In this week’s roundup, we’re highlighting the latest game releases and major updates in gaming. From new game releases ranging from ‘Sea of Stars’ to ‘Starfield’ as well as news about Modern Warfare 2’s Season 05 and our picks of what to grab in the Steam Strategy Fest Sale, here’s what you need to know.
Soulframe | Upcoming Game Trailer
Soulframe is an upcoming game from Digital Extremes and the creative minds behind Warframe, with a heavy focus on themes of nature, restoration, and history in a brand-new world.
New Game Releases
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle (PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO, PC) | AUG 29
In this third-person survival horror prequel to Daymare: 1998, play as agent Dalila Reyes and explore a mysterious research facility to uncover the true horror.
Sea of Stars (PS4, Switch, PC) AUG 29
Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by classic 16-bit games. Two Children of the Solstice must combine the powers of the sun and moon to defeat the evil alchemist The Fleshmancer.
Under The Waves (PS5, XSX, PS4, XBO, PC) AUG 29
Stan, a professional diver, is struggling to overcome grief during an extended mission underwater. He starts to experience strange events and must make a difficult choice about his future.
Somerville (PS5, PS4) AUG 31
Somerville is a story-driven adventure game about a family’s struggle to survive an alien invasion. You will explore the devastation left behind by the invasion and learn more about the aliens and their motives.
Starfield (XSX, PC) SEP 1
Starfield is a next-generation role-playing game set in the Milky Way galaxy in the 23rd century. You can create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
Gaming News
Starfield: A Cosmic Journey into Existentialism and Religion
Starfield, the anticipated game by Bethesda, delves into profound themes of existentialism, religion, and humanity’s place in the universe, as revealed by its lead designer, Emil Pagliarulo.
Drawing parallels to narratives like Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar,” Starfield aims to provide more than just space exploration, touching upon the philosophical and spiritual implications of interstellar travel.
The game introduces two contrasting in-game religions: the Sanctum Universum, which interprets space exploration as divine proof, and the Enlightened, an atheist group that refutes any theological significance in the cosmos.Bethesda collaborated with Shane Liesegang, a former writer turned Jesuit priest, to craft these religious narratives.
Among this grand narrative players are going to be able to do everything from building ships, building bases, crafting weapons, become a space explorer, bounty hunter or a smuggler and so much more that you would expect from a Bethesda title.
The game’s Constellation Edition will be released on Sept 1st, with a broader release set for September 6th.
Lara Croft Joins Modern Warfare 2 and Season 05 Reloaded
The upcoming Season 5 Reloaded update for Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone, launching on August 30, will introduce an array of new content, including a fresh multiplayer map and Warzone Resurgence map. Most notably, Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series is making her debut as an operator.
The update will also feature three new weapons: the ice pick melee weapon, the 9mm Daemon pistol, and the Lachmann Shroud submachine gun. Hip-hop artist 21 Savage joins the lineup of operators alongside other musical icons like Snoop Dogg and Nicki Minaj.
Warzone players can explore the Fort Resurgence map, centered around Al Mazrah’s Al Bagra Fortress. Meanwhile, Modern Warfare 2 players can engage in fast-paced combat on the new DRC – Zone 1 map. New game modes, weapon camo events, and social features round out this comprehensive update.
Steam Strategy Fest Sale | Heavyshelf’s Picks for the Price of One
Every time there’s a Steam Sale we want to try and pick from all the games on sale and bundle them to the amount of what you would usually spend on one game. With emphasis on variety, here are our picks coming just under $70. The Steam Strategy Fest goes from AUG 28 – SEP 04 at 10 am Pacific.
Steel Division II – $9.99 (75% OFF)
Steel Division 2 is a historically-accurate WW2 real-time strategy game set on the Eastern Front. Features 1:1-scale turn-based army management and real-time tactical battles with thousands of men at your order.
Battletech – $9.99 (75% OFF)
Take command of your own mercenary outfit of ‘Mechs and the MechWarriors that pilot them, struggling to stay afloat as you find yourself drawn into a brutal interstellar civil war.
Age of Empires IV – $19.99 (50% OFF)
Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.
Stellaris – $11.99 (70% OFF)
Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities.
Northgard – $8.99 (70%OFF)
Northgard is a strategy game based on Norse mythology in which you control a clan of Vikings vying for the control of a mysterious newfound continent.
Cultist Simulator – $6.79 (66% OFF)
Seize forbidden treasures. Summon alien gods. Feed on your disciples. Cultist Simulator is a game of apocalypse and yearning. Play as a seeker after unholy mysteries, in a 1920s-themed setting of hidden gods and secret histories.
TOTAL COST (Before Tax): $67.74
That’s it for this week’s attempt at a roundup of big news in gaming for the last 7 days. If you feel there are any major stories we missed that people should know about feel free to share it in the comments. Any feedback you have on what you would like to see in a weekly newsletter is always welcome.
