Again in Might, we have been drowning in a stunning deluge of latest video video games. Quite a lot of the month’s greatest releases felt like they got here out of left subject because of indie gems like Animal Well and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. Round that point, it was widespread to see gamers questioning the place so many killer video games got here from, even supposing many had constructive buzz coming off streams like Day of the Devs.
Should you discovered Might overwhelming, I remorse to tell you that it’s about to occur once more in July. And I’m telling you proper now so that you’re not shocked when it occurs.
A fast look at July’s launch calendar would most likely make you assume that we’re in for a quiet month for video games. There aren’t many heavy hitters on the docket. The most important launch is, arguably, Final Fantasy XIV‘s Dawntrail expansion, which is able to comply with profitable updates for Elden Ring and Future 2. Past that, even the “greatest” video games could sound comparatively area of interest. The First Descendant is seeking to grow to be a brand new dwell service success and Mihoyo’s Zenless Zone Zero is bound to get some buzz.
It’s while you begin diving deep into the indie scene that you just’ll begin to discover some hidden gems. The primary half of July is particularly loaded in that regard. Devolver will give gamers a busy motion recreation with the long-awaited Anger Foot on July 11, which may carry the identical high-octane attraction as video games like Hotline Miami. That might be carefully adopted by the cozy Flock (July 16), colourful action-platformer Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus (July 18), and Schim (July 18).
The calendar will get particularly hectic at that time. July 18 brings each Dungeons of Hinterberg and Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, two very totally different video games which might be set to make a splash on Xbox. Whereas the latter will not be your cup of workforce in the event you don’t love Soulslikes, I’ve gone fingers on with Dungeons of Hinterberg and really feel that the Alps-inspired motion RPG could possibly be considered one of 2024’s greatest indies.
For extra nostalgic gamers, July 18 may even see the discharge of Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. The gathering, which has earned some constructive buzz from current previews, turns previous NES video games into bite-sized challenges just like the NES Remix sequence.
One other potential sleeper hit drops the very subsequent day with Capcom’s Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. The distinctive tower protection motion hybrid was the speak of this yr’s Summer season Recreation Fest, even making it onto our listing of the best games we played at the show. And if that sounds somewhat too on the market for you, July 19 may even deliver a Madden various in EA Sports College Football 25.
Whereas somewhat lighter, the again stretch of the month hides some potential hidden gems. Été, a soothing portray recreation launching on July 23, impressed me after I performed it at Summer season Recreation Fest two years in the past. That very same day may even see the launch of A Star Named Eos, a puzzling journey from the makers of the very charming Behind the Body. That’s all rounded out by Arranger: A Position-Puzzling Journey on July 25, which was simply an official choice at this year’s Tribeca Fest.
Whereas these are a number of the highlights, there’s far more than that coming in July too. Earth Protection Drive 6, EvilVEvil, The New Denpa Males, and even a Change port of Apple Arcade standout Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate all pad out the remainder of the calendar.
So don’t let me catch you asking the place all these video games got here from within the coming weeks. You’ve been warned.
