By Darryn Bonthuys on
GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.
We’re officially in the second stretch of 2024, and this is where the release schedule starts to pick up some momentum. Interestingly, July is shaping up to be a month where live-service games are in the spotlight. You have the new Final Fantasy 14 expansion, Dawntrail, launching on July 2 alongside Nexon’s The First Descendant, and just two days later, Genshin Impact developer Hoyoverse launches Zenless Zone Zero.
Beyond a trio of games jockeying for your valuable attention, there are also some good-looking smaller games on the horizon. Slaycation simulator Dungeons of Hinterberg balances dungeon-exploration with socializing at a resort set in the Alps, Anger Foot will let you reboot crime in its ugly face, and Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn brings a gun to a sword fight.
Originally scheduled to launch on July 25, Frostpunk 2 has been delayed to September 20 so that developer 11 Bit Studios can address feedback it received from the recent beta and add more features. “We know this is not the news you wanted to hear,” the studio explained in a Steam blog post. “However, we believe these additional features are something you deserve to see in-game on day one, not in a patch added after the release. We can only hope you understand that our decision comes from a place of wanting to create the best game possible for you.”
For more in July, you can see the rest of the highlights below, and for a broader look at the rest of the year, you can check out 2024’s upcoming game release dates.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
- Release date: July 2
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S
July starts off strong with the next expansion for Final Fantasy 14, as players can head off to the tropical island of Yok Tural for a brand-new storyline. Two new playable classes–Pictomancer and Viper–will debut in Dawntrail, the level cap has been raised to 100, and numerous other tweaks are being made to Final Fantasy 14’s fifth expansion. Xbox fans of the franchise will also get to experience the expansion, following the long-awaited launch of Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Series X|S consoles back in March.
The First Descendant
- Release date: July 2
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
It’s a pretty big month for free-to-play games, and The First Descendant isn’t wasting any time as it sprints out of the release gates. This stylish loot-driven action game from Nexon looks like it’ll appeal to Destiny and Warframe players, and is set on Albion, a planet under threat by a seemingly unstoppable army of invaders. As a Descendant, you’ll use your unique abilities and firepower to drive back the Vulgus before they conquer the continent of Ingris.
Zenless Zone Zero
- Release date: July 4
- Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android
After finding great success with its fantasy- and sci-fi-themed games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, Hoyoverse is headed to the streets next with Zenless Zone Zero. A game where Cyberpunk meets Persona, Zenless Zone Zero is set in New Eridu, a vast city where the last of humanity lives after an apocalyptic event brought our species to the brink of extinction. Monsters called Ethereals terrorize the locals, and players will create powerful avatars called Hollows to help keep New Eridu safe in this free-to-play game.
Anger Foot
- Release date: July 11
- Platforms: PC
If you’re in the mood to kick some ass–quite literally–Anger Foot will grab your attention with its glutes-and-shoot action. It’s up to you to stomp out crime as you take on an army of gangsters, clearing out slums, sewers, and skyscrapers along the way. When you’re not putting the boot to gangs, you can dress your lean and mean kicking machine with some pretty sick kicks.
Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield
- Release date: July 16
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Set in a futuristic slice of Detroit, Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield is a 3D runner that’s all about speed, reflexes, and vibing to the beat of a cool soundtrack. After launching on PC in May, the endless runner is sliding onto PC and console this month.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Release date: 17 July
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
For the metroidvania fans, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus looks like a game to keep an eye out for this month. Featuring hand-drawn animation inspired by Japanese folklore, graceful combat, and an interconnected world of myth to explore, you’ll need some acrobatic precision and finesse before you challenge the mythical monsters of the land.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
- Release date: July 18
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Who says a vacation has to just be relaxing? In Dungeons of Hinterberg, you can explore the Alps and slay some monsters before you head back to your chalet for a hot mug of cocoa. There’s a fun gameplay loop of daytime action and forming relationships at night, while the colorful visuals and charming art style make this game an instant attention-grabber. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, it’ll be available through that subscription service on launch day.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
- Release date: July 18
- Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
What happens when you mix God of War with Elden Ring and throw some guns into the mix? You get Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, a cool-looking blend of ideas from Ashen developer A44. In a world where the gods are jerks, the only way to successfully pull off some deicide is with a gun and a little bit of divine help. Embrace vengeance, gunpowder, and magic if you want to show the gods who’s the boss in this upcoming Souls-lite action game. This will be another day-one release through Xbox Game Pass.
