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Tuesday - April 09, 2024
Monday - April 08, 2024
Sunday - April 07, 2024
Saturday - April 06, 2024
Friday - April 05, 2024
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Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy

2024-04-03

Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy Interview

Couchpotato interviewed Alexander from Atom Team about their latest game, Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy. A Kickstarter campaign for the game has already reached 2/3 of the funding goal.


» Continue reading the article...

RPGWatch

2024-01-07

Game of the Year Awards 2023 - Most Promising RPG

What is the most promising RPG of 2024? Like every year, you had your say. Check out the details to find out what games our visitors and editors think are most promising.


» Read the article

Recent articles










Picture Watch

Satellite Reign
Box Art

Poll Watch

Are you concerned about the use of generative AI by game developers?
Yes, it will decrease the quality of games
14.75%

Yes, it will impact people's jobs / shift the industry
19.67%

Yes, but it is too early to say whether the net result will be negative
32.79%

No, it will increase the quality of games
13.11%

No, it will improve people's jobs
4.92%

No, it won't substantially change anything
4.92%

I don't have any opinion for or against it / don't know enough about generative AI to say
9.84%

Vote

Tuesday - April 09, 2024

Coridden - Preview

by Hiddenx, 16:49

Shacknews checked out Coridden:

Coridden is a smooth action RPG with combat juice and an excellent shapeshifting hook

Diablo meets Animorphs in Aftnareld's co-op action RPG epic.

One of the biggest surprises for me at PAX East was easily Coridden. I sat down with one of the developers to run through their co-op demo, and I didn’t want to get up. This game not only makes the familiar hacking, slashing, and looting of the classic action RPG feel great, but it has a monster collecting-slash-transforming gimmick that fits the space perfectly. I do have some questions or concerns for the full thing, but after one demo session I’m completely on board to find those answers myself.

On the surface, Coridden is a traditional action RPG with up to four players. The characters are defined, but their roles and skills are not. Some of that will be determined by the equipment you find as you go, but there are plenty of skill tree options to dive into as well. Those choices feel important, as Coridden definitely has the juice when it comes to combat. It wasn’t complex, but the way I could seamlessly play with light attacks, heavy attacks, skills, and dodging felt almost out of place in this genre. But in a good way that elevated the Diablo-like structure to more than simply button-mashing.

The icing on the cake is the monster system. While it doesn’t go as far as approaching Pokemon-style collecting, certain encounters result in a monster “drop,” which you can then equip as a new skill tree. From there you can transform into the monster on demand, giving you access to a whole new set of gameplay mechanics. That extends from combat into exploration, an example being the first monster you get allowing faster movement speed and longer jumps. Also, in co-op, you can have one player ride the other, giving you even more combat options. And it all feels great in your hands. Nothing stood out as clunky, janky, or anything like it.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Coridden

SP/MP: Single + MP
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

RPG General News - Side Quests stealing the Show

by Hiddenx, 16:47

TheGamer is pondering about side-quests in current RPGs:

I’m Having Trouble Caring About The Main Quest In RPGs

Side quests are stealing the spotlight in all of the big RPGs of this generation.

I think we can all agree there is a lot to do in modern roleplaying games. In some games, like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth or Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, there are a massive amount of minigames. True, you will need to play a few minigames to get through the main storyline, but you don’t need to master them to finish the plot.

Other games like Baldur’s Gate 3 (and, for that matter, those games I already named) have an endless series of optional side stories that take hours to complete. Some, like Tears of the Kingdom, just make it fun to screw around for hours. But all of it is making it hard for me to care about the main quest in RPGs.

I’m not saying I don’t like the storylines themselves. Each of the games I’ve mentioned have incredible, fulfilling stories that take dozens of hours to complete. These are stories that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you go, “Wait, was that JK Simmons?”. They’re all intricately planned, beautifully written, and - in the case of Baldur’s Gate 3 - do in fact feature JK Simmons. I’m being genuine when I say that I deeply enjoyed the main quests of these roleplaying games - when I got around to it.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

RPG General News

SP/MP: Unknown
Setting: Unknown
Genre: RPG
Platform: Unknown
Release: In development

Details

Exodus

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Sci-Fi
Genre: Shooter-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

RPG General News - What's next for Honkai Impact 3rd?

by Hiddenx, 16:36

Gamesradar interviewed the dev team of Honkai Impact 3rd:

