Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

The tale of Edward Kenway, seemingly lost to time (or at least 2013), is reborn at long last. Launching on July 9th, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is a remake of the original, maintaining the same story and characters while expanding on everything else. Overhauled visuals, a denser world map, faster combat, expanded naval battles, a deeper end-game – the list goes on and on. Sure, some parts like the modern-day Abstergo segments and equipping the Hidden Blade in combat are absent (alongside the DLC and multiplayer). But it’s otherwise a faithful retelling of our favorite assassin/pirate’s legend with so much more to offer.

EA Sports College Football 27

College Football’s resurgence and success means a new yearly sports franchise for EA, for better or worse. But at least College Football 27 is trying a few new things when it launches on July 9th, starting with a PC debut for the series. Long-time fans can expect Dynasty improvements, new customization options in Road to Glory, and more. Perhaps the most intriguing new addition is Mascot Mashup, where teams of mascots can clash in games.

Echoes of Aincrad

Somehow, Sword Art Online returned, but instead of playing as well-known characters like Kirito or Asuna, you’ll experience the first season’s death game as an original character. Customize their appearance, learn unique skills, venture through dungeons, and try not to die. But for those who want that authentic experience, there’s Death Game Mode, where your save is deleted upon death. Echoes of Aincrad looks the part visually, so we’ll give it a shot, but a revamp of the tutorial certainly wouldn’t hurt before its July 10th launch.

Palworld 1.0

Pocketpair’s creature-collecting, open-world, survival crafting title exploded when early access debuted in 2024, and it’s come a long way since. While storming the World Tree is the end-game, 1.0 is going all out in terms of new gameplay features. A Wing Pack for flying around on your lonesome; a Pal that transforms into a two-handed sword with a unique move-set; and those mysterious floating islands that developers seem to be fans of. Touted as the biggest update for Palworld yet, we can’t wait to see how 1.0 changes the game when it goes live on July 10th.

The Alters: Last Variable

Remember when you left Jan Scientist behind at the end of The Alters? If the answer is, “I didn’t play The Alters,” well…don’t worry about it. All you need to know is that cloning yourself is back on the menu, as you explore new regions, expand a new base underground and learn the truth about something called the Oasis. With cryo-sleep enabling longer-term consequences, Last Variable could feed into the survival drama that helped the base game thrive when it launches on July 13th.

Moss: The Forgotten Relic

PlayStation VR titles have been less common over the years, but thankfully, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2 players will have a chance to experience Polyarc’s Moss series without the need for a headset. Alongside both games and DLC, it promises a new Smart Follow camera and the option to skip combat. There are also new cutscenes to go with the improved performance. So if you’ve never experienced the journey of Quill, a mouse who ventures through the ruins of a kingdom, there’s no better day than July 16th when Moss: The Forgotten Relic launches.

Gothic Classic (PlayStation and Xbox)

With how well-received Gothic 1 Remake has been, PlayStation and Xbox players will finally get the chance to experience the 2001 original on July 28th. And it’s about as untainted as you’d expect, preserving the unforgiving challenge and janky gameplay that made the original such a treat.

Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game

A good Avatar video game is about as rare as an enjoyable live-action adaptation, but Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game could fill those shoes. It’s 1v1, featuring hand-drawn animation and packs 12 playable characters, from Aang and Korra to Azula and Kyoshi. Along with Training and Spectator modes, you have the requisite Versus with rollback netcode and cross-play support. Best of all, single-player fans have Story Mode, which offers an original tale, and Arcade Mode. Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game lands on July 23rd for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC.

Splatoon Raiders

Instead of competitive modes like its predecessors, Splatoon Raiders leans fully into single-player but with a fresh gameplay loop. As the Mechanic, you’ll explore the Spirhalite Islands with Deep Cut, unearthing relics and fighting the Salmonids. By mining Spirhalite Shards, you can develop Gadgets for additional combat options. With optional local and online co-op, it looks intriguing, if nothing else, and arrives on July 23rd for Nintendo Switch 2.

