New Releases highlights some of the top games releasing each week, and this episode has two games you can grab for free. Hyper Scape, Ubisoft’s take on the battle royale trend, is totally free to play, while A Total War Saga: Troy will be free at lunch. This week you can also jump into Metamorphosis, EA Sports UFC 4, and Risk of Rain 2 as it leaves early access.
Hyper Scape — August 11
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Ubisoft is mixing up the battle royale formula with Hyper Scape, most notably when it comes to looting. When you pick up the same weapon multiple times, you’ll upgrade it with things like an improved fire rate and extended magazine. You’ll also loot special powers, called Hacks. You don’t have to defeat every other play to win either: hold onto the special crown at the end of the match long enough, and you’ll win.
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Risk of Rain 2 — August 11
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Risk of Rain 2 might be taking the roguelike survival game into the third dimension, but it still requires you to collect resources and fight monsters if you hope to escape its alien planet. Luckily, you can play it solo or with friends in co-op. It’s leaving early access this week, at which point it will have a slight price increase.
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Metamorphosis — August 12
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
This is definitely the most Kafkaesque game that’s appeared on New Release because you literally control a person trapped inside the body of a bug. You’ll have to use your newfound bug abilities to solve puzzles, save your friend, and return to normal.
A Total War Saga: Troy — August 13
Available on: PC
The Total War series is known for its grand strategy and deep combat tactics, and this entry sprinkles in some Greek flavor with its Trojan War setting–a conflict you can “rewrite” depending on your wins and losses. It’s coming exclusively to the Epic Games Store initially, and it’ll be free for its first 48 hours on the market.
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EA Sports UFC 4 — August 14
Available on: PS4, Xbox One
UFC 4 doesn’t have Joe Rogan or Ultimate Team, but there are still a bunch of improvements to this year’s game. Clinches, takedowns, and ground work have all been retooled. You can also jump into Blitz Battles online, taking on opponents back to back in a fast-paced tournament.
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There’s still a lot of August to go, and the month has more anticipated games on the horizon. Next week, we’ll take a look at two games making their comeback: Microsoft Flight Simulator and Battletoads.
