It’s worth noting that Flintlock also launched on day one for Game Pass, so that milestone doesn’t necessarily reflect the total sales figures. Released on July 18th, the hack-and-slash action-adventure title focuses on Nor, a member of the Coalition Army seeking to defeat the gods and seal the Door to the Great Below.

Of course, she’ll need to slice, dice and shoot her way through legions of the undead while traversing environments with Enki, a mysterious, mystical fox who has some connection to the gods. Upon progressing, players can unlock new abilities, discover powerful loot, and much more.

Check out our review of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn here. We gave it an eight out of ten, praising the combat, setting, and traversal, while criticizing the movement and technical issues.

Thank you, Sappers!

Since launch, we’ve seen 500,000 new members of the Coalition army across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. That’s huge! ⚔️

Your support means the world! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/akMMqz9ZCk

— Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn 🪓 OUT NOW! ⚔️ (@PlayFlintlock) July 30, 2024

In everything from the structure of its world, how it punishes death, its approach to difficulty, and how it handles exploration, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn scratches that very specific Soulslike itch- which, of course, is something that we know A44 is capable of delivering, courtesy of Ashen. At the same time, however, Flintlock is also a much more forgiving game with a much lower barrier for entry, whether that’s because of the multiple difficulty options available, because of combat just generally not being as difficult as it is in most traditional Soulslikes, or because of more granular elements, like how generous it is with checkpoints or fast travel.

"In everything from the structure of its world, how it punishes death, its approach to difficulty, and how it handles exploration, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn scratches that very specific Soulslike itch- which, of course, is something that we know A44 is capable of delivering, courtesy of Ashen. At the same time, however, Flintlock is also a much more forgiving game with a much lower barrier for entry."

But first things first- let’s talk about what Flintlock exactly is. Set in the world of Kian, it goes all in on the flintlock fantasy aesthetic, as its name suggests, which means a combination of all the traditional fantasy elements combined with an early modern setting and early traces of technology. In and of its own, it’s a strong aesthetic, and it’s one that the game uses to great effect, instantly carving out a unique visual identity for itself and the world that it is set in. You play as Nor Vanek, an elite soldier who, accompanied by the mysterious fox-like entity named Enki, is tasked with defeating powerful beings that have escaped out into the world from the Great Below and are now wreaking absolute havoc, to put it mildly.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn doesn’t fully commit to the Soulslike bit in the narrative and storytelling department either. True to the genre’s usual trappings, it does have cryptic notes and bits and pieces of text scattered about that vaguely allude to new details about the lore, like new puzzle pieces waiting to be put together, but at the same time, Flintlock also isn’t as averse to conventional storytelling methods and staples as Soulslikes often tend to be. There’s plenty of cutscenes, not all characters that you speak to insist on speaking in riddles, and there are even  towns and settlements in the world that are populated with NPCs that you can interact or even play minigames with.

How well does it work? Well, storytelling isn’t where Flintlock’s strengths lie. As I mentioned, I think it boasts a strong setting (where the aesthetic does a lot of the heavy-lifting), but where the story itself is concerned, the game is serviceable at best. There are times where I enjoyed the interactions between Nor Vanek and Enki, and learning more about the world of Kian and its lore was always captivating, but by and large, the story was never anything beyond passably interesting, and rarely was it anywhere close to being the thing that was keeping me playing.

"Flintlock boasts a strong setting (where the aesthetic does a lot of the heavy-lifting), but where the story itself is concerned, the game is serviceable at best."

There is, however, plenty else that will keep you playing in Flintlock. The combat, for instance, is an absolute blast. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a much more approachable flavour of Soulslike, which means even on normal difficulty, it’s not as difficult as a lot of other games in the genre, but it still does maintain a decent level of challenge, while also nailing most of the fundamentals quite well. Chaining together attacks, dodges, and parries feels good on a core, moment-to-moment level, especially as the game starts throwing an increasing variety of enemies at you, each bringing their own unique challenges. Meanwhile, combat also feels generally faster than it does in most Soulslikes, with Nor Vanek’s movements being much more nimble and athletic.