Halo: Campaign Evolved

The campaign that started it all, but evolved. Halo Studios may not have the most sterling reputation, but we have to admit that its remake of Halo 1 has looked good in recent showings, whether it’s the visuals or revamping levels to facilitate four-player co-op. The prospect of over 40 Skulls, including one that adds a third-person perspective, and a Campaign Remix option means heaps of replay value. Just try not to focus too much on the lack of Theater Mode or post-launch content plans when Halo: Campaign Evolved arrives on July 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Mistfall Hunter

We’ve already seen a Souls-like battle royale-style game in Nightreign, so why not an extraction title in the same vein? Announced in October 2024, Mistfall Hunter will finally launch this month on Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, offering six playable Gyldhunters who venture into the titular mist to take on various monstrosities. And while there’s a very “end of the world” style scenario, it’s still all about finding loot, either solo or in teams of three, and surviving against enemies and other players long enough to extract it. Enjoyable or tedious? We’ll find out on July 29th.

The Relic: First Guardian

Of course, if we’re talking about Souls-likes that have been a long time coming, The Relic: First Guardian is out on July 31st for PS5 and PC after first being announced five years ago. Suffice to say that the setting and prospect of venturing into the ruined world of Arsiltus to help save it is enticing. The fact that you don’t lose stamina from attacking also means a more aggressive playstyle, and while we’ll need to wait and see how the bosses pan out, The Relic could make for a nice diversion.

The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu

If you’re not in the Souls-like mood and just want a more co-op-focused experience with plenty of the same oppression, The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu may be worth playing. The premise is simple – you and up to three other players venture into a jungle in the hopes of finding the Mound. However, there’s the Madness system, similar to the Sanity system from Eternal Darkness, which can mess with your senses in a variety of ways, from making allies appear hostile to creating truly horrific sights. In other words, a fun ol’ time with friends when it launches on July 15th.

Backyard Baseball

The original Backyard Baseball is a classic in many ways, but for those who wanted a more contemporary version, there’s good news. Mega Cat Studios is reimagining it for consoles and PC with completely revamped visuals. The Backyard roster returns in full force with 30 choices, and you can duke it out across 11 stadiums and six modes. With a range of options for both casual and competitive players, it promises to capture the magic of the original – with some modern quality of life – when it launches on July 9th.

Dinoblade

So there’s one more game to look forward to in July, and yes, it’s another Souls-like. The twist? Dinosaurs. In a post-cataclysm, you take up a Great Sword as a Spinosaurus and embark on a journey for…something, taking on all kinds of hostile dinos. These include Alphas who may have their own weapons and skills. As ridiculous as it sounds, there’s no denying how cool it looks. Dinoblade launches on July 23rd for PC.

The Gyldhunters are a versatile bunch, and that means there’s a ton of build potential to let you decimate a variety of well-designed enemies. Extra emphasis on the “well-designed” part, as every foe players faced came with very readable animations and deadly attacks. But the Gyldhunters are more than a match thanks to parrying and dodge mechanics that look as close to perfection (read: Sekiro) as they can get.

Whether you’re someone who likes to use magic to attack from afar, a brute who likes to tank as much damage as they dish out, or a swordmaster who uses finesse and unerring precision to bring down foes that are more than twice your size, there’s something for everyone to like in this one.

Your enemies are certainly not pushovers, but you’re a force to be reckoned with in your fight to repel the Gyldenmist. With the full game out on July 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, now is a great time to get in on the action.

The extraction RPG that puts you in the shoes of the Gyldhunters, a group of exiled warriors who are putting everything on the line to reclaim their lost glory, has made an appearance at the Future Games Show Summer Showcase with a new trailer and finally has a release date.

