Home Video Games Video games coming out in August 2016 you won’t want to miss

Video games coming out in August 2016 you won’t want to miss

July 30, 2016

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August has always been one of my favourite months for new video games as it means a new Madden NFL game is right around the corner, and just as exciting, that game more than any other signifies that the tidal wave of new AAA fall/holiday games has officially begun. Joining Madden NFL on the August release calendar are highly anticipated games No Man’s Sky, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, World of Warcraft: Legion, and Metroid Prime: Federation Force. Fans of Japanese games are also in for a treat this month with Attack on Titan, God Eater 2: Rage Burst, Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X, and Corpse Party: Back to School Editionall arriving on our shores. Before the next school year and cooler weather begins, here are the sizzling hot games releasing in August 2016:

[Note: The below release dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of the game publisher at any time.]

No Man’s Sky

Release Date: August 9, 2016

Genre: Action-adventure, Survival

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)

The only suitable adjective to properly describe the size and scope of Hello Games & Sony Interactive Entertainment’s No Man’s Sky is “infinite.” While technical the game isn’t truly unbounded, but with over 18 quintillion planets (or 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 to be exact) that you can discover, land on, and even name as your very own, No Man’s Sky playable area is very likely the largest of any video game ever. Beware though as your space voyage will be filled with dangers—from hostile lifeforms found on distant planets to pirates ambushing your trade conveys. This is a game filled with a universe of possibilities, and I can’t wait to initiate my grand space adventure soon. Just ten days until blast off!

Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Release Date: August 19, 2016

Genre: First-person shooter, Sports

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)

The Metroid Prime saga is back with a co-operative multiplayer shooter for Nintendo 3DS set in the unique sci-fi Metroid universe. This is the first Metroid game is six years, and like 2006’s Metroid Prime Hunters for Nintendo DS, the focus will be on shooting and less about exploration. In the game you’ll assume the role of an enlistee with the Federation Force and join the war against the Space Pirates. What sets this game apart is its co-operative mode that lets you and three of your friends combine your firepower and strategies to overcome enemies in team-based missions. I had a chance to play Metroid Prime Blast Ball, a 3-on-3 Metroid version of soccer (where you “shoot” the ball into your opponent’s net), at last year’s E3 and had, well, a blast! Blast Ball comes bundled with Federation Force, giving you two games in one package.

Madden NFL 17

Release Date: August 23, 2016

Genre: Sports

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Every year EA Sports’ Madden NFL series kicks it up a notch, and this year’s edition is no different. Madden NFL 17 features a redesigned and deeper Franchise Mode with improved game planning options, like the ability to scout your weekly opponent and pick the right drills to counter their tendencies, and all-new “Play the Moments” that allow you to jump right into game-defining plays, drives, and situations. The game presentation is likewise getting big improvements this year, including new in-studio commentary from Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis, new authentic cameras and replays that put you at the centre of the action, and re-recorded in-game audio to replicate the feel of a live game. Be on the lookout for more coverage of Madden NFL 17 next month!

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Release Date: August 23, 2016

Genre: Action role-playing, Stealth

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One

ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)

I love Square Enix’s Deus Ex franchise, so I can’t wait to get my hands on Mankind Divided. Taking place in the year 2029, in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided we’ll once again take control of covert operative Adam Jensen who is now forced to exist on the fringe of society, due to the growing public disdain for augmented humans. At E3 2016, I got a chance to see some of Jensen’s new arsenal of augmentations and state-of-the-art weapons, including his detachable nano-ceramic blade and fist-mounted electro-shock system, both of which can be used for fast and silent takedowns. As always, in this game you’ll have the choice of two ways to play: dash into combat situations with guns a blazing, or use stealth to take down enemies but leave them alive.

