Summer always feels like a quiet time for big releases. Developers prefer saving their titles for the holiday season – add to that the fact that the industry is still reeling from the effects of lockdowns from previous years, while the world is enjoying the sun unperturbed by restrictions instead of staying in. Luckily, August is looking a lot more promising, and a lot of what I’m looking forward to is some great new indie games. If you’d rather escape the record-breaking heat this year by hiding away with some great titles from smaller studios, then this list has got you covered.
Here’s a look at some of the best new indie games coming this August.
Cult of the Lamb
Starting off with probably the most anticipated title of the month, Cult of the Lamb has you play as a cutesy lamb repaying a debt to a stranger who saves you from ritual sacrifice. Players will build their own cult and take down rival ones while cutting down enemies and collecting resources in procedurally generated levels.
The almost pop-up-book-like aesthetics combined with the dark, albeit humourous, setting looks as intriguing as it does charming. What’s more, the cult-building aspect sounds like a pretty creative way to break up the sometimes-monotonous loop of dungeon crawlers. Combining elements of roguelikes, crafting games, and city management (or more appropriately, cult management) in a creepy-yet-cute package, it’s looking to be one of the most engaging new indie games this summer.
Cult of the Lamb releases on August 11, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Midnight Fight Express
Isometric brawler Midnight Fight Express casts the player as a fully-customisable ex-criminal, drawn back into action to stop a city-wide criminal takeover. Made by solo dev Jacob Dzwinel, the game spans 41 levels, with a huge arsenal, skill tree, and added challenges for great replayability.
From the looks of it, Midnight Fight Express lies somewhere between slick martial arts games like Sifu and fast-paced twin-stick shooters like Hotline Miami, with its mix of super-fluid combat, varied weapons, and endless action. The animation is maybe one of the most impressive parts of the game. All the protagonist’s moves are motion captured, courtesy of God of War stuntman Eric Jacobus. If you’re looking for an indie game that will make you feel like John Wick this summer, this might just be it. It’s also got a pretty great and thematic soundtrack too, if the trailer is anything to go by.
Midnight Fight Express releases on August 23, on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Thymesia
Soulsborne-like RPG Thymesia gets its release this August after having a few delays (including one just last week). Playing as protagonist Corvus, traverse a kingdom gripped by plague. Featuring ominous lore, over-the-top attacks, grandiose boss fight, and a seemingly very intricate weapon system, this indie game offers some interesting spins on the tried and tested formula for the genre.
From what we know, it’s an interesting mix of the flashy, slick momentum of hack and slash games (like Bayonetta) and a soulslike, with less of the “heavy” feeling of the latter. It’s also said to be easier than some soulslike games, so it might be a great intro to the genre for newcomers. Visually, Thymesia definitely has more fantastical art and movement than the grittiness of Elden Ring – but that’s a plus in my books.
Thymesia releases on August 18, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Rollerdrome
Rollerdrome is a bonkers third-person shooter on rollerskates, from indie developers Roll7, best known for OlliOlli World. The game offers a chaotic and bizarre take on a near-future dystopia, where this bloodsport on wheels is your key to exposing society’s sinister corporate overlords, Matterhorn.
‘Skating plus guns’ seems like a pretty simple concept, but the execution definitely looks interesting. The tricks coupled with the slow-motion shooting sequences look pretty satisfying. Throw in powerups, combos, and a leaderboard system, and this seems like it’s got the makings of a great title. Rollerdrome boasts a gorgeous 80s cartoonish art style too, perfect for a sport which had its heyday (sans guns) in the same era.
Rollerdrome releases on August 16, on PC, PS4, and PS5.
Frogun
Frog-themed games seem to be having their moment in the spotlight, and Frogun is here to add to the list. Play as Renata in an adventure to save her missing parents, with her titular froggy grapple hook in this retro-inspired platformer. Frogun spans multiple biomes, full of challenges, secrets, bosses, and adorable enemies.
Visually, this is the new indie game that has me most interested this August. The low-poly, pixelated art style borrows from the PS1 and N64 era, and works beautifully with the level design and theme of the game. Just like that era, the levels seem small and dense with great platforming mechanics, instead of going for scale. If you’ve been clamouring for some 90s gaming nostalgia, Frogun might be the title you’ve been waiting for. Luckily, you won’t be waiting long at all.
Frogun releases on August 2, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
So, that wraps it up for the new indie games I’m looking forward to this August. What do you think of the games mentioned here? Are there any other indie titles coming soon that you’re excited about? Let us know in the comments!
