SYNCED

Developed by NExT Studios, SYNCED is a co-op shooter set against the backdrop of a sci-fi world. Players take control of mercenaries as they venture deep into enemy territory to defeat machines that impose a mortal threat to human existence. In addition to solid third-person cover shooting and the ability to summon Nanobots for assistance, SYNCED also features high-fidelity visuals with great lighting and texture work.

Trackmania was originally released back in July 2020 after seeing a delay from its original May 2020 release date. The game was released at the time exclusively on Ubisoft’s own Uplay storefront and the Epic Games Store, but has since made its way on to Steam.

Trackmania features a number of game modes that can be played either solo or in multiplayer. Progression in the game largely revolves around cosmetic items, including medals, trophies, and prestige skins. The game also features a versus-styled Ranked mode where players can climb up the leaderboards, as well as cross-play and cross-platform progression.

The game was built with the idea of new content constantly being released for it. This includes new community-created tracks that are curated by developer Nadeo. There is also a strong emphasis on the game’s community features, such as club activities.

Trackmania is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

https://twitter.com/Ubisoft/status/1661372120868216847

Formerly known as Rainbow Six Quarantine, the co-op shooter will receive some world premiere gameplay and trailers. There have been plenty of leaks from its closed beta but we’ll finally get to see some official footage. Other titles slated to appear include Riders Republic (which was delayed to later this year), Far Cry 6 (which is out in October), upcoming content for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Rainbow Six Quarantine, and more.

You can also expect updates for Trackmania, The Crew 2, For Honor, Brawlhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion during the pre-show which starts 11 AM PT. Stay tuned for details in the meantime.

TrackMania

Serving as a reboot of TrackMania Nations, TrackMania closely follows the series’ formula. You’ll race across 25 different tracks, test out track and replay editors, and even enjoy user-made course. That’s all part of free access though. Standard Access, which costs $10 per year, grants access to the full track and replay editors, the “Track of the Day” selection and all “Track of the Day” and official campaign tracks. There’s also Club Access for $30 per year which provides even more exclusive content and league participation. Honestly, we’ll have to wait and see how the gameplay and content shakes out but the game is looking good. It’s out on July 1^st for PC.

Marvel’s Iron Man VR

After a short delay, Marvel’s Iron Man VR is set to release on July 3^rd, exclusively for PlayStation VR. Based off the Marvel Comics version of the Armored Avenger, the story sees Tony Stark battling the mysterious hacktivist Ghost who’s repurposed old Stark Industries weapons. Set in various locations around the world, players will fly, fight and shoot down drones with the Iron Man suit. Though movement takes some getting used to, Camouflaj’s commitment to immersion and translating the property faithfully to VR seems to have paid. With an 8 to 10 hours of gameplay, there should be enough here to keep fans entertained.

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing In Disguise

Agent York returns but this isn’t a straightforward sequel to Hidetaka Suehiro’s cult classic. The story alternates between FBI agent Aaliyah Davis, who re-opens a once solved case in the present, and a younger Francis York Morgan who travels to Le Carré in New Orleans in the past to investigate some strange murders. Alternating between the two characters, the sequel still offers that signature brand of bizarre humor and horror. Plus, York is capable of skate-boarding and river-riding in the middle of solving murders. Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise releases on July 10^th for Nintendo Switch.

CrossCode

Radical Fish Games’ excellent 16-bit style action RPG is finally coming to Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch on July 9^th. CrossCode takes place in a virtual playspace called CrossWorlds with the protagonist Lea trying to recover her memory. The combat is completely real-time and focuses on fast-paced combos, aided by more than 90 Combat Arts. Each console version (along with PC) will have a unique mini dungeon, boss fight and miniquest, all culminating in “something” down the line. Whatever it may be, this is an old-school tribute you shouldn’t miss.

