Fighting turtles, angry feet and Austrian Alpine adventures are on the games programme in July.
Ten years ago in July, the final episode of "The Wolf Among Us" was the game highlight. Studio Telltale was flying high and delivered one of the best adventure games ever with its adaptation of the comic series "Fables". I also have a detective story on sale this month, but without a wolf and with futuristic gadgets instead.
"The First Descendant" - free-to-play schlooter
The third-person shooter from Chinese studio Nexon promises bombastic action thanks to Unreal Engine 5. You can play missions with four players and defeat the bosses together. Offers numerous weapons and abilities. A quick look at the beta has not yet convinced me. As the game is free to play, it costs nothing to have a look anyway.
When: 2 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: Online co-op for up to four people
"Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail" - new world, new adventures
The MMO "Final Fantasy 14" is getting a new expansion. In it, you can explore the continent of Tural. It offers new quests, dungeons, jobs, races and, of course, loot. There is also a visual update for the first time. These include higher-resolution textures and shadows.
When: 2 July / 28 June Early Access Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: Online PvE and PvP
"Once Human" - the new survival sensation
Over 15 million players have already pre-registered for the multiplayer open-world game. "Once Human" is set in a post-apocalyptic future full of monsters and conspiracies. In addition to exploring and shooting, you will collect resources and build your own shelter. It promises a lot of scope and was a lot of fun in the beta phase. But I'm still curious to see whether the quality will be right in the long term. Seems to be free to play.
When: 9 July Where: PC, iOS, Android Multiplayer: Online PvE and PvP
A colourful action game in which you, as the iconic ninja turtles, must free Splinter from the clutches of the evil Shredder. Alone or with up to three companions, you will fight the Foot Clan and uncover an even greater threat. "Splintered Fate" is a roguelike in which every round is supposed to be different. I'm very excited about it.
When: 17 July Where: Switch, Apple Arcade Multiplayer: Online for up to four people
"Anger Foot" - arse-kicking action to hardcore techno
A wonderfully stupid and ingenious concept: you are a masked stranger and kick your way through Shit City with your angry foot. The city is an ulcer and your foot is the cure. Different footwear gives you different abilities. The action-packed gameplay is accompanied by a booming soundtrack. The demo was great, the publisher is Devolver, so it can only be good.
When: 11 July Where: PC Multiplayer: no
"Flock" - flying shepherds
"Flock" is also backed by Annapurna, a publisher that promises high quality. It is the antithesis of "Anger Foot". Here you glide through a wondrous world alone or with other people. In the process, you collect cute creatures for your herd. Your blood pressure will drop just from watching.
When: 16 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: Online co-op for up to five people
"Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" - homage to 16-bit consoles
"Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" is a beautiful 2D action adventure game. It pays homage to classic 16-bit games, such as those on the Super Nintendo or Sega Megadrive. The steampunk world looks great, as do the animations and the battles against imaginative enemies. Definitely worth a look for lovers of retro games.
When: 16 July Where: PC, Switch Multiplayer: no
"Cataclismo" - brick by brick
"Cataclismo" mixes tower defence with a real-time strategy game. You construct your own fortresses, train troops and use them to fend off hordes of monsters. Offers enormous freedom in base building. Comes from the studio behind "Moonlighter" and has a great design.
When: 16 July Where: PC Multiplayer: no
"Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus" - kill Japanese legendary figures
Because we'll probably have to wait a long time for "Hollow Knight: Silksong", here's another promising 2.5D action platformer. "Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus" is inspired by Japanese folklore - both visually and in terms of content. The beautiful design is apparently accompanied by challenging gameplay with various skills and creative bosses.
When: 17 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Switch Multiplayer: no
"Nobody wants to die" - cyberpunk detective
Visually, "Nobody wants to die" really knows how to pack a punch. New York in the year 2329 looks breathtaking. As Detective James Karra, you chase a serial killer through a dystopian world that clearly draws inspiration from the film noir genre and "Blade Runner". People can transfer their consciousness into other bodies and thus theoretically live forever. The premise sounds exciting, as do Karra's abilities, such as time manipulation to reconstruct murders.
When: 17 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: no
"Dungeons of Hinterberg" - Alpine "Zelda" with a pinch of "Hugo"
This enchanting action role-playing game comes from Austria. The world of Hinterberg is therefore unsurprisingly inspired by our neighbouring country. With a sword and guidebook, you explore the idyllic Alpine village, conquer monsters, solve puzzles and enjoy a break in the bubble bath with a view of the Alps.
When: 18 July Where: PC, Xbox Series S/X, Game Pass Multiplayer: no
"Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn" - magic and gunpowder
With "Ashen", Studio A44 Games already delivered an extremely interesting souls look-alike a few years ago. Now comes "Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn", a new action game, this time called Souls-Lite. In it, you take on vengeful gods. You have magic as well as firearms and melee weapons at your disposal. Looks refreshingly different.
When: 18 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: no
"Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition" - let the games begin!
"Nintendo World Championships" was a tournament that started in the 90s. It is considered one of the very first e-sports events. Nintendo developed the game collection called Nintendo Entertainment System Game Pak, which consisted of three games. Today, the NES game modules are among the most expensive game collectibles ever. The new edition for the Switch contains significantly more games. These include "Donkey Kong", "Metroid" and "Super Mario Bros.", among others. Unlike in the full versions, in the Championships Edition you usually only play short excerpts of these games. Our colleague Domagoj Belancic has already tried it out and is thrilled.
When: 18 July Where: Switch Multiplayer: local and online for up to eight people
"Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess" - dancing against the damned
Capcom's "Kunitsu-Gami" offers an unusual mix of tower defence and action role-playing game. During the day, you cleanse a mountain village with traditional Japanese dances. In the evening, you put the damned to flight. On the one hand by swinging the sword yourself, on the other hand by commanding the villagers.
When: 19 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: no
"F1 Manager 2024" - manage your racing team
Frontier Developments will soon be delivering the third instalment of the racing manager simulation. The biggest new feature is that you can now set up your own team. There are also numerous improvements designed to ensure greater realism.
When: 23 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X Multiplayer: no
"Earth Defence Force 6" - switch off your brain and recharge
Lousy graphics, explosions every second and never-ending waves of giant insect monsters. That can only mean one thing: A new "Earth Defence Force" is just around the corner. Once again, you have to save the Earth from alien conquerors. You do this by not taking your finger off the shooter button for a second. Can of course be played with friends again, which makes for even more chaos and fun.
When: 25 July Where: PC, PS4, PS5 Multiplayer: Local split screen for two people, online co-op for up to four
"Stormgate" - spiritual successor to "Starcraft"
Frost Giant, the studio behind "Stormgate", is made up of numerous Blizzard veterans. Unsurprisingly, the game is very reminiscent of the real-time strategy game "Starcraft". There is the typical base building and three factions, which could also be called Protoss, Zerg and Terran. If you like hectic multiplayer battles, "Stormgate" could be just the thing for you.
When: 30 July (Early Access) Where: PC Multiplayer: Online PvP and co-op
Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
