The polar opposite of the holiday season, summer tends to be a weaker season for video games. However, this summer has been no slouch in terms of game releases, containing a bevy of highly anticipated titles and niche games. With summer ending, here are the top five game titles to look for when looking for something new to play.
]5. Street Fighter 6 (June 2) — PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Image via Capcom
Capcom has released their next installment in their iconic fighting game series, featuring the same stylish yet skillful gameplay the series is known for. Cutting out the microtransactions of “Street Fighter 5,” “Street Fighter 6” has already proven to be a worthy entry in the “Street Fighter” franchise.
4. Final Fantasy XVI (June 22) — PC, PS5
Image via Square Enix
The 16th mainline entry of the legendary “Final Fantasy” series, “Final Fantasy XVI” finds great inspiration in “Game of Thrones.” Compared to previous titles, this entry takes on a more gritty and straightforward tone. The land of Valisthea is a bleak setting with a number of nations and kingdoms in conflict, and there is certainly a struggle for control.
3. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk (August 18) — PC, Switch
Image via Team Reptile
Twenty-three years after Sega’s “Jet Set Radio,” indie developers Team Reptile gave the cult classic a worthy successor with “Bomb Rush Cyberfunk.” Taking on the funk and style of its inspiration, the indie platformer is all about skating, rail grinding and graffiti. The familiar funky electronic soundtrack was also created by Hideki Naganuma, the man behind the iconic soundtrack of “Jet Set Radio” and “Sonic Rush.”
2. Baldur’s Gate 3 (August 3) — PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Image via Larian Studios
An RPG in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, “Baldur’s Gate 3” brings along the creativity and freedom of the original tabletop D&D game — and hilarity will ensue. Containing compelling characters and immense attention to detail, the game will rarely tell you “no” as an answer. The great freedom given to the player makes it the perfect sandbox for compelling tales and humorous antics.
1. Pikmin 4 (July 21) — Switch
Image via Nintendo
The long awaited sequel to “Pikmin 3” on the Wii U finally released, as fans had to endure a decade-long wait for the next entry in Nintendo’s iconic real-time strategy franchise. However, the wait was well worth it as “Pikmin 4” is by far the most polished and content-rich game in the series. Bringing back all previous Pikmin types, as well as having the biggest maps compared to the rest of the games, there’s a lot to bite into with “Pikmin 4.” The Pikmin series has historically sold relatively poorly in the west, causing large hiatuses for the series, but with “Pikmin 4” sales blooming, fans might not have to wait as long for the next entry.
