Overcooked 2 (PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Aug. 7)
Sometimes, you just need a bit of lighthearted, frantic co-op fun after a stressful day at work or just adventuring outside. That’s what Overcooked 2 is literally the perfect solution to. Developing on the original game’s excellent culinary chaos, players will once again need to work together to cook up a variety of dishes as fast as possible to maximize the tips they earn from customers. You’ll need to keep in mind the dynamic kitchens that constantly change and throw spanners in your well-planned tactics, and work as a team to overcome these challenges. Or just shout at one another, either way works!
With a bunch of new stages, recipes, and the ability to throw items at your fellow chefs, there’s plenty more content to keep fans of the original happy. Plus, there’s an online co-op multiplayer mode this time, so you won’t need to try and get all your friends together in one place in order to cook up a storm.
Dead Cells (PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One – Aug. 7)
Dead Cells is what happens when you mesh the delightfully charming 2D visuals of games gone by and the challenging, but methodical combat of something like Dark Souls together. What you’re left with is an engrossing Metroidvania RPG title that really impressed us when we checked it out in early access.
Not only will you need to master the combat in Dead Cells, you’ll also need to memorize the many different corridors and environments as you explore its world, as the abilities you unlock later can be used to help you reach previously inaccessible areas. Where Dead Cells particularly excels is in its vast variety of weapons, which only help play into the challenging but rewarding combat system. We’re looking forward to checking out the full product when it finally releases out of early access on Aug. 7.
We Happy Few (PC, PS4, Xbox One – Aug. 10)
At first glance of the screenshot above, you may get the idea that We Happy Few’s alternative World War II England setting is a little less dreary and depressing than the real-life alternative. We wouldn’t blame you, but that’s what makes We Happy Few such an intriguing game. You assume control of three different characters as you try and figure out how to escape from Wellington Wells, while also trying to avoid taking the hallucinogenic drug known as Joy that’s resulting in everyone seeing the world as an all-positive Paradise, rather than the dreary mess that it really is.
Players will need to occasionally fight their way through, but for the most part, We Happy Few is about exploring the world undetected and avoiding taking your Joy. It’s unique, eerie, and we can’t wait to check out the full game.
The Walking Dead: The Final Season – Episode 1 (PC, PS4, Xbox One – Aug. 14)
We’ve been through a lot with Clementine at this point. There’s obviously that scene at the end of Season 1. There’s the whole mess that happens towards the end of Season 2, and then Season 3 is just a bit of a nightmarish experience as a whole as she joined forces with a new group of characters. Sadly, Telltale Games has decided it’s time for Clementine’s story to receive its final chapter, and while we’re sad to part ways with the lovable, zombie killing bad-ass, we’re incredibly excited to see how Telltale wraps things up.
Shenmue 1 & 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One – Aug. 21)
Shenmue 1 and 2 are considered some of the great titles that released on the Dreamcast at during the early 2000s. Players assumed the role of Ryo Hazuki as he goes out to avenge his father’s death and track down the man responsible for his murder. Of course, this means you’ll need to get your investigating hat on, kick some bad guy ass, and experience the engrossing story to be found within.
The overarching story of Ryo is actually split over the two games, so it makes sense to pick both games up in one collection. Whether you’re just looking for a trip down memory lane, or you’re wanting to dive into these titles for the first time ahead of Shenmue 3’s release coming sometime soon (hopefully?), there’s plenty of reason to revisit these games.
Shenmue 1 and 2 largely popularized the QTE (Quick Time Event) system found in most modern games, they were some of the first games to incorporate a true time and day/night cycle, and this all played into its investigatory gameplay. Need to find out where a building was? Well to find that out, you’ll need to speak with the old lady in the neighborhood, but she only shows up at the corner store at certain times.
Shenmue 1 and 2 may feel a little dated now, but there’s something satisfying in seeing where many of these modern-day gameplay features were truly brought into the spotlight.
Little Dragons Cafe (Switch, PS4 – Aug. 24)
Little Dragons Cafe is one of those games that, while yes it is releasing on the PS4 and will likely perform better, we’re more excited to take with us on the go with the Nintendo Switch. Players start off by picking their character and discovering that their mother has fallen ill. After receiving an egg which happens to hatch into a baby dragon, you’re tasked with taking care of the cafe that your mother was running, while exploring the island to gather new resources and ingredients with the help of your scaly friend.
It sounds like there’s a pretty compelling, chilled gameplay loop in Little Dragons Cafe, and we can imagine happily passing hours at a time before heading to bed, just because we want to make one last dish.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Switch – Aug. 28)
If there’s one thing that we learned during the cold month of January this year, it was that Monster Hunter is still pretty darn popular. Well, turns out that Capcom’s noticed this too, and has opted to bring Monster Hunter Generations to the Switch three years after its initial release on 3DS.
All of the core Monster Hunter features are packed in here, too, so don’t worry about it being a streamlined experience. You’ll find online multiplayer options so you can grind the hours away for new equipment with friends. The crafting systems are as deep as you’d hope, and the beasts make for some seriously formidable opponents. For a deep and engrossing game that’ll keep you occupied for hours and you can take on the go, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is just waiting to slot into your Switch.
