We already know that September is going to be a busy month. A flood of games is coming, as developers try to stay out of the way of Grand Theft Auto 6’s November release date. Less discussed, though, is that August is nearly as crowded. Plenty of big games are dropping this month, alongside high-profile indies that usually have August to themselves. It’s a bit of a mess, but it means you have no shortage of new games to try every week.
That’s especially true for PC gamers this weekend. Steam just got a flood of new releases this weekend, including some true game of the year contenders. Whether you’re looking for a new multiplayer game, a tough action RPG, or something cozy, you have a ton of great options this weekend.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls
Every year, we seem to get at least one fighting game that has the potential to reshape the genre. Longstanding franchise games like Mortal Kombat 1 don’t always pull that off, but Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls seems poised for success. The comic book fighting game sports great tag-team action, a healthy roster of Marvel heroes, and a fantastic sense of style that really makes it pop. Its viability as a long-term game will come down to its post-launch support, but it’s hard not to be taken in by its flashy battles that beg you to show-off. I’m more just looking forward to getting to fight as Blade, since I’m not expecting to see him on the big screen anytime soon.
Big Walk
Don’t call it friendslop. While Big Walk may look like a lo-fi multiplayer game in the vein of Peak, it’s something else entirely. The fantastic co-op game has you, and up to 11 other friends, exploring an island together as you solve puzzles that require strong communication. The puzzles are great, and the chilled-out vibes are immaculate, but Big Walk is more emotionally fulfilling than you might expect. It culminates in a final challenge that I’m still thinking about weeks after finishing it. Developer House House created a special multiplayer game here that’s actually about the experience of working together with your friends. Even if you can only get one friend to play with you, it’s an adventure you’ll never forget.
Ambrosia Sky
Last year, developer Soft Rains released the first part of its debut game, Ambrosia Sky. It was a tantalizing tease of the full game, but it felt too incomplete to fully recommend. Now that part two is here, it’s finally time to dive in. The indie takes the sci-fi exploration of Metroid Prime and combines it with the clean-’em-up hook of Powerwash Simulator. You’re tasked with cleaning spaceships that have been infected with a fungal disease. Along the way, you discover the bodies of people who died from the sickness, building a thoughtful story about the people we lose in the wake of tragedy. It’s a creative, emotionally effective slice of sci-fi that goes to wondrous places.
Beast of Reincarnation
Beast of Reincarnation is bound to be an acquired taste. Game Freak’s ambitious swing at a modern action RPG is a visually spectacular adventure that sports fierce combat and strong RPG customization. Its storytelling, on the other hand, can be hit-and-miss. Drawing on the moody tone of Nier: Automata, Beast of Reincarnation tells the tale of a young woman clearing a poisoned world of corruption with her dog. Its chilly voice acting won’t click with everyone, but the thrilling battles against towering monsters make the journey worthwhile. And at the very least, the dog is pretty cute!
Fields of Mistria
For the last decade, Stardew Valley has been the farming game to beat. Nothing has been able to top its legacy, but that may change soon. Fields of Mistria got its 1.0 launch this week, finally giving players full access to one of the best farming games to crawl out from under Stardew Valley’s shadow. It has everything you could want from the genre, from fishing to romance, but infused with a little bit of fairy magic that gives it a personality all its own. If you’re craving a feel-good game that you can get lost in for years, Fields of Mistria is a refreshing option.
