Each month, gamers with Xbox Live Gold memberships receive access to free titles for a limited time only – once the games are downloaded, they can be kept forever, even when your membership expires. Last month saw Just Cause 2 and Massive Chalice given away for free, and July will bring gamers more fantastic titles – let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer.
Xbox One
Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag
The Assassins Creed series is still going strong, with the forthcoming Syndicate set to bring the familiar parkour-based gameplay to Victorian London. Black Flag was the fourth main instalment, putting players in the shoes of pirate captain Edward Kenway. With the Assassins’ training giving him an edge over other pirates, Kenway must sail the seas aboard his ship, the Jackdaw, seeking out treasure and adventure; players will also become involved in the ongoing war between the Assassins and Templars as the series’ overall storyline advances.
After the use of sailing and ship-to-ship combat in Assassins Creed III received such a great response, Black Flag did a good job of expanding on this, allowing players to explore the world by sea, wandering from taverns to villages – and even jungles. This is available between the 1st to the 31st of July.
So Many Me
This new puzzle-based platformer puts players in control of blob-like clones as they battle a powerful force of evil. Using their different abilities, the blob-clones face dozens of levels, as well as hundreds of puzzles – with thousands of possible solutions. This requires some smart thinking and skilful playing, and, thanks to Games with Gold, you can pick this up for free between July 16th and August 15th.
Xbox 360
Gears of War 3
Billed as the end of the franchise at the time of its release, Gears of War 3 was a huge hit with gamers and critics alike. Stepping back into the muddy boots of Marcus Fenix, players must take on the mighty Lambent – a new enemy hell-bent on wiping out mankind. Featuring the same cover-based, high-octane, blood-soaked, chainsaw-gun-wielding action as the previous games, Gears of War 3 is an absolute blast from start to finish – and can be yours, free, between July 16th to the 31st.
Plants vs. Zombies
Tower-defence games have become increasingly popular in the past few years, and Plants vs. Zombies is one of the greatest. This multi-award-winning hit is brilliantly simple, and simply brilliant: zombies are trying to attack a house, and players are tasked with fending them off by planting various powered-up flowers, trees, veggies, nuts and more in the garden. Players need to use strategy and quick-thinking to choose the right plant for the right defence – it’s addictive, fun, and gorgeous to look at. This is available between the 1st and 15th of July.
That’s it for this month – there’s plenty to keep you entertained, whatever you’re into!
