On the surface, Sprawl looks like quite a promising game. It has a cool aesthetic, along with some fast-paced shooting action, the ability to slow down time, and a touch of parkour to liven things up. While individual parts of Sprawl look great, the bigger question really is how well these different elements can come together in offering us a game that’s actually fun to play.

When it comes to gameplay, Sprawl isn’t really trying to reinvent the wheel. The basic shooter controls are the same as they’ve been since the WASD + Mouse control scheme was figured out over two decades ago, and the game throws in a couple of extra mechanics here and there to make sure that the action keeps flowing at a good pace. Weapons are just about what you’d expect, with pistols, SMGs, rifles, shotguns, and so on. Where the variety really kicks in when it comes to minute-to-minute gameplay is in the variety of enemies you’ll face off against.

" Weapons are just about what you’d expect, with pistols, SMGs, rifles, shotguns, and so on."

Sprawl starts off quite simple: you’ll have a pistol, a sword, and basic enemies to fight. As you make your way through the game’s opening levels, you’ll slowly expand your arsenal with, for example, dual SMGs, which greatly increases the damage you can dish out at the cost of the guns chewing through their ammo reserves. The katana itself isn’t particularly useful as your primary means of doing damage, but it’ll do in a pinch. Its more important use, however, is the fact that you can use it to land finishing blows on enemies to behead them, which rewards you with health, adrenaline, and ammo drops.

Much like other modern shooters, you’re encouraged to go for special finishing blows in order to keep your momentum going. And you’ll definitely need to make good use of it, since you aren’t particularly hardy. Thankfully, you don’t necessarily have to be in melee range and attack with your katana to get enemies to drop their goodies; even just beheading them from a distance with a well-aimed headshot does the trick. You’ll still have to actually go to the health and ammo pickups, however.

Supplementing the gameplay is the ability to use bullet time, which essentially slows the game down to allow you to pull off some epic action movie moves during a gunfight. The mechanic is important enough to the general flow of a fight in Sprawl that the default keybinds set it to right-click. Bullet time isn’t infinite, however, and you do have an adrenaline gauge, which limits the duration of your slow motion bursts. Going into slow-mo doesn’t really give you any new abilities, however, and it simply allows you to react to threats and pull off some moves in a more precise way than you would have been able to otherwise.

"Going into slow-mo doesn’t really give you any new abilities"

Tying all of the core combat mechanics together is the simple parkour system that adds some much-needed depth to Sprawl’s encounters and level design. Just about any wall can be run on, preserving your forward momentum while also slowly adding some minor downward momentum to give you a time limit for how long you can wall run. Sprawl also allows you to jump off a wall into another wall run, and these jumps can be done thrice before you have to land on solid ground. While the wall running takes some getting used to—and you’ll definitely want to get used to it considering the game’s general reliance on the ability for its level design—once you’ve actually figured out how it works, the game allows you to literally and figuratively run circles around just about any combat encounter you’re bound to face.

Speaking of level design, this is where some of Sprawl’s weaknesses come into play. While the individual areas where you fight enemies are, generally speaking, fine, the overall flow of a level often feels weird. An early level will see you fighting enemies on the street level one moment, and without much in the way of transition, throw you into a wall-running platforming segment revolving around giant pipes, only to ultimately end up fighting your way across building rooftops.

Sprawl also has quite a few technical issues, especially when it comes to how it handles its audio. While you won’t really find anything wrong with it most of the time, any time you load into a new level or continue from a checkpoint, the game plays a loud, harsh sound that seemingly ignores any changes you might have made to the title’s sound volume setting. Players who typically use headphones might want to steer clear of Sprawl until at least this issue is sorted. Other technical issues revolve around how the game sometimes handles inputs, making it really difficult to understand if you’ve successfully started a wall-run.

"The overall flow of a level often feels weird."

When it comes to non-technical aspects, Sprawl only really has one major problem—it’s really bad at actually teaching you how to play. The game features a tutorial in the form of floating windows in its opening level that tell you how you can do something. The problem is that these tutorial windows don’t really spend more than maybe a sentence or two in describing, say, wall-hopping, and you’re expected to just trial and error your way through a challenge to figure out.

When it comes to the story, Sprawl isn’t straying from its genre’s traditions. Players are put into the shoes of protagonist SEVEN—a special ops super soldier that was somehow disgraced, and is essentially out for revenge. There isn’t really much in the way of a deep, complex story here, and if you’re looking for something a little bit deeper than just an excuse to mow down hundreds of enemies, you’re not going to find it here.

