This week sees the long-awaited PC release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, but it is joined by a varied selection of other titles, from musical raccoons to vampire-themed simulators and intricate RPGs.
New Releases on the Horizon
Launching on Monday, July 6th, is Cosmodrill, a 2D game focused on tunnelling through planets and asteroids. It reportedly uses AI for language localisation in certain regions. The following day, July 7th, brings Estrellas Mecanicas, described as a retro 2D fighter with distinctive pixel art. Fugaz places players in the role of a cat, beetle, or demon attempting to solve puzzles in a dark environment using a flute. Also on Tuesday is NTE: Neverness to Everness, an open-world anime RPG featuring sports cars, dragon combat, and companion characters, with mentions of otters and robot butlers.
July 8th introduces Transhumance, a platformer where players guide a flock to summer pastures with the assistance of a dragonfly. Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle is also set for release, offering a gamebook-style RPG with over 300 illustrations, developed by a former Vanillaware artist.
Thursday, July 9th, marks the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. A preview build was described as "surprisingly clumsy," leaving anticipation for the final version's polish. Bandai Namco will release Echoes of Aincrad, an action-RPG where players battle a God of Death. Mesmalie, a visual novel about a young witch managing her powers after an accidental house fire, is also scheduled. Polytropos: A Tactical Odyssey, a turn-based strategy RPG inspired by Ancient Greek monsters and reminiscent of 90s shareware, completes Thursday's releases.
Friday, July 10th, features The Lost Mixtape, where players control a raccoon drawn to the power of a Sony Walkman, seeking cassettes instead of food. Mothkeep focuses on identifying European moth species. Finally, Forest Escape: Last Train, a co-op experience for up to four players, challenges participants to navigate a prison warden's fractured mind, featuring abandoned themeparks and trains.
Industry Rumblings
Beyond game releases, the PC gaming industry may see significant news regarding Microsoft, with potential announcements of job cuts and studio closures. Staff will be occupied with press trips and interviews throughout the week.