F1 2020

The next iteration in Codemasters’ yearly F1 franchise brings Career Mode revamps, My Team mode, new tracks and much more. My Team is especially interesting since it allows for creating and managing a team, bringing in staff, hiring another driver and partaking in races to keep things afloat. As for Career Mode, players can now adjust the duration of a season, opting for either 10 races or going with the full 22 race stint. With 22 circuits and 20 drivers, F1 2020 will release on July 10^th for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Google Stadia.

NASCAR Heat 5

Though probably not the first racing sim to come to mind, the NASCAR Heat series has nonetheless been chugging along for the past few years, garnering decent critical acclaim. As the latest iteration for PC, Xbox One and PS4, NASCAR Heat 5 promises re-imagined gameplay, changes to pit stops and DNF for races, and a new track-testing mode for single-player. Otherwise, expect a faithful take on the 2020 NASCAR season (such as it is) when the game releases on July 10^th.

Death Stranding (PC)

Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding is finally coming to PC with support for higher frame rates, Ultra-widescreen support and other graphical improvements. The story of Sam “Porter” Bridges as he treks across the United Cities of America, fending off the BTs in an attempt to reconnect the country, is still every bit as weird as last year. Except now we can experience it in 60 frames per second and 1080p resolution. The gameplay is unorthodox yet familiar with systems upon systems to manage and that’s not even getting into the whole Strand multiplayer. Nonetheless, Death Stranding should be worth checking out for PC players when it launches on July 14^th.

Ghost of Tsushima

When the Mongol invasion hits Tsushima and wipes out Jin Sakai’s clan, he embarks on a quest to rid the island of the invaders. Hack and slash combat with various stances, parries and deathblows are expected but Jin can also play the Ghost, sneaking into camps and using subterfuge to stealthily assassinate foes. Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima is being touted as the developer’s biggest game till date with a variety of lush environments to explore, foes to battle and sidestories to experience. This is in addition to duels against powerful swordsmen and a black and white filter that channels classic samurai cinema. Ghost of Tsushima is out on July 17^th for PS4.

Paper Mario: The Origami King

Perhaps the bigger Switch title to look forward to in July is Paper Mario: The Origami King. As the long-awaited follow-up in the series, the story sees the Mushroom Kingdom under siege by King Olly. Everything is turned into Origami and it’s up to Mario, Bowser and Olivia to push back against the assault. Along with a variety of puzzles and a stellar origami aesthetic dotting the world – which is exploited by the new 1000-Fold Arms that can tear off parts of the environment – combat is based off of a ring system. Players will need to line up enemies within different sections and then attack. In terms of ridiculous epicness, Paper Mario: The Origami King is shaping up well en route to its July 17^th release.

Destroy All Humans!

It wouldn’t be a line-up of games without some remaster or remake coming out. To that end, Pandemic Studios’ Destroy All Humans!, which is being remade by Black Forest Games, warrants attention. It focuses on an alien named Crypto who’s come to Earth in pursuit of human DNA. Along with gliding, dashing and shooting humans, Crypto also has a flying saucer to spray laser death on unsuspecting folk. The remake features motion capture, updated character models and cutscenes, and the previously cut “Lost Mission of Area 41”. Time will tell just how good it feels but if the remake captures the original’s essence of hilarity and action, it should be a blast. Destroy All Humans! Releases on July 28^th for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Google Stadia.

Ubisoft Nadeo’s Trackmania reboot is out today and goes the subscription route for those who want their fix of racing action. While it will have 25 tracks at launch for free, the real highlight of these games is the community content. To that end, a new trailer showcases the kind of creativity that the Trackmania community is capable of. Check it out below.

The video is the work of numerous alpha testers for the title. What’s interesting is the sheer number of things they put together from maps and skins to the replays (aside from the actual editing and sound mixing). It certainly helps to sell the power of the game’s various creation tools.

Those who want full access to the track, skin and replay editors will need to pay $10 per year. Other features like all-access to every track, “Track of the Day” and daily competitions will be provided as well. Club Access goes even further, costing $30 per year and offering participation in the Open Grand League and Trackmania Grand League along with the ability to join clubs. All content from the $10 tier is also included.

