Closing out the month - Press Release #4
The final week of August is coming to a close, and thanks in no small part to Nintendo's Partner Showcase and Indie World Direct we have a slurry of new and returning games being released. Grab a drink and have a read about what's been going on.
New Game AnnouncementsPre-Launch UpdatesPost-Launch Updates & DLCHardware & AccessoriesOddball Extras
➤ 3D platformer Smurfs Dreams gets new gameplay trailer; boasts some "serious Super Mario vibes", with the gameplay trailer going a decent way to back that up (Trailer)
➤ Story-driven psychological horror game Mouthwashing to arrive on Steam September 26th; release date trailer released with a demo currently available (Trailer | Steam)
➤ Pyrene gets launch date and trailer; fast-paced dungeon crawler by Two Tiny Dice available September 13th on Steam (Trailer | Steam)
➤ Base building resource management game StarRupture gets its first gameplay teaser (Trailer | Steam)
➤ ATLUS' upcoming fantasy RPG to get a livestream showcase; should be live on their YouTube page at the time of this going live, and is lead by Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino (YouTube)
➤ Previously a Switch exclusive title, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on November 7th; features collaborative songs and characters exclusive to each version and supports up to 120 fps, which is a series first (Trailer)
➤ Fairy Tail 2 gets a December 13th release date; the game is an action RPG from Koei Tecmo and serves as a direct sequel to their previous 2020 release (Trailer)
➤ Stylish boss rush game NanoApostle gets September 12th release date, as well as confirmation of a Switch release on the same date (Trailer)
➤ Date Everything, a sandbox dating simulator where, as you might have guessed, you can date everything, gets an October 24th release date for PC and consoles; features a huge cast of big voice acting names including Johnny Yong Bosch, Felicia Day, and Grey DeLisle (Trailer)
➤ The next game from the team behind GRID, Neva, gets an October 15th release date for PC and consoles (Trailer)
➤ Sea of Stars to get free "Throes of the Watchmaker" DLC; will support the upcoming local co-op mode and set to launch Spring 2025 (Trailer)
➤ On Your Tail, a charming seaside sleuthing game, gets November 21st release date; free demo currently available (Trailer)
➤ Food-focused action roguelike Cusineer to get a console release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch; set to launch January 28th with new content (Trailer)
➤ METAL SLUG Tactics gets new trailer along with a Fall 2024 release date; game originally announced back in 2021, and is due to release on PC and all major consoles (Trailer)
➤ Suikoden I&II HD Remaster gets March 6th release date; due to release on all major consoles and PC (Trailer)
➤ The latest Sword Art Online game: Fractured Daydream to get an open network test starting September 21st for two days; network test to be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and Steam, with the game launching October 4th (Official Announcement)
➤ Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince to launch on Steam and Mobile September 11th; game was previously exclusive to the Switch and will feature all previously-released DLC (Trailer)
➤ Rise of Industry 2 gets a new trailer; upcoming tycoon sequel to launch on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 (Trailer)
➤ StarRupture, the upcoming game from the developers behind Green Hell, gets its first gameplay trailer; game is currently available for wishlisting on Steam (Trailer | Steam)
➤ Roguelike action platformer Elsie gets a new trailer to announce its complete voice cast; game to feature Elise Lovelock as the titular character (Trailer)
➤ Mod support announced for Frostpunk 2 at launch; game set to launch September 20th
➤ Boomer shooter Extinction Rifts gets a closed playtest; game is inspired by classic PS1 shooters, with sign-ups for the playtest closing September 2nd (Trailer | Playtest Signup)
➤ Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded gets its release date set at September 5th on the Meta Quest 3; aims to deliver an immersive untethered VR experience with new features for those familiar with the series
➤ Upcoming post-apocalyptic survival sandbox City 20 to release September 23rd into Steam Early Access (Trailer)
➤ S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the Zone Trilogy to release on Nintendo Switch in November; marks the first time the series has been available on a Nintendo system
➤ The PC release of Selfloss is being brought forward; now set to launch September 5th, before arriving on consoles September 12th (Trailer)
