Major June releases
Mario Kart World (Switch 2) — June 5
The new entry in the legendary series—Mario Kart World—is a launch exclusive for the new Nintendo Switch 2 console. The developers have clearly put in the effort: trust from both the company and the fans is high, and the game strives to live up to it. The word “World” in the title is no accident—a genuinely fresh approach to gameplay is introduced here. As before, you choose one of 50 available characters from the Mario universe and compete on colorful tracks—both with friends and against AI. Some locations return from past installments, but they have now been transformed.
The main innovation is an open world. Now, between races, you can roam freely, exploring surroundings where day turns to night. Co-op has also been improved: up to 24 players simultaneously—twice as many as before. For the first time in the series, an “Elimination Tour” mode appears, where some racers leave the track after each stage. This adds tension and strategic choice. The new “hardware” of the Switch 2 allowed a leap forward in graphics, the number of objects on screen, and overall performance. The game looks massive and beautiful.
As a launch title for the new console, Mario Kart World is destined to draw attention. Fans have long awaited an evolution of the series—and Nintendo seems to have delivered it. The only significant downside is the price tag: 80 dollars or euros. For many, that is a steep step, though in the eyes of Nintendo console and game fans, the quality of the new release will justify the cost.
Dune: Awakening (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — June 10
Frank Herbert’s Dune universe is so rich and multifaceted that it feels like a game in any genre could be made based on it. Yet for some reason, most projects remain only distantly connected to the source material.
For old-timers, Dune is first and foremost Dune II: The Battle for Arrakis, which pioneered the real-time strategy genre. Even so, its plot bore only a passing resemblance to the novel's events. The upcoming Dune: Awakening brings new hope to fans, promising to combine elements of survival, RPG, and MMO. Yet here, too, the developers opted for an alternate reality route.
The story takes place in a universe where the Fremen vanished, Paul Atreides was never born, and Lady Jessica obeyed the orders of the Bene Gesserit. As a result, Arrakis is plunged into chaos: the Harkonnens and Atreides are locked in a ruthless battle for the spice, while the disappearance of the Fremen leaves a mystery waiting for you to unravel.
The game offers a vast open world packed with hazards—from sandworms and Coriolis storms to intrigues and firefights between clans. Survival requires knowledge and resources: crafting stillsuits, constructing shelters, and managing water. Exploring the planet becomes both a means of survival and the key to its secrets. There is also crafting, a well-thought-out combat system, and deep character customization.
Dune: Awakening is an ambitious project capable of becoming a home for many fans of the legendary saga. It remains to be hoped that the developers will not disappoint and will bring it all to life with justice.
Broken Arrow (PC) — June 19
Broken Arrow is an ambitious real-time tactical strategy game created by the domestic studio Steel Balalaika with the support of publisher Slitherine Ltd. The focus is on modern joint-force combat: from heavy tanks and aviation to special forces and reconnaissance units. This is not just a war game, but a true simulator of modern conflict, where every decision affects the outcome of the battle. Given the circumstances, Broken Arrow looks particularly relevant and has become one of the most anticipated games on Steam.
Over 300 combat units and more than 1,500 customization options allow building unique armies suited to any playstyle. The flexible squad customization system lets you equip a tank with active protection, a helicopter with ATGMs or electronic warfare systems, and rearm air groups for a specific mission. Battles unfold across realistic locations: from urban blocks and industrial zones to coastlines and air bases.
Broken Arrow is designed as a platform for developing tactical skill. Support for a custom scenario editor provides ample room for the community—you can create your own campaigns and share them with others. Both PvP modes and cooperative missions are available, allowing you to test your skills against other players.
If you value tactical depth, are interested in modern military hardware, and want to experience what it means to command a joint task force, Broken Arrow will be a real find for you.
Rematch (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — June 19
Rematch is a surprise hit from Sloclap, the developers of the acclaimed fighting game Sifu. Even before release, the beta version of this new soccer title took Steam by storm, becoming the platform's most popular sports game and surpassing even such powerhouses as EA Sports FC. This success is no accident: Rematch offers a fresh take on soccer, turning it into a fast-paced, fair, and thrilling esports action experience.
From the creators of one of the most respected action titles of recent years, players expected anything—except a football simulator. Yet Sloclap surprised everyone once again.
In Rematch, you control a single outfield player in a 5v5 match from a third-person perspective. There are no complicated menus, team tactics, or bird’s-eye views—you are fully immersed in the action. Run, tackle, receive passes, strike on goal—all with an emphasis on realistic movement and an accessible arcade feel that makes the game intuitive and spectacular. The mechanics omit complex rules, fouls, and offsides—speed, reaction time, and tight teamwork are what matter here. Every match turns into a mini-battle for ball control, where victory goes to whoever calculates tactics more precisely and displays better team coordination.
