Fantasy is a broad category, covering everything from classic medieval swords and sorcery to demons and angels in urban settings. The fluidity and freedom offered in fantasy mean that it is a great fit for the medium of video games.
This coming August has a healthy handing of fantasy-related games released in it. Play as the cute leader of an Eldritch cult as you venture into ever darker depths to destroy your Patrons foes. Take up the sword as you stalk across a plague-ridden world, hoping to free it from its death throes. Enter the imagination of a child and explore a wonderful fantasy world of make-believe.
From Souls-likes to RPGs to Platformers and beyond, August has a sprinkling of fantasy for everybody. Let’s take a look at 6 cool fantasy games releasing in August of 2022.
Looking for more fantasy? Check out some of our other articles here at KeenGamer:
- 5 Major Game Releases Coming in August 2022
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Expansion Pass is Happening, Vol. 1 Out Today
- The Truth About NieR: Automata’s Secret Church Has Been Revealed
- Disco Elysium Authors May Be Making a Game About Space
Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb quickly became an indie darling when it was revealed last year.
In this cult-themed rogue-lite by Massive Monster, you play as a small sheep who starts the game prepped for sacrifice. You are saved being an Eldritch being known as The One Who Waits. In return for your life, you must venture through randomly generated dungeons dedicated to other Gods and slaughter their inhabitants (and the Gods themselves). All the while you continue building up your Cult, building new structures and providing food to members so they don’t turn on you.
The Innocent Lamb… Right?
A demo of Cult of the Lamb was recently playable during the Steam Next Fest, where it shot up to being one of the most wish-listed games of the entire festival. One of the main reasons for this is the gorgeous art style. Halfway between a pop-up book and a Lovecraftian novel, the designs for everything from the enemies to the animal NPCs have a grim charm to them that make them endearingly appealing. It’s similar to Don’t Starve and both share that attractive creepiness that sets them apart from anything else.
Another massive plus for the game is just how it plays. During the demo, everything felt so smooth and crisp, with funky music and just the right balance of (cult) simulator and rogue-lite. The vibes of Cult of the Lamb are superb with complexity and depth in the combat that any good rogue-lite needs. It has enough style and substance in every area to keep any fantasy fan happy.
This game looks like something special, and if you are interested in games set in fantastical, satirical and (humorously) grim worlds, check out Cult of the Lamb when it launches on August 11th.
Thymesia
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Release Date: 18th of August
Souls-like fans, this entry is for you – a dark, difficult game set in a desolate fantasy world.
Thymesia is set in a world beset by a great plague, one which turns men into monsters and has laid siege to the whole world. You play as Corvus, a mysterious figure seemingly immune to the Plague as he fights his way through this broken world, sifting through his memories to find the truth.
Plague-Stricken Souls-Like
The combat is one of the biggest standouts for Thymesia. This battle style leans a lot heavier towards Bloodborne than it does Dark Souls. There is an emphasis on speed and taking risks in order to deal damage. Perhaps the most standout thing about Thymesia’s combat is that Corvus must weave between his sword and the powers of the Plague to effectively take down enemies, each causing different forms of damage to Corvus’ foes.
Aside from the combat, the atmosphere of Thymesia is practically dripping. It goes in on the darker, gothic aspects of fantasy, where ruin rules over man. The world itself seems like your enemy, one that can swallow you whole if you aren’t careful. Fans of the lore of Bloodborne and other similar games will have a treat with Thymesia.
If you wish to fight back against the Plague yourself, you can set foot in Corvus’ shoes when Thymesia launches on August 18th.
Soul Hackers 2
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Release Date: 25th of August
Soul Hackers 2 is the second entry into the Soul Hackers branch of the Devil Survivor series of games.
Published by Atlus, the world of Soul Hackers is a neon-drenched society beset by Demons and monstrosities. An AI called Aion has become sentient and is predicting that a world-ending calamity is soon to come. This is likely due to a war brewing between two Devil Summoner factions called the Phantom Society and Yatagarasu. You play as Ringo, one of the beings created by Aion. You must work alongside other Summoners to quell the looming apocalypse.
The Ghost In The Machine
Soul Hackers 2 is a wonderful mix of classic cyberpunk with rich fantasy. Demons and creatures stalk through technologically advanced city streets and are hunted by technology alongside magic. You don’t get many games that are willing to tackle the supernatural while exploring the advancement of technology. The interesting fusion of futuristic technology and otherworldly monsters is something that those who want a new spice of fantasy should look out for.
