you should rock, where the advantages (and pain points) are, and what to expect if you’re streaming from a school laptop, a 4K TV, or your phone while waiting for the bus. Let’s load in.

Why This Drop Matters: The State of GeForce NOW in 2025

GeForce NOW has matured hard over the last couple years. It’s not the “maybe I’ll stream Hades on my Chromebook” experiment anymore. This is a full-on PC gaming stack running in the cloud with three main tiers: Free (great for testing), Priority (stable 1080p/60 play with RTX), and Ultimate (cloud rigs modeled after RTX 4080-class GPUs with 240 FPS modes, 4K support, and NVIDIA Reflex baked in). If you don’t own a monster rig — or you do but you’re traveling, living on a MacBook, or don’t wanna deal with 70GB patches — GFN straight up rescues your playtime.

What sets GeForce NOW apart is the library model. You stream the games you already own on stores like Steam, Epic, GOG, and Ubisoft Connect. When a new batch like this October’s hits, you can jump in immediately if you own them — no waiting for installs, no driver version anxiety. And with high-end features like DLSS, ray tracing, and Reflex latency reduction enabled in the cloud, you can chase high settings even on potato hardware. That combo is powerful. It feels like cheating, but legit.

The Headliners: Four Games That Hit Different in the Cloud

Little Nightmares III — Co-op Fear That Follows You Everywhere

Little Nightmares III is built around oppressive vibes, environmental storytelling, and that “I don’t wanna go down this hallway but I’m absolutely going down this hallway” feeling. This time, there’s online co-op with two new protagonists — which is where the cloud flexes. You and a friend can hop into the same session without needing matching PCs or consoles. One of you can be on a MacBook, the other on a budget Windows laptop. The cloud rig handles the heavy lifting, so you keep the creepy ambience and moody lighting intact at high settings.

From a streaming standpoint, horror games benefit a ton from consistent frame pacing and crisp image decoding. Little Nightmares is packed with fine visual details (cloth textures, flickering light sources, weird sticky shadows) that can crush low-end GPUs. On GeForce NOW Ultimate, you’ll be able to run high or ultra visuals with ray-traced effects where available, while keeping the latency low enough for tight platforming. On a SHIELD TV, you can even pipe this to a living room setup in 4K with HDR, which is perfect for scaring your entire housecat population.

Pros in the cloud:

• Cinematic visuals don’t get downgraded by your device
• Online co-op is smooth across different hardware types
• No installs or patches ruining your spooky night plan

Potential cons:

• Dark scenes highlight any network hiccups — make sure your Wi‑Fi is solid
• Split-second platforming can feel worse if you’re on congested networks

Battlefield 6 — Big Battles, Bigger Tech Check

The newest Battlefield is coming to GeForce NOW, and that’s a huge litmus test for cloud gaming. Battlefield lives on huge player counts, vehicles, explosive destruction, and quick reactions — the kind of chaos that punishes bad frame times and high latency. On native hardware, the meta is 120–240 FPS with Reflex-level responsiveness. Can cloud hang?

With GFN Ultimate, NVIDIA routes you through data centers tuned for low-latency streaming and ties it together with NVIDIA Reflex in supported titles. If your internet is stable and fast (think wired Ethernet or strong Wi‑Fi 6/6E), you can absolutely keep up in large modes. I’ve played twitch shooters on GFN, and while it’s not replacing a 360 Hz local rig for esports purists, it’s shockingly competitive. The bigger W here is accessibility: anyone can roll into Battlefield’s spectacle without owning a $2k GPU tower. And if you’re already locked into the ecosystem — Steam friends lists, Origin/EA app unlocks, your cosmetics — it’s all there, just streamed.

Pros in the cloud:

• Jump straight into updated builds — no 100GB patches clogging your SSD
• High visual settings and ray tracing without melting your laptop
• 240 FPS modes available in the Ultimate tier for ultra-smooth input feel

Potential cons:

• Competitive lobbies expose weak networks — use Ethernet if possible
• Big firefights can show compression artifacts on low bandwidth

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 — Narrative Powerhouse With a Cloud Twist

Bloodlines 2 has been a saga, but it’s finally striding into the moonlight — and streaming might be the perfect way to experience it. This is a narrative RPG where city atmosphere, lighting, dialogue performances, and intricate systems (clans, Disciplines, social stealth) matter more than split-second aim duels. That makes it ideal for cloud: you get all the graphical juice without needing to upgrade your rig.

There’s one caveat fans should care about. The original Bloodlines became legendary for modding. GeForce NOW supports some in-game mod integrations (like Steam Workshop for supported titles), but full file modding access is limited because you don’t have direct control over the cloud machine’s file system. If your plan is a heavily modded run, local PC still wins. If you want a clean, story-first experience with maxed visuals on any device — GFN feels like a cheat code.