What's next for Honkai Impact 3rd, the Genshin Impact dev's original hit RPG: Girl friends, aerial combat, and a "point of entry for newcomers" after 7 years of lore

Interview | Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 is a comprehensive update for a surprisingly old game

As one of the older gacha games out there, Honkai Impact 3rd can be intimidating. It feels like I was seeing inescapable YouTube ads for this action RPG's launch just yesterday, but the original hit for Genshin Impact developer Hoyoverse is now somehow approaching eight years old. But it also feels a bit like a new game nowadays thanks to its recent Part 2 update, which delivered extensive combat and systemic changes and, most importantly, started a whole story chapter featuring fresh protagonists.

The enormous cast and frankly terrifyingly deep lore of Parts 1 and 1.5 haven't been forgotten, but new leading ladies Senadina, Helia, and Coralie take center stage in a bespoke new space-faring storyline currently orbiting Mars. Part 2 has been billed as an approachable jumping-on point for a game that was getting to be a bit long in the tooth, so as someone who's enjoyed Hoyoverse's more recent games but always skipped Honkai Impact 3rd, I was cautiously optimistic. I was also curious to chat with the devs about what's next for the game, how it got here, its penchant for stories about gals quite simply being good pals, and how it's co-existing with the many other Hoyo games that didn't exist when it launched, especially the loosely paralleled Honkai Star Rail.

GamesRadar+: I've come to think of Part 2 as a soft reboot for Honkai Impact 3rd. Is that accurate in your eyes?

Honkai Impact 3rd development team: This is an update to the existing one, with comprehensive optimization on story lines, combat system, UI design, etc.

I know Honkai Impact 3rd by reputation, and a lot of the praise I hear is related to the previous main character, Kiana. How long have you been planning to move onto an all-new cast with Part 2, and what pushed you to leave Kiana behind?

We always try to provide something new, something exciting, and something [imaginative]. We have been dedicated to creating new content and experiences for both new and avid gamers of Honkai Impact 3rd while inheriting the core spirit of the Honkai franchise. 

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

RPG General News

SP/MP: Unknown
Setting: Unknown
Genre: RPG
Platform: Unknown
Release: In development

Details

SAND LAND - Dev Diaries Episode 4

by Hiddenx, 16:30

The dev diaries episode 4 explains the Forest Land area of SAND LAND:

SAND LAND – Dev Diaries Episode 4: Forest Land

Thanks Couchpotato!

 

SAND LAND

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

Fallout - The Lore

by Hiddenx, 16:26

Fallout lore explained by GameSpot:

The Lore Of Fallout Explained

Thanks Couchpotato!

Fallout

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Post-Apoc
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Monday - April 08, 2024

Class of Heroes 2G - Review

by Hiddenx, 17:08

Wizard Worm checked out Class of Heroes 2G:

Class of Heroes 2G: Remastered Review (Dungeon Crawler)

Class of Heroes 2G

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Dungeon Crawler
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

Turn Based Lovers - #TurnBasedThursday

by Hiddenx, 16:44

The Turn Based Lovers present games from #TurnBasedThursday:

15 MOST ANTICIPATED RPGS, STRATEGY, AND ROGUELITES FROM #TURNBASEDTHURSDAY FEST 2024

SOME OF THE MOST PROMISING RPGS, STRATEGY GAMES, AND ROGUELITES CHOSEN FROM 350 PARTICIPANTS

In case you haven’t heard, the #turnbasedthursdayfest was held last week (4-8 April), and we are now in the final hours. This celebration of turn-based games was created by the turnbasedthursday team in collaboration with Steam! They’ve hand-picked over 350 games to be featured, many of which have discounts and demos available.

We love looking ahead to see what great turn-based games are on the horizon, and there’s been no shortage of exciting titles to showcase during the event. These are some of my most-anticipated games launching in 2024, many of which are from indie and solo developers! Wishlist them, try the demos, and let me know your thoughts.

