Couchpotato spotted a Capes review on CGM:

Capes (PC) Review

Not All Heroes

Capes caught my eye pretty immediately because it’s been quite a while since I’ve played a good turn-based strategy game. Actually, that’s not entirely true, Nexus 5 was a quite good turn-based strategy game, but I guess I was looking for a good turn-based strategy like Fire Emblem - maybe we need a name for that subgenre…Emblemlikes?

[...]

As such, the battles feel very unenthusiastic and lack the excitement and tension you would expect from something like this. I get that the whole vibe of the game is the cyberpunk dystopian future, but when your gameplay is slow and methodical, and you’re ALSO adding superheroes into the mix, you need upbeat, exciting music to keep the player invested.

Like I said, Capes isn’t a bad game it’s just, ironically, not one that realizes its full potential. Its foundation is solid enough, and fans of Emblemlikes will probably have a good time with this, but without the backing of distinct audio and visual presentation, it gets lost in the sea of more distinct RTS games.

Score: 7/10

Couchpotato spotted a making of trailer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II:

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Making of: Announce Trailer

COG reviewed the Director's Cut of Dark Envoy:

DARK ENVOY DIRECTOR’S CUT REVIEW – QUESTIONABLE IMPROVEMENTS 

Dark Envoy Director’s Cut Review

I didn’t play 2023’s Dark Envoy, which is surprising because I try out the vast majority of action RPGs. So, unfortunately, I can’t speak to whatever changes or improvements appear in the new director’s cut release. All I can do is evaluate the game now, and assume it’s the best possible version. With that said, let’s get started.

Hybrid Action
Developed by Tower of Time’s Event Horizon, Dark Envoy is a cross between a third-person action RPG and a traditional CRPG, where players can pause the action and make tactical decisions. In Dark Envoy, the “Tactical Mode” is especially useful as the party grows from two to a more complex grouping. It’s particularly important as AI party members tend to have poor decision-making skills and battlefield awareness on their own. Going into Tactical Mode to move characters, select spells and ready-range weapons is an interesting blend-in with more action-focused mechanics. The downside is that the screen soon becomes a chaotic mess that’s difficult to parse or control.

[...]

Dark Envoy isn’t without its strengths. The class system and skill trees lend themselves to interesting character builds and adventure party variety. But Director’s Cut or not, Dark Envoy simply had too many serious technical issues and minor hiccups. They constantly intruded into whatever fun the game was trying to give me. I’ll check back later to see if things improve but for now, Malakai and Kaela are on their own.

Score: 60/100

Thanks Couchpotato!

Games Horizon takes a look at the Yakuza series:

What Makes Yakuza Games So Good

The Yakuza franchise from Ryu-Ga-Gotoku studios is currently enjoying a much deserved revival in the West. Right from early games like Yakuza 0 and Ishin : Like A Dragon that went under the radar at their original launch; to new releases like Yakuza : Like A Dragon and Like A Dragon : Infinite Wealth now regularly find their place in lists for top games of the year, best RPGs, best open worlds and so on. In fact, the Yakuza games (and by Yakuza games we mean all the numbered titles in the franchise, the Judgment series and Like A Dragon series) collectively work out to some 14 games with an average Metacritic score of 81 – I doubt there would be any other franchise that comes anywhere close to this level of consistently high scores, across so many titles. So, clearly they are doing a lot of things right that are loved by both critics and gamers. Lets look at what makes Yakuza games so good!

The strongest pillar for all Yakuza games is that all of them, without exception, have gripping stories to tell. There are (very) long cut scenes that set up the main plot : in fact, for the first hour and a half or so for the games, you would not have much to do at all with the controller, as the introductory set of cut scenes lay out the story elements quite leisurely but deliberately – akin to watching a movie. Over the next 25-30 hours of gameplay, there are twists, characters that backstab, there are redemption arcs for other characters and everything gets put up with flashy camera angles in dramatic fashion accompanied by suitably grand music.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Insider Gaming interviewed Lavapotion Studios about Songs of Conquest:

INTERVIEW: Songs of Conquest Full Release With Lavapotion Talking Development, Features, & Updates

 Thanks Couchpotato!

Mortismal Gaming checked out Crown Wars: The Black Prince:

Check Out - Crown Wars: The Black Prince

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted a new Class DLC for Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr called Hierophant:

Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr - Official Hierophant Class DLC Trailer

Meet the Hierophant class in this latest Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr trailer. Check it out to see new features with the Heirophant class, like the new Retinue combat feature, new mechanics like Aura System and Command Skills, and more. The Heirophant Class DLC for Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr will be available on October 17, 2024. Additionally, the Offline Mode for Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyr is available now. The Offline Mode is now added as a separate game mode, alongside the currently available online mode, as an optional feature.