Beyond that, the game throws in additional mechanics as new wrinkles in the proceedings, like armoured or shielded enemies presenting different obstacles, a variety of firearms to use for ranged options, or using Witherings to unleash powerful and magical abilities during fights. Chief among Flintlock’s own twists on familiar ideas, however, is the Reputation system, which is effectively the game’s version of Souls, and as such, central to its progression systems. At its core, it functions exactly the same way- you earn it by defeating enemies, and then you spend it to upgrade your character- though here, you’re doing that in a skill tree, which means your options are a bit more guided and limited than in traditional genre offerings. And yes, as you’d expect from a Soulslike, if you die, you lose all of your unspent Reputation, though you can earn it back by returning to the spot of your death- unless you die before you do, in which case you’ve lost that chunk forever.

What makes the Reputation system really sing, however, is the unique risk/reward mechanic it comes with. Flintlock encourages players to mix up their actions and combos in combat, because every time you do that, you increase your Reputation multiplier. So if, say, during on fight, you combine a variety of dodges, attacks, parries, firearm attacks, and what have you, that fight will likely see your Reputation going up. There’s a catch, however, because as soon as you get hit, your multiplier gets reset, and you instantly earn however much Reputation you’ve racked up until that point. That’s why the game gives you manual control over when to cash in- do you trust your skills and keep increasing your multiplier, hoping for a big payout, or do you play it safe and keep cashing in before you get hit? It’s an incredible system, because not only does it encourage you to properly engage with the game’s full suite of combat mechanics, it also feels appropriately rewarding while also never feeling dauntingly punishing.

"Not only does the Reputation system encourage you to properly engage with the game’s full suite of combat mechanics, it also feels appropriately rewarding while also never feeling dauntingly punishing."

Beyond that, Flintlock’s progression mechanics are rather straightforward in their implementation. You can use the Reputation you’ve earned to unlock skills in the skill tree, slowly expanding your moveset and roster of abilities, while there’s also gear to find and equip to further hone up your build. Outside of that, there’s new weapons to find, existing weapons to upgrade, cosmetics to purchase, and more. Soulslike enthusiasts might be disappointed in the lack of emphasis placed on build diversity here, but Flintlock’s progression mechanics are more than serviceable if you’re approaching it as more of an action RPG in this particular department, especially since it’s the Reputation system that’s the main draw of Flintlock’s progression side of things.

Where exploration is concerned, Flintlock does a solid job of keeping players engaged. Designed as a semi-open experience, its world sees you seamlessly moving through linear and semi-linear areas that are connected to each other through loops and shortcuts in typical Soulslike fashion. There’s usually of plenty of room for exploration, and more often than not, it tends to feel appropriately rewarding. You’ll find new companions to recruit for your caravan, optional areas to explore for powerful gear, crafting resources to spend on valuable equipment upgrades, hamlets to rescue so you can earn health flask upgrades, and plenty of side quests to track down.

Flintlock also ensures that the faster speed of its combat reflects in its general traversal and exploration as well. Nor Vanek’s general movement speed is quite nimble, while she also has a repertoire of jumps, double jumps, dashes, vaults, and what have you that she is capable of stringing together. Thanks to Enki’s abilities, she can also fly through rifts in the sky, which never quite gets boring. Flintlock’s movement and traversal ensure that even when the game’s offerings are a little generic or plain in their design – which I sometimes found some of the side content or areas to be – simply moving about and exploring environments remains fun. The game does feel a bit janky in its movements and animations at times, however, which is a problem that can occasionally drag down both combat and traversal. I didn’t find it to be a huge issue in my experience, but others might find it more annoying.

"Where exploration is concerned, Flintlock does a solid job of keeping players engaged."

Jankiness is something that all of Flintlock suffers from, but honestly, technical excellence and top-of-the-line polish wasn’t something I was expecting from this game anyway. It’s a classic case of a somewhat-technically-rough yet hugely enjoyable AA experience, one that actually will surprise you with its sights vistas from time to time. Once again, the game’s setting comes to the rescue, allowing the art design to flourish and concoct environments and locations that are often a joy to behold- at least as long as you’re not zooming into things too much.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is, ultimately, a game with more than enough going for it to make it an easy recommendation. Soulslike veterans looking to continue scratching the genre’s very particular itch find plenty to love here (especially if you crank up the difficulty), while newcomers may have what is probably the best option for someone who is usually daunted by the genre’s traditional approach to difficulty. Fun combat, engaging progression, a great setting, and the excellent Reputation system combine to create what is a solid, undeniably enjoyable action RPG Soulslike that you definitely shouldn’t skip.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

