Big AAA-tier games are a small fraction of what’s launched each month, yet they get the most attention. Polygon is putting the spotlight on smaller titles each month.
A lot of video games come out every month, even during slower months like August. If you gave the game release calendar a thwap with the ol’ broom, a few huge AAA-tier games would likely drop to the ground like anvils. Games like Madden NFL 24, the rerelease of Red Dead Redemption, Immortals of Aveum, and Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon kick up a cloud that overshadows the arrival of smaller games — potentially great ones, even, from developers you might’ve heard of and new indie creators alike. Like, some that may actually end up on your GOTY list.
We don’t want to let these games slip by (and you’d probably like to know about them, right?), so each month we’ll be rounding up a handful of notable game launches that you should know about. Stay tuned near the end of every month for our next batch of video game deep cuts.Gord
Gord is an isometric adventure strategy game set in a dark fantasy realm. The main goal is survival, and to do that your community will need to build (and fortify) a home base, then forage for materials. It’s not quite as quaint as that, though. In your journey through the darkness surrounding your fortress, you’ll call upon gods to make your life easier, or clash with them, making things much harder.
Gord launched on PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, and Xbox Series X on Aug. 17 for $34.99.Blasphemous 2
While many of its mechanics are borrowed from Dark Souls and Metroidvania titles, 2019’s Blasphemous brought more than enough originality to the table with its grotesque, gory art style and memorable boss battles. Nearly four years later, a sequel is upon us. Blasphemous 2 seems to be packing more weapons, combos, and difficult platforming. In other words, more of the good stuff that it delivered the first time around.
Blasphemous 2 is launching on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, Xbox Series X on Aug.