By playing this class, you will assume the role of an Inquisitor who can call in multiple acolytes to form a squad. You will have to use your faith and authority to inspire your acolytes to carry out the Emperor's will, manage them like a true leader, and teach the Imperium's truth to all the heretics in the Caligari sector.

The sequel Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II has been announced:

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II | Announcement Trailer

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted a teaser trailer for the Void Shadows DLC:

Void Shadows DLC Teaser and Date

Lord Captain!

Urgent report from Warhammer Skulls 2024! The whole of the Koronus Expanse is abuzz — encrypted transmissions report that the release date of the first DLC for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader has been uncovered. The Void Shadows DLC will reveal itself on August 8!

Brace yourself, Lord Captain! New adventures await you in the Koronus Expanse — thrilling, bewildering, ominous. Engage with the sinister representatives of an ancient Death Cult, and with their aid, uncover the menacing secrets concealed in the darkest corners of your voidship.

Welcome a new companion into your retinue — Kibellah, a skilled Death Cult Assassin. As you get to know her, you may begin to take a different view of your faith in the Emperor.

[...]

Couchpotato spotted a demo for Enotria: The Last Song:

Your Legend - Your Way in the Demo

The Enotria: The Last Song demo experience starts in Quinta, the City of Actors. As the Mask of Change, players will face the Authors, formidable foes that created the Canovaccio, a twisted eternal play that keeps the world in an unnatural stasis. The demo will have 4 distinct weapon classes, each with a variety of unique weapons and 6 unique masks to discover that bring with them devastating new playstyles and distinctive passive abilities. Augment different playstyles by choosing from over 20 spells and 30 perks to make your Mask of Change build your own.

Share your feedback:

Anyone can share their feedback on our Discord server or the DEMO SURVEY.

Note: Please update your graphics driver to the latest version.

Full Game Features:

Become the Mask of Change: Don the Mask of your fallen foes to assume their roles and enable new ways of playing. Collect over 30 Masks and swap between up to 3 customizable loadouts at any time. Each loadout allows you to try out a new playstyle without the burden of a respec.

Path of Innovators: Expand your playstyle options through a unique pool of talents in the Path of Innovators. 68 unlockable skills and over 150 million different build combinations comprise the unique system that makes theory-crafting and altering your playstyle full of boundless possibilities.

Alter Reality: Channel the power of Ardore to dynamically alter reality. Swap strategically between environmental states to solve puzzles, reveal secrets, traverse a decaying world and gain a strategic edge in battles.

Awaken Your Potential: Chain kills and swap between Masks to alter the boons you receive to best match your opponent. Utilize over 120 different weapons, 8 weapon classes, 45 spells, and 8 parry modifiers to break your enemies and enable a devastating riposte attack to gain the mighty Awakened buff.

Summer Souls: Enotria is a beautiful sun-lit land inspired by Italian nature, that hides dark secrets behind its bright facades. It’s up to you to unravel the mysteries of this stunning world.

[...]

Couchpotato spotted a new roadmap for Achilles: Legends Untold:

Our Roadmap for 2024!

Check out our plans for this year's game development

Greetings, Warriors of Ancient Greece!

Today, we're excited to share a glimpse into the future of Achilles: Legends Untold with our upcoming roadmap details. As we continue our journey through the world of ancient myths and fierce battles, your feedback has been invaluable.

Inspired by your insights, we're thrilled to announce significant, optional changes in our upcoming updates, including the much-anticipated "Fates of Moira" and Patch 1.7.

Upcoming Patches

June: Patch 1.4 is just around the corner, and we'll dedicate a separate announcement to it very soon due to its impending release.

August: Patch 1.5 - Fates of Moira. This update will bring transformative changes that allow for deeper engagement and new strategies, shaping the gameplay in exciting new ways.

October: Patch 1.6 introduces a brand-new dungeon, offering fresh challenges and thrilling adventures.

December: Patch 1.7 is currently in the planning phase. We aim to implement significant gameplay mechanics that will be optional but have a profound impact on how you play the game.

These updates reflect our commitment to responding to your feedback and continuously improving the gameplay experience. Each patch is designed to enrich your journey through the game, providing new content and features that enhance your strategic choices and enjoyment.

Stay tuned for more details on Patch 1.4. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support as we forge ahead with these exciting developments.

See you on the battlefield, warriors!

Nintendolife interviewed Spitfire Interactive about X-Men, XCOM and Capes:

Feature: Spitfire Interactive Talks X-Men, XCOM, And "What Age Has To Say To Youth" In 'Capes'

A new (Midnight) Sun rises

We first caught wind of Capes in the hazy days of early 2023. The turn-based superhero tactics set-up sounded like a novel idea, albeit one that we were worried might tread on the toes of one Marvel's Midnight Suns which, remember, we were still expecting to see on Switch.