SONGS OF SILENCE
UNTRAVELED LANDS: CHANTICO
SKYGARD ARENA
DEAD SEASON
DEAD UNDERWORLD
AETHERMANCER
EVERY DAY WE FIGHT
ESCAPE THE MAD EMPIRE
IRONHIVE
TRASH OF THE TITANS
NORTHWIND
ARCHREBEL TACTICS
THOSE WHO RULE
SLAVES OF MAGIC
WANDERER’S SIGIL: DICE-FUELED ADVENTURE

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Turn Based Lovers

Details

Starfield - TGs Galactic Colonies Expanse

by Hiddenx, 16:36

Couchpotato spotted a mod for Starfield called TGs Galactic Colonies Expanse at DSOG:

Burning Flames (2024) Episode 25 English SUB

Starfield just got a DLC-sized expansion mod, allowing you to create whole colonies with giant mechs, defense turrets, a farming system and more

Modder ‘Tank-girl444’ has released a must-have DLC-sized expansion mod for Starfield, called TGs Galactic Colonies Expanse. This mod will allow you to create entire colonies, and it comes with new assets for you to use. So, let’s take a closer look at it.

This mod aims to greatly expand the game’s outpost system, production features, and more. The goal is to transform the outposts into a detailed space colonization simulator, drawing from the game’s own lore and story. It’s a highly ambitious mod.

[...]

Starfield

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Sci-Fi
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Timothy Cain - Replaying Diablo

by Hiddenx, 16:28

Tim Cain thinks that you can learn a lot from older games:

Replaying Diablo

Thanks Couchpotato!

Timothy Cain

Details

Sunday - April 07, 2024

Fextralife - Gaming News

by Hiddenx, 17:04

Fextralife summarizes this week's gaming news:

Gaming News – Bloodborne Kart is Back, Silksong in Xbox Store, More Layoffs, Enshrouded Big Update

Timestamp
0:00 - Top RPG News of the Week
0:04 - Bloodborne Kart is Back, Now Called Nightmare Kart
1:18 - Pathfinder Gallowspire Survivors on Steam
2:07 - Hollow Knight Silksong Listing on Xbox Store
3:03 - Enshrouded Hollow Halls Update
3:54 - Ubisoft Makes 45 New Layoffs
4:53 - Dragon’s Dogma 2 Has Sold Over 2.5 Million Copies
5:45 - New World Fifth Season
7:05 - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake is Still Alive
8:15 - Dino Crisis Could Be The Next Capcom Remake
9:21 - Bethesda Reveals How Development Of The Elder Scrolls VI Is Going

Thanks Couchpotato!

Fextralife

Details

New Arc Line - Initial Details @ Mortismal Gaming

by Hiddenx, 17:02

Mortismal Gaming checked out New Arc Line:

New Arc Line - Initial Details

Thanks Couchpotato!

New Arc Line

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Steampunk
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

RPG General News - Games like Baldur's Gate 3

by Hiddenx, 16:58

You are missing Baldur's Gate 3? GGrecon searched for similar games:

13 best games like Baldur's Gate 3 in 2024, from Divinity Original Sin to Diablo 4

  • How I chose the best games like Baldur’s Gate 3
  • Best games like Baldur’s Gate 3
  • What is the best game like Baldur’s Gate 3?

As the latest title from Larian Studios, Baldur's Gate 3 is a Dungeons & Dragons-based CRPG that comes complete with a ridiculously in-depth character creator, a vast amount of companions, dialogue, and a gorgeous world to go questing in.

What's more, it's no secret that Baldur’s Gate 3 was met with critical acclaim, even becoming one of our Game of the Year contenders. So if you've explored every inch of the game and want to dive into something else like it, I've selected some of the best games that you should be playing in 2024.

How I chose the best games like Baldur’s Gate 3
My methodology for picking entries for this list was to look for titles that have similar gameplay features or overarching themes. As Baldur’s Gate 3 is an RPG with plenty of dialogue where your choices can change the course of the story, you’ll find plenty of dialogue-heavy games here.

13 - Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition
12 - Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
11 - Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
10 - Fable
9 - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
8 - Divinity Original Sin 2
7 - Diablo 4
6 - Pillars of Eternity
5 - Elden Ring
4 - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
3 - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2 - Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
1 - Dragon Age: Inquisition

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

 

RPG General News

SP/MP: Unknown
Setting: Unknown
Genre: RPG
Platform: Unknown
Release: In development

Details

Dragon's Dogma 2 - Patch Test

by Hiddenx, 16:47

Digital Foundry checked out the patched version of Dragon's Dogma 2:

Dragon's Dogma 2: Does The New Patch Fix The Game? All Systems Tested

Thanks Couchpotato!

