July in the gaming industry is often a quieter month, but the year 2026 brings quite an interesting schedule. It's not just a few smaller indie releases to fill the summer gap, but also big names that will mark the second half of the year for many. Notably, the return of the pirate adventure Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, a new version of the first Halo, Splatoon Raiders for Nintendo Switch 2, and several charming, quirky, and very promising indie games stand out.
The month kicks off with Rhythm Heaven Groove, arriving on Nintendo Switch on July 2. The series, which has long been synonymous with simple, catchy, and often completely bizarre rhythm challenges, is finally making a comeback, and for Nintendo fans, this could be one of the most relaxing summer titles. A few days later, on July 7, Moonlight Peaks arrives, a cozy life simulation with vampires, gardening, and a supernatural atmosphere. On paper, it sounds like Stardew Valley for those who prefer a slightly more gothic tone.
The biggest wave comes on July 9. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced brings back Edward Kenway and the Caribbean in a more modern guise for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The original from 2013 is still often mentioned as one of the most beloved installments in the series, so it will be interesting to see how much this version retains the charm of the old Black Flag and how much it adapts to a newer audience. On the same day, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok arrives, an expanded edition of the action RPG that could reunite fans of fast-paced combat, co-op gameplay, and anime aesthetics.
The next day, July 10, Palworld exits early access. The game, which has already garnered huge attention with its blend of monster collecting, survival, building, and chaos, is now getting its official 1.0 release. This might be the most important moment for Pocketpair as it will show how much the project has matured since its first wave of popularity.
The middle of the month brings Denshattack!, an unusual action game with trains, acrobatics, and energy rarely seen in larger releases. Alongside it, on July 15, The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu arrives, a horror title for those who feel summer isn't complete without at least a bit of a darker atmosphere. The next day, K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut releases, a simulation where players guide the journey to create an idol group, which could particularly interest audiences who enjoy management and music games.
Starting July 21, a new series of smaller but interesting titles begins. Fading Echo aims for a fast-paced action adventure with a distinct style, while Tears of Metal enters early access on July 22, bringing a cooperative medieval hack-and-slash experience with roguelike elements. Fighting game enthusiasts should pay attention to Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, which brings battles from the Avatar world to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on July 23.
The same day will be particularly important for owners of the Nintendo Switch 2 console as Splatoon Raiders arrives. Unlike the main Splatoon games, this title emphasizes a single-player adventure, which is an interesting twist for a series often associated with online competition. If Nintendo strikes the right balance between action, exploration, and colorful chaos, Splatoon Raiders could be one of the more significant titles for the early library of the Nintendo Switch 2 console.
The end of the month is also not empty. Forever Skies arrives on Xbox Series X/S on July 27, while July 28 brings several different releases, among which Halo: Campaign Evolved stands out the most. This is a modernized version of the original campaign from Halo: Combat Evolved, which will particularly interest old fans of Master Chief, as well as players who want to enter the series for the first time. On the same day, EverQuest Legends and Go North are also coming, and on July 29, the schedule continues with Mistfall Hunter and the bizarrely named Truck-kun is Supporting Me From Another World?!.
July closes with Leafy Corner, Turnip Mountain, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for Nintendo Switch 2. All in all, the month ahead looks significantly stronger than one might initially expect. From major returns and remakes to strange indie ideas, July 2026 could be ideal for those looking for something familiar, but also for those seeking a game that doesn't easily fit into standard molds.
Note: Dates are current at the time of writing the article.
