July is upon us and, admittedly, we’re going to be entering a slow period for releases. That said, now is the winter of your discount content. Franchises you should have ploughed through by now (but haven’t) can be secured for way less. Take advantage as you “work” from home. Escape to fantasy worlds far flung from our largely unimpressive reality!

Purchase Cheaply for PC

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Notable Sales for Nintendo Switch

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Exciting Offers for XO/XS

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Product Savings for PS4/PS5

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Spike Chunsoft has announced that 2019’s AI: The Somnium Files is getting a sequel called AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative. The game will release in Spring 2022 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

The story follows newly-appointed Special Agent Mizuki and her AI partner Aiba. Six years ago, the right half of a corpse was mysteriously discovered. But the left half was never found until six years later, when it appeared as a fresh corpse with no signs of decay. That implied that the victim had still been alive until recently. Mizuki and Aiba are now on the case to solve what are called the Half Body serial killings.

A collector’s edition was revealed as well, which includes the full game, a Good Smile POP UP Parade figure of Aiba standing at around 170mm, an artbook featuring art from series character designer Yusuke Kozaki, and an official soundtrack by returning composer Keisuke Ito, dubbed HARMOniOUS DISCORD. This edition will cost $119.95.

Interestingly, there are some discrepancies regarding whether the game is coming to the new generation of consoles. PlayStation also made an announcement on Twitter saying that it would also come to PS5, but it’s not clear if it is a native version or if it is referring to the PS4 game being backwards compatible with the system. Additionally, the game’s official website notes that it will also come to Xbox Series X.

Microsoft Flight Simulator was lauded as a stunning technical achievement when it launched last year, using innovative technology to functionally map the entire world. There was just one problem: a lot of people couldn’t actually play it, at least not with out some serious compromises.

With Microsoft Flight Simulator’s extremely heavy CPU load, even high-end PC owners rocking an RTX 3080 graphics card frequently struggled to hit 60fps. Mid-range setups fared far worse. If you didn’t have a really good processor, you were most likely out of luck, even if you had a powerful GPU.

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Close to a year later, Asobo is introducing some substantial updates to Microsoft Flight Simulator. In a livestream showcasing the forthcoming Sim Update 5, the development team did a compare and contrast between the two versions. The differences were striking. Where Sim Update 4 struggled to stay about 30fps with a 100 percent CPU load, Sim Update 5 hit a cool 60fps on Ultra Settings using real flying conditions — and all this on an i7-9700k rig with an RTX 2060 Super graphics card. Not too shabby.

“We have re-written a lot of the parts of the engine […] in order to get the maximum performance from the Sim and the minimum resources from memory,” said Sebastian Wloch, co-founder of Asobo Studio.

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On top of the improvements to the PC version, Asobo also revealed some of the specs for the Xbox Series X|S version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The studio confirmed that Xbox Series X will run Microsoft Flight Simulator in 4K while Xbox Series X will render it in 1080p. Both consoles will run in 30fps on most TVs, though it will be possible to play with an unlocked framerate on variable refresh rate monitors.

We awarded Microsoft Flight Simulator a perfect score when it launched last year on PC, lauding it as “legitimately incredible.” It has since seen several updates and other improvements. Sim Update 5 is slated to launch July 27 — the same day as the Xbox Series X|S release.

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Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN.

Via new Steam listings, Square Enix released teaser images for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games. To put it politely, choices were made regarding the new font in the remastered games, and the internet largely thinks they were bad ones.

You can check out a few in-game screenshots below that we pulled from the Steam listings and judge for yourself. But Twitter user Patera Quetzal pretty much summed up the general feelings in a tidy meme.

Square Enix has struggled with its PC remasters of their classic pixel games in the past, and unsightly fonts aren’t a new issue for the devs. The original FFV port that’s due to be yanked soon and replaced by the remastered version was also criticized for its weird font choice as well as as well as a modernized graphical style that stripped the charm from the original characters designs.

Final Fantasy, FFII, and FFIII will be available on July 28. FFIV, FFV, and FFVI have unknown release dates, but will get released sometime in 2021.