The source of conflict is the Door to the Great Below. It’s opened, potentially due to Nor’s mysterious companion Enki causing the undead and Gods to enter the world. Thus, the duo hacks and slashes through all kinds of foes to close it and perhaps restore some order to the world. Of course, the Gods won’t let them do so without a fight.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn features some Souls-lite elements, with Nor utilizing a hatchet and various firearms to lay waste to enemies. Enki aids in exploration and movement, but you can also discover gear with effects like increased melee attack range. There are three skill trees to specialize in close quarters combat, magic or ranged damage. Head here for more details.

On July 18th, A44 Games’ Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn arrives on July 18th for Xbox Series X/S, PC and cloud. It sees Nor Vanek and the mysterious Enki on a journey to defeat the gods after the undead infest the world. Dungeons of Hinterberg is out on the same day and provides a mix of dungeon-crawling and adventuring in the Austrian Alps.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess arrives on July 19th, mixing hack-and-slash action with strategy tower defense. As Soh, players must clear a path for the Maiden Yoshiro to purify the Seethe inhabiting Mt. Kafuku. Check out our review for more details.

Interestingly, Microsoft is touting “another update” for subscribers soon. Perhaps the rumored addition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 to Game Pass? The alleged arrival of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2? Stay tuned.

Check out the titles leaving the service on July 31st:

• A Short Hike (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Train Sim World 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Venba (Cloud, Console, and PC)

As Nor Vanek, players fight with the Coalition army to close the Door to the Great Below from which the Gods and the undead armies have poured out. Joined by Enki, who has his own history with the Gods (and may be responsible for their freedom), you’ll encounter Rammuha, who wields three swords; the previously revealed Dukmar; and Inaya, a compassionate goddess that’s now twisted.

The trailer ends with Enki ominously not wanting Nor to die alongside him, while the latter doesn’t want him to die alone. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn launches on July 18th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. You can check out our feature for more details, including impressions of the recent demo from Steam Next Fest.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s newest trailer offers fresh glimpses of various facets of its gameplay experience, with the bulk of the focus being on the combat. On top of employing Soulslike elements, Flintlock will also introduce its own gameplay wrinkles in the form of an emphasis on mobility of flashy movement, which is also on full display in the trailer.

On top of that, we get another look at the game’s gear system, its progression mechanics and skill tree upgrades, and more. For players looking forward to the game, it’s another meaty look at it before its approaching release.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn launches on July 18 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

From the Makers of Ashen

Ashen rode the inaugural wave of soulslikes when it released at the tail-end of 2018. That game took a more minimalistic approach to the sub-genre with its basic moveset and an unassuming clay-like art style. Oh yeah, and the entirety of Ashen could be played with a partner via co-op. Because of A44’s history developing Ashen, they have the experience necessary to craft a larger souls-lite game. It would be really cool to see Flintlock eventually get the dedicated co-op treatment that Ashen had, but it’s an entirely solo affair for now.

Is a ‘Souls-lite’, Not Quite a ‘Soulslike’

Flintlock aims to be less punishing than its FromSoftware inspiration. For one, the gun combat really makes getting out of a tough situation more feasible with the ability to quickly get out of harm’s way using the numerous mobility options afforded to you. Flintlock makes the experience more approachable with three difficulty settings: ‘story’, ‘normal’, and ‘hard’. The most striking difference from its Souls counterpart is the way the story is told. Flintlock isn’t afraid to throw in cinematics and dialogue that actually makes total sense the first time you come across it. As such, the story and combat are more welcoming in Flintolock: Siege of Dawn than typical soulslikes.

Has familiar Souls ‘Bonfire’ System

The devs don’t shy away from Flintlock’s FromSoft inspiration, and nowhere is that seen so strongly as its checkpoints. Checkpoints reset enemy encounters on the map and dying ejects your currency called ‘Reputation’, requiring you to return and defeat the enemy again to reclaim them again. This bonfire infrastructure isn’t deviating much at all from what initially inspired it, managing to provide satisfying risk/reward within the gun/axe gameplay found in Flintlock.

