Meta and XBOX have launched a starter edition of XBOX Game Pass on the Meta Horizon+ platform, providing access to over 50 games. This edition includes 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, allowing players to stream select titles without downloads. Users can also download games for unlimited play across various devices. The library features notable titles such as Fallout 4, Overcooked 2, Grounded, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, and SnowRunner. Meta Quest Touch controllers will soon emulate an XBOX gamepad, enabling easy access to Game Pass titles. The subscription to Meta Horizon+ costs .99 USD per year or .99 USD per month, with a one-month free trial for new users, and includes over 100 VR games.
The text highlights four free games available on Steam:
1. The Song of WILL: Act I - An RPG by Dylan Webber, inspired by 90s JRPGs, featuring randomized weapons and a "Positive" rating based on 11 reviews.
2. All Tomorrows: Invasion - A casual first-person shooter by Bluestone, with solid shooting mechanics and a "Positive" rating from 11 reviews.
3. Oblivion Maiden - Developed by Project Ex Libris, this game has a "Positive" rating from 29 reviews and combines elements of The Legend of Zelda and classic Final Fantasy.
4. BomBee - A puzzle game described as an online arcade PvP game, currently lacking a rating.
Valve's Steam Machine, priced at ,000, was tested with a 2TB unit using default settings at 1080p resolution, upscaled to 4K. Various games were evaluated for performance, including:
- Cyberpunk 2077: Smooth 60 FPS with light ray tracing; stability issues at resolutions above 1080p.
- Mouse: P.I. for Hire: Ran flawlessly at 60 FPS with default settings.
- Left 4 Dead 2: Performed admirably.
- Borderlands 4: Had visual issues initially; became playable after adjustments.
- Hades 2: Ran seamlessly at default settings.
- Silent Hill 2: Struggled with performance.
- Doom: The Dark Ages: Played smoothly; could use visual adjustments.
- Megabonk: Performed impressively.
- Spider-Man 2: Decent at default settings; improved with resolution increase.
- Windrose: Struggled at default settings; medium settings improved performance.
- Overwatch: Exceptional experience at default settings.
- Grand Theft Auto V: Ran well after initial setup issues.
- Gears of War Reloaded: Visuals improved after tweaks.
- Fallout 4: Maintained solid performance without adjustments.
- Control Ultimate Edition: Needed settings lowered for stable performance.
- Arc Raiders: Playable but with fuzzy image quality.
- Elden Ring: Performed admirably with some tweaks.
- Vampire Crawlers: Provided a sharp experience.
- Resident Evil 4 remake: Satisfactory but needed adjustments for better visuals.
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Became playable after adjustments.
- Helldivers 2: Ran well but lacked sharpness compared to PS5 Pro.
- Resident Evil Requiem: Solid experience but fell short against PS5 Pro.
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered: Ran exceptionally well.
- Peak: Required no adjustments and performed comparably to high-end PCs.
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide: Achieved stable 60 FPS after tweaks.
- Halo: Master Chief Collection: Unplayable due to login issues.
- Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip: Ran smoothly at maximum settings.
- Rage: Ran smoothly after adjustments.
The Steam Machine is seen as intriguing but its high price limits appeal to dedicated enthusiasts. It offers access to a vast library of Steam games, particularly older or 2D titles, but may not be justifiable for non-PC gamers, especially with upcoming titles on rival consoles.
In July 2026, notable game releases include:
- Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced (July 9, Steam | Singleplayer): A remake of the original game with enhanced visuals.
- College Football 27 (July 9, Steam | 4-player co-op): The latest installment in the football franchise.
- Palworld 1.0 (July 10, Steam | 4-player co-op): A survival crafting game with new features.
- Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28, Steam | 4-player co-op): A remake of the original Halo campaign with additional missions.
Co-op indie horror games releasing include:
- Cursed Cooking Mama - Happy's Burgatory (July 16, Steam | 4-player co-op).
- After Hours Puzzler - Storebound 1.0 (July 16, Steam | 3-player co-op).
- Asymmetric Rabbit Hunt - Carnival Hunt (July 23, Steam | 5 players).
- Killer Customer Service - Shift at Midnight (Release date TBD, Steam | 3-player co-op).
