Summer is in full swing and July’s gaming releases offer gamers a whole host of adventures and delights. From new adventures in old lands to taking on all manner of gods and monsters, to a rendezvous with death itself, there is something for everyone to experience this month. There’s even the chance to explore the world through the eyes of a cute shadow or take the chance to celebrate the return of a beloved sport.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
The sun rises on a new adventure in this MMORPG. For Final Fantasy XVI: Dawntrail, players will travel to Tural, a continent in the midst of determining who will be the next ruler of Tulliyollal. As the champion for Wuk Lamat, one of the daughters of the current leader, the Warrior of Light will travel across Tural as part of this contest. As they venture forth, they will unravel the mystery of the legendary golden city and learn more about the people that reside within. But Wuk and the Warrior are not the only ones on this momentous journey, with other claimants also seeking to claim the throne of the Dawnservant for themselves to have the power to shape Tulliyollal and beyond to their own ends and ambitions.
Players who pre-order will receive a Wind-up Zidane Minion and Azeyma’s Earrings (which provide an exp boost to certain classes up to Level 90) and unlock Early Access to Dawntrail starting June 28* as long as they have completed certain quests. The Digital Collectors’ Edition includes a copy of Dawntrail, a bonus Ark Mount, Wind-up Garnet Minion and Chocobo Brush. The physical Collector’s Edition includes a copy of Dawntrail, all the content in the Digital Collector’s Edition, an Unending Journey notebook, Adventurer’s pen case and cloth map and a figure of the Warrior of Light as a Viper all in a limited edition collector’s box.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from July 2*
Once Human
Reclaim the world in this action adventure. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Once Human has the player awake in the midst of the chaos. After the arrival of an alien creature known as Stardust, the world began to change. Humans, plants, animals – nothing was safe from Stardust’s influence and the world was left in chaos and ruin. Playing either alone or with friends, the player – who is now a Meta human able to channel the alien power – must explore the land and rebuild their homes before taking the fight to those roaming the earth that was once human
Players who pre-register will receive a bonus item crate, Surprise furniture piece, a Meta cap, the AKM skin for the Kraken gun. There is also the additional promise of Dragon’s Grip gloves should player pre-registrations pass 20 million before the launch day.
Once Human will be available on PC from July 9*
SCHiM
Explore the world around you in this charming adventure. In SCHiM, the aim is to go from shadow to shadow as you try and reconnect with your “living thing”. As a schim – a soul or spirit who is part of a living being you must not stray too far away, or you risk getting lost. So, follow your living being as they grow up and discover another piece of their story and the abstract world they live in and maybe meet a few more spirits along the way. Just remember to stick the shadows and trust in your being.
Players who pre-order on select platforms will receive a 10% discount on their purchase.
SCHiM will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from July 18*
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Gods and guns collide in this action adventure. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn follows the story of Nor Vanek, an explosives expert who is the leader of the Blackstream Sappers, a dedicated unit in the Coalition Army doing battle against the Old Gods attacking the lands of Kian. After being separated from her team during an attempt to close the Door to the Great Below, Nor is saved and later joined by Enki, a magical and mysterious creature with their own cause against the hordes of undead. Forming an uneasy alliance, the pair must travel to the capital city of Dawn, as there are whispers of a dark god prowling the streets waiting to strike.
Players who pre-order on select platforms will receive a 10% discount on their order. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game and three customisation packs for Nor – the Noble, Champion and Vanguard. The Standard Edition will be available to play from Day One as part of Xbox Game Pass.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC from July 18*
EA Sports College Football 25
Play with the future of football with this college-focused release from EA Sports. With EA Sports College Football 25, players will be able to experience every aspect of the game at the collegiate level, with 134 teams on the roster bringing dozens of diverse playstyles for both players and coaches. This game also comes with two game modes: Dynasty – for those aspiring coaches looking to rack up National Championship victories – and Road to Glory – where you live the life of a student player and have to juggle GPA and game time in order to catch the eye of your coach and get one step closer to lifting your own Heisman.
Players with an EA Play subscription will be able to play a 10-hour trial from July 16* and receive a discount on their purchase. Players who pre-order any edition will receive an Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack, Cover Athlete Ultimate Team Pack and Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team uniform item. The Deluxe Edition includes a copy of the game with three days Early Access, pre-order bonus content and 4600 College Football points. The MVP Bundle includes the game, all Deluxe Edition content, the Deluxe Edition of Madden NFL 25, three days Early Access, 4600 College Football points, 4600 Madden points, a Christian McCaffrey Elite player, a Heisman Hopeful Ultimate Team pack, early access to player challenges, additional bonus items and XP boosts.