You can buy the remastered games separately, or in a discounted FFI-IV bundle that gives 22% off all 12 items included. Final Fantasy, FFII, and FFIII are currently all discounted 20% off and can be purchased for $10 each.

The remastered versions of FFI to FFIV are currently not available on consoles, though hopefully Square Enix will consider porting their classic remastered FF games in the future. (There’s a free idea that will make you a lot of money, Square Enix. The people want the remastered bundle on the Switch!)

Though Prime Day just ended, the deals aren’t slowing down as we head into July, and as the US prepares for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, retailers are kicking their annual Fourth of July sales into high gear. Whether you’re planning for some outdoor fun or escaping the heat indoors, there are plenty of Fourth of July sales to take advantage of, from deals on tech and PC gear to furniture, mattresses, and even meal kits. The Fourth of July deals bonanza includes sales from major retailers like Best Buy and Walmart along with an eclectic mix of other stores, like eBay, Wayfair, and Newegg. For those shopping for Fourth of July laptop or computer deals, tech brands like HP and Lenovo are offering sales of their own, so it’s worth shopping all the July 4th deals while you can. Most sales run through this weekend and end on Monday. Here’s a quick look at some of the best Fourth of July deals and sales we’re seeing this year.

Fourth of July sales 2021

• Best Buy: Though its Fourth of July sale should kick off in full later this week, Best Buy is already discounting a range of appliances, from refrigerators to microwaves and more.
• Walmart: Walmart’s Fourth of July sale has an eclectic range of products, including deals on 4K TVs, smartwatches, Apple AirPods, and Chromebooks.
• eBay: The resale site is going all out with steep discounts on tech from Bose, Lenovo, Sony, LG, and more.
• Newegg: The PC parts retailer has its semi-annual clearance sale running during Fourth of July weekend.
• HP: The computer brand is slashing up to 58% off desktop PCs, monitors, laptops, and other peripherals.
• Lenovo: “Black Friday in July” is the theme of Lenovo’s holiday sale, with up to 62% off laptops for work and gaming, mice, and more.
• HyperX: Through July 4, HyperX gaming accessories, including keyboards and headsets, are on sale for up to 50% off.
• Casetify: From July 2-6, snag a new, customized iPhone case for 15% off with code 4JULY21.
• Whirlwind FX: From July 2-5, get an extra 20% off immersive RGB gaming keyboards and other PC peripherals with code FIREWORKS.
• Casper: Fourth of July mattress sales are a big thing. Right now, you can get up to 30% off mattress bundles; 15% off mattresses, pillows, and sheets; and 10% off everything else at Casper.
• Wayfair: The home and furniture store has a ton of items on deep discount. If you’re in the need for a new couch, TV stand, or any other furniture, check it out.
• Home Chef: If you’re not a big cook, meal kits making eating well a little easier. Until July 9, get $25 off your first four Home Chef boxes ($100 savings) with code FOURTH100.
• Home Depot: For all things home improvement, Home Depot has a massive Fourth of July sale on grills, tools, and more.
• Overstock: Furniture, mattresses, lamps, rugs–you name it, it’s on sale at Overstock for the Fourth of July.

Best Fourth of July game deals

Some of Prime Day’s best game deals are actually hanging around as we head into Fourth of July weekend, including the steepest discounts yet on next-gen titles like Demon’s Souls. Check out some of the best games on sale for PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox below. PC players should check out the Steam Summer Sale before it ends July 8, including the best Steam Summer Sale deals and cheap Steam games under $10.