The visuals are what really set Sprawl apart from many of its contemporaries. It features an art style that makes use of low-resolution textures with other more modern graphics technologies, giving the game the look of an old-school FPS while still maintaining a high fidelity and frame rate. The best way I can describe the visuals of Sprawl is that it’s what my brain thinks of when I’m thinking about a retro FPS. The art style was similarly expertly used in the System Shock remake from earlier this year.

Sprawl isn’t a game without its problems, both technical and game design. Its poor job of explaining how its skill-centric parkour works, and essentially throwing you to the wolves might be endearing to some, but it definitely puts a blemish on a game that’s otherwise pretty fun if you’re into fast-paced FPSes. The gameplay is the centerpiece in Sprawl, and just about everything else is made in service offering up an entertaining, if rather by-the-numbers fast-paced shooter.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Baldur’s Gate 3

It’s a testament to the kind of year that 2023 has been that Baldur’s Gate 3 is only one of many major releases. Nevertheless, Larian Studios’ tremendous role-playing game is a dream come true for Dungeons and Dragons fans. It offers a dozen classes, 46 subclasses, over 600 Spells, 11 races, 31 subraces and many more options to customize your character.

With a massive campaign that spans over 75 hours on a single playthrough with dozens of quests and multiple locations to explore, Baldur’s Gate 3 promises peak role-playing when it launches on August 3rd for PC.

Tower of Fantasy (PS4, PS5)

Hotta Studio’s Tower of Fantasy is an open-world action RPG, albeit with a sci-fi twist. As a customizable character, players travel the surface, learning more about the fall of civilization at the hands of Omnium, and battling all manner of threats. With four-player co-op, World Bosses and numerous quests, Tower of Fantasy also features an arena mode for PvP.

The combat also employs some interesting mechanics like equipping three weapons with different roles, building up charge and switching between them for more damage, and Simulacrums to transform into a unique character. Though currently available on PC, Tower of Fantasy arrives on August 8th for PS4 and PS5.

WrestleQuest

Wrestling video games are often simulations, rarely arcade titles, with the hottest talent. WrestleQuest takes a different approach, imagining the hero’s journey from the perspective of an up-and-coming wrestler in a fantastical pixel art universe. You start as a rookie and work through the ranks by training and learning from the greats like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Andre the Giant and more.

As you customize your wrestler’s moves and entrance, you take on all sorts of opponents and fight alongside legends like Diamond Dallas Page, the Road Warriors and more. WrestleQuest launches on August 8th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Atlas Fallen

In a world where everything has become sand and humanity is oppressed, you play as an Unnamed and discover a magical gauntlet. With the ability to manipulate and weaponize sand, you embark on a quest to take down Thelos and restore humanity. Developed by Deck13 of The Surge fame, Atlas Fallen is more of an action-adventure title with three weapons – the Dunecleaver, Sandwhip and Knuckledust – that change shape as you accrue Momentum in combat.

They can further be upgraded with over 100 Essence Stones, encouraging experimentation. Atlas Fallen releases on August 10th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, and on top of lasting 25 to 30 hours, the entire game supports two-player co-op.

Sprawl

Would it be much of a month without a retro-style FPS? Probably not, but even by boomer shooter standards, MAETH’s Sprawl looks intriguing. Set in a cyberpunk city, you control former special ops SEVEN, who seeks to escape and venture to the SPIRE, while a mysterious voice pushes her onward. Corpo forces oppose you, but thanks to the Icarus implant, you can wall-run and slow down time, slaying enemies with katanas, pistols and a shotgun. Sprawl is out in August for PC, with a more definite release date to be announced.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

From the team behind Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun comes a brand-new strategy stealth title. Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is set in the Golden Age of Piracy, as you venture the Lost Caribbean with eight crewmates, each possessing unique skills. You can freely select crew members for a mission and take any approach, utilizing new magical abilities to one-up enemies.

In addition to cleverly executed strategies and split-second timing, you can pause the game and instantly rewind to a previous point to try something else. Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew arrives on August 17th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Madden NFL 24

For the uninitiated, EA Sports’ Madden NFL series is its other golden goose that has proven a monstrous success year in and year out with even fewer changes than FIFA. However, as EA transitions from FIFA to its new EA Sports FC franchise, Madden NFL 24 offers several improvements. FieldSENSE returns for added realism and control; the AI is smarter and more reactive; Franchise Mode features Free Agency changes and new commissioner tools; and new modes like 3v3 Superstar Showdown promise some unique experiences. Launching on August 18th, Madden NFL 24 will be available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC with cross-play support.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk

Lethal League developer Team Reptile presents a spiritual successor to Sega’s Jet Set Radio – Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. As Red, players join the Bomb Rush Crew and compete against rival crews for turf, tagging spots and earning REP while executing all kinds of tricks, whether it’s inline skating, skateboarding or BMX. Police forces will try to stop you, and new members join the crew, backed by the tunes of Jet Set Radio composer Hideki Naganuma. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk arrives on August 18th for PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Based on the 1974 classic, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a new asymmetrical multiplayer title, which previously published Friday the 13th: The Game. Releasing on August 18th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, it sees Ana Flores, Julie Crawford, Connie Taylor, Sonny Williams and Leland McKinney searching for Ana’s sister Maria.