The trailer gives us a closer look at some of its unique classes in action, along with battles that look like they’re severely tilted in favor of the monstrosities that the Gyldhunters must face down and defeat. However, they’re not entirely helpless, as they come with unique abilities and some sick moves that let them turn the tide against even the most fearsome of foes. Speaking of fearsome foes, we got a glimpse of a very nasty-looking antagonist who might just be the source of the Gyldenmist and the Gyldhunter’s woes.

It’s gloomy, moody, and even a tad unsettling, but it’s defintely one to look out for this year.

This one’s coming to the PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on July 29, 2026, and you can be sure to find us in its bleak world as soon as it drops.

We’ve already spoken about how this one’s combat has us pretty excited to try it out. However, the latest gameplay deep dive from Bellring shows off a world that’s quite suited to apathy and nihilism, while remaining a credible threat thanks to the Gyldenmist. As a Gyldhunter, you’re going to be racing against others of your kind, while a few of you might choose to team up with some of them to gain an advantage.

That isn’t going to amount to much unless you’re spot-on with your chosen class. Do you like to harness the elements to devastate any and all who stand in your way? The Sorcerer is for you. Perhaps you like to hang back in the shadows and strike only when the time is right? The Shadowstrike is going to have you grinning from ear to ear even as you lay down some serious damage. The Seer and Blackarrow are other viable options, each bringing something unique to the table in a gameplay loop that’s going to make you become really good with your chosen class.

If you’re part of a team, things get even better, as one of you could choose to give all your loot to a fellow teammate so you can take a last stand and buy them time to escape the Gyldenmist’s corrupting influence. Be careful of who you trust, though.

All in all, this one’s shaping up to be an extraction RPG that stands out, and does it well. Mistfall Hunter arrives in July for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

You play as a Gyldhunter, a being brought to life to navigate the dangers of the Gyldenmist, a dangerous fog that has resulted from a from a divine civil war. You’re going to have to let your weapons do the talking against the enemies you find there, as the reveal trailer (showcased below) is enough evidence to prove that none of them are great at conversation or diplomacy.

Fortunately, you’ve got a few classes of Gyldhunters to choose from, and you get to bring up to three other players along for runs where you think your skills might fail if you take them on solo. With distinct skills and playstyles on each class, finding synergies and making the most of them on the battlefield is going to help you make subsequent adventures a whole lot easier.

It’s making its way to PC (via Steam and the Microsoft Store), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in July, although a specific release date is yet to be announced at this time.

Of course, as the publication notes, these are “only a few” of the appearing titles. The showcase promises “exclusive trailers, new looks and gameplay” from upcoming titles, including “plenty of amazing-looking” indies. There’s even a “surprise,” and your guess is as good as ours on what that could be.

While it may not seem a big deal compared to, say, another Xbox_Developer Direct or Partner Showcase, the last IGN-partnered ID@Xbox Showcase featured new trailers for MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, Routine, Darkwood 2, and…well, Aphelion.

Aside from the latter, which launches next week (including on Game Pass), we’ll likely get release dates for Mistfall Hunter and There Are No Ghosts at the Grand. Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive could showcase its next big update for those who are into the game. Maybe it’s coming to Xbox Series X/S.

As always, stay tuned for more details and coverage. For those hoping for heavier hitters, there’s still the Xbox Games Showcase and Gears of War: E-Day Direct on June 7th. Microsoft has yet to confirm all the appearing games, but at least The Coalition will have a “fantastic, full 30 minutes of stuff to see,” according to Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty.

While 2025 did give us the much-awaited DLC for Lies of P, a mechanically solid offering in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and a true test of perseverance and skill with Clair Obscur’s Thank You update, the genre spent a relatively quiet year for the most part. However, that’s about the change with a bunch of new titles designed to invoke a lot of clenched jaws and aching fingers on the way.

Join us as we take a look at some of the brand-new Soulslikes coming your way in 2026 and beyond!

1. Code Vein 2

The sequel to 2019’s Code Vein is all set to build on what made its predecessor a title worthy of the genre, expanding on its size, scope, and ambition to present an experience that’s sure to have you glued to your screens.

