August brings with it some hotly anticipated titles with magic-driven action adventures, along with the latest from the world of Madden, a new take on the world of classic wrestling and some mechanised mayhem to round out this summer of gaming.
Baldur’s Gate III
Chose your path wisely in the latest chapter in the Baldur’s Gate story. In Baldur’s Gate III, the player character will be thrust into the middle of an invasion of Faerûn. Taking place after the events of both Shadows of Amn and Descent into Avernus, the player will start this story as a prisoner of the mind flayers. By using parasitic illithid tadpoles, the mind flayers hope to take control of Faerûn one being at a time – starting with the player and their cellmates. However, a red dragon attack soon thwarts this and allows the player to escape so they can begin their quest to free the lands of the parasites with a little help along the way.
While the PC edition will be released this month, PlayStation players won’t have too long to wait, with a September 6 release date for the PS5 version. The Collector’s Edition includes a digital copy of the game, a custom sticker sheet, a 25cm Mind Flayer vs. Drow battle diorama, a 160-page hardcover art book, a cloth map of Faerûn, a set of D&D-inspired origin character sheets, a metal tadpole keyring, a Magic: The Gathering booster pack, a custom-engraved metal d20 based on the dice from Baldur’s Gate 3, and a certificate of authenticity, all within a mind-flayer-inspired collector’s box.
Baldur’s Gate III will be available on PC from August 3*
WrestleQuest
Wrestling and classic RPG collide in this action-packed title from Mega Cat Studios and Skybound Games. Set in a vibrant pixel art universe, WrestleQuest takes players on a whirlwind adventure through the wild realms as they explore both in and out of the ring to carve their own legacy as the world’s ultimate wrestler. Powerbomb your enemies as you do battle against fantastical villains and all sorts of monsters that is sure to delight fans of both wrestling and role-playing games alike.
For those who really want to explore, there are also worlds in WrestleQuest inspired by the storied careers of some of wrestling’s most iconic figures – including Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Andre the Giant and “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Players will also be able to customise their wrestlers in every way, with custom move sets, gear, overall style, taunts and, of course, that all-important entrance to the ring.
WrestleQuest will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from August 8*
Atlas Fallen
Rise from the dust in this action RPG. In the world of Atlas Fallen, the sun god Thelos has ravaged the world, turning a once vibrant land into a barren desert. Forcing the people to mine Essence – a magical substance – Thelos rules through fear and brute strength. Players will have to navigate their way across the sands and dust as they find themselves coming into possession of a mysterious gauntlet which uses Essence stones to allow the user access to various powers and weapons. Players will be able to explore this land either alone or with a friend thanks to drop-in/out play as they try and find a way to break Thelos’s control.
Players who pre-order via select retailers will receive an exclusive postcard set. Players who pre-order any edition will receive the Ruin Rising pack, which includes the Nyaal’s Wrath gauntlet skin, two bonus shields, Gathering Storm signets, an Essence Stones & Idol pack and a set of Ruin Rising armour dyes. The Limited Edition includes a copy of the game on your chosen platform, Steelbook case, metal poster with Icon art, the Ruin Rising pack and a limited-edition box.
Atlas Fallen will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from August 10*
Madden NFL 24
This year’s Madden NFL will bring players a new and upgraded playing experience. With the latest FieldSENSE™ technology adds more realistic gameplay and an enhanced experience with smoother player actions and plays on the field. Smarter AI will allow players to better execute their play strategy, while Superstar: The League will give players their chance to build their legacy in the NFL with their own custom player in a story mode with all new minigames and live player grading for a more well rounded Madden experience.
Players who pre-order will unlock Dual Entitlement (console only), a Josh Allen Elite Player item, a choice of 2 Strategy items (1 Offensive & 1 Defensive) and NFL Marble Gills gear. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, the pre-order content, three days Early Access, 4600 Madden Points and those who pre-order before August 17 will also unlock a Hall of Fame player item and Superstar Celebration.
