Here every Friday you’ll find big games gone global, fresh soft launches, the latest release dates and everything in between.
This week’s new game digest is supported by Lemmings maker Exient, which is currently hiring a head of code, senior programmer, head of game design and a player support specialist. Head through this link to find out more.
Valorant: Operation Primal
As spotted by multiple influencers on X as well as Game World Observer, the Chinese government has approved a new batch of games for release, including Riot’s mobile edition of Valorant, subtitled Operation Primal.
Riot confirmed some time ago that it was bringing Valorant to mobile, and had previously been beta testing it in China under the codename Project C. The beta leaked almost immediately, hence the above video. There’s no further official news from Riot on when it might be released, but its approval in China suggests it is coming soon.
Star Wars: Hunters (Zynga)
The long-awaited free-to-play competitive arena shooter from a galaxy far, far away is out now globally on iOS and Android.
Tetris Block Puzzle (PlayStudios)
This looks like PlayStudios’ take on Hungry Studios’ Block Blast, which is of course itself a take on Tetris, which PlayStudios holds the mobile rights for. It’s out worldwide on iOS and Android, and joins fellow PlayStudios games Tetris and Tetris World Tour on mobile.
Monster Hunter Puzzles: Felyne Isles (Capcom)
Pre-registration is live for this puzzle entry in the long-running RPG franchise. The game is set to launch globally on iOS and Android on June 26.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage (Ubisoft)
The latest entry in Ubisoft’s flagship series is out now for iOS, but only on high-end devices. It is ‘free to start’, with a one-time IAP to unlock the full game, which is discounted by 50% for launch.
Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance (Ironhide Game Studios)
The latest addition to the strategy and tower defence series will launch on the App Store and Google Play on July 25.
DC: Dark Legion (FunPlus)
This superhero strategy game is now in early access on Google Play in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Philippines and the United Kingdom only.
Skul: The Hero Slayer (Playdigious)
This premium action roguelite title is out now worldwide on both iOS and Android. Playdigious is offering a 10% discount at launch.
Command & Conquer: Legions (Level Infinite)
Pre-registration is now open for EA’s iconic strategy game, which is once again coming to mobile, this time through Tencent. At the time of writing, the title has over 1.5m sign-ups. It is expected to launch worldwide by the end of the year.
Netflix’s next 14 releases
The streaming giant has shown off 14 upcoming titles set to roll out in the second half of 2024. Mystery game The Case of the Golden Idol is launching on June 11, while card game Hearts is slated to be released on June 18. The following week, life-sim Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is rolling out on June 25.
Hero co-op action RPG The Dragon Prince: Xadia – based on the animated Netflix show – is planned for release on July 30, while puzzle RPG Arranger is slated for a summer launch.
Publisher Klei is bringing three games to Netflix: Lab Rat, Don’t Starve Together and Rotwood, though no release dates were confirmed, while the streaming giant’s Emily in Paris show is being given the video game treatment in another of its Netflix Stories games. Finally, there’s Private Division’s Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game, which is also in the ‘coming soon’ category.
This is all on top of the previously announced reality show adaptations Too Hot to Handle 3, Netflix Stories: Selling Sunset, Love is Blind and Virgin River.
Apple Arcade in June and July
Apple confirmed yesterday that it has added four games to Arcade. There’s one new game, Ubisoft’s Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse, and three reworked IAP/ad-free App Store games: Return to Monkey Island+, Tomb of the Mask+, and Fabulous – Wedding Disaster+.
The tech giant also confirmed that it is adding three games to the subscription service in July. Pomelo Games’ Outlanders 2: Second Nature, a town-builder, is the only new game, with Punch Kick Duck+ and Zen Koi Pro+ adding to Arcade’s catalogue of rereleases.