With a new story and a new set of party members to engage with, along with a world that’s going to be significantly larger for you to explore, this one is shaping up to be quite the sequel. We’re expecting it to be among the more approachable ones on this list if you’re thinking about dipping your toes into the deep waters that come with the Soulslike genre.

2. Lords of the Fallen 2

We’re quite eager to step into this dark world again, and with good reason. Its trailers are looking really good, and showcase a gameplay loop that’s every bit as immersive and punishing as its predecessor. The new boss designs are a highlight, as are the new levels, with the Axial and Umbral worlds presenting us with stunning vistas to behold.

If the sequel is anything like the previous game, this one is going to be a love letter to those of you who like to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger after every defeat.

3. Nioh 3

A true sequel in the popular franchise is only days away at the time of writing this list, and it’s bringing a whole lot of new additions to the table. There’s a new protagonist who’s poised to travel across time to influence the fate of Japan in the wake of their brother’s betrayal. The mechanics that you know and love are also coming back to the new game, albeit with a twist.

They are now part of the Samurai playstyle, which is to be joined by the Ninja playstyle that forgoes the Ki Pulse mechanic that’s been a staple of the franchise so far in favor of some cool weapons and moves. It’s a great balance between the old and new for a franchise that’s known to push its players past their limits and send them right back to the last save point quite often.

4. Mistfall Hunter

This PvPvE extraction RPG has everything you’d expect from a Soulslike, along with the added allure of bringing a new gameplay loop into the mix. There are fantasy-inspired levels, enemies, and bosses, along with a variety of weapons and spells for your character, the Gyldhunter, to use against their foes.

With smooth animations, tight windows for your parries and dodges, and your success purely reliant on your skills in the field, this one is sure to have you playing on the edge of your seat when it releases later this year.

5. Phantom Blade Zero

While the game’s director has insisted that it isn’t a Souls-like title, there are enough similarities to the genre for it to earn a spot on this list. Its slick, wuxia-based combat and traversal mechanics are a sight to behold, while its enemies pack quite a punch in a story that gives you 66 days to uncover a conspiracy surrounding your character.

While it’s probably going to be approachable on lower difficulties, everything we’ve seen about this one is evidence that putting it on the hardest possible level of challenge is going to have you in desperate battles for survival, thanks to combat mechanics and enemy designs that are geared to dish out as much punishment as they receive.

6. Valor Mortis

This is an interesting one. Set in an alternate version of 19th-century Europe where Napoleon’s military ambitions have resulted in a world gone horribly wrong, you step into the shoes of William, an English soldier who’s been resurrected and forced to fend off undead hordes with his own comrades among their ranks.

That sets the stage for an excellent first-person Soulslike where you use your cutlass, flintlock pistol, and a host of magical spells to strike, slash, dodge, and parry your way through an adventure full of mystery and conspiracy. We’ve definitely got our eyes on this one and will be diving in when it releases later this year.

7. The Relic: First Guardian

This dark action-RPG has a lot of interesting twists to the traditional Soulslike formula. For starters, your attacks don’t consume stamina, and all your skills work off of cooldowns as opposed to mana or other resources. Second, every weapon or piece of gear you find is unique, which is another feather in its cap.

But the story is probably going to be a highlight of the experience with your character, the Keeper, exploring the remnants of a past civilization that has faded out of existence. Memories of lives long past are going to be a key focus of your experience, and it’s quite a poignant narrative from what we’ve seen so far. This one drops in May this year, and we’re expecting it to be a title that haunts us long after we complete it.

8. Fatekeeper

A protagonist with a talking rat stowed away in his backpack, exploring a fantasy world that’s designed to catch your attention, is something that’s sure to appeal to any Soulslike fan. That’s exactly what Fatekeeper is bringing to the table, with visuals and a gameplay loop that could have you losing track of the many hours you’re going to spend exploring its world.

