Top 5 Games to Look Forward to in July 2016

Although July is relatively light on big game releases, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing for you to look forward to in the coming weeks. Even during the summer drought, there are a few potential gems hiding just beneath the surface of the surprisingly large influx of games. Allow us to help you keep your gaze on the games to watch out for.

The Banner Saga 2

The Banner Saga 2 has been available on PC since April, where it garnered some solid praise and is currently sitting on an 83 over at Metacritic. It’s finally made its way to the Xbox One and will be hitting the PS4 tomorrow, meaning that if you’re not particularly a PC player, you’re running out of excuses to not give this tactical-RPG a  try.

The Banner Saga 2 picks off where the first one left off, and even lets you import your saved data if you happen to have any. Yet this continuation is so much more than just a follow up. It improves on everything including offering plenty more options in combat, allowing players to really dig into the strategy aspect. Plus, there are even more story paths for those looking for a solid narrative. The Banner Saga 2 is not only one of the must play games of the summer, but quite possibly the year as well. 

Furi

Furi is yet another approach to the increasingly popular “boss gauntlet” games. You move from powerful adversary to even more powerful adversaries all in an attempt to free yourself from a beautiful yet brutal prison. What makes this game a potential gem is its combat system.

Players are a swordsman who must fight Jailers in order to earn their freedom. Those fights play out like a cross between a tight sword fighting game/bullet hell hybrid, forcing you to rely on reflexes and speed to emerge victorious. It’s an interest mix that is sure to engage players and keep them pushing towards victory. Players can jump into Furi to find out for themselves tomorrow when it releases on PS4 and PC. 

Tumblestone

Tumblestone is a bit of an odd game. While looking at it, it comes across as a simple competitive puzzle game. You fire blocks at other blocks in order to eliminate them, nothing too complicated here. But then you grab a controller and become stuck in a cycle of winning matches in mere seconds and needing to go at it again. Matches are often solved by a single block , forcing you to be both fast and careful. Mess up and the screen fills back up.

That alone gives the game a reason to be played, but then when you look at all of the other elements being thrown into the mix, it’s difficult not to be excited. A story mode, quests, customization, multiplayer modes, arcade modes, the list goes on. Definitely one of those games you should keep an eye out for, especially if you plan on having friends over this summer. 

Monster Hunter Generations

Monster Hunter Generations is a game that you owe yourself to play if you happen to have a Nintendo 3DS. Not many games allow you to hunt fantastic beasts and take their parts to make yourself not only more powerful, but look like a total badass as well. What also helps Monster Hunter Generations stick out in the crowd of July games as well is the fact that there’s a bunch of big additions in this latest installment.

There are new combat styles to put into use allowing you to add a new layer of strategy to your hunts. You can now play as Felynes as well for the first time. Special attacks will change how you approach battle too. The changes add an extra degree to which Monster Hunter Generations will consume you. Be warned though, this series of games is not for the faint of heart, and will consume every moment of your time once you become enthralled. However, there aren’t many games better suited for the task so have fun when the game releases on the 15th. 

I am Setsuna

Over the past few years, RPGs have been on a steady rise, but that attention has mostly gone to action-RPGs with more of a western flair. Classic-styled JRPGs are rare gems that get bestowed upon fans of the genre, especially really good ones. However, July 19 brings a JRPG with a lot of promise to the PS4 and PC in the form of I Am Setsuna.

The story will take a young woman named Setsuna on a journey to the ritual that will end her life in order to appease demons. Filled with danger and what will undoubtedly be a gut-wrenching narrative, players will have to face fate head on. With this being a more classic game, it will be interesting to see where the story takes us all as we move towards the seemingly grim end.