As this weekend ticks us on over into September, we’re coming out of silly hype season and jumping straight into silly game release season. Arguably it’s already started, with this week’s launch of Star Wars Outlaws headlining a busy week of game releases, but September is going to be getting off to a fast start with Astro Bot, Space Marine 2, Test Drive Unlimited, Age of Mythology, Ace Attorney and so much more in the first fortnight.
So much choice is a good problem to have for gamers, but worrying at the same time as some games and developers are going to lose out in the crush.
In the News This Week
- PS5 Pro design and announcement plans leaked
- Control 2 partnership between Remedy and Annapurna announced
- Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown year 1 roadmap has a surprise trip to Ibiza
- Croc is back! Remaster of the PS1 classic is on its way!
- Bandai Namco shuts down Amazon Games collab Blue Protocol
- Star Wars Outlaws update 1.000.002 might need PS5 players to start a new game
- Spiders staff to go on strike, open letter released about studio issues
- Tales of Graces f Remastered release date is January 17th
- Foamstars is going free-to-play in October
Games in Review & Featured Articles
We’ll get to the wealth of post-Gamescom coverage in a moment, but
- Crypt Custodian – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 9/10
- Core Keeper – PS5, PS4, NSW, PC – 9/10
- Star Wars Outlaws – PS5, XSX|S, PC – 8/10
- Gori: Cuddly Carnage – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 8/10
- Concord – PS5, PC – 8/10
- WitchSpring R – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 9/10
- Shadow of the Ninja Reborn – PS5, XSX|S, NSW, PC – 6/10
- Monster Jam: Showdown – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 4/10
Of course, even with a bumped crop of reviews, a big part of this week was about Gamescom previews and hands on. I went hands on with Civilization VII and explored its new Ages system, before speaking to Firaxis’ Ed Beach about the changes. I also had a glimpse of Starfield: Shattered Space, plunged into the gorgeous JRPG homage of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and went hands on with the “Sonic had a baby with Super Meat Boy” racing of DeathSprint 66.
On Dom’s side of things, he explored Dying Light: The Beast and the return of Kyle Crane, gave us one final preview for Space Marine 2, sampled the new stages in Sonic X Shadow Generations and the gorgeous Metaphor: ReFantazio, and checked out the 90s inspired time-travelling jaunt of Warframe 1999.
And then it was the battle of the hero shooters. Nick P previewed Marvel Rivals for us and, before handing in our review, Jim also pondered why there seems to be almost a desire to see Concord fail amongst gamers.
Rounding things out as always, What We Played featured Concord, Age of Mythology: Retold & Star Wars Outlaws.
Trailer Park
Zelda swordfighter form revealed in Echoes of Wisdom gameplay trailer
Worms Armageddon Anniversary Edition wriggles onto consoles in September
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land revealed
That’s the round up for this week. Keep your eyes peeled for everything we’ll be churning out over the next few days and weeks!
