Coming Soon to Xbox: New Games for July 7-11

Sure, let’s dive into this wild array of Xbox chaos coming soon, straight to those Series X|S consoles… or whatever they call them these days. It’s like opening a box of assorted chocolates — some familiar, some with weird, unidentifiable fillings.

So, kicking things off, we got the “EA SPORTS™ College Football 26 Deluxe Edition.” This one’s like your buddy who’s always screaming about “rehashing the past,” yet still shows up at every college game with their face painted. Early access on July 7, but globally you can jump in on July 10. You get to be a high school recruit or maybe coach, wrangling through 136 FBS schools (whatever that means) with more plays and athletes than you can shake a pom-pom at.

Move over to a bit of nostalgia with “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 – Digital Deluxe Edition.” Remember when skateboarding was basically flying? I can’t even balance on a scooter. Anyway, this one’s got that cross-play thing—switching from TV to whatever portable device you’ve got to catch a quick session, like magic… or science.

Oh! Almost forgot about “Missile Command Delta,” launching missiles at the world on July 8. It’s a whole Atari flashback. Kinda like Snakes and Ladders but with missiles, and a lot more panic. Developer teams Mighty Yell and 13AM Games handled this high-stakes pressure cooker. I can already feel my palms sweating.

And then we have “Somber Echoes.” We’re on July 8 again — must be a busy day. This one’s a Metroidvania — which is basically just a fancy way of saying explore-and-explode-things-on-an-old-spaceship. It’s all about myths and combat, and honestly, I might have just made that sentence up, but hey, could be true.

For the doomsday prepper in you, “The Last Camp” hits X on July 8. Dual-stick shooters? High-quality graphics? I’m not the target, but someone definitely is — unfold the world map, eyes peeled for invaders, I guess.

Let’s not forget romance with gameplay, or gameplay with romance: “Ah, Love! Season 2,” also on July 8. Something about swapping blocks to help hearts get dates? No clue how it works. Avoid black hearts, too. Apparently, love’s a battlefield and a puzzle.

Hop on over to July 9, and we’ve got “Minami Lane,” a tiny cozy management sim focused on — wait for it — building streets and watching little villagers live their lives. You know, the usual casual pastime of mayoral duties from your couch.

If stealth is your forte, “Rogue Raccoon” (on the same date) wants you to sneak food from a museum. Yeah, that’s right, the art of the heist… for snacks. Platformer chaos that’s sure to mess with your nerves and diet plan.

“Moses at the sea with a cannon” — not sure how else to describe “Holdfast: Nations At War,” timed perfectly for July 9. Get over 150 players per server and pretend you’re Napoleon or something. I’ll just… write about it.

Now, “Tiny Pixels Vol. 2: Stormy Knights” — July 9. Are stormy knights pixelated? Medieval, Persian, Japanese mish-mash. Retro soundtrack, side-scrolling… something. It’s artistic, I think. Probably.

Ah! There’s “Greedland” on July 10, sounds greedy. Mutants by the hundreds, apparently. Good thing gaming isn’t competitive… but there is endless mode co-op.

Finally, “Islanders: New Shores,” which arrives July 10 too — let’s call it digital zen. A minimalist builder thingy where you create without a care, except perhaps if you’re trying to win at life.

“I’m going way off here,” but “BAD END THEATER” swoops in on July 10. Multiple protagonists, terrible endings, sounds chaotic. Toggle everything, make weird decisions, it’s like life, really.

Then “Best Served Cold” on July 10. Cocktail construction amidst a murder mystery in a speakeasy — it’s like Clue, but with alcohol. Vin Diesel not included.

“Choice of Life: Wild Islands,” releasing July 10 as well, places you, a sailor, washed up on shore. Almost sounds metaphorical… Mallory, bring breakfast — prepare to survive existential dilemmas, card game style.

If horror’s your vibe, “Bendy and the Dark Revival” — also on July 11. Dark, mysterious ink stuff… first-person madness. Survive, solve puzzles, hope to not encounter the Ink Demon. Just your average Tuesday, right?

We’re almost there, “Only Up To Space,” arriving July 11. Astronaut platforming adventure — climb, don’t fall, or just fling yourself into the abyss trying.

Ah yes, slide into July 11 with “Aquapark io,” spirals and chaos. Multiplayer slide racing or slide solo. You know, slip and slide and wham!

Brace yourself, “Canine” on July 11. Retro horror feels, find your abducted dog. Twisted experiments, grasp at survival, save Tomy (the dog, not me).

For July 11, “Griffin” brings us a battle tank escapade led by a noble granddaughter. Navigate Griffin to save grandpa from the enemy. Sound familiar?

Lastly, fight survival instincts on a mystery island with “Island Trouble,” still on July 11. Resource gathering, mission doing, uncover everything. Just escape paradise — or whatever’s become of it.

And, exhale! That felt like a rollercoaster. Well, more like a garden variety of mismatched beautiful monsters coming to mess with our peace. Grab a controller, and let life throw you a virtual curveball… or multiverse, as it may be.