If an original story, compelling characters and settings matter to you, then I can make this really easy for you. Loopmancer probably isn’t going to be your game. The game’s dystopian cyberpunk setting as well as its main story are derivative at best and downright forgettable at worst. This is also the case for the entire cast, with a soft exception for Wei Long, the main villain, who’s psychopathic tendencies and foolish arrogance can make him moderately entertaining at times. You play as detective Xiang Zixu who is repeatedly winding up dead and waking up at his apartment while investigating the disappearance of a reporter.

"The game’s foundationally decent combat, while reasonably fun, just isn’t quite good enough to carry the game’s dead weight across the threshold into being something truly memorable."

This all comes after a horrible car accident that shattered his family you see, and the way the villainous Wei Long, the missing reporter, and Zixu’s strange experiences all ties together turns out basically exactly how you are expecting it to about an hour or two into the game. The incredibly stiff voice acting only adds to the staleness of the narrative, and at times made me wonder why they even bothered with this kind of story at all. Roguelikes don’t really need much of a story to work, so why they went through all the trouble to establish such a weak and uncompelling narrative and portray it so badly is beyond me. If you’re somehow new to the cyberpunk genre or sci-fi in general and are unfamiliar with its trappings, then it might not bother you too much, but for anybody else, it’s going to feel like you’re repeating history; and not just in the good roguelike way.

Speaking of the genre, this is indeed a fairly standard roguelike in that you are repeating levels every time you die while your upgrades remain. Each run you do leaves you better positioned to get farther next time, and that is something that I feel like has been improved since I played the pre-launch version where the difficulty was so high, I only rarely made it out of the first area regardless of what I had. Now, it feels much more like my progress actually matters and that’s a good thing for a game with relatively long levels that aren’t consistently engaging. Your progress also comes in the form of unlocking momentos and other pieces of info that you can reflect on in the apartment between runs. These things don’t add up to much narratively, but they do help you feel like your progress matters. Alternate paths to different levels can also enhance the feeling of discovery a bit and give you more reason to look forward to future runs as you can just try a different path next time.

Combat itself is Loopmancer’s strongest element. Baiting enemies to swing or shoot at you in one direction and zooming behind them is fun, and once you integrate all the different techniques you can develop with the variety of bombs, guns, and melee weapons it can get pretty intense and dare I say deep. Thankfully, another improvement I’ve noticed since I played the earlier build is being able to see the action through foreground objects that would otherwise obstruct your view, that, along with a handful of other balancing issues that make combat a bit less punishing, have smoothed the action out to a nice sheen.

"Combat itself is Loopmancer’s strongest element. Baiting enemies to swing or shoot at you in one direction and zooming behind them is fun, and once you integrate all the different techniques you can develop with the variety of bombs, guns, and melee weapons it can get pretty intense."

It’s still a healthy challenge, though and enemies will punish you for screwing up or falling out of rhythm. If decent combat is all you are after, this particular flavor of side-scrolling dodge-heavy fast-paced combat is certainly fine. Environmental hazards also play a role like dangerous traffic and explosive barrels. Later levels do show the limits of Loopmancer’s combat though with redundant enemy types and boss battles that don’t do much to stand out, so while it is fine and even above average at some points, it’s not top of its class by any means.

If the challenge ends up being too much for you, there is a story mode that arguably guts the core of the experience out by letting you restart on the level you died as opposed to going back to the beginning. This does create an easier experience in theory but it also robs you of all the chances to grab items and upgrades you missed in those earlier levels, which prepare you for the future. The loop mechanic is also central to the game’s story, but with this being one of the most skippable stories I’ve recently come across in the genre, I guess that doesn’t matter too much. Either way, I generally wouldn’t recommend doing the story mode unless you just want to see all the levels as quickly as possible. re-treading through the same opening levels multiple times can dry out the fun a bit, but it’s better than skipping the progression that those runs provide. Plus, the game does make some attempts at remixing the levels. It rarely feels like the changes are important, but it does help stave off some of the repetition after their novelty has worn off.

Speaking of the levels, it’s a mixed bag in terms of how fun they are to play through in my opinion but most of them look fantastic with distinct personalities and visual variety. Some of which tip over into being downright gorgeous with vivid colors and a good sense of depth. Some sections are particularly hard to look away from and might shock you with the depth and detail on display given how sterile and clinical the hub world apartment and office building are. Playing through these stages can be a joy when they’re at their best, while some fall back into the doldrums of the basic design cues of the first level where you’re just jumping and grappling around to different platforms. Even at their worst though, they’re perfectly serviceable. I just wish those high moments lasted longer and were more frequent. Up close, characters and objects don’t look as great, and it’s pretty clear everything is really meant to be viewed from a distance. Some muddiness is alleviated by turning off motion blur, which I recommend doing anyway given the precision the combat often requires.

