Games you can play this week – espionage, chaos and many a tackle

This week marks the beginning of the big triple-A gaming season which stretches across the third and fourth quarter of the year.

The first week of the really quite busy September brings the return of Mad Max, the next entry in the beloved Metal Gear Solid series and an interesting new adventure platformer for the PS4.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – September 1

(Xbox One, PS4, PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

Few titles generate the buzz like that of Metal Gear Solid games, and the latest instalment in the long-running franchise, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, is releasing this week.

The game, which is has already got some unbelievable reviews, is also the swansong for series’ creator, Hideo Kojima.

The Phantom Pain is a testament to the importance of taking risks.

An open world, a customizable base, a variable mission structure – these are not traditional aspects of Metal Gear Solid, but they are what makes The Phantom Pain such an exceptional game.

Mad Max – September 1

(Xbox One, PS4, PC)

The original Mad Max movies (and recent reboot, Fury Road) are jam-packed with vehicular carnage and massive explosions, and the game is set to bring that to the table.

Avalanche Studios have crafted a massive open-world that will allow you to transition from on-foot combat to in-car destruction on-the-fly.

Flipping cars, blowing up opponents and punching dudes in the face… what more could you want?

Rugby World Cup 2015 – September 4

(Xbox One, PS4, PC, Xbox 360, PS3)

In anticipation for the big occasion kicking off later this month, Big Ben Interactive are releasing their follow-up to Rugby 15, Rugby World Cup 2015, this week.

The game is set to feature a new tutorial mode, full accurate player statistics from OPTA, refined gameplay elements like rucks and mauls, more stadiums and some licensed teams.

The game looks a lot like Rugby 15 (which isn’t a good thing, considering the quality of that game), but we’re hoping there’s more beneath the surface with RWC 2015.