Take a breather
Gaming hasn’t slowed down since 2023 began. Hit after hit after hit has ensured that cash has been frequently relinquished from our wallets. Fortunately, the industry is cooling down a little with these July 2023 games.
Disney Illusion Island (Switch)
Publisher: Disney Interactive
Developer: Dlala Studios
Price: $29.99
Release Date: July 28
Trailer
Mickey Mouse is a keyblade wielder, a mascot at Disney’s theme parks, and a part of the Funhouse Friends, but he hasn’t been in a platformer for a long time. Thankfully, he and his pals are featured in an all-new 2D adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Developed by Dlala Studios (Battletoads), Disney Illusion Island‘s visuals are brimming with color. In fact, the Nintendo eShop listing states that you can “be a part of an authentic Mickey cartoon.” With four-player co-op, you can bring friends and family to an island that has running, swimming, swinging, and jumping platform action along with bosses to defeat and puzzles to solve. There are also “hidden secrets” to find along the way.
Exoprimal (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Price: $59.99
Release Date: July 13
Trailer
Sometimes it’s cool to mix two unlikely things together. Pineapple and pizza, carrots and peanut butter, and fries with gravy are all examples of this. That’s also the case with Exoprimal as it features mechs fighting massive waves of dinosaurs. The mixture perhaps shouldn’t work, but the intense action of gunfire and high maneuverability of the mechs seem to work well against the rampaging dinos. There are three classes to consider as well, adding more depth to the seemingly simple gameplay. The game’s coming to Xbox Game Pass, so hopefully, you can team up with your Xbox buddies and succeed.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals (Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Netflix)
Publisher: Netflix
Developer: Night School Studio
Price: $19.99
Release Date: July 12
Trailer
One of the most anticipated July 2023 games in the indie scene is Oxenfree II: Lost Signals. In this sci-fi follow-up, you will meet and shape the stories of those around the protagonist Riley. “Your choices impact who Riley becomes, your relationships, and the story options available to you at every turn,” says Netflix on the game’s Steam page.
Thankfully, for myself and others, you don’t need to play the original to understand the sequel. However, Netflix suggests you’ll be able to “dive deeper by playing the original.” You’ll explore the town of Camena, will discover the strange source of radio signal disturbances, and will try to thwart the Parentage from making a new portal. It sounds like an exciting, narrative adventure full of danger and mystery.
Pikmin 4 (Switch)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $59.99
Release Date: July 21
Trailer
The long-awaited Pikmin 4 finally touches down on Switch systems next month. In this adventure, you’ll be creating your own explorer and, with the help of the Pikmin, rescue others like yourself. The unique spin on this sequel sees players explore a world of huge household items. Plants, benches, binoculars, you name it. You’ll be collecting treasures and taking them to your ship as you solve environmental puzzles and have the Pikmin escort your objects safety.
The new ice Pikmin freeze enemies and immobilize them quickly. There’s also a space dog named Oatchi who can take out obstacles in your way. It’s not my personal cup of tea, but hopefully, the long wait for Pikmin 4 will be worth it for fans. Let’s gather in the “Forest of Hope.”
Remnant 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Publisher: Gunfire Games
Developer: Gearbox Publishing
Price: $49.99
Release Date: July 25
Trailer
Remnant: From the Ashes kicked ass when it released in 2019. The follow-up is hoping to continue the excellent third-person shooting gameplay. Each biome requires different gear and weapons as you approach “cunning enemies and large-scale boss battles,” according to the game’s Steam page. The sequel touts “endless replayability” as there are branching quest lines, lots of crafting options, and like many other live service titles, awesome loot. Gearbox Publishing says that “playthroughs will feel challenging, varied, and rewarding as players succeed against unrelenting odds.” Hopefully, it will live up to the fantastic first game when it releases in July.
Honorable Mentions
- Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) – July 13
- Jagged Alliance 3 (PC) – July 14
- My Friendly Neighborhood (PC) – July 18
- Viewfinder (PS4, PS5, PC) – July 18
- Punch Club 2: Fast Forward (PS3, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) – July 20
- The Expanse: A Telltale Series Episode 1 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC via Epic Games Store) – July 27