That Switch port was eventually cancelled, and we Nintendo fans were left with an 'XCOM-meets-X-Men' gap in our game libraries. Almost one year on, Capes is set to fly into that gap.

But a Midnight Suns clone this is not. There's no Spidey, Wolverine or Doctor Strange to be found here. Instead, developer Spitfire Interactive brings together a team of original heroes, a fresh storyline and comic book references a-plenty to provide a new take on the equally new subgenre.

As we approach the game's 29th May release date, we were lucky enough to sit down with two of the creative minds behind Capes, Cade Franklin (Creative Director / Designer) and Morgan Jaffit (Writer) to get into the weeds of what goes into making a game like this in the age of the superhero.

Our conversation covered an Endgame roster-sized list of topics including the team's tactical inspirations, favourite comic books, Switch port challenges and Cade's time on LEGO Masters Australia (yes, really). So, get your super suit on and let's take off.

Nintendo Life (Jim Norman): Let's start with the big question - can you tell me a bit about Capes and why you decided to make it a strategy game?

Morgan Jaffit, Writer: It really came from the passion of our Tech Director, James Scott. James was a big fan of Freedom Force — a pausable strategy game that I had been involved with nearly 24 years ago — and he's also a huge superhero fan so he was keen to build something on that basis.

A two-phase strategy game made a lot of sense for us as a team. Most of us previously worked on Hand of Fate, a game that combines turn-based elements, card play and some live action. On that project, we learned that live-action combat is really hard! It's difficult to deliver and you're competing with the best studios in the world — the God of Wars and the Arkhams. Our preference has always been to pick a place where we think we can have a strong impact.

Turn-based strategy was an excellent opportunity to do that. We felt like we had some things to say in that space to add to the genre and the conversation.

Was this in a pre-Marvel's Midnight Suns world?

Morgan: Yes, it was! Almost every game I have worked on has had some great big competitor moving around at the same time and I think that there's a reason for that. There's a real truth to ideas having 'their time'. Some pressures exist in the environment that lead to similar games.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted that the DLC A Dance Of Masks comes with new archetypes:

New Archetypes in A Dance of Masks DLC: Part 1

New Archetypes in A Dance of Masks DLC: Part 2

IGN checked out the current performance of Starfield:

Starfield May Update: Xbox Series X|S & PC Performance Review

Thanks Couchpotato!

Fextralife checked out the Shadow of the Erdtree story trailer:

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Story Breakdown - Full Trailer Analysis, Interview Info, and MORE!

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted a dev update for Broken Roads:

Broken Roads 1.2 Patch Preview and Dev Update

The Drop Bear Bytes devs discuss and show off many of the new features and improvements in the upcoming 1.2 patch for Broken Roads.

Highlights include:
- Fast mode
- Companions join at end of origin story tutorials
- Overworld map is available in the origin stories
- Punt can now be used to increase the chances of fleeing random encounters
- New origin story random encounter combat
- Can go to other places that were blocked from other origins
- More companion reactivity
- Key rebinding and other gameplay settings
- Can pet the animals
- Brookton Under Attack combat can be entered
- Gut Wound/Mick additional dialogues

The remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord has been released:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord - Launch Trailer

The Gacha RPG Wuthering Waves has been released:

Wuthering Waves Official Release Trailer | Waking of a World

The strategy RPG Crown Wars: The Black Prince has been released:

Crown Wars | Launch Trailer

Fortify your domain, triumph in the most formidable battles with sword and wit!

The Turn Based Lovers checked out the retro RPG Covert Crew:

SUPERHEROES AND FIRE EMBLEM COLLIDE IN SRPG COVERT CREW – OVERVIEW

Covert Crew SRPG With super Heroes
Two keywords that pique curiosity no matter what: Super Heroes and Fire Emblem. Covert Crew merges these two words to create what is described as a superpowered SRPG championing a tactical, turn-based approach that harkens back to genre classics while weaving in modern nuances.

Developed and published by indie studio TYB Games, this 2D strategy RPG put players into a near-futuristic universe brimming with individuals endowed with extraordinary powers, following the narrative of Solitude, a once-shamed hero. He assembles the Covert Crew to thwart a shadowy new syndicate that’s stirring trouble.

Covert Crew SRPG
The game’s mechanics are rooted in classic 2D turn-based tactical combat, enhanced by strategic grid-based battles that introduce inventive win conditions and challenging boss fights. With over 20 diverse playable units, each offering unique abilities, players can recruit and synergize their squad to maximize their effectiveness in combat.

The in-game interactions, termed quips, further enrich this dynamic, fostering deeper bonds between characters that unlock new scenes and provide crucial in-battle bonuses. Additionally, the game allows players to equip power modulators, tailoring attacks with modifications that can alter power levels and speed and even introduce status effects.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Learn more about Mercurial - a teammate in Capes:

Capes - Meet the Team: Mercurial

Thanks Couchpotato!