Pros in the cloud:

• Gorgeous cityscapes and lighting even on basic laptops and Macs
• Long play sessions without worrying about thermals or fan noise
• Pick up your save anywhere (more on save sync below)

Potential cons:

• Limited access to heavy file-based mods
• Text-heavy scenes can look softer on low-bitrate connections

ARC Raiders — Extraction With Instant Access

ARC Raiders pivots the co-op sci-fi vibe into extraction shooter territory — squads, objectives, extraction points, and tense decision-making when you’re loaded with loot and robots are sniffing your hideout. It’s fast, it’s tactical, and it looks slick. Extraction games benefit from cloud for one huge reason: time. Your friends ping you to run a few raids? You can be in within minutes; no reinstall, no patch downloads, zero storage anxiety.

Mechanical advantage-wise, ARC Raiders’ time-to-kill and movement systems aren’t as twitch-punishing as arena shooters, so GeForce NOW’s low-latency streaming holds up well — especially on Priority and Ultimate. If you wanted a frictionless way to keep an extraction shooter in rotation without nuking your drive space, this is it.

How Each GFN Tier Handles October’s Lineup

Quick breakdown if you’re deciding which tier to roll with:

Free

The Free tier is the “try it out” lane. You’ll queue during peak times, sessions are limited, and you’re capped at a lower performance target (think 1080p/60 in many cases). It’s surprisingly decent for story-driven games like Little Nightmares III or Bloodlines 2, especially if you’re testing on a Chromebook or older laptop. For Battlefield or ARC Raiders, Free is playable but not recommended if you’re serious about winning fights.

Priority

Priority is the sweet spot for most people. You get longer sessions, faster server access, RTX features, and consistent 1080p/60. If you’re gaming on a 60 Hz display — which a ton of school laptops and budget monitors are — this tier slaps. Little Nightmares III looks and feels great here, Bloodlines 2 will hum along with high settings, and even Battlefield feels stable enough for casual-to-serious play if your network is clean.

Ultimate

Ultimate is where GeForce NOW flexes its muscles. These cloud rigs emulate RTX 4080-class performance with features like 4K streaming, 120 FPS modes on desktop apps, and 240 FPS modes in supported games with NVIDIA Reflex. On a high-refresh monitor, shooters feel legitimately tight. On a SHIELD TV, living room 4K/HDR play is an easy win for cinematic games like Bloodlines 2 and Little Nightmares III. If you’re picky about input feel — or you just want to see these October games at their best — Ultimate is worth it.

Bandwidth-wise, expect smooth 1080p at around 35 Mbps, and step up from there for higher resolutions and frame rates. Ethernet is the move. If you’re on Wi‑Fi, go 5 GHz or Wi‑Fi 6/6E, keep the router close, and avoid streaming 4K Netflix on the same network while you’re trying to clutch.

Devices, Saves, and Ecosystem Stuff Gamers Actually Care About

GeForce NOW runs on basically everything: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android phones/tablets, iOS/iPadOS via Safari PWA, and NVIDIA SHIELD TV. It even works well on handheld PCs and lightweight laptops. That portability is why this October drop is so spicy — you can bounce between devices without losing progress.

Save syncing: Because GFN hooks into your PC store accounts, most games save to the cloud exactly like they would on your local PC. If a game supports Steam Cloud or the publisher’s own cloud saves, you’re golden. Boot up Bloodlines 2 on your desktop, continue from your MacBook later — no drama. If a game doesn’t support cloud saves, you’ll keep the save in the cloud environment, which is still fine as long as you stick to GFN.

Peripherals: Keyboard/mouse is plug-and-play. Most modern controllers (Xbox, DualSense, etc.) work great wired or Bluetooth. On phones and tablets, look into low-latency Bluetooth or USB‑C wired options for shooters — it’s a legit upgrade. Touch controls exist for some games, but for October’s picks, a controller or KBM will make your life better.

If you need help dialing in your setup for streaming — network tweaks, gear recs, or display settings — I’ve got a full guide here: The gaming setup guide you actually use.

Cloud vs. Local: How GeForce NOW Stacks Against the Competition

We’ve got options in 2025. Here’s how GFN compares to other cloud contenders:

Xbox Cloud Gaming (Game Pass Ultimate)

Microsoft’s service is still the best deal if you want a rotating library included with your sub. It’s awesome for trying new games or playing first-party titles on day one. But performance caps, resolution limits, and the curated library make it a different beast. If you want the PC version of games you already own with max settings and higher frame rates, GFN has the edge.

Amazon Luna

Luna runs crisp but lives in curated-channel land. Great for casual play, not as strong for hardcore PC titles. It’s comfy on Fire TV sticks, though. For this October’s heavy hitters — Battlefield, Bloodlines 2 — GFN’s “use your PC stores” approach just fits better.

PlayStation Streaming

PlayStation’s cloud setup shines for PS5 owners and exclusive titles. It’s its own ecosystem with strong first-party stuff. But if your world is Steam/Epic libraries and you want PC-level graphics settings, GFN still feels like the power play.

TL;DR: If you want to rent a library, Xbox Cloud Gaming is your buddy. If you want to stream the PC games you already own with high-end settings and refresh rates, GeForce NOW is king.

Game-by-Game Fit: Which October Titles Suit Cloud Best?

