STACK #250 August 2025

GAMING PREVIEWS

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WHAT’S OUT THIS MONTH? No matter what style of game is your vibe, there’s sure to be something to get excited about amongst these fresh releases heading to JB this month. Words Amy Flower

EDITOR’S PICK MAFIA: THE OLD COUNTRY RELEASE DATE: AUG 8 GENRE: ACTION ADVENTURE FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: NO Through three captivating outings – almost like The Godfather movie trilogy – the Maf ia games have delivered us captivating criminal underworld thrills – without the many inherent risks to life and limb. This fourth main entry in 2K’s saga takes the prequel route, whooshing us back to early 1900s Sicily, and the fictional town of San Celeste. Yes, we’ll be exploring the origins of the Mafia as we step into the shoes of young Enzo Favara, as he finds his way into organised crime life, specifically that of the Torrisi family. Continuing the series’ well-established third-person outlook, we can expect all the advantages of latest generation hardware to be at play, with graphical quality beyond where the series has taken us previously. It’s been nine years since Mafia III , so we’re more than ready to delve into the seedier side of life once again. Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in!

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA - THE HINOKAMI CHRONICLES 2 RELEASE DATE: Aug 5 GENRE: ACTION ADVENTURE FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: YES

KIRBY AND THE FORGOTTEN LAND + STAR-CROSSED WORLD RELEASE DATE: Aug 28 GENRE: PLATFORM ACTION FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: YES

Koyoharu Gotouge's red-hot manga series returns to our game screens in this sequel to the 2021 smash that combined action and adventure with a whole lot of fighting. Featuring several new gameplay elements, the story this time out is taken from three TV series arcs – Swordsmith, Village, and Hashira Training – as our hero Tanjiro Kamado battles scores more demons together with his allies.

Kirby returns to the curious post-apocalyptic world looking better than ever, with vast improvements made graphically to harness the power of the Switch 2 and have our globular pink friend looking perkier than ever. But there’s more! Star-Crossed World is a whole remixed bonus campaign, bulging with crystal collectibles, that’s billed as being “a bit wilder and more challenging”.

TALES OF THE SHIRE: A LORD OF THE RINGS GAME RELEASE DATE: Aug 8 GENRE: SIMULATION FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: NO W ē t ā Workshop get their game on with

METAL GEAR SOLID DELTA: SNAKE EATER RELEASE DATE: Aug 28 GENRE: ACTION ADVENTURE FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: NO The leader of the gang when it comes to

this new trip into JRR Tolkien’s classic Middle-earth fantasy universe. Create your own Hobbit and help the fledgling village of Bywater flourish. Decorate your home, forage for food, tend your garden, take in the local sights and generally go about your happy Hobbit life as you see fit. This physical edition also includes a stunning 20” x 16” map of Bywater.

going stealthy, the classic series returns in this remake of 2004’s prequel Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater . Set in the Cold War era of 1964, the story of Naked Snake unravels as he sets out to save a Russian rocket scientist and sabotage a Soviet nuclear superweapon. Expect a faithful recreation, but with modern sensibilities and top-notch graphics.

GEARS OF WAR: RELOADED RELEASE DATE: Aug 27 GENRE: SHOOTER FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: YES

LOST SOUL ASIDE RELEASE DATE: Aug 29 GENRE: ACTION RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: NO

The legendary Xbox series makes its PlayStation debut in style, via this definitive remastered take on the original Gears of War . Including all the original post-launch content, get into classic shooter action as you set about crushing the insidious Locust threat with all guns blazing. It comes at us in 4K resolution, with 60fps campaign and luscious 120fps multiplayer, plus cross-play and cross-progression.

A violent meteor storm has brought mysterious dimensional invaders from

beyond the starlit skies, leaving you setting out on an odyssey to save your younger sister Louisa – oh, and the rest of humanity, too! Attack, dodge, and parry your foes, from everyday grunts to frightening bosses, in adrenaline-charged battles through various dimensions, from snow-covered worlds to ancient lands and beyond.

STORY OF SEASONS: GRAND BAZAAR RELEASE DATE: Aug 27 GENRE: RPG FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: YES Taking inspiration from the Nintendo

SHINOBI: ART OF VENGEANCE RELEASE DATE: Aug 29 GENRE: ACTION PLATFORMER FORMAT: MULTIPLAYER: NO An ‘80s arcade legend returns in an all

Coming in SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER DS game of the same name, return to Zephyr Town with the challenge of turning around the fortunes of the once thriving bazaar – and you may even find love! Raise animals, harvest crops, and craft rare delicacies, all to sell at your very own stall. As the business grows, improve your farm, and help return prosperity to the bazaar – and Zephyr Town itself.

new outing, featuring classic 2D platform brawler action as you once again step into the footwear of ninja master Joe Musashi. Hailing from the same development team that brought us the hot Streets of Rage 4 , there’s a stunning hand-drawn look to proceedings, as you set off on a quest for vengeance against those who razed your village, and turned your clan to stone.

BORDERLANDS 4 PS5 XSX (Sep 12)

SILENT HILL f PS5 XSX (Sep 25)

SONIC RACING: CROSSWORLDS PS5 XSX SWITCH (Sep 25)

Answers: 1. Lost Heaven 2. Sera 3. King Dedede 4. MSX 5. 1987 6. Harvest Moon 7. Melbourne 8. Koyoharu Gotouge

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22 AUGUST 2025

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