July 2023 Video Game Releases: A Summer Lineup Worth the Anticipation?

Honestly, I had some concerns about the July releases. I assumed that after the last, rather exciting, months, dog days would come. To my surprise, it's the complete opposite and there should be plenty new games worth our time and money. Of course, some of you might not find anything particularly interesting on the list. In that case, check out the full release calendar available on the last page! Remnant 2 is where it's at for me this month!

Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals

Premiere date: July 12, 2023

It's time for adventure again!

I once wrote that adventure games have become a thing of the past and no new titles are appearing in this genre. How wrong was I! I've mentioned it several times before, but it's worth emphasizing again – maybe adventure games are not as hot for the press anymore, but they're still being released! One example is the follow-up to Oxenfree, where we will play as Riley, returning to the town of Camena.

Five years later

Before you reach for Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals, you should know that familiarity with the original will be beneficial for a better understanding of the plot. Just like in the original, dialogues here extremely important, and decisions must be made quickly. Otherwise, the conversation will proceed without our input. There will be no shortage of riddles, environmental puzzles, and the radio, along with the minigame with finding the right frequencies, will return.

1. Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals in our encyclopedia

Jagged Alliance 3

Release date: July 14, 2023

Nostalgia knocks on the door

Jagged Alliance returns after years in the third installment. But before we let ourselves be carried away by nostalgia, there are a few remarks. Firstly, a different studio, Haemimont Games, known for Tropico, Victor Vran and Surviving Mars, is responsible for the game. Secondly, this installment will have pretty much nothing in common with other games from Jagged Alliance franchise. Technically, therefore, Jagged Alliance 3 could have a completely different title.

A triumphant return or quite the opposite?

In the game, we will end up in the fictional country of Grand Chien, where the president has disappeared and power has been taken over by an organization called the Legion. The task of our mercenary group is to find the head of the state and restore order. We will get a decision system, with the fate of the country at stake, but the most important element will be turn-based battles and the right use of the environment. Each character should have their own unique skills that need to be skillfully used – positioning is also crucial.

1. Jagged Alliance 3 in our encyclopedia

Xenonauts 2 (early access)

Release date: July 18, 2023

Turn-based battles with aliens

The spiritual heir of UFO: Enemy Unknown returns and it seems that it's for real. Xenonauts 2 has been coming out for years and various versions of this title are circulating around the network. Everything indicates, however, that we will finally be able to play it officially! It's important to remember, however, that this turn-based strategy will be available on Steam in Early Access.

Spiritual successor of UFO: Enemy Unknown

In Xenonauts 2, we will be engaged in the core expansion, recruiting soldiers, and developing new equipment. This is just one aspect of the gameplay, because we will also lead our army to fight against aliens. We'll have turn-based battles with them where savvy positioning of troops and leveraging their strengths will be most crucial.

1. Xenonauts 2 in our encyclopedia

Viewfinder

Release date: July 18, 2023

A surreal realm summons for a thrilling adventure!

Viewfinder promises to be a so-called "game of one trick." The main gimmick here is messing around with perspective by taking pictures. Thus, we will transform the world to solve environmental puzzles. A big plus of the game is supposed to be various artistic styles, which will make the surroundings surreal.

Playing with perspective

Equipped only with a polaroid camera, we will be moving around a world filled with riddles. To solve them, we will use the power of perspective – by taking photos of objects, we will overlay them on reality, directly influencing it. We will also use optical illusions and surrealistic elements of the environment.

1. Viewfinder in our encyclopedia

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Definitive Edition

Premiere date: July 20, 2023

Instead of Dart Messiah, we have Clash of Heroes.

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Definitive Edition is nothing more than an expanded, remastered version of the 2009 RPG and strategy hybrid, which originally launched for the NDS. Over time, it migrated to other platforms, including mobile devices, but its expanded edition would be hosted on fewer devices.

Remaster, which we (didn't) need?

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Definitive Edition will take us to the fantastic land of Ashan, known from Heroes of Might and Magic V. Five heroes will uncover a demonic plot aimed at destroying the world. So, they will set off on a journey to save Ashan from annihilation. During the game, we will interact with various characters, but most of the time will be spent on turn-based skirmishes.

1. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Definitive Edition in our encyclopedia

The Wandering Village (Xbox early access)

Premiere date: July 20, 2023

Game Pass welcomes!

The Wandering Village is an interesting economic strategy project in which our construction site is the back of a large traveling beast. Our goal is to create a civilization in a way that will not harm the creature. That's why symbiosis with the enormous entity will be important – our survival depends on it.

Will you also play on Xbox consoles?

The Wandering Village debuted last year on PC as part of Early Access on Steam. Currently it's coming to Xbox consoles, where will be available as part of the Xbox Game Preview program. In addition, this economic strategy will appear simultaneously in Game Pass, so it's the perfect opportunity to check it out.

