The gaming landscape continually evolves, with June 2020 marking a particularly active period for PC releases. As highlighted in the accompanying video, numerous titles are making their debut, offering diverse experiences across various genres. For instance, a notable success story from the independent gaming scene, Tainted Grail, previously secured nearly £5 million on Kickstarter in 2018, demonstrating significant player interest in innovative concepts. This month’s releases encompass everything from competitive shooters to strategic remasters and contemplative narrative adventures, ensuring that a broad spectrum of player preferences is addressed. The following discussion delves into these anticipated titles, providing additional context and insights for enthusiasts of PC gaming.
Key PC Game Releases for June 2020
Valorant: A New Challenger in Tactical Shooters
One of the most prominent launches in June 2020 is Valorant, a title developed by Riot Games, a studio well-regarded for its global phenomenon, League of Legends. This free-to-play tactical shooter is observed to blend the precision and rapid pace of Counter-Strike with the unique character-based abilities characteristic of Overwatch. The game’s design necessitates a combination of sharp reflexes and strategic use of agent skills, thereby appealing to a wide array of players.
While traditional gunplay remains paramount, the inclusion of teleports, super jumps, and area-denial abilities fundamentally alters tactical engagements. Consequently, new layers of strategy are introduced, allowing for more dynamic plays and counter-plays. The monetization model for Valorant focuses on cosmetic items, ensuring that gameplay remains accessible to all players regardless of financial investment.
Disintegration: A Genre-Bending Tactical FPS
Disintegration presents an intriguing hybrid of first-person shooter action and real-time strategy elements. This debut title from V1 Interactive, a new studio led by Marcus Lehto, the former creative art director for Bungie, is generating considerable interest. Lehto’s reputation for crafting iconic sci-fi worlds, exemplified by his work on the Halo series, sets high expectations for the game’s setting and visual design.
In this game, players assume command of a gravcycle, hovering above the battlefield, from which ground troops are directed in RTS fashion. Simultaneously, aerial combat engagements against other gravcycles must be managed. The success of Disintegration will largely be determined by its ability to effectively integrate these distinct gameplay mechanics without alienating fans of either genre, a challenge often faced by hybrid titles.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker: Salvaging in Zero Gravity
Hardspace: Shipbreaker offers a unique premise within the space genre, shifting focus from grand exploration or combat to intricate salvaging operations. Players are tasked with systematically dismantling colossal spacecraft in zero-gravity environments, utilizing advanced laser cutters to extract valuable components and grappling hooks for precise maneuvering. This simulation places a strong emphasis on precision and environmental awareness.
The game’s distinctive challenge is derived from the inherent dangers of space itself, where structural integrity breaches can lead to rapid decompression, and accidental severing of fuel lines can result in catastrophic explosions. This creates a compelling risk-reward dynamic, as valuable salvage often resides in perilous sections of the vessels. Early access for Hardspace: Shipbreaker commenced on June 16th, allowing players to experience these intricate mechanics firsthand.
Command & Conquer Remastered Collection: A Return to RTS Roots
For aficionados of real-time strategy, the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection signifies a welcome return to a foundational series. This collection, initiated by EA, features 4K HD remasters of Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn, Red Alert, and their three respective expansion packs. Furthermore, missions previously exclusive to console versions have been integrated, providing a comprehensive historical package.
A key enhancement is the complete overhaul of over 20 iconic musical tracks, which were re-recorded by original composer Frank Klepacki and the Tiberian Sons. The collection also benefits from a modernized user interface, online matchmaking, and full modding support, demonstrating a commitment to preserving the original experience while adapting it for contemporary players. This remaster is considered a significant tribute to the series’ enduring legacy and its impact on mid-90s PC gaming.
Tainted Grail: Conquest and Narrative RPG
Tainted Grail, an RPG drawing inspiration from a successful 2018 Kickstarter tabletop game, transitioned to a handsome isometric world on PC. Its combat system is built around constructing powerful combos from a deck of battle cards, a mechanic that has received a significant visual update since its alpha phase. Now, dinky 3D models are presented during combat sequences, ensuring a smoother transition from world exploration.
The early access release, which became available on June 25th, notably features a new Conquest mode. This mode interweaves the main campaign’s mechanics with roguelike elements, presenting players with randomly generated mazes and numerous narrative encounters. Additionally, a persistent village that can be developed to aid in future runs is included, which adds a layer of long-term progression and strategic planning.
