Video gamers are in for a treat in July, with several impressive new games coming out. There’s a new Paper Mario game, an open-world samurai game, and a VR game featuring everyone’s favorite iron-costumed superhero.
Here’s a closer look at some of July’s most anticipated titles.
Iron Man VR
Iron Man VRis meant to put players directly into the Iron Man suit in a way that was never possible before. It’s not an “experience” game, but rather a full-fledged title with a full storyline and lore.
The VR headset works just like Iron Man’s heads-up display in the movies, and early reviews call the game seamless. The game is not set on rails, and players have a lot of control over where Iron Man can go, allowing for a one-of-a-kind experience.
While several PlayStation VR games only allow for forward or side motion,Iron Man VRallows for 360-degree play. The game came out on July 3 on the PlayStation VR.
Overcooked! 2: Suns Out Buns Out DLC
The developers ofOvercooked! 2will release free DLC update over the holiday weekend, adding a slew of new features to the game. The frantic cooking game’s new additions include two new dishes, new canine chefs, and a total of five new levels to play through.
The game also has a new parade theme that’ll feature kitchens on moving floats, as well as fireworks and confetti. The original game was released in 2018, and the new DLC released on July 5 on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Developers have also added split-screen racing and a new steering assist. The game is officially licensed, so it has all of the official teams and drivers, as well as two new courses: Hanoi Circuit and Circuit Zandvoort. The game releases on July 6 for PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC.
Nascar Heat 5
The latest Nascar game has made some incremental changes for its latest iteration, but all the heavy-hitting features, like career mode, split-screen multiplayer, and truck racing, are back. New additions include solo practice sessions and reduced pit stop times, as well as an ability to track career stats.
Nascar No. 9 driver Chase Elliott graces the cover of the game, which was developed by 704Games and published by Motorsport Games. It releases on July 7 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Catherine: Full Body Switch
Catherine: Full Body Switchis one of the more strange titles to get released this month, and probably ever. It centers around Vincent, a man who’s been dating Katherine for five years, but he’s also cheating on her with a woman named … Catherine. And another named Rin.
The game has a Japanese anime style to it, and most of the action revolves around Vincent trying to climb out of nightmares, interspersed by racy cutscenes. It also has an “M” rating for nudity, alcohol, and violence. It’s already out for PlayStation 4, but it will be available on the Nintendo Switch on July 7.
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise
Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguiseis a time-traveling survival horror game that takes place in modern-day Boston. The game serves as both a sequel and a prequel to the previous entry in the series, and it follows protagonist FBI agents Davis and Jones as they investigate the Le Carré serial killings.
The game features an ability to travel around town by foot or skateboard, and a number of side quests and mini-games. It releases on July 10 for the Nintendo Switch.
Death Stranding
Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima’s latest post-apocalyptic epic, made quite the splash when itcame out in Novemberof last year. Some called it groundbreaking. Others criticized it as a glorified “walking simulator.”
The game centers around freelance delivery man Sam Porter Bridges, who is tasked with delivering packages across a ravaged landscape, in a civilization trying to rebuild after society collapses.
Norman Reedus, ofTheWalking Deadfame, plays Sam, and Mads Mikkelsen plays the antagonist. The game releases on July 14 and will be available in both the Steam and Epic Games Store.
Rocket Arena
Can’t get enough battle royale-type games?Rocket Arenais a fresh take on the genre. Published by Electronic Arts, this multiplayer shooting game may seem to have a lot of similarities withFortnite,but it’s a beast all its own. Players in the game only shoot rockets as they attempt to blast each other out of playing arenas.
Similar toSuper Smash Bros.,characters have meters that get filled up with every hit, and the higher the meter the farther they fly. There’s also a technique called rocket jumping, which will allow for fun traversal through the arenas. The game is not free to play, however, and will cost $30. It releases on July 14 on Windows, PS4, and Xbox One.
Neon Abyss
Neon Abyssis a retro 2D action platformer reminiscent of ’90s titles likeMetal Slug.The player controls a member of the Grim Squad, a team sent in to run and gun in the Abyss by Hades. With a pulsing soundtrack and striking visuals, the game features a dungeon evolution system that changes rules often.
Each dungeon in the game is unique, and subsequent playthroughs can reveal new rooms, bosses, and even endings. Player choice will decide how the story unfolds, and the game allows for unlimited item stacking for frantic gameplay.Neon Abyssis out July 14 on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Superhot: Mind Control Delete
The firstSuperhotmade a huge splash when it was released in 2016 due to its original premise and gameplay. It’s a first-person shooter, but that where similarities to normal games end. Time in the game only moves when the player does, so players can move in slow motion to shoot and avoid enemies, creating what is almost more of a strategy game than a run-and-gun title.
Mind Control Delete is the third game in the series, and it promises to be bigger, with more characters and techniques than its predecessors. It releases on July 16 on PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One.
Paper Mario: The Origami King
We haven’t seen a new Paper Mario game sincePaper Mario: Color Splashfor the Wii U in 2016. The series, known for its innovative 2D graphics full of bright colors and humor, is coming to the Nintendo Switch in an all-new adventure.
This time around, Mario and his partner Olivia battle a mysterious origami menace named King Olly, who has taken over Princess Peach’s castle as part of his plan to fold the world.
The game was always known for its clever visuals, which play with line of sight and perspective, and this new title is no different. The game features an all-new battle system, and Mario can interact with his environment by bending, pulling, and peeling the landscape around him.
Paper Mario: The Origami Kingis available on July 17.
Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushimais a beautiful game by Sucker Punch Studios, the developers behind theInfamousfranchise. It centers around Jin Sakai, one of the last samurai in 13th-century Japan, as he tries to save the island of Tsushima from Mongol invaders.
Trailers for the game show lush landscapes and sprawling battlefields, as well as impressive motion capture acting and a swelling soundtrack.It’s an open-world gametailor-made for exploration and discovery and allowing for either stealth or traditional battle tactics.
It releases July 17 on the PlayStation 4.
Bounty Battle
Ever wonder what it would be like if Juan Aguacate fromGuacamelee!went head to head withOwlboy? Wonder no more!Bounty Battleis a fighting game with some of the most famous indie video game characters in recent memory going head to head.
Characters from titles likeEITR,Super Comboman,Pankapu,Flinthook,Doko Roko,Tower of Samsara,Blubber Busters,Ruin of the Reckless,The Bug Butcher,Blocks That Matter, Axiom Verge, SteamWorld Dig, Oddmar,andJotunare all represented in the game. Four can play at the same time in levels inspired by the games. It releases on July 23 on PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.