Summer of Gaming: Hot New Titles Coming This July

The summer holidays are fast approaching. For many of us, that means six glorious weeks of gaming are ahead. Whilst social restrictions are easing, it looks like we might be getting a traditional British summer of rain, rain, and more rain. The perfect excuse to stay inside with a cuppa and play the hottest new games. Here at Overclockers UK, we have taken a look at all the great games being released this July, ranked them, and paired them with a pre-built gaming PC from our very own OcUK Gaming. And what better day to do it on than National Video Game Day?

5. The Sims 4 Cottage Living

It’s crazy to think that The Sims has been a staple of computer gaming for 21 years. Now, the developer, Maxis,  has added their 10th expansion to the fourth iteration of the iconic life simulation game series. That’s on top of all the Game and Stuff Packs released to vary gameplay. Dropping on July 22nd, The Sims 4 will be making its way into farming simulation with Cottage Living.

Of course, this is The Sims 4, and, consequently, it will not be done in the traditional sense. Check out this gameplay trailer for a reveal of what’s ahead:

With Cottage Living, your Sims will be able to raise and rear animals, grow crops, and have a go at that simple country living lifestyle in new neighbourhood, Henford-on-Bagley. Befriending animals in the wild will earn you gifts, whilst your cows at home produce flavoured milk. Oh yes, that’s right. Brown cows will actually produce chocolate milk. (I’m guessing, so don’t quote me on that!) Dress up your furry friends and learn to co-exist in harmony. Well, this is The Sims, so some chaos and discord is needed.

Sul-Sul!

Cottagecore is a big look right now, and with the incredible customisation options on Build-A-Sim, you’re sure to get the aesthetic just right. Meanwhile, revel in the rich and picturesque neighbourhoods with the hottest graphics The Sims 4 has to offer, which could all be plucked straight from a quaint, English village. In this expansion, you’re encouraged to live off the land, enter weekly fairs, and enjoy the social offerings at The Gnome’s Arms. Quite frankly, that’s the best name for a pub that I ever did see.

As such, Cottage Living will spice up Sims 4 gameplay for existing fans, whilst newcomers to the franchise can get a taste of this expansive universe. Here is a quick rundown of everything you need from your gaming PC to run The Sims 4 Cottage Living.

OcUK Gaming Pyrite Gaming PC

Features
Intel B460 DDR4 Motherboard
Intel Core i5 10400F CPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
Up to 32GB RAM
500GB SSD & 1TB HDD

If The Sims 4 is providing the cottage, we definitely think the Overclockers UK Gaming Pyrite Gaming PC is the pie. Equipped with an Intel Core i5 10400F processor, this computer takes the recommended specs to the next level. There are a choice of three 30 series GPUs to install, as well as RAM options ranging from 8GB to 32GB. All in all, well above the suggested specs. With the Pyrite, you have plenty of customisation options for making this gaming PC perfect for your entire library. You just need to provide the internet connection to download The Sims 4 Cottage Living from Steam!

Releases 22/7/2021

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4. Cris Tales

JRPGs have a strong presence in the history of PC gaming. From Final Fantasy, to Pokémon, to Dragon Quest, this game genre continues to dominate. Plus, with the rising popularity of indie games, now is a great time to release a new JRPG world.

Enter, Cris Tales. With absolutely beautiful hand-drawn, 2D artwork, this upcoming role-playing game is marketed as a love letter to traditional JRPGs whilst you work your way through an expansive world. Utilising a turn-based battle system, this game will employ a particular blend of strategy via an incorporated time manipulation mechanic. Along with its innovative gameplay, is a plot with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your noblechairs.

As such, the action happens concurrently across the past, present, and future, making Cris Tales delightfully unique whilst adhering to the JRPG tropes we know and love. As it spans multiple points in time, this can be used to your advantage during battle and offer insightful perspectives into the consequences of your actions.

Check out this trailer for Cris Tales and be blown away by this truly extraordinary game:

A little-bit steampunk, and a whole-lot magical, Cris Tales looks like it’s going to be a fresh take on a much-loved genre. To make sure your gaming PC is up to the task, here are the specification requirements for running this game.

OcUK Gaming Radiance Bullet Gaming PC

The specs for Cris Tale are not overly demanding, meaning I could get a little creative with its perfect PC match. After all, like pairing a good wine with fine dining, this is an art form. Let me introduce the Overclockers UK Gaming Radiance Bullet Gaming PC. Housed in a CoolerMaster MasterBox Q300L case, this Micro-ATX build is further proof that good things come in small packages. Or rather, good games come from smaller publishers. Naturally, as with most Overclockers UK builds, there is some flexibility with the case choice, but the MasterBox Q300L has an amazing isometric design on the front panel which makes it something else.

For a touch extra, you can equip the Radiance Bullet with a 30 series GPU, or save yourself some coinage by opting for an RTX 2060 Dual OC graphics card. Both options will render this beautifully designed game with ease, letting you simply enjoy the gorgeous scenery. At its heart, this gaming PC has a B450 motherboard equipped with an AMD Ryzen 6 3600 CPU, operating with 6 cores and 12 threads at up to 4.2GHz. More than enough processing power! What’s more, with flexible storage and RAM solutions, you can definitely make this gaming PC perfect for your needs beyond Cris Tales.

Releases 20/7/2021

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3. F1 2021

Racing sim fans, prepare for F1 2021 – the latest instalment in the popular, official F1 video games. Live life in the fast lane and experience the tarmac just like the pros. The career is packed with drama, both on and off the track, all presented in hyper-realistic graphics.

If you drive in a racing sim set-up, this game will really hit the immersive sweet spot. (Oh, you don’t? Are you aware that Overclockers UK stocks a full and varied range of products?)