Pre-determined Build Similar to Sekiro and Bloodborne

Want to break the game using a crazy build the devs didn’t originally intend? Well, that probably isn’t possible in Flintlock. You control a pre-established main character named Nor, along with her magical fox companion Enki. Nor only uses her axe, flintlock pistol, and musket to dispatch foes. To help keep your tool kit fresh, there’s a skill tree for your weapons and Enki’s magical powers. Think of a more clunky combo of Bloodborne’s gun-countering abilities and Sekiro’s stance meter and you have the right picture of Flintlock’s gun/axe combat.

Movement is Quick, but Floaty

Speaking of clunky, the movement aims to be graceful, yet ends up feeling floaty instead. The game prides itself on its dance-like parkour maneuverability with abilities such as a double jump and aerial dash. In addition, the fox companion Enki allows you to take flight and teleport between long distances. That said, movement feels somewhat imprecise at the moment, with floaty jumps filled with animation fluff getting in the way of seeing where you land. There’s no reliable way to block attacks in Flintlock, so dodging and ‘dancing’ around your enemy is the core method of defense; I hope it’s just me settling into the feel of the game’s groove and this imprecision isn’t something that keeps people from enjoying it. That being said, this game is heavy on parrying, so you can always go that route to avoid getting hit if evasive maneuvers prove too janky to rely on.

Demo Has a Number of Bugs

Flintlock isn’t out yet, but the playable demo on Steam has seen its fair share of bugs. Thankfully, a lot of the bugs can be ignored and fall within the range of humorous backward-flying dragons seen in Skyrim. Other bugs, however, leave tutorial characters stuck in the terrain halting your progress forward. Hopefully, the team can squash the larger bugs plaguing the demo before Flintlock’s release on July 18th.

Semi-Open World Environments

Flintlock gives you plenty of freedom to explore and play in a non-linear way, but these open areas aren’t seamlessly connected in games like Elden Ring. There are three large zones in Flintlock that we know about, each separated by a loading screen. This division of areas may appeal to gamers overwhelmed by huge open-world games. It can be nice having bite-sized chunks to complete rather than a huge landmass with an endless amount of seamless content.

Unique Setting With Some Myth Thrown In

Flintlock’s fusion of historical and fantastical myth, with a pinch of New Zealand thrown in, is quite unique. This fusion of styles permeates every aspect of the game, from its gameplay using guns and magical abilities, to the lore embedded in the names ‘Enki’ and factions like the Coalition army. There’s not a lot of games inspired by the New Zealand landscapes, so Flintlock hits a pretty unique niche that sets it apart.

Flintlock’s Lore is Straightforward and Plentiful

The story and lore of Flintlock’s world isn’t told to you through item descriptions and puzzle pieces. Instead, A44 Studios took a more straightforward, cinematic approach. Cutscenes outlining key events are interspersed throughout, and characters talk to you with the intention of being understood, a far cry from the more obscure storytelling of FromSoft games.

Plot Is Rushed at Times

The story may be straightforward, but I found it to be rushed at times. The beginning portions of the narrative sweep you off from one plot point to another without any time for the characters to develop in between. Still, there’s some juicy story implications here that can turn around for the better in the mid and late-game plot reveals.

Your Fox Companion Enki Is Always by Your Side

First off, Enki isn’t annoying in the slightest; what a relief. I can’t be the only one getting fatigued by quippy companion characters like the talking cuff from Forspoken interjecting smart remarks every time you take a breath. Enki helps the main character Nor to set the land straight again. I really like Enki’s magical abilities and enhancements to your more grounded attacks, and I’m thankful his dialogue isn’t cringe-inducing.

Character and Enemy Designs Are More Unique Than Trailers Suggest

The preview footage for Flintlock shows a large dosage of undead enemies, but my time in the demo surprised me with even more outlandish character design. The bosses look very striking, taking inspiration from real-world myth and legends from various cultures. And then there’s your multi-limbed barista casually hoisting its scarlet mask away from its strange body in the coffee shops. There’s still a lot of undead enemies though, however, their uniformity is offset by the faction system at play throughout the game.

