July PS4 Games You Need to Play

Despite being a slow month compared to how massive August looks to be, July was still filled with a wide array of game releases. In fact, we ended up reviewing 27 titles that released in July 2017. That’s a lot of games, and more titles than most gamers can justifiably play. Not that everything was worth playing as some games were disappointing releases that were broken (looking at you, Micro Machines World Series) and others were just bad.

The good definitely outweighed the bad, however. There ended up being 10 July PS4 games that ended up scoring 8/10 or higher. To help make sure nobody misses these gems, we’ve compiled a list of our highest reviewed games of the month. We’ve also linked to our reviews, that way players can get a better look at whether or not each game is for them before they spend their hard earned money.

We hope you enjoyed our look at 10 July PlayStation 4 games that you need to play. It’s worth noting that there were even more worthwhile games released in July. For example, the Vita had a decent month with Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion and Collar x Malice. There were also some really cool VR games that just narrowly stayed off the above slideshow such as Infinite Minigolf, SUPERHOT VR, and Tiny Trax. No matter what system you wanted to play on in July, you were certainly kept busy!

Recommended Reading:

10 Great July Releases You May Have Missed

July PS4 Games You Need to Play
Archangel

Chandler Wood writes in their review:

"Another visually noteworthy PSVR game, Archangel blends immersive storytelling with a complex rail shooter to let players live out their mech fantasies. Very little replay value and a high launch price tag of $40 for a three to five hour game may drive away some, but Skydance Interactive has managed to capture the enveloping magic of virtual reality to tell a personal narrative while at the same time creating a strong VR rail shooter as the vehicle to tell it."
Children of Zodiarcs

Paulmichael Contreras writes in their review:

"Children of Zodiarcs mixes a collection of disparate mechanics in just the right way. Coupled with an endearing story, fans of the SRPG genre will no doubt love playing the game’s skirmishes long after they are finished with the story mode. However, an absolutely brutal AI will keep more casual fans from enjoying much of the story if they cannot come to grips with the game’s systems. So, the difficulty is a double-edged sword, even on Normal. Still, for those of you able to weather the storm of the computer’s assaults, the reward of developing a winning strategy pays off immensely. Children of Zodiarcs is a bargain at $17.99, and has plenty of content to sink your teeth into."
Elite Dangerous

Paulmichael Contreras writes in their review:

"Elite Dangerous is a massive, living game with plenty to see and do. Like a lot of sandbox, open-world games, you get out what you put in to the game. The various systems at play, including flight mechanics, are just complicated enough to be believable, while not hindering gameplay. It also helps that the game looks gorgeous, and runs solidly. While the online-required aspect may become an issue if the servers shut down years from now, in the meantime, Elite Dangerous could very well be a game that you play all through the summer, and then some. It’s a game that all sci-fi fans must play."
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

Martin Patiño writes in their review:

"Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is an excellent example of a holistic approach to producing a well-made remaster. Not only does it feature the usual remaster fare of significantly improved visuals up to their maximum capabilities but it also includes significant and positive improvements and additions to its audio and gameplay that take into consideration both its past strengths and weakness, the resources of the current times, and both its past and current potential audience. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is undoubtedly a remaster worth playing for both newcomers and fans of the original."
Pyre

Chandler Wood writes in their review:

"It feels disingenuous to even try and write words about Pyre, another Supergiant masterpiece. I don’t feel that my prose can even begin to match the resplendent beauty that permeates this journey through the Downside. If only that I could stand there in front of the Scribesgate once more listening to the Lone Minstrel and the Gate Guardian sing the hymn as the Rites commence one last time. For as amazing Pyre was, I’ll just have to find myself exiled once more to find freedom in the flame."
Serial Cleaner

Blake Grundman writes in their review:

"When it comes to pleasant surprises, Serial Cleaner ranks among my favorite indie releases of 2017. The simple to grasp mechanics yet surprisingly deep execution managed to take a genre that I traditionally loathe, and somehow deliver an immensely gratifying experience. Don’t get me wrong, this will most likely not be winning any end-of-year awards, but it’s a mess that’s worth tidying up after. Who knew that obstruction of justice could be so much fun?"
Sundered

Tyler Treese writes in their review:

"It’s not a question of if the player will die in Sundered. They will lose the struggle against the Eldritch horrors that call its world home, and it ultimately comes down to the core theme of resist or embrace. Will the player embrace the challenge, or resist it by giving up? That’ll ultimately come down to how much perseverance a person has, but those that do see the adventure out will be rewarded with more glimpses into a gorgeous world and some incredibly tense combat exchanges."
Super Cloudbuilt

Paulmichael Contreras writes in their review:

"Super Cloudbuilt is an impressive entry in the platforming genre. The level of challenge on offer is sure to please those looking for a chance to prove themselves. Leaderboards help to increase the game’s longevity, and there is little doubt that some players will spend dozens of hours attempting to claim the world’s fastest time or best results. The intense difficulty and quick reflex requirement may put some off, but with practice most people can see the story to its conclusion. If you’re a platforming fan that wants to test their skills then play Super Cloudbuilt."
SUPERHOT

Tyler Treese writes in their review:

"From the opening stages to its thrilling conclusion, every single moment within SUPERHOT is a memorable one. Even a year removed from its initial release, its innovations are unmatched. Even those that aren’t typically a fan of the genre owe it to themselves to check out one of the finest games released in years."
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

Chandler Wood writes in their review:

"Much like the fauna that inhabits its world, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a beautifully odd creature. The things it does well it does extremely well, which leaves me baffled at some of the obvious drawbacks that limit its scope and longevity. With that said, I am massively impressed by what such a small team was able to accomplish, and the attractive launch price certainly makes it all the more appealing. I hope Prideful Sloth can take their experience creating a varied and fascinating world and expand the purview of the crafting and farming to have more meaning in the future, but until that release I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeing all that Gemea has to offer, even if my feet feel a little blistered from the journey."