There was a time when the lead-up to a new Star Wars game would fill me with excitement and anticipation, but I’ve been burned before. Still, I’m cautiously optimistic that Ubisoft’s impending Star Wars Outlaws is the immersive space and scoundrel sim it aims to deliver. Either way, the game sure looks incredible.
Outside of that particular far, far away galaxy, August 2024 packs a wealth of releases worthy of your wishlist. In particular, we’re keeping a close eye on the new PlayStation-exclusive hero shooter, an ’80s police sandbox sim, and the new souls-like inspired by Chinese mythology. That’s just a tease of what to expect from the best new games released in August 2024. Read on for the rest.
Star Wars Outlaws
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Release date: August 27-30
It’s hard to believe we’re getting the first-ever open-world Star Wars game just now. Regardless, this new Ubisoft adventure follows scoundrel Kay Vess, an outlaw seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight and outwit through crime syndicates, exploring distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Pilot your starship and engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Steal, infiltrate and outwit as the most wanted. If you’re willing to take risks, the galaxy is full of opportunity.
Black Myth: Wukong
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Release date: August 20
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. Set out as the Destined One on a quest westward, exploring a gorgeous realm brimming with wonder. Temper your mastery of weapons and spells against larger-than-life foes. Equip gear to suit your playstyle and counter the enemy’s unique strengths as you charge through the lands, uncovering truth veiled by past legends. The developers of Black Myth are skirting around Dark Souls comparisons, even though gameplay sure looks Souls-like.
Concord
- Platform: PC, PlayStation
- Release date: August 23
A new hero shooter emerges. Think Overwatch or Valorant, but developed by PlayStation. In Concord, players select from a diverse roster of guns-for-hire, each with unique skills, personalities, and abilities. Form a team with friends to engage in a series of first-person 5 vs. 5 objective and respawn-based modes.
Complete daily and weekly challenges to earn progression and unlock new items for your characters. Each week, you will be greeted by new cinematics that deliver ongoing narratives, and the developers are promising new characters, modes and maps post-launch all available at no cost.
Dustborn
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Release date: August 20
Dustborn is an action-adventure game about hope, love, friendship, robots, and the power of words. Travel through the stunning Neo-Western landscape of alt-history America on a tour bus while posing as a punk rock band, but your real quest is transporting an important package.
Harness words as weapons. Fight with shouts, manipulate foes and talk your way out of hairy situations. Build a crew, complete missions, manage relationships and throw a Molotov cocktail or two.
The Precinct
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Release date: August 15
A love letter to classic cop movies, The Precinct combines rich police detail with action sandbox spectacle. Patrol the streets and respond to callouts to stop criminals, petty and powerful. Choose your tactics in chases and shootouts. Feel the power struggle as you interfere with street gangs in a living city full of procedurally generated crimes, from parking infringements to bank heists, street racing and drug deals. This is the 1980s East Coast in all its neon-noir glory.
Kena Bridge of Spirits
- Platforms: Xbox
- Release date: August 15
Xbox owners can finally get around Kena: Bridge of Spirits, a gorgeous and challenging former PlayStation exclusive. This story-driven adventure is set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. Players find and grow a team of tiny companions called the Rot, enhancing their abilities and creating new ways to manipulate the environment while pushing towards a mountain shrine and battling the corrupted.
Madden NFL 25
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Release date: August 16
Madden NFL 25 lets you dominate the gridiron like a bonafide NFL superstar. The next iteration of this yearly franchise packs a swell of upgrades, including a new dynamic physics-based tackling system, a re-engineered Hit Stick and a new Ball Carrier balance and Recovery System for true-to-life motion and physical outcomes.
Jump into varied modes like the returning Ultimate Team, Franchise and Online Head-to-Head. For those looking to live that virtual glory, a new narrative system lets you personalise storylines during the on- and off-seasons and even during Draft Night, all complemented by fresh and authentic sights and sounds.
Steamworld Heist II
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Release date: August 8
Aim, plot and plunder in this latest Steamworld adventure (the sixth by my count). Steamworld Heist II is a side-scrolling turn-based shooter where precision is key. The original adventure went to space, but this sequel hits the high seas and adds real-time naval combat to the mix. A ragtag crew of customisable bots are equipped with weapons and gear of your choice to blast through satisfying ricochet gameplay. Raid enemy bases by boat and seize loot to upgrade and progress in your quest to uncover the menace of the Great Sea.
August 2024 Video Game Release Dates
- Bare Butt Boxing (PC, Switch) — August 1
- Dwerve (PS5) — August 1
- Mars 2120 (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 1
- Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 1
- Thank Goodness You’re Here! (PC, PS5, PS4, Switch) — August 1
- Tomba! Special Edition (PC, PS5, Switch) — August 1
- Trinity Fusion (Switch) — August 1
- Aero the Acrobat (PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 2
- World of Goo 2 (PC, Switch) — August 2
- CYGNI: All Guns Blazing (PC, PS5, XBX/S) — August 6
- Eden Genesis (PC, PS5, XBX/S, XB1) — August 6
- Pepper Grinder (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1) — August 6
- Volgarr the Viking II (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 6
- Creatures of Ava (PC, XBX/S) — August 7
- Cat Quest 3 (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 8
- Steamworld Heist II (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 8
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: ISEKAI Chronicles (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 8
- Train Valley World (PC) — August 8
- The Crush House (PC ) — August 10
- Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse Remastered (PC, PS5, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 14
- The Precinct (PC, PS5, XBX/S) — August 15
- Cricket: Jae’s Really Peculiar Game (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 15
- Farewell North (PC, XBX/S, Switch) — August 15
- Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines (PC, XBX/S, Switch) — August 15
- I am Your Beast (PC) — August 15
- Kena: Bridge of Spirits (XBX/S, XB1) — August 15
- Madden NFL 25 (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1) — August 16
- Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 16
- Sunnyside (PS5, XBX/S) — August 16
- Black Myth: WuKong (PC, PS5, XBX/S) — August 20
- Dustborn (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1) — August 20
- Mika and the Witch’s Mountain (PC, Switch) — August 21
- Tactical Breach Wizards (PC) — August 22
- Concord (PC, PS5) — August 23
- Core Keeper (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 27
- Star Wars: Outlaws (PC, PS5, XBX/S) — August 27-30
- Akimbot (PC, PS5, XBX/S) — August 29
- EMIO – The Smiling Man: Famicon Detective Club (Switch) — August 29
- Gori: Cuddly Carnage (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 29
- Gundam Breaker 4 (PC, PS5, PS4, Switch) — August 29
- Monster Jam Showdown (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 29
- Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 29
- Visions of Mana (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1) — August 29
- WitchSpring R (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1, Switch) — August 29
