September usually marks the flood of big releases, year in and year out. However, the party is starting early in July with a number of high profile exclusives, an eagerly awaited expansion and Stranger Things. Without further ado, let’s check out the ten most noteworthy games of July 2019.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Intelligent Systems is teaming up with Koei Tecmo for Fire Emblem: Three Houses, releasing on July 26th for the Switch. While the series’ tactical combat is still present, the story takes an intriguing turn, casting the player as a teacher. You’ll be guiding the students of the Black Eagles, Blue Lions and Golden Deer, each house representing a nation formerly at war and having a key character associated with them. That’s just the pre-time skip though – what happens after five years when the nations are at war once again? You’ll need to play the game to find out.
Stranger Things 3: The Game
So Telltale Games’ Stranger Things went bust. The good news is that Bonus XP and Netflix are delivering Stranger Things 3: The Game, a companion title to the upcoming third season. And it’s an…overhead beat ’em up style game with local co-op? We can dig it. Players will take on different quests, solve puzzles, battle enemies and choose from 12 characters, each with their own abilities. Stranger Things 3: The Game is out on July 4th for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PC.
Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers
Square Enix’s next massive expansion for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is nearly upon us. Shadowbringers provides players with a darker task than before – they must venture to the First Star dimension and become the Warrior of Darkness to stop the Light’s overwhelming influence. Along with an increased level cap, new zones, new jobs like the Dancer and Gunbreaker and new races, Shadowbringers will also have a series of new raids. This includes one based on NieR: Automata which director Yoko Taro is overseeing. Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers is out on July 2nd for PS4 and PC.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
Set in a new universe and retaining the signature Marvel Comics look, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order is developed by Team Ninja and published by Nintendo for the Switch. It sees our heroes battling against Thanos and his Black Order for the Infinity Stones. The signature beat ’em up action is still intact along with a large cast of characters, from Captain America and Deadpool to Magneto and Wolverine. We’ll see how well it captures the spirit of Marvel when it releases on July 19th.
Sea of Solitude
Jo-Mei Games’ Sea of Solitude is a emotional adventure game set in a submerged city. Protagonist Kay has become a monster and is on a mission to regain her humanity. Along the way, she’ll encounter other bizarre creatures and learn to cope with her psychological issues. Though a relatively low-key release, Sea of Solitude has an intriguing aesthetic and premise. It’s out on July 5th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Taking place two decades after The New Colossus, Wolfenstein: Youngblood takes the series in some interesting new directions. B. J. Blazkowicz’s twin daughters travel to Nazi-occupied Paris to find their father and aid the resistance as well because why not? With co-op support, missions that can be attempted in any order and level design that takes cues from Arkane Studios’ Dishonored, Wolfenstein: Youngblood looks to be a worthy follow-up. It’s out on July 26th for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
The sequel to the hit action RPG sandbox title, Dragon Quest Builders 2 features an epic new story and massive world to explore. As an alternate version of Dragon Quest 2’s story, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is about fighting the Children of Hargon who want to wipe out all builders. To accomplish this, you’ll take on various tasks, constructing buildings and improving your building skills. New features include underwater exploration, flying, online and offline multiplayer with up to four players and much more. It’s out on July 12th for Nintendo Switch and PS4 in the West.
Just Cause 4: Los Demonios
Available early for Season Pass holders, Just Cause 4’s second expansion Los Demonios is out for everyone else on July 3rd. It sees a parasitic alien species attacking Solis, bringing new terrifying enemies for Rico to deal with. Fortunately, he’ll have some new weapons including alien tech to hold his own. In terms of missions and scale, the jury’s still out on whether Los Demonios is worth checking out when it arrives on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle
Yes, the craze for Attack on Titan isn’t what it used to be but that doesn’t mean Koei Tecmo is slowing down on content for its game series. Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle is an upgrade which sports new original episodes for Story Mode, new characters like Zeke and Kenny Ackerman, and scenarios from Season 3 of the anime. There are also two new modes, the first focused on squad battles against Titans for territories and the second more focused on aerial combat. Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle is out on July 5th in the West for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Beyond: Two Souls (PC)
Quantic Dreams’ hit cinematic adventure titles have finally come to PC…via the Epic Games Store. Regardless, PC players can finally experience Beyond: Two Souls in their preferred resolution and frame rate (we hope). The story stars Hollywood actor Ellen Page as Jodie, a woman with immense psychic powers thanks to her connection with an entity named Aiden. Along the way, she’ll battle against the CIA including her surrogate father-figure portrayed by Willem Dafoe. Beyond: Two Souls is out on July 22nd for PC.