Summer is sometimes a slow season for new video games, but that hasn’t been the case for 2026. July had plenty of must-play games get released, like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced and Halo: Campaign Evolved. August is no different as exciting games are coming out one after another, and the month is bookended by new Marvel and Star Wars games. Here are five upcoming video games we can’t wait to play on PlayStation 5 in August.
1
Beast of Reincarnation
Release date: Aug. 4
While you likely know of Game Freak primarily as the studio behind Pokémon games, the developer actually has quite a few non-Pokémon video games under its belt. Next up in that category is Beast of Reincarnation, a “one-person, one-dog action RPG.” (As a dog lover, I can’t get enough of that tagline.) It’s set in a post-apocalyptic Japan 2,000 years from now where Emma and Koo (person and dog, respectively) fight against creepy monsters and frightening robots. The action looks very Soulslike-y and, as Polygon’s Jen Glennon noted in a preview, Beast of Reincarnation is a challenging game, but it does have difficulty options for you to play around with.
2
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
Release date: Aug. 6
Marvel vs. Capcom who? The next fighting game starring Spider-Man, Wolverine, and more Marvel heroes isn’t a crossover, but an anime-inspired tag-team fighter from Dragon Ball FighterZ and Guilty Gear Strive developer Arc System Works. Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls pits teams of four against one another in stylish and kinetic bouts. In an interesting gimmick, your whole team won’t be available to use at the start of a fight. You have to perform a “Wall Break” attack mid-match to unlock a new fighter, though your whole team shares a health pool. Like plenty of fighting games, Marvel Tokon will add DLC fighters over time, and first up is Phoenix Cyclops sometime this fall.
3
Madden NFL 27
Release date: Aug. 14
Summer is nearing an end, which is a huge bummer, but at least that means football season is right around the corner. EA’s latest College Football game came out in July, and a new Madden joins it in August. Let’s be honest — Madden NFL 27 is probably going to play the same as the last handful of Maddens, but it does feature new improvements and additions around the margins. A “Persona Engine” gives each player a personality that informs how they think and act in Franchise Mode; added WR/DB interactions make fighting for passes more realistic; and presentation additions make each stadium and broadcast feel unique.
4
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy
Release date: Aug. 27
A Plague Tale is an AA series that keeps chugging along, and next up is a prequel that takes the games in a new direction. Instead of being a stealth adventure, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is full of action-packed combat. You play as Sophia, who investigates the secrets of Minotaur’s Island. With the official description teasing a “a mythical creature,” here’s to hoping we get to meet and fight that Minotaur. Resonance plays out over two timelines as you switch between the Middle Ages and Ancient Minoan times.
5
Star Wars Zero Company
Release date: Aug. 27
“Star Wars meets XCOM” closes out the month as Star Wars Zero Company takes flight Aug. 27. Set during the Clone Wars, it features a ragtag crew of misfits (because of course) recruited by the Republic to take down a new Separatist threat. It’ll feature crunchy turn-based tactical gameplay, and that slowed-down combat affords you plenty of time to be careful plotting out your attacks. Zero Company features permadeath, meaning any of the Glup Shittos on your crew can perish if wounded too much. Your squad will be new characters created for the game, but don’t be surprised when you see familiar faces like Anakin Skywalker show up.
