A new HoyoVerse game is going to keep us very busy this week.
The first week of July heralds the release of HoyoVerse’s highly-anticipated follow-up to Honkai Star Rail: Zenless Zone Zero. This will be the developer’s latest game to mix anime aesthetics with gacha mechanics, featuring a new post-apocalyptic setting. If that isn’t in your bag, however, worry not - there are plenty of new games to check out this week too. Let’s break it down.
What are we playing?
Final Fantasy 14’s latest expansion Dawntrail launches on July 2, kicking off a new story arc that takes players to the New World. Two new jobs are being introduced: the dual-wielding sword user Viper and the artistic Pictomancer. The entire expansion is being marketed as a summer vacation of sorts for players, giving them some well-earned respite after the climactic events of Endwalker.
Nexon Games’ new looter-shooter The First Descendant also launches on July 2, with up to four-player co-op multiplayer. You’ll have to constantly upgrade weapons and abilities to get through this game’s boss fights, as you uncover the secrets of the titular Descendants. The game can also be played solo.
Lastly, Genshin Impact developer HoyoVerse is launching its next game on July 4: Zenless Zone Zero. This game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by supernatural disasters called the Hollows. The last remaining city in the world, New Eridu, acts as the final pillar of modern civilisation - and a cosy little hub world for players to roam around in. You play as a Proxy, guiding other adventurers through supernatural Hollows to uncover their mysteries.
What are we watching?
Despicable Me 4 hits theaters this week, roughly seven years and a Minion movie after its predecessor. This time, Gru and his family are being relocated thanks to the return of a vengeful old enemy, and have to make nice with new neighbours to defend themselves.
If you haven't watched it yet, I really can't recommend A Quiet Place: Day One enough, either. It's a shockingly good character drama that dleivers all the sharp tension of the first two movies, but with more focus on why its characters persevere, not how.