August is the month of “Remember that Franchise?” Aside from the annual Madden game, a lot of the games we’re looking forward to this month are returns to older franchises—one of which hasn’t seen a new entry in almost 15 years.
There are a few remake/remaster-type games on this list, but our first entry, Mafia: The Old Country, is a return to the series’ roots.
The new Dying Light game takes us back to the original protagonist, but in a new environment and with new powers. What’s old is new again!
Overall, things are a bit light as we enter the back end of summer. There’s not really “downtime” during any particular season anymore, and summer certainly isn’t bereft of new titles like it once was.
This year has brought us high-profile releases like the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, Dune: Awakening, Death Stranding 2, Donkey Kong Bonanza, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4, among others. Even if things are light, there are still a bunch of games worth checking out.
Mafia: The Old Country
Release Date: August 8, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Here’s the one thing you need to know about Mafia: The Old Country: It’s not an open-world game.
Unlike Mafia III before it, Old Country is a linear narrative story. You’ll play as mobster Enzo Favara, navigating the criminal underworld of 1900s Sicily.
You’ll ride horses, drive old-timey cars, and wield weapons like stiletto knives and sawed-off shotguns as you journey with Enzo through his story.
Even better yet, this game is going for $50, making it especially worth keeping an eye on.
Madden NFL 26
Release Date: August 14, 2025 (Early Access August 11 with Deluxe)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, EA App), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Another August, another Madden game.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything new to enjoy here for seasoned fans.
Along with all the new player data, we can look forward to new features like Coach DNA, in which “coaching logic now simulates real NFL head coach styles and tendencies.”
A new weather system that adds depth to the gameplay will also be introduced, making it much more than a visual feature.
Sword of the Sea
Release Date: August 19, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 (Day-1 on PS Plus)
You’re a warrior with a sword, but no one to fight and no memory of fighting.
And so your sword becomes a surfboard, and as you explore the world of Sword of the Sea, you surf the sands of the world, rehydrating it as you go.
If you watch this trailer and take away Journey vibes, good news: This is developed by Giant Squid, the developer behind ABZÛ, The Pathless, and Journey.
Dying Light: The Beast
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
In this standalone game, you’ll step into the boots of Kyle Crane, protagonist of the original Dying Light. The character has endured 13 years of brutal experimentation by a man called The Baron, and Kyle is ready to take revenge.
Thanks to all that experimentation, he has new powers. Most prominent is that mentioned in the title. Kyle can unleash the Beast, allowing him to rip and tear apart zombies and human enemies alike, make massive leaps, and more.
The game has extensive stealth options, driving, and more to make its rural location exciting to explore and fight in.
Gears of War: Reloaded
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud (via Game Pass)
But wait, you say, didn’t we just get a Gears of War remaster with Gears of War Ultimate?
That was ten years ago, and Gears of War is approaching its 20th anniversary. If you’re an older gamer, I’m sorry for telling you that.
Gears of War: Reloaded brings the game to not just PC and Xbox but to PlayStation 5 as well—unimaginable to those of us who played the original on launch day (or Emergence Day in Gears of War parlance).
This new edition of the classic game features the primary campaign running at 4K resolution at 60 FPS. At the same time, multiplayer goes up to 120 FPS on consoles (and probably whatever your GPU can handle on PC).
It sports modern enhancements like 4K textures, HDR, upscaling, and improvements to features such as shadows.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Release Date: August 28, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater releases this month after a long wait.
Though a remake, this is the first major entry in the Metal Gear Solid series in years, and is, of course, being made without the involvement of series creator Hideo Kojima.
This is a remake of the game from the ground up, with modern graphics and new features. For example, scars of treated wounds will stay persistent on Snake’s body, while his uniform will reflect changes due to gunshots and other wounds, as well as dirt stains and leaves accumulated by sneaking.
You’ll also have access to real-time camo swapping. Delta features both a classic Metal Gear Solid control scheme and one that better matches the sensibilities of modern gaming.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
This year is, without question, the year of the ninja—for video games, at least.
We already have Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ninja Gaiden Black II, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. Ninja Gaiden 4 will be released this fall.
But before that, Sega will resurrect its Shinobi franchise for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, releasing at the end of August.
Shinobi keeps the series with its 2D side-scrolling roots, but brings gorgeous art and promises tight, satisfying gameplay.
