Month: July 2025

The free PlayStation Plus games for July 2025 are now available for download, but some subscribers are experiencing difficulties claiming Diablo 4. For PlayStation Plus members, the first Tuesday of every month brings anticipation as it marks the release of new free games.

These free games are accessible to subscribers of all three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Unlike the titles offered on the Extra and Premium tiers, subscribers can keep the free PS Plus games as long as they maintain their subscription, adding extra value compared to the rotating selection available to other tiers.

As PlayStation Plus approaches its 15th anniversary, Sony is planning several celebrations and activities for players. This month’s free games include Diablo 4, Jusant, and The King of Fighters 15.

While many subscribers can seamlessly add these titles to their libraries, others are encountering issues, particularly with Diablo 4. Reports from Push Square and other sources indicate that some users are facing errors while attempting to claim the game.

The bright side is that these issues are expected to be resolved soon. Once these technical problems are ironed out, subscribers will be able to enjoy all three free PS Plus games for July 2025.

This month’s lineup is quite impressive, featuring Diablo 4, which is a highly regarded action-RPG known for its engaging endgame and co-op features, alongside ongoing support from Blizzard. Jusant, another notable title, is a climbing game developed by Don’t Nod, released in 2023, while The King of Fighters 15 should appeal to fighting game enthusiasts, rounding out a solid selection for the month.

Looking ahead, subscribers should mark their calendars for July 15, when the next update for the Extra and Premium tiers will introduce a new batch of games. Although these titles won’t be kept like the Essential tier games, there is still a great deal of excitement surrounding these monthly additions.

Elden Ring Nightreign players will experience temporary downtime on July 2 as the game undergoes maintenance in preparation for a new patch. This cooperative roguelike spinoff of FromSoftware’s acclaimed 2022 title continues to thrive, even a month after its release. Unlike the original game, Nightreign is designed with live service elements, promising regular updates that may include new Nightfarers, bosses, weapons, and possibly additional maps. Set in the Elden Ring universe, Nightreign differentiates itself from traditional FromSoftware offerings.

Players team up in groups of three in the world of Limveld, racing to level up rapidly over two in-game days before confronting a challenging Night Lord boss on the third day. The game emphasizes speed and efficiency, with each 14-minute day pushing players to gather runes and improve their skills. This design combines FromSoftware’s trademark difficulty with a heightened sense of urgency. Despite the exhilarating gameplay, players are seeking enhancements, particularly to the revival mechanic, which is critical for cooperative experiences.

The scheduled downtime will begin at 1 AM PDT / 4 AM EST and is expected to last about an hour. FromSoftware has not yet specified the details of the upcoming 1.01.4 patch, but fans have voiced their desires for several improvements. Suggestions include introducing a hard mode that increases enemy health and damage. Others have called for the ability to face two bosses each night and to increase the current level cap beyond 15.

Additionally, one player requested a practice mode for the Night Lord boss, allowing them to experience fights without committing to a lengthy run. With the new Everdark Sovereign version of the Sentient Pest boss set to debut on July 3, fans are eager for news on the patch’s content. Whether FromSoftware will reveal details about Patch 1.01.4 before or after maintenance remains to be seen. Speculations about a long-requested crossplay feature continue, although the developers have not yet confirmed any plans for its implementation.

On July 1, Square Enix announced the return of the Moogle Treasure Trove event for Final Fantasy 14, with the campaign set to begin on July 8. This event serves as a significant activity leading up to the anticipated launch of Patch 7.3, titled The Promise of Tomorrow. During the event, players will have the chance to earn rare rewards, primarily tied to the Shadowbringers expansion. The Moogle Treasure Trove offers players the ability to collect a currency known as Irregular Tomestones.

These tomestones can be obtained by completing various activities, including dungeons, trials, and ocean fishing. Players can then exchange their tomestones at an Itinerant Moogle NPC located in the cities of Ul’dah, Gridania, and Limsa Lominsa for an array of cosmetic rewards, many of which are exclusive to this campaign. The last Moogle Treasure Trove event took place in February and March 2025, featuring cosmetic items like the coveted Paissa Earring. Despite the excitement surrounding the event, some Final Fantasy 14 players have expressed dissatisfaction with the latest cosmetics incorporated into the game, criticizing the direction Square Enix is taking.

