It might not completely take the sting away from GTA 6’s delay, but it remains one of the best games ever made. Of course, for those who can’t experience it on PS5, the PS4 version is also available. Other notable titles this month include rogue-like driving title Pacific Drive (which recently got an expansion) and first-person narrative horror Still Wakes the Deep, both playable on PS5.

Multiplayer fans who enjoyed Battlefield 6 might want to check out Insurgency: Sandstorm, which offers another modern setting with realistic gunplay on PS4 and PS5. If you’re keen on something more light-hearted, there’s the British comedy title Thank Goodness You’re Here! Another underrated addition, at least for puzzle gamers, is The Talos Principle 2 (with the original receiving a remaster earlier this year).

Monster Jam Showdown and MotoGP 25 offer solid racing, while Premium subscribers get access to Tomb Raider: Anniversary on PS5 and PS4.

"The Showdown Tour has been created and implemented to give players the freedom to experiment and express themselves as they progress through the game."

The Showdown Tour sounds like a very comprehensive and ambitious campaign mode. Can you tell us more about what kinds of events players can expect in it?

The Showdown Tour has been created and implemented to give players the freedom to experiment and express themselves as they progress through the game. The Showdown Tour contains all different kinds of events: from the ones that fans know more like freestyle and head to heads, to the ones we’ve created specifically for this game such as circuit racing or the special Horde game mode. Players can focus on facing specific kinds of events if they prefer, for example, freestyle instead of racing, and then move to a completely different set of events to get better in that specific discipline. The Showdown Tour is all about tailoring your own experience on yourselves.

How long should it take a player to get done with The Showdown Tour on average?

After some testing and considerations, The Showdown Tour should take players around 10 hours to complete. This time does not take into consideration the time spent to complete challenges to get exclusive and specific rewards such as unlocking new Monster Jam trucks or new paint-outs for them.

The environments in a monster trucks game are obviously crucial to players being able to push their machines to the limits. Can you tell us more about the environments players can expect in Monster Jam Showdown?

After studying US geography we’ve identified three specific areas that we thought could well represent the variety of environments in the United States territory: Alaska, Death Valley, and Colorado. Each one of them is immediately recognizable by its look, with amazing color palette and naturalistic characteristics. On top of that, each one of them is really unique because of the different kinds of weather conditions they can unleash: sandstorms, snowstorms and rainstorms.

"After studying US geography we’ve identified three specific areas that we thought could well represent the variety of environments in the United States territory: Alaska, Death Valley, and Colorado. Each one of them is immediately recognizable by its look, with amazing color palette and naturalistic characteristics."

What was the process for coming up with the environments on a conceptual level and then actually designing them for the gameplay experience?

As I previously mentioned, we wanted to find 3 different kinds of environments that, as a whole, could convey the majesty of nature in the US territory. These 3 biomes were identified because they were really different from each other and could be immediately recognized by players as some of the wildest places on Earth. However, this was just the first part of the challenge. The second part of the challenge was represented when we had to create circuits and wild arenas that could fit these biomes: each zone had their own specific features that we had to use while designing tracks in order to make them feel and play differently.

Monster Jam Showdown is a welcomed rare exception to the norm these days in that it supports local split-screen. What were the challenges associated with getting that up and running for a game with as much going on at any given time as this one?

Split-screen, technically speaking, means having two screens rendering at the same time and I’m sure you can understand how complicated this might easily get. One of the biggest challenges we had to face was actually having it run as smoothly as possible on all the different consoles that we have the game running on. To do so we had to make a lot of iterations with both our environment artist and graphics programmers to identify all the details and assets and effects that we could more or less downgrade in order to achieve a good-looking result and a smooth gameplay. This is not an easy task and takes a lot of time and balance.

"Similar to what we had done with other games, Monster Jam Showdown will have post-launch support."

What should players expect from Monster Jam Showdown as far as your post-launch plans are concerned? Milestone has often supported its games excellently following release. Can we expect something similar for this game?

Similar to what we had done with other games, Monster Jam Showdown will have post-launch support. On top of that, we plan to release different DLCs that will offer players new Monster Jam trucks and a completely new environment. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the DLC is called “Aloha Expansion” so I’ll let you figure out what the new biome will be!

Star Wars Outlaws

As the first open-world single-player Star Wars title (Star Wars Galaxies – never forget), Star Wars Outlaws launches on August 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, it follows Kay Vess and her companion, Nix, as they prepare for the biggest heist the Outer Rim has ever seen. Between building – and breaking – loyalties with various syndicates, traversing through different locations, hiring experts, and engaging with space battles, there’s a lot to do, and hopefully enough compelling reasons to do them.

SteamWorld Heist 2

Turn-based side-scrolling real-time aiming strategy returns with SteamWorld Heist 2. As Captain Quincy Leeway, players recruit other Steambots to solve a rampant water crisis, as pirates do. This means breaking into restricted bases and fighting against the oppressive navy, among other threats. Alongside real-time naval combat in the overworld, there’s a new Job system, allowing each Steambot to equip different weapons to change their class and abilities. Level up, and you can mix and match skills for potent combinations. SteamWorld Heist 2 launches on August 8th for PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Sam and Max: The Devil’s Playhouse Remastered

After what seems like forever, Sam and Max are back again, once again, this time in a remaster of Telltale’s 2010 adventure. The adventure sees the Freelance Police dealing with a galaxy-trotting group of villains after Max gains psychic powers that quickly spiral out of control. The latter allows for all kinds of techniques, like mind-reading and clairvoyance, but there’s still the usual range of unorthodox characters and baffling puzzles (now with a new hint system) to experience. With updated lighting, lip-syncing, music and more, the remaster is a great way to visit the duo’s last video game adventure when it launches on August 14th for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Xbox)

Ember Lab’s acclaimed 3D action adventure finally comes to Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One on August 15th. It includes the Anniversary DLC for new outfits, Spirit Guide Trials, and New Game Plus, which offers more challenging battles. Xbox players also get pirate hats for their Rot (a likely nod to Sea of Thieves), alongside a Golden Rot skin and unique staff. As insignificant as those seem, experiencing Kena’s adventure for $39.99 is a pretty decent deal.