Dragon's Dogma 2

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

King Arthur: Knight's Tale - Review by Kordanor

by Hiddenx, 13:54

Kordanor played King Arthur: Knight's Tale a lot - here's his review:

King Arthur: Knights Tale - Review after 300h, including all* Expansions [EN] by Kordanor

Here is a shorened transcript of the conclusion for the news:

[...]

Neocore Games created a great Tactics-RPG, which can convince through this whole main campaign with its deep, tactical battles, which are well balanced , a joy to play and free of frustration also thanks to the great interface and lacking relevance of luck for the most part.
The enemies are well designed and quite varied, with lots of different models and skillsets, and even the choices of your characters new abilities stay interesting for the longest time.[...]
The Alignment system offers some nice rewards and it's also cool that you can even unlock missions for additional characters, but a system like that always comes with the problem that you basically chose one alignment at the very start and then just limit yourself in your decisions for the rest of the game, to actually get all these rewards.
The one thing which bothered me more is the lack of plannability regarding the characters. While this isn't a disaster, it's the main reason why the game, which can completely convince with its main campaign, "only" gets a solid thumbs up from me, but no t a golden and sparkling thumbs up. But even "just" a full thumbs up means that I would recommend the game to everyone who is interested in tactical RPGs and can afford the quite substantial price of 45 Euros or 45 US Dollars. It's definitely worth it. King Arthur: Knights Tale offers more than a hundred hours of fun and it's an astonishingly rounded and well-polished game that has actually exceeded my own expectations.
In regards of the additional content thats quite a bit different.

[...]

King Arthur: Knight's Tale

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Songs of Conquest - Gameplay

by Hiddenx, 06:20

Splattercatgaming checked out the Early Access title Songs of Conquest:

One of My Favorite Strategy RPGs on Steam Today

Songs of Conquest

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Strategy-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

Matt Chat - #525 - Kurt Kalata on JRPGs and Adventures

by Hiddenx, 06:16

Matt is talking with Kurt about J-RPGs, Adventures and Hardcore Gaming 101:

MC525: Kurt Kalata on JRPGs and Hardcore Gaming 101

Matt Chat

Details

RPG Crawler - RPG News Roundup

by Hiddenx, 06:08

Like every week the RPG Crawler sums up the computer and tabletop RPG news:

RPG News Roundup (4-6-2024)

RPG Crawler

Details

Saturday - April 06, 2024

Dark Envoy - Patch 1.4

by Hiddenx, 18:21

Couchpotato spotted patch 1.4 preview for Dark Envoy:

Patch 1.4 Preview

Get ready for an exclusive sneak peek at what's coming in the upcoming Patch 1.4!

Get ready for an exclusive sneak peek at what's coming in the upcoming Patch 1.4! In addition to addressing reported issues and refining game balance, Patch 1.4 will introduce exciting new features detailed below.

Narrative changes
One of the main features introduced in Patch 1.4 includes narrative changes. We have listened to your feedback, which is why we made cutscenes more dynamic and less janky. These changes are particularly significant in the first act of the game. For example, now you start the game by controlling two characters instead of just Malakai, as it was before. This adjustment allows for seamless co-op play right from the beginning. Additionally, we've added a scene where Vasso, one of the characters who will join us later, helps us deal with enemies.

New Unique items
We have prepared new unique items, including unique items for each of the available bosses, as well as those that can drop randomly from chests or enemies. We expanding on the feature from the last patch, introducing even more weapons that will have their unique abilities.

When creating new items, we aimed to ensure that these new abilities are directly associated with bosses. For example, defeating the Bob, who is one of the first bosses, will reward you with the one-handed hammer "Fallen Rat King's Scepter" along with a new weapon skill "Rat Toss" allowing you to throw it at enemies dealing 200% weapon damage and poisoning them additionally it will also provide us with an passive skill that will add immortal rat companion that will assist the wearer in fights.

Weapon Rebalance
We've received a lot of feedback indicating that ranged attack-focused builds are much stronger than melee variations. Therefore, in Patch 1.4, we have made significant changes to melee weapons. To rebalance them properly, in the newest update, they will now deal approximately 60% more damage than ranged weapons. Additionally, we've buffed 2-handed ranged weapons, especially the two-handed crossbows, which were underutilized despite their explosive effect.

