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The third week of August 2025 (August 18-24) was a massive one for gaming, with a flurry of new releases, major events, and announcements that kept the community buzzing. From indie gems to blockbuster remakes, and with Gamescom 2025 stealing the spotlight, here’s the lowdown on the past week’s hottest gaming moments, brought to you by Daggerless.
Blockbuster Releases
Sword of the Sea (August 19)
Giant Squid’s Sword of the Sea dropped on August 19 for PS5 and PC, launching day-one on PlayStation Plus Extra. This visually stunning adventure blends skateboarding-inspired mechanics with Journey-like vibes, letting players surf a massive blade across dunes and ruins. Its chill yet engaging gameplay has been a hit, with X users praising its artsy flair and smooth controls.
Discounty (August 21)
On August 21, Discounty arrived on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC, offering a quirky life sim where you manage a struggling discount store in a harbor town. Developed by Crinkle Cut Games, it mixes business management with RPG elements, and X is abuzz with players hooked on its “weirdly seedy” small-town secrets.
Dying Light: The Beast (August 22)
Techland’s Dying Light: The Beast launched on August 22 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, bringing back the series’ signature parkour and zombie-slaying chaos. This standalone expansion introduces a new story and brutal combat, with Reddit and X exploding over its intense action sequences.
Indie and Niche Highlights
Abyssus (August 12, Released Earlier but Noted This Week)
DoubleMoose Games’ Abyssus, a co-op roguelite FPS set underwater, gained traction this week after its August 12 release on PC. Its randomized levels and moddable weapons have players raving about its chaotic, replayable action.
Fresh Tracks (August 12, Noted This Week)
Fresh Tracks by Buffalo Buffalo, a rhythm-roguelite hybrid, also saw buzz this week post its August 12 release. Skiing down a cursed mountain to a reactive 28-track soundtrack, it’s been compared to Hades meets Sayonara Wild Hearts. X users are hooked on its music-synced combat.
Major Gaming Events
Gamescom 2025 (August 20-24)
Gamescom 2025 kicked off in Cologne, Germany, on August 20, delivering four days of game reveals and updates. The Gamescom Opening Night Live showcase on August 19, hosted by Geoff Keighley, set the tone with major announcements, including new trailers and surprise shadowdrops. The Future Games Show aired on August 20, hosted by Big Boss and Lady Dimitrescu, spotlighting indie and AA titles. Epic Games hyped the event on X, teasing “tons of updates and new game announcements.”
PAX West Tease
PAX West, set to close out the month on August 29, loomed large with an exhibitor list featuring heavyweights like Larian Studios, Capcom, Bandai Namco, and 2K. Anticipation is building for hands-on demos and potential reveals, with X posts already hyping the event’s impact.
Other Notable Releases
- The Rogue Prince of Persia (August 20): Evil Empire’s roguelite take on the Prince of Persia series surprise-launched on PC, with its vibrant art and fluid combat earning praise. Epic Games announced the drop on X, fueling excitement for its acrobatic gameplay.
- Morbid Metal (August 20): This hack-and-slash roguelite by SCREEN JUICE hit PC, offering shapeshifting combat and randomized upgrades. Its fast-paced chaos has been a standout for action fans.
- Void/Breaker (August 20): Stubby Games’ sci-fi FPS launched in early access on PC, with destructible environments and wild gun-modding systems. Players on X are calling it a kinetic masterpiece.
What’s Next?
The final week of August promises even more heat, with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Switch 2 Edition dropping on August 26-28. Keep your eyes peeled for PAX West’s big reveals, and stay locked to Daggerless for the latest gaming scoops. What’s got you hyped from this week? Sound off in the comments!
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