The Xbox Games With Gold lineup for June 2021 has been revealed, and Microsoft will be offering a wide selection of games for players to experience. Gamers with an Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription will be able to claim the games at various points throughout June. As usual, some titles will be available for the whole month, whereas some will become available at different points throughout the month. The games on offer coming in June are a mix of some lesser-known titles and some familiar names.
Xbox's Games With Gold program has been criticized by a portion of gamers for some time now. Some Xbox owners have been displeased with the games on offer with Games With Gold, especially when compared to Sony's PlayStation Plus offerings. While some gamers might not be happy with Xbox's free games selection for a while now, others are more than happy to get them. Games With Gold gives players a bit more value for their Xbox Live Gold subscription with free games to play every month. June 2021's lineup has the usual mix of Games With Gold's familiar names and more obscure titles.
The King's Bird
The King's Bird is considered an innovative platformer, and it was originally released in August 2018. This indie platformer has been compared to the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog for its focus on fast gameplay that encourages the player to react quickly. One of the more unique aspects of The King's Bird is that it marries quick running, wall jumping, and other ground-based movements with a flying mechanic. Players can seamlessly transition from running to flying to navigate their way through levels while maintaining a high level of speed. There is some clear inspiration from Super Meat Boy with its precision platforming gameplay.
The King's Bird didn't receive glowing reviews, but it's still considered by many to be a fun platformer game. With its minimal art style and reactive platforming, The King's Bird could find some success when it launches as part of the Games With Gold lineup for June 2021. The King's Bird will be available from June 1 to 30.
Shadows: Awakening
Shadows: Awakening might be a familiar name to some gamers. The action RPG was originally released in 2018, and it has since been widely available to buy physically or on various digital storefronts. Shadows: Awakening's gameplay has been compared to that of the Diablo series, and it has been received well by fans for its story and tactical combat. This single-player RPG experience could find some popularity next month with fans of fantasy and Diablo-like RPG games. What's unique about Shadows: Awakening is that gamers can play as two characters, one human character and a demon who devours the souls of fallen heroes. Shadows: Awakening will be available from June 16 to July 15.
NeoGeo Battle Coliseum
NeoGeo Battle Coliseum isn't a stranger to Xbox, as it was once a part of the Xbox Game Pass library. This fighting game is filled with original characters with unique combat styles, and the action takes place in a tag team format. While the tag team brawler might be familiar to some fighting game veterans, NeoGeo Battle Coliseum has a slight change to the traditional tag team setup. In NeoGeo, only one enemy on the opposing team needs to be defeated, and even when playing alone, the action still takes place as 2 vs. 2 battles.
The single-player portion of the game is unique in that it's a series of survival-based fights. Players can cleanly lose or defeat opponents, or timeouts can occur. When a timeout happens, players are moved on to face a boss character. NeoGeo Battle Coliseum will be available from June 1 to 15.
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Injustice: Gods Among Us is perhaps the most recognizable name among the Games With Gold lineup for June 2021. The DC Comics fighting game has been popular for years, and now gamers will be able to add it to their collection for free. Injustice was praised when it launched for its unique takes on iconic DC heroes, along with its compelling story. In the Injustice universe, Superman has become a totalitarian tyrant, and it's up to Batman and his group of allies to stop him. This different take on the heroes and villains of DC Comics was widely praised.
The developer of Injustice is none other than NetherRealm Studios, the team behind the Mortal Kombat series. Injustice saw NetherReam Studios continue its focus on narrative after the success of Mortal Kombat X and how well its story was received. The game takes place in a two-dimensional space, just like most other fighting games, but players can progress the fight through destructible environments. Combat stages are separated into sections, and players can move the fight to different areas through the use of different attacks.
Injustice has a variety of characters who are categorized by their use of either gadgets or superpowers. Characters, like Batman, who mostly use technology and tools are considered gadget characters, whereas Superman uses his superpowers to do battle. The release of Injustice on Games With Gold is good timing, as an animated movie based on the game series has recently been announced. Injustice: Gods Among Us will be available on Games With Gold from June 16 to June 30.
June's Games With Gold lineup has a good mix of titles for Xbox gamers. While the June lineup might not compare with Games With Gold offers from 2020, players will still be able to add several games for free to their libraries. June 2021's lineup has two fighting games which could be received well from fans of the genre, along with an indie platformer and action RPG title. Hopefully, there is enough variety to keep Xbox gamers happy and occupied until July 2021's lineup has been released.