What you need to know
- Every month Microsoft gives Xbox Live Gold members four free games.
- In July, you can download titles like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Inside.
- You can purchase an Xbox Live Gold subscription through Amazon.
Today, Microsoft announced July's free Games with Gold for Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners. Starting on July 1, Inside and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will be free with the subscription. Then, on July 16, Big Crown: Showdown and Meet the Robinsons can be downloaded at no cost. You need an active Xbox Live membership to play the Xbox One games, but the Xbox 360 titles are yours to keep after you redeem them once. It doesn't matter if you're still an Xbox Live Gold subscriber.
According to the company, July's lineup provides almost $63 in value and up to 3,200 in Gamerscore. You can read about the free games below.
Inside
Inside is a side-scrolling platforming which follows the journey of a young boy in a world without free will. It's your task to undercover the mysteries behind an oppressive regime and rescue your family. However, the path is filled with mysterious creatures and other horrors.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is regarded as a cult classic and might be the biggest Castlevania game to date. Even though it initially launched in 1997, the gameplay mechanics hold up even to this date. The Xbox 360 port is one of the better ones out there. The game continues the stories of the series and introduces a surprising protagonist this time around.
Big Crown: Showdown
Unlike the aforementioned games, we haven't played Big Crown: Showdown. According to the developer, the title requires friends to compete in four-player local and online multiplayer combat, set over three wacky worlds full of medieval shenanigans.
Meet the Robinsons
Meet the Robinsons was quite a popular film that premiered in 2007. This is the tie-in game. The plot revolves around a family's whacky time-travel exploits. However, as is always the case, things don't go according to plan.
Be sure to download all four of these games next month because many of them are great experiences. Out of all of these, we would recommend playing Inside and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night because they're incredible titles that hold up even to this day.
There's a promotion going on through the Microsoft Store which lets you upgrade to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – which includes Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold – for $1. Amazon is also selling a three-month subscription for $20.
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends. You can either get a one-month trial for $1 from the Microsoft Store or a three-month subscription for $20 through Amazon.
Xbox accessories you'll love
Every one of these quality accessories is guaranteed to enhance your Xbox experience.
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox One ($20 at Amazon)
PowerA's take on the Xbox One controller is an attractive pickup for budget-conscious gamers that nails all the basics.
Talon PDP Xbox media remote ($20 at Amazon)
The Talon PDP Xbox media remote is great for watching shows on your console.
Xbox One S vertical stand ($10 at Amazon)
Stand your console upright with this accessory.
