New video game highlights for this week – quick links
Prelude Dark Pain early access – 27 July
Games Platform(s): PC
‘Assume the role of Soren, an retired warrior, now living as a blacksmith, who will mark the steps of a great revolution following an attack on his family. Engage in turn-based tactical battle with several enemy factions. Across a grid-based field, manoeuvre your squad and the enemy to optimise your strategy and dominate.’
‘Every battlefield is different; from using higher ground to increase your attack, to navigating moving environments. Consider your surroundings and use the battlefield to your advantage. Each mission will have a special challenge, pushing your knowledge of the mechanics with even greater rewards if you succeed.’
Halo: Campaign Evolved – 28 July
Games Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
‘Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernised remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign. Experience the original story rebuilt with high-definition visuals, updated cinematics, refined controls, plus a brand-new three-mission adventure featuring the Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson. A broader arsenal of weapons, vehicles, enemies, and gameplay-modifying “Skulls” – optional modifiers that change combat in fun and challenging ways – add fresh tactics and endless replayability.’
Mistfall Hunter – 29 July
Games Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
‘Everything is Woven in the Mist. The gods have fallen, and the Gyldenmist is consuming the world. Revived by a mysterious girl named Dew, you are thrust into a bleak world to harvest Gyldenblood and mend the shattered Web of Fate. Scavenge, fight, and extract in a brutal cycle of survival to bring a flicker of hope to this forbidden land.’
‘Mistfall Hunter is a third-person PvPvE extraction ARPG blending bleak dark fantasy aesthetics with intense, visceral action. Step into a forbidden realm consumed by the mist. Caught in a ruthless loop of high-stakes looting, deadly combat, and desperate extractions, you must fight for your life in the shadows to experience the ultimate dark fantasy survival test.’
Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand – 29 July
Games Platform(s): PC
‘Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand introduces an all-new standalone wave defense experience, delivering thrilling, highly-replayable Company of Heroes gameplay. Prepare to dig in, build layered defenses, and survive against escalating waves of enemy forces across 12 increasingly difficult rounds, including intimidating bosses and dynamic battlefield events unique to Final Stand.’
‘Featuring a roguelite progression system, players construct a custom battlegroup from the ground up suited to their style of play. After each wave, choose between randomised units or abilities that persist for the duration of the run, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same.’
Kusan: City of Wolves – 30 July
Games Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
‘Brutal, precise gunplay where every move counts. Stylish play is rewarded as you dominate tightly designed arenas. Fight through 54 intense stages across multiple chapters with skill-based puzzles, challenges and S-ranks for perfectionists – for lone wolves and high score chasers.’
‘Face towering foes with distinctive mechanics and high-stakes patterns. Learn, adapt and execute to survive cinematic duels that push timing and tactics to the limit. Optimise and improvise – Chain kills, parries and get into the flow to earn Bolts and upgrade the War Hand, unlock firearms and blades and tailor loadouts to your play style.’
Corsair Cove – 31 July
Games Platform(s): PC
‘The Golden Age of Piracy is coming to an end – as the high seas are commandeered by the Crown’s pirate hunters, an era of adventure and plunder comes to a close… unless you can save it.’
‘Corsair Cove is a city builder that challenges you to think tall as you build without constraints on cliff-faces and hilltops and manage complex production chains that span across great lengths and heights. Manufacture everything from spyglasses to cannons, equip your crew, and build mighty ships to take to the seas and wage war against the Crown. Raid and pillage nearby islands to acquire what you can’t make for yourself, exploring uncharted lands to uncover great treasures and threats alike. Above all, keep your crew in high spirits as your numbers grow – it’ll take thousands of pirates to keep the Jolly Roger flying!’
Paw Patrol: Dino World – 31 July
Games Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
‘Mayor Humdinger’s causing chaos. Dinosaurs are scared and running wild. Help them get back to their families safely. Leap into a colossal, open-world with Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, and Zuma. First stop, PAW Patrol Mobile HQ with Ryder to find out what rescue missions you’ll em-bark on as your favourite Pup.’
‘Run through the Dino Plains looking for eggs. Stop by the Paleo Center, where Heidi and Eugenia will teach you how to care for your new dino friends. Decorate their enclosures to make them feel like home. Create roar-some new looks for your pup, your vehicle, and dinosaurs and complete every mission stomping in style.’
