Coming up this month: sand surfers, gun-toting pizza chefs and cardboard-loving eye patch-wearers.
Until Dawn was the gaming highlight of August ten years ago. Supermassive’s horror game – where you have to protect a group of horny young adults from a serial killer – kicked off a series of similar games. Things won’t be quite as scary this month, but they’ll certainly be gory.
Bee Simulator: The Hive – on patrol
As a small honey bee, you fly through New York’s Central Park, aiming to protect your colony from danger. There are multiple minigames, secrets and resources to discover. The main game has been available for some time. The expansion includes a beehive you can design yourself.
Release date: 4 August Available for: PC, then PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and Switch 2 at a later date Multiplayer: PvP and co-op for up to four players.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 – demon extermination continues
The sequel to The Hinokami Chronicles lets you relive new adventures with Tanjiro from the hit anime series. Once again, you’ll engage in epic battles against grotesque demons. There’s also a VS mode with over 40 characters.
Release date: 5 August Available for: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and Switch 2 Multiplayer: online and local PvP
The House of the Dead 2 Remake – back to the house of monsters
Back in 1998, you could shoot zombies with plastic guns in arcades, with the game later launching on the Dreamcast, Wii and PC. The remake has been markedly improved, but the basic gameplay’s the same. You still move through levels on rails, shooting everything in your path.
Release date: 7 August Available for: PC and Switch, with PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in Q4 Multiplayer: co-op for two players
Gradius Origins – retro spaceship action
The legendary side-scrolling shooter series is available in a comprehensive collection containing all seven instalments in a total of 18 versions – Japan, North America, Europe and more. There are also new features such as rewind and an invincibility mode.
Release date: 7 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and Switch 2 Multiplayer: no
Tiny Bookshop – mobile bookworms
Find an idyllic seaside location and set up your mobile bookshop. The game offers a mix of story and management. You decorate your trailer, select appropriate genres and chat with the residents.
Release date: 7 August Available for: PC, Mac and Linux Multiplayer: no
Mafia: The Old Country – an offer you can’t refuse
The fourth instalment in the Mafia series goes back to the start. For the first time, you’ll fight for La Familia in Italy instead of the USA. The series also strikes a new tone, set significantly earlier than the rest of the games. At the beginning of the 20th century, horses still play an important role. But motorised transport’s also used.
Release date: 8 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S Multiplayer: no
Echoes of the End – swords and magic
This third-person action game has a cinematic feel. Set in a fantasy world, you take on the role of sorceress Ryn, trying to save your brother from a totalitarian empire. The battles look powerful and dynamic, featuring a mix of medieval weapons and magical attacks. Visually, it’s more than impressive, and motion capture makes the cutscenes feel convincing.
Release date: 12 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S Multiplayer: no
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – traumatically beautiful
This audiovisual masterpiece is landing on the PS5 after a year of PC and Xbox exclusivity. Prepare for a gripping journey where protagonist Senua wrestles with her psyche and all sorts of monstrosities. Aside from a few trivial details, the game absolutely won me over.
Release date: 12 August Available for: PS5 and already on PC and Xbox Series X/S Multiplayer: no
Midnight Murder Club – an invitation to the horror party
Armed with a torch and a pistol, you sneak through a gloomy mansion with up to five other people. As with Among Us, you seem to need a mixture of deception and skill. Like other party games, the distance-based voice chat should provide some amusing moments when a fellow player suddenly hears a scream of terror from a distance.
Release date: 14 August Available for: PC (already available in Early Access) and PS5 Multiplayer: online PvP and co-op for up to six people
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 – superstars instead of college tradition
According to my colleague Kim Muntinga, the best football game has already been released: College Football 26. As far as developer EA’s concerned, Madden’s likely to remain the main attraction. Whether its focus on more realism, simulation and big stars will also lead to a better experience remains to be seen.
Release date: 14 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, then PS4, Xbox One and Switch 2 at a later date Multiplayer: online and local, PvP and co-op
Drag x Drive – whirling wheelchairs
Like Rocket League, but with wheelchairs – that’s the easiest way to describe Drag x Drive. But, instead of football, it’s basketball. Another unique feature is the controls. The Switch 2 exclusive attempts to simulate the movement of a wheelchair using Joy-Cons. Let’s see if it works.