Drive solo or conduct your career in multiplayer mode, either competitively or co-operatively. Depends on how much you like your other driver, really! With F1 2021, you will trot the globe and compete in the same races scheduled for the current season. Show Lewis Hamilton how it’s really done! Gameplay extends further than world-famous racetracks, too. Manage your press tour, customise avatars and cars, develop new technology to make your Astin Martin better than everyone else’s. With this game, you are the manager, driver, and more.

Here is the exciting trailer for F1 2021. With the release date merely 8 days away, there’s still plenty of time to get hyped!

More importantly, there’s also plenty of time to make sure your gaming PC is operating up to code. This is the recommended specification from EA:

OcUK Gaming Enigma Enthusiast Gaming PC

Features
Gigabyte B450 DDR4 Motherboard
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU
Up to 32GB RAM
500GB SSD & 2TB HDD

If you’re looking for a foundation to stream from and create content on, then the Overclockers UK Gaming Enigma Enthusiast Gaming PC is the way to go. Show off your driving skills and match the RGB lighting to your team colours, the internet needs to know how good you are. Armed with an 8 core/16 thread AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU and a choice of 30 series GPUs, this gaming PC supports the latest in Ray Tracing, delivering F1 2021 with peak visuals.

The standard 16GB RAM can be upgraded to 32GB, if you want that extra headroom. Also, storage can be doubled or more with the option for a second SSD. Let the Enigma Enthusiast be your pit team, providing you with everything you need to keep dominating the road.

Releases 16/7/2021

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2. Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin

With a back catalogue of games and a film released last month, Capcom’s Monster Hunter is going from strength to strength at the moment. July sees the release of the latest addition, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.

In this role-playing game, you have been entrusted with a rare Ratholos egg, which you must protect at all costs. With the help of a Wyvernian girl who is connected to your ancestors, the fate of the world rests in your hands.

A rich and colourful world awaits in Monster Hunter 2. While possibly more cartoon-y than other instalments of the franchise, the stylised look works for the story and gameplay detailed so far. Staying true to the Monster Hunter world, however, there’s a mix of human and anthropological characters populating the story. Plus, the liberal scattering of animal puns is the kind of gaming content I live for. Excuse me while I befriend Orgo the Felyne whose catchphrase is pawsitively clawdacious.

Watch this purrfect trailer for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin:

This RPG is packed with monsties for you to fight, befriend, and raise. Here is what you need from your gaming PC to be able to do so:

OcUK Gaming Vulture Gaming PC

Features
MSI B550 Tomahawk Motherboard
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU
MSI Radeon RX 6800 GPU
16GB RAM
250GB SSD & 512GB SSD

Naturally, for a game all about weird and wonderful animals, it is only right to have a gaming PC that has been named after one of nature’s oddities. The Overclockers UK Gaming Vulture Gaming PC is a powerhouse PC armed with the latest and greatest for all your gaming needs. Choose from either an AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 CPU and enjoy all that AMD’s Zen 3 technology has to offer. An exclusively AMD build, the graphics cards are all from the RX 6000 series, therefore being more than capable of bringing this lush and vibrant world to life on your monitor.

Installed into a Phanteks P500 Air, the natural airflow is phenomenal and only outmatched by the dynamic RGB installed within the case. Plus, with its tempered glass side panel, you will be able to look lovingly at all its amazing hardware and customisable lighting. Chock-full of storage options and high-capacity components, the Vulture is sure to be a monster to keep around.

Releases 9/7/2021

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1. The Ascent

Topping our list is the solo or co-op action shooter from Curve Digital, The Ascent. Explore this futuristic world full of cyborgs, gunfights, and anarchy. Your character exists in a world where the company that formally owned said world, and everything in it, has collapsed.

A vibrant, cyberpunk world with RPG elements, you can customise your avatar with cyber-enhancements and make them a deadly force against your foes.

The environment is destructible and can be used entirely to your advantage as you fight your way through enemies. Tactics and strategies need to constantly evolve, bringing an aspect of unique gameplay to this explosive shooter. Explore this world, which is brimming with characters to meet and loot to steal, as you navigate your way through the rich mystery of why life as you know it collapsed.

Enjoy the stunning visuals in this trailer:

Whether you play as a lone wolf or with up to three friends, you cannot have your gaming PC letting the side down. This is what is required of your battle station to help save the world of Veles:

OcUK Gaming Zirconium Ice Gaming PC

Features
Asus Strix Z590-A Wifi Motherboard
Intel Core i9-11900K CPU
Asus Strix RTX 3090 GPU
16GB RAM
500GB SSD & 1TB SSD

Have I saved the best ‘til last on both counts? Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that. I’m just here to get excited about upcoming summer releases and the gaming PCs you can play them on. The Overclockers UK Gaming Zirconium Ice Gaming PC is as premium as the name would suggest. Tougher than diamonds and definitely better to look at, this white build features a clean and fresh aesthetic, which makes you wonder if gemstones were used in its construction.

Sporting an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, you can be absolutely sure that this gaming PC will help you through The Ascent and many future game releases. The RTX 3090 GPU is at the bleeding edge of technology, that it might even be from the futuristic Veles. Housed in the Lian Li O11D Mid-Tower chassis, the tempered glass front and side panels grant you full view of the amazing components and RGB lighting inside. Plus, with a terabyte and a half of storage, it will be a long time before you need to worry about running out of space.

Releases 29/7/2021

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Ready for the Summer

There you have it, our top five picks for July releases and their perfect PC partner. Which of these games are you most excited for, or are there others which would have made your list? Do share any thoughts in the comments below – we love getting a good game rec!