It’s June in a year that’s had some amazing video game highlights. What are you looking forward to playing?
Tekken 7 by Bandai Namco – June 2nd
Tekken 7 is the first mainline entry in the long-running fighting game franchise to see a release on Windows PCs. With its debut on the PS1 in 1995. Developer Bandai Namco has kept the PC gaming community waiting almost 22 years. Discover the epic conclusion of the long-time clan warfare between members of the Mishima family. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, the legendary fighting game franchise fights back with stunning story-driven cinematic battles and intense duels that can be enjoyed with friends and rivals.
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
WipEout Omega Collection by Sony – June 2nd
Has it really been almost five years? WipEout 2048, the last proper entry in the series, hit the Vita in January of 2012, and so much has happened since. PlayStation’s futuristic racing series is getting a collection that will include Wipeout HD, Wipeout HD Fury and Wipeout 2048. This collection brings sci-fi anti-gravity racing games WipEout HD, WipEout HD Fury and WipEout 2048. To the PS4 and PS4 Pro with enhanced graphics. Expect reworked textures that will finally let you read the small text on ships and 4K HRD support. No changes to the gameplay formula are mentioned, so fans will be able to re-experience the thrill of original releases while admiring the improved visuals. 2-player split screen and online multiplayer will be featured.
Platform: PS4
Dark Rose Valkyrie by Compile Heart, Idea Factory – June 6th
Dark Rose Valkyrie hits us with an intense tale in which a society deals with a virus that turns humans and animals into creatures called Chimeras. Part role-playing game and part visual novel, Dark Rose Valkyrie is set in an alternate 1920s universe where a meteor has struck the earth and unleashed a virus that is turning people into inhuman monsters called Chimera. You are part of the Special Force Valkyrie and are tasked with eliminating the Chimera Virus threat.
Platform: PS4
DiRT 4 by Codemasters– June 9th
This is the latest edition of Codemasters’ off-road racing series dating back to 1999. The Dirt series was previously marketed with the license of the late Colin McRae. There have also been spin-offs in the last few years, including 2016’s well-regarded Dirt Rally, but this is the first game in the core series since Dirt 3 in 2010. The new game will feature new off-road vehicles and tracks. DiRT 4 is the latest release in a series that began life as Colin McRae Rally. DiRT 4 includes a driving school mode entitled ‘Dirt Academy’ that is there to teach you basics of braking, cornering and throttle control, but the actual mechanics of driving can only take you so far.
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Arms by Nintendo– June 16th
Arm‘s extendable arms might have looked really odd on real people, but they’re perfectly in line with the colourful and cartoonish tone of the game itself. In case the title hasn’t given it away, this game is really about the arms. Aside from simply punching with them, you can actually guide them while they’re on their way to your opponent or curve around obstacles. Legs get less time in the spotlight, but you can jump on trampolines to get the advantage of verticality or dash away from attacks.
Platform: Nintendo Switch
The Mage’s Tale by inXile Entertainment – June 20th
The corrupt wizard Gaufroi has kidnapped Master Mage Alguin, and you are the only one who has any hope of saving him. You may be an apprentice now, but to save your master. You will need to explore deadly dungeons, decipher mind-bending puzzles, avoid traps, and vanquish hordes of monsters. Until you are able to wield every elemental power in the palm of your hand, evil remains ascendant! It is your turn now to sling gouts of flame, javelins of ice, arcs of lightning, and swirling tempests! Don your wizard’s robe and begin your Mage’s Tale!
Platform: Oculus Rift
Ever Oasis by Grezzo, Nintendo – June 23rd
Nintendo‘s new original role-playing game is being developed by Grezzo (The Legend of Zelda: Tri-Force Heroes). Ever Oasis is set in a desert locale. A rotating day/night cycle is an important part of the gameplay, which goes heavy on the dungeon exploration. There’s even village-building involved, as the hero — a girl or boy named Tethu — helps to reconstruct their town. Ever Oasis looks like a cutesy little adventure that looks to be a blend of Animal Crossing and Zelda, inspired by ancient Egyptian culture and mythology.
Platform: PS4
Get Even by The Farm 51, Bandai Namco – June 23rd
Delayed from May into June due to sensitivities surrounding the Manchester terrorist attacks. Get Even hasn’t received a huge amount of pre-release hype, but it looks promising. A FPS-horror hybrid, it follows the story of hired gun Black. Who awakens in an asylum with no recollection of how he got there. Before too long things become hairy—it turns out there’s a teenage girl with a bomb strapped to her chest. It naturally falls upon him to save her. That’s not the whole story of course, and as you explore the asylum you’ll encounter things that must be shot (it’s part FPS, you see). It’ll be interesting to see whether Get Even can balance good shooting with a slowburn, horror-centric narrative.
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Valkyria Revolution by Media. Vision – June 27th
The world of Valkyria Revolution is inspired by the European industrial revolution era and focuses on a war of liberation between two vastly different nations. Unlike the Valkyria Chronicles games, which paired turn-based strategy with some third-person shooting. Valkyria Revolution leans harder on the action, with its array of melee attacks and elemental spells. The story will see the small kingdom of Jutland attempt to liberate itself and other lands from the Ruzi Empire, who also has a Valkyria in their service. With such a powerful foe, an elite team called the Vanargand and Jutland Princess Ophelia are tasked with defeating her.
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy by Vicarious Visions, Activision – June 30th
Crash Bandicoot, PlayStation’s original wacky marsupial mascot, is back to reclaim his throne with the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. Which remasters all three of the original games for the PlayStation 4. Vicarious Visions said it’s making changes to make this version of the series more appealing to modern players. So while the N. Sane Trilogy is a remaster, it will also present the games in a whole new light. The Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy collection includes the first three Crash games: Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped.
Platform: PS4