New August games III: horror, souls-like, Aliens, and the return of Metal Gear Solid

August continues to deliver major game releases. The third part of our roundup highlights five projects arriving in the second half of the month that offer completely different gaming experiences: from atmospheric Lovecraftian horror and a challenging souls-like to a new clash with Xenomorphs and the return of classic Metal Gear Solid games to modern platforms.

The Sinking City 2

On August 18, Frogwares will release The Sinking City 2 — a sequel to the detective horror title that leans much more heavily into survival horror this time. The original game was a mixed bag, yet the developers succeeded in building an unusual world inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's works, where investigations blended with cosmic horror atmosphere.

In the sequel, Frogwares bets on a more traditional horror template while retaining detective mechanics. Players will once again face grim secrets and Lovecraftian creatures. This shift raises certain questions, as the game risks taking a cautious approach in trying to reconcile investigation with survival horror. However, Frogwares has repeatedly proven its ability to surprise, particularly with its Sherlock Holmes adventure series.

The Sinking City 2 will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Mortal Shell 2

On August 20, Mortal Shell makes its return — six years after the release of the first game. The sequel again presents players with a grim world, heavy combat, and mechanics familiar to souls-like fans, though developers Cold Symmetry are not trying to compete directly with FromSoftware.

This time, the studio focuses on a more compact game world designed to respect the player's time. One of Mortal Shell 2's key features will be Shells — special vessels that can be found and unlocked across dozens of dungeons. The developers also promise new survival mechanics and varied character progression paths.

Furthermore, Mortal Shell 2 was designed as a standalone sequel. Playing the original is not a prerequisite to understanding the events and immersing yourself in this new nightmare world.

The game will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2

On August 25, another Xenomorph hunt begins. Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 builds upon the first game's concept, but developers Cold Iron Studios and Daybreak Game Company intend to make this co-op action game larger and more diverse.

Squads will now consist of four players, and the class system will gain additional features. The game introduces a new Specialist class, allowing players to combine abilities and create more flexible team synergies. Alongside an expanded arsenal of weapons, the developers are preparing new Xenomorph variants designed to force players to rethink their defensive tactics.

The core focus of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 remains team play and intense gunfights. However, larger squad sizes, new classes, and fresh enemy types aim to provide a richer experience than the original.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2

On August 27, a second collection of classic Metal Gear Solid games will arrive on modern platforms. The highlight of the bundle is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots — one of the series' most acclaimed installments, which remained effectively trapped on the PlayStation 3 for years.

Due to the lack of a proper version for modern systems, Metal Gear Solid 4 was unavailable on current platforms for nearly two decades. Now, that situation finally changes. Joining it in the collection are Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel, originally released for Game Boy Color, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

Thus, Master Collection Vol. 2 is not merely another re-release of old titles, but an opportunity to experience several key chapters of Metal Gear Solid history on current hardware. The bundle will also include extra bonus materials for fans of the franchise.

The collection will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

Another major release on August 27 is Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, a new game set in the A Plague Tale universe. This time, developers at Asobo Studio decided to significantly alter the series' established formula.

Set 15 years before the main story, the game follows the smuggler Sophia as its protagonist. Her journey leads to the mysterious Minotaur Island, where new dangers and riddles await her.

Unlike previous A Plague Tale titles, Resonance relies far less on stealth and interactions with massive swarms of rats. Instead, exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving take center stage. As a result, the new game feels more like a standalone adventure than a direct continuation of the familiar series format.

While retaining the dark atmosphere characteristic of A Plague Tale, the developers make combat a considerably higher priority. Consequently, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy may prove to be an unexpected project for fans, structurally resembling classic adventure games like early Assassin's Creed titles.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.