August is here the middle of the summer, it's hot outside, and the dry season for gaming. You may be wondering if there are any upcoming games that could be your summer salvation. Worry not my friend because today I have a list for you highlighting some of the best games of August. These games will help keep you nice and cool indoors and will quench your gamer thirst.

Bleach: Soul Resurreccion
Platform: PS3
Release Date: 8/3
Publisher: NIS America




The latest video game iteration of the popular anime series Bleach has finally been released on current gen consoles in glorious HD.  Bleach: Soul Resureccion is a hack n' slash game with loads of fan service.  If you're a fan of the anime Bleach and/or a fan of the hack n' slash style of the Dynasty Warriors series you owe it to yourself to check this game out.  If you're still on the fence or need more information check out our Bleach: Soul Resurreccion review


Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
Platform: Xbox LIVE
Release Date: 8/3
Publisher: Fuelcell Games





Interesting name for an interesting game.  Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is a visually stunning game with exploration elements reminiscent of Metroid's style of gameplay.  The game also features boss fights, power ups, and a multiplayer mode.


El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 8/16
Publisher: Ignition Entertainment



El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is one of the lesser hyped titles this year. It's combination of being visually unique and a "God of War" style combat will hopefully merge into a great game. Below is a new trailer that shows off it's art style, gameplay, and story. The demo is available on the PSN and Xbox LIVE if any gamer is curious to see what this title will have to offer.




No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise
Platform: PS3
Release Date: 8/16
Publisher: Konami







PS3 owners finally get to experience No More Heroes which was previously a Wii exclusive.  You play as Travis Touchdown an anti-hero otaku assassin that wields a beam sword as a weapon.  The game being very stylish over the top makes no apologies, it just has fun with it's insanity, and because of that is very fun to play.  The PS3 version has some extra features including: HD graphics, move support, gameplay improvements, and new modes.


Age of Empires Online
Platform: PC
Release Date: 8/16
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios





The Age of Empires series are traditionally historical real-time strategy games.  Although they aren't entirely historically accurate they are always a lot of fun.  Age of Empires Online will play similarly to previous titles with the addition of a persistent online world.  A blending of RTS with MMO shapes a unique gameplay experience.
 


From Dust
Platform: PC, Xbox LIVE, PSN
Release Date: 8/17
Publisher: Ubisoft




From Dust has been described by Ubisoft as the spiritual heir to Populous.  The game is structured as a series of missions where you must protect and lead your tribe to survive and prosper against the elements of nature.  Thankfully you are able to manipulate aspects of the environment such as shaping the land or moving water.  From Dust has already been released on Xbox LIVE and will be available on PS3 sometime later this year.





Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 8/23
Publisher: Square Enix





Deus Ex: Human Revolution is one of the most anticipated titles of the year.  The game is a mixture of first and third person shooter with RPG elements.  You have the freedom to play the game multiple ways.  You can go all out guns blazing, take a more stealthy approach, or any combination of the two.     


Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 8/23
Publisher: Capcom




The classic fighter returns with a HD remake.  It features an online mode that was not available in previous releases, a new tournament mode, hundreds of challenges, YouTube uploading in-game, and extra unlocks.


Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Platform: 3DS
Release Date: 8/23
Publisher: Atlus Co.




Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked is a 3DS enhanced port of the DS version of the game.  This deep RPG has been praised for it's combat system and branching story.  Overclocked adds improvements over the original release with voiced dialogue for the main characters in the game and a new epilogue chapter titled The 8th Day.




BloodRayne: Betrayal
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 8/30
Publisher: Majesco Games






BloodRayne: Betrayal is a downloadable 2D side scrolling hack and slash adventure game with 15 stages to enjoy.  You play as Rayne a dhampir (half human, half vampire) who is as deadly as she is sexy.  This game has also been announced to be released on Xbox LIVE, but not until October 5th.





Bodycount
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: 8/30
Publisher: Codemasters






Bodycount is a FPS developed by the same team that developed Black and is considered a spiritual successor to it.  One of best things that set this game apart from other FPS titles is that nearly everything in the environment is destructible.  It also includes what you would expect from these titles TDM, Co-op, and a shotgun.



Madden NFL 12
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Wii
Release Date: 8/30
Publisher: EA Sports






 Madden 2012 was close to being delayed due to the NFL lockout, but now that issue has been resolved and fans can rejoice. With a revised tackling system and a better management system, this could be one of EA's best Madden releases in awhile. Hopefully online play won't be too hard to manage with the inclusion of EA's Season Pass being available.

Tropico 4
Platform: PC
Release Date: 8/30
Publisher: Kalypso




Take control as El Presidente the lovable dictator of the banana republic island.  Tropico 4 like previous titles is a city building and political simulation game.  The series has a very loyal fan base that have been highly anticipating this games release. 


