A look at all of the upcoming new video game releases for August
This month sees a brilliant and varied selection of new video game releases to look forward to. The stunning Hades from Supergiant Games gets an Xbox release (straight onto Game Pass of course), the wonderfully intriguing Twelve Minutes finally arrives, and Ghost of Tsushima – one of PlayStation’s biggest recent hits – receives new content and a Director’s Cut upgrade.
One casualty this month has been the rather delightful-looking Kena: Bridge of Spirits, which has unfortunately been delayed slightly from its original August release date to 21st September. Developer Ember Lab say the short delay is critical to add polish to the game and ensure the best experience possible.
Below you will find a closer look at three of the month’s biggest titles, a rundown of August’s free games, and at the bottom of the page the release schedule in full.
As always, please note that these release dates are subject to change.
August’s Big Releases:
Twelve Minutes
Release: August 19th
Platform: PC, XO, XSX
Developer: Luis Antonio
One of the most atmospheric, intense and downright brilliant trailers of recent times (see above!) instantly cemented Twelve Minutes as one of the most intriguing games on the horizon. Later confirmation that James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley and Willem Dafoe would offer their considerable vocal talents to the cast fanned the flames of anticipation even further.
Despite its imminent release, little is known about how Twelve Minutes actually plays. But Annapurna Interactive has an enviable record of quality releases under its belt, and if it possesses even half of the substance to go with its incredible sense of style then it could be one of the surprise success stories of the year. Twelve Minutes is one of the most exciting new releases this month, and better yet; it’s free for Game Pass subscribers
Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut
Release: August 20th
Platform: PS4, PS5
Developer: Sucker Punch
Ghost of Tsushima has been a firm fan-favourite and a huge success for Sucker Punch and Sony since its initial release little over a year ago. And it is fully deserving of its inclusion in the jeffsayhi list of best PS4 and PS5 exclusives.
This Director’s Cut edition contains all of the content from the original game alongside a new story chapter set on the neighbouring Iki Island – said to be similar in length to the main game’s first act. This edition also contains new skills and abilities, new enemy types, 3D Audio and DualSense support on PS5 and, um, horse armour. The Director’s Cut is available to buy separately or as part of Sony’s somewhat convoluted upgrade path.
For more information about Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut, Press Start’s extensive interview with Sucker Punch is a recommended read.
Buy Ghost of Tsushima Director‘s Cut from Amazon
Psychonauts 2
Release: August 25th
Platform: PC, XO, XSX
Developer: Double Fine
The original Psychonauts wasn’t exactly a commercial success upon its initial release back in 2005. But a loyal and passionate fanbase, alongside a successful crowdfunding campaign meant that Double Fine studio head Tim Schafer could finally press ahead with the sequel he had always wanted to make.
Psychonauts 2 will see the player resume the role of Raz as he travels inside the minds of the game’s eclectic cast of characters for more puzzle-platforming action. And as a newly-acquired first-party studio, Double Fine’s long awaited sequel will of course be available on day one to Game Pass subscribers.
Subscription Services and Free Games for August:
PlayStation Plus: (Available 2nd August to 6th September)
Hunter’s Arena: Legends
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
Tennis World Tour 2
Xbox Games with Gold:
Darksiders 3 (1st August to 31st August)
Lost Planet 3 (1st August to 15th August)
Yooka-Laylee (16th August to 15th September)
Garou: Mark of the Wolves (16th August to 31st August)
Epic Games Store Free Games:
A Plague Tale: Innocence (5th August – 12th August)
Speed Brawl (5th August – 12th August)
Rebel Galaxy (12th August – 19th August)
Yooka-Laylee (19th August – 26th August)
Void Bastards (19th August – 26th August)
New Releases for August 2021 in full:
| Lemnis Gate | PC, PS4, PS5, XO, XSX | 03/08/2021 |
| Rocket Rumble | PC | 03/08/2021 |
| In Sound Mind | PC, PS5, XSX, Switch | 03/08/2021 |
| Starmancer | PC | 05/08/2021 |
| The Falconeer: Warrior Edition | PS4, PS5, Switch | 05/08/2021 |
| Book of Travels | PC | 09/08/2021 |
| Lawn Mowing Simulator | PC, XSX | 10/08/2021 |
| Godfall | PS4 | 10/08/2021 |
| Glitchpunk | PC | 11/08/2021 |
| Naraka: Bladepoint | PC | 12/08/2021 |
| Foreclosed | PC, PS4, PS5, XO, XSX, Switch, Stadia | 12/08/2021 |
| Hades | XO, XSX | 13/08/2021 |
| Paw Patrol: Adventure City Calls | PC, PS4, XO, Switch | 13/08/2021 |
| Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle | Switch | 13/08/2021 |
| Greak: Memories of Azur | PC, PS5, XSX, Switch | 17/08/2021 |
| Humankind | PC, Stadia | 17/08/2021 |
| Twelve Minutes | PC, XO | 19/08/2021 |
| Monster Harvest | PC, PS4, XO, Switch | 19/08/2021 |
| Rims Racing | PC, PS4, PS5, XO, XSX, Switch | 19/08/2021 |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut | PS4, PS5 | 20/08/2021 |
| Psychonauts 2 | PC, XO, XSX | 25/08/2021 |
| No More Heroes 3 | Switch | 27/08/2021 |
| KeyWe | PC, PS4, PS5, XO, XSX, Switch | 31/08/2021 |
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