The King of Fighters XIV

Release Date: August 23, 2016

Genre: Fighting

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)

This August, SNK Playmore is resurrecting one of the longest reigning fighting games—The King of Fighters! After a six year hiatus,The King of Fighters XIV is back with all-new 3D graphics, while still retaining the class 2D gameplay and 3-on-3 Team Battle system the series how long been known for. Over 50 fighters will be included in the game, divided into 16 teams of 3 characters, plus two bosses, making it one of the largest rosters ever for a KOF game. Tons of modes will be included, such as Story Mode, Vs Mode, and Gallery Mode, along with Online Party Battle and an Online Training Mode. Get ready to fight!

World of Warcraft: Legion

Release Date: August 30, 2016

Genre: Massively multiplayer online role-playing game

Platform(s): PC

ESRB Rating: Rating Pending

The latest expansion in the world’s most popular MMORPG, World of Warcraff: Legion, has nearly arrived. Legion will introduce the all-new Demon Hunter class, a group of eleven outcasts and disciples of Illidan Stormrage who posses the power of the Burning Legion. You’ll also get to explore a brand new region, the Broken Isles, to discover beautiful new forest, mountain, and city locations, along with the terrifying new dangers that inhabit them. To help you overcome these new threats, the overall character level cap will rise from 100 to 110.

Attack on Titan

Release Date: August 30, 2016

Genre: Action

Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One

ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)

The hit Japanese manga series Attack on Titan is getting its own video game courtesy of Omega Force (developers of Dynasty Warriors) and Koei Tecmo. Based on the first season of the Attack on Titan anime, the story centres on three young survivors who venture beyond their walled city to fend off the man-eating titans and expand the territory of humankind. Using special “omni-directional mobility gear,” your character is able to fly around the battlefield (think Spider-Man) at high altitudes and high speed to gain a tactical advantage over the titans. I had a chance to play the game at last year’s Tokyo Game Show and I loved anime-style graphics (called “custom toon shader”) and unique battle system focused on attacking titan’s weak points to severe limbs and limit their movements/attacks. Looking forward to playing more!

God Eater 2: Rage Burst

Release Date: August 30, 2016

Genre: Action role-playing game

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)

After gracing the PSP and PS Vita back in 2013 (in Japan only), God Eater 2 is back with an expanded version for PS4. This enhanced edition, called Rage Burst, begins three years after the events of God Eater: Resurrection and focuses on a special task force unit called “Blood” sent to investigate a mysterious red rain causing a deadly plague. Using a range of powerful weapons and Blood Arts that enhance your attacks, you’ll do battle with huge monsters known as the Aragami. As a bonus for picking up the physical disc version of God Eater 2: Rage Burst, you’ll also get a download code for a digital copy of God Eater: Resurrection—giving you two games in one!

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X

Release Date: August 30, 2016

Genre: Rhythm

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen, 13+)

After wrapping up her first full North American tour, the virtual pop diva Hatsune Miku is back to charm fans with another rhythm game, this time on PS4. In Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X, you’ll need to explore five different clouds and undertake various challenges in the game’s story-focused Live Quest mode. 30 songs are included and are played using the traditional gameplay established in previous Project Diva rhythm games. As an unabashed Hatsune Miku fan, not only did I race to the SEGA booth at Tokyo Game Show to play this game (and I had a great time!) but I recently went to see Miku live at her Toronto tour date. This one-of-a-kind superstar gave an amazing performance, and now I’m looking forward to her next video game even more!

Corpse Party: Back to School Edition

Release Date: August 30, 2016

Genre: Survival Horror, Adventure

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

ESRB Rating: M (Mature, 17+)

Originally released on the PSP, the chilling visual novel-style game Corpse Party has been remastered on Nintendo 3DS with redrawn, high-resolution character sprites, newly arranged music tracks, and new 3D art stills. This special retail version also includes two high-quality 2.5″ figurines of characters Naomi Nakashima and Seiko Shinohara, as well as a soundtrack CD featuring nearly 80 minutes of music from the game, including three tracks exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version. Four extra chapters have also been added and will give you greater insight into lesser-known characters and plots elements that were previously left unexplained.