Silent Hill f is a new installment in the Silent Hill franchise that departs from traditional formats while retaining psychological horror elements. It has been developed alongside Silent Hill: Townfall and the Silent Hill 2 remake, reflecting a commitment to expanding the series. The development team aimed to engage both new and returning players by offering innovative content rather than relying solely on nostalgia. Konami's collaborative efforts with partners like Bloober Team and Annapurna have emphasized psychological horror as a core concept, focusing on themes of inner conflict, guilt, and fear. This approach has set the stage for a broader exploration of the franchise's potential.
The MGSHDFix mod was created to improve the ports of Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2, as well as the original MG1 and MG2, following their mixed reviews. The latest version, MGSHDFix 4.0.0, was released recently, with a hotfix version 4.0.1 following shortly after. However, Luxtorpeda is still distributing the earlier version 3.1.0 on Linux systems, although this issue is expected to be resolved soon.
In August 2026, ten notable video game titles are set to launch on PC:
- Beast of Reincarnation - August 3: An action-RPG by Game Freak featuring real-time and turn-based combat.
- Big Walk - August 4: A co-operative open-world adventure from the creators of Untitled Goose Game.
- Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls - August 6: A fighting game featuring iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Captain America.
- Agefield High: Rock The School - August 12: A spiritual successor to Bully, offering a nostalgic schoolyard experience.
- Hell Let Loose: Vietnam - August 13: A 50v50 player battle game set during the Vietnam War.
- The Sinking City 2 - August 18: A survival-horror sequel with Lovecraftian elements.
- Mortal Shell 2 - August 20: A sequel known for its challenging combat mechanics, with a free demo available on Steam.
- Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 - August 27: Includes re-releases of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker.
- Star Wars Zero Company - August 27: An X-COM-style game set during the Clone Wars, featuring Anakin Skywalker.
- Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy - August 27: A prequel exploring an original story in the Plague Tale universe.
Motoi Okamoto, producer of Silent Hill, highlighted the importance of reading in game development during a lecture by Konami. He stressed that understanding a writer's work is essential when selecting them for projects, as it shows respect for their craft and helps assess their strengths and weaknesses. The choice to hire Japanese horror writer Ryukishi07 for Silent Hill f was based on his previous works, which aligned with the series' themes. Okamoto encouraged his team to read 100 to 200 books annually to combat the decline of critical thinking due to AI-generated summaries. The focus on reading has positively impacted the storytelling in Silent Hill f, which has received acclaim, marking a successful revival of the franchise.
The author achieved the Big Boss rating in Metal Gear Solid 1 using the easier Japanese version of the game and speedrunning techniques. A free-to-play trial for Metal Gear Solid 1 ends on July 27 at 10 AM EDT. The trial is linked to the upcoming release of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2 on August 27, which will include Metal Gear Solid 4. The Master Collection Vol 1 has received significant patches that improve the games, including higher-resolution rendering and improved controls. The MGSM2Fix mod can be installed on Steam Deck or desktop Linux to enhance gameplay.
- Minecraft Bedrock for Android offers full cross-play gameplay support with Bedrock PC and console users, as well as the same marketplace and servers.
- Stardew Valley on Android has a more stable multiplayer scene and supports extensive modding, but there is no official mod support for the Android version.
- Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete offers a mobile-first design focused on a cozy camp experience, and progression is tied to leveling up friendships with villagers.
- Balatro is an addictive rogue-like deck builder game that feels like a cross between poker and solitaire.
- Siralim Ultimate is a monster-catching RPG with over 1,200 creatures to engage with and places an emphasis on strategic squad-building.
- Dead Cells is a unique game with smooth and responsive combat that can be challenging and addictive, offering a decent narrative and dark humor.
Konami has confirmed that its upcoming Castlevania game will not have a direct continuity with the Netflix anime series, but the artistic choices are designed to resonate with fans of the show. Series producer Tsutomu Taniguchi stated that they want to welcome anime fans who have never played the games. Creative director Emmanuel Nouaille mentioned that while there are no specific references to the anime in the game, Belmont's Curse, the art style of the Netflix series served as inspiration. He emphasized the importance of cinematography over specific references. There is uncertainty about the future of the Castlevania series on Netflix, with speculation about a new season based on Symphony of the Night. Taniguchi noted that there is no barrier between the game and the anime, hoping that anime viewers will enjoy the game.
Belmont's Curse is the latest installment in the Castlevania franchise, developed by Evil Empire, and features Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont, battling monsters in a dark Paris. The game is reminiscent of the Symphony of the Night era and includes familiar foes like Medusa and unique bosses such as Joan of Arc. It has been described as a commendable entry in the metroidvania genre, with engaging gameplay and potential for innovative weapons. The game marks the first new Castlevania title in over a decade.
A new indie horror game titled Nightbell, inspired by the cancelled Konami project P.T., is available for free on Itch.io until July 12, 2026. The game, typically priced at £3.39 and currently discounted to £1.69 until July 9, 2026, follows a young boy on Christmas Eve who encounters a creature resembling his missing mother. Nightbell has received a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam based on 66 reviews, with players appreciating its unique horror elements and gameplay.
