This week’s new games are obsessed with the past. Expect remakes and reboots of Gears of War, Metal Gear Solid, Kirby, and Sega’s old ninja warrior Shinobi. Here’s whatEndless Mode will be playing this week.
Gears of War Reloaded
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release Date: August 26
A big week for remakes, reboots, and add-ons to old faves kicks off with an upgraded version of the original Gears of War game—which, in a sign of how much things have changed in the last two decades, will be launching for the PlayStation 5 as well as the Xbox and PC. (Look for Maddy Myers’ review of the PlayStation 5 version right here at Endless Mode, later this week.) Reloaded is based on the 2015 Ultimate Edition of the first Gears game, updating it for modern tech—4K visuals, HDR, a firm 60 frames per second for the solo mode and 120 for multiplayer games—and including all the additional content introduced with that previous updated version. Given the original is almost 20 years old (?!?), it does seem like a good time to freshen it up for a new generation—or to stoke the nostalgia of an older generation. How many Gearsheads will choke up the first time they see the roadie run in 120 FPS on their high-dynamic range 4K TV? Hopefully it doesn’t leave them wide open for a quick chainsawing by the other squad.
We wouldn’t highlight a straight port of an older game, even one as good as Kirby and the Forgotten Land, so you should be able to tell that the new Switch 2 version includes something more substantial than updated tech and upgraded visuals. And indeed, when you enter the Forgotten Land on your Switch 2 you’ll have a whole new campaign to explore alongside the original game. Star-Crosssed World is exclusive to the Switch 2, and adds a few new Mouthful Modes to the mix. We played this for a few minutes at the first Switch 2 press event back in April, and it seems like a pretty no-nonsense continuation of Forgotten Land. We’ll all get to see how thoroughly the expansion captures the base game’s spirit later this week.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release Date: August 28
We’ve already reviewed Konami’s new remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, which our associate editor Elijah Gonzalez absolutely loves. You can read his thoughts here. Say what you will about remakes, but if Snake Eater serves as a jump start to the Metal Gear series (and, hopefully, Konami’s entire video game operation, which has been far too dormant for too long), it won’t have been created in vain. You can revisit one of the most acclaimed games of all time—or dive into it for the very first time—this Thursday.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Release Date: August 29
One of Sega’s would-be mascots during their time in the pre-Sonic wilderness, Shinobi was a major player in the ninja video game wars of the late ‘80s. Indeed, it was probably second only to Ninja Gaiden in terms of stature and respect. The original series of platformers didn’t really make it past the Genesis / Mega Drive era, and Art of Vengeance tries to rectify that by restoring Sega’s Number One Ninja to a new place of pride. Early word is very positive on this retro-styled game, which reportedly modernizes the decades-old game design concepts the original series is known for in fun and exciting ways. I’m downloading a copy as I type.
This Week’s Other New Games
Particle Hearts August 25 PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Pizza Bandit August 25 PC
Helldivers II August 26 Xbox Series X|S
Space Adventure Cobra: The Awakening August 26 PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Whisper of the House August 27 PC
Eyes of Hellfire (Early Access) August 27 PC
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar August 27 Switch 2, Switch, PC
Davy x Jones(Early Access) August 28 PC
Karate Survivor August 28 PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Robots at Midnight August 28 PlayStation 5
Super Robot Wars Y August 28 PlayStation 5, Switch, PC
The Knightling August 28 PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC