Author: Greg Lozano
Summer is starting hot, and with this year not letting up on incredible titles, July just seems to continue the trend. There are some big original titles coming out as well as the long list of remasters and remakes, and so if you’re a gamer driven by nostalgia or one that is excited to see where new gameplay mechanics can go, there will be sure to be something in store for you.
PC
Mecha Break – July 2
Genre: Multiplayer Battle / 1-6 players (online) / Price: Free 2 Play
Not many F2P games come out with the idea of creating mech battles, so this is a refreshing take on the live service model, especially for those that enjoy piloting giant robots. With three game options: 3v3, 6v6, or PvPvE, players are sure to find a game style that fits their enjoyment.
Islanders: New Shores – July 10
Genre: Minimalist City Builder / 1 player / Price: n/a
With a demo available now, players can see if this game is up their alley. If city building is a genre that you enjoy, but have thought about scaling it back down to an Animal Crossing level, this may very well be worth checking out. It has a soothing soundtrack and encourages players to go at their own pace.
Mycopunk – July 10
Genre: Co-op Shooter / 1 – 4 players / Price: n/a
A fast paced co-op shooter that looks like the team spliced ideas from Boarderlands and Risk of Rain 2. A Demo is available to see if this game fits your style. Nothing better than checking out a game and seeing if it’s for you without having to use a dollar. Well I’m sure there are a lot of things better, but as a gamer, it’s pretty high up there.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – July 11
Genre: Arcade Sports / 1 – 2 players (online) / Price: 49.99 – 69.99
The long awaited sequel bundle is coming out with tons of new content and impressive visuals. I tend to avoid most Activision purchases, but I cannot deny that this franchise is just fun and a good way to put a smile on a player’s face. The music really drives the feel of getting to do some of the most impossible trick strings, and honestly, who doesn’t like to have fun?
Patapon 1+2 Replay – July 11
Genre: Rhythm / 1 player (Switch 1-4 local) / Price: N/A
A strange but charming rhythm game where you command little Patapons on their journey to Earthend. The price won’t be shown until the game’s release date, but it is easy to view how the game plays as this is a re-release. I’m a sucker for rhythm games and the opportunity to play with 3 others in local co-op is ideal.
Edens Zero – July 15
Genre: Action RPG / 1 player / Price: 59.99 – 69.99
An adaptation of a popular manga, Edens Zero takes the form of an action RPG that gives a wide variety of weapons and gameplay. There looks to be a blend of Dynasty Warrior (with the vast number of enemy waves) and Genshin Impact (in its world exploration). If anime RPGs are your thing, this may be an entertaining game for you.
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – July 15
Genre: CRPG / 1 player / Price: 26.99
An enhanced version of a classic RPG and at an affordable price.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact – July 17
Genre: Team-based 2D fighter / 1 – 2 players / Price: 59.99 – 74.99
Tag battles are incredibly fun, and fans of Hunter x Hunter finally get to experience the world of tag fighters. A demo is currently available, and while there are a lot of broken characters in its early stages, with updates, the game will only get more balanced.
RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business – July 17
Genre: FPS / 1 player / Price 29.99
A stand alone expansion to the gun blasting title Rogue City. Looking to continue the carnage and defend the city against criminals, players get to take the role of RoboCop once more.
Neon Abyss 2 – July 17
Genre: Bullethell Roguelike / 1 – 4 player (online co-op) / Price: N/A
This game has an early access and is planned for a July 17th release. Potential delays may occur. Neon Abyss 2 is a 2D side-scroller action Roguelike where up to four players can run through the gauntlet and take on bosses, upgrading their characters with each progression. Like all roguelikes, levels are randomly generated and certain perks are permanent to ensure progression is enjoyable.
Shadow Labyrinth – July 18
Genre: 2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: 29.99
Quite possibly one of the most interesting changes for a mascot, ever. Everyone knows Pac-Man to be a rather fun, vibrant, ghost-evading maze runner (and to other extents a wacky platformer with many of the previous elements incorporated in). But in Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man takes a much darker role, controlling The Swordsman in this atmospheric Metroidvania. Blending elements of Pac-Man and Metroidvanias, this game has “unique to the genre” written all over it, and I’m here for it, especially for that price.
Monument Valley 3 – July 22
Genre: Isometric Puzzle / 1 player / Price: N/A
The previous titles are free on mobile, but with them coming to console and PC, more content will be available without microtransactions… hopefully. For those interested in the title there is a demo available on all platforms, so be sure to check it out and see if this game is for you.
Abiotic Factor – July 22
Genre: Survival Crafting / 1 – 6 players (online) / Price: 34.99
Early access has overwhelmingly positive reviews in regard to this game. This does not look like a typical survival craft style game, but one where challenges are present consistently due to it being a research facility that players are trying to escape.
Wildgate – July 22
Genre: PvP Shooter / 1 – 40 players (online multiplayer) / Price: N/A
A blend of space shooter as well as FPS PvP. This looks to take the idea of Sea of Thieves and throws it into the vast universe. If you’ve ever had an interest in being a space pirate, this looks to be a title worthy of checking out.
Wheel World – July 23
Genre: Bike racing / 1 player / Price: N/A
An open world adventure where the protagonist Kat is destined to save the world by competing in races. A variety of customizations for bikes exist, and the publisher Annapurna Interactive has been known to put out incredible hits almost every time.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – July 24
Genre: Soulslike Action RPG / Single Player / Price: 49.99
A new Soulslike enters the chat from an indie studio at an affordable price. Offering a story that takes place during the Ming Dynasty, boss battles look intense and exhilarating. I am not certain as to what new this offers in terms of gameplay, but the lore at least brings a bit of cultural history that hasn’t been seen in most games.
Killing Floor 3 – July 24
Genre: FPS Horde wave / 1 – 6 players / Price: 39.99
This game was slated to come out in March to which the release date has now been pushed to July 24th as many that spoke of it talked about its shortcomings and how it wasnt ready for release. Hopefully the delay allowed for some polish to it, as fans were not happy with its earlier build.
Ratatan – July 25
Genre: Rhythm Roguelike / 1 player / Price 49.99
Completely crowdfunded through Kickstarter (and purchases through there will give more perks) this new take on the hybridization of these two genres takes a page from Patapon with its art style and rhythm action. I expect this title to get a lot of positive praise.
Grounded 2 – July 29
Genre: Survival / Single or Co-op / Price: N/A
Obsidian decided to make a sequel to what feels like the video game’s world of Honey I shrunk the Kids. Navigating through the backyard against various types of insects, players will need to get crafty if they are to survive.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – July 31
2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: N/A
Bringing back the challenge of the NES in stunning new pixel art, this game will surely leave players in awe by its visuals, and frustration by its difficulty. A challenge truly worth checking out if you grew up with the originals, or are curious in how retro games fit in modern day.
Xbox
Mecha Break – July 2
Genre: Multiplayer Battle / 1-6 players (online) / Price: Free 2 Play
Not many F2P games come out with the idea of creating mech battles, so this is a refreshing take on the live service model, especially for those that enjoy piloting giant robots. With three game options: 3v3, 6v6, or PvPvE, players are sure to find a game style that fits their enjoyment.
Islanders: New Shores – July 10
Genre: Minimalist City Builder / 1 player / Price: n/a
With a demo available now, players can see if this game is up their alley. If city building is a genre that you enjoy, but have thought about scaling it back down to an Animal Crossing level, this may very well be worth checking out. It has a soothing soundtrack and encourages players to go at their own pace.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – July 11
Genre: Arcade Sports / 1 – 2 players (online) / Price: 49.99 – 69.99
The long awaited sequel bundle is coming out with tons of new content and impressive visuals. I tend to avoid most Activision purchases, but I cannot deny that this franchise is just fun and a good way to put a smile on a player’s face. The music really drives the feel of getting to do some of the most impossible trick strings, and honestly, who doesn’t like to have fun?
Edens Zero – July 15
Genre: Action RPG / 1 player / Price: 59.99 – 69.99
An adaptation of a popular manga, Edens Zero takes the form of an action RPG that gives a wide variety of weapons and gameplay. There looks to be a blend of Dynasty Warrior (with the vast number of enemy waves) and Genshin Impact (in its world exploration). If anime RPGs are your thing, this may be an entertaining game for you.
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – July 15
Genre: CRPG / 1 player / Price: 26.99
An enhanced version of a classic RPG and at an affordable price.
Ready or Not – July 15
Genre: FPS / 2 – 5 players / Price: 49.99
This indie game has been out for a year and a half on PC, and it is met with mixed reviews. Most people enjoy this game, but even those that enjoy it admit that there are far too many bugs in the game, especially after all the updates and DLC releases. With it coming out on consoles, that fear rises a bit more as mods are not allowed on consoles as they are on PC, and PC tends to have a community that fixes things when developers wont.
RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business – July 17
Genre: FPS / 1 player / Price 29.99
A stand alone expansion to the gun blasting title Rogue City. Looking to continue the carnage and defend the city against criminals, players get to take the role of RoboCop once more.
Shadow Labyrinth – July 18
Genre: 2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: 29.99
Quite possibly one of the most interesting changes for a mascot, ever. Everyone knows Pac-Man to be a rather fun, vibrant, ghost-evading maze runner (and to other extents a wacky platformer with many of the previous elements incorporated in). But in Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man takes a much darker role, controlling The Swordsman in this atmospheric Metroidvania. Blending elements of Pac-Man and Metroidvanias, this game has “unique to the genre” written all over it, and I’m here for it, especially for that price.
Monument Valley 3 – July 22
Genre: Isometric Puzzle / 1 player / Price: N/A
The previous titles are free on mobile, but with them coming to console and PC, more content will be available without microtransactions… hopefully. For those interested in the title there is a demo available on all platforms, so be sure to check it out and see if this game is for you.
Abiotic Factor – July 22
Genre: Survival Crafting / 1 – 6 players (online) / Price: 34.99
Early access has overwhelmingly positive reviews in regard to this game. This does not look like a typical survival craft style game, but one where challenges are present consistently due to it being a research facility that players are trying to escape.
Wildgate – July 22
Genre: PvP Shooter / 1 – 20 players (online multiplayer) / Price: N/A
A blend of space shooter as well as FPS PvP. This looks to take the idea of Sea of Thieves and throws it into the vast universe. If you’ve ever had an interest in being a space pirate, this looks to be a title worthy of checking out.
Wheel World – July 23
Genre: Bike racing / 1 player / Price: N/A
An open world adventure where the protagonist Kat is destined to save the world by competing in races. A variety of customizations for bikes exist, and the publisher Annapurna Interactive has been known to put out incredible hits almost every time.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – July 24
Genre: Soulslike Action RPG / Single Player / Price: 49.99
A new Soulslike enters the chat from an indie studio at an affordable price. Offering a story that takes place during the Ming Dynasty, boss battles look intense and exhilarating. I am not certain as to what new this offers in terms of gameplay, but the lore at least brings a bit of cultural history that hasn’t been seen in most games.
Killing Floor 3 – July 24
Genre: FPS Horde wave / 1 – 6 players / Price: 39.99
This game was slated to come out in March to which the release date has now been pushed to July 24th as many that spoke of it talked about its shortcomings and how it wasnt ready for release. Hopefully the delay allowed for some polish to it, as fans were not happy with its earlier build.
Grounded 2 – July 29
Genre: Survival / Single or Co-op / Price: N/A
Obsidian decided to make a sequel to what feels like the video game’s world of Honey I shrunk the Kids. Navigating through the backyard against various types of insects, players will need to get crafty if they are to survive.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – July 31
2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: N/A
Bringing back the challenge of the NES in stunning new pixel art, this game will surely leave players in awe by its visuals, and frustration by its difficulty. A challenge truly worth checking out if you grew up with the originals, or are curious in how retro games fit in modern day.
PlayStation
Mecha Break – July 2
Genre: Multiplayer Battle / 1-6 players (online) / Price: Free 2 Play
Not many F2P games come out with the idea of creating mech battles, so this is a refreshing take on the live service model, especially for those that enjoy piloting giant robots. With three game options: 3v3, 6v6, or PvPvE, players are sure to find a game style that fits their enjoyment.
Islanders: New Shores – July 10
Genre: Minimalist City Builder / 1 player / Price: n/a
With a demo available now, players can see if this game is up their alley. If city building is a genre that you enjoy, but have thought about scaling it back down to an Animal Crossing level, this may very well be worth checking out. It has a soothing soundtrack and encourages players to go at their own pace.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – July 11
Genre: Arcade Sports / 1 – 2 players (online) / Price: 49.99 – 69.99
The long awaited sequel bundle is coming out with tons of new content and impressive visuals. I tend to avoid most Activision purchases, but I cannot deny that this franchise is just fun and a good way to put a smile on a player’s face. The music really drives the feel of getting to do some of the most impossible trick strings, and honestly, who doesn’t like to have fun?
Patapon 1+2 Replay – July 11
Genre: Rhythm / 1 player / Price: N/A
A strange but charming rhythm game where you command little Patapons on their journey to Earthend. The price won’t be shown until the game’s release date, but it is easy to view how the game plays as this is a re-release.
Edens Zero – July 15
Genre: Action RPG / 1 player / Price: 59.99 – 69.99
An adaptation of a popular manga, Edens Zero takes the form of an action RPG that gives a wide variety of weapons and gameplay. There looks to be a blend of Dynasty Warrior (with the vast number of enemy waves) and Genshin Impact (in its world exploration). If anime RPGs are your thing, this may be an entertaining game for you.
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – July 15
Genre: CRPG / 1 player / Price: 26.99
An enhanced version of a classic RPG and at an affordable price.
Ready or Not – July 15
Genre: FPS / 2 – 5 players / Price: 49.99
This indie game has been out for a year and a half on PC, and it is met with mixed reviews. Most people enjoy this game, but even those that enjoy it admit that there are far too many bugs in the game, especially after all the updates and DLC releases. With it coming out on consoles, that fear rises a bit more as mods are not allowed on consoles as they are on PC, and PC tends to have a community that fixes things when developers wont.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact – July 17
Genre: Team-based 2D fighter / 1 – 2 players / Price: 59.99 – 74.99
Tag battles are incredibly fun, and fans of Hunter x Hunter finally get to experience the world of tag fighters. A demo is currently available, and while there are a lot of broken characters in its early stages, with updates, the game will only get more balanced.
RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business – July 17
Genre: FPS / 1 player / Price 29.99
A stand alone expansion to the gun blasting title Rogue City. Looking to continue the carnage and defend the city against criminals, players get to take the role of RoboCop once more.
Shadow Labyrinth – July 18
Genre: 2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: 29.99
Quite possibly one of the most interesting changes for a mascot, ever. Everyone knows Pac-Man to be a rather fun, vibrant, ghost-evading maze runner (and to other extents a wacky platformer with many of the previous elements incorporated in). But in Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man takes a much darker role, controlling The Swordsman in this atmospheric Metroidvania. Blending elements of Pac-Man and Metroidvanias, this game has “unique to the genre” written all over it, and I’m here for it, especially for that price.
Monument Valley 3 – July 22
Genre: Isometric Puzzle / 1 player / Price: N/A
The previous titles are free on mobile, but with them coming to console and PC, more content will be available without microtransactions… hopefully. For those interested in the title there is a demo available on all platforms, so be sure to check it out and see if this game is for you.
Abiotic Factor – July 22
Genre: Survival Crafting / 1 – 6 players (online) / Price: 34.99
Early access has overwhelmingly positive reviews in regard to this game. This does not look like a typical survival craft style game, but one where challenges are present consistently due to it being a research facility that players are trying to escape.
Wildgate – July 22
Genre: PvP Shooter / 1 – 20 players (online multiplayer) / Price: N/A
A blend of space shooter as well as FPS PvP. This looks to take the idea of Sea of Thieves and throws it into the vast universe. If you’ve ever had an interest in being a space pirate, this looks to be a title worthy of checking out.
Wheel World – July 23
Genre: Bike racing / 1 player / Price: N/A
An open world adventure where the protagonist Kat is destined to save the world by competing in races. A variety of customizations for bikes exist, and the publisher Annapurna Interactive has been known to put out incredible hits almost every time.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – July 24
Genre: Soulslike Action RPG / Single Player / Price: 49.99
A new Soulslike enters the chat from an indie studio at an affordable price. Offering a story that takes place during the Ming Dynasty, boss battles look intense and exhilarating. I am not certain as to what new this offers in terms of gameplay, but the lore at least brings a bit of cultural history that hasn’t been seen in most games.
Killing Floor 3 – July 24
Genre: FPS Horde wave / 1 – 6 players / Price: 39.99
This game was slated to come out in March to which the release date has now been pushed to July 24th as many that spoke of it talked about its shortcomings and how it wasnt ready for release. Hopefully the delay allowed for some polish to it, as fans were not happy with its earlier build.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap – July 29
Genre: 3rd person shooter & trap defense / 1 – 4 players (online co-op) / Price: 29.99
Enjoyed by PC players, this title finally comes out on PS5. While not overwhelmingly positive, it fits in that perfect spot of “not priced too high for a fun game”.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – July 31
2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: N/A
Bringing back the challenge of the NES in stunning new pixel art, this game will surely leave players in awe by its visuals, and frustration by its difficulty. A challenge truly worth checking out if you grew up with the originals, or are curious in how retro games fit in modern day.
Nintendo
Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley / Harvest Moon: Skytree Village (NS1) – July 3
Genre: Farming Sim / 1 player / Price: 39.99
A two in one bundle of PS2 era games. While these games were fun, it always felt as the charm slowly began to fade away when they transitioned to this era of 3D, which is why the insanely popular (and rightly so) Stardew Valley came into existence. Not to say that these titles are bad, by any means. These just fit as more of a nostalgia piece than anything else.
Islanders: New Shores – July 10
Genre: Minimalist City Builder / 1 player / Price: n/a
With a demo available now, players can see if this game is up their alley. If city building is a genre that you enjoy, but have thought about scaling it back down to an Animal Crossing level, this may very well be worth checking out. It has a soothing soundtrack and encourages players to go at their own pace.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 – July 11
Genre: Arcade Sports / 1 – 2 players (online) / Price: 49.99 – 69.99
The long awaited sequel bundle is coming out with tons of new content and impressive visuals. I tend to avoid most Activision purchases, but I cannot deny that this franchise is just fun and a good way to put a smile on a player’s face. The music really drives the feel of getting to do some of the most impossible trick strings, and honestly, who doesn’t like to have fun?
Patapon 1+2 Replay – July 11
Genre: Rhythm / 1 player (Switch 1-4 local) / Price: N/A
A strange but charming rhythm game where you command little Patapons on their journey to Earthend. The price won’t be shown until the game’s release date, but it is easy to view how the game plays as this is a re-release. I’m a sucker for rhythm games and the opportunity to play with 3 others in local co-op is ideal.
Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition – July 15
Genre: CRPG / 1 player / Price: 26.99
An enhanced version of a classic RPG and at an affordable price.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact – July 17
Genre: Team-based 2D fighter / 1 – 2 players / Price: 59.99 – 74.99
Tag battles are incredibly fun, and fans of Hunter x Hunter finally get to experience the world of tag fighters. A demo is currently available, and while there are a lot of broken characters in its early stages, with updates, the game will only get more balanced.
Donkey Kong Bananza (NS2) – July 17
Genre: 3D Platformer / 1 – 2 player (local co-op or gameshare) / Price: 69.99
On top of being a game that looks as if it was made by the developers of Super Mario Odyssey, this game is absolutely loaded with an insane amount of content. Not only are there tons of collectables, but outfits that change stats, ability points to change game style (not commonly seen in a platformer), and best of all, the ability to gameshare with someone using a regular Switch, taking backwards compatibility to a level we have not seen in gaming before. This is Nintendo’s second exclusive game to the Switch 2, and it looks like it is loaded with fun.
Shadow Labyrinth – July 18
Genre: 2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: 29.99
Quite possibly one of the most interesting changes for a mascot, ever. Everyone knows Pac-Man to be a rather fun, vibrant, ghost-evading maze runner (and to other extents a wacky platformer with many of the previous elements incorporated in). But in Shadow Labyrinth, Pac-Man takes a much darker role, controlling The Swordsman in this atmospheric Metroidvania. Blending elements of Pac-Man and Metroidvanias, this game has “unique to the genre” written all over it, and I’m here for it, especially for that price.
Monument Valley 3 – July 22
Genre: Isometric Puzzle / 1 player / Price: N/A
The previous titles are free on mobile, but with them coming to console and PC, more content will be available without microtransactions… hopefully. For those interested in the title there is a demo available on all platforms, so be sure to check it out and see if this game is for you.
Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV – July 24
Genre: Board Game Party Game / 1 – 4 players / Price: 79.99
With added mini games to accommodate the Switch 2 (such as mouse controls and camera use), the title is being released with this update at a ridiculous price. It’s unsure if this game will be upgraded for free if users have Nintendo Switch Online, but one thing is for certain, this game is not worth $80 to a consumer.
No Sleep for Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files (NS1) – July 25
Genre: Visual Novel / 1 player / Price: 49.99
This game can be found on other platforms as low as $20 dollars, so unless you need all of your games on a Nintendo Switch 2, it would be advised to find their cheaper product. The series is excellent and a joy to play if you like visual novels.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – July 31
2D Action Platformer / 1 player / Price: N/A
Bringing back the challenge of the NES in stunning new pixel art, this game will surely leave players in awe by its visuals, and frustration by its difficulty. A challenge truly worth checking out if you grew up with the originals, or are curious in how retro games fit in modern day.
Final Thought
July does hold a number of titles that get me excited to play games. The top of that list being Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shadow Labyrinth. I am also rather interested in Donkey Kong: Bonanza, and I know it is an incredibly polished 1st party game that won’t have the bugs at the level found in any EA, Activision, or Ubisoft, I still struggle to want to pay for something that is over the price of 60 dollars, even knowing that it will be worth its value. What are the games you are most excited for in July?