With August in full swing, this week’s schedule of releases feels like it might serve as a nice break for some folks, with the only notable AAA launch being a new entry in the Madden NFL franchise, although among the indies launching in the coming days are some pretty exciting releases including I Am Your Beast, Phantom Spark and Arco.
Take a look at what’s coming this week:
GAMES RELEASING THIS WEEK (AUGUST 12 EDITION)
EA Sports Madden NFL 25
Release Date: August 16th
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Isn’t it Madden-ing that we have to wait a year for each new entry in the NFL series? For more on-pitch glory, more throwing and kicking off the ball? The plays? The helmets? Can you tell I’m unfamiliar with this sport and franchise??
Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse
Release Date: August 14th
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
If you missed Telltale’s pre-The Walking Dead output, you missed some great capers with the iconic duo of Sam & Max, but the good news is you’ve got another chance at them with this newly-remastered version of 2010’s five-episode finale, The Devil’s Playhouse. This was probably my favourite of Telltale’s S&M trilogy, so I’m keen to relive it.
I Am Your Beast
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: PC
If the demo was anything to go by, I am destined to be terrible at this game. But after feeling Badass™ circa 2001 in El Paso, Elsewhere and just plain Bad in Clickolding, I will forever place myself in Xalavier Nelson Jr and Strange Scaffold’s capable hands when it comes to unique, short-form video game experiences. This one’s a little bit Predator, a little bit Hotline Miami and kind of a bit XIII. I think I should be excited about the violence and leaderboards but I’m mostly into kinetic typography.
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
More of re-brand and re-launch for modern platforms than a wholly new game, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is aiming to usher in a whole new era with a new map, upgrades to tech, performance, and native SKUs for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Phantom Spark
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Future-trippy high-speed racing with a focus on posting ridiculous leaderboard times, backed up by a mesmering soundtrack and soft colour palettes? Where do I sign?
Arco
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: Switch, PC
After bringing us the likes of Firewatch, Thank Goodness You’re Here and Untitled Goose Game, I’ve come to trust the folks at Panic to publish Good Shit Only™, and Arco looks like no exception. Underneath the heavily-stylised but wonderfully-lush pixel art aesthetic is a dynamic, tactical RPG powering a larger-than-life adventure where you’ll battle monsters (colonisers) and monsters (actual monsters) through breathtaking environments and a player-driven story.
Just Crow Things
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Huge crow fan, here. I think these beautiful birds get a bad rap, but this game seems out to prove me wrong. It’s like Untitled Goose Game if the goose were a crow and the game had a title. And you can shit on people.
Wishlist it and download the demo here.
Leximan
Release Date: August 13th
Platforms: PC
Finally, a game about attending a mysterious, magical school! I don’t know if you could tell by the Undertale-esque presentation, or just the general vibe of the above trailer, but this one is going to be weird.
Wishlist it and download the demo here.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Xbox Launch)
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
I gave Kena: Bridge of Spirits a solid 8/10 in my review when it first dropped on PS5 and PC, saying, “As an indie effort and a debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits makes a good impression. It balances simplicity and challenge while weaving a neatly-paced story into something that can be played over a chill couple of days,” and now it’s coming to Xbox!
Cult of the Lamb ‘Unholy Alliance’ Update
Release Date: August 12th
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Cult of the Lamb’s Unholy Alliance update finally adds local co-op play to the game including new twists on existing minigames, new options in combat, co-op crusades and a heap more. Along with the new gameplay features there’ll also be new gear, buildings, follower content and other fun stuff. Best of all, it’s a totally free update for owners of the game!
DREDGE – The Iron Rig Expansion
Release Date: August 15th
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC
Another big update is on the way for one of our favourite games of 2023, this time adding new mysteries to the game’s world along with new items, gadgets and more. With sinister undertones, naturally.
