Astral Chain challenges players to save the world on Switch.
August is almost here, and with it comes a bunch of new video game releases. While there aren’t many big-name games this month, there are a few standouts, including Astral Chain on Switch and Blair Witch, a game that’s only appropriate for adults.
Astral Chain
Rated T
Appropriate for: Teens who enjoy fast-paced action
In this action game from the company behind the Bayonetta series, players will join an “elite police task force” called Neuron, which is challenged to save the world from an “interdimensional invasion.” Players will partner with a living weapon called a Legion, and they’ll control both their main character and their Legion at the same time. There are multiple Legions to control (each with its own abilities), and players can swap between Legions whenever they want during combat. Legions will also help players solve cases and puzzles as they progress through the game.
Great if your kids love: Final Fantasy XV, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Monster Hunter: World
Madden NFL 20
Rated E
Appropriate for: Older kids who are comfortable with console controllers
The newest installment in this yearly football franchise will feature 50 players that have “Superstar X-Factor Zone abilities” that players can unlock as they play. In addition, players will be able to complete a new Career Campaign called “Face of the Franchise: QB1.” It will allow players to create a college quarterback and guide them through the process of being drafted into the NFL and beyond.
Great if your kids love: Previous Madden NFL games, sports
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game
Rated E10+
Appropriate for: Older kids who enjoy with strategic thinking
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game has been in Early Access on PC for some time, but it’s ready to officially launch on Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in August. The strategy card game will allow players to take on a variety of enemies, like Uruks, orcs, and more, as they complete single-player quests using a 30-card deck that they can customize along the way. The game is based on The Lord of the Rings tabletop card game from Fantasy Flight Games.
Great if your kids love: Hearthstone, The Elder Scrolls: Legends
Blair Witch
Rated M
Inappropriate for young teens and children
Inspired by the Blair Witch horror film franchise, this psychological horror game (set in 1996) allows players to become a police officer named Ellis, who enters the Black Hills Forest in search of a missing boy. Blair Witch has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB, meaning it’s only recommended for players 17 and up. The game has Content Descriptors for “Blood and Gore,” “Intense Violence,” and “Strong Language.”
Try This Game Instead: Hello Neighbor (Note: There are very few horror games that aren’t rated M)
Notable kid- and teen-friendly titles are in bold.
Disclaimer: Release dates can change at any time.
Thursday August 1, 2019
Pandemic, Switch, Xbox One
Solo: Islands of the Heart, Switch
Obakeidoro!, Switch
Hamsterdam, Switch, PC, iOS, Android
STANDBY, Switch
Robbie Swifthand and the Orb of Mysteries, Switch
Chroma Squad, Switch
Shinobi Spirits S: Legend of Heroes, Switch
Fobia, Switch
Illusion of L’Phalcia, Switch
Sudoku Relax 2 Summer Waves, Switch
Dungeon Warfare, Switch
Doughlings: Invasion, PC
Friday August 2, 2019
Burger Chef Tycoon, Switch
Wreckin’ Ball Adventure, Switch, PC
Swaps and Traps, Switch
The Church in the Darkness, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel, Switch, PC
Super Wiloo Demake, Switch
Madden NFL 20, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Varenje, Xbox One
Asdivine Menace, Xbox One
Super Star Blast, Xbox One
Meow Motors, Xbox One
Monday August 5, 2019
FIA European Truck Racing Championship, Switch
Corpse Killer – 25th Anniversary Edition, PlayStation 4
Tuesday August 6, 2019
Guacamelee! One-Two Punch Collection, Switch, PlayStation 4
DC Universe Online, Switch
Gravity Ghost: Deluxe Edition, PlayStation 4
Age of Wonders: Planetfall, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Metal Wolf Chaos XD, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Sagebrush, PlayStation 4
Illusion of L’Phalcia, PlayStation 4, Vita
Wordsweeper by Powgi, PlayStation 4, Vita
The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure, PlayStation VR
Wednesday August 7, 2019
The Forbidden Arts, Switch, Xbox One, PC
Damsel, Switch, Xbox One
Must Dash Amigos, Xbox One
Animus, Xbox One
Sagebrush, Xbox One
Thursday August 8, 2019
Subdivision Infinity DX, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Doughlings: Invasion, Switch
Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition, Switch
Wordsweeper by Powgi, Switch
Fatal Twelve, PlayStation 4
Machiknights -Blood Bagos-, PlayStation 4
Wonder Boy Returns Remix, PlayStation 4
Friday August 9, 2019
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil Remaster, Switch
Tactics V: “Obsidian Brigade”, Switch, PlayStation 4, PC
Sagebrush, Switch
Roarr! Jurassic Edition, Xbox One
Tuesday August 13, 2019
Friday The 13th: The Game Ultimate Slasher Edition, Switch
Never Give Up, Switch
Exception, Switch, Xbox One, PC
Stellaris: Console Edition – Utopia [DLC], PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Ancestors Legacy, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
PC Building Simulator, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Vasara Collection, PlayStation 4
Gravity Duck, PlayStation 4, Vita
Genesis, PlayStation 4
Wednesday August 14, 2019
Edna & Harvey: Harvey’s New Eyes, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Exception, PlayStation 4
Vasara Collection, Xbox One
Slay the Spire, Xbox One
Gravity Duck, Xbox One
Thursday August 15, 2019
Rogue Singularity, Switch
Cryogear, Switch
Vasara Collection, Switch
Tactics V: Obsidian Brigade, Xbox One
Shinobi Spirits S: Legend of Heroes, PC
Friday August 16, 2019
Gravity Duck, Switch
Aritana and the Twin Masks, Xbox One
Sunday August 18, 2019
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark, Switch
Monday August 19, 2019
Petoons Party, PlayStation 4
Pirates of the First Star, Xbox One
Tuesday August 20, 2019
Rad, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution, Switch
Remnant: From the Ashes, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Mekabolt, PlayStation 4, Vita
Roarr! Jurassic Edition, PlayStation 4
Wednesday August 21, 2019
Afterlife, PlayStation VR
Rex Rocket, Xbox One
Smoots Summer Games, Xbox One
Pato Box, Xbox One
Mekabolt, Xbox One
Gift of Parthax, Xbox One
Thursday August 22, 2019
Oninaki, Switch, PlayStation 4, PC
Path of Sin: Greed, Switch
Black Desert, PlayStation 4
Doughlings: Invasion, PlayStation 4
Life is Strange 2: Episode 4 – Faith, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Dobutsu Shogi World (Let’s Catch the Lion!), PlayStation 4
Friday August 23, 2019
Mekabolt, Switch
Injection, PlayStation 4
Tokyo Chronos, PlayStation VR
Gnomes Garden: Lost King, Xbox One
Strength of the Sword Ultimate, Xbox One
Path of Sin: Greed, Xbox One
Tuesday August 27, 2019
Eight-Minute Empire, Switch
Wreckfest, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Control, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Crystar, PlayStation 4, PC
MXGP 2019, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Hunt: Showdown, Xbox One, PC
Thursday August 29, 2019
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Bubsy: Paws on Fire, Switch
Friday August 30, 3019
Astral Chain, Switch
Remothered: Tormented Fathers, Switch
The Dark Pictures – Man of Medan, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Blair Witch, Xbox One, PC
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