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
- Release date: July 18
- Platforms: Switch
A compilation of NES-themed minigames focused on speed, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition looks like it could be a blast from the competitive past. There are over 150 minigames spanning 13 different NES titles, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and more. While the game can be purchased digitally, the physical edition looks great as it comes with stickers, art, and a replica of the golden 1990 Nintendo World Championships cartridge. At $60, that’s a lot more financially palatable than the authentic version which sold for an absurd amount of cash a decade ago.
Deluxe edition
- Preorder at Best Buy – Available now (already sold out once)
- Preorder at GameStop – Available now (already sold out once)
- Preorder at Target — Available now
EA Sports College Football 25
- Release date: July 19
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5
Who’s ready for some football? EA is, as this year’s entry in EA Sports College Football is full of school spirit. Aiming to be the most authentic take on college football yet, the game has gone the extra mile to replicate the real-life look and style of the sport as seen on campuses. Expect all the usual over-the-top grandeur of a weekend college football game, as well as some interesting gameplay mechanics to capture the essence of a home-team advantage or make you feel like you’re at a disadvantage during an away game.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
- Release date: July 19
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
We’ve seen some fantastic samurai games released over the last couple of years, but Capcom is aiming to be the most fantastical of the lot. Set in a mythical land full of monsters and gods, Path of the Goddess sees you play as Soh, a masked warrior who protects the villages around Mt. Kafuku. During the daytime, Soh will work to free villagers and recruit them in his mission, and at night, those human resources will help him keep back hordes of enemy spirits. It’ll be another day-one release through Xbox Game Pass.
The Star Named EOS
- Release date: July 23
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
Photography is one of life’s best hobbies, and if you’re in the mood for a story-rich puzzle adventure built around being a shutterbug, you’ll want to check out The Star Named EOS. Explore a beautiful hand-drawn world, capture fleeting moments of life through your lens, and uncover the truth of a family mystery in this intriguing game.
Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure
- Release date: July 25
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch
Another great game to test your problem-solving skills this month is Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure. Set in a world built on top of an interconnected grid, it’s up to you to move grids and columns to progress forward in this charming puzzle-adventure. Playing as Jemma, you’ll have to bust the local misfit out of her stifling town and help a world that has become stagnant in this journey of self-discovery.
Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance
- Release date: July 25
- Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
Reinforce! Kingdom Rush titles are some of the best tower-defense games you can enjoy on mobile devices, and for the fifth outing, that formula is being kept intact. Expect challenging landscapes, powerful towers, and dangerous new enemies in this next chapter of the colorful series.
July 2024 games schedule
- Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S) — July 2
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Mac, iOS) — July 2
- The First Descendant (PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) — July 2
- Zenless Zone Zero (PC, PS5, iOS, Android) — July 4
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak (PC, PS5, PS4, Switch) — July 5
- Lifeless Moon (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One) — July 9
- Once Human (PC) — July 9
- Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (Switch) — July 11
- Anger Foot (PC) — July 11
- Darkest Dungeon II (PS5, PS4) — July 15
- Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) — July 16
- Cataclismo (PC) — July 16
- EvilVEvil (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) — July 16
- Flock (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) — July 16
- Magical Delicacy (PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) — July 16
- Nobody Wants to Die (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) — July 17
- Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) — July 18
- Dungeons of Hinterberg (PC, Xbox Series X|S) — July 18
- Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) — July 18
- Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition (Switch) — July 18
- Schim (PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) — July 18
- EA Sports College Football 25 (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) — July 19
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) — July 19
- Été (PC) — July 23
- F1 Manager 2024 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC) — July 23
- Rawmen: Food Fighter Arena (PC) — July 23
- The Star Named EOS (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch) — July 23
- Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (PlayStation 5, Switch, PC) — July 25
- Earth Defense Force 6 (PS5, PS4, PC) — July 25
- Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance (PC, iOS, Android) — July 25
- Thrasher (Quest 3, Quest 2, PC) — July 25
- Tokyo Xanadu eX+ (Switch) — July 25
- One Piece Odyssey (Switch) — July 26
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.