With an average of just over 10 games per month, Xbox Game Pass boasts a diverse collection of video games. Currently, the platform offers over 100 unique titles spanning various genres, including first-person shooters, action-adventure games, RPGs, strategy titles, Indie games, and AAA games. In June 2023, Xbox Game Pass showcased its diverse library with racing games like Need for Speed Unbound, horror games like Amnesia: The Bunker, and puzzle games like Stacking. Although only six games have been confirmed for July 2023, it appears to be another strong month for the subscription service, specifically catering to fans of a specific genre.
Xbox Game Pass' July 2023 Games Are Great for City-Building Strategy Fans
Out of the six games confirmed for Xbox Game Pass' July 2023 lineup, three are specifically designed for fans of the strategy genre, especially those who enjoy city-building. City-building strategy games typically revolve around the creation and management of cities or facilities, involving tasks like placing buildings, managing resources, and coordinating various elements. One popular example of this genre is the SimCity franchise, where players are challenged to construct thriving metropolises, organizing road networks, plumbing systems, and other technical aspects of city management.
The first game on Xbox Game Pass' July 2023 lineup that caters to this niche is Arcade Paradise, set to debut on July 3. Originally released in August of the previous year, Arcade Paradise allows players to build and oversee their own retro arcade. Immersed in the nostalgic ambiance of the early 1990s, Arcade Paradise follows the conventions of city-building strategy games, gradually expanding the arcade from a single cabinet to a complex filled with various arcade machines. However, what sets Arcade Paradise apart is the opportunity for players to actually play the arcade games they acquire, sometimes even alongside local and online friends.
Coming up next is Techtonica, which will be available on July 18 and will be included in Xbox Game Pass from day one. Taking inspiration from games like Deep Rock Galactic, Techtonica combines gameplay elements of a management simulation and a city-building game. Players will be tasked with mining resources and constructing their own factory, with the ultimate objective of automating the entire process by creating a sufficient number of machines. As players acquire more machines, they gain access to more tools and resources, allowing them to delve deeper into the mines. The deeper they go, the more resources they can uncover to build even more machines, creating a classic loop that is characteristic of this genre.
The final addition to the city-building strategy genre arrives on July 20 on Xbox Game Pass under the title The Wandering Village. Originally released in September of last year, The Wandering Village offers a more traditional city-building experience, but with a unique twist - the setting is the back of a colossal, walking creature. In The Wandering Village, players not only need to fulfill the usual tasks expected from a city-builder, such as providing housing and resources for the population, but they must also establish a relationship with the creature they inhabit. It is crucial to ensure that the creature does not view the villagers as parasites to be eliminated. With extensive research options, diverse biomes, and a variety of challenges to keep players engaged, The Wandering Village is a remarkable city-builder and strategy game that is definitely worth exploring when it arrives on Xbox Game Pass in July.