The game’s demo showcases many familiar mechanics and a combat system that’s seemingly easy to learn but is probably significantly harder to master. It’s entering Early Access on Steam later this year, with a console version confirmed to come along sometime after that.

9. Beast of Reincarnation

Game Freak’s attempt to break away from Pokémon looks like a solid effort to bring a dystopian Japan to life. From horrifying mutants to gigantic robots, your character and her pet dog are going to have their work cut out for them as they set out to heal the land from the effects of a mysterious blight and take down the creature that has caused it.

The visuals are definitely impressive, while the combat has been compared to Sekiro, which is always good news for a game that aims this high. It’s coming out later this year and is certainly looking like it could be worth your time and money.

10. The Duskbloods

Hidetaka Miyazaki is back again with a new project, although this one’s a Switch 2 exclusive. You get to pick from a lineup of Duskbloods, characters with vampiric abilities, and you will be thrust into a dark fantasy world with both PvP and PvE elements.

While the director has been typically cagey about the details, we know that each Bloodsworn comes with unique weapons, gear, and abilities, and must fight against beings that have left their humanity behind in the pursuit of a mysterious power across time and space. That’s more than enough to pique our curiosity, and our Switch 2 is probably going to be quite busy when this one releases sometime this year.

11. Lies of P 2

Neowiz is hard at work on a sequel to its runaway hit, but details are scarce about when it’s going to release. However, the studio has been quite open about how it has been enjoying the process of creating a sequel, and there have been hints at a more expansive, less linear world for P (or Carlos, if you will) to explore.

Of course, the cliffhanger at the end of the first game has us expecting characters from another popular childhood story to make an appearance, and curious to know more about how they could fit into Krat’s grim world in the process. We could hear more about this one over the course of the year, and maybe even play it this year or in 2027.

12. Knights Path

Set in the Roman Empire and placing you in the shoes of Alryk, a disgraced noble out to restore his name, this one is sure to delight those among you who prefer a more methodical approach to combat. You’re going to want to take your time mastering its mechanics, as it’s designed around each move you make being intentional, which is always a good thing in a Soulslike.

Your character arc is going to be woven into how well you manage to take down your enemies, and with a story that lets you choose a path between honor and acting in your own self-interest, this is a game to watch out for, although there’s no release date yet.

13. Shadows of The Lost

Lies of P has demonstrated that it’s always nice to have a Soulslike with a story, and this dark fantasy title with mythological elements woven into its world is a great showcase of that. Or it’s going to be when it eventually releases, either in 2026 or 2027.

Aside from the story, its focus on momentum-based combat, where the game rewards you for skillful play, is definitely something we’re eager to check out. We think that this one could be a Soulslike game for the ages, just as it seemingly aims to be.

14. LUOYANG

This single-player action-RPG might be a long time away from its final release, but with the success of other Chinese Soulslikes and action-RPGs with settings in Chinese history, LUOYANG is looking like a sublime blend of everything good about the titles that inspired it.

Its combat is definitely up there with the genre’s best, while its worldbuilding and enemy designs have us quite enthusiastic to see more of the game in action. Sadly, there’s no release date as of now, and we might have a long wait ahead of us before this one is available to play.

15. Spark in the Dark

This dungeon crawler brings a lot of reasons to be curious about it. For starters, you have five hero classes, each bringing unique value propositions to its combat loop. You have a ton of enemies to try them out on, with an Abyss that’s seemingly endless and just waiting to be explored. What could go wrong?

Throw in procedurally generated gear and the fact that you’re going to have to take care of your equipment once you’re done with your fights, and you have the recipe for a game that could translate to many hours of intense entertainment. What’s more, it comes out this March, which means we don’t have to wait too long before we’re exploring the dark, endless dungeon alongside you.