Additionally, with the 1.4 update, we make graphical improvements such as an enhanced map and a new look for mining deposits, which will now vary in appearance depending on the resource obtained.

Thank you to all who provide feedback on Discord and Steam. Remember, you can directly share your ideas using the in-game "report issue" tool, ensuring they reach our team for consideration.

The Dark Envoy team

Dark Envoy

SP/MP: Single + MP
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Larian Studios - Industry Layoffs not neccessary

by Hiddenx, 18:18

IGN reports some statements about the game industry by Larian:

Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Larian's Publishing Director Calls Games Industry Layoffs an 'Avoidable F*ck Up'

Larian publishing director says the notion that industry-wide layoffs are inevitable is 'just not true.'

Over the past few months, Baldur's Gate 3's developers have used its platform during awards season speeches to advocate for a healthier game industry. This tradition now extends to its publishing director, who, in a recent interview with Game File, shared his thoughts on industry-wide layoffs plaguing developers over the past two years as an "avoidable fuck up."

Chief among 2024's massive layoffs include Nintendo announcing its restructuring in March which has the potential to affect over 100 contract workers; Sony laying off roughly 900 employees in February — including developers across studios like Insomniac, Naughty Dog, and Guerrilla, and Microsoft laying off 1,900 staff from its workforce in January following its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

The complex and avoidable nature of layoffs
Speaking with Game File's Steven Totilo, Michael Douse likened major gaming companies to massive oil tankers predicated on their ability to steer toward sucess. Should a company fail to plan accordingly, while giving developers proper financial reserves to pivot, fallout via layoffs is sure to come. Instead of feeling like layoffs are an inevitable aspect of the gaming industry, Douse argues that they are avoidable.

"But to prevent these giant operational failures that we call layoffs…they are an avoidable f*ck up. That's really all they are," Douse told Game File. "That's why you see one after the other. Because companies are going: ‘Well, finally. Now we can, too. We've wanted to do it for ages. Everyone else is. So why don't we?’ That's really kind of sick.’"

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Larian Studios

Details

Songs of Conquest - Update 0.97

by Hiddenx, 18:11

Couchpotato spotted another update for Songs of Conquest:

Livening up Loth!

Dig deep into the Aurelias secrets with our latest update!

Greetings, Wielders!

Prepare yourselves for another update, this one comes with a grave-like touch as we return to the eerie Barony of Loth and embrace our inner cultists! As always, this latest version of Songs of Conquest is packed with a little bit of everything. From essential bug fixes and AI behavior updates to a plethora of small tweaks and changes, we've left no tomb unturned. But let's be honest – there's definitely an undead theme lurking in the shadows.

[...]

Ah, it seems we missed a buried treasure in last week's update – but fear not! The elusive Great Excavation map has been tracked down and added to the roster. It's almost as if it sensed it belonged here all along.

But that's not all – speaking of maps, we've got some exciting additions for all you cartographers out there! We've introduced faction-based wood generators, allowing you to tailor your maps even further to suit your vision.

And for those who prefer a more randomized playstyle, we've got you covered too! We've revamped the two-player Random Map layout for better balance, with more frequent and formidable guards and resource generators to keep you on your toes. Embrace the unpredictability and conquer the unknown!

[...]

Songs of Conquest

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Strategy-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

Details

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes - Preview

by Hiddenx, 18:05

Siliconera checked out Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes:

Preview: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Offers Classic JRPG Vibes

I played a lot of old school PS1 classics on my PSP back in the day, since I never owned the JRPG-centric console, but one of the most memorable games I played was Suikoden 2. As such, my hype for Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes couldn’t be higher, and it fortunately seems to lives up to the hype so far.

Ahead of launch, I checked out a recent PC demo build of the game on my Steam Deck that let me see a solid chunk of what seemed to be an early part of the adventure. The story elements felt a bit light, despite the frequent cutscenes, which left me very little to go on. That said, what I know without a doubt is how stunning its visuals seemed.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes bears some similarities to the HD-2D stylings of the Octopath Traveler games, minus the pixel art. It has a beautiful mix of the 2D hand-drawn characters and colorful 3D environments. The world looks stunning, from what I saw. This build included a neat mix of places to explore, such as a smaller town, a more open world map area, and mysterious ruin dungeon.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: J-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Dragon's Dogma 2 - Help @ IGN

by Hiddenx, 18:02

IGN is giving some tips and tricks for Dragon's Dogma 2:

Dragon's Dogma 2: How Pawns, Vocations, Portcrystals (And More!) Work

Thanks Couchpotato!