Combat is also something to keep an eye on. Fans of Atlus’ other titles will find themselves slotting in nicely to the rhythmic turn-based battles of the Soul Hackers series. Summoners battle Demons while conjuring other similar beings toisttle alongside them. The sheer number of creatures and their interesting differences in combat are sure to intrigue those into monsters and beasts, while the unique player characters look like a blast to play and use.
Soul Hackers 2 is set to be a great addition to Atlus’ portfolio and a sure-fire hit for fans of the Persona or Shin Megami Tensei series. It launches on August 25th on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 26th of August
Nintendo Switch Games Page for PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
A legend returns… in a new way.
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is a remake of the classic 3d platform released all the way back in 1999. Experience PAC-MAN in a new way as the series forgoes its original format for a platforming title. Pac-Man must venture to a new land to save his family, exploring 6 distinct and colourful worlds as he does so.
An Icon Returns In A New Dimension
3d platformers are nowhere near as popular as they used to be, and they don’t come round very often either. PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC is a fantastic sight for those who want to experience a little taste of the old days updated to a more modern look. Compared to high-fantasy titles or the more serious entries that usually populate fantasy circles as of late, something charming and chill like PAC-MAN WORLD is a great pick if you want a break.
While it doesn’t look like anything revolutionary or mind-blowing, PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC harkens back to a simpler time in gaming culture. The worlds look colourful and fun to explore, the combat is simple, and the goals are simpler – its wholesome, clean fun set to the beat of a fanciful PAC-MAN tune.
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC launches on August 26th for Xbox, PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch.
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright
Platforms: PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 18th of August
RPG Time: The Legend of Wright is a strange little indie game by the indie studio Deskworks.
You play as an aspiring game maker called Kenta. Afterschool his classroom turns into a playground for his imagination and creativity. Everything from his notebook to his stationary comes alive to make up this fantastical RPG that Kenta (and you) play through.
Time For A Spot Of Day Dreaming
Easily the most distinctive part about RPG Time is its distinctive visual style: its charming, colourful, and chaotic (in the best way). There are so many little things going on that just make you smile. The way that the game interprets famous tropes or fantasy characters is so delightful, all the while keeping it contained to the imagination of a child. Like PAC-MAN, this game is just a wonderful break that is so different from anything else being made right now.
That’s not all, though, as despite the name RPG Time also features a lot outside of being an RPG. You can beat baddies made from cardboard cut-outs, you can race vehicles against unwieldy foes, and even take part in a bullet-hell game. This game has so much, and all of it is packaged with that signature charm and aesthetic. There’s something here for any kind of gamer, no matter what kind of genre you enjoy.
RPG Time: The Legend of Write has previously been available on Xbox. On August 18th it will be making its way to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch consoles.
Genshin Impact Version 3.0
Platforms: PlayStation, PC, iOS, Android
Release Date: End of August
Okay, this one is cheating a bit.
Genshin Impact has been out for 2 years now, but in August it will receive its second massive regional update. The last major update in Version 2.0 introduced the islands of Inazuma. Inazuma was something that completely changed the game with new activities, characters and stories in a beautiful new land. Sumeru is set to do the same, this time with a grand land with rainforests and deserts based on the Middle East.
Forests Blessed By Archons
Genshin Impact has impeccable combat and exploration, and Version 3.0 will give all players a new way to engage with both aspects. A new element is being added with Dendro, the element of life. Dendro allows players to harness the power of plant life and wisdom itself. This opens build crafting and team composition in so many different ways with new reactions and abilities. Dendro is a fantastic addition that shakes up the combat scene and makes Genshin Impact’s already superb combat even better.
Perhaps the most important point here is Sumeru itself. Being able to explore fantasy lands is a staple of Genshin Impact and, from everything we’ve seen so far, Sumeru is no different. From dense rainforests inhabited by sentient mushrooms to vast arid deserts where dead robots rest, the world of Sumeru is gigantic and encapsulates the very best of fantasy world design. These are amazing places that any fantasy fan should see with their own eyes.
Genshin Impact Version 3.0 is looking to be very special, something for new and old players alike.. The date isn’t set, it is set to release in late August.
