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Top Video Games and Release Dates for August 2021

By Michael Vane - News Published: 2 Aug 2021

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We’re back for another month to rundown the best looking and our most anticipated games launching throughout August 2021! And there’s no shortage of awesomeness, so hopefully, you haven’t blown the entire tax return just yet. This month brings something for everyone – horror, action, sports, drama, strategy, comedy, absurd Japaneseness and a lawn mowing simulator. Yes, you read correctly. Whether it’s an indie thriller starring James McAvoy and Willem Dafoe or a highly anticipated MMO from global giant Amazon, there’s certainly a lot to like in the August 2021 lineup of new games.

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1. Aliens: Fireteam Elite

A distress call reroutes your space marine unit to LV-895 in the outer colonies, a planet brimming with ancient ruins, corporate secrets, and, you guessed it, legions of Xenomorphs. Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a cooperative shooter that drops your squad of hardened marines into a desperate fight to contain the evolving Xenomorph threat.

You will face off against waves of terrifying aliens and Weyland-Yutani Synthetics alongside two players or AI teammates. Create and customise your own Colonial Marine, choosing from various classes, weapons, gear and perks, battling overwhelming odds through four campaigns that introduce new storylines to the iconic Alien universe. We have some concerns about this one but won’t pass up the opportunity to revisit the beloved franchise.

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1
Release date: August 24

2. 12 Minutes

12 Minutes is an interactive thriller about a man trapped in a time loop. A romantic evening turns into a nightmare when a police officer bursts into your home, accusing your wife of murder and beating you to death. Unfortunately, you’re doomed to relive this 12 minute loop over and over. That is unless you can use your growing knowledge to change the outcome once and for all.

There’s a lot of hype surrounding 12 Minutes, and it boasts some serious talent in the voice acting department. The three characters are voiced by James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley and Willem Dafoe.

Platforms: PC, XBX/S, XB1
Release date: August 19

3. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

One of 2020’s best games returns with new content and enhanced graphics, giving you plenty of reasons to jump back in. Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut expands this acclaimed PlayStation exclusive with a brand new island to explore brimming with new weapons, outfits, enemy types, skills and a growing Mongol threat. The Iki island expansion is said to offer up to 20 hours of additional gameplay, and PS5 owners can play with enhanced graphics, Japanese lip-sync, DualSense features and 3D audio.

The Directors Cut content is available as DLC to expand your existing game, or you can purchase the complete Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut version from your retailer of choice.

Platforms: PS5, PS4
Release date: August 20

4. Humankind

There’s a new contender for the civilisation building throne. Humankind is a historical strategy game that sees you rewrite the history of man by combining the histories, values and architectural styles of all the civilisations to craft a unique take on humanity.

Humankind blends 60 cultures from history and allows you to lead your own civilisation from humble origins as a Neolithic tribe to the Babylonians, Mayans, early medieval times and more, before arriving in the modern era. Build your civilisation and go to war in turn-based 4x gameplay. Customise your leader, make moral decisions that affect the future of humankind, and then continue the journey online by facing others in 8 player versus matches.

Platforms: PC
Release date: August 17

5. Psychonauts 2

Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a 3D platformer presented in a trippy cinematic style with tonnes of customisable psychic powers to play with. You are Razputin “Raz” Aquato, a trained acrobat and powerful psychic who realised his lifelong dream of joining the psychic espionage organisation known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic spies are in trouble. Their leader hasn’t been the same since he was rescued from a kidnapping, and what’s worse, a mole is hiding in headquarters. It’s up to you to use a range of skills and psychic powers to unravel this comedic mystery.

Psychonauts 2 comes from the mind of legendary game designer Tim Schafer, who’s best known for titles including Grim Fandango, Brütal Legend, Broken Age and the original Psychonauts, which launched back in 2005.

Platforms: PC, PS4, XBX/S, XB1
Release date: August 25

6. New World

From Amazon Games comes New World – a thrilling open-world MMO filled with danger and opportunity. Shipwrecked on the supernatural island of Aeternum, you will create a character, then fight, forage, and forge your way through wilderness and ruins.

