Summer vacation’s heading into August, but is there anything fun left to do? It’s the dog days of summer, when the excessive heat can limit outdoor activities. There are no major holidays to celebrate, even though National S’mores Day (August 10) and National Creamsicle Day (August 14) sound tasty. Most of the summer blockbuster movies have been released, but the new fall TV shows are at least a month away. To top it off, the kids start feeling those back-to-school blues lurking over the horizon.
Fortunately, a lot of amazing video games are released during the summer. You can try new games for your PC or your Xbox® and PS4™ game consoles. If you prefer mobile games, there are many new titles for Switch or 3DS handhelds. Whether you’re looking for video games to help entertain the kids or new challenges for adult players, there are plenty of games to help chase away the late-summer blues.
You can take it with you
Summer fun can include some not-so-fun waiting around. If you’re taking a long car trip or you’re stuck in an airport, it’s good to have the latest summer-release games on your phone to pass the time. Before you travel, make sure adults and kids have their favorite games downloaded and ready. And take advantage of an unlimited wireless plan to stream music and video, watch live TV, and play new mobile games like Fortnite: Battle Royale. This third-person shooter battle royale game starts with 100 players dropped onto an island with random equipment. Players hunt for loot and each other as the field of play gets smaller. Last one standing wins. It’s available in iOS®, with an Android® version coming soon. Also check out:
- Alto’s Odyssey (iOS, Android)—A sequel to the fantastically relaxing ski game: Alto’s Adventure, this version is played on desert dunes, with complex challenges like hot air balloon rides to test new and experienced players.
- Jurassic World Alive (iOS, Android)—This Pokémon Go-style game allows you to build a collection of dinosaurs, create your own creatures with hybrid DNA, and pit your dinosaurs against other players in battle.
- Life is Strange (iOS, Android)—The much-anticipated mobile version of this episodic graphic adventure game is finally available for Android. The story is engaging, and it changes depending on the choices you make in the game.
The family that plays together…
The summer of 2018 premieres many new console and PC video games specifically for kids or rated E for Everyone. One of these games dropped in June—LEGO®: The Incredibles. Continuing their tradition of games based on popular movies, the LEGO company introduces Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and the rest of The Incredibles 2 cast to their universe. You can choose to explore the game’s open-world playground, or you can complete specific assignments in story mode. LEGO®: The Incredibles is available in PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch formats. Other cool kid-friendly and family games available for summer include:
- Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)—This is an enormously entertaining arcade tennis experience with the bright color palette that kids love. Play in single or multiplayer modes with lots of character and tournament options.
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch)—Originally designed for the Wii U system, this popular Super Mario Odyssey offshoot game gets a new life on Switch.
- Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker (PS4, Xbox One, PC)—Based on the long-running manga series and its new sequel, this game is a tactical, 4-vs-4 brawler. The matches take place in huge 3-dimensional arenas, so players can have the freedom to run up walls and jump over big crevasses. Fans of the shows will enjoy all the anime references and designing their own ninjas.
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Here come the sequels
What would summer entertainment be without a blockbuster sequel? It works for superhero movies and video games are no different. The largest MMO in the world released its seventh expansion pack in July—World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth. The game is going back to its roots, to bring the focus back to the core conflict it was founded on—the Alliance versus the Horde. A few other notable sequels include:
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion (Switch)—This challenging expansion casts players as Octolings who find themselves buried deep beneath Inkopolis. You must make your way through nearly 80 new levels before you locate the triggers that take you back to the surface.
- Destiny 2: Forsaken (PS4, Xbox One, PC)—Although the release date is September 4 (still technically summer) this is one of the most talked-about expansions in the gaming world. The preview video provides a major plot spoiler, but it also sets up a much darker story with a new team-based multiplayer mode called Gambit.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PS4, Xbox One, PC)—The popular story with protagonist Lara Croft was rebooted in 2013 to much acclaim. This is the third game in the current franchise and it takes a darker tone as Lara learns that destruction follows her for a reason and there are human costs to her actions.
Be a sport
Summer sports are great but roasting under the summer sun is harsh. Luckily, there are a whole new crop of sports-based video games to hold you over until the autumn weather kicks in. If you’re a racing fan, try ONRUSH to satisfy your need for speed. Often compared to the wildly popular Overwatch game, ONRUSH isn’t about coming in first place. Instead, you use your Xbox One, PS4, or PC platform to careen through courses at high speeds, causing mayhem and explosions that lead your team to victory. If you still want to feel like a (virtual) jock, try one or all these sports games.
- Madden NFL 19 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)—Still going strong after 25 years, the latest version of Madden is just what you expect: the best football simulation game on the market. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- FIFA 19 (PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch)—Fresh on the heels of this year’s World Cup, this soccer game lets you play standalone tournaments or 1-off matches. It has a new commentary team specifically for European games and the new Active Touch System gives you more ways to control the ball.
- NBA 2K19 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)—Praised as the basketball version of Madden, this beautiful basketball simulator is celebrating its 20th
A few more
If all these suggestions aren’t enough, here are a few more games I’m especially excited about.
- No Man’s Sky (Xbox One)—It arrived with great fanfare on the PlayStation® platform in 2016, but the initial reviews were disappointing. Two years later, it’s had 3 amazing updates and the new Xbox One release includes the Next expansion. With Xbox One X’s 4K and HDR capabilities, No Man’s Sky may finally live up to its reputation.
- The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset (PC)—Taking place in the High Elven setting of Summerset, this gorgeous online game has lots of new things to do and collect. So much attracts your attention, like characters riding around on flaming panthers and giant spiders, or the metal of a treasure chest’s lock twinkling at the edge of your view, that you can spend hours just looking around this jam-packed, story-filled world.
- Spider-Man (PS4)—Although I enjoy the MCU version of Spider-Man, this game is more like the Spidey comics I grew up reading. Peter Parker is a young man instead of a teenager and in full swing as Spider-Man (pun intended).
Stay cool, enjoy the rest of your summer, and happy gaming!
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Allison Jewel, a TechBuzz contributor and AT&T employee. The statements in this article are her own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
