Summer is a great time to catch up on the latest video games. It’s a time for new releases and more titles for your library. The attraction of warmer weather leads to a downtime for some gamers, but not everyone embraces the heat, and many head indoors into cooler conditions.
This year, there are some exciting new games to catch up with. Many were released in the opening months of 2024, while others are more established favourites that are starting to attract a new audience.
5 Popular Games to Play This Summer
Here are some suggestions that will add enjoyment to your summer months.
1- Star Wars Outlaws
Summer Game Fest is an annual event revealing some great new titles and this year produced some of the most interesting releases in its history. Among them was Star Wars Outlaws, and even if you’re not a fan of the franchise, there’s enough action and entertainment to turn you on to this title.
The official trailer received mixed reviews, but serious gamers urge you to look beyond that teaser. It’s set between two of the most iconic movies, Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back. There are several modes including a popular stealth mission, and Star Wars Outlaws promised to be a big hit for all sectors of the gaming community.
2- Double Bubble Slots
The original Double Bubble slot game first made its way online in 2006. It’s not a new title, but several sequels have since appeared which have created greater interest in the series. More online casinos have added the game to their schedule, making it one of the most popular slots to play this summer.
Each of the Double Bubble slots works a little differently, but they all follow a similar pattern. The task in the base game is to line up matching symbols along a payline, while special icons can boost wins.
One of the reasons why the Double Bubble series is so popular lies in its simplicity. It employs classic slot machine symbols including bells, watermelons and bars. The original game has no complex bonus features so it’s easy for beginners to understand. All of this adds up to make Double Bubble the perfect slot partner for the summer months.
3- Manor Lords
Town and civilization builder games continue to enjoy a strong share of the market. You may think that there’s nowhere new for the developers to go with this genre, but Manor Lords proves that this isn’t the case.
Early access reviews were largely positive, and it’s clear that the game will be a winner for lovers of this category. The key difference between this and similar titles lies in the quality. Manor Lords is set in medieval times, but that doesn’t mean that the graphics have to be grim and shabby.
The visuals have been widely praised for their beauty and detail, while the sound quality is also impressive. Followers of the building genre may find that Manor Lords takes things to a whole new level.
4- Tekken 8
This has to be the most highly anticipated sequel of the year. Tekken 8 hit the stores in January, and fans of the series couldn’t wait to get their hands on the latest copy.
Tekken 8 comes with no fewer than 32 new fighters, in a huge upgrade. The story mode is referred to as ‘The Dark Awakens’ and the action takes place six months after Tekken 7. The storyline peaks until we see a final showdown between two main characters, so will there be another edition, or is this the end for the Tekken franchise?
There are minor criticisms over Tekken 8, including a lack of scope for customizing characters, but true fans won’t care. Tekken is back, and its return couldn’t come soon enough.
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5- Princess Peach: Showtime
Another welcome comeback sees Princess Peach return to the stores, in the latest release for the Nintendo Switch. A loveable cartoon character, her latest adventure sees the Princess dropped into a theatre full of evil opponents.
Peach has to take the lead in a series of plays to defeat her enemies, and each one sees her in different costumes. It’s a delightful game for younger players, but the popular fantasy element of Princess Peach: Showtime will make this a hit for adults too.
Final Thoughts
While the warmer months offer an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy traditional sports and games, the heat means that we need to strike a balance. It’s also a good time to get indoors, keep cool and relax with a few of our favourite video games.
We’ll all have our individual preferences, and some will stick with their tried and tested titles. It’s always a good idea, however, to check out something new, and each of these games should be solid summer suggestions for weeks of gaming fun.
