Niche Release Recap for August 2022

We’re now in August 2022, so we prepped up a list of games releasing in the month ahead with another Niche Release Recap.

It seems that every week there are many new titles being released. Even during notorious summer months, known for a lull in major AAA releases, can have plenty of games worth playing. While in July we got major games such as Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Digimon Survive – what does August have in store for gamers?

1. Frogun

A throwback platformer to the days of the PS1/N64. Frogun is a more wholesome game compared to many others that follow in that art style. Developed by Molegato and published by Top Hat Studios, Frogun follows Renata, a young little girl who goes on the hunt to find her parents after they take too long to return from an archeological expedition.

She takes up arms of a “frog gun”, hence the name of the games. Which allows her to traverse the dangerous ruins her parents were last seen in. With simple gameplay and a return to form of classic platformers of the time such as Crash Bandicoot, this game is sure to be a fun time for all ages.

Frogun will be available on August 2nd for PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

2. Two Point Campus

Following the popular simulator/parody Two Point Hospital, Two Point Campus changes to a setting that’s immediately familiar to anyone. A university campus with all the same zany and irrelevant humor of the last title. Players will be tasked with running this campus and providing all the proper educational tools needed so that they students can succeed (or at least just graduate).

Originally the game was to be released back in May earlier this year. However it ended up being delayed to August 9th, hence why it’s on this list. Two Point Campus will be on PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S when it finally launches on that date.

3. Super Bullet Break

The next game in the long line of making something into anime girls comes in the form of Super Bullet Break. A deckbuilding strategy roguelite game where player collect bullets (i.e anime girls) to move through stages and battle enemies.

There are 3 playable characters that bring different about different styles of plays. Add to that over 160 different “bullets” to collect to build your arsenal and this game will surely have tons of replayability for a long time to come.

Super Bullet Break launches on August 12th for PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, and PS4.

4. Tower of Fantasy

Next on our list is a mobile game called Tower of Fantasy. You can check out our preview on the game for our thoughts on it. But basically it’s a title that will draw quick comparisons to the insanely popular Genshin Impact. That could be a good or bad thing for you, but at the very least it sets some expectations of what we’ll be seeing out of it.

Unlike the game which it has drawn comparisons from, Tower of Fantasy brings about more action gameplay in an open world with MMO elements. Such as players teaming up with large groups of 20 or 30 to face off against giant raid bosses.

Tower of Fantasy will be launching on August 10th for IOS and Android devices. A PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store) version is also expected to land some time later this year.

5. Soul Hackers 2

Soul Hackers 2 is the fifth entry into the Devil Summoner series as well as a sequel to the second title of that series, Soul Hackers, released in 1997. This franchise is also a spinoff of the popular Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Hopefully that’s not confusing for those new to the series.

Soul Hackers 2 follows Ringo and Fig as they fight alongside devil summoners who have been revived in order to protect a target and avert the end of the world. The premise sounds simple enough, but Atlus’s experience in creating games such as Shin Megami Tensei and Persona will certainly make this a ride to remember.

Soul Hackers 2 will be launching on August 25th for PC (via Steam), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

6. Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed

Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed is not necessarily a new game, but rather a remake of the classic title released back in 2006 for PS2 and Xbox. After the success of the first game’s remake, developer Black Forest Games are back at it again by remaking the second title in the franchise.

As with the first game, Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed will task players with exploring different areas of the world in the 1960s with the mission of taking over Earth. For those who preorder the game, they will also receive the standalone multiplayer DLC Destroy All Humans! Clone Carnage for free.

Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed will be launching on August 30th for PC (via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection

Another game that isn’t necessarily new, it’s the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection. Unlike the prior entry to our list, it’s a compilation of multiple classic titles, not a remake or remaster of any single one.

That said, you get 13 games in this collection which all star the famous teenage mutant ninja turtles. Some notables games included are the original TMNT game released on arcades and both the arcade and SNES port of the classic Turtles in Time.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection will be launching on August 30th for PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

8. Kirby’s Dream Buffet

Kirby’s Dream Buffet was only recently announced. It was also rather quickly after the launch of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which came out earlier this year. Not much is known about the game, which includes specific release date, but it was slated for summer 2022 and we know that August is the last month of summer, so it makes this list.

What we do know about the game is that it appears to be taking inspiration from Fall Guys, which recently became free-to-play, where players will be literally rolling Kirby around through courses to beat other players.

Kirby’s Dream Buffet will be launching some time later in the summer exclusively on Nintendo Switch.