➤ A game for dreamers and builders, Fabledom is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch September 12th; previously available on Steam the game currently sits at a "Very Positive" rating (Trailer)
➤ PvE modes revealed for the upcoming dubious jogging game Death Spring 66 ahead of its September 12th launch (Trailer)
➤ The glory of combat has officially been revealed in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's latest cinematic trailer; game set to launch September 9th on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Trailer)
➤ Roguelike horde-survivor game Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel gets a new demo on Steam; game set to launch in the last quarter of this year (Trailer | Steam)
➤ With the game set to launch next week, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions gets yet another trailer; features a gameplay walkthrough and a breakdown of career mode (Trailer)
➤ Upcoming racing game Japanese Drift Master confirmed to feature iconic Nissan cars following a new licensing agreement being signed
➤ Pauline and Ninji confirmed as new playable characters in the latest entry to the Mario Party series; game set to launch on the Switch October 17th (Trailer)
➤ Challenge Mode comes to Valfaris: Mecha Therion via free update on Steam; 50% discount currently available to celebrate (Steam)
➤ Nautical adventure game Age of Water gets new "Against the Tide" episode, wrapping up the story that began in Spring of this year (Trailer | Steam)
➤ Balatro gets free collaboration pack, with cosmetic card designs featuring characters from The Witcher, Among Us, Vampire Survivors, and Dave the Diver (Trailer)
➤ Green Hell to get its 21st free update dubbed "Decorations" next week; trailer released to show off the new content ahead of the game's fifth anniversary (Trailer)
➤ The unique 4v4 foam party shooter Foamstars will transition to a free to play model starting October 4th; game to be playable without a PlayStation Plus subscription, with current owners of the game set to receive a "Legacy Gift"
➤ Golf With Your Friends reveals the latest DLC: Legends of Olympus; set to launch September 5th on PC, Xbox, and PS5, with the Switch version to follow September 12th (Trailer)
➤ Succinctly-titled action RPG "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles" gets its first DLC, with a disappointingly-short title "A Strange Fate"; takes players on a brand new adventure featuring a new character created under the supervision of the series' original author
➤ NuPhy's Air60 HE's presale goes live; first low profile keyboard to have magnetic switches, with price starting at $120 (NuPhy Store)
➤ Retroid teases a new handheld on their official Twitter page featuring twin sticks, a 16:9 screen, and what appears to be a full-glass face; the system is speculated to be the Retroid Pocket 5 (Twitter)
➤ AYANEO Pocket S now readily available via AYANEO's online store; price ranges between $479 and $719 based on RAM and SSD configuration chosen (AYANEO Store)
➤ Fundraising campaign launched for Alexey Nachaev, a composer for the game INMOST, after they recently suffered a severe heart attack; Hidden Layer Games and Chucklefish to donate 100% of proceeds from a special Steam sale of INMOST that's set to run until September 12th, and stress the importance of physical and mental health in the games industry (INMOST Steam Page)
Fun-Looking Releases
With one particular standout this week for me, I've tried to dig deep to see what else might look fun for those who might not enjoy a visual novel as much as I do.
Emio - The Sliming Man: Famicom Detective Club
Available on Switch
➤ The detective club is back! After Nintendo went all out to announce this game in style, it does feel the spotlight has somewhat fallen away from our smiling man. Regardless, this game looks absolutely fantastic for enjoyers of mystery, murder, and a good story. I'm yet to play the previously-remade Famicom Detective Club game, but rest assured I'll be picking this one up down the line.
Peglin
Available on Switch and Steam
➤ I have been playing Peglin since its original Early Access release, and it's only gotten better since then. If you enjoy Peggle and wanted something with a bit more spice and replayability, this is exactly the game for you. It's just hit version 1.0 and with a fresh release on the Switch, there's no better time to jump in.
Squirrel with a Gun
Available on Steam
➤ Don't ask me how, but this apparently has some pretty positive reviews on Steam. To me it looks like a twisted sequel to the animated movie Over the Hedge, but there might be something here for those that want to take a chance.
Wrapping Up
And that's it for this week! September is just on the horizon, and with a new Zelda game on the horizon there's plenty to be looking forward to.