Zhang also spoke about the lore of Mistfall Hunter, and how the studio has taken pains to sprinkle tiny details about the world all over the game. He noted that some players during the beta tests were already able to piece together some aspects of the lore, including the secrets behind the Gyldenmist.

Looking to the future, Zhang has confirmed that there will be new content and features that will be made available to all Mistfall Hunter players. Among the new content coming to the game is its second playable map—the Solemn Needles. The map has been described as being a bleached and sacred forest where players will also have their first encounter with the Divine Anchor.

Solemn Needles will have a host of new points of interest for players to explore, including the corpse of a giant, dubbed Hastines’s Fall, which is noted as still radiating the power of the gods that resulted in the death of the giant. The Witchery Woods will also have their own secrets to uncover as players get ready to take on the False God.

Mistfall Hunter has been hosting beta tests throughout the year, with April being host to its second beta. Over time, Bellring Games has been testing out a host of different features and gameplay systems for the PvPvE RPG, with beta 2 featuring new scenes and areas that players could explore, like the Ember Iris. Solo mode was also the focus of testing at the time for players that would prefer to go at it alone rather than having to find team mates.

When the second beta had gone live, the studio had written about the importance of needing players to aim their attacks, rather than have the abilities be auto-targetted. They noted that aiming mechanics brings in more skill-based gameplay, which also has the side-effect of increasing the learning curve the game might present to newer players.

The third beta for Mistfall Hunter is still ongoing, but is slated to come to an end later this week. There has been no confirmation yet about whether there will be a fourth beta test or if the studio will instead focus on making its originally-planned 2025 launch window.

The extraction RPG was first announced all the way back in October 2024, and was described as featuring a dark fantasy setting heavily inspired by Nordic myths. In the game, players can choose from a variety of playable classes, each of them having unique abilities that could give them the edge both against computer-controlled enemies in PvE, as well as player-controlled opponents in PvP.

Mistfall Hunter doesn’t yet have an exact release date. The title was originally announced as being slated for release some time this year, however, and is being developed for PC and Xbox Series X/S.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Keeper, Grounded 2, and the ROG Xbox Ally (which will allegedly receive a release date) make up day one, as previously announced. However, you can also look forward to Cronos: The New Dawn, Hotel Barcelona, Invincible VS, World of Warcraft: Midnight, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Dying Light: The Beast, Starsand Island, PowerWash Simulator 2, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Outbound, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants.

Day 2 is also just as packed. Previously confirmed titles include The Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Overwatch 2, but Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Jurassic World Evolution 3, FragPunk, Mistfall Hunter, At Fate’s End and Age of Empires 4 are also present. Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles, My Hero Academia: All’s Justice, Silent Hill f, LEGO Voyagers, and High on Life 2 will also appear. If that wasn’t enough, you can expect to see Silent Hill f and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater in action.

Before all this unfolds, Gamescom Opening Night Live will take place on August 19th at 11 AM PDT and promises its own stacked lineup. Then there’s Future Games Show on August 20th, featuring Phantom Blade Zero and Little Nightmares 3. Stay tuned for live coverage throughout all this.

The third-party line-up is even more jam-packed with Borderlands 4, EA Sports FC 26, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Cronos: The New Dawn, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Aniimo, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, PowerWash Simulator 2, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Invincible VS, Super Meat Boy 3D, Cronos: The New Dawn and Mistfall Hunter also playable. You can even go hands-on with Final Fantasy 16, which has been out for months on Xbox Series X/S.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s The Order of Giants DLC will also receive new details, though only the base game is seemingly playable on the show floor. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is also due to debut a new city update and aircraft. Other existing titles that attendees can experience include Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires.

For those who can’t attend, Xbox is hosting its Gamescom 2025 broadcast on August 20th and 21st at 6 AM PT. The former includes the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, Grounded 2, Keeper, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (which will have a reveal at Opening Night Live), and more. The latter will feature Ninja Gaiden 4, Overwatch 2, and The Outer Worlds 2, among other titles.