Credit to Cold Symmetry for finding one of the only quiet weeks in the second half of 2026 to drop its ambitious sequel to a somewhat cookie-cutter and much-overlooked 2020 Soulslike. Mortal Shell 2 launches Thursday, unless you have early access, in which case it’s already out. It joins The Sinking City 2 and the Steins;Gate Re:Boot remaster as the final summer backlog titles.
It also happens to be the perfect time to take note of The Lantern of the Laughless Saint. The game is billed as a lo‑fi homage to Xbox‑era RPGs like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. You awaken on a mysterious island with a giant tower overlooking it, and the Steam description urges you to “Confront the weight of human desire, and decide what deserves to be saved when the light beneath the world finally stirs.”
This indie developer crafted a Morrowind‑inspired open‑world RPG where you unravel the mystery of a silent Tower on an island.
The Lantern of the Laughless Saint releases today, any interest? pic.twitter.com/bowyDk09mH — Best Indie Games (@clemmygames) August 17, 2026
You’ve probably seen this one haunting your algorithmic feed with a wonky, unnerving gameplay clip here or there. One of its neat tricks is co‑op play in its do‑whatever‑you‑want world. Its creator wrote, “Open-ended gameplay like you’d expect from a Scrolls‑like: pick up or steal anything, kill anyone,” a few months ago a few months ago. “Tons of NPC dialogue that changes based on your actions. Skill system where everything levels like Morrowind. Yes you can go crazy with it and jump across the map and do other hilarious stuff if you fortify a skill an insane amount.”
Monday, August 17
The Lantern of the Laughless Saint (Early Access) | PC
Crownhold | PC
Medieval Horse Dealer Simulator | PC
Tuesday, August 18
Twisted Tower | PC
Starsand Island (1.0 release) | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC
The Sinking City 2 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Reka (1.0 release) | PC
Entropy (Early Access) | PC
BeastLink (Early Access) | PC
Stars Reach (Early Access) | PC
Last Pirates: Die Together (Early Access) | PC
Wednesday, August 19
Steins;Gate Re:Boot | Xbox Series X/S, PC
Hearth and Hamlet | PC
Pizza House Simulator | PC
Vapor World: Over The Mind | PC
No Case Should Remain Unsolved (Port) | PS5
Thursday, August 20
Mortal Shell II | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope (Expansion) | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Wobbly Life | Switch 2, iOS, Android
The Witch’s Bakery | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, PC
Over Requiemz | Switch
Mexican Ninja | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
Gallipoli | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Dungeon Antiqua 2 (Port) | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2
Cozy Marbles | PC
Brigador Killers (Early Access) | PC
How to Fish | PC
Ironsand | PC
Friday, August 21
Settler’s Domain | PC
CICADAMATA” | PC
The Week In Games is Kotaku’s weekly roundup of notable, interesting, and/or big video game launches that are happening over the next seven days. Feel free to share other game release dates that might not be included above in the comments below.