"Overall, Loopmancer gets enough right to be a compelling package for some rogue-like enthusiasts, particularly those that devour everything the genre spits out."

Overall, Loopmancer gets enough right to be a compelling package for some rogue-like enthusiasts, particularly those that devour everything the genre spits out. The action is fun and varied and the levels mix things up just enough to make replaying them avoid feeling like a slog most of the time. Had the levels felt more fundamentally different in subsequent runs or the designs of each stage been more consistently unique from one another, that could have really made me forget about the story, setting, and characters being almost impossible to care about. But as it is, it feels more like a good rogue-like that just holds itself back a bit and ultimately doesn’t quite stand toe-to-toe with the scads of better examples of the genre we’ve gotten over the last few years.

This game was reviewed on PC.

F1 2022

F1 22 is out in July worldwide for those who didn’t purchase the Champions Edition for early access. Along with the usual 10 teams and 20 drivers, Grand Prixs, and MyTeam and MyDriver Career Modes, there are a bundle of new features in this year’s iteration. Formation Laps and Pit Stops can either be Immersive, with the player in control or automatic; new Sprint Races are now in play on eligible tracks; redesigned cars offer changes to the driving; and VR has been added for the first time ever on PC.

Then there’s F1 Life, a new lifestyle element with clothes to purchase, interior decorating for one’s crib, and Supercars to collect. F1 22 releases on July 1st for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Rune Factory 5 (PC)

Just a few months after finally releasing in the West for Nintendo Switch, Hakama’s Rune Factory 5 is coming to PC on July 13th via Steam. Following Rune Factory 4 Special, the sequel sees the amnesiac protagonist in Rigbarth. After joining SEED, the town defense force, players can set about completing tasks for the townsfolk and help combat growing threats.

There’s farming to be done, monsters to tame, festivals to attend and up to 12 different companions to bond with. The real-time combat is also faster-paced and sleeker-looking while featuring new mechanics like Link Attacks. Though its Switch version was plagued by performance issues, Rune Factory 5 on PC seems to offer consistent 60 FPS performance.

As Dusk Falls

Though first announced in July 2020, As Dusk Falls shone in its recent trailer at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. The narrative adventure title starts in Arizona in 1998 with a botched robbery. Two families are involved and throughout two books across decades, one has to make decisions that will affect their fate.

Inspired by the likes of Breaking Bad, Fargo and Dog Day Afternoon, As Dusk Falls also supports multiplayer for up to eight players online and locally (or even a mix of both). It’s out on July 19th for PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S along with Game Pass.

Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels

Playground Games has been doing an exceptional job with its open-world racing title Forza Horizon 5, releasing new features, updates and cars since its launch last year. On July 19th, it will receive its first paid expansion with Hot Wheels, adding 10 new cars based on the toyline like the 2000 Hot Wheels Deora II. Players can also race and create outrageous tracks from more than 80 pieces. The expansion will be available for Premium Edition, Expansions Bundle and Premium Add-Ons Bundle owners of Forza Horizon 5 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Arcadegeddon

Illfonic of Predator: Hunting Grounds and Friday the 13th: The Game have something a little different to offer with Arcadegeddon. In early access since July 2021 on PlayStation and PC, the co-op shooter focuses on Gilly, who becomes mixed up with an evil megacorporation to save his beloved arcade. Offering a mix of PvP and PvE, Arcadegeddon sees up to four players battling through evolving stages in various biomes.

The full launch promises new Surge abilities, a new PvP mode, new Gangs and much more. It’s out on July 5th for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S with cross-platform play supported.

KLONOA Phantasy Reverie Series

The ear-flapping, platforming goodness of Klonoa returns when KLONOA Phantasy Reverie Series launches on July 8th for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch worldwide. It features remasters of the very first two Klonoa games – Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, which first launched in 1998 for PS One, and Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil, which released in 2001 for PS2. The visuals have been significantly revamped, whether it’s the character models or the environments and lighting (for better or worse in some cases).

It also features two-player co-op, difficulty settings – including an Easy Mode which reduces damage taken, grants infinite lives and five health hearts – and runs in 4K/60 FPS.

