The June through September time-frame has notoriously been rough for video game releases. While this period of time has become less of a drought in recent years, there are still only a handful of big releases to look forward to this summer in the northern hemisphere. Here is what you can look forward to play!
Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario Maker was a huge hit when it launched on the Wii U–a system known for its lack of great games–and later on the 3DS. In this game, players utilize a powerful level builder to create their own Mario levels to play and share online. Following its previous success, Super Mario Maker 2 aims to recapture the excitement of the first game and expand its tool-set to include assets from Super Mario 3D World. If you’ve always wanted to make your own Mario levels, or have endless Mario levels to play due to the shared content from other players, then Super Mario Maker 2 might be exactly what you’re looking for. Super Mario Maker 2 launched on Nintendo Switch June 28th!
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
Final Fantasy XIV has been a massive success with players since it was rebooted and launched as A Realm Reborn in 2013, and has received several large expansions since then. Shadowbringers is the next big expansion coming to Final Fantasy XIV, bringing tons of new MMO content for players to experience. This includes an entirely new story arch that has players embarking on an adventure which transcends worlds, new challenges in the dangerous lands of Norvrandt, and new gameplay systems & improvements. Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers launches for PC and PS4 tomorrow, on July 2nd!
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
The new series of Wolfenstein games have been astonishingly fantastic, introducing phenomenal shooting mechanics and continuing the alternate-history story that has players fighting Nazi’s with an arsenal of big guns. Wolfenstine: Youngblood is the next installment in this series, switching things up by adding two playable characters which allow for full co-op support! Jessica and Sophia Blazkowicz, the twin daughters of fan-favorite hero B.J. Blazkowicz, take the stage as the protagonists for Youngblood. While Youngblood has several gameplay changes that take co-op into account, it is also playable as a solo experience. If you’re looking to hunt down more Nazi’s, then Wolfenstein: Youngblood released on July 26th for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PS4!
Control
Control is the latest supernatural action-adventure third-person shooter from Remedy Entertainment and published by 505 Games. In Control, you play as Jesse Faden, the new Director for the Federal Bureau of Control–a secret U.S. government agency tasked with containing and studying phenomena which violate the laws of reality. Utilizing powerful abilities, Jesse will need to defeat an invading enemy known as the Hiss, which have invaded and corrupted reality. This game is sure to be an interesting experience and launches on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on August 27th!
Gears 5
Gears 5 is the next major installment of the Gears of War series. Gears 5 focuses on the character of Kait Diaz and players will need to uncover the origins of not only the Locust but also Kait’s Family. It features the visceral third-person shooting that we’ve come to expect from the series, and also has support for local split-screen and online co-op. Microsoft has shown very little of Gears 5 but we expect to get much more information as we get closer to the September 10th release date. Interestingly enough, Gears 5 will be available day one on Game Pass for both PC and Xbox One.
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is the long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Borderlands franchise, which are a series of games that put the “loot” in looter-shooters. Borderlands is a first-person shooter with crude humor and a stylish art style that has extensive RPG mechanics for players to level several different playable characters–each with their own unique abilities and skill trees. Borderlands is most known for its insane amount of loot to collect, including millions of gun variants with their own status effects. Borderlands 3 introduces the Calypso twins as the new protagonists, along with four new playable characters: Amara the Siren, Moze the Gunner, Zane the Operative, and FL4K the Beastmaster. Borderlands 3 caps off this summer with its September 13th release date for PC, PS4, and Xbox One!