Madden NFL 24 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from August 18*
Immortals of Aveum
After a short delay from late July to August, players will finally be able to make a stand in an epic magical war. In Immortals of Aveum, the world has been plunged into the Everwar – an endless struggle to control magic. Following the story of Jak, an Unforseen – someone whose magical abilities awaken later in life – who is recruited into the Order of Immortals, players will explore the realms of Aveum and all it offers as they try and bring an end to this millennia-long war. A reluctant participant in the Everwar, Jak still looks to prove himself after a hard start in life.
Players who pre-order will receive a Purified Arclight Sigil, which will boost damage caused by certain spells. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, the pre-order bonus and the Ancient Relics of Aveum pack – which includes two extra gauntlets, three rings, a Dresnyr Lens, Lucian Chain, Vial of the Percentage and the unique weapon Triarch’s Wrath which fires all three forces of magic.
Immortals of Aveum will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC from August 22*
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Uncover the secrets of Rubicon in this mech combat adventure. In Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, players will head to the world of Rubicon 3, which has been left in ruins after a cataclysmic event known as the Fires of Ibis. Caused by mining for a substance known as Coral – which can be used as both an energy source and data conduit – the fires destroyed everything in its wake and consumed the remaining Coral. However, more than 50 years later, signs of Coral have been detected on the planet so corporations have been racing to Rubicon to try and stake their claim. This includes the player, who has stolen the Armored Core license of a mercenary for their own gains.
Players who pre-order will receive the Melander C3 G13 “Tenderfoot” set – which includes early unlocks for both an additional parts set and Emblem along with an exclusive decal. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game, a digital artbook and digital soundtrack. The Launch Edition includes a copy of the game, art card set, sticker pack and poster. The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, an exclusive Steelbook case, a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, a 40-page artbook, 45 stickers set, 4-pin badges and 19cm Armored Core figurine. The Premium Edition – which is only available via the Bandai Namco Store – includes a copy of the game, all of the content in the Collector’s Edition along with a 32cm Garage model to accompany the Armored Core figurine.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from August 25*
Free to Play
Before the transition to Xbox Game Pass Core in September, those with an Xbox Gold subscription or a Game Pass Ultimate subscription (which will remain the same) will have two final games to download and keep for free on Games with Gold. Both Blue Fire and Inertial Drift will be available from August 1-31*. More information about Xbox Game Pass Core can be found on the Xbox website.
Over on PlayStation, players with any tier of Plus subscription will have three games to download and keep for free this month. From August 1* Dreams will be available on PlayStation 4, with both Death’s Door and PGA Tour 2K23 available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Over on Prime Gaming, there are eight games which will be made available throughout August to download and keep for free:
- Payday 2 (with Gage Mod Courier DLC) – August 3*
- Farming Simulator 19 – August 10*
- Blade Assault – August 10*
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 – August 17*
- Foretales – August 17*
- Driftland: The Magic Revival – August 17*
- In Sound Mind – August 24*
- Summertime Madness – August 31*
Details on how to claim these titles, along with content drops for other games, including Honkai Star Rail, Pokémon GO! and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
August 8* – Gord (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Tower of Fantasy (PS5)
August 9* – 30XX (Switch, PC)
August 10* – Stray (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), Stray Gods: The Role-Playing Musical (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
August 11* – House Flipper (PS VR, PS VR2), Ghost Song (Switch), Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition (PS4, PS5, PC)
August 15* – Everspace 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Hammerwatch II (PC), Moving Out 2 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
August 17* – Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Vampire Survivors (Switch), Book of Hours (PC)
August 18* – Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (Switch, PC), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Asterigos: Curse of the Stars (Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Human Fall Flat: Dream Collection (Switch)
August 22* – Fort Solis (PS5, PC, Mac), Smurfs Kart (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5)
August 24* – Blasphemous 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Ride 5 (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC)
August 25* – Hitman World of Assassination (PS5), Metal Tales: Overkill (PS4), Loop Hero (Switch)
August 29* – Goodbye Volcano High (PS4, PS5, PC), Samba de Amigo: Party Central (Switch), Sea of Stars (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Under The Waves (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Agatha Christie – Hercule Poirot: The London Case (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Ps4, PS5, Switch)
August 30* – Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC)
August 31* – Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), War Hospital (PC), F1 Manager 2023 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Akka Arrh Special Edition (PS5)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and all are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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