Not-So-Jumpin' July: Five Games to Look Out for This Month

We've officially reached the summer doldrums when it comes to video game releases. The important titles start pouring in next month, but this month we're left with just a handful of intriguing games to keep an eye out for. At least you can play through that backlog of yours if nothing here tickles your fancy. What will you be buying this month? As per usual, these dates are subject to change and they are North American dates only.

Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection (PS3)
Release Date: 7/9

A collection jam-packed with games from the much heralded Metal Gear Solid franchise, Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection is a PS3 exclusive containing the original Metal Gear Solid, the HD versions of Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3 and Peace Walker, VR Missions, and the trophy edition of Metal Gear Solid 4. It's a MGS fan's wildest dream, and it can be yours in just over a week's time. Stealth and gun your way through the Metal Gear Solid mythos all summer long and on.

NCAA Football 14 (PS3, 360)
Release Date: 7/9

With another year, comes another line of sports games. If you're like us, you couldn't give two craps about college sports. If you're not, then you probably get a kick (or is it a punt?) out of the NCAA Football franchise, and EA Tiburon has finished up work on the game for 2014. Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson headlines as the cover athlete for the game, and thankfully he need not worry about a curse like a Madden cover athlete. Regardless, NCAA Football 14 will most likely satisfy football fans of the collegiate variety.

Dynasty Warriors 8 (PS3, 360)
Release Date: 7/16

Musou fans never get tired of hacking and slashing through wave after wave of enemies. With this era of consoles, hundreds of shogun warriors are able to appear on screen at the same time. All the more fresh meat to slice and dice. Using the engine of Dynasty Warriors 7, the sequel contains over 75 unique characters to play as, a storyline that is based off factions, and there's even non-canon missions where you can choose the direction of the story rather than going through a path already determined by the game. Dynasty Warriors 8 might be seen as more of the same, but Musou fans wouldn't have it any other way.

Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS)
Release Date: 7/16

The Shin Megami Tensei series has a cult following over here in North America, and the fourth mainline game in the series is set to hit the Nintendo 3DS mid-month. Putting players in the role of a samurai, their objective is to stop another samurai from passing out books that turn readers into monstrous demons. Shin Megami Tensei IV is the first game in the series to feature full voice acting, and comes with enough accessibility for beginners to enjoy. No worries, series veterans, as the game also offers a challenging experience for you as well.

NASCAR: The Game 2013 (PC)
Release Date: 7/24

Ladies and gentlemen... start your engines. Or at least get ready to, as NASCAR: The Game 2013 is nearing its July 24 release date. Complete with the 2013 roster of NASCAR racers, a paint tool for customizing their own race cars, and a season mode where you start out as a rookie and race your way to the top of the Sprint Cup Series Champion, there are plenty of left turns to be had in NASCAR: The Game 2013. When taking on the AI gets to be a bit too much, you can hop online against friends and total strangers. On your mark, get set, buy-- when NASCAR: The Game 2013 releases late this month.