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (PS5) — $30 ($60)
• Biomutant (PS4, Xbox) — $50 ($60)
• Death Stranding (PS4) — $20 ($40)
• Demon’s Souls (PS5) — $50 ($70)
• Ghost of Tsushima (PS4) — $40 ($60)
• Immortals Fenyx Rising (Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox) — $25 ($60)
• It Takes Two (PS4, Xbox) — $30 ($40)
• Judgment (PS4) — $22 ($60)
• The Last of Us Part II (PS4) — $29 ($40)
• Little Nightmares II (PS4) — $25 ($30)
• Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (Switch) — $20 ($60)
• Monster Hunter Rise (Switch) — $50 ($60)
• Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate Edition (PS5, Xbox) — $40 ($50)
• The Nioh Collection (PS5) — $50 ($70)
• Outriders – Day One Edition (PS4) — $40 ($60)
• Resident Evil Village (PS5, PS4, Xbox) — $50 ($60)
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS4) — $40 ($60)
• Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster (Switch, PS4) — $40 ($50)
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Switch) — $50 ($60)
• Watch Dogs Legion (PS5, PS4, Xbox) — $20 ($60)
• XCOM 2 Collection (Switch) — $15 ($50)
• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (Switch) — $38 ($60)

Best Fourth of July tech deals

If you’re looking for a new laptop or TV, there are plenty of great deals to choose from during Fourth of July sales. HP and Lenovo are both hosting sales featuring some solid laptops. You can save close to $500 on the Lenovo Yoga Y540 gaming laptop or $200 on the Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop. HP’s popular Pavilion line starts at $550 during the sale, and you can also save $100 on the HP Omen 27-inch gaming monitor. Walmart has a nice deal on a 65-inch LG 4K smart TV, dropping the price to only $697. Meanwhile, Best Buy has deals on Fire TVs, including a 50-inch Toshiba model that comes with a free Echo Dot. Check out the best tech deals for Fourth of July below. We’ll be adding additional deals to this list as more sales go live.

John Cena is using his pull as co-host of TBS game show Wipeout to have the cast and writer-director of The Suicide Squad appear on the obstacle-course series compete on August 1. Or, as writer-director James Gunn jokes about his upcoming Wipeout appearance in a newly released promo, “Well, John, we need that [Peacemaker] uniform back before you get slime on it or whatever it is you guys do here.”

For fans who have been psyched about the upcoming film adaptation of DC’s Suicide Squad hitting theaters and HBO Max on August 6, this surprise appearance will just be a nice splash of light-hearted fun a few days before. Of course, once The Suicide Squad is out, we can all go back to looking forward to Gunn’s work on a Peacemaker spin-off from that movie (expected on HBO Max in January 2022), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (releasing May 2023), and a Guardians Holiday Special (landing on Disney+ in late 2022).

Wipeout was a hit game show that originally aired on ABC from 2008 to 2014, with its claim to fame being that it put contestants through the “world’s largest” obstacle course. Recently rebooted back in April of this year, the show was quickly renewed for Season 2 in May. Cena co-hosts the series with Nicole Byer (Netflix’s Nailed It!) and model Camille Kostek.

Cena, when he isn’t busy hosting Wipeout or acting in TV and movies, has recently announced he’ll be returning to the WWE for more matches at some point, pending a cooperative schedule.

The next Marvel movie is Black Widow, and it’s coming soon to theaters and Disney+ with Premier Access. The movie stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, who’s also the Avenger known as Black Widow. The movie itself plays out like an espionage thriller, sort of like a James Bond movie.

If you want to watch Black Widow, you have two options. You can see it in the theater, or you can watch it at home via Premier Access on Disney+.

When Does Black Widow Come Out?

Black Widow releases on July 9 in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access.

How to Watch Black Widow

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To watch Black Widow on Disney+, you’ll first need a subscription to the streaming service. You can sign up for a one-month membership for $7.99, or you can get a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $13.99 per month.

Once you subscribe to Disney Plus, you also need to sign up for Premier Access to view Black Widow once it arrives. Premier Access costs $29.99, and you can preorder it here. You’ll have access to the movie for as long as you have Disney+.

Black Widow will support UHD, HDR, and Dolby Audio on Disney+.

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What Time Does Black Widow Come Out on Disney Plus?

If you plan to watch Black Widow on Disney+, you can watch it July 9 at 12:01am PT / 3:01am ET.

When Does Black Widow Hit Disney+ Without Premier Access?

If you don’t want to shell out $29.99 for Premier Access, you can just wait. All Disney+ members will be able to stream Black Widow at no additional cost starting October 6, 2021.

What Is Black Widow?

