Top 10 Games to Look Forward to This June

Tekken 7

(June 2 – PS4, Xbox One)

Fighting games have been in a sort of resurgence in recent years. It wasn’t that they ever died off completely, plenty of small titles have been releasing each year, but the big players were dormant, working on the next entries in their respective series. Over the past couple of years we’ve received Street Fighter V, Mortal Kombat X, Injustice 2, and now Tekken 7 is ready to step into the arena. This latest entry is an improvement over its predecessors, offering up faster, smoother gameplay that doesn’t forsake the core that fans have grown to love.

Tekken 7 has a gripping story that brings in all of the superstars from the series and even works Akuma, Street Fighter’s resident demon, into the plot in a way that is fitting, and allows players to take control of him. Akuma isn’t simply jammed in either. He has his EX bars, all of his usual moves, and even controls in a way that Street Fighter fans would appreciate, yet still works wonderfully within Tekken’s mechanics. If you just haven’t gotten enough of fighting games recently, Akuma, a new story, refined engine, and tons of content are definitely reasons to keep this one on your radar. 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Episode 2 – Under Pressure

(June 6 – PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android)

Marvel’s Gaurdians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series started off very quickly, thrusting players into the action with a solid soundtrack and a fun story (you can check out our review here). However, that speed left character development – something that Telltale usually nails – in the back seat. Episode 2 will hopefully be an opportunity to slow things down and bring the background stories up to snuff with the intense action and fun humor of the first episode.

If you’ve never played a Telltale game before, they are adventure games where your choices help to shape the world and story around you over a series of episodes that are released every month or so. Little actions such as answering a NPC a certain type of way, or choosing one activity over another, can have butterfly effects that make the journey or ending of your story different from someone else’s. If you’ve been looking for a title that isn’t overly complicated, yet gives you a healthy dose of control, then you should definitely check out Guardians of the Galaxy, just make sure to play the first episode prior to June’s release. 

Wipeout Omega Collection

(June 6 – PS4)

Wipeout Omega Collection is a high-speed trip that takes racing fans back a few decades when developers felt that wheels and conventional roads were overrated.

The first game released back in ’95 and introduced players to a futuristic anti-gravity racing league as they piloted different ships that defied the laws of physics and racing as we knew it. The franchise grew from there with the most recent new entry releasing back in 2012. It’s been too long since we’ve taken to the insane tracks of a Wipeout game so Sony has decided to release the Omega Collection which features Wipeout HD, Wiepout HD Fury, and Wipeout 2048, all completely remastered for the PS4 and PS4 Pro.

If you just need something that’s both nostalgic and gets you away from the realistic look of some of the more modern racing releases, and you have a PS4, you should definitely keep this game on your radar.

ARMS

(June 16 – Switch)

Nintendo has never been one to just follow conventions. While others compete to try to make the best version of the same thing, the home of Mario is always looking to innovate and create new, exciting experiences. So it’s no surprise that when the company took a look at boxing/fighting games they came up with ARMS. This game has you control an avatar with springs for arms and zany attacks as you dance around arenas beating the ever-loving snot out of your equally wacky opponents.

Don’t let its friendly appearance deter you, though. Underneath the bright palette of color and cutesy character models is a fighter that will test your reflexes and your stamina. It’s a workout that’s sure to be enjoyable with friends locally or the world online. 

Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood

(June 20 – PS4, PC)

Final Fantasy XIV has gone through a lot to become one of the premier MMOs on the market right now. Mixing everything fans love about Final Fantasy with wide open worlds that players can explore with thousands of others is no small feat, but Square Enix managed to make it work, and it’s one damn fine experience. That experience will be expanding substantially thanks to the Stormblood expansion due out later in June.

Players will get to explore a new area complete with brand-new quests and threats. They’ll also gain access to new jobs such as the Red Mage and Samurai along with a total revamp of the job action system to make the game much more fine-tuned and enjoyable. If you’ve been playing Final Fantasy XIV or are looking to jump in, Stormblood is calling your name. 

Ever Oasis

(June 23 – 3DS)

Even with the Nintendo Switch out and making waves, the 3DS is still providing no shortage of worthwhile experiences. The next big game to hit the portable console is Ever Oasis, an action RPG from Grezzo (The Legend of Zelda Tri Force Heroes, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D). Players will explore dungeons and caves as they fight to build their own oasis out in the middle of a deadly desert.

It’s part action RPG and part world builder, letting players shape their experience by recruiting new people and constructing a social space filled with amenities. If you’re looking for something portable that will eat up your time, this should definitely be on your radar. 

Get Even

(June 23 – PS4, Xbox One, PS4)

Get Even is a very weird game, at least we think it is because developer The Farm 51 and publisher Bandai Namco have been relatively tight lipped about what players can truly expect. All we’ve been treated to are some decidedly creepy trailers that really accentuate the thriller nature of the upcoming first-person experience. Making matters more intriguing is the game’s official site which offers a description that leaves many wondering just what the heck is going on behind the scenes.

We must admit that it has us intrigued, and we can’t wait to dive in and see what it all means. 

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

(June 27 – PS4)

The Danganronpa series has provided some amazing visual novel experiences that tested your deduction while introducing some memorable characters. For Ultra Despair Girls, things are being done a bit differently.

This time around you’ll have an action-adventure to enjoy as you play as Komura Naegi who is trying to get out of a city filled with threatening Monokuma robots. It’s a huge diversion from what fans are used to, but that alone is intriguing. You can definitely expect the same gripping story and some interesting characters as you journey through the city. It may not be what you expect, but don’t pass this new way of experiencing a great series up. 

Valkyria Revolution

(June 27 – PS4, Xbox One, PC)

The Valkyria Chronicles series exploded onto the JRPG scene on PS3, with a gorgeous cel-shaded arstyle and challenging tactical combat. It’s also known for its unique storytelling, focusing on a fantasy world reminiscent of ours during the World Wars. Valkyria Revolution, the latest entry in the franchise, is a bit different, taking place separately from the rest of the series.

Revolution takes place in an alternate world from the previous games, and its combat system switches to being much more action focused. This doesn’t mean there won’t be strategy elements, however, as you’ll still need to deploy units, capture bases, and complete other strategic objectives throughout battles. North America hasn’t received a Valkyria game since 2010, and fans should definitely look forward to the return of the strategy-RPG series this month.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

(June 30 – PS4)

After years and years of requesting that Activision do something with Crash Bandicoot, E3 2016 finally brought a huge smile to fans of the orange hero. During Sony’s press conference, it was revealed that the first three games in the serious would be receiving complete remasters. Later on the official title of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was revealed and the hype has been real ever since.

Finally, at the end of June, we’ll be able to get our hands on it and relive the glory of the PS1 days. Unfortunately if you don’t have a PS4, you won’t be able to play this release, not yet anyway. So far no other platforms have been confirmed, but with Activision publishing, anything is possible.