Between AAA sequels, upgraded ports and highly-anticipated indies, August 2021 is full of new game releases. Here are nine gamers can look forward to.
After a relatively quiet July in terms of new major video game releases, August 2021 looks to be a livelier month to get players ready for the many games announced and expected to launch this fall and winter. While there isn’t too much coming until the middle of the month, the last couple weeks of August are packed with new games ranging from AAA sequels to upgraded ports to highly-anticipated indies.
Here are nine games to look forward to in August.
Road 96
Releasing August 16 for Nintendo Switch and PC
Announced during last year’s Game Awards, Road 96 is an indie road trip game with some intriguing twists. For one, the entire journey is procedurally generated, and players will have to fight to survive as they try to escape Petria, a country on the brink of collapse in the summer of 1996. Players will drive, hitchhike and walk while meeting NPCs and making choices that shape the narrative. Road 96‘s vibrant and stylish aesthetic seems to be the backdrop for an interesting story and a dangerous adventure.
Humankind
Releasing August 17 for PC and Stadia
Twelve Minutes
Releasing August 19 for Xbox One and PC
One of Tribeca Games’ Official Selections, this real-time top-down thriller tells the story of a man trapped in a time loop. What starts as a romantic evening takes a dark turn when a detective breaks into the couple’s home, accuses the wife of murder and beats the husband to death — only for him to wake up again at the moment when he opened the door. With an all-star cast featuring James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe, Twelve Minutes is a long-awaited and anticipated indie adventure game that’s sure to leave players guessing until they can break the loop.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Releasing August 20 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
One of the best games of 2020 is about the get even bigger with the release of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut. In addition to upgrades like more accessibility options and technical advancements exclusive to the PlayStation 5 edition, this new version will expand Jin’s story with a new chapter set on Iki Island as he investigates a new Mongol threat. There, he will find new armor, mini-games, techniques, enemies and more. Those who already own the game on PS4 will be able to transfer their progress to the new game and upgrade to the Director’s Cut for $19.99 on PS4 or $29.99 on PS5.
Madden NFL 22
Releasing August 20 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC
This year’s entry in EA’s annual football franchise is also launching this month. Madden NFL 22 will deliver the series’ expected and beloved gameplay along with updates to things like Franchise Mode. Additionally, this year’s cover athletes are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tom Brady and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, who lead their teams during Super Bowl LV.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Releasing August 24 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC
This multiplayer third-person shooter from Cold Iron Studio is the next entry in the iconic sci-fi franchise. Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a sequel of sorts to the original film trilogy that follows a Colonial Marine on board the USS Endeavor. Players must work together in teams of three as they fight through missions and take out enemies to get stronger. The game features five classes: Gunner, Demolisher, Technician, Doc and Recon.
Though Alien games have a mixed history in terms of quality, CBR’s own preview called Fireteam Elite “a unique co-op survival shooter that can stand on its own without the Aliens backdrop” while still respecting the source material.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Releasing August 24 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC
Another Tribeca Games’ selection, Kena: Bridge of Spirits has been garnering attention for its gorgeous visuals since its reveal during Sony’s Future of Gaming event last year. Ember Lab’s action-adventure title has players control Kena, a young spirit guide who helps the deceased move from the physical world to the spirit world. While Kena has magical abilities, she can also collect and call on her spirit friends (known as the Rot) to complete tasks, giving the game a Pikmin-like element. CBR’s preview called Kena “enjoyable,” though we also noted that the game “feels less like a next-gen experience and more like the mascot-themed platformers of generations.”
Psychonauts 2
Releasing August 25 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC
16 after the release of the original Psychonauts, Double Fine’s cult classic platformer is finally getting a sequel. Psychonauts 2 will pick up where 2017’s VR title Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin left off, exploring elements introduced in the previous games like Raz’s family history. Players will again control Raz, a Psychonaut with powerful psychic abilities that allow him to dive into other people’s minds and journey through mental worlds. Like its predecessor, players should expect Psychonauts 2 to explore themes related to mental health in a stylized but sensitive way.
No More Heroes 3
Releasing August 27 for Nintendo Switch
After being delayed out of 2020, No More Heroes III will finally bring fans the next chapter in Travis Touchdown‘s story. In the game, the assassin will return to his hometown of Santa Destroy after several years to save the world from a powerful alien threat led by a galactic overlord prince named FU. No More Heroes III will bring back the original’s open world, as well as the hack ‘n slash gameplay and crass humor fans expect from the series.
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