Madden NFL 25

After College Football 25 launched and captured the hearts of millions, what does Madden NFL 25 bring to the table when it launches on August 16th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC? Besides new broadcast teams and a revamped Franchise mode, there’s BOOM Tech for dynamic, physics-based tackling. Carrier balance and recovery have also received some retooling, allowing you to take some hits and still push through. It sounds decent, but will it be enough to compete with College Football? We’ll find out soon.

Black Myth: Wukong

Four years after its initial announcement, Game Science’s Black Myth: Wukong will launch on August 20th for PS5 and PC. Inspired by Journey to the West, you control the Destined One, wielding an extendable staff and engaging in battles with over 100 different enemies across about 15 hours of gameplay. Between the fast-paced melee combat, dodging, and magic, it boasts some truly spectacular visuals courtesy of Unreal Engine 5.

Dustborn

From Red Thread Games, the developer of Dreamfall Chapters, Dustborn is an odd adventure game where you road-trip as Pax across a dystopian republic to deliver a package. The twist is that she’s an Anomal, who can use words to force others to obey her will. When you’re not bashing robots or navigating conversations with an eclectic cast, you’re making decisions with supposedly major ramifications on the story. Dustborn arrives on August 20th and will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Concord

The Freerunner crew of Firewalk Studios’ upcoming hero shooter didn’t receive the most enthusiastic response following the open beta. Nevertheless, Concord promises 12 maps and six modes at launch with the same roster while offering hundreds of earnable customization items, several unique Variants per character, and no Battle Pass. Will it warrant a better response, especially for $39.99? Time will tell, but Concord is out on August 23rd for PS5 and PC.

World of Warcraft: The War Within

Following Dragonflight, World of Warcraft is embarking on a brand new trilogy, with The War Within as the first part. Set in Khaz Algar, with four unique zones, eight new dungeons and a brand new zone await. There are also new activities like Delves (which can be completed solo or co-op) alongside new Hero Talents, talents and abilities to go with the increased level cap. World of Warcraft: The War Within arrives on August 22nd for PC.

Core Keeper

While the year has seen several compelling sandbox titles, Pugstorm’s Core Keeper has racked up some respectable numbers (91 percent positive reviews, over 2 million players) since its early access launch in 2022. The premise is simple: Venture into a cavern with up to eight players and mine your way to the Core. Collect resources, craft better tools and weapons, automate processes, fish, explore, and battle powerful Titans across multiple biomes. With 1.0 launching on August 27th for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and PC, we can’t wait to see what else it offers.

Gundam Breaker 4

Gundam Evolution may be dead, but Bandai Namco Entertainment has a good substitute – the next Gundam Breaker. Launching on August 29th for PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the action RPG allows extensive customization using more than 250 kits. You can then take your creation into battle, breaking off more parts and further augmenting your creation. With optional online modes and a Diorama function for admiring your units, Gundam Breaker 4 promises to be an enthusiast’s dream come true (and at a far more affordable price).

Monster Jam Showdown

The month is surprisingly slim on racing titles, but Milestone’s Monster Jam Showdown may fix that when it launches on August 29th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. As with previous titles, you’ll control various monster trucks in off-road locations, whether it’s in the non-linear Showdown Tour or optimizing tricks in Extreme Freestyle mode. With over 40 trucks and ten modes, it’s a different racing experience that may be worth dabbling with.

Squirrel with a Gun

At first, Squirrel with a Gun appears to be just that. However, Dee Dee Creations’ title is also a sandbox shooter with some puzzling and platforming. You could spend time disposing of the strange Agents out to get you with rocket launchers, grenade launchers, six-shooters, and whatnot, or ride around the neighborhood, helping or harassing its citizens. It’s out on August 29th for PC, and Xbox Series X/S and PC this Fall.

Deathbound

If you’re seeking a more traditional Souls-like experience, there’s Deathbound, set in a medieval world at odds with its sci-fi roots. The main hook is channeling fallen warriors and using their abilities in combat. Synergizing spirits and building up the sync meter for a powerful attack is key, though plenty of challenging foes await to put you down. Deathbound launches on August 8th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, and promises over 20 hours of gameplay and New Game Plus.

Level Zero: Extraction

Extraction shooters are probably the most well-worn trend that barely got started, but Level Zero: Extraction could break out with its twists. Teaming with two other players, utilizing various military weapons with extensive customization, your job is to garner loot and extract. However, all kinds of threats are present on each map, from mines to mutants. Opposing players can also control a powerful alien with cloaking abilities and an EMP. Level Zero: Extraction enters early access for PC on August 13th, with two maps and 16 weapons. As a weird combination of Escape from Tarkov, GTFO, and more, it could be a dark horse.