Black Widow is the latest addition to the MCU, though it takes place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Once again, Scarlett Johansson takes on the role of Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, a former Russian assassin with a mysterious past. 

This movie delves into Black Widow’s origin story and lets her confront her past by heading back to where she was forced to become an assassin. You can check out IGN’s Black Widow review for more details.

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What Is Black Widow Rated?

Black Widow is rated PG-13 by the MPAA.

In unexpected esports competition news: The first Uno Championship Series is happening, and you can participate. Part of the card game’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Uno Championship Series Invitational will be held in-person in Las Vegas on November 11, 2021 and offers a grand prize of $50K.

Select players of the Uno mobile tournament in the Uno app will be invited to attend the Las Vegas event. It’s currently unknown how Mattel will pick players from the mobile tournament pool, but ranking may be a big consideration.

In addition to the mobile tournament, players will also have the chance to attend local in-person tournaments. Prizes are currently unknown, but local competitions will likely be another path for ambitious Uno players to map their path to the Invitational.

Mattel will also randomly select 10 Uno players to attend the Invitational through a 50th anniversary sweepstakes. Players can enter starting August 1.

The esports boom continues to grow in the US, so it’s not very surprising–but still a little unexpected–that Mattel decided to push its classic card game into the esports arena. It’s certainly distinct from the usual esports suspects like first-person tactical shooters CS:GO and CoD.

People are not happy about the font used in the Final Fantasy 1, 2, and 3 Pixel Remasters.

A scroll through games Twitter shows folks are discussing the Square Enix’s font choice, and depending on how you look at things, people are rightfully upset. The font used is certainly questionable and there’s no denying that it doesn’t necessarily fit within the art style of these Pixel Remasters.

Some Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster screenshots from 1+2+3

Not sure about that font.. pic.twitter.com/oGVSFl4J5P

— Nibel (@Nibellion) June 30, 2021

It’s quite modern, for starters, and not a font that a pixel art game would have used back when these games were made. Case in point, the original versions of Final Fantasy 1, 2, and 3 used a pixelated font to accompany the pixel art used in the games.

Then there’s the fact that the font is quite small, which doesn’t bode well for the game’s overall accessibility.

ᶦ ʳᵉᵃˡˡʸ ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ˢᵉᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖʳᵒᵇˡᵉᵐ

— Chris Kohler (@kobunheat) June 30, 2021

These three titles are coming to PC and mobile and the font certainly screams “mobile port,” although the “why?” behind the decision to change the font at all remains unanswered and unknown.

To catch people who aren’t familiar with the remasters up to speed, Square Enix announced earlier this month that it would be remastering the first six Final Fantasy games using a pixel art style reminiscent of their original art styles. The reason these remasters even need to exist at all (besides archival purposes) is that previously-released ports of these games — looking at you, Final Fantasy V, and VI, especially — were not held in high regard by fans.

The ports saw the game’s beautiful pixel art smoothed over, giving the beloved characters and settings an almost toy figure-like look. These ports were criticized far and wide — they were literally pulled from Steam today — by people who simply wanted to play these games as they were released.

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The pixel remasters aren’t necessarily one-to-one in terms of pixel art, but they are a significant step up from previous ports.

Then…people saw the font.

To make a long story short, people are not happy with Square Enix’s decision to change the font to what it currently is.

hey @SquareEnix did you know that you can PAY for a really, really, really good font for like only $120 . . . i, uh, i will buy it for you, if you want . . . seriously, my DMs are open pic.twitter.com/zRhT7K2Bfq

— tim rogers (@108) February 27, 2018

It was revealed today that the Pixel Remasters of Final Fantasy 1, 2, and 3 would be released on July 28, 2021, and it seems this small and not-so-desirable-to-some font is what will be used in those July 28 releases.

The Pixel Remasters of 4, 5, and 6, however, do not yet have official release dates — their Steam pages simply say “coming soon” — so perhaps Square Enix could change the font before they release those titles. Only time will tell, but if Square Enix checked Twitter today, the message was probably received.

While waiting for these games to release, check out these screenshots from the first three Pixel Remasters and then read about how two Final Fantasy games were pulled from Steam today.

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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.