Formulaic Settlement System

The usual tropes of open-world games encroaches upon Flintlock with zone settlement liberations. Each settlement has its own boss that, upon defeating, re-populates the area with services such as coffee shops and NPC quests. The side quests are generic ‘fetch item A and bring it back’ fare and the stories accompanying them aren’t much better. Such a formulaic pattern is sure to be a pain point for some gamers, but it may be less painful in Flintlock due to its more involved gameplay systems and interesting setting.

Tabletop Card Game Offers a Nice Diversion

And of course, what better setting to have a card game in than Flintlock’s mythical fusion? Yes, there’s a fully-fledged card game within the coffee shops of Flintlock, and they’re quite fun. While not as involved as The Witcher 3’s Gwent, it offers a fun diversion from the usual action-oriented gameplay. The Blackjack-based game has some issues with AI making poor decisions on turns, so hopefully this minigame gets patched at launch to provide a more balanced experience.

Is a Single-Player Only Game and Not a Live-Service

Last but not least, we can’t end this list without mentioning what a relief it is to see Flintlock releasing as a standalone single-player experience with no live-service stuff. The base price is $39.99, with a promotion on Steam for $35.99 until the game’s release. Flintlock may be worth checking out if you want a straightforward action game with no strings attached.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

After a short conversation with the armorer and other NPCs in the Sybil’s Teeth camp, Nor sets out into the Grasslands, occasionally clashing with foes. Upon arriving in Wisdom’s Edge, she must defeat the enemy leader and liberate the town. A short jump later, the City of Sybil is finally in view, though Dukmar’s forces have it occupied, necessitating more combat.

With the help of the fox-like Enki, Nor ventures further towards Dukmar, entering through the Pavilion and battling through the Forum and Enlightened Halls before confronting him at the seat of power. As for what happens next, we’ll need to play the game to find out.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn launches on July 18th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out some more gameplay here, and stay tuned for further information.

Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail

A new world awaits in Final Fantasy 14’s new expansion, Dawntrail, as the Warrior of Light ventures to a new continent in Tural. Whether it’s new cities like Tuliyollal and Solution Nine; new Jobs, from the Viper and Pictomancer to the limited Beastmaster; or brand new dungeons, it promises tons of content for long-time players. You even have a new Alliance Raid Series tying into Final Fantasy 11, The Arcadion and the MMO’s first major graphical update. What new story threads will be woven, and how do they connect back to the Twelve? We’ll find out when Dawntrail launches on July 2nd for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Zenless Zone Zero

From the developer behind Honkai: Star Rail and Genshin Impact comes a brand new free-to-play action RPG with an over-the-top sense of style. Zenless Zone Zero is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where the last bastion of humanity, New Eridu, fights against the Ethereals. Various factions are intertwined in the conflict, and as a Proxy, it’s the player’s job to rally them together on different missions. Featuring fast-paced combat, gorgeous animated visuals and an incredible soundtrack, Zenless Zone Zero could be yet another hit for miHoYo when it launches on July 4th for PS5, PC, iOS and Android.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

Ashen developer A44 Games’ next title, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, is a mix of action-adventure, hack and slash, and Souls-like mechanics. Following multiple delays, it’s finally set to launch on July 18th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. As Nor Vanek, players venture to the City of Dawn after the Great Below’s Door has opened, fighting back against undead forces and other threats. With a flintlock pistol, swords, Nor must fight back and ultimately seal the door. Whether you played the demo or found its trailers intriguing, Flintlock is certainly a dark horse, and we’re looking forward to exploring it.

EA Sports College Football 25

When football gaming needed it most, EA’s College Football series returned. EA Sports College Football 25 launches on July 19th for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, featuring several new features like Wear and Tear for more realistic player health over a match. Abilities like Homefield Advantage can influence how well your team performs on the opponent’s turf, and a new kicking meter, trick plays, and more further add to the strategy. It’s been a long wait, but College Football could surpass expectations.

F1 Manager 2024

After the previous entry and its post-launch controversies, Frontier is back with another F1 Manager. There’s a lot new with this year’s iteration, from creating your own team and Mechanical Failures that alter races in unpredictable ways to the Mentality System where your decisions can affect the morale of different drivers. It’s intriguing, for sure, and hopefully, it can make up for its predecessor’s shortcomings. F1 Manager 2024 launches on July 23rd for PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Earth Defense Force 6

Humanity has finally won against its hostile invaders after a seemingly endless series of conflicts, but Earth is much worse off. Of course, another threat emerges as well, and it’s up to the EDF to instill hope back into humanity by slaying hundreds upon hundreds of enemies (as is tradition). Earth Defense Force 6 touts the most number of missions and weapons in the series yet, with online co-op for up to four players. It’s out on July 25th for PS4, PS5 and PC.

