The Fourth of July, arguably one of the biggest holidays in the United States, is upon us again. Although many have made it a culture to go out and watch the fireworks, grill hamburgers on the lawn, or huddle and binge on Netflix, nothing embodies the Fourth of July spirit like kicking some butts on a video game.
So far, 2023 has been a great year for gamers—and there is still a truckload of games lined up for the second half of the year. There is no better time to catch up on some of the hottest video games that have been released this year than leveraging the 4th of July celebration.
10 of the hottest 2023 video games for the Fourth of July celebration
The Fourth of July (4th of July or July 4th) is also known as America’s Independence Day. The festival dates back to 1776 and it has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. The day is usually marked by festivities from fireworks to concerts and parades.
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Most families seize the opportunity to meet for barbecues. The Fourth of July 2023 celebration will fall on Tuesday, July 4. If you are fascinated to know more about the bloody history leading up to July 4, we recommend you nose dive into this article—but we will not bore our gaming audience to death with that.
Below are handpicked games that should keep gaming geeks glued to their screens throughout the Fourth of July celebration. With the crazy mass shootings going on, that may be a good idea. Our pick will cut across a broad genre. Regardless of your preference, you will find the right game for you.
#10. Final Fantasy XVI
Since its release on June 22, 2023, Final Fantasy XVI has sold over 3 million copies. While this may not be huge compared to games like GTA 5, it is still an impressive feat because the game was a PS5 exclusive. We all know the supply shortage that hit the PS5 console when it was released in November 2020.
Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game (RPG) developed by Square Enix. It is the sixteenth main installment in the long-running Final Fantasy series. It features segmented open environments and an action-based combat system that involves magic attacks and melee. It has been widely praised for its moving story and charming environment. All these qualities make it the perfect fit for the Fourth of July celebration.
Get it Here: Final Fantasy XVI
#9. American Truck Simulator
American Truck Simulator (ATS) has been in existence since 2016. Maybe you have not had the opportunity of enjoying great road trips across the United States. With ATS, you can drive trucks through roads on your wish list.
In April 2023, fans of the game started noticing billboards with adverts from Schneider National. Well, it turned out that the trucking company struck a deal with SCS Software to find the next generation of truckers. Apparently, video games are becoming more than just entertainment—and you should pay attention.
Get it Here: American Truck Simulator
#8. Diablo IV
Diablo IV set a new record for Activision’s Blizzard after it was released on June 6 by raking in $666 million in just five days. The game is the fourth main installment in the Diablo series. It was released on all platforms and players had the option of creating characters from one of the five playable classes.
Blizzard used unconventional marketing which could have contributed to the success of the game. After the game’s launch, Blizzard told fans to share videos of their in-game death on social media using the hashtag #DiabloDeaths so that Megan Fox would read eulogies to them. If multiplayer is your thing, Diablo IV will make a great 4th of July companion.
Get it Here: Diablo IV
#7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
When The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released on May 12, it became an instant hit. There were reports that students skipped classes to experience the game that Friday. A few days later, the company revealed that the game sold 10 million copies in the first three days of its release. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a follow-up to Breath of the Wild.
The action-adventure game grabbed the attention of many because of the limitless crafting possibilities. Players were given the opportunity to explore the depth of their imagination and feel like co-creators of the game. For wild exploration, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom promises a non-stop adventure for the Fourth of July celebration.
Get it Here: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
#6. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the follow-up to the Fallen Order. It was developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. When it was released on April 28, 2023, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was weighed down by bugs. However, like the true American spirit, the developers released a day-one patch that significantly improved the playing experience.
If there is something to learn from the Fourth of July, it is the resilience of the United States. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is one game that will test your resilience and speed. If you must stay indoors during the 4th of July celebration, make sure that the reason is worth it. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is definitely worth it.
Get it Here: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
#5. Dead Island 2
Dead Island 2 was released on April 21, 2023, and immediately grabbed the attention of fans who played the first game in 2011. The brutal dismemberment of mindless zombies and the ability to turn almost anything in the environment into a weapon were the features of the game that popped.
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As one of the immune survivors of a zombie invasion, you need to do all it takes to survive. Dead Island 2 is not for everyone. However, if you are a fan of first-person horror, be sure to try out this game during the Fourth of July holidays. It will definitely satiate your lust for blood.
Get it Here: Dead Island 2
#4. Honkai: Star Rail
Released on April 26, 2023, on PC, PS4|PS5, and mobile, Honkai: Star Rail became an instant hit. In the first 24 hours of its release, the game surpassed 20 million downloads. It is one of the games that experimented with the use of AI for non-playable characters (NPCs).
The turn-based strategy role-playing game will leave you scratching your head at some point. What makes the game even more fascinating is that it shares a resemblance with animated television series. If that sort of thing tickles your fancy, Honkai: Star Rail will be a great 4th of July video game companion.
#3. Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened
This is another game that demonstrates resilience and embodies the Fourth of July spirit. Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened was made by Ukrainian developers while under Russian invasion. It was released on April 22, 2023, and caught the attention of the world for its cool graphics and snazzy puzzles.
It was supposed to be an entirely new game. However, because of the limited resources occasioned by the Russian invasion, Frogwares had to stick to a remake of their old title. One thing we can tell you is that the game feels new and will require your entire wits to solve its complex puzzles.
#2. Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy quickly became the top-selling title after its release. It totally dominated the Steam storefront and occupied four positions on Steam’s sales chart. The game allowed players to create LGBTQ characters which later became a talking point considering J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender.
The ratings remained positive and most YouTubers stuck with the game to the end. Hogwarts Legacy had its share of bugs but a patch was later released to fix the bugs. For a magical Fourth of July celebration, Hogwarts Legacy should be an easy pick.
Get it Here: Hogwarts Legacy
#1. Dead Space
A lot of great games got a remake in 2023 and Dead Space remake was one of the early releases of the year. The remake of the 2008 horror classic quickly drowned competitors in the same genre like Callisto Protocol. Dead Space remake featured stunning graphic upgrades and mechanics. The biggest deviation from the main story was the secret ending.
To see the secret ending, players would have to play the New Game Plus mode. The mode allowed players to get back in the game with all the resources they had gathered from the main game. If you are in for a 4th of July shocker, Dead Space remake should be your pick.
Get it Here: Dead Space
Conclusion
The first half of 2023 has been a beehive of activity for gamers and there is no way anyone can play all of them during the Fourth of July holiday—considering the fact that most of them have over 15 hours of content. However, you can pick one or two and use the holiday to explore as far as you can.
Which video game will be your 4th of July companion? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
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