1. The Wandering Village in our encyclopedia

Pikmin 4

Release date: July 21, 2020

Adorable creatures are back

Shigeru Miyamoto has once again decided to enchant our world with his Pikmins. The fourth part will take us to a mysterious planet, where we will have to save Captain Olimar along with Rescue Corps team. Of course, this is easier to say than to do, so the titular creatures will help us. These cosmic, plant-like beings are categorized into different types, which correspond to specific colors and characteristics.

Pikmin are not Pokémon

As part of the game Pikmin 4, you will have to wisely manage the resources of charming creatures. We are provided with a limited number of creatures at our service. We must decide, whether it is profitable to involve ourselves in combat and how to lead the skirmish. Especially since Pikmin are very useful for environmental puzzles and obstacle removal. Fortunately, in this installment of the series we also get a dog companion called Oatchi.

1. Pikmin 4 in our encyclopedia

Remnant 2

Release date: July 25, 2023

Enjoyable co-op for holidays

Remnant: From the Ashes was called a combination of Dark Souls and Gears of War. And indeed, the shooting mechanic turned out to be challenging, yet satisfying. The plot could stand on a slightly higher level, but the boss fights showed us amazing quality. Especially when you play the game in cooperation with friends – it was the biggest advantage of the original. So I'm hoping that Remnant 2 will be at least as good as first part.

The same, but bigger, better and more badass?

After defeating Root's forces on a ruined Earth, the heroes travel to other dimensions to conduct a counter-attack. The gameplay principles were not changed, only developed and improved from the original. We get several character archetypes at our hands. However, the progression of the hero is all about our choice. The cherry on top is supposed to be shooting. However, the developers haven't forgot about close combat.

1. Remnant 2 in our encyclopedia

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PC)

Release Date: July 26, 2023

Two years old title debuts on a PC

The game Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart was released in 2021 on PlayStation 5. After two years of waiting, PC owners will also be able to experience the latest adventures of the title characters. All that's left to do is to keep our fingers crossed so that the PC port will be a proper version of this great game. Considering that the Nixxes Software team, which brought Marvel's Spider-Man and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales to the PC, is responsible for it, we can rather rest assured.

Was it worth waiting?

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC will offer support for ray tracing technology, as well as support for various controllers. However, default one is DualSense here, with all the features. In terms of content, both versions of the game are supposed to be the same, so you don't have to worry about anything.

1. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart in our encyclopedia

The Expanse: A Telltale Series

Release date: July 27, 2023

Did you miss episodic games?

Telltale Games in collaboration with Deck Nine has created The Expanse: A Telltale Series, an original story that's a prequel to the extremely popular SF series of the same title. As befits Telltale, this is just the beginning of the adventure, because the whole thing is supposed to be released in episodes. What's interesting, however, is that knowledge of the books and the series will not be necessary for a good fun in the game.

A non-mandatory prequel

The Expanse: A Telltale Series will depict the fate of Camina Drummer, who in the first episode serves as an officer on the ship called Artemis. The crew is starting a mutiny, which we will have to control, otherwise we will lose control of the unit. There won't be a lack of exploration, there will be a lot of dialogue, and we will also have to make decisions, the consequences of which we will have to face.

1. The Expanse: A Telltale Series in our encyclopedia

F1 Manager 2023

Release date: July 31, 2023

Sports Manager, part two

Frontier Developments arrives with a simulator of a team manager for drivers participating in Formula 1 races. This is the second production of this type done by these developers, who assure that the sequel has been significantly improved compared to the original. However, there's still no possibility to create your own team.

How to train a Formula 1 driver

In F1 Manager 2023, we will have real teams, machines, and tracks at our disposal. Our task will be to polish their skills, scout for new talents, conduct trainings, and manage finances. We will not be driving ourselves, but we will prepare appropriate strategies for specific tracks, decide on tire changes or on performing more aggressive maneuvers.

1. F1 Manager 2023 in our encyclopedia

Krzyzacy: The Knights of the Cross

Release date: July 2023

Who saw that coming?

The Chinese LongYou Game Studio has decided to take on the work of classic Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz and transform it in a rather unusual way. As a result, The Knights of the Cross was created, a game rather loosely related to the literary original. In the game, we will enter a medieval-inspired fantasy world, where we will gather a team meant to fend off evil in the form of the Teutonic Order.

Two kawai swords?

The Knights of the Cross will offer turn-based combat with a card system. Each recruited character will have specific skills, and by playing them in the right order, we will try to win the skirmishes. Not only will the heroes and their classes influence the deck, but to some extent also the items from the equipment.

1. Krzyzacy: The Knights of the Cross in our encyclopedia

The best releases of July

Cucumber season, isn't it? Don't worry, games are still coming You can check out our calendar of releases for this month, as well as the rest of the year and beyond. Perhaps you will find some gems! Mention them in the comments so that others can find out about them too.