Nonetheless, players have another chance to engage in the Moogle Treasure Trove event until the patch goes live. This iteration, subtitled The Hunt for Allegory, will commence at 4:00 AM Eastern Time and run until Final Fantasy 14 undergoes maintenance in preparation for Patch 7.3. Players will have approximately four weeks to accumulate Irregular Tomestones of Allegory and earn the rewards they desire. Notable rewards include the Coffee Cup Earring and other cosmetics from Shadowbringers content.

Players can earn tomestones through various tasks listed in the Mogpendium, including Weekly Objectives and MiniMog Challenges. The most lucrative challenge, the Ultimog Challenge, can only be completed once per event but will yield the highest number of tomestones. Rewards range from 50 to 100 tomestones, with the Coffee Cup Earring being exclusive to this event.

After much anticipation, Nintendo has confirmed that the development team behind Donkey Kong Bananza is the same group responsible for creating Super Mario Odyssey. This new 3D platformer marks the next significant installment in the Donkey Kong franchise, where players will control Donkey Kong and Pauline as they venture underground in search of Banandium Gems, which hold the power to grant wishes. Donkey Kong Bananza was first introduced during the Switch 2 Direct stream on April 2, 2025, and further insights into its mechanics and storyline emerged in a follow-up stream on June 18, 2025.

Since the announcement, fans have speculated about the identity of the development studio due to Nintendo’s deliberate secrecy. Certain stylistic choices and gameplay elements hinted that the creators of Super Mario Odyssey would eventually be confirmed as the developers for Donkey Kong Bananza. This speculation was validated at a recent preview event, where Nintendo disclosed that the Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development team, alongside 1-Up Studio, is behind the project.

However, the company has yet to share which specific members are involved. Nintendo’s last major title, Super Mario Odyssey, was released in late 2017, just after the original Switch launch. Eight years later, it remains the latest mainline Super Mario game, leaving fans curious about what the development team had been up to.

The findings from the recent footage further support this connection. The shops seen in the gameplay showcase a similar design to those in Super Mario Odyssey, and the visual cues when Donkey Kong collects Banandium Gems resemble those of Mario’s Power Moons. Additionally, the character Pauline returns as a younger version of herself, further linking the two titles.

While this reveals a promising future for Donkey Kong Bananza, it may delay the arrival of the next flagship Super Mario game. With many of the original Super Mario Odyssey developers onboard, fans can expect yet another top-tier 3D platformer from one of Nintendo’s most esteemed teams.

Thursday, July 10 is set to be an exciting day for fans of The Sims 4. This date marks the launch of the new expansion pack, Enchanted by Nature. Since its debut over a decade ago, The Sims 4 has experienced a rocky start, initially facing criticism for the absence of key features that fans of the series had come to expect. However, the game has significantly evolved since then, thanks to numerous free updates and paid expansions, which have continuously introduced fresh content and features.

The upcoming Enchanted by Nature expansion is particularly noteworthy as it will finally introduce fairies to the game. Players will have the opportunity to immerse their Sims in nature, allowing them to live outdoors and forage for various items. A key highlight of this expansion is that Sims can adopt fairy characteristics, complete with unique traits that will transform gameplay. To complement this content, the new Innisgreen world features three specialized neighborhoods designed for all the new adventures players can embark on.

The expansion pack will retail for $39.99 upon its release. For those who purchase Enchanted by Nature before August 21, bonus items will be included to enhance the gaming experience. Early buyers will receive exclusive gifts such as the Lofty Leaf Pond, Luminous Mycena Lantern, and the Disguised Dwelling Fairy Home. However, players will still find an abundance of new items available regardless of when they choose to buy.

While there is ongoing interest in a potential Sims 5 or more details about Project Rene, many players are content with the support and updates for The Sims 4. With Enchanted by Nature on the horizon, it certainly seems that the excitement for this life simulation game will continue for the foreseeable future.

Surgent Studios has recently unveiled a new horror game titled “Dead Take,” featuring renowned voice actors Neil Newbon and Ben Starr. Newbon, known for his roles in “Detroit: Become Human” and “Baldur’s Gate 3,” along with Starr, who gained recognition in “Final Fantasy 16” and “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” are set to lead this eagerly anticipated project. “Dead Take” is the second offering from Surgent Studios after their upcoming Metroidvania title, “Tales of Kenzera: Zau,” slated for release in 2024.

