June is When the Videogame Release Calendar Gets Strange

For the month of June, most major video game releases steer clear of the month to avoid the massive hype crater that E3 2019 leaves behind. It’s understandable, since a wave of hype about the next annual cycle of games can easily drown out even the strongest of marketing campaigns. But that’s when the sneaky games come out to seize some time in the spotlight of game store shelves and online catalogs.

Whether it’s re-releases of known classics, eclectic niche fare or promises of the past finally being fulfilled, you can bet that June is just as interesting a month as any other when it comes to videogames. Here’re the eight video games to watch out for June.

Octopath Traveler

Releases June 7, 2019 for PC on Steam

The critically acclaimed JRPG makes its way from the Nintendo Switch and onto PCs. You control eight travelers on individual adventures with different roles to play. Journey across the wondrous with them and experience their captivating stories. The game won Excellence in Art at SXSW Gaming earlier this year and an Excellence Prize from the respected Japanese game magazine Famitsu.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Releases June 18, 2019 for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC

This exploration-focused side-scrolling action-RPG that’s been in development for years under the leadership of Koji Igarashi, one of the godfathers of the ‘Metroidvania’ genre of games. Bloodstained is a spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night casts you as Miriam, a cursed orphan who must battle her way through a demon infested castle to save herself and all of humanity.

Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled

Releases June 21, 2019 for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4

The always insane Crash Bandicoot and his friends return in this remastered version of the cart racing spin-off. Publisher Activision says to “get ready to go fur-throttle” (audible groaning) with the orignal game modes, characters, tracks, power-ups, weapons and controls remastered and revved up tot he max. Power slide to glory and Crash the competition.

Heavy Rain

Releases June 24, 2019 for PC on the Epic Games Store

One of many extremely polarizing and/or divisive works from studio Quantic Dream and its lead writer, director, designer David Cage, Heavy Rain is an interactive drama adventure. Follow four protagonists all involved with the mystery of the Origami Killer. For nearly a decade it’s been a PlayStation exclusive and now PC gamers can experience it for the first time.

Judgment

Releases June 25, 2019 for Playstation 4

From the studio behind Yakuza comes an open world crime thriller in which you play a disgraced lawyer turned private detective on a quest for redemption as he investigates a serial murder. Judgment features over the top multi-style combat, stealth and cover based tailing missions and in-depth investigation modes. The balance between justice and mercy teeters on the edge.

The Sinking City

Releases June 25, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

From the developers behind Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter and Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments. Sinking City is an adventure and investigation game is set in a half-submerged city gripped by supernatural forces. As a private investigator, you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the mind of the city’s inhabitants. Features multiple endings, and an eerie almost oppressive 1920s vibe.

Samurai Shodown

Releases June 25, 2019 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4later on PC and Nintendo Switch

It’s been over a decade since the last installment of the storied cult favorite Samurai Shodown, a tale of swords not so eternally retold. The series blends a slick anime-style with the loose historical flavor of eighteenth century Japan, including a historical warriors like Hanzo Hattori and Yagyu Mitsuyoshji. Shodown 2019 aims to bring back the tense and exhilarating clashes the series is known for.

Super Mario Maker 2

Releases June 28, 2019 for Nintendo Switch

Play, create and share your own Super Mario levels with Super Mario Maker 2. It’s the same wonderful construction engine from 2015’s Super Mario Maker but with more tiles, more elements and more tools. Plus a clever single-player Story More tasks you to use your creativity to rebuild Princess Peach’s castle. Make the craziest courses you can imagine, alone or together with a friend.

Which of these are you getting? Tell us below!