Of course, the Slaughter family, including The Hitchhiker, The Cook and good ol’ Leatherface aren’t keen on letting them escape. The victims must use stealth and complete objectives to escape while the killers stop them. It’s pretty straightforward and backed by plenty of realistic kills.

Fort Solis

This cinematic sci-fi adventure game from Black Drakkar Games and Fallen Leaf is unique in its immersion. There are no camera cuts, loading times or a HUD, and its story is composed of four chapters with an all-star cast featuring Roger Clark (of Red Dead Redemption 2 fame), Troy Baker (The Last of Us) and Julia Brown (World on Fire). As engineer Jack Leary, players venture to the titular Fort Solis for a routine inspection and find the crew missing. Strange events begin to occur, pushing Leary to the brink. Fort Solis launches on August 22nd for PS5 and PC.

Immortals of Aveum

Ascendant Studios’ magic-based first-person shooter has been five years in the making, utilizing Unreal Engine 5.1 for its stunning visuals and Michael Kirkbride of The Elder Scrolls fame to help craft its narrative. Set in the world of Aveum, with Lucium and Rasharm at constant war, players control Jak, a recruit in the Order of the Immortals who looks to take down the big bad Sandrakk.

As a Triarch, Jak can utilize all three Colors of magic in devastating ways. With several different spells and talents, tons of gear pieces, and a meaty campaign with plenty of side content, Immortals of Aveum could be a dark horse in a jam-packed month. It releases on August 22nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

FromSoftware’s latest entry in the mech combat series begins with a clean slate, taking players to Rubicon 3, where megacorporations and factions battle over a precious resource Coral. As a mercenary pilot, you pilot a fully customizable Armored Core, utilizing different long-range and melee weapons while battling all manner of mechanized opposition in fast-paced combat.

Larger environments, seamless switching between projectiles and melee attacks, a new stagger mechanic, multiple endings and more await fans along with the return of the Arena when Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon arrives on August 25th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy

It’s hard to keep a band of heroes down, especially the Heroes of Trine. Amadeus the Wizard, Zoya the Thief, and Pontius the Knight embark on a new adventure to battle the Clockwork army. As a 2.5D action-puzzle platformer with co-op support, players must use each character’s skills to traverse environments in unique ways (like using Pontius’s shield to skate across water).

A new combat system and bosses, more variety with skill quests, and an adaptive difficulty to encourage replay value await fans when Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy launches on August 31st for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch.

RIDE 5

If you’ve looked upon The Crew Motorfest or Forza Motorsport and wanted something more bike-oriented, RIDE 5 may be worth checking out. The latest in Milestone S.r.l.’s motorcycle sim franchise features over 35 tracks and 200 bikes to ride. This year’s Career Mode sees players working through various Rivals to make a name for themselves, braving the dynamic weather to succeed.

Along with extensive motorcycle customization, the Race Creator lets you shape custom tracks and scenarios while riding aids help ease newcomers into the experience. RIDE 5 is out on August 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle

As the sequel to Invader Studios’ Resident Evil-inspired Daymare 1998, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a prequel with new characters, improved visuals and a revamped UI. It also features dismemberment, a la Dead Space, and a scanner for revealing items and puzzles in the environment. While it won’t compete with Dead Space Remake, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle may be an enjoyable blast from the past for fans of 90s survival horror when it releases on August 30th for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Ghostrunner 2

Ghostrunner was easily one of the biggest surprise hits of 2020, and fans were absolutely impressed by its fresh gameplay ideas and the one hit one kill design philosophy overruling it all. A sequel was known to be in the works, and the recently unveiled Ghostrunner 2 looks primed to build upon the foundations of the original in new ways. Ghostrunner 2 will once again thrust players into the dystopian setting of Dharma City as they slash and dice their way through hordes of new enemy archetypes and other obstacles. In addition to having motorcycle levels, the game will also feature better boss fights and more complex level designs among a slew of other improvements. It releases for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2023.