What’s Hot 2024: Summer Games Preview

The summer of 2024 is shaping up to be a scorcher, with a plethora of hot new games hitting PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X. From the highly anticipated expansion to Elden Ring to the thrilling survival horror experience of Still Wakes the Deep, we’ve got the scoop on the most exciting upcoming games.

01 | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring was a global phenomenon when it launched two years ago, redefining the shape of open-world action-RPGs forever. Developer FromSoftware is preparing to deliver the first expansion to the Lands Between, with Shadow of the Erdtree pulling players into a new adventure set across the perilous Land of Shadow. You’ll explore uncharted territory armed with new weapons and equipment, but there’s no telling whether it will be enough to survive the horrors ahead.

Read our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree hands-on preview.

02 | Anger Foot

Anger Foot

From the developer behind Genital Jousting and Terra Nil comes Anger Foot, an absurd first-person shooter where you effectively take on the role of extraterrestrial John Wick – marauding across Shit City to shoot, kick, and immolate a procession of merciless gangsters. Anger Foot is a caffeine-spiked fever dream punctuated by tireless techno, and as we discovered when we played the damn thing, it’s an absolute riot if you have the energy to keep up.

Learn more in our Anger Foot hands-on preview.

03 | Frostpunk 2

Frostpunk 2

11 Bit Studios created arguably the most depressing city-builder on planet Earth with the original Frostpunk, putting the future of humanity in your hands as it battles to survive an apocalyptic blizzard. Well, the sequel isn’t any cheerier, but it is far more approachable. Smart system changes ensure that maintaining a growing metropolis isn’t fraught with frustrations, leaving you free to keep the cogs of a giant, resource-hungry machine turning with little consternation.

Learn more in our Frostpunk 2 hands-on preview.

04 | Dungeons of Hinterberg

Dungeons of Hinterberg

There’s only one cure for burnout: take a break from the big city and head to Hinterberg. Armed with little more than a tourist guide and a short sword, Dungeons of Hinterberg leaves you free to slay monsters on the alps by day and have a coffee with new friends by the lake by night. It’s a fun adventure packed with energetic combat and twisting puzzles, and a smart leveling system that plays into the wider fantasy constructed by developer Microbird.

Learn more in our Dungeons of Hinterberg hands-on preview.

05 | Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Bungie has been building to this for a decade. Destiny 2: The Final Shape is set to bring about an end to the Light and Darkness Saga, a storyline which commenced around the time that wizard came from the moon. This climactic expansion introduces a new enemy race, and a powerful new Prismatic subclass to combat them. Bungie appears to have learnt the right lessons out of Lightfall, and there’s every chance that The Final Shape will make Destiny 2 irresistible once again.

Read our Destiny 2: The Final Shape hands-on preview.

06 | Still Wakes the Deep

Still Wakes the Deep

After spending a few years off grid, the developer behind Dear Esther and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is back with a terrifying survival horror experience. Trapped on an oil drilling platform damaged in a supernatural storm, you’ll need to scramble to survive the harsh weather conditions of the North Sea and work to avoid a mysterious monster prowling the enclosure. Still Wakes the Deep is thrilling, atmospheric drama that isn’t for the faint of heart.

Learn more in our Still Wakes the Deep hands-on preview.

07 | 33 Immortals

33 Immortals

Looking for a little more carnage in your life this summer? Then you’ll want to cut off a slice of 33 Immortals, a co-op roguelike designed to be played alongside 33 other players. It’s a compelling framework from the developers behind Spiritfarer and Sundered. Naturally, as you’re facing the wrath of god here, you can expect countless chaotic encounters and the sort of challenging boss battles that have a habit of forcing 33 damned souls to work together in harmony.

Learn more in our 33 Immortals hands-on preview.

08 | The Alters

The Alters

It’s difficult for survival games to stand out at a time where the genre market is so oversaturated with new contenders. Perhaps that’s a part of what makes The Alters so damned impressive, with developer 11 Bit Studios leaning on the multiversal chaos propagated by Everything Everywhere All at Once to help set it apart from the pack. Approachable base building and survival mechanics combine with smart cloning systems to make for an unmissable experience.

Learn more in our The Alters hands-on preview.

09 | Wild Bastards

Wild Bastards

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to take up arms as an interplanetary gunslinger, you’ll want to pay attention to Wild Bastards. Tactical first-person shooter combat combines with slick party-building systems which push you to rebuild a gang of 13 outlaws who each carry their own grudges, dreams, and ability trees. All told, Wild Bastards is shaping up to be the spiritual successor to cult-favorite Void Bastards that we never knew we needed.

Read our Wild Bastards hands-on preview.