August brought gamers a flood of new titles to play, so we sift through them and deliver you the must-play games of August 2014. Check out which of August’s releases made the cut and which we selected for our August 2014 Game of the Month.
What was your personal Game of the Month for August? Do you think anything will dethrone Destiny as Game of the Month in September? Be sure to check back on October 1st for September’s Game of the Month.
Note that scores do not necessarily guarantee a nominee or a winner, as different reviewers may give differing opinions. Nominees and winners are chosen via a discussion among the entire PSLS staff.
August 2014 Must Plays
-
August 2014 Must-Play Gallery
Beginning the end of the summer drought, August saw the release of a ton of great games across all platforms. One of these titles wasn't even an actual game! Here are the games that released in August that you have to try.
-
Metro Redux
Combining Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light in a single package and ramping up the graphics to meet PS4 expectations, Metro Redux was lauded by our own Dan O. as the definitive way to play the Metro series. Read our full review here.
"Metro 2033 does feel like it was the first attempt at creating something special, and it almost got there. Metro Last Light is easily the full realization of the story and is an overall more enjoyable experience. But, since both titles are included in this bundle, players will be able to get the full picture from beginning to end with enough content and replay value to be worth the asking price and then some."
-
Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment
Cameron loved his time with Sword Art Online when he imported it in June, and now the game is available to North American gamers. If you need your Vita JRPG fix, you can get it with Sword Art Online. Read our import review here.
"Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment is the type of game that Vita owners need to play and it is worth every penny you will spend on it. So, strap on that nerve gear and jump into Sword Art Online, just be careful you don’t get stuck without an option to logout."
-
CounterSpy
Sometimes to understand history better, we must make satire out of it. CounterSpy is a satire of the spy culture and distrust in the Cold War that enables players to see this time in history a little bit differently. Oh, and not to mention it's a really fun game. Read our full review here.
"I really enjoyed this game because it has a lot of historical commentary delivered with subtle humor, and the unique DEFCON system challenges you to be smart about how you complete each mission. Playing as a spy who doesn’t align with either side and also questions the agency he works for makes for an engaging PSN title. CounterSpy touches on the gravity of the cold war while presenting it in a polished game that many will enjoy, if they choose to accept the mission."
-
The Last Tinker: City of Color
Many games are full of grey and muted hues, or they stick to a single theme and color palette for most of the game. This is not so for The Last Tinker, as colors are the core of the story. A surprising gem, The Last Tinker offers great platforming, puzzle solving, and just all around fun. Read our full review here.
"The Last Tinker: City of Colors is a throw back game that provides gamers with a simple approach to fun and it works."
-
The Swapper
Described in our review as "the next Portal," The Swapper offers a deep story that provokes thoughts of existentialism while offering ingenious -- yet never infuriating -- puzzles. Read our full review here.
"It successfully made me take a step back, look at my own being, and asked tough psychological, moral, and ethical questions that don’t necessarily have a right or a wrong answer. All the while I was embroiled in some of the most well thought out puzzle mechanics in years."
-
The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 5: No Going Back
Telltale have captured many hearts with their take on The Walking Dead, and the finale of the second season is no different. While our reviewer may have found fault with the finale, there were those on our staff that loved it too, so it finds a home here in the must-play list. Read our full review here.
-
Tales of Xillia 2
There are those who compare the Tales of... series to the likes of Final Fantasy, and with good reason. The depth and scope of these games is enormous, and that style doesn't change in the first direct sequel in the franchise. Our resident JRPG fan loved every moment that he spent with it. Read our full review here.
"The world never feels stale and the development team shows just how much we didn’t know about each character and their inner workings. If you can look past the forced grind of the debt system, you are rewarded with a very good RPG and a wonderful addition to the Tales of franchise.
-
P.T.
Ok, ok.... so P.T. technically isn't a game. It's a glorified marketing tactic, but we still say it's a must-play for August. Silent Hills reveal aside, how many interactive teasers can claim that they have scared the Hell out of nearly everyone that has played it, and subsequently had fans poring over every facet of it just to find every little secret? If you haven't tried it out, we recommend taking a trip through these halls of madness.
-
Hohokum
Sometimes games just don't make sense, and allow us to create meaning for ourselves. Hohokum is one of these games, hiding behind bizarre gameplay that is like a modern day, amped up version of the classic Snake, and yet nothing like it at all. D'yani summed up her feelings for it by saying it was a "joyous escape into a well-polished, artistic video game." Read our full review here.
"Any screenshot taken from this game could serve as a desktop background, and any person could find something to like from the many worlds, sounds, and little narratives. Hohokum is a game of many colors."
-
inFAMOUS First Light
A prequel to one of the most anticipated games of the year, inFAMOUS First Light embodies much of what made Second Son so great, while honing and refining it to fit Fetch's story. If you haven't played either of these PS4 gems, we recommend you change that soon. Read our full review here.
"Fetch’s story is a great tale of family bonds, hard times, and gives a much deeper look at a character that didn’t get nearly enough exposition in Second Son. The focus on neon powers alone doesn’t limit Fetch at all and a hefty set of challenges make First Light plenty to hold inFAMOUS fans over until we get the inevitable next game in the series."
-
The August 2014 Game of the Month is...
With so many great games is August, the PSLS staff landed on a solid draw between two games that tied for August's Game of the Month. Those games are...
-
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare
First up for our Game of the Month, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is a unique take on multiplayer third-person shooters, offering players the chance to pit undead and flora against one another. Perfectly balanced characters and a focus on continued support for the game makes Garden Warfare a game that can be fun for everyone. The only downside is that you'll need an internet connection in order to access anything within the game. Read our full review here.
"There’s a little something for everyone here and even if you don’t particularly enjoy online shooters, you ought to give this one a shot. While the lack of a more robust split-screen and internet requirements may turn some people away, but I urge these small factors not to impact your decision to check this game out. It is an amazingly fast, fun, and deep title, and with persistent support going forward, I can only see Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare continuing to get better for the community."
-
Diablo III Ultimate Evil Edition
Finally seeing the light of day on PS4, Diablo III came to us packaged with the Reaper of Souls expansion. This means that the long wait has been worth it as PS4 players get to experience Diablo III in its entirety. With a great four player co-op that includes the ability for couch co-op, gamers are bound to put many hours into battling the hordes of Hell and scouring for loot. For the depth and awesome gameplay that Blizzard has brought to the PS4, Diablo III Ultimate Evil Edition gets our Game of the Month award. Read our full review here.
"This is the best version of Diablo III, possibly anywhere. Sure, it may look better on PCs with high-end graphics cards, but you can’t beat the control scheme and accessibility of the console version. Touting improved graphics, little to no load times, and extra content, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Ultimate Evil Edition is a must-have for any RPG fan, whether you’ve played previous entries in the series or not.