Dragon's Dogma 2

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Timothy Cain - Fallout Development Timeline

by Hiddenx, 17:45

Tim Cain talks about the development timeline of Fallout:

Fallout Development Timeline

Thanks Couchpotato!

Timothy Cain

Details

Elder Scrolls Online - 10th Anniversary Celebration

by Hiddenx, 17:42

The Elder Scrolls Online is ten years old:

The Elder Scrolls Online - 10-Year Anniversary

ESO’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Begins Now!

Join us for 15 months of reveals, retrospectives, rewards, and more as we celebrate 10 amazing years of The Elder Scrolls Online.

We are thrilled to announce that ESO’s 10th Anniversary Celebration has officially begun! This massive celebration puts a spotlight on you (our players), the game, and the development team over the next 15 months*. 

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Elder Scrolls Online

SP/MP: Single + MP
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: MMORPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Terra Memoria - Review

by Hiddenx, 12:17

Ladies Gamers checked out Terra Memoria:

Terra Memoria Review

Terra Memoria is that increasingly rare game that some of us still crave, a fantasy pixel-turn-based RPG. Developed by French developers La Moutarde, it offers a deeply thought-out, unique fantasy world inhabited by a mix of anthropomorphic animal folk and the rare humanoid, all of whom seek ‘constancy’ in their lives. But that constancy is under attack from forces both mundane and deadly, and your haphazard team of cuties must venture out into the world to see if they can knock some sense back into it all. On the way, there’s light collecting, crafting, and building elements to fuss with.

It’s a game I desperately want to like, so let’s see if it succeeds!

The World of Terra Memoria
Constancy isn’t just a word in Terra Memoria, much less a struggle for anyone with ADHD. It’s the core tenet of a secular faith that doesn’t look to gods so much as it does the concept of a world where things behave in a way that you can rely on. It’s not the only faith in the world; the foxes have their own spirit realm, and you’ll get to explore that, too. But mostly, it’s about reliability, and the world has precious little of that going on as the game starts.

[...]

All of that said, I came in wanting to like Terra Memoria, and in the end, I still mostly do. It’s chunky, yes, and the tone is sometimes a little off – maybe it’s the South Park exhaustion, but a subplot about ‘they took our jobs’ didn’t hit quite the right note for me when it was introduced – but its charm really is undeniable. The game is just too bright, breezy, and pretty to stay cranky, and its flaws can be soothed by taking breaks and coming back to it when you’re ready.

The world building is also something that the developers put a lot of care into, and that’s also a delightful surprise. I’d be thrilled to revisit these characters and their quirky, magitek-laden world again in the future. It’s an indie delight, through and through, and I’m happy to say that, yup, it gets the green.

Final Verdict: I Like It

 

Terra Memoria

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Adventure-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

ASTRA: Knights of Veda - Review @ IGN

by Hiddenx, 12:12

IGN reviewed ASTRA: Knights of Veda:

Astra: Knights of Veda Review

ASTRA: Knights of Veda

SP/MP: Single + MP
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Geneforge 2 - Infestation - Review @ Mortismal Gaming

by Hiddenx, 12:08

Mortismal Gaming reviewed Geneforge 2 - Infestation:

Geneforge 2: Infestation - Review After 100%

Geneforge 2 - Infestation

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

Friday - April 05, 2024

Final Fantasy VI - Looking back

by Hiddenx, 17:17

Game Rant looks back at Final Fantasy VI:

30 Years Later, Final Fantasy 6 is Still a Perfect Time Capsule for the Franchise

Looking back at Final Fantasy 6 on its 30th anniversary provides a snapshot of one of gaming's most important franchises at a pivotal turning point.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Final Fantasy 6 released on April 2, 1994 and marked a turning point for the franchise with new graphics and a fresh direction, ending an era of original creators.
  • The game is considered a masterpiece, combining ideas from previous Final Fantasy games to create a groundbreaking experience.
  • The core development team of Final Fantasy 6 included legendary creators who went on to work on other iconic games in the industry, and it remains an important piece of video game history.