EA Sports College Football 25 will be available on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 from July 19*
Conscript
Survive the horrors of war in this historical survival adventure. Set during the Battle of Verdun in the First World War, Conscript follows a French soldier as they try to find their brother, who is missing in action. With the battle raging around them, players will have to explore the vast network of twisting trenches, encountering various obstacles along the way. They will also have to do battle with enemy forces along the way as they venture into the fields around Verdun into forts and make the perilous trip through No Man’s Land to try and reunite their family – one way or another.
Players who pre-order will receive the Golden Gun pack. The Deluxe Edition include a copy of the game and the Trench Raider Pack. The Officer Edition – available on PC only – includes the game, Trench Raider pack and a digital copy of the game’s soundtrack. A physical version of Conscript will be available later this year.
Conscript will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC from July 23*
Free to Play
On PlayStation this month, there will be three titles to download and keep for all PS Plus members. From July 2* Borderlands 3, NHL 24 and Among Us will be available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. As an extra bonus, an exclusive Genshin Impact bundle will be available from July 16*. Full information on how to claim this bundle will be on the PlayStation Store.
With Prime Day just around the corner, Prime Gaming will have a whole host of games available to download and keep for free throughout this month. They are:
- July 3* – Wall World, Hitman Absolution, Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood
- July 11* – TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, Samurai Bringer
- July 18* – Youtubers Life 2, Maneater, Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
- July 25* – Cat Quest 2, Midnight Fight Express, Masterplan Tycoon
Full details on how to claim these titles can be found on the Prime Gaming website.
Also Released This Month
July 2* – The Final Descendant (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Mac, iOS)
July 4* – Zenless Zone Zero (PS5), My Talking Hank: Islands (iOS, Android), Fate Seeker II (PS5), Agatha Christie: ABC Murders (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5), Monomals (Switch)
July 5* – The Legend of Heroes: Trials Through Daybreak (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Bleak Faith: Forsaken (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Machi Koro With Everyone (Switch, PC), May’s Mysteries: The Secret of Dragonville (Switch), Instant Sports All-Stars (Switch), Kids v Parents (Switch), Garden Simulator (Switch), Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge (Switch)
July 9* – Lifeless Moon (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5), Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch)
July 10* – Echo Generation: Midnight Edition (Switch, PC)
July 11* – Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (Switch), Anger Foot (PC), Disney Speedstorm (iOS, Android), Death Game Hotel (Quest 3, Quest 2), Bleach: Brave Souls (Switch), Hookah Haze (PC, Switch), Parasol Stars (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Princess Maker 2: Regeneration (Switch, PC)
July 12* – Dros (Switch), Wastelander (PC), SunnySide (PS5)
July 15* – Darkest Dungeon 2 (PS5, Switch), Supernatural (PC), B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia (Switch, PC)
July 16* – Cataclismo (PC), Evil V Evil (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Ariel Knight’s We Never Yield (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Cataclismo (PC), Deliver Us The Moon (Switch), Flock (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Let’s School (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch), Magical Delicacy (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC), Yaoling: Mythical Journey (PC – Early Access), Gestalt: Steam & Cinder (PC), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Sweep The Board (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Hot Lap Racing (Switch)
July 17* – Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Nobody Wants to Die (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate (Switch), Asphalt: Legends Unite (PS4, PS5, Switch), The Sacred Acorn (PC), Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster (PC)
July 18* – Dungeons of Hinterburg (Xbox Series X/S, PC), Nintendo World Championships NES Edition (Switch), Meifumado (PC), Vorex (PC), Over Horizon X Steel Empire (PS4, Switch), Vampire Therapist (PC)
July 19* – Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Eggy Party (Switch), The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Edition (PS5, Switch), Everdream Valley (Switch), Ugly (Switch)
July 22* – The New Denpa Men (Switch)
July 23* – F1 Manager 24 (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC), Weyrdlets (PC), Été (PC), Rawmen: Food Fighter Arena (PC), The Star Named EOS (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Switch, PC), Linkito (PC)
July 24* – Ninja Slayer: Neo-Saitama in Flames (Switch, PC)
July 25* – Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (PS5, Switch, PC), Thrasher (Meta Quest, Apple Vi), Earth Defence Force 6 (PS4, PS5, PC), Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance (PC, iOS, Android), Tokyo Xanadu eX+ (Switch), 7 Days To Die (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC), Harvest Days (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC), Some Some Convenience Store (Switch), Undying (Switch)
July 26* – One Piece Odyssey (Switch), Weko the Mask Gatherer (PC), Wingspan: Special Edition (Switch), Bitmap Bureau Collection (PS5, Switch), My Time at Sandrock: Collector’s Edition (PS4)
July 30* – Deadlink (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC)
July 31* – Marvel Rivals (PS5 – Beta), Sword of Convallaria (PC, iOS, Android)
*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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