The game also offers seasonal content, character customization, and competitive leagues—all aimed at keeping players hooked for the long run. By shedding traditional complexity in favor of pure, emotional gameplay, the project could become an industry phenomenon. This is football for a new generation—rapid, fair.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PlayStation 5) — June 26
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is the long-awaited sequel to one of Hideo Kojima’s most controversial and striking projects. In the original, Sam Porter Bridges averted the demise of humanity and managed to reconnect the fragmented territories of the United States. Now he must set out on the road once more—to save humanity from a new threat, this time across the expanse of Australia, where the world has grown even crazier, more dangerous, and fraught with questions about the meaning of human connection.
At its core, Death Stranding 2 remains true to itself: it is still a unique cargo journey simulator with a profound narrative. However, judging by published materials, the game has received notable gameplay refinements and further deepened its storyline. A rare blend of increased action, open-world exploration, and philosophical storytelling awaits you. The world feels even more alive—now featuring realistic day-and-night cycles, shifting weather conditions, and natural disasters. New mechanics and the expansion of the asymmetrical co-op system that served as the hallmark of the original are also promised. Details can be found in our preview by Viktor Zaytsev.
Regardless of genre quirks, Death Stranding 2 remains one of the most anticipated games of the year—and arguably the main gaming event of the summer.
Worth keeping an eye on
MindsEye (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — June 10
MindsEye is an ambitious story-driven action game from Build A Rocket Boy, a studio founded by former Rockstar North employees, including renowned Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies. The game transports players to Redrock, a sweltering fictional desert metropolis where technology has completely altered the way of life: robots have replaced people in workplaces, artificial intelligence monitors every step, and “security” has turned into a tool of total control. At the center of the story is former spec ops soldier Jacob Diaz, whose memories are stored in the MindsEye neural implant. What begins as a personal odyssey quickly escalates into a battle for the future of all humanity.
The gameplay promises to blend dynamic third-person shooter shootouts, large-scale vehicular racing across diverse types of transport, and spectacular aerial combat. All of this is enhanced by cinematic storytelling and high-quality cutscenes. At least, that is how it is described in the press materials. In reality, judging by the first previews, MindsEye has not only strong points but also serious issues. Among the most obvious are technical roughness, lack of gameplay polish, and an uneven pacing of the presentation. The only thing earning universal praise is the direction and execution of the cutscenes.
So what will MindsEye ultimately turn out to be — a massive hit of 2025 or yet another disappointment from “star” developers? Initial reviews will provide the answer. Therefore, it is best to wait for the community’s reaction before committing to a pre-order.
The Alters (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — June 13
The Alters is an unusual blend of science fiction, philosophical drama, and strategic management from the Polish team 11 bit studios. The creators of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic project Frostpunk, where city-building went hand in hand with moral dilemmas, decided this time to peer even deeper into the human essence.
The main protagonist — Jan Dolski — is the sole survivor of an interplanetary expedition. To stay alive, he utilizes a mysterious substance to create alternative versions of himself — “alters.” Each of them is formed under the influence of his past decisions. Here, survival is not merely a struggle for food and warmth, but an ordeal of the inner self, packed with moral choices and questions about the meaning of existence.
The gameplay combines elements of survival, crafting, base management, and time management in the harsh conditions of an alien planet. With each new alter, the player gains unique skills and perspectives, but also faces internal conflicts — after all, how do you manage a crew when all its members are parts of the same personality?
The Alters could become one of the most unexpected and heartfelt survival games of the year. Rarely does anyone dare to take such bold thematic steps in this genre. It remains to be hoped that 11 bit studios will indeed manage to bring together elements that seem so different at first glance. The release should make everything clear.
Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic (PC, PlayStation 5) — June 13
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic is a new chapter in the cult horror saga, created by Steel Wool Studios. This time, players will be immersed in the atmosphere of the abandoned Murray mansion — a place steeped in mystery and an eerie ambiance. You will take on the role of an investigator dispatched on an assignment by Fazbear Entertainment.
For those unfamiliar with the FNAF universe, it is worth clarifying: the gameplay here revolves around a mix of psychological horror, puzzles, and survival elements. In Secret of the Mimic, the action takes place in the gloomy labyrinth of an old costume workshop, where every step could be your last. The player’s primary weapon is not bullets, but light, vigilance, and intellect. Using a flashlight, thermal imager, and other gadgets, you must decipher mysterious logs, discover clues to the secrets of inventor Edwin Murray, and, of course, try to survive under the watchful gaze of an entity that can literally be anywhere.
