BACK IN THE GAME MULLIN
The easing of lockdown has led to a flood of intriguing new titles to immerse yourselves in
AUGUST has arrived, the kids are off school and it’s cautiously starting to feel a little bit more – dare I say it – normal?
And it’s not just the outside world that’s making a comeback, gaming is enjoying a resurgence too.
Like every industry, game studios have felt the Covid pinch with titles being endlessly delayed as restrictions attempted to keep us all safe from the virus.
That’s been reflected in the small number of games that have been making it out over the line every month.
But this month feels different, with a wealth of cracking games being unleashed.
So if you’ve got some free time this summer, or still feel safer spending more time at home, then these are the games that are worth your attention.
BLUE FIRE
(PEGI 7) PS4, XBOX ONE, Switch, PC Release: August 6
PC and Switch gamers have already had a chance to enjoy this clever little platformer, but now PS4 and XBOX owners can share the fun.
Set in the perished world of Penumbra, this sharp 3D adventure sees you uncovering the dark secrets of a forgotten land.
The cute graphics belie surprisingly challenging gameplay, which has you wall-running through bottomless dungeons, and puzzle solving.
With influences clearly drawn from Zelda, Hollow Knight, and even a dash of Dark Souls, this is one to keep an eye on.
HADES
(PEGI 12) PS4, PS5, XBOX ONE, XBOX XS, Switch, PC Release: August 13
Fresh from scooping Game of the Year at this year’s Game Developers Choice Awards last month, this critically acclaimed title finally lands on Sony and Microsoft consoles.
Hades is a god-like, rogue-like dungeon crawler that has you befriending ghosts, gods and monsters in your bid to escape the underworld.
With glorious graphics, at times unforgiving gameplay mechanics, and a wonderfully unique take on Greek mythology, there’s a reason why it’s currently the darling of the industry.
HUMANKIND
(PEGI 12) PC Release: August 17
A thoroughly ambitious 4X game in the vein of Civilization, which sees you leading your people through six major eras of human history.
4X (short for Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate) games let you establish, build, expand and evolve your own empires using whatever means your little heart desires.
Humankind gives you 60 different historical cultures to choose from, which you can then blend together to form your own extraordinary community.
Developed by Amplitude Studios, which produced the Endless series of sci-fi games – the studio is hailing Humankind as its magnum opus.
GHOST OF TSUSHIMA: DIRECTOR’S CUT (PEGI 18) PS4, PS5 Release: August 20
With stunning landscapes and beautifully fluid animations, Ghost of Tsushima has already cemented itself as one of the best Samurai games of all time.
Released on the PS4 last year, the game has been given a serious upgrade for its PS5 release.
There’s a wealth of new content here, including a new story expansion which will also be available on the PS4, and a new villain to take on.
Alongside the ‘quality of life’ improvements you’d expect for a new generation console release, there are new skills for certain characters and a stunning 3D soundscape as developers take full advantage of the PS5’s impressive hardware.
ALIENS: FIRETEAM ELITE
(PEGI 16) PS4, PS5, XBOX XS Release: August 27
James Cameron’s sci-fi masterpiece may have turned 35 last month, but fans still can’t get enough of the universe it inhabits.
Fireteam Elite is a third-person survival shooter co-op that sees you play as a team of Colonial Marines responding to a distress signal.
Set 23 years after the original trilogy of Alien films, this is very much in the spirit of Cameron’s bloodsoaked classic, with intense firefights and members of your elite group being picked off.
Just like the later movies, Alien games have a reputation for not being the best. Let’s hope this one proves different.