Whatever the year, August is often known as a quiet period in terms of video game releases, but then again, so is January to April, usually. However this year, it seems to be an exception because month after month, we’ve had a fantastic line-up of video games to look forward to and the 2019 trend continues to roll as we move into this coming August.
We’ve got plenty of AAA big hitters, indie darlings, and our fair share of gruesome horror to look forward to as well. Before going into the highlights of this coming month, please keep in mind that release dates can change in an instant and can differ depending on your region. That said, here are my highlights for this August 2019.
Madden NFL 20 (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 2nd
Now I’m not an NFL fan, though I did love playing the Madden games back in my Sega Mega Drive/Genesis days, but as someone that plays FIFA each and every year, I can respect the size of EA’s other big hitters. I won’t even pretend that I know anything about this sport, other than “351, 351, rover sit, hut, hut!”. Either way, Madden NFL 20 will no doubt be one of the biggest selling games this month and one of EA’s biggest money makers for the year.
Control (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 27th
Control is the next big game from Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break developers, Remedy Entertainment. In-fact, with this being a multi-format title, this is the first time that a game from the studio is coming to a PlayStation console since Max Payne 2 in 2003. To be honest, other than watching a couple of trailers, I’ve stayed away from the marketing hype of Control as I was sold on the game, the moment it was revealed at E3 last year. In Control, you play as FBI agent Jesse Faden, who is tasked with uncovering a sinister conspiracy deep within the world of the paranormal. Hopefully, Control will be a success for Remedy Entertainment, then they can get on to finally making that Alan Wake sequel!
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey (PC) – August 27th
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is an intriguing title, fronted by Patrice Désilets, the lead developer of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. You play the role of a family of apes, during the early stages of evolution and you must survive in an open, prehistoric jungle located in Africa, filled with hazards and predators, with dangers at almost every turn. In Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey you control all members of your lineage, should they all die, you’ll have to restart the game! So if being chewed up by ferocious beasts or having broken bones after falling from a great height wasn’t bad enough, the fate of your lineage is in your hands! So they’ll be no pressure to stay alive during this 40-50 hour campaign. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey will release for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this December.
Astral Chain (Nintendo Switch) – August 30th
Astral Chain is a Nintendo Switch exclusive from Platinum Games with Takahisa Taura as director, who previously worked on the Bayonetta and Devil May Cry series, with famed manga artist, Masakazu Katsura designing the games unique cast of characters. In Astra Chain, you’ll play as a member of a special police task force, responsible for fighting back an alien invasion that aims to take over our world! Expect a crazy story, wacky characters and chaotic, fast-paced action! We’d expect nothing less from the likes of Platinum Games as Astra Chain could be another hit for the Nintendo Switch!
Blair Witch (PC and Xbox One) – August 30th
I think it’s fair to say that no one expected a Blair Witch game to be announced at E3 this year, especially one to release so soon after its announcement. But it’s fair to say that from what we’ve seen so far, it looks quite decent and it’s developed by Bloober Team, the studio that brought us Layers of Fear and Observer. Set in 1996, you play as former police officer, Ellis who is investigating a case of a missing boy. However, his investigation, unbeknown to him, leads him to the Black Forest Hills, the home of sinister urban myth known as the Blair Witch. Armed with just a flashlight and accompanied by your loyal dog called Bullet, Ellis couldn’t have imagined the horrors that he will soon encounter. Where will his investigation end and will he escape the clutches of the Blair Witch?
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 30th
Another horror that we have to look forward too is the first story of The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan. Developed by Supermassive Games (Until Dawn, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood and The Impatient), Man of Medan comes in with great horror pedigree and looks to be cut from the same cloth as Until Dawn. In Man of Medan, the fate of five characters, trapped on a ghost ship will be in your hands. The choices (and sacrifices) you make, will affect each characters fate and will have a sudden impact on the story. Will they all survive or will they all die a gruesome death? Quite recently, it was also revealed that the entire campaign of Man of Medan can be played in co-op, so will you help your team mate survive or will you sacrifice them to save yourself? One thing’s for sure, whether you’re playing on your own or with friends, Man of Medan’s dose of horror will be a whole lot of fun!
Well that concludes my highlights for this August 2019, you’ll also find the best of the rest below. I personally can’t wait for Control and Man of Medan, but do let us know what you’re looking forward to across our social media channels.
- Chroma Squad (Nintendo Switch) – August 1st
- Pandemic (Xbox One and Nintendo Switch) – August 1st
- Hamsterdam (PC, Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS) – August 1st
- The Church in the Darkness (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch) – August 2nd
- Silver Chains (PC) – August 6th
- DC Universe Online (Nintendo Switch) – August 6th
- Hearthstone: Saviors of Uldum (PC, Android and iOS) – August 6th
- Metal Wolf Chaos XD (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 6th
- Age of Wonders: Planetfall (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 6th
- The Forbidden Arts (PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch) – August 7th
- Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition (Nintendo Switch) – August 8th
- The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch) – August 8th
- Emberlight (PC) – August 13th
- Dicey Dungeons (PC) – August 13th
- Friday the 13th: The Game (Nintendo Switch) – August 13th
- Rebel Galaxy Outlaw (PC) – August 13th
- Never Give Up (PC and Nintendo Switch) – August 13th
- The Great Perhaps (PC) – August 14th
- Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark (Nintendo Switch) – August 14th
- Darq (PC) – August 15th
- Train Sim World 2020 (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 15th
- Zeus Begins (PC) – August 16th
- Remnant: From the Ashes (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 20th
- Rad (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch) – August 20th
- Oninaki (PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch) – August 22nd
- Life is Strange 2 – Episode 4 (PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 22nd
- Black Desert (PlayStation 4) – August 22nd
- Crystar (PlayStation 4) – August 27th
- Wreckfest (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) – August 27th
- World of Warcraft: Classic (PC) – August 27th
- Headspun (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch) – August 28th
- The Ninja Saviors – Return of the Warriors (PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch) – August 30th
- Root Letter: Last Answer (PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch) – August 30th
- Remothered: Tormented Fathers (Nintendo Switch) – August 30th
- Unlucky Seven (PC) – August 30th