Thirty years ago today, Square unleashed Final Fantasy 6 upon the world, revolutionizing both the franchise and the role-playing game genre. Not only would Final Fantasy 6 end up being the last game in the series to utilize 2D sprite-based graphics, but it would also be the first game in the series to feature direction from someone other than Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. As a result, Final Fantasy 6 represents a monumental turning point for the franchise, signaling the passing of the torch from the first generation of creators to the new luminaries behind the Final Fantasy games. Essentially, Final Fantasy 6 is the end of an era.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Final Fantasy VI

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: J-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

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The Thaumaturge - Q&A

by Hiddenx, 17:10

The designers of The Thaumaturge - Karolina Kuzia and Artur Loska - are talking about some design decisions at Games Horizon:

How The Thaumaturge Makers Crafted Its Compelling Salutors

I recently had the privilege of reviewing The Thaumaturge. It is a story-driven RPG that takes place in early 20th-century Warsaw. You play as Wiktor Szulski, a Thaumaturge who has the ability to connect with Salutors, esoteric beings that give him the ability to read people and situations along 4 different dimensions: Deed, heart, mind, and word.

With the information Wiktor uncovers, you unfold the narrative by unlocking conversation options, as well as the ability to manipulate the people around him. This is all backed with an interesting leveling up and combat system, as well as a rich, vast world to discover,

Having played this game for longer than I care to admit, I was curious about some of the design decisions and inspirations that led to The Thaumaturge’s unique game elements. Despite being busy with their post-launch work, the Design Director of The Thaumaturge, Karolina Kuzia, and Gameplay Designer, Artur Loska, were kind enough for an exclusive Q&A with GamesHorizon.

What was the inspiration behind The Thaumaturge?

Karolina Kuzia, Design Director: After our first game, Seven: The Days Long Gone, we knew we had a soft spot for cheeky, resourceful protagonists accompanied by their ethereal sidekicks. That was the story of Teriel and his “demon” – Artanak. Later on, as the first ideas for the new IP started to take shape, we still wanted to follow that protagonist’s idea, but we really wanted to ‘twist’ his companion, making them grim and powerful, like a guardian over him.

In the process, we came up with this talented but torn man named Wiktor Szulski, who lives on the border between the ‘human’ and ‘salutor’ worlds. He’s deeply rooted in his time and place yet a stranger in his homeland. We also gave him the ability to see traces of people hidden beneath the surface of ordinary objects, allowing players to gather from the surrounding world more than meets the eye.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

The Thaumaturge

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

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Enshrouded - Interview

by Hiddenx, 17:03

The Nerd Stash interviewed Creative Director Antony Christoulakis about Enshrouded:

Enshrouded Interview: Creative Director Reflects on Early Access Success, Teases Future Support & DLC Plans

Unshrouding the mystery.

Kicking off 2024 in fantasy style, Keen Games launched its open-world sandbox RPG Enshrouded into Early Access to a spate of positive and promising reviews from both critics and audiences alike. Now that the dust has settled and we’re three months out from its initial release, The Nerd Stash recently had the opportunity to sit down virtually with the game’s Creative Director, Antony Christoulakis. In it, we discuss what the future holds for the online role-playing experience. So, without further ado, let’s get into it, shall we?

Enshrouded Interview with Antony Christoulakis

Editor’s Note: The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

The Nerd Stash Editor, Dylan Chaundy: We’re a few months out from Enshrouded’s early access launch on PC. How do you feel the initial release has gone and how does it feel seeing the community finally diving in and exploring the land of Embervale?

Antony Christoulakis: This has been a phenomenal release that certainly surpassed all our expectations. We are really grateful that we have such a large and very positive community already. It’s really cool to be able to watch people on Twitch or Youtube playing the game and reacting in an unfiltered way. We’ve worked on the game for many years now. And at some point you lose the ability to judge how well things work from the perspective of a new player. So I really enjoy watching streams and learning from that.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Enshrouded

SP/MP: Single + MP
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Survival-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

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Rogue Trader - Collector's Editions Shipment

by Hiddenx, 16:59

The shipment of the Collector's Editions has started: 

Collector's Editions shipment has begun

Lord Captains!

We’re happy to report that Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Collector’s Editions and other physical items are on their way to our founders - the address shipment has begun!

Part of the cargo has been sorted and shipped to our Lord Captains, who have already received the tracking codes in their emails. Some of our lucky Lord Captains even already got their orders! Other boxes are being sorted out and prepared right now and will be shipped shortly as well.

