As the Summer slowly begins to wind down and kids are preparing to head back to school, August has several noteworthy video game releases that are perfect appetizers ahead of this Fall’s impressive onslaught of blockbuster titles. Dead Cells, We Happy Few, Madden NFL 19, The Walking Dead: The Final Season and more round out a list of several diverse games that may be worth both your time and money.
Full Title: Dead Cells
Developer: Motion Twin
Publisher: Motion Twin
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, MacOS and Linux
Release Date: August 7th (Digital) August 21st (Physical)
Dead Cells is a roguelike-Metroidvania hybrid video game currently being developed by Independent French Studio Motion Twin. Having launched in Steam early access last year, Dead Cells has received high praise from fans and critics alike everywhere and has been heavily compared to Dark Souls with a minimalistic plot.
Buy Dead Cells – PlayStation 4
Full Title: Overcooked 2
Developer: Ghost Town Games
Publisher: Team17
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC
Release Date: August 7th
Overcooked 2 is a cooperative cooking simulation game and the long-awaited sequel to Overcooked. Fans of the original can expect new interactive levels, restaurant themes, chief costumes, recipes and a new ingredient tossing mechanic to keep the overall experience challenging and exciting.
Buy Overcooked! 2 – Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
Full Title: Madden NFL 19
Developer: EA Tiburon
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC
Release Date: August 10th
Madden NFL 19 is the 30th installment in the long-running American Football video game series. With new features like real player motions, changes to Ultimate Team mode, the continuation of the Longshot single-player story mode and a simultaneous PC release, its evident that EA Sports is going all out this year to make diehard and casual sports fans happy.
Buy Madden NFL 19 – PlayStation 4
Full Title: We Happy Few
Developer: Compulsion Games
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing (PS4) Microsoft Studios (Xbox One and PC)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: August 10th
We Happy Few is a survival adventure game developed by newly acquired Microsoft Studio Compulsion Games. This narrative-driven title takes place in England during the 1960’s and revolves around three characters trying to escape from a lifetime of cheerful denial brought upon by Joy pills.
Buy We Happy Few: Deluxe Edition – Xbox One [Digital Code]
Full Title: The Walking Dead: The Final Season
Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Telltale Games
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: August 14th
The Walking Dead: The Final Season is an episodic graphic adventure game developed by Telltale Games and the fourth main game in Robert Kirkman iconic zombie apocalypse series. Fans can expect a definitive conclusion to Clementine’s story and the return of thematic elements first introduced within the first season.
Buy The Walking Dead: The Final Season – Steam
Full Title: Death’s Gambit
Developer: White Rabbit
Publisher: Adult Swim Games
Platforms: PlayStation 4 and PC
Release Date: August 14th
Death’s Gambit is an action RPG set within a mysterious medieval world haunted by immortal souls and brutally unforgiving enemies. Developed by White Rabbit Studios and published by Adult Swim Games, Death’s Gambit promises to offer players challenging encounters in a huge world and the ability to customize their own arsenal of weapons.
Full Title: State of Mind
Developer: Daedalic Entertainment
Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and PC
Release Date: August 15th
State of Mind is a futuristic thriller that delves deep into transhumanism and explores themes of separation, disjuncture, and reunification within a dystopian reality. The story takes place in Berlin in the year 2048 and revolves around a journalist who life starts to fall apart after his wife and child disappears. This Daedalic Entertainment developed title received high praise during E3 2018 and may be worth checking out for players interested in new experiences.
Full Title: Guacamelee! 2
Developer: DrinkBox Studios
Publisher: DrinkBox Studios
Platforms: PlayStation 4 and PC
Release Date: August 21st
Guacamelee! 2 is a Metroidvania action platforming game and the sequel to Guacamelee! Fans of the original can expect the sequel to be bigger and better and almost every way imaginable. PlayStation 4 and PC releases are expected later this month while other console versions are expected in the not too distant future.
Full Title: Shenmue I & II
Developer: Sega AM2
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: August 21st
Shenmue I & II are re-released ports of the original action-adventure series directed by Yu Suzuki and developed by Sega AM2. With Shenmue 3 delayed until 2019, these two games provide the perfect opportunity for new and old fans alike to jump back into the series and be reminded why other sequels in the franchise are still sought after today.
Buy Shenmue I & II – PlayStation 4
Full Title: Pro Evolution Soccer 2019
Developer: PES Productions
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: August 28th
Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 is the 18th installment in the PES football video game simulation series. This year’s game will include more fully licensed leagues, stadiums, and legends than ever before. This is a nice alternative for those who can’t wait for FIFA 19 and may also prove to be a worthy competitor to EA’s flagship series.
Buy Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 – PlayStation 4 Standard Edition
Full Title: Strange Brigade
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Release Date: August 28th
Strange Brigade is a cooperative third-person shooter created by the talented team over at Rebellion Developments. Set within the 1930’s, players take on the role of secret service agents and face off against mythological enemies like mummies, giant scorpions, and minotaurs. This multiplayer game was one of my personal highlights during E3 2018 and it is ideal for those looking for fun cooperative experiences with friends.
Buy Strange Brigade – Xbox One
Full Title: Yakuza Kiwami 2
Developer: Sega CS1
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PlayStation 4
Release Date: August 28th
Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an action-adventure game and a remake of Yakuza 2 with use of the Dragon game engine from Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Fans of Yakuza games already have a good idea of what to expect from this title and can look forward to ending their summer off with a bang.
Buy Yakuza Kiwami 2: SteelBook Edition – PlayStation 4
Honorable Mentions:
Out Now:
Yakuza 0 (PC)
WarioWare Gold (Nintendo 3DS)
August 9th:
Monster Hunter: World (PC)
Minit (Nintendo Switch)
Layton’s Mystery Journey DX World (Nintendo Switch)
August 14th:
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth (PC and Mac)
August 24th:
F1 2018 (PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch)
August 28th:
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Nintendo Switch)
This concludes my list of the most anticipated games for the month of August. Do any of you plan on buying any of the titles listed above? If so, please feel free to let us know what your choices are in the comments section below.