August has a nice variety of upcoming games that will make just about any type of gamer happy.  Post in the comments below some of your most anticipated releases for August.  As the games are released check back on GamersGameplay for the reviews. Hope you enjoyed the Games of August be sure to check back soon for the upcoming games of September!

Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax is the Xbox Live Arcade port of the popular PSP title Half-Minute Hero.  The Xbox version is going to have a new graphic style, 4 player co-op, and other extras that wasn't in the original.  A new trailer was just released, here it is for your viewing pleasure:

If you are a fan of RPGs be sure to check it out.  It's very charming, fast paced, and doesn't take itself too seriously.  The game will be out on June 29th, 2011.

 I just thought I'd share with you guys updates on some games coming out in Japan soon, enjoy!

Bleach Soul Ignition has been announced for the PS3!  I've been waiting patiently for a Bleach game to finally come to a HD console.  The PSP games were pretty good, but after seeing what they did with Naruto in Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 they just don't satisfy.  Bleach deserves a quality HD title that does the manga/anime justice.
 

Not much is known about the game at the moment but at least the graphics look nice.  I looks like it might just be an action game set in Hueco Mundo which will be fine.  I'm hoping though it'll be similar to the newest Naruto game with an epic story mode as well as online versus.  More information will be revealed next month, I'll be sure to keep you updated.


Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Roman Tan Saisen announced for the PSP with a 2011 release date.  Not much is known about this one either.  From the screenshots it looks to be a fighting game but it's hard to tell at the moment.  I find it kind of odd that they just now decide to make another Kenshin game (the manga ended years ago).  Not complaining though I am a big fan of Ruroni Kenshin.  I'm hoping maybe this means there will be some new developments, or a revision to the series.  Probably not, but it's nice to dream.


Catherine for the PS3/360 announced for release in Japan on February 2011.  This game is being developed and published by Atlus the creators of the Persona series.  That alone got my attention, the Persona games being one of my favorite series.  This game seems to be very unique.  Even though we haven't been shown much actual gameplay it's supposed to be a mix of action/adventure.  The art style and quality is really well done, it looks just like an anime.  It's also supposed to be adult orientated and labeled as an "erotic fantasy".

  

No official announcement for a Western release yet, but I think it has a good chance.  When more information is released on the actual gameplay I'll do a preview and post impressions. 


Valkyria Chronicles 3 for the PSP expected release Q1 2011.  This one is a prequel happening during the same time period of the first game.  I was disappointed when I heard that VC3 was coming to the PSP and not the PS3.  The first VC was really an amazing game for it's gameplay innovations, great style, and story.  VC2 was also released for the PSP and I enjoyed that one a lot too.  So I guess it's not that bad that the VC3 on is on PSP.  There is tons to do in VC2, it has more gameplay than the original game.




VC3 is shaping up pretty good with some nice improvements to the gameplay.  There is a demo up on the Japanese PSN if you want to check it out.


Ryu ga Gotoku Of the End (Yakuza of the End) for release in Japan TBA 2011 on PS3.  This one really surprised me.  First of all I was really excited they announced another Yakuza game it's a great series.  Then when I saw the teasers showing screen shots of Kamurocho (the main city in all the games) destroyed it shocked me a bit.  After 4 games prior the series does need to shake things up a bit to keep it fresh I thought.  And then I saw the trailer...and the unthinkable happened...ZOMBIES!  WTF!



This series has always been a bit over the top but at least it was somewhat based in reality.  So it was a bit of a shock to me to see zombies running around and guns blazing.  After I calmed down and watched the trailer again I decided that it's a great direction for the game to go in.  It is just a side story after all, that's why it's not named Yakuza 5 so why not go crazy with it.

It'll probably bring in more fans to a great series that they normally wouldn't have given the time of day to.  I mean who doesn't love zombies these days?  I'm guessing since Yakuza 4 is coming out next year for us Westerners Yakuza of the End probably won't be out until 2012.  Can't complain though a Yakuza game each year is pretty amazing.






Asura's Wrath for 360/PS3 one of the big surprise titles announced at TGS this year.  The release date is TBA so no telling when I'm thinking maybe late 2011 or early 2012.  Capcom teaming up with CyberConnect to make this amazing looking game.  I only had to watch 20 seconds of that trailer to know that this game is going to be amazing.  I won't keep it from you any longer, you have to watch this trailer:


That trailer is perhaps one of the over the top crazy and manly things I have ever seen.  That guy didn't even care he had all of those spears stuck in him he just ROARED them away.  Rushing froward like a berserker punching and destroying everything in his path with his bare hands.  Both of the main guys in that video were too manly to even speak words they just punched and roared.  Then the one guy summons giant cyber Budda from space and the other guy punches it.  Day one purchase for me, I'll keep you updated on this one too.


Well that's it for now.  Hope you enjoyed the Update from Japan.  I'll keep you all posted on updates to these titles and new ones on the horizon.  Keep checking back and let me know which ones you are excited about.