The First Descendant

You’ve probably heard this a few times by now, but the future, invaders from another dimension, humanity struggling to survive, and so on. This time, however, it’s a third-person looter shooter from Nexon, where players control the Descendants – humans with strange powers that lead the fight against the Vulgus and the overwhelming Colossuses. Though there are some Destiny influences, The First Descendant also takes hints from modern shooters with its various Descendants and abilities, weapon modding and more. Launching on July 2nd as a free-to-play title, it will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

EvilVEvil

We’re due for a fast-paced first-person shooter in July, and EvilVEvil could be it. As a vampire investigating a conspiracy, players shoot, slice and slay hordes of enemies. Three different classes – Assassin, Berserker and Arcanist – are available, each possessing different vampire abilities. Of course, there’s plenty of firepower to go around, and you can tackle the game solo or with up to two other players. EvilVEvil launches on July 16th for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – The Sky Breaker

Though it didn’t enjoy explosive popularity, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora offered a pretty immersive take on the series’ mythos with some compelling action. The Sky Breaker is its first paid DLC, launching on July 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, with players venturing to the new Upper Plains. New locations are available to explore, though the RDA isn’t far behind, bringing new lieutenants to the forefront. Nevertheless, with new Legendary items, an increased rank cap and new challenges to complete, The Sky Breaker may be worth returning for.

Asphalt Legends Unite

While Forza and Gran Turismo are more well-known, Gameloft’s Asphalt series has had a pretty dedicated following through the years. Asphalt Legends Unite continues in that vein, serving as a rebranding of Asphalt 9: Legends, with racing clubs, co-op races, and a new Career Mode. There are over 250 Hypercars to unlock, and the series’ signature arcade racing remains intact. Asphalt Legends Unite is available on July 17th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS and Android as a free-to-play title.

Once Human

If you were craving some survival action but with more gunplay, Starry Studio’s Once Human could be worth a look. Out on July 9th for PC, it sees players as Meta-Humans, exploring the remnants of the post-apocalyptic world while fighting against the effects of the Stardust. Fighting mutated creatures and inter-dimensional beings, managing one’s sanity, base-building and more await, along with plenty of guns to customize.

Nobody Wants To Die

New York, 2329. Death is but a memory, as consciousness can exist in memory banks. Of course, it’s far from ideal – a serial killer is going around, hunting more affluent citizens, and it’s your job as detective James Karra to stop them. With gorgeous visuals courtesy of Unreal Engine 5 and a cyber noir aesthetic, Nobody Wants to Die presents a compelling mystery as players manipulate time and gather clues to arrive at the truth. It launches on July 17th for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Flock

Imagine shepherding a flock where creatures of all kinds – sheep, birds and whatnot – can join. That’s more or less the premise of Flock from Hollow Ponds and Richard Hogg. Explore the world, discover all the different animals, some rarer than others, and add them to your flock. Maybe encounter some other players doing the same. You can even create scarves, socks and hats from any excess wool. Flock launches on July 16th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC while releasing day one on Game Pass.

Anger Foot

It feels like Anger Foot’s been, well, kicking around for a while now, each new trailer looking more surreal than the last. However, it’s finally launching on June 11th for PC, allowing players to kick doors, enemies and much more to their heart’s content while on a vigilante mission to recover their stolen sneakers. With a focus on clearing levels quickly and multiple pickups to mix things up, Anger Foot could be a surprise hit.

30. Level Zero: Extraction

tinyBuild’s Level Zero: Extraction pits players against a fierce alien that’s only weak to light, and it’s up to you to survive against the ferocious creature as you carefully tiptoe your way through dimly lit environments. Between an interesting-looking atmosphere and the ability to join forces with up to 2 friends, Level Zero: Extraction has quite the potential to become a surprise hit if it plays its cards right. It’s set to release sometime in 2024 for consoles and PC.