This month’s gaming releases include the latest chapter from the world of Xenoblade, the chance to test your skills on the track, the chance to explore the stories of two families entwined by their past, a feline-focused exploration adventure and a fusion of survival and psychological horror.
F1 22
Take your seat for a new season with this year’s F1 release. With redesigned courses – and the brand-new Miami International Autodrome, immersive race experiences, adaptive AI and a full roster of drivers and teams, F1 2022 will put players right into the middle of the action in the FIA Formula One World Championship. The Career mode will take players on a ten-year journey through all the trials and tribulations of being a formula one driver, while Formula 2 will give players the chance to race in different season lengths to get a feel for the competition and different race styles. Those wishing to play with a friend will be able to enjoy split-screen gameplay while PC players will have a new level of immersion thanks to the addition of VR compatibility.
Players who pre-order will receive 5000 Pitcoin, an F1 22 New Era pack and an F1 Life Starter pack. The Champions Edition includes a copy of the game with Early Access, the New Era and F1 Life Starter packs, a Miami-themed content pack, 18,000 Pitcoin, new My Team icons and a Dual Entitlement Upgrade on Xbox and PlayStation (upgrade must happen within the same console family). Those with an EA Play account will be eligible for a 10% discount on their chosen edition of the game.
F1 22 will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from July 1*
MADiSON
Battle your demons in this psychological horror. In MADiSON, players step into the shoes of Luca, a young boy who wakes up in a dark room covered in blood. All alone with only a camera to hand, Luca must find his way out of the nightmare which has been created by the demonic creatures and forces which have taken over the home of Luca’s grandparents with the goal of forcing Luca to commit horrific acts to complete a ritual which is decades in the making. By using the camera, players will navigate their way through the house and unlock the secrets hidden within.
The Possessed Edition includes a Possessed Camera skins pack, 2 instant photos, a Blue Knees storybook, ritual cards, digital audio files and a Blue Knees song music sheet. The Possessed Camera skins pack will also be available as a standalone DLC purchase. In addition, as part of a partnership with the Eden Reforestation project, Perp Games will plant 1 tree for every copy of the game sold.
MADiSON will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch From July 8*
As Dusk Falls
Choices have serious consequences in this interactive crime drama. Set in the town of Two Rock, As Dusk Falls follows the story of two estranged families across the course of 30 years as they try and reconcile their past, after a robbery has gone wrong, with the reality of their present. With a graphic novel art style, this tale of generations will test players at every turn, with some choices locking off whole portions of the story. Whether playing solo or in groups of up to 8 players, the story will be shaped by what players chose to do – or not to do – at any given moment.
Also launching with the game will be the As Dusk Falls companion app on iOS and Android. This app will allow players to interact with the game on the go, making choices on how to progress in the story and interact with other players. Through this app, players will also be able to join up with up to seven other players locally for a new gameplay experience.
As Dusk Falls will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC from July 19*
Stray
Explore a city in a unique way in this feline adventure. In Stray, players are a stray cat, lost and alone in a long-forgotten city. With only a small drone, known as B-12, for company, this stray will have to navigate a way through the seedy underbelly of this decaying cybercity. Under the neon lights, players will have to roam high and low to find a way back to their family and home. While exploring this new world, they will be faced with all manner of deadly things and dangerous creatures…and the odd curious droid.
Players who pre-order on Steam will receive a 10% discount on their purchase of the game. Players with either an Extra or Premium tier subscription on PlayStation Plus will be able to play the game from day one as part of their subscription
Stray will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from July 19*
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Two nations collide in the latest from the world of Xenoblade Chronicles. In this new chapter, players will travel to the world of Aionios. It is here that two bordering nations – Keves and Agnus – are at war with one another. Forced to go on the run from both countries are Noah and Mio, two so-called “off-seers” who mourn those lost on the battlefield. Suddenly finding themselves having to work together the pair, along with their party of allies, are guided by a mysterious figure to head to Swordmarch – a place which may hold the key to ending this war and restoring order to Aionios.
Players who order via select retailers will receive a limited-edition set of postcards. The Special Edition – which is only available via the Nintendo Store – will include a copy of the game, a limited-edition Steelbook case and an art book.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will be available on Nintendo Switch from July 29*
Free to Play
Those with either an Xbox Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will have four titles available to download and keep this month. Beasts of Maravilla Island will be available from July 1-31, with Relicta available from July 16 – August 15*. The two Xbox 360 titles – available via backwards compatibility – will be Thrillville: Off the Rails (available July 1-15*) and Torchlight (available July 16-31*)
Over on PlayStation Plus, there will be three titles available to download and keep across all three subscription tiers. From July 5* Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and Arcadegeddon will be available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan available on PlayStation 4.
Over on Prime Gaming, there will be four new titles available this month. From July 1, the following games will be available for free:
- Manic Mansion
- Suzerain
- Fishing: North Atlantic
- Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark
In addition, there will be a host of games available to celebrate Prime Day on July 12-13 – including Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Need for Speed: Heat, GRID Legends and Star Wars: Jedi Knight – Jedi Academy. There is also a selection of more than 25 indie games available now on Prime Gaming which are available to claim via the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
July 1* – Zombie Night Terror (Switch)
July 7* – Matchpoint – Tennis Championships (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC)
July 8* – Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series (Switch) Arcadegeddon (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), MADiSON (Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers (PS4, PS5, Switch), Tee Time Golf (Switch)
July 12* – Monument Valley: Panoramic Edition/Monument Valley 2: Panoramic Edition (PC), Krut: The Mythic Wings (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), XEL (Switch, PC)
July 13* – The Tale of Bistun (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC), Loopmancer (PC)
July 14* – Super UFO Fighter (Switch, PC), Clanfolk (PC – Steam Early Access), Eyes in the Dark: The Curious Case of One Victoria Bloom (PC), Legends of Kingdom Rush (PC)
July 15* – Rune Factory 5 (PC), DC League of Super Pets Adventure of Krypto & Ace (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Switch), Ultra Age (PS4, Switch), Loud (Switch)
July 19* – Endling – Extinction is Forever (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC)
July 21* – Wayward Strand (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Post Void (PS4, PS5, Switch), Star Wars Pinball (Switch)
July 22* – Live A Live (Switch), Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium (Xbox One, PS4, Switch PC)
July 26* – Immortality (Xbox Series X/S, PC)
July 28* – Bear & Breakfast (Switch, PC), Lost Epic (PS4, PS5, PC), Koumajou Remilia: Scarlet Symphony (PC)
July 29* – Digimon Survive (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC), Story of Seasons – Pioneers of Olive Town (PS4), Yuppie Psycho (PS4, Switch)
*Dates refer to UK release only. International dates may vary and are subject to change. Information correct at time of writing.
Words by Megan Roxburgh
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