August Gaming Roundup: Franchise Returns and Hidden Gems Await Players
August arrives boasting the annual return of Madden NFL 26 alongside several significant returns to established game series, including one nearly fifteen years in the making.
The Long-Awaited Return: Mafia: The Old Country
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2014 title drops this month. Departing from its predecessor’s open-world approach, Mafia: The Old Country follows protagonist Enzo Favara on a linear journey through 1900s Sicily. Set at a budget-friendly MSRP of $50, the game features period-appropriate vehicles, weaponry (including stilettos and shotguns), and rich narrative storytelling.
Annual Football Franchise: Madden NFL 26
Release Date: August 14, 2025 (Early access begins August 11)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 and Newer, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, EA App), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Led by new features including Coach DNA (simulating different coaching styles) and an enhanced weather system impacting gameplay beyond visuals, the latest iteration of EA Sports’ long-running football simulation enters the new generation.
Discover a Dystopian Metropolis: Dying Light: The Beast
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Developer Striking Distance Studios presents a standalone action adventure narrative set years after the original Dying Light. Returning protagonist Kyle Crane seeks revenge against the Baron following years of brutal experimentation. New powers, including the beast form granting enhanced combat abilities, locomotion, and environmental interaction, enhance the core narrative and parkour-based traversal mechanics.
New Life for a Classic Franchise: Gears of War: Reloaded
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud (Game Pass)
Get ready for Operation DAYBREAK. Gears of War: Reloaded brings back the iconic third-person cover-based action franchise to a new wave of platforms, including debut on the PlayStation 5 and Windows PC. Offering enhanced fidelity (4K/60fps campaign, 120fps multiplayer), improved lighting, textures, and shadows, this version expands the game’s reach while delivering a faithful yet updated experience for both new and returning players.
Ground-Up Remake Delivered: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Release Date: August 28, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The first major entry in the Metal Gear Solid series since Peace Walker arrives with a ground-up remake, excluding series creator Hideo Kojima. Expect modern graphical fidelity alongside enhanced gameplay features like persistent combat damage to Snake’s appearance (scars, dirt, foliage) and real-time camouflage switching, catering to today’s gaming sensibilities while retaining classic MGS mechanics.
Ninja Action Returns to Sega: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Marking the year of the ninja in video gaming, Sega’s Shinobi series makes its return. Developed by Treasure and retaining the classic 2D side-scrolling formula, the game promises modern visual polish combined with tight, classic “Super Ninja Scroll” action gameplay. This title arrives after a string of stealth and action ninjas in releases from Ninja Gaiden II onwards.
This August pushes beyond the usual sports showcase with several notable returns and rare deep dives into established universes. Looking beyond August reveals further surprises in development calendars, including titles we’ve been waiting for throughout the year.
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