If you own a VR headset, Secret of the Mimic promises to transform every encounter with danger into an especially terrifying and memorable experience.
Overall, Secret of the Mimic is a game for fans. But then, today’s fans also had to start somewhere. So if you have long wanted to try something from FNAF but kept putting it off — perhaps this is your chance to begin.
FBC: Firebreak (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S) — June 17
FBC: Firebreak is a new game from the legendary studio Remedy Entertainment, known for atmospheric and supernatural-infused projects such as Control, Alan Wake, and Max Payne. This time, the developers are sending players into the epicenter of paranormal crises as part of an elite division of the Federal Bureau of Control — the Firebreak squad. But there is a catch.
Unlike the single-player stories beloved by fans, FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative shooter set in the world of Control. On the one hand, Remedy is following modern trends in the gaming industry. On the other, the studio does not yet possess substantial experience in crafting large-scale multiplayer titles. Well, apart from their experience developing the campaign for the ill-fated CrossFire X. Though to be fair, it was the campaign that drew the fewest complaints in that project (more details — in the review by Vitaly Kazunov).
In FBC: Firebreak, you play as one of the operatives of a special unit thrown into the thick of things to contain yet another paranormal collapse. You will play as a three-person squad: completing missions, rescuing personnel, neutralizing anomalies, and battling entities from other dimensions.
What the Finnish developers will achieve this time — we will only find out at launch. Remedy knows how to surprise, even if not always for the better. But if their own universe is any indication, even chaos can give rise to something truly worthwhile.
Remasters and remakes
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) — June 26
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster marks the return of a true legend. The original, released in 1999, went down in history as one of the most influential shooters of all time, becoming a cornerstone of gaming culture alongside the franchise’s first installment. Publisher Nightdive previously succeeded in re-releasing System Shock 2 on modern platforms, and then tackled the remake of the first game — a project that, despite some minor criticisms, can be considered a success (more details — in the review by Maxim Ivanov). Now, the studio presents an anniversary remaster in honor of the 25th milestone.
For veterans, there is no need to recap the plot and mechanics, but newcomers deserve an explanation. System Shock 2 takes place in the distant future — in the year 2114. You awake in a cryosleep pod aboard the starship Von Braun with no memory of your past. The vessel is shrouded in darkness, the corridors filled with groans, creaks, and desperate screams. Full control has been seized by SHODAN — an insane artificial intelligence bent on absorbing you into her hive mind. Not only your own survival depends on you, but the fate of mankind. Every step through the ship’s blood-soaked labyrinths is a struggle for survival, knowledge, and freedom.
System Shock 2 is not merely a first-person shooter. It is one of the forebears of the immersive sim genre, where tactical choices, character progression, and profound immersion are just as vital as gunplay.
While the anniversary remaster is not a full-fledged remake, it is technically executed at a high standard: 4K support, enhanced textures, models, and animations, optimization for modern gamepads, ultrawide monitor output, and a rock-solid 144 frames per second. It also introduces mod support, the ability to experiment with character classes (special forces, marines, paratroopers), and no fewer than 50 new achievements.
Expansions
Atomfall: Wicked Isle (PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) — June 3
Wicked Isle is a major story expansion for the post-apocalyptic Atomfall, crafted by Rebellion, the studio known for the Sniper Elite series. Although the base game did not become a runaway blockbuster, the developers themselves consider its launch a success, while Steam players mostly highlight the compelling setting and atmosphere, despite a few noticeable shortcomings.
In Wicked Isle, you will be dispatched to an enigmatic and menacing island near the Windscale nuclear reactor. This location has turned into a breeding ground for mutations: radiation has spawned lethal flora and fauna, alongside new, even more horrifying adversaries. The expansion unveils fresh narrative threads, deepening the mystery of the core storyline and offering players alternative avenues of progression.
The gameplay has also evolved: introducing new weapon types, perks, an upgraded metal detector, and a revamped quest system leading to hidden stories. The developers’ primary ambition was not just to pack in content, but to immerse players in an atmosphere of folk horror, where any structure could harbor an ancient ritual or an unknown peril. Several of the new story twists even affect the base game’s conclusions.
If the drawbacks of Atomfall were not a dealbreaker for you, Wicked Isle will serve as a natural next chapter in your journey.