Music battles, wild west adventures, tactical mastery and one of the most highly anticipated sequels are just some of the choices on offer to gamers this June.
Valorant
Battle lines are drawn in this action shooter. Valorant is a five-on-five tactical shooter where teams are tasked with detonating devices known as “spikes” in enemy territory to score points and win their bouts. Each player takes on the role of an Agent – each with their own culture, background, weapons and skillset – and players must work together using a combination of ranged, melee and even hypernatural powers.
Players who participated in the Closed Beta will receive all previously spent Valorant Points back in their account with an additional 10% added to it. All skins will be removed, and all Agent contracts will be reset. Beta players will receive a special contract at launch. Completion of this contract will unlock two titles, additional player cards and weapon buddies. Players who connected with the game on Twitch during the beta will receive an exclusive player card.
Valorant will be available on PC from June 2*
The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle
Clean up the city in this new expansion pack. The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle opens the world of Evergreen Harbour, a once idyllic area which is now a shell of its former self thanks to pollution and industrialisation. Players will be able to either help – or hinder – the clean-up operation as they settle in this new community. Build eco-friendly spaces with solar panels, water collectors and upcycled furniture or vote to create a new type of community space, which will adapt and grow over time as more Sims come to the area.
In a unique move, The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle will launch simultaneously on PC and console rather than the usual staggered release. The launch will also see all players of The Sims 4 receive an update for the game, which will bring an overhaul to the inventory system and introduce both firefighters and repossession agents into the game for the first time.
The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from June 5*
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection
Every move will count in this strategy remaster. Bringing together the original Command & Conquer and Command and Conquer: Red Alert, the Remastered Collection puts players in the middle of a warzone. Using real-time strategy, players will have to work out how to achieve each objective as they play their way through the campaigns. As for how to play, that is entirely up to the player, with a choice between new and updated graphics or a “Legacy” option, mod support, custom maps and a whole host of other options to explore.
Along with the remastered titles, Command & Conquer Remastered Collection will include three expansions, a completely rebuilt multiplayer system, map editor, remastered soundtrack, and a bonus gallery. The gallery will include over four hours of additional footage, catalogues of making-of photos from the games and previously unreleased music.
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection will be available on PC from June 5*
Desperados III
Survive the Wild West in this stealthy sequel. In Desperados III, players will use a team of diverse characters as they fight for survival in the Old West. John Cooper is on a quest for redemption, Kate is a runaway bride, Doc McCoy is a devious hitman, Hector is an expert at trapping his prey and Isabelle is a New Orleans native wrapped in mystery. Using this eclectic gang, players will have to outwit lawmen and bounty hunters every step of the way as they try and find a way to survive.
The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, artbook, a selection of art cards and a spinning music box with five interchangeable figurines, measuring 16cm each, in a limited-edition collector’s box.
Desperados III will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from June 16*
The Last of Us Part II
One of the most highly anticipated sequels comes to players this month. The Last of Us Part II takes place five years after the conclusion of the first game, with Joel and Ellie now settled in a community in Jackson, Wyoming. However, their peace is shattered after a violent event. Now on a path of revenge, Ellie sets out to find those responsible and finds herself having to reconcile the choices of her past with her dreams of a future.
Players who pre-order any edition will unlock an ammo upgrade and in-game Crafting Training Manual at launch. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the game, a PS$ Dynamic Theme, a set of six PSN avatars, a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack, a digital artbook along with an additional PSN Avatar with Ellie’s tattoo as a pre-order bonus. The Special Edition includes a copy of the game in a limited edition SteelBook case, all the content from the Digital Deluxe Edition and a 48-page mini artbook. The Collector’s Edition includes the game, SteelBook case, Digital Deluxe Edition content, a Lithograph art print & Thank You Letter, a replica of Ellie’s bracelet, six enamel pins, a sticker sheet and a 12” statue of Ellie playing the guitar. The Ellie Edition includes all the content from the Collector’s Edition along with a Last of Us Part II logo patch, 7” vinyl featuring music from the game and a replica of Ellie’s backpack in a collector’s box.
The Last of Us Part II will be available on PlayStation 4 from June 19*
No Straight Roads
Save the world with rock music in this colourful caper. In the world of No Straight Roads, the titular company is an EDM empire at the height of its power in Vinyl City. After being rejected during their audition, indie rockers Mayday and Zuke decide to take a stand against NSR’s dominance and corruption. With only a guitar and a set of drumsticks in their hands, the members of BunkBed Junction set out on their journey to take back Vinyl City, one epic musical battle at a time.
The Collector’s Edition includes a copy of the game, a 64-page premium artbook, an exclusive BunkBed Junction double-sided vinyl and a full-sized pair of drumsticks in a limited-edition presentation box.
No Straight Roads will be available on PlayStation 4 from June 30*
Free to Play
Players with an Xbox Gold subscription or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will have four new titles to download and play for free this month. On Xbox One, Shantae and The Pirate’s Curse will be available from June 1-30*, with Coffee Talk available from June 16 – July 15*. On Xbox 360 – and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility – Destroy All Humans! will be available from June 1-15*, followed by Sine Mora from June 16-30*
On PlayStation Plus,Call of Duty: WWII – which was made available to members on May 26* to mark Memorial Day in the Unites States – will be joined on PlayStation 4 by Star Wars Battlefront II on June 2* as a free download to play and keep for all Plus members.
Players with combined Twitch and Amazon Prime accounts will be able to claim seven new games on PC via Twitch Prime. From June 1* Layers of Fear, Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, The Flame in the Flood, Forsaken Remastered, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood, Project Warlock and Steel Rats will be available for free. Full details on how to claim these titles and other benefits can be found on the Twitch Prime website.
Also Released This Month
June 5* – The Outer Worlds (Switch), 51 Worldwide Games (Switch), Dungeon Of The Endless (PS4, Switch)
June 8* – Beyond Blue (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
June 9* – Stellaris Console Edition (Xbox One, PS4)
June 12* – Warborn (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Spirit of the North (PS4, Switch), Guacamelee! One-Two Punch Collection (PS4, Switch), 1971 Project Helios (PS4, Switch), Distrust Collector’s Edition (Switch), Beholder Collector’s Edition (Switch)
June 16* – Disintegration (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Hardspace: Shipbreaker (PC – Steam Early Access), Descenders (PS4, Switch)
June 18* – Bus Mechanics (PC), Best Friend Forever (PC, Switch), Waking (Xbox One, PC)
June 19* – Burnout Paradise Remastered (Switch), Ion Fury (PS4, PC, Switch), Ys: Memories of Celceta Remaster (PS4), Railway Empire (Switch), Mini Motor Racing X (PS4)
June 23* – SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch), Assetto Corsa Competizione (Xbox One, PS4)
June 24* – Ninjala (Switch)
June 25* – Mr Driller Drilland (Switch, PC), Hunting Simulator 2 (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
June 26* – Fairy Tail (PS4, PC, Switch), Truck & Logistics Simulator (Switch), Rush VR (PSVR), Bounty Battle (PS4, Switch), Indivisible (Switch), Journey to the Savage Planet (Switch), dungeons 3 Complete Collection (Xbox One, PS4)
June 30* – The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 (Switch)
Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh