Top Releases of August 2021
We’re in the middle of summer, when things slow down a bit and you get a chance to finally tackle that ever-growing game back log. Well sorry but we’ve got some bad news: your backlog is about to get bigger, as August 2021 is bringing some of the year’s best game releases. We’ve got incredible offerings for PC, Xbox, PlayStation and the Switch.
So sit back, relax and enjoy our monthly feature of the best 5 video games arriving this coming month.
Greak: Memories of Azur – All Platforms – August 17
In this gorgeous adventure game, three siblings — Greak, Adara, and Raydel — must flee through a beautiful but hostile world to escape an invasion. You’ll take control of each character to utilize their unique abilities in order to get them through their journey safely. In the words of our own Nicola Kapron, Greak: Memories of Azur features “a lush, hand-drawn world filled with stunning environments and eerie monsters.” With lots of smart puzzle solving, pretty visuals, and cute little blue creatures, Greak is shaping up to be a fan favorite when it arrives mid-month to all platforms.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite – PC, PS, XB – August 24
This 3-person co-op shooter/survival game from developers Cold Iron really impressed our man Mark Steighner, who had the privilege to get an early look at it in July. Calling it a “gut-busting good time,” Steighner particularly loved the way Aliens: Fireteam Elite both draws from and extends the beloved Alien franchise, giving fans a chance to experience familiar environments and themes in a really enjoyable experience, especially when playing with friends. At launch, you’ll get to choose from five classes — Gunner, Technician, Recon, Demolisher, and the Doc — and take on waves of aliens just like the movie, in a game that promises to be both exciting and pretty damn scary at times. Check out our gameplay impressions below.
12 Minutes – PC, XB – August 19
We finally got a release date at E3 2021, and 12 Minutes is set to hit PC and Xbox consoles on August 19. Its time-loop narrative structure and entrancing visuals have made this little indie point-and-click adventure one of the most anticipated games since it was first unveiled back in 2019. In top-down perspective, you play a man who must learn the secret to a terrible series of events that befall him in the tiny span of 12 minutes. Reliving that short time over and over, you’ve got to help him resolve things, and free him from his temporal prison. It’s weird, it’s dark, and it’s a game that is shaping up to be a must-play in 2021.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut – PS4, PS5 – August 19
Ok, maybe this isn’t a completely new release, but Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is definitely one you’ll want to check out, even if you’ve already played Ghost of Tsushima. In addition to the entire original game, you get a slew of upgrades for both consoles that have been added based on fan feedback. But the big bonus added with this Director’s Cut is the massive Iki Island expansion, with a whole new chapter in Jin’s adventure, a big new area to discover and tons of new goodies and enemies to defeat. And if you’re a PS5 player, you’ll get improved cutscenes, haptic feedback and more. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is sounding like a solid August purchase whether you’ve played through the original or not.
Psychonauts 2 – PC, XB, PS – August 25
Our own Trevor Houston got his hands on Psychonauts 2 back in July, and he was blown away. Calling it “unusual, quirky and totally awesome,” he loved the way it oozed with personality, great wacky characters and imaginative level design. This platforming adventure takes the originality and fun of its predecessor and adds truly stunning visuals, making for one of the most highly-anticipated games this year. Plus, we can’t wait to try using those psychic powers to burn, levitate and just wreck stuff! Check it out below and you’ll see why we’re so excited to play this come August 25.
Did we miss any games? Let us know in the comments.
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