Gaming events include:
- Tennocon (July 10 – 11).
- Final Fantasy 14 Fan Fest (July 25 – 26).
- Various Steam Sales throughout the month.
Game updates and expansions include:
- Flight Simulator 2024 (July 4).
- Doom: The Dark Ages (July 7).
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink (July 8).
- Phasmophobia (July 21).
Steam has added a variety of free games to its library, including:
- The Blackwood Project: A horror game where players investigate Blackwood Manor.
- Bladefall: A hack-and-slash game with fast-paced melee combat.
- 0.5%: A visual novel about two college students uncovering secrets.
- Hexpand: A real-time multiplayer strategy game focused on territory expansion.
- Pixel Rain: A sandbox game allowing players to create and experiment with interactive materials.
- IOSoccer: An online multiplayer soccer game emphasizing ball control.
- Hyper Glee Semik: A first-person shooter where players battle candies.
- Jolly and Whimsy: An experimental visual novel about a character's quest to retrieve a friend.
- Pantomime Horse Obstacle Course: A co-op platformer filled with humor and teamwork challenges.
- Card Night at Gigi's: A card game collection featuring classic games in a cozy setting.
- The Sphere: A point-and-click adventure exploring themes of loss and mystery.
An enthusiast began collecting video game and anime soundtrack vinyl with a four-disc box set of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which featured both music and stunning interior artwork. The collection expanded to include soundtracks from titles like Dark Souls 3, Bloodborne, Demon's Souls Remake, Total War: Three Kingdoms, The Banner Saga, Outer Wilds, Hollow Knight, Baldur's Gate 3, Dishonored, and Persona 5. The collector values the ritual of listening to vinyl, which offers a mindful experience compared to streaming music. They browse sites like Black Screen Records and iam8bit for new releases while being mindful of shipping costs. The collector transitioned from an Audio Technica turntable to a portable Sound Burger for added fun and functionality. Common mistakes include buying soundtracks for games played extensively, which can diminish enjoyment. Storage solutions vary, with some using stylish crates or portable cases. Limited pressings make many soundtracks coveted collector's items, and the collector regrets missing Supergiant's 10th anniversary collection. They hope for future releases, particularly for Silksong.
June features a tranquil gaming landscape with both blockbuster and indie titles. Key upcoming releases include:
- June 2: Marathon (Steam) launches Season 2 with a new "PvP-lite" mode called Sponsored Survival.
- June 5: The Gothic Remake (Steam) is released, overhauling the classic 2001 RPG.
- June 8: Solarpunk (Steam) introduces sustainability to survival crafting.
- June 9: Destiny 2 (Steam) receives its final live service update.
- June 10: Burglin' Gnomes (Steam) offers a lighthearted co-op experience.
- June 18: Shift at Midnight (Steam) blends horror with gas station management.
Major updates include:
- June 2: Final Fantasy 14 expands endgame content with a legendary villain.
- June 11: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Steam) unveils its third story expansion, The Infinite Museion.
- June 16: Dead by Daylight adds Jason to its roster; Warhammer 40,000: Darktide introduces a new class.
- June 18: Dave the Diver adds a new freshwater ecosystem and missions in its In the Jungle DLC.
Notable events include:
- Sony State of Play on June 2.
- Summer Game Fest starting June 5.
- Wholesome Direct on June 6.
- PC Gaming Show on June 7.
- Steam's themed sales, including Bullet Fest from June 8 – 15 and the Steam Summer Sale from June 25 – July 9.
Steam is currently hosting its Ocean Fest event, which runs until May 25. The event features 24 games available for free for the next 24 hours, including titles like "Collector's Cove" and "Darwin's Paradox."
Steam is offering Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War as a complimentary download until May 28, allowing players to keep the game indefinitely. It is a turn-based 4X strategy game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, featuring four factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Astra Militarum. The game has a Very Positive rating on Steam, with over 5,000 reviews. Players can complete the base game in approximately 10-11 hours, with side quests taking around 25 hours and completionists potentially engaging for 50 hours or more. Additional DLC packs introduce new factions such as Chaos Space Marines, Adeptus Sororitas, and Tyranids.
