Games of summer 2016

With summer approaching, we break down some of the biggest and best games to be released in the coming weeks and months.

Summer traditionally brings a drought of game releases. While the quantity peters out towards in July and August, May’s releases should tide you over for a while. Uncharted 4, arguably one of the most anticipated titles of the year, just arrived on PlayStation 4 and is being well regarded by all, but it’s not the only big hitter to come. Perhaps some rain over the coming months wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

May:

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Release Date: May 10

Platforms: PS4

Nathan Drake’s adventure comes to a close in Uncharted 4, but he’s not going to slip away quietly. Uncharted 4 features plenty of story and the usual blend of cinematic explosiveness and quippy banter that has become so engrained in the series.

Doom

Release Date: May 13

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

This year’s Doom appears to be going back to its roots. It is set to offer badass demons, massive guns, and incredibly fast movement, which should sit well with veterans of the series. Alongside an action-packed single player mode offers a rejigged multiplayer mode, which should offer endless entertainment.

Homefront: The Revolution

Release Date: May 20

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

In an alternate reality in which North Korea invaded the United States, you must fight back as part of a rebellion to overthrow this occupation.

Overwatch

Release Date: May 24

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

With League of Legends and DotA 2 battling it out as two of the biggest multiplayer games, Overwatch looks to take this formula and apply it to a first-person shooter. Teams of six select their heroes, utilising their abilities and skills in tandem to complete a given goal.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan

Release Date: May 24

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360

Platinum Games (Bayonetta, Transformers: Devastation) has applied its over-the-top action approach to the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And the trailer looks really good! If Michael Bay’s output has upset you, this could make you fall in love with the Turtles all over again.

June:

Dangerous Golf

Release Date: June 3

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

In case miniature golf is too mundane for you, Dangerous Golf adds explosions and destruction. While the end goal is the same, you’ll be rewarded for making trick shots, destroying objects, and meeting special objectives.

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

Release Date: June 9

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst is a reboot of 2008’s Mirror’s Edge, exploring the origins of Faith. Once again, you’ll traverse a futuristic city, but this time you’ll have much more freedom as it’s a big open world.

No Man’s Sky

Release Date: June 24

Platforms: PC, PS4

If maximising the amount of time that you can spend in a game’s world is your priority, No Man’s Sky is a must bye. It features a massive, open universe, which includes more than 18 quintillion planets, which you can explore. The end goal is to get to the centre of the universe, but there will be plenty to distract you along the way.

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Release Date: June 28

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS

The Force Awakens gets the Lego treatment. If you’ve played a Lego title before, you know what to expect: puzzles that require you to dismantle and build objects, battles with distinctive characters from the universe, and oodles of collectibles.

July:

Carmageddon: Max Damage

Release Date: July 8

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One

In case racing games don’t feature enough gratuitous violence for you anymore, Carmageddon is making its return. The controversial title will feature big cars, more than capable of wrecking vehicles and pedestrians that get in their way.

Ghostbusters

Release Date: July 15

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

To capitalise on the renewed interest in Ghostbusters, Activision will release a new video game to coincide with the film’s release. It looks unlikely that there’ll be too much of a crossover with the movie, but it might be fun to explore the world, at least.

August:

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Release Date: August 23

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Mankind Divided picks up two years after the events that unfolded in Human Revolution with Jensen working with Interpol to hunt down a terrorist group of augmented humans.

World of Warcraft: Legion

Release Date: August 30

Platforms: PC

The sixth expansion for the World of Warcraft will suck players back in, allowing characters to level up further, get their hands on artefact weapons, and explore a new area on Azeroth.