Positioned as a psychological horror game, “Dead Take” is expected to launch on Steam in 2025. In the game, players will navigate through a lavish Hollywood Hills mansion in search of a missing friend, encountering escape room-like puzzles along the way. As the chilling narrative unfolds, players will uncover the dark secrets of the entertainment industry, a theme that resonates with Creative Director Abubakar Salim’s insights drawn from personal horror stories shared with Newbon and Starr.

The announcement of “Dead Take” was accompanied by an intriguing trailer, offering glimpses of the game’s atmosphere and environments. Players will interact with an in-game cinema to compose live-action clips, with settings ranging from a vibrant dance club to a glamorous red carpet. The trailer also teased a mysterious character named Willie, who appears to be intertwined with the protagonists Chase Lowry and Vinnie Monroe.

This project is crucial for Surgent Studios, especially following financial struggles after “Tales of Kenzera: Zau” struggled to perform commercially despite critical acclaim. With “Dead Take” representing a significant opportunity for success, its release is highly anticipated within the gaming community.

A passionate fan of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has ingeniously recreated the iconic villa from the reality show Love Island within their village in the popular life simulation game. Since its release for the Nintendo Switch in 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has captured the hearts of players, solidifying its place as the second best-selling game on the console with around 47 million copies sold.

This impressive achievement highlights the game’s widespread appeal and community engagement. The creative potential of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is vast, allowing players to personalize their island resorts with unique designs.

Fans have utilized the game’s advanced terraforming tools and decorative elements to pay homage to various cultural properties, including famous landmarks like Princess Peach’s Castle and the Great Deku Tree. The game’s intricate clothing design system further enhances creativity, enabling players to craft custom outfits.

In a recent showcase on the official subreddit, a Reddit user known as Small-Horse-6833 displayed their remarkable design inspired by Love Island. The user successfully recreated the villa’s exterior, featuring a large couch, a pool, and a ping pong table.

The interior showcases a detailed reimagining of the show’s bedroom and common areas, complete with custom posters that mirror the show’s promotional material. This impressive design comes on the heels of Animal Crossing: New Horizons receiving its first updates in two years.

In June, Nintendo released several small updates aimed at improving game performance, especially on the newly launched Switch 2. Excitingly, discussions have emerged surrounding the future of the franchise, with rumors suggesting that Nintendo might announce a new entry in the series, potentially during an upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Fans of Animal Crossing have much to be excited about in the near future.

A recent mysterious post from Mojang, the developers behind Minecraft, has ignited extensive speculation and discussion within the game’s community. This interest follows the release of a new free content package and the Vibrant Visuals graphical overhaul on Bedrock Edition.

As Minecraft shifts its development focus from large annual updates to smaller, more frequent ones, fans are eagerly anticipating what 2025 will bring. The intriguing post showcased a screenshot of a lush cavern environment from the game, capturing player attention with its subtle hints.

Notably, the number “29” appears shaped into the ground, alongside the letters “CU” in the background. Additionally, a console message indicates that players are teleported to the coordinates 29, 11, 63.54.

Many players enjoying the newly released Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies update are excited to discover the new marketplace add-ons. While numerous theories have emerged about the post’s meaning, one interpretation has gained significant traction: Mojang may be teasing a future update focused on copper.

This speculation is supported by several connections—the atomic symbol for copper is “Cu,” its atomic number is 29, its atomic mass is 63.54, and it belongs to group 11 on the periodic table. Some fans have wondered if the numbers could indicate a specific release date for the next content drop, although this theory remains less likely.

There’s hope for another drop this fall, and an overhaul to copper could introduce exciting new mobs, items, and weapons, enhancing Minecraft’s gameplay experience significantly. The recent Chase the Skies update features the delightful happy ghast mob, which players can care for and ride.

This new addition not only adds a whimsical element to the game but also opens up endless possibilities for exploration and creativity. Ultimately, Minecraft offers players a unique experience that allows for personal expression and adventure.

Whether building intricate designs, exploring vast landscapes, or engaging with the game’s myriad creatures, the possibilities are virtually limitless. The community aspect further enriches the experience, enabling players to share their creations and collaborate within diverse worlds.