A hot season starting to cool down
This year’s summer has been chock-a-block with incredible games from Final Fantasy XVI to Street Fighter 6, but things are starting to cool down with the August 2023 games lineup. There are still some great games like Sea of Stars and Baldur’s Gate 3 on the horizon. However, we can take a bit of a breather as most of these anticipated titles are fairly niche. Here’s everything you can expect from the August 2023 games release schedule.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: From Software and Bandai Namco
Developer: From Software
Price: $59.99
Release Date: August 25
Trailer
Our Preview
The legendary studio behind Dark Souls and Elden Ring (From Software) is bringing back a mech favorite with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. The Steam page claims it’s bringing the developer’s “signature action gameplay” into the mix with “fast-paced, omni-directional battles.” Each fight will be set in “massive stages,” and now with better graphical fidelity, the action will look even more intense and stunning. While there isn’t any Souls-like combat from this sequel, you can deeply customize your mech just how you’d like it.
Your judgment will impact your mech’s movement and even its battle style. The Steam page claims that “each mission can be approached with a unique mech strategy.” Something you’d expect from From Software is boss battles; this game comes with them in spades. Hopefully, this game lives up to the extremely high expectations of the developer’s huge fanbase after its 2022 magnum opus Elden Ring. From the pedigree alone, this is one of the most anticipated August 2023 games.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (PC)
Publisher: Larian Studios
Developer: Larian Studios
Price: $59.99
Release Date: August 3 (PC) and September 6 (PS5)
Trailer
RPG fans, rejoice! Baldur’s Gate 3 is finally leaving early access on August 3. There is deep customization in the game, allowing you to pick from 12 classes (with 46 subclasses) and 11 races (including 31 subraces) for your hero/heroine. Larian Studios also claims your decisions will leave an impact on the storyline. “Every choice you make drives your story forward, each decision leaving your mark on the world,” says Larian on the game’s Steam page. “Define your legacy, nurture relationships and create enemies, and solve problems your way.”
We’ll see how grandiose the story is when the game fully releases, but it certainly sounds promising. As the game is set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, it will be based on the 5e ruleset. You’ll be rolling the dice for your actions during combat and can interact with the environment in unique ways. Oh, and you can have romantic relations with a bear…if that’s your thing.
Immortals of Aveum (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: EA
Developer: Ascendent Studios
Price: $59.99
Release Date: August 21
Trailer
If you’re tired of guns and want a bit of a change-up, there’s Immortals of Aveum with magic instead of ammo. You’ll be blasting away all sorts of foes with 25 different spells at your disposal. There are also 80 talents to learn in this FPS single player campaign. As one of the battle mages, you’re tasked to save the world from villains who plan to send it to the abyss.
The game looks exciting with plenty of intriguing enemies to fight and a sense of verticality within its level design. The graphics look pristine as well with gorgeous visual effects and grand environments. It’s one of the more intriguing August 2023 games on this list.
Madden NFL 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: EA
Developer: EA Sports
Price: $69.99
Release Date: August 17
Trailer
EA has a busy month in store because Madden NFL 24 is also dropping in August. Instead of slinging spells, you’ll be throwing footballs and handling them better with an improved version of FieldSENSE. EA claims on the game’s Steam page that it’s “giving you greater control and delivering realism to all the ways you play.” Additionally, there’s a new feature called the SAPIEN technology. Apparently, it adds more realism to the body definition and variation of the athletes’ physiques. EA claims this results in “realistic player movement.”
EA also says that your teammates’ ratings and situational awareness have improved since the last game with better AI. Thankfully, Madden NFL 24 will include crossplay, allowing you to play with your friends on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. While this is not my particular cup of tea (soccer should be called football, damn it), this year’s Madden seems to be a big step up. It might be worth waiting for it to come to Xbox Game Pass, however, like Madden NFL 23.
Sea of Stars (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC)
Publisher: Sabotage Studio
Developer: Sabotage Studio
Price: $34.99
Release Date: August 29
Trailer
Sea of Stars is the standout indie out of the August 2023 games list. Sporting wonderful 16-bit inspired graphics, Sea of Stars will wrap you up in some good ol’ JRPG goodness. It’s seemingly inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. There’s a turn-based combat system that relies on timed button presses. If you time them correctly, your damage will increase. As the game proceeds, each combo will progress in difficulty.
The animations are absolutely gorgeous within the art style, adding even more of a nostalgic rush to the game. The game does feel modernized, however, with no random encounters and no grinding to speak of. Go at your own pace and stop The Fleshmancer performing their evil doings. To keep you entertained, there are other activities in Sea of Stars, such as fishing, cooking, and a tabletop game called Wheels.
Honorable Mentions
- Thronefall (PC) – August 2
- Flutter Away (PC, Switch) – August 3
- Atlas Fallen (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – August 10
- Moving Out 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – August 15
- En Garde! (PC) – August 16
- Marble It Up! Ultra (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – August 17
- Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (PC, Switch) – August 18
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
- Ride 5 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – August 24
- Goodbye Volcano High (PS4, PS5, PC) – August 29
- Samba de Amigo: Party Central (Switch) – August 29
- Under the Waves (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) – August 29
- The Shape of Things (Switch) – August 31
