MidWk Update: Upcoming Games

7.8.21

Afternoon everyone! Thursday has arrived and it’s time to look at some upcoming games for this month. All thanks to Metacritic.

Credit source: Metacritic

Upcoming Releases

PS5

tbd Where the Heart Leads Platform: PlayStation 5 July 13, 2021 On the kind of stormy night that can change a person’s destiny, an enormous sinkhole opens in the middle of Whit Anderson’s farm. Braving the rumbling thunder and the driving rain, Casey—their curious Golden Retriever—ventures too close to the gaping maw and tumbles in. Desperate to save her, Whit descends into the darkness, and emerges in a realm beyond his imagining. In this strange world, constantly shifting like the stops and starts of a dream, Whit bears witness to the story of his life and gains the power to change it.
tbd F1 2021 Platform: PlayStation 5 July 13, 2021 Every story has a beginning in F1 2021, the official videogame of the 2021 FIA Formula One world Championship. Enjoy the stunning new features of F1 2021, including the thrilling story experience ‘braking point’, two-player career, and get even closer to the grid with ‘real-season start’. Take your team to the top in the acclaimed ten-year ‘My team’ Career mode, or race head-to-head in split-screen and multiplayer. Immerse yourself in the greatest racing spectacle on the planet and race with the authentic lineup of twenty heroic drivers and ten iconic teams from the 2021 Season: ‘braking point’ – the thrilling new story experience, new ways to play: two-player career and ‘real-season start’, acclaimed ‘My team’, split-screen and multiplayer
tbd Lost at Sea Platform: PlayStation 5 July 15, 2021 Lost At Sea is a game about life. A game about every one of us and the incredible adventure we all take part in. Love, friendship, family, career, freedom. No matter who we are or where we come from, these are the things that make life worth living for all of us. And we are all afraid that something will take these things away or take us away, before we have experienced every single bit of it. But death is inevitable, to be afraid of it doesn’t make sense. And the more we experience, the more we know and remember – the more the fear of death loses its power. Set on a beautiful island, where every biome represents a phase of life, you will explore your surroundings and solve riddles to reclaim your memories, while the fear of death is hunting you, trying to take you to the other side before you have tasted life. In the end, this is a game about the things you want to remember, the things you wish for and life as a whole. What are the most important moments of your life?
tbd Cris Tales Platform: PlayStation 5 July 20, 2021 Cris Tales is a gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs with a new perspective. Peer into the past, act in the present, and watch as your choices dynamically change the future — all on one screen as you play! Join the newly awakened Time Mage Crisbell and her fantastical companions on their journey across a dark, fairytale world facing a grim future. Crisbell must embark across Crystallis and the four Kingdoms in a bid to stop the powerful Time Empress and rewrite the future of the world and all those living in it. Along the way, she’ll meet and recruit powerful allies with their own unique stories and skills like Matias the Frog and Willhelm the Child Mage. As she explores the world and meets her unique companions, Crisbell will have to make choices with far-reaching consequences for the people she meets consequences that will impact the world you’ll experience in real-time throughout your journey. Each companion will be invaluable as you face these choices and the myriad enemies who stand in your way. Will you buffet them with attacks, or discover creative ways to use Crisbell’s time powers to alter the reality of each fight? Key Features > A Love Letter to Classic JRPGs Inspired by timeless JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Valkyrie Profile, and modern classics like Bravely Default and Persona 5, meet and recruit a unique cast of teammates, challenge myriad enemies, and make your way through an expansive world. > Experience the Past, Present, and Future Simultaneously Peer into and learn from the past, decide on actions in the present, and alter the course of the future in ways that will reshape the world dynamically depending on the choices you make. > Master Strategic Turn-Based Combat Warp your enemies into the past or future, synchronize attacks for enhanced group abilities, and master the timing of attack and defense to go beyond your party’s limits in combat. > Uncover a Fascinating Story & Characters The Empress’ plot to destroy the world is complex and layered. Use your wits and recruit powerful allies throughout the world to uncover and undo her multi-faceted web and make your way to the True Ending of this enchanting tale. > Discover a Beautiful World Climb aboard an airship or boat and traverse this handcrafted, dark fairytale world. From the shining kingdom of Crystallis to the slums of Vinez, discover each unique location and shape its future.
tbd Last Stop Platform: PlayStation 5 July 22, 2021 Last Stop is a single-player third-person narrative adventure game set in present day London, where you play as three separate characters whose worlds collide in the midst of a supernatural crisis. An anthology drama, Last Stop is three stories in one. What connects these three strangers? Where will fate lead them?

See All PS5

PS4

tbd Where the Heart Leads Platform: PlayStation 4 July 13, 2021 On the kind of stormy night that can change a person’s destiny, an enormous sinkhole opens in the middle of Whit Anderson’s farm. Braving the rumbling thunder and the driving rain, Casey—their curious Golden Retriever—ventures too close to the gaping maw and tumbles in. Desperate to save her, Whit descends into the darkness, and emerges in a realm beyond his imagining. In this strange world, constantly shifting like the stops and starts of a dream, Whit bears witness to the story of his life and gains the power to change it.
tbd Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing Platform: PlayStation 4 July 15, 2021 Soar through the skies, hunt for ghosts, and become the best witch racer in the world! Enroll at the prestigious Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy and compete with your fellow student witches to win the prestigious Stella Cup. Experience the thrill of flight across more than a dozen tracks! Cast magic to speed up and slow other teams down as you race to finish first! Purify the school’s restless spirits in special ghost hunting missions. Use rewards from winning races and completing missions to buy new brooms, enhance your magic powers, and find the best combination to become the top student! Play with the other users in online multiplayer and take in the sight of the world of Little Witch Academia together!
tbd Streets of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare Platform: PlayStation 4 July 15, 202 1The fight continues in Wood Oak City. After the events of Streets of Rage 4, our heroes wanted to prepare themselves for future threats. Axel, Blaze and their mates will start a very special deranged training with the help of Dr. Zan, who built an AI program from the remnants of Mister X’s brain that simulates every kind of danger they could be facing. With this new DLC, get ready for: • 3 new playable characters • A new Survival mode with weekly challenges • Character customization: build your own fighting style with new moves • New weapons and enemies!
tbd F1 2021 Platform: PlayStation 4 July 16, 2021 Every story has a beginning in F1 2021, the official videogame of the 2021 FIA Formula One world Championship. Enjoy the stunning new features of F1 2021, including the thrilling story experience ‘braking point’, two-player career, and get even closer to the grid with ‘real-season start’. Take your team to the top in the acclaimed ten-year ‘My team’ Career mode, or race head-to-head in split-screen and multiplayer. Immerse yourself in the greatest racing spectacle on the planet and race with the authentic lineup of twenty heroic drivers and ten iconic teams from the 2021 Season: ‘braking point’ – the thrilling new story experience, new ways to play: two-player career and ‘real-season start’, acclaimed ‘My team’, split-screen and multiplayer
tbd Hotline Miami / Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number Platform: PlayStation 4 July 16, 2021 Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the brutal conclusion to the Hotline Miami saga, set against a backdrop of escalating violence and retribution over spilled blood in the original game. Follow the paths of several distinct factions – each with their own questionable methods and uncertain motivations – as unforeseen consequences intersect and reality once again slips back into a brilliant haze of neon and bloodshed.

See All PS4

Xbox Series X

tbd Imagine Earth Platform: Xbox Series X July 9, 2021 In this sci-fi strategy sim you build up global civilizations on distant worlds. Harvest resources and produce goods to establish space trade. Form alliances or wage economic warfare to take over competing corporations. Do research to protect your colonists from disasters and avoid a climate crisis.
tbd F1 2021 Platform: Xbox Series X July 13, 2021 Every story has a beginning in F1® 2021, the official videogame of the 2021 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. Enjoy the stunning new features of F1® 2021, including the thrilling story experience ‘Braking Point’, two-player Career, and get even closer to the grid with ‘Real-Season Start’.
tbd Lost at Sea Platform: Xbox Series X July 15, 2021 Lost At Sea is a game about life. A game about every one of us and the incredible adventure we all take part in. Love, friendship, family, career, freedom. No matter who we are or where we come from, these are the things that make life worth living for all of us. And we are all afraid that something will take these things away or take us away, before we have experienced every single bit of it. But death is inevitable, to be afraid of it doesn’t make sense. And the more we experience, the more we know and remember – the more the fear of death loses its power. Set on a beautiful island, where every biome represents a phase of life, you will explore your surroundings and solve riddles to reclaim your memories, while the fear of death is hunting you, trying to take you to the other side before you have tasted life. In the end, this is a game about the things you want to remember, the things you wish for and life as a whole. What are the most important moments of your life?
tbd Blaster Master Zero II Platform: Xbox Series X July 15, 2021 The side-scrolling/top-down hybrid action adventure gameplay returns with a brand new sequel to “Blaster Master Zero”! Experience the yet-untold story of Jason and Eve after defeating Earth’s mutant scourge as they venture into the depths of space in their new battle tank, “GAIA-SOPHIA”! The story of Blaster Master Zero 2 begins a few months after the events of the first game (released on March 9, 2017), where the main protagonist Jason saves planet Earth from the mutants. Eve has been infected by mutant cells that are slowly corrupting her body, so together with Jason and Fred, they board G-SOPHIA and begin an intergalactic journey to Eve’s home planet, Sophia, in hopes of finding a cure for the mutant infection. A perfect blend of action-adventure through outer space and the signature Blaster Master gameplay creates a formula for a fun new experience.
tbd Cris Tales Platform: Xbox Series X July 20, 2021 Cris Tales is a gorgeous, indie love letter to classic JRPGs with a new perspective. Peer into the past, act in the present, and watch as your choices dynamically change the future — all on one screen as you play! Join the newly awakened Time Mage Crisbell and her fantastical companions on their journey across a dark, fairytale world facing a grim future. Crisbell must embark across Crystallis and the four Kingdoms in a bid to stop the powerful Time Empress and rewrite the future of the world and all those living in it. Along the way, she’ll meet and recruit powerful allies with their own unique stories and skills like Matias the Frog and Willhelm the Child Mage. As she explores the world and meets her unique companions, Crisbell will have to make choices with far-reaching consequences for the people she meets consequences that will impact the world you’ll experience in real-time throughout your journey. Each companion will be invaluable as you face these choices and the myriad enemies who stand in your way. Will you buffet them with attacks, or discover creative ways to use Crisbell’s time powers to alter the reality of each fight? Key Features > A Love Letter to Classic JRPGs Inspired by timeless JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Valkyrie Profile, and modern classics like Bravely Default and Persona 5, meet and recruit a unique cast of teammates, challenge myriad enemies, and make your way through an expansive world. > Experience the Past, Present, and Future Simultaneously Peer into and learn from the past, decide on actions in the present, and alter the course of the future in ways that will reshape the world dynamically depending on the choices you make. > Master Strategic Turn-Based Combat Warp your enemies into the past or future, synchronize attacks for enhanced group abilities, and master the timing of attack and defense to go beyond your party’s limits in combat. > Uncover a Fascinating Story & Characters The Empress’ plot to destroy the world is complex and layered. Use your wits and recruit powerful allies throughout the world to uncover and undo her multi-faceted web and make your way to the True Ending of this enchanting tale. > Discover a Beautiful World Climb aboard an airship or boat and traverse this handcrafted, dark fairytale world. From the shining kingdom of Crystallis to the slums of Vinez, discover each unique location and shape its future.

See All Xbox Series X

Xbox One

tbd Police Stories Platform: Xbox One July 9, 2021 Inspired by SWAT 4 and gritty police TV shows, Police Stories is a fresh take on top-down shooters with an emphasis on tactics that forces you to make split second decisions. Neutralize criminals, rescue civilians and defuse bombs in Single Player mode or Online Co-op. And remember – shooting first is not an option! Unforgiving and tense, each mission tells a story of two police operatives – John Rimes and Rick Jones, filled with infiltrating gang hideouts, rescuing hostages, making arrests and other life-threatening situations.
tbd Blue Fire Platform: Xbox One July 9, 2021 Embark on an extraordinary adventure through the perished world of Penumbra to explore unique temples filled with increasingly difficult 3D platforming challenges, diverse enemies, quests, collectibles, and more. Slash daunting adversaries, leap through deadly traps and master the art of movement.
tbd Beasts of Maravilla Island Platform: Xbox One July 9, 2021 Embark on your adventure as an aspiring wildlife photographer in the hidden, magic jungles of Maravilla Island. Explore a mysterious 3D island and solve puzzles in order to discover extraordinary creatures, interact with them in their natural habitat, and photograph the enchanting, unique behaviors you reveal! The protective magic of Maravilla Island is waning, and the only way to save it is to restore humanity’s belief in the magical. Assume the role of Marina Montez, an aspiring wildlife photographer who is armed with her grandfather’s journal of Maravilla and his camera. To save Maravilla Island, you must climb, explore, and solve puzzles with the island’s flora and fauna to find and photograph its fabulous beasts.
tbd Mythic Ocean Platform: Xbox One July 9, 2021 What would you do if you were friends with the gods, and your influence on them could change the universe? Mythic Ocean is an atmospheric and charming adventure where you’ll befriend a pantheon of gods under the sea, help them find themselves, and make choices that shape the creation of a new world. Explore all the outcomes. Which god will rise above? What kind of world will they create? You decide – choose wisely.
tbd Imagine Earth Platform: Xbox One July 9, 2021 In this sci-fi strategy sim you build up global civilizations on distant worlds. Harvest resources and produce goods to establish space trade. Form alliances or wage economic warfare to take over competing corporations. Do research to protect your colonists from disasters and avoid a climate crisis.

See All Xbox One

Switch

81 Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Platform: Switch July 9, 2021Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin offers both RPG and Monster Hunter fans a unique new experience with a rich storyline featuring charming characters, challenging quests and friendly encounters with familiar monsters from the Monster Hunter series. Assuming the role of a young Monster Rider who can use a Kinship Stone to form strong bonds with monsters, players can gain experience and improve their skills to form deeper connections with these wonderful creatures. When ready, players can embark on memorable adventures filled with dramatic events and heartwarming friendships as the epic tale unfolds.
tbd Dogworld Platform: Switch July 9, 2021 After a catastrophic event on Earth, humanity is directed underground and into pods for their safety. You are told that the surface world is dangerous and uninhabitable, and inside the pods is the only safe place to be. But when you are launched from the underground in a freak accident, you realize that the surface is just fine and there’s more to this world than you thought. The surface is teeming with life, except… they all seem to be dogs. And some of them talk. Shoot, jump, and slide your way through a ruined, mysterious, dog-filled world as you fight to save humanity from the clutches of a rogue AI named Daddy. Acquire new weapons, upgrade them to be more powerful, collect secrets, meet bizarre characters, and explore the ruins of a destroyed world.
tbd Connect Bricks Platform: Switch July 9, 2021 Connect Bricks… you get it.
tbd Fantasy Cards Platform: Switch July 9, 2021 Challenge 3 levels of AI in this Heroic Fantasy themed card game. Use the unique skills of your cards in fast-paced battles and deal big blows to your enemy with spells and magic to achieve victory. Whether you’re a novice or an expert strategist, you’ll quickly pick up the game and face its challenges. The incredible graphics and special effects will impress you!
tbd Bai Qu: Hundreds of Melodies Platform: Switch July 9, 2021 As springtime blossoms, a new friendship blooms. While visiting his sick father, college student Wei Qiuwu accidentally encountered a girl playing a concertina. Though unlikely at first, Wei Qiuwu becomes a good friend of Li Jiayun, the musician. Both of them act as an indispensable tune in each other’s life. Until one day someone unveils to Wei Qiuwu the cruel truth hidden under a fairy-tale cover… Features * A storyline of 8 to 12 hours, * Multiple routes and endings. * There is no absolute “right/wrong choice”, different endings contain different meanings. * Delicate and realistic background pictures, field recorded ambient sound. * Over 20 wonderful background music tracks, which include varieties of music genres. * An extraordinary story, themed with love and caring in an ordinary slice of daily life.

See All Switch

PC

tbd Levi Chronicles Platform: PC July 9, 2021
tbd Black Skylands Platform: PC July 9, 2021
tbd Undaunted: The First Heresy Platform: PC July 9, 2021
tbd Soulpath: the final journey Platform: PC July 9, 2021
tbd Color Breakers Platform: PC July 9, 2021

See All PC

Ok…that’s a lot, but the list looks good. Enjoy the rest of your Thursday, be safe, healthy, and blessed.

Featured image: Pexel

About L. Richelle Murry

I'm the founder of Shadowboxerinc, Creativity In All Forms. This where I share all kinds of information in the creative world of art, fashion, games, comics, literature, music, photography, digital...all art! I'm also a writer. The reason my brain is wired, too much creativity!

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