Trackmania will be available today for PC via Uplay and the Epic Games Store. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Ubisoft’s Trackmania series isn’t one to court controversy. However, when the next iteration was announced to have a subscription model, fans expressed concern over being unable to purchase the full game and access everything forever. Ubisoft has taken to addressing these concerns in an interesting way – by claiming that it’s not a subscription model at all.

On the Maniaplanet forums, a community manager stated that, “Actually it’s not a subscription model but an access to the game for a limited time. You pay for having access to the game for one period and that’s it. When the time is over, you have to buy the game again for the time that you want to access it again.”

Trackmania on its own is a free to play title but the subscription tiers offer access to content that would ordinarily be in a full-priced game. For example, the “Track of the Day” and “official” campaign tracks can be kept for $10 per year. You can also get full access to track editors, map review and replays by subscribing.

The $30 per year tier will allow for access to the Open Grand League and a chance to qualify for the Trackmania Grand League. You’re also able to join clubs to net “exclusive content and activities” including training tracks, special campaigns, skin customization and online room. This is in addition to everything from the $10 tier.

Sounds like a subscription model to us.

Trackmania is out on July 1st for PC via the Epic Games Store and Uplay. Stay tuned for more updates on the pricing model in the coming weeks.

Trackmania, formerly known as Trackmania Nations, will be releasing on July 1st for PC via the Epic Games Store and Uplay. The title will be free to play and offer 25 tracks along with access to user-created content. Of course, there’s a catch to how the monetization works.

The development team has revealed various subscription options for those who want more access. For $10 per year, you can access the various track, skin and replay editors available (free to players will only be able to test them out). Daily competitions, “Track of the Day” and access to all tracks will also be available instead of rotating quarterly.

Then there’s Club Access for $30 per year ($60 for three years) which allows participating in the Open Grand League and ultimately the Trackmania Grand League. Players will be able to join clubs for “exclusive content and activities such as skin customization, special campaigns, online rooms, training tracks and competitions” as per the developer. You can expect access to everything in the $10 tier as well.

Of course, time will tell how players will react to having to pay yearly for access to the track editor, never mind all the “official tracks”. Trackmania includes a season campaign to play through so there will likely be enough content to satiate free to play customers. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

Ubisoft’s Trackmania, which was slated to release on May 5th, has been delayed to July 1st. The Trackmania Nations remake will be releasing for PC via Uplay and the Epic Games Store. As for the delay, it’s due to the transition to working from home (which has affected many other development studios following the recent COVID-19 pandemic).

In a recent statement explaining the delay, Ubisoft Nadeo said, “Our teams have been adapting to working from home, and even though we already are back to a good level of efficiency we need some time to make up for the transition.” It has released new gameplay footage though, showcasing the remake in action. Check it out below.

Trackmania will feature a season campaign and daily track selections along with daily and weekly casual cups. Players can also look forward to Grand League and Open Grand League taking place twice per year along with community events and tournaments. Thankfully, the remake won’t stray from the series’ track creation roots, featuring new surfaces and special blocks for creating new courses. Stay tuned for more details on the title in the coming months.

Bloodborne

Veterans of From Software’s Dark Souls series were in for something different with Bloodborne. Though combat was mechanically similar, it was faster with the ability to side-step along with dodge-roll. Shields were pretty non-essential, Visceral attacks were awesome and sometimes, attacking foes to regenerate lost health was the best option. For those who’ve never played a From Software game, Bloodborne takes time to properly get a hold of (especially the bosses) but it delivers a rich story, fully-realized world and excellent combat.

Ubisoft have revealed that a closed beta for Nadeo’s TrackMania 2 Canyon will kick off in July

Accompanying the closed beta will be ManiaPlanet, a PC toolset that will allow players to create, share and play content.

The current ManiaPlanet website features three different sections; Shootmania, Questmania and Trackmania. Can we expect shooter and RPG elements in the sequel?

Thanks to CVG for the info.