Not all games benefit from cloud the same way. Here’s how I’d match them to tiers and playstyles:

• Little Nightmares III: Priority or Ultimate. The cinematic vibes love high settings and clean frame pacing. Play on the biggest screen you’ve got — or stream to a tablet in bed for max creep factor.
• Battlefield 6: Ultimate. If you’re serious about winning, chase the 120/240 FPS modes and minimize latency. Wired connection recommended.
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Priority is plenty for most. If you want ray tracing and 4K city nights, Ultimate pops.
• ARC Raiders: Priority or Ultimate depending on how sweaty you get. Both tiers should feel great when your network is stable.

Everything else in the 17-game drop (indies, AAAs, and maybe a surprise gem or two) rides the same logic: shooters and fighters want Ultimate, single-player adventures and strategy fare sing on Priority, and Free is solid for testing and short sessions.

If you’re curious how fighting games feel in the cloud — timing windows can be tight — check out my breakdown here: Tekken 8 tips and timing you can actually use. Short answer: it’s playable on a good connection, but locals still rule for tournaments.

Latency, Image Quality, and the Settings That Actually Help

NVIDIA’s doing a lot to squeeze latency: better data center routing, Reflex integration, and encoder tweaks. But you control the last mile. Here are the dials that make a real difference:

• Go wired if you can. Ethernet is the biggest W. On Wi‑Fi, park near your router on 5 GHz or Wi‑Fi 6/6E. Avoid congested networks.
• Use the native GeForce NOW app on Windows/macOS for the highest frame rate modes and best frame pacing. Browser is fine, just not ideal for 120+ FPS.
• Match your display refresh to your streaming target. If you’re streaming 120 FPS to a 60 Hz panel, you’re leaving performance on the table.
• Cap in-game FPS to the stream rate. If the stream is 60, cap the game at 60 to reduce micro stutter and make Reflex more consistent.
• Check bitrate in the app settings. Push it higher if your connection allows to reduce compression artifacts, especially in dark or fast scenes.
• Disable background bandwidth hogs. Cloud gaming and 4K video on the same network don’t mix well.

Want a deeper dive on hardware, displays, and refresh rates? My full setup guide has charts and gear recs: build a setup that actually levels you up.

Cost Talk: Is It Worth Subbing Right Now?

GeForce NOW has a Free tier to test your connection and vibe. Paid tiers vary by region, but Priority is the affordable sweet spot, and Ultimate is the premium lane for high-refresh and 4K flexibility. If October’s slate includes multiple games you’re hyped to play — especially ones with long legs like Battlefield or ARC Raiders — a month of Ultimate to binge and test your network might be the move. If you’re mostly here for single-player runs like Bloodlines 2 and Little Nightmares III, Priority will feel great while being easier on the wallet.

It also depends on your hardware situation. If you’re eyeing a new GPU but your wallet screams every time you open a product page, cloud can be a bridge year. I’m still a hardware nerd to my core — if that’s you, bookmark this for later: my thoughts on next-gen GPUs. But right now, GeForce NOW is giving a ton of people access to maxed-out experiences they couldn’t otherwise run.

Pros and Cons of Going Cloud for This October Drop

Pros:

• Instant access to 17 games including major releases — no installs, no updates
• High settings, ray tracing, and DLSS without buying new hardware
• Play anywhere: laptop, Mac, phone, tablet, SHIELD TV, Chromebooks
• Ultimate tier brings 120–240 FPS modes and Reflex for competitive play
• Your existing PC libraries carry over — no double-buying

Cons:

• Network quality decides your experience — weak Wi‑Fi will hold you back
• Free tier queues can be long at peak times
• Limited access to heavy file-based mods
• Compression can show in dark, fast-moving scenes if your bitrate dips

Final Thoughts: October Is a “Play More, Wait Less” W for GFN

October’s GeForce NOW lineup is stacked in a way that actually shows what cloud gaming does best. Horror co-op that follows you from couch to laptop? Check. A blockbuster shooter where anyone can jump in at high settings without a mega rig? Check. A moody RPG you can sink hours into on any device without hearing your fans scream? Check. An extraction shooter you can play on short notice with friends? Check.

If you’re curious, start with the Free tier and run a network test. If it vibes, Priority is the best value for most people. If you crave the smoothest aim feel and next-level image quality, Ultimate is honestly wild — and the Battlefield crowd will notice the difference.

For the full official rundown, hit NVIDIA’s post: GeForce NOW Thursday — October 2025. I’ll be diving into hands-on impressions as these games roll out across the month, but the bottom line’s already clear: this is one of the strongest monthly drops GFN has had, and it’s a flex for cloud gaming in general.

Your Turn: Drop Your Loadout in the Comments

Are you going to stream Little Nightmares III in co-op, grind Battlefield on Ultimate, or sink your teeth into Bloodlines 2? What device are you playing on, and how’s your connection holding up? If you’ve got questions about setup or which tier to pick, throw them below — I’ll help you dial it in. And if you’ve got a spicy GFN clip, link it. Let’s see those cloud-powered dubs.