Loopmancer

While several roguelites embrace various kinds of animated styles, eBrain Studio’s Loopmancer offers realistic 3D visuals to go with its fast-paced action. The setting is Dragon City in 2046 with detective Xiang Zixu investigating the death of a famous journalist. He eventually meets his demise but finds himself back in his apartment, seemingly trapped in a time loop.

With seven stages to explore, over 100 weapons, and various skills and items, players will make different decisions throughout loops to ultimately find a way out. Loopmancer releases on July 13th for PC.

Stray

Cyberpunk adventure Stray releases on July 19th for PS4, PS5 and PC (while also available in the Extra and Premium tiers for PlayStation Plus). As a stray cat in a run-down cybercity inhabited by deteriorating machines, the player’s goal is to reunite with their family. They’re joined by B12, a small drone, and must solve puzzles, gather clues, and platform through environments to progress.

Along the way, there are swarms of Zurks and various hostile drones to avoid. With its gorgeous visuals and setting, and unorthodox protagonist, Stray promises an atmospheric adventure unlike any other.

Digimon Survive

Over four years, multiple delays and a developer change since its initial announcement, Bandai Namco’s Digimon Survive is finally on the verge of release. Part visual novel, part tactical RPG, it follows Takuma Momozuka and his friends as they visit a mysterious temple during Spring Break, discover Digimon and find themselves dragged into another world. The group must look for a way to survive but can also engage in turn-based tactical battles with their Digimon.

Based on one’s decisions, different routes, digivolutions and endings can be unlocked. While not quite like The Quarry in terms of the body count, it’s also possible for characters to die if you make the wrong choice. With about 80 to 100 hours of gameplay promised for all of the routes, Digimon Survive could be a dark horse in terms of RPGs this year. It’s out on July 29th for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PC and Xbox One.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Almost five years after the launch of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the story is finally continuing. MonolithSoft’s Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is out on July 29th for Nintendo Switch as one of the rare games moved up from its original September release. Set in the world of Aionios, with two nations – Keves and Agnus – in constant conflict, it focuses on Noah and Mio. Though opposed to each other, both are off-seers who use flutes to mourn the fallen soldiers. Along with their respective companions, the party embarks on a seemingly common mission to Sword March while a strange threat looms behind the scenes.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 continues the series tradition of open world exploration with stunning locales, dangerous wildlife and numerous quests to partake in. Combat features six party members (along with heroes that can be recruited as a seventh member) with numerous classes, character switching mid-battle, Chains, and much more. The new Interlink system also allows two characters to fuse into a single powerful entity called Ouroboros with a dedicated progress tree.

With compelling characters, a serious story and cool-looking combat, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may be the series’ best outing yet.

The demo features a variety of gameplay improvements over earlier builds of Loopmancer. Players will now also be able to start new deathloops from Longxi Town.

The arsenal of the protagonist—Xiang—has been expanded in the new demo. The roster of enemies has also been expanded with the addition of the Black Tiger Corps and Kouga Industry Ninjas. Demo players can also check out the new Nvidia RTX features in Loopmancer‘s new demo.

Loopmancer involves the murder of private detective Xiang Zixu, who was investigating the disappearance of a famous journalist. Upon his death, however, Xiang wakes up in his bed, learning that he is caught in a loop where time resets every time he dies.

Loopmancer is set to release on July 13, and will be coming to PC, available through Steam and Epic Games Store.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Developer Fatshark’s upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a co-op survival game set against the backdrop of the Warhammer 40k universe. Assuming the role of Inquisition soldiers, players have to take the charge of defeating waves upon waves of cultists before they shatter the planet of Atoma Prime to pieces. Gameplay primarily revolves around defeating enemies using long-range weaponry, although players will also have the option to get up close and personal with enemies using melee weapons.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide releases for all major console platforms and PC sometime in 2022.

The game is set in Dragon City in the year 2046. While technology has advanced at a rapid pace and is widely available, the gap between rich and poor has only grown. The story follows “Xiang Zixu, a brilliant private eye, [who] is killed while investigating the disappearance of a famous female journalist. Immediately after his death, he wakes up with a start in his apartment bedroom. Before he can process what happened, his phone rings and his colleague at the agency tells him of a new case: the disappearance of a famous female journalist.”

Loopmancer features than 7 environments to explore, over 100 weapons to unlock, more than 30 enemies to fight, several skills to unlock, and choices that will actively impact the fates of the characters you encounter as well as the game’s ending.

You can watch the announcement trailer below courtesy of IGN: