Just Released - Notable Video Games July 15-21, 2024

Notable games you might have missed. I picked the most exciting video game releases from last week for you.

Last week was exciting, with two new titles that really surprised me. I would have kicked myself in the but if I missed these.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

📅 Release Date: July 18, 2024

🎮 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

🏷️Price: $39,99, or via Game Pass

🗨️ Metacritic Score: ~71

🔗 Steam Reviews: Mostly Positive

📱Steam Deck: Verified ✅

Flintlock is an action RPG set in a unique fantasy world where players use both magic and gunpowder weapons to combat challenging enemies. The gameplay features a blend of melee combat, strategic use of firearms, and exploration of a richly detailed environment.

The game combines elements from Dark Souls games but also from more approachable fantasy action titles. It was highly anticipated before its release.

My 2 Cents

I was intrigued when they presented it at Summer Game Fest recently and was looking forward to the release.

However, after I tried it for free now on Game Pass (Xbox Series X), I was a little disappointed. It still looks great, but the movement felt janky, and other users on Steam also state that it seems unfinished. Still, it’s worth trying, in my opinion, especially if you have an active Game Pass subscription.

Dungeons of Hinterberg

📅 Release Date: July 18, 2024

🎮 Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S

🏷️ Price: $29.99, or via Game Pass

🗨️ Metacritic Score: ~82

🔗 Steam Reviews: Very Positive

📱 Steam Deck: Verified ✅

Dungeons of Hinterberg is an action-adventure RPG set in the beautiful Austrian Alps, where you’ll dive into vibrant dungeons filled with puzzles, traps, and mystical creatures.

The style is lovely – it's bright and bold, with a gorgeous ‘hand-painted’ cel-shading look.

As you explore different dungeons, you'll use a combat system that lets you combine magic and melee attacks to defeat enemies. According to GameSpot, the game offers a "captivating mix of exploration and combat," with plenty of character development and story progression as you build relationships with quirky locals and uncover Hinterberg’s secrets.

My 2 Cents

I've played the game for about 1-2 hours so far on the Xbox Series X (via Game Pass) and find it very enjoyable.

For one thing, I love the setting! As a German, I've often visited our neighbors in Austria, especially in the mountains. It's been a while, but the area is simply wonderful, and the game, despite its cell-shading style, manages to portray that atmosphere effectively.

The game captures the relaxed atmosphere of the vacation town incredibly well and mixes it perfectly with the fantasy setting and the dungeon exploration part.

After battling through the puzzle-filled dungeons, you return to the town to unwind, enjoy cozy cafes, and interact with locals, creating a perfect balance between action and relaxation. The downtime in Hinterberg allows you to recharge and strengthen relationships with NPCs, which in turn affects your abilities.

💡 I believe the indie developer Microbird Games from Austria deserves a lot of respect for making this game! You can follow them on Instagram.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

📅 Release Date: July 19, 2024

🎮 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

🏷️ Price: $49.99, or via Game Pass

🗨️ Metacritic Score: ~82

🔗 Steam Reviews: Very Positive

📱 Steam Deck: Verified ✅

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a single-player hack-and-slash game with strategy and tower defense components as well as unique Japanese dance elements.

It took me a few minutes to summarize this unusual game in one sentence, but that should be it 😁

The setting is Mt. Kafuku—a mountain covered in defilement. Capcom’s impressive game gives you a taste of Japanese culture, including Kagura dance, masks, and the music that plays in the background.

You are playing as Soh, a warrior who wields a sword to protect the Maiden of the mountain, Yoshiro, as she confronts the Seethe. You slay the enemies as usual or with dance-like sword attacks.

“Exhilarating Sword Dance Action”

This game is a huge surprise to me, as we rarely get gems like this anymore. It is a magnificent surprise from Japan's video game giant, Capcom, and might even be one of the most outstanding games of 2024.

Just a few things I would immediately point out:

• Gorgeous visual folklore-type visual design

• Unique action/strategy/tower defense mix

The only downside might be the base building part, which can get a little tedious.

Gameplay: Each stage requires you to purge supernatural rot, rescue villagers, build traps, and fend off waves of hideous demons. The goal is to aid Yoshiro in her quest to rid Mt. Kafuku of a plague. The gameplay mechanics required for these tasks create one of the more distinct experiences in video games I have seen in a while. 

The visual design of this game is gorgeous. The artwork is a masterpiece and shows an exquisite setting inspired by Japanese folklore, with every detail polished to perfection. I can’t remember a game with such a unique visual style.

💡 Tip for Xbox Series X players: There are two graphics options:

• Performance

• Quality

I chose ‘quality’ as the fps difference is minor. ‘Performance’ gives you 60 fps locked, and with ‘quality,’ you get around 55 fps with almost no heavy drops but slightly better visuals.

Notable Mention from June: Chained Together

Chained Together was released in June and is a cooperative puzzle-platformer where you and a friend or two are literally chained together, requiring you to work as a team to navigate through challenging levels.

The chain between you isn't just a link—it's both a tool and a challenge, letting you swing across gaps or block obstacles while also limiting your movement.

This unique setup encourages teamwork and communication, making the game an engaging and fun experience for players working together.

It’s only $4.99!

Here are some funny quotes from Steam user reviews:

Me and my only three friends played it today for 1 hour straight. Tomorrow, my only two friends and I will play it again.

Don't be fooled by the cheap price of the game. The real price is the cost of friendships, family ties and a girlfriend that gives you the silent treatment.

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Those were my tips from last week, including a special mention from June. Did I forget something?

If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends and colleagues!

Keep playing,

Michael