A scorching season beginning to calm down

This yr’s summer time has been chock-a-block with unbelievable video games from Remaining Fantasy XVI to Avenue Fighter 6, however issues are beginning to calm down with the August 2023 video games lineup. There are nonetheless some nice video games like Sea of Stars and Baldur’s Gate 3 on the horizon. Nevertheless, we are able to take a little bit of a breather as most of those anticipated titles are pretty area of interest. Right here’s every thing you’ll be able to anticipate from the August 2023 video games launch schedule.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC)

Writer: From Software program and Bandai Namco
Developer: From Software program
Worth: $59.99
Launch Date: August 25
Trailer
Our Preview

The legendary studio behind Darkish Souls and Elden Ring (From Software program) is bringing again a mech favourite with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.  The Steam web page claims it’s bringing the developer’s “signature motion gameplay” into the combination with “fast-paced, omni-directional battles.” Every struggle shall be set in “large levels,” and now with higher graphical constancy, the motion will look much more intense and beautiful. Whereas there isn’t any Souls-like fight from this sequel, you’ll be able to deeply customise your mech simply the way you’d prefer it.

Your judgment will impression your mech’s motion and even its battle model. The Steam web page claims that “every mission might be approached with a novel mech technique.” One thing you’d anticipate from From Software program is boss battles; this recreation comes with them in spades. Hopefully, this recreation lives as much as the extraordinarily excessive expectations of the developer’s large fanbase after its 2022 magnum opus Elden Ring. From the pedigree alone, this is without doubt one of the most anticipated August 2023 video games.

Baldur’s Gate 3 (PC)

Writer: Larian Studios
Developer: Larian Studios
Worth: $59.99
Launch Date: August 3 (PC) and September 6 (PS5)
Trailer

RPG followers, rejoice! Baldur’s Gate 3 is lastly leaving early entry on August 3. There’s deep customization within the recreation, permitting you to select from 12 lessons (with 46 subclasses) and 11 races (together with 31 subraces) on your hero/heroine. Larian Studios additionally claims your choices will go away an impression on the storyline. “Each selection you make drives your story ahead, every determination leaving your mark on the world,” says Larian on the sport’s Steam web page. “Outline your legacy, nurture relationships and create enemies, and clear up issues your approach.”

We’ll see how grandiose the story is when the sport totally releases, nevertheless it definitely sounds promising. As the sport is ready within the Dungeons & Dragons universe, will probably be primarily based on the 5e ruleset. You’ll be rolling the cube on your actions throughout fight and might work together with the setting in distinctive methods. Oh, and you may have romantic relations with a bear…if that’s your factor.

Immortals of Aveum (PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC)

Writer: EA
Developer: Ascendent Studios
Worth: $59.99
Launch Date: August 21
Trailer

When you’re bored with weapons and need a little bit of a change-up, there’s Immortals of Aveum with magic as a substitute of ammo. You’ll be blasting away all types of foes with 25 totally different spells at your disposal. There are additionally 80 skills to study on this FPS single participant marketing campaign. As one of many battle mages, you’re tasked to save lots of the world from villains who plan to ship it to the abyss.

The sport appears thrilling with loads of intriguing enemies to struggle and a way of verticality inside its stage design. The graphics look pristine as effectively with attractive visible results and grand environments.  It’s one of many extra intriguing August 2023 video games on this checklist.

Madden NFL 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC)

Writer: EA
Developer: EA Sports activities
Worth: $69.99
Launch Date: August 17
Trailer

EA has a busy month in retailer as a result of Madden NFL 24 can be dropping in August. As a substitute of slinging spells, you’ll be throwing footballs and dealing with them higher with an improved model of FieldSENSE. EA claims on the sport’s Steam web page that it’s “supplying you with better management and delivering realism to all of the methods you play.” Moreover, there’s a brand new function known as the SAPIEN expertise. Apparently, it provides extra realism to the physique definition and variation of the athletes’ physiques. EA claims this ends in “life like participant motion.”

EA additionally says that your teammates’ rankings and situational consciousness have improved for the reason that final recreation with higher AI. Fortunately, Madden NFL 24 will embrace crossplay, permitting you to play with your folks on PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, and PC. Whereas this isn’t my explicit cup of tea (soccer must be known as soccer, rattling it), this yr’s Madden appears to be a giant step up. It is likely to be value ready for it to return to Xbox Recreation Go, nonetheless, like Madden NFL 23.

Sea of Stars (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, Nintendo Change, PC)

Writer: Sabotage Studio
Developer: Sabotage Studio
Worth: $34.99
Launch Date: August 17
Trailer

Sea of Stars is the standout indie out of the August 2023 video games checklist. Sporting great 16-bit impressed graphics, Sea of Stars will wrap you up in some good ol’ JRPG goodness. It’s seemingly impressed by classics like Chrono Set off and Tremendous Mario RPG. There’s a turn-based fight system that depends on timed button presses. When you time them appropriately, your harm will improve. As the sport proceeds, every combo will progress in issue.

The animations are completely attractive throughout the artwork model, including much more of a nostalgic rush to the sport. The sport does really feel modernized, nonetheless, with no random encounters and no grinding to talk of. Go at your individual tempo and cease The Fleshmancer performing their evil doings. To maintain you entertained, there are different actions in Sea of Stars, akin to fishing, cooking, and a tabletop recreation known as Wheels.

Honorable Mentions

• Thronefall (PC) – August 2
• Flutter Away (PC, Change) – August 3
• Atlas Fallen (PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC) – August 10
• Shifting Out 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, Change, PC)  – August 15
• En Garde! (PC) – August 16
• Marble It Up! Extremely (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, Change, PC) – August 17
• Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (PC, Change) – August 18
• The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC)
• Journey 5 (PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC) – August 24
• Goodbye Volcano Excessive (PS4, PS5, PC) – August 29
• Samba de Amigo: Get together Central (Change) – August 29
• Beneath the Waves (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X/S, PC) – August 29
• The Form of Issues (Change) – August 31

Chris Penwell

Chris is a contract author for a number of retailers, together with Destructoid! He loves narrative video games like Kingdom Hearts, Life is Unusual, and Past Good & Evil. Nevertheless, he does take pleasure in Fortnite and Tremendous Smash Bros. Final sometimes.

Extra Tales by Chris Penwell