Release date: 14 August Available for: Switch 2 Multiplayer: online for six players
Sword of the Sea – Sandsurfer
The creators behind Abzû, The Pathless and Journey seem to have combined elements from all their previous titles in their latest game. It’s another atmospheric journey through a picturesque world. This time, you’ll surf through sandy deserts and shimmering seas to restore a lost ocean.
Release date: 19 August Available for: PC and PS5 Multiplayer: no
Void/Breaker – trapped in a murderous hamster wheel
Trapped by hostile AI, you’re forced to fight and die in an endless cycle. Each run lets you try out new weapon combinations and discover new synergies. This fast-paced action game also features a detailed destruction system. It was primarily developed by just one person.
Release date: 20 August for Early Access Available for: PC Multiplayer: no
Discounty – getting the tills ringing
Help your aunt get her supermarket into shape and build a business empire. You’ll take care of the fittings, stock and tills. There’s also plenty of small-town drama, from disgruntled customers to romantic relationships and environmental pollution.
Release date: 21 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and Switch 2 Multiplayer: no
Pizza Bandit – baking and shooting
Pizza Bandit’s a co-op shooter for four players. As the name suggests, there’s not only shooting – there’s some cooking too. To realise your dream of owning your own pizzeria, you’ll travel through time, complete tasks and gain cooking experience. Multitasking is required, as you have to switch from a paring knife to a gun in a flash because nasty monsters want to interrupt your preparations.
Release date: 25 August for Early Access Available for: PC Multiplayer: online co-op for four people
Gears of War: Reloaded – ultra-sharp brownish grey
Almost 20 years after its initial release, this third-person cover shooter’s getting a complete overhaul. The remaster uses the Unreal Engine, making it look state-of-the-art again. 4K graphics, reworked textures, ultrawide support and HDR are all included. This probably adds a bit more variety to the predominantly brown-grey colour palette.
Release date: 26 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S Multiplayer: co-op and PvP, online and local
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater – a polished result
The remake lets you relive Kojima’s absurd military thriller with modern graphics and improved sound. Anyone who missed out on the action stealth game 20 years ago – like I did – can now finally catch up. And all without having to endure the washed-out textures of the PS2.
Release date: 28 August Available for: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S Multiplayer: no
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World – there’s never enough
Exclusively for the Switch 2, the 3D platformer’s being expanded with a new world and its own story. The graphics and frame rate have also been improved for Nintendo’s new console.
Release date: 28 August Available for: Switch 2 Multiplayer: local co-op for two players
Lost Soul Aside – spiky hairstyles and giant swords
It looks like Final Fantasy and is another Sony title. The dazzling third-person battles with a giant sword could’ve come straight from Square Enix’s fantasy saga. But you don’t play Cloud. Instead, you control Kaser, who embarks on a search for his sister, travelling through worlds and dimensions.
Release date: 29 August Available for: PC and PS5 Multiplayer: no
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – Pixelfest for ninjas
The team behind Streets of Rage 4 is embarking on its next prestigious retro project. The series dates back to the 1980s. The arcade classic was long considered Sega’s flagship game. The latest instalment once again offers spectacular 2D fighting scenes combined with sweat-inducing acrobatic sequences.
Release date: 29 August Available for: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and Switch 2 Multiplayer: no
Game preview August
Which game are you looking forward to the most?
«Bee Simulator: The Hive»
5%
«Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2»
1%
«The House of the Dead 2 Remake»
2%
«Gradius Origins»
2%
«Tiny Bookshop»
2%
«Mafia: The Old Country»
39%
«Echoes of the End»
7%
«Senua's Saga: Hellblade II»
6%
«Midnight Murder Club»
1%
«EA Sports Madden NFL 26»
2%
«Drag x Drive»
0%
«Sword of the Sea»
5%
«Discounty»
1%
«Void/Breaker»
2%
«Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater»
25%
«Lost Soul Aside»
6%
«Gears of War: Reloaded»
8%
«Shinobi: Art of Vengeance»
5%
«Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World»
As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