The Almost Gone: A Narrative Puzzle of Limbo
The Almost Gone, previously featured in the “Indies Uncovered” series, is a narrative-driven puzzle game characterized by its distinctive diorama-style environments. Players are cast as an individual trapped between life and death, with the primary objective being to unravel the mystery of their predicament. Progression is achieved by manipulating and exploring intricately designed dioramas, each holding clues to the overarching narrative.
The game’s atmosphere is contemplative and macabre, yet the visual presentation of the miniature models adds a unique charm. The launch of this game on June 25th allows players to delve into its poignant mystery, where every perspective shift and object interaction contributes to revealing the protagonist’s past and understanding their current state of limbo.
Beyond Blue: Immersive Underwater Exploration
Beyond Blue, developed by E-line Media, a studio recognized for its engaging educational titles such as “Never Alone,” offers an unparalleled underwater exploration experience. The studio’s work on “Never Alone” garnered the attention of the BBC, leading to their involvement in a video game adaptation of “Blue Planet.” This collaboration culminated in Beyond Blue, an exploration game focused on revealing the wonders of the ocean.
Players embody Mirai, a deep-sea explorer and scientist, tasked with observing and scanning various marine life, from dolphins to sperm whales and the unique Chilean Devil Ray. The game is intentionally designed to be devoid of danger or combat, emphasizing a peaceful, meditative experience. This approach encourages unhindered investigation of the world’s vast aquatic environments, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the deep sea.
Danger Scavenger: Cyberpunk Twin-Stick Action
Danger Scavenger is a twin-stick shooter set within a dystopian cyberpunk universe, where massive corporations wield pervasive global control. The action predominantly unfolds atop the sprawling rooftops of towering skyscrapers. Players are presented with a choice of scavengers, each possessing distinct skills and playstyles, which allows for varied tactical approaches to combat.
While the core loop of looting and shooting may not redefine the genre, the game’s presentation and fast-paced action promise an enjoyable experience. The release of Danger Scavenger in the middle of June provided an opportunity for players to engage with its frenetic combat and explore the verticality of its cyberpunk setting.
Waking: A Meditative Journey Through Inner Demons
Waking offers a unique psychological and meditative action RPG experience. The narrative places players in the mind of a comatose individual, where inner demons are confronted within a randomly generated dreamscape. Despite its introspective theme, the combat system is noted for its challenging nature, drawing comparisons to the demanding difficulty found in titles like Dark Souls.
However, the emotional weight of Waking is derived from its deeply personal gameplay mechanics. Players are encouraged to draw upon their own memories and experiences, which are then integrated into the game’s reflection on life and the confrontation of personal fears. This innovative approach to narrative and gameplay is expected to provide a profoundly moving and introspective experience for those who engage with it.
Desperados III: Real-Time Tactical Stealth in the Wild West
Desperados III marks a highly anticipated return to the real-time stealth tactics genre, a style popularized by the 2001 classic. Developed by Mimimi Games, the acclaimed studio behind “Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun,” this iteration is expected to uphold the high standards of its predecessor. The game transports players to a gorgeous isometric Wild West setting, where a team of diverse characters executes audacious assassinations and coordinated takedowns.
A wide array of unique powers and environmental interactions are employed to outsmart bandits, with the ability to freeze time for strategic planning being a core mechanic. The level design often incorporates multiple pathways and solutions, reminiscent of the Hitman series, fostering creative problem-solving. A demo was made available on Good Old Games, offering a glimpse into this meticulously crafted tactical experience, which has been widely regarded as one of the most anticipated PC games of 2020.
Additional Notable PC Game Releases and Platform Transitions
Beyond the primary June 2020 releases, several other significant titles made their debut on Steam, many having previously been exclusive to other platforms. Sea of Thieves, an online pirate adventure developed by Rare, has evolved considerably since its initial launch, now offering a rich and engaging multiplayer experience that has garnered renewed acclaim. Its arrival on Steam expanded its player base, allowing more users to delve into its open-world piratical escapades.
Furthermore, Satisfactory and Outer Wilds, both previously Epic Games Store exclusives, became available on Steam. Satisfactory is recognized for its elaborate factory building mechanics, enabling players to construct impossibly large production lines across an alien planet. Outer Wilds, on the other hand, is celebrated for its unique narrative and exploration loop, where players must uncover the mysteries of a time-looping solar system before it inevitably collapses. It was widely regarded as a Game of the Year contender in 2019, highlighting its critical success and innovative design.
Finally, several narrative-driven titles from Quantic Dream—Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human—also made their way to Steam. These games, known for their cinematic presentation and emphasis on player choice through quick-time events, cater to an audience that values story-driven experiences and moral dilemmas, further diversifying the June 2020 PC game landscape.
