When summer rolls around, many non-gamers simply don’t understand why we still want to sit inside and play video games all day. Of course, just like anyone else, we like to make time to head outside and “touch grass”, as the kids say, but the fact is that summer – and often August in particular – can still be a great time for game releases.
As you’ve probably guessed, that’s still the case this year; August is packed with great games we can’t wait to check out, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the best PS5 games heading your way in August.
WrestleQuest (August 8th)
This irreverent wrestling RPG should be a great time if you’ve played and enjoyed games like Punch Club. It’s less of a wrestling sim like AEW Fight Forever or the WWE 2K games and more of an RPG along the lines of Golf Story; you’ll take an aspiring wrestling hopeful all the way to the top and meet plenty of legends of the sport along the way, including big names like “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
Gord (August 8th)
We admit it: we’re real suckers for any game inspired by Slavic mythology, and that’s exactly what Gord purports to be. In this single-player strategy game, you must look after the fate of your tribe, build yourself a lasting settlement, and protect you and yours from the horrors that lurk beyond your borders. Make no mistake: this is very much not a lighthearted affair, so check it out if you want something a bit more frosty to counterbalance the sweltering summer heat.
Atlas Fallen (August 10th)
Deck13 returns with an RPG that looks to have shades of games like Darksiders about it. If you can imagine the 2008 Prince of Persia reboot rubbing shoulders with God of War or Kingdoms of Amalur, then you’re not too far off Atlas Fallen. It’s an action RPG that will task you with exploring a massive desert world armed with a shape-changing gauntlet that gives you access to three different weapons and lots of traversal abilities.
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew (August 17th)
Created by the folks behind Desperados III and Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, Shadow Gambit is a real-time tactics game in which you must hunt down the treasure of the legendary pirate Captain Mordechai. As you do so, you’ll gain access to characters with a range of abilities to help you sneak past the dastardly foes who want to stop you. This will be one to check out if you’re a fan of the more cerebral end of the gaming spectrum.
Madden NFL 24 (August 18th)
Well…it’s a Madden game. What more is there to say? If you’re already a fan of this franchise (no pun intended), then you’re likely going to love and hate Madden NFL 24 in equal measure. You’ll love it for its on-pitch advancements, strategic depth, and realistic simulation of the sport you know and adore, and you’ll hate it for what will probably be another implementation of predatory microtransactions and money-grubbing on the part of EA.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (August 18th)
Clearly, Dead by Daylight has lit a spark under some developers, because after Friday the 13th, we’re getting this rather curious multiplayer adaptation of the deeply unsettling 1974 horror classic. Just like Dead by Daylight, this is an asymmetrical multiplayer affair in which you can either play as a member of Leatherface’s Slaughter Family or as a victim, and the gameplay objectives will change depending on which side you pick.
Blasphemous 2 (August 24th)
The first Blasphemous was an underrated gem, taking themes of deep Catholic guilt and religious fervour and offsetting them against a highly competent (if somewhat straightforward) Metroidvania Soulslike. The followup looks to be offering more of the same, albeit with an expanded moveset, more weapons to try out, and, of course, more grotesque bosses to tackle. If you loved the first one, you’ll almost certainly want to check this one out.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (August 25th)
This sixth mainline instalment in the Armored Core series isn’t quite dumbing down the franchise’s signature mech action, but it does look to be more accessible than previous games. Despite being a From Software game, you won’t see any of the studio’s signature Soulslike mechanics in action here; although the game will take some inspiration from that venerable franchise, it will still be an Armored Core game through and through.
Goodbye Volcano High (August 29th)
Those in the mood for a more narrative-led experience will want to add Goodbye Volcano High to their wishlist. Taking place during a rather low-key apocalypse, Goodbye Volcano High stars Fang, a young dinosaur who’s still trying to work out what they want. You must juggle Fang’s friendships, their family relationships, and their aspirations as a musician, as well as how they feel about the massive meteor that’s currently hurtling towards their planet.
Sea of Stars (August 29th)
If you love classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger and action RPGs like the Secret of Mana games, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you take a look at Sea of Stars. Developed by the minds behind the imaginative platformer The Messenger, Sea of Stars is a deliberate homage to that particular kind of mid-1990s JRPG, and it looks to offer deep combat, a cast of likeable characters, and a big world to explore.
