9 Essential Video Games Releasing In August 2017

8. Sonic Mania

YES! FINALLY!!

Granted, the contingent of us who get actively excited about a new Sonic game tends to dwindle by the day, but Sonic Mania should do for the Blue Blur what Crash's N. Sane Trilogy did for the Orange Marsupial.

Let's just size this up for a sec: You've got Sega recruiting the fan-beloved modder Christian Whitehead, inserting him in an official capacity to help lead development on the next proper Sonic game, giving him all the funds and resources needed to deliver a sequel in a way fans have demanded for over 20 years. It's a mighty fine setup, and being the recent Sonic remaster on iOS and Android was also done by the same team, just seeing a widescreen, HD'd up Sonic looks positively stunning in motion.

Sonic Mania reportedly comprises various levels from the original trilogy with new pathways and refinements, alongside many entirely new levels built by Christian and his team. You can play as Sonic, Tails and Knuckles across the lot, and from top to bottom, this project's heart has been in the right place since day one.

It may have taken decades for a Sonic game to look genuinely endearing and exciting once again, but we're finally here, and Sonic Mania is arriving August 15th.