We kindly ask you to check your email from time to time so as not to miss the special letter from the FedEx or DHL shipper with all the important information and your personal tracking code.

Also, please, be sure to check your email Spam folder every now and then as the letter from FedEx or DHL may accidentally end up there.

We thank you all for your patience and support! We’re looking forward to the parcels meeting their Lord Captains!

The Emperor protects!

Thanks Couchpotato!

Rogue Trader

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Sci-Fi
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

Details

SKALD: Against the Black Priory - Release Date: May 30

by Hiddenx, 16:55

The retro RPG SKALD: Against the Black Priory will be released on May 30:

SKALD: Against The Black Priory I Date Reveal Trailer - Coming to Steam and GOG May 30th

Inspired by roleplaying games of yesteryear, combining modern design and compelling story with authentic 8-bit looks and charms, SKALD: Against the Black Priory is coming to Steam and GOG on May 30th!

Thanks Couchpotato!

SKALD: Against the Black Priory

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

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New Arc Line - Story Trailer

by Hiddenx, 16:07

Yemeth spotted a story trailer for New Arc Line:

New Arc Line | Story Trailer

Set during the gilded age of magic and technology, New Arc Line welcomes players to a troubled world: The New World looms on the horizon, the shining city of progress, and the last beacon of hope in your search for a cure to your family's fatal disease.

But you will soon discover that the city's beauty runs only skin-deep; tensions growing between different factions in the world of arcane magic and steampunk gadgets, the rich exploiting the poor, the humanoid hunting the monstrous, and in the middle of it all you, a stranger in a strange land, unaware of the role you have to play in shaping the future of this world... Which side will you choose? What will you become?

New Arc Line

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Steampunk
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development

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Non-RPG General News - Stygian: Outer Gods announced

by Hiddenx, 16:04

Yemeth spotted the horror survival game Stygian: Outer Gods on Steam:

Stygian: Outer Gods - Official Announcement Trailer

Dive into a hostile world that challenges your very existence, in this survival horror game with RPG elements. Unravel a thousand-year-old mystery, risk your sanity and face the Outer Gods with your skills. Every bullet and the decision counts now, are you up to the task?

 

Non-RPG General News

SP/MP: Unknown
Setting: Unknown
Genre: Unknown
Platform: Unknown
Release: In development

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Dragon's Dogma 2 - Review @ Gameffine

by Hiddenx, 15:59

Gameffine reviewed Dragon's Dogma 2:

Dragon's Dogma 2 Review: Honeymoon Period

Presenting Gameffine's Dragon's Dogma 2 review. Dragon's Dogma 2 is the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2012 cult classic RPG from Capcom.

Released to little fanfare in 2012, the Japanese-Western RPG hybrid Dragon’s Dogma gained a huge cult status after the release of its Dark Arisen expansion. While the Western fandom didn’t get to enjoy the Japan exclusive MMORPG Dragon’s Dogma online, they have been clamoring for a sequel for years — A sequel that expands heavily on the fantastical combat, innovative pawn system and larger-than-life boss fights. An RPG known for its deep character progression and old-school sense of exploration, Dragon’s Dogma is still enjoyed today, and you won’t have to go far to find people experimenting with ridiculous builds and capturing funny montages. After a grueling waiting period, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is finally here. The word online is pretty polarizing, with criticisms aimed at the game’s performance and microtransactions. What does the regal RPG authority at Gameffine think, you ask? Sit down, grab a jug of cold mead, and hear this tall tale. 60 hours and one true ending later, here’s me presenting Gameffine’s Dragon’s Dogma 2 review.

[...]

The hours I spent in Dragon’s Dogma 2 were filled with spectacular highs and frustrating lows. When the game gets going, it really gets going, before suddenly coming to a screeching halt. While I still look back to the 5 days I spent with the game with fondness and admiration towards Itsunos’ craft, the game’s poor performance coupled with Capcom’s less-than-ideal monetization practices and the underwhelming endgame tarnished my experience to a degree. Let’s just hope that Dragon’s Dogma 2’s upcoming expansion rectifies its many shortcomings. May it prove to be another Dark Arisen.

FINAL RATING: 75/100

Thanks Yemeth!

Dragon's Dogma 2

SP/MP: Single-player
Setting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released

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