Keeping up with all the latest video games coming out is an increasingly complex task, with multiple PC storefronts, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, mobile and more to keep track of, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. Each month we round up the games to keep an eye out for, from the big triple-A headliners to the intriguing indies you might otherwise overlook.
July is traditionally known as the slowest month for game releases, but this year may be one of the busiest ever with games like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, the highly anticipated sequel Neo: The World Ends with You, charming time travel RPG Cris Tales, lavish Xbox console exclusive The Ascent, the new installment of the official F1 game, the survival horror RPG Chernobylite, not to mention Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin and Samurai Warriors 5.
On the indie front, look forward to the unique survival game Highrisers, the macabre action party Death’s Door, the Norwegian-themed survival sandbox game Tribes of Midgard, and more.
Note: While we may have played demos or got early access to some of the games featured in this article, in most cases we’re just going for games that look promising and can’t vouch for the final product. Wait for reviews before buying!
That said, here are the many games to look out for in July…
The headliners
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (PC, Nintendo Switch, July 9)
CAPCOM’s most popular IP address is not Resident Evil. The runaway success of Monster Hunter World (and, more recently, Monster Hunter Rise) has given way to a spin-off series where you play as a rider instead of a fighter, befriend monsters and fight in turn-based battles. based combat rather than pure action.
Look forward to our review going online in the not-too-distant future. Until then, check out the most recent trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch, July 16)
One of Link’s more underrated adventures will get another chance to shine when The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD launches in July. Nintendo has upped the game’s resolution and will finally let you play the game without arm-tiring motion controls (though they’ve improved if you still love them). Yes, one of the game’s best new features is behind an Amiibo, but for the most part it seems like Nintendo is handling Skyward Sword with proper care. Pre-order the game here.
F1 2021 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, July 16)
The latest iteration of the F1 racing game is also the first to be published under the EA Sports label after Electronic Arts acquired Codemasters for $1.2 billion. According to our preview written by Chris, the game already looked, felt and played great, but whether it will be worthy of a pole position remains to be seen with the final version.
Cris Tales (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch & Stadia, July 20)
Paper Mario has lost the edge it once had, but it looks like Cris Tales is going to recapture its magic. With a beautiful 2D-3D art style inspired by Disney movies and the developers’ native Colombia, it winks at just about every classic JRPG you can name, and clever time-traveling mechanics Cris Tale has no shortage of ambition. I was certainly impressed with my most recent private look at the game. Don’t let this story pass you by. Pre-order the game here.
Neo: The World Ends with You (PS5 & Switch, July 27)
The cult classic DS RPG The World Ends with You is finally getting the sequel many thought would never happen. Neo: The World Ends with You retains the anime swagger, pumping soundtrack and Shibuya, Tokyo setting from the original game (landmarks now even keep their real name), but this time the combat is real-time and action-based. Whether fans will actually accept that remains to be seen, but they can’t blame Neo: The World Ends with You for a lack of style (check out Wccftech’s hands-on preview here). Pre-order the game here.
Samurai Warriors 5 (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, July 27)
The latest entry in KOEI TECMO’s long-standing Warriors series promises to be a fresh new performance featuring a new storyline and presentation alongside overhauled character designs.
To learn more about this title, check out our interview with KOEI TECMO President/COO and Samurai Warriors 5 producer Hisashi Koinuma.
Chernobylite (PC, July 28; consoles later in the summer)
After a long stay on Steam Early Access, Chernobylite is finally ready to launch its 1.0 version at the end of July. Clearly inspired by STALKER and Metro, Chernobylite is a survival horror game with RPG elements and a non-linear storyline.
The infamous Chernobyl exclusion zone has been completely recreated with 3D scans. Do you dare to find Tatiana, the love of your life?
The Ascent (PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S, July 29)
If you’re an Xbox owner looking for some intense, old-fashioned action, you should definitely keep an eye out for The Ascent. With lush visuals, lots of explosions and a surprisingly fleshed out cyberpunk world, The Ascent shouldn’t be overlooked for its isometric arcade styles. If you’re looking for more information, check out our interviews (here and here) with the game’s developers, Neon Giant. Pre-order the game here.
Promising India
Highrisers (PC, July 15)
Highrisers is a survival RPG set in a world where streets are overrun with zombie-like ‘Dreamers’ and survivors cling to life among the rooftops and upper floors of skyscrapers. Lead the members of your team (the game isn’t co-op despite its appearance), craft new resources and make sure you never have to hit solid ground again. Here is the Steam page for Highrisers.
Death’s Door (PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S, July 20)
Death’s Door casts players a crow that acts as a humble reaper of souls. It’s not a bad job until your allotted soul is stolen and you have to dig deep into a strange immortal realm to get it back. With an interesting world with hints of Grim Fandango and challenging combat, this one should satisfy those looking for both a solid story and some thumb-testing action. Here is the Steam page for Death’s Door.
Tribes of Midgard (PC, PS4, PS5, July 26)
Tribes of Midgard is a survival/sandbox game set in Norse mythology. Players must fight back against the Giants and other terrible creatures as they attempt to bring about Ragnarök, the end of the world.
The game developed by Norsfell allows up to 10 players to work together, so you don’t have to go on the attack alone.
Oldest Souls (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, July 29)
Yes, calling your challenging roguelike action RPG Eldest Souls is pretty shameless, and yet this game looks damn good. Eldest Souls has a slick, hand-drawn art style, intense-looking combat, and removes all the usual grease (the game’s developers describe it as a “boss rush”). Yes, this probably won’t be your favorite game with “Souls” in the title, but don’t stop that. Here is the Steam page for Eldest Souls.
Full list of games worth watching in July:
- Boomerang X (PC & Switch, July 8)
- Crash Drive 3 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch and Mobile, July 8)
- Nemezis: Mysterious Journey III (PC, July 8)
- Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (PC & Switch, July 9)
- Highrisers (PC, July 15)
- Warhammer 40K: Battlesector (PC, July 15)
- F1 2021 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, July 16)
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch, July 16)
- Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed (PC, PS4 & Switch, July 20)
- Cris Tales (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch & Stadia, July 20)
- Death’s Door (PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S, July 20)
- Last Stop (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, July 22)
- The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (PC, PS4 & Switch, July 27)
- Neo: The World Ends With You (PS5 & Switch, July 27)
- Samurai Warriors 5 (PC, Xbox One, PS4 & Switch, July 27)
- Tribes of Midgard (PC, PS4 & PS5, July 27)
- Chernobylite (PC, July 28; Xbox One & PS4, Late Summer 2021)
- Unbound: Worlds Apart (PC & Switch, July 28)
- Oldest Souls (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, July 29)
- The Ascent (PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S, July 29)
- Blaster Master Zero 3 (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 & PS5, July 29)
- Fugue: Melodies of Steel (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 & Switch, July 29)
And those are the games to keep an eye out for in the coming month. What games are you planning to pick up in July? Did I miss something you’re looking forward to?
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