With heatwaves making a splash, the hottest video games are washing up on the shore.

Video game extraordinaires and casual players alike are sure to melt as the sunny season brings a blast of flaming graphics and entertainment. From reunited friends to royal fantasy, these dog days offer gamers with a manifold of encapsulating stories and relaxing pleasure, sure to add a chilling touch to balmy summer nights.

Escape the heat and make way for the breeziest gameplay. Dip into the Daily Bruin’s chest of summer video game recommendations.

“One Piece Odyssey” (Bandai Namco Entertainment)

Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure this summer.

Bandai Namco is bringing the beloved anime franchise “One Piece” to the Nintendo Switch with the release of “One Piece Odyssey.” Launching July 26, the immersive role-playing game experience invites players to take control of their favorite Straw Hat characters and explore the island of Waford, embarking on epic adventures full of seafront challenges and thrilling encounters.

The game was first available on both Playstation and Xbox, released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise on January 13, 2023. Created with the direct involvement of Eiichiro Oda, the author of the original series, the game features new character designs, innovative monster creations and an engaging plot. Accompanied by a soundtrack composed by “Dark Souls” composer Motoi Sakuraba, “One Piece Odyssey” will deliver a truly captivating experience.

Players can step into the shoes of the Straw Hats and reunite the tight-knit crew.

– Yuna Choi

“Thank Goodness You’re Here!” (Panic Inc.)

Having time to spare isn’t all it’s made out to be.

Based in the peculiar fictional town of Barnsworth, “Thank Goodness You’re Here!” is a comedic “slapformer” – or “slapstick performer” – coming to PC, PS5 and Nintendo Switch systems Aug. 1. The single-player game follows a salesman who arrives early for his meeting with the mayor of Barnsworth. As he wanders to kill time, he interacts with the locals who give him increasingly odd tasks to complete, each unlocking a new territory of town while the clock ticks leading up to his big meeting.

The quirky game hits home with its nostalgic cartoon aesthetic crafted by vivid hand-drawn animation, lively characters and authentic dialogue. The trailer hints at the far-fetched but vibrant backdrop of the game, evoking the eccentricity of the beloved animated series “Rick and Morty” and the double entendre humor of “The Simpsons.”

With its imaginative premise and stimulating visuals, this game is sure to leave players feeling thankful.

– Puja Anand

“Cat Quest lll” (Kepler Interactive)

It’s a game of cat and mouse this summer.

The third installment of the acclaimed “Cat Quest” franchise is ready to set sail with “Cat Quest lll,” which will be released Aug. 8. Available on all major consoles, the award-winning RPG returns to the gamer’s doorstep with a new trip companioning a furry friend. With rousing Pi-rat encounters, the pirate-themed adventure offers plenty of action-packed amusement as players search the Purribean for the Northern Star.

“Cat Quest lll” marks the dawn of a new and improved experience for players, bringing forward mint attack moves, an entirely original map and enhanced weapon swapping. Adding to the fun, players can expect to find an array of cat and pirate-themed attack items in the depths of the archipelago while escaping the vexatious Pirate King. With added vibrancy and a newfangled narrative, “Cat Quest lll” declares a resplendent escapade.

With a freshly sleek vibrancy, players can prepare to hiss-terically conquer the seas.

– Eric Sican

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” (Nintendo)

Hyrule’s princess is proving she’s a legend in her own right.

The latest entry in the venerable “Legend of Zelda” franchise, “Echoes of Wisdom,” is releasing Sept. 26 for Nintendo Switch systems. However, series protagonist Link is nowhere to be found, having been swallowed up by one of the mysterious purple rifts spreading across the kingdom. Instead, for the first time in the franchise’s 38-year history, players will follow the eponymous Princess Zelda as she at last steps into the role of Hyrule’s heroine.

Link’s disappearance heralds a departure from the typical gameplay of previous “Zelda” titles. Rather than an expansive array of swords, bows, bombs and more, Zelda’s arsenal for exploration consists of just one item: a magical staff known as the Tri Rod. Using the Tri Rod’s ability to copy everyday objects – from boxes and beds to potted plants – and paste “echoes” of them anywhere on the map, players can take advantage of the world around them to demonstrate their wisdom. Players must also apply this more strategic approach to combat, creating echoes of monsters to fight for them instead of battling foes directly.

The decision to make Zelda playable will surely be a wise one.

– Paco Bacalski