Arm yourself with brutal melee weapons, ranged artillery, or supernatural powers. Channel otherworldy forces and customise your playstyle through a classless, real-time combat system. Fight alone, with a small team, or in massed armies for PvE and PvP battles. Like all good MMOs, the choices are all yours. New World has been in beta for a while before launch, and the early opinions suggest Amazon has its first real gaming hit.

Platform: PC
Release date: August 31

7. No More Heroes 3

Travis Touchdown returns to Santa Destroy to assassinate his opponents and rise through the ranks of galactic heroes. Wielding his iconic beam katana and travelling by bike, you will be exploring an open world, taking on jobs and competing in mini games to earn cash. When you’ve saved up enough, use the money to challenge a host of heinous outer space superheroes and their lackeys, using cut-throat combos made more immersive with Joy-Con motion controls.

No More Heroes 3 is the long-awaited sequel and follows up to No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, which launched on the Nintendo Wii in 2010. So it’s safe to say this one has been a long time coming.

Platform: Switch
Release date: August 27

August 2021 Video Game Release Dates

• Hunter’s Arena Legends (PS5, PS4) – August 3
• In Sound Mind (PC, PS5, XBX/S, Switch)
• Lemnis Gate (PC, PS5, PS4, XBX/S, XB1) – August 3
• Rocket Rumble early access (PC) – August 3
• The Falconeer: Warrior Edition (PS5, PS4, Switch) – August 5
• Starmancer early access (PC) – August 5
• Godfall (PS4) – August 10
• Lawn Mowing Simulator (PC, XSX/S) – August 10
• Glitchpunk (PC) – August 11
• Foreclosed (PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1, Switch) – August 12
• Naraka: Bladepoint (PC) – August 12
• OCO (PC) – August 12
• Hades (PS4, XSX/S, XB1) – August 13
• Paw Patrol: Adventure City Calls (PC, PS4, XB1, Switch) – August 13
• Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle (Switch) – August 13
• Greak: Memories of Azur (PC, PS5, XSX/S, Switch) – August 17
• Humankind (PC) – August 17
• Pile Up! Box by Box (PS4, XB1, Switch) – August 17
• Ambition: A Minuet in Power (PC) – August 18
• Monster Harvest (PC, PS4, XB1, Switch) – August 19
• RiMS Racing (PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1, Switch) – August 19
• Twelve Minutes (PC, XB1) – August 19
• Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut (PS5, PS4) – August 20
• Madden 22 (PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1) – August 20
• Aliens: Fireteam Elite (PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1) – August 24
• King’s Bounty 2 (PC, PS4, XB1, Switch) – August 24
• Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 (PS5) – August 24
• Psychonauts 2 (PC, XSX/S, XB1) – August 25
• Hotel Life (PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1, Switch) – August 26
• No More Heroes 3 (Switch) – August 27
• Book Of Travels (PC) – August 31
• The Big Con (PC, XSX/S, XB1) – August 31
• Crown Trick (PS4, XB1) – August 31
• KeyWe (PC, PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1, Switch) – August 31
• New World (PC) – August 31
• Rustler (PS5, PS4, XSX/S, XB1, Switch) – August 31

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General FAQ

What new games are coming out in August 2021?

Some of the best games launching in August 2021 include Aliens: Fireteam Elite, No More Heroes 3, Psychonauts 2, indie thriller 12 Minutes, strategy game Humankind, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and the hotly anticipated MMO New World from Amazon Games.

Does New World require a paid subscription?

No. New World does not require a monthly paid subscription. Players can purchase the game for a one-off fee and play from August 31. There may be paid expansions down the line, but nothing of the sort has been revealed. New World will have in-game purchases that can be made with real money if players choose to do so.

Can Aliens: Fireteam Elite be played in single player?

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a co-op shooter that encourages teamwork. It can be played with three players together or solo with two AI teammates (bots). Whether tackling the Xenomorph threat solo or with friends, there will always be two other soldiers accompanying your space marine.