We kick off August with the visceral, bone-crunching satisfaction of Ninja Gaiden. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, an action-platformer crafted by the minds behind Blasphemous, follows Genji—a disciple of Ryu Hayabusa—and Kumori of the Black Spider Clan as they forge an unlikely alliance to purge the demonic infestation. Eschewing the series' typical 3D spectacle for a retro-tinged pixel aesthetic and 8-bit chiptunes, it’s a nostalgic nod to the arcade era. Expect plenty of katana, kunai, and shuriken action to go around.

The arena fighter returns for a second act. Picking up where its predecessor left off, the narrative spans from the Entertainment District arc through the Hashira Training arc. Naturally, this means a massive influx of new playable characters, including all nine Hashira, Gyokko, and Zohakuten. They’ve also introduced ‘Joint Arts,’ allowing you to trigger flashy, high-octane team-up cinematics with specific character combinations.

The Mafia series is heading back to its roots, specifically the 1900s Sicily. Mafia: Old Country tracks the journey of the protagonist, Enzo, as the character attempts to climb the ranks of the Cosa Nostra. It’s a tale centered on the brutal betrayals and rigid loyalties of the era, promising a grounded, realistic combat experience featuring handguns, shotguns, and blades. Given the rather lukewarm reception of Mafia 3, the pressure is on for this entry to restore the franchise's battered reputation.

Developed by the domestic studio WONUNIVERSE, Dungeon Stalkers hits Early Access on the 13th. It’s an extraction-adventure title where you dive into dungeons to scavenge loot and extract while battling monsters and other desperate survivors. You can pick from classes like Knight, Hunter, Mage, or Rogue, each with distinct skills. To keep things from getting stale, the ‘Witch’s Curse’ event triggers periodically, shaking up the dungeon floor with unpredictable chaos.

Echoes of the End is a third-person action-adventure from the Icelandic developer Myrkur Games. Set in a fantasy medieval world, you take control of Ryn, a protagonist who wields volatile, powerful magic while searching for a sibling. You’ll be swapping between swordplay and spells, and there’s a cooperative element involving a travel companion named Averyam. While early trailers faced some criticism regarding the animation fluidity, the meticulously crafted cutscenes and atmosphere suggest a deeply immersive experience.

Coming from Giant Squid, the studio behind the emotive adventure ABZU, Sword of the Sea is a fresh take on the genre. You play as a resurrected wraith on a quest to uncover an ancient, buried sea. The core mechanic revolves around the ‘Hoversword,’ which offers a sensation of speed akin to snowboarding across a vast, surreal world. Expect to carve through deserts, icy peaks, and deep canyons.

Gears of War: Reloaded marks the second remaster of the 2006 original. It’s the same grim story of Marcus Fenix and the squad fighting for humanity’s survival against the Locust Horde. While the content largely mirrors the 2015 Ultimate Edition, this version brings technical polish with 4K resolution, 60fps support, and both HDR and VRR integration.

The master of stealth, Naked Snake, is back. This remake of the 2004 classic, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, follows the mission to extract Sokolov in the heart of the Soviet Union. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it features far more detailed visuals—you’ll even see real-time bruising and scarring on the character. The survival systems are also deeper; your camouflage effectiveness now dynamically changes based on the mud or water clinging to your uniform.

The turn-based strategy staple is back, bringing a fresh lineup of mecha icons. Alongside returning favorites like Getter Robo, Macross, and Aura Battler Dunbine, we’re seeing newcomers like Godzilla Singular Point, SSSS.DYNAZENON, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. They’ve also added new systems like ‘Assist Link’ for rear-line support and ‘STG Memory’ to boost your entire unit’s stats.

Ever wonder who cleans up after the heroes finish their ‘heroic’ dungeon crawl? Goblin Cleanup answers that question. You play as a goblin maid tasked with tidying up the aftermath. It sounds like a standard cleaning simulator, but don’t be fooled: the traps are still lethal, and the monsters are still lurking. You have to juggle mopping up blood and corpses while carefully disabling traps and avoiding enemies. Plus, the art style is genuinely charming.

Lost Soul Aside is an action RPG that wears its Final Fantasy inspiration on its sleeve. Set in a world ravaged by interdimensional entities known as the ‘Voidrex,’ the story follows the protagonist, Kazar, as they cross dimensions to save both a sibling and humanity. Created by the developer Yang Bing, the game mirrors the aesthetic of the Final Fantasy series, while the combat leans into fast, stylish action reminiscent of Devil May Cry or Bayonetta.