Justin Wicker lists the biggest gaming releases for August 2016
August 2nd
Abzu
The creators of Flower
and Journey take a unique swing
at exploration and action in a new environment: the briney deep. Similar to
their past titles, expect beautiful visuals and simple gameplay based on
personal exploration. You can call it an ‘experience’, you can call it a
‘swimming simulator’, I call it gorgeous, and available August 2nd on PS4 and
Windows.
Telltale Batman
Episode 1: Realm of Shadows
The game Batman fanatics and adventure game fans have been
waiting for since the 2015 game awards is finally here. Detective action, flying
mammals, crime fighting, pointing and clicking, this game’s got it all. Get
your hands on Telltale’s take on ‘The Batman’ on August 2nd, on basically every
device you own. (Windows PC, Mac, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, iOS and
Android)
Tricky Towers
How do you feel about Tetris? How do you feel about physics
puzzles? Smash those feelings together and you will get your feelings about
Tricky Towers (and maybe a little leftover feelings residue. Gross.) Tricky
Towers is a multiplayer tetris-like block stacking game with the twist that all
the pieces have physics akin to objects in Angry
Birds. Stack high and expose your embarrassingly limited knowledge of
newtonian physics on August 2nd for PS4 and Windows.
August 3rd
Overcooked
The Onion Kingdom is in peril and only you and your
crack-team of chefs can save it! The world is going to end and you must travel
through time to brush up on your culinary skills in this hectic couch co-op
game. Cook and serve to appease your new overlords on August 3rd for PS4 and
Windows.
August 9th
No Man’s Sky
We have finally been able to hear more and more about the
space survival epic No Man’s Sky
after years shrouded in mystery. There are a lot of questions still left
unanswered when it comes to the moment-to-moment activities, but at a whole it
still seems as promised: Explore space of a functionally infinite number of
planets, collect materials to craft ships and weapons, map uncharted space, and
meet undiscovered flora and fauna. I am very curious if it lives up to the
hype. Find out for yourself on August 9th on PS4 and Windows.
August 19th
Metroid Prime
Federation Force
The announcement that induced heavy sighs and eye rolls across the planet is
arriving this month. Unfortunately, Nintendo has mostly reduced the Metroid series to the doldrums of mobile
multiplayer shooters, but you can get your hands on Federation Force and its competitive mode Blast Ball August 9th on 3DS.
August 23rd
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
With the advent of cybernetic enhancements to the human
body, a rift has separated the haves and the have nots once again, and the
world is in turmoil. A civil war has broke out over the ethics of human
augmentation and it's up to Adam Jensen to thwart the effort of terrorists and
politicians in this prequel to the early 2000s innovative title Deus Ex. Find out if Adam really did
‘Ask for this’ August 23rd on Xbox One, PS4, and Windows.
Madden NFL 17
It’s August, and like clockwork, a new Madden title is here. If you are a
fan you know what to expect. If you aren't a fan, you know what to expect.
Football is here, Rob Gronkowski is on the cover. It’s available on disc or
download August 23rd on Xbox one, Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4.
King of Fighters XIV
The fourteenth entry in the long-running 2D fighter series is making its
way over from Japan, and sporting an impressive 48 playable characters. The SNK
fighter fans will see long-time favorites like Terry Bogard and Kyo Kusanagi,
and younger gamers have a new opportunity to learn about fighting games from
the arcade era. Fight your way to the top of the ‘King of Fighters Tournament’,
August 23rd exclusively on PS4.
August 30th
God Eater:
Resurrection & God Eater 2: Rage Burst
Monster Hunter fans rejoyce! You can get the Monster Hunter action you want on
your television, and NOT your 3DS, for the first time in years. Resurrection will be available for the
first time on Windows as a remake of the original God Eater and additionally Rage
Burst will finally give God Eater 2
a stateside english release. Both titles will be available August 30th on PS4,
PS Vita, and Windows.
World of Warcraft:
Legion
The sixth expansion of the wildly popular MMO World of Warcraft is here after a couple years in Draenor. The
character level cap increased to 110, new areas of the Broken Isles are
available to explore, and for only the second time in the game’s 12+ year history,
a new ‘Hero Class’ is being added in the form of the series’ fan-favorite Demon
Hunter. Get your grubby mits on more Warcraft
on Windows and Mac, August 30th.
-Justin Wicker