The Turn Based Lovers reviewed King Arthur: Legion IX:

KING ARTHUR: LEGION IX REVIEW

Set in the same dark fantasy universe as King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, this is the latest game from NeocoreGames. King Arthur: Legion IX is a turn-based tactical game mixed with a character-centric RPG. I had the opportunity to take a look. Let’s see if the Ninth Legion is good enough to rise from the dead or if they should stay fallen in Tartarus.

[...]

CONCLUSION
So, with all that being said, does the Ninth Legion in King Arthur: Legion IX deserve to rise up from Tarturas? I certainly think so. If you are a fan of the first game, King Arthur: Knight’s Tale, then I am sure you are happy to see the developers made another game in the same dark universe. If you have never played the first one, don’t be afraid to jump into the universe with this game. Play the other one later if you want.

There weren’t a whole lot of things that I could find to complain about. I think the biggest thing that kind of stood out as odd was the fact that the voice of Gaius Julius Mento during the game was not the same as the voice in the opening cinematic. That was kind of off-putting for me. Gaius sounds a lot more metallic in the game. I actually thought there was something wrong with my audio during the first mission. Other than that, the voice acting was really good.

The only other thing that might be a downfall for some people is the fact that the game is so linear. Now, I’m not saying that every game has to be open-world. However, as I mentioned in the map section, there is only one mission per level and every level after each mission. Even if there are multiple missions available at one time. There really is no point in doing them out of order. That just feels a little limiting to me. Almost like there is no point to having more than one unlocked at a time. 

With only two things to complain about, I would say there really isn’t any reason not to check this one out. If you are a fan of turn-based tactical games or RPGs, then I would say this is going to be a good one to dive into. I really enjoyed the setting and the combat. Hopefully, this review will help you decide whether the game is right for you. The game is available on Steam here.

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted The Witcher 3 REDkit Q&A on Wccftech:

The Witcher 3 REDkit Q&A – CDPR and Yigsoft Confirm Steam Workshop Support; Further Improvements Planned

Today, as promised earlier this month, CD Projekt RED has released The Witcher 3 REDkit to the public. It is now available for free download on PC across GOG, Epic Games Store, and Steam.

The modding tool, created with the help of Hungarian co-development company Yigsoft, was successfully tested with over 18K users before the public release. The goal is to unleash the creativity of modders with a much more robust modding tool than what was previously available for the game.

Ahead of the launch, we reached out to CD Projekt RED's Global Community Director Marcin Momot and Yigsoft's Lead Bence Hambalko to discuss the feature set of The Witcher 3 REDkit (there's full controller support, surprisingly) and what's coming after launch.

The REDkit for The Witcher 2 was released only two years after its launch, whereas nine years have now passed for The Witcher 3. Why the delay?

Marcin Momot: The truth is that, initially, we planned to release it much sooner, but, as usual, reality altered our plans. As we fully transitioned to working on Cyberpunk 2077, we had to adjust our production timeline. After its release, we began reevaluating some of the projects we had in the pipeline beforehand. Around that time, we started forming a closer partnership with Yigsoft, who have been helping us with certain elements of Cyberpunk 2077. As the old saying goes, better late than never, and here we are, releasing The Witcher 3 editor into the hands of players in 2024.

Why did you deem it worthy to release it after all these years?

MM: The Witcher 3 is one of those games that, even nine years later, is still thriving in the modding scene. Every week, new mods keep popping up as people tinker with various aspects of the game. After releasing the next-gen version in December 2022 and all subsequent updates, we offer this as a sort of parting gift — the final touch, if you will. We hope that now, with everyone having access to an editor that’s as close to being on par with what the game’s developers used to make it as can be, the game can continue to live on for years to come, with even more content being added by the community.

[...]

Tim continues his video series:

Using Mechanics For Storytelling

Games As Actions

Mortismal Gaming checked out Enotra: The Last Song:

Check Out - Enotria: The Last Song

Thanks Couchpotato!

Ye Old Entertainment reviewed Sovereign Syndicate:

Sovereign Syndicate Review: Half point and click adventure game, half RPG, all Disco Elysium copycat

The annual event Warhammer Skulls 2024 has been announced for May 23:

Warhammer Skulls 2024 - Announcement

Greetings, Lord Captain!

We report that no incidents were registered on your voidship, and all systems and mechanisms are operating within normal parameters. However, the ship's crew has gathered on the bridge - they have something intriguing to tell you, Lord Captain!

Your loyal crew is proud to announce that we’ll be a part of the grand annual event, Warhammer Skulls 2024 (https://www.twitch.tv/warhammer), which will be held on May 23, 2024, 5 PM BST. We’re preparing a report with some long-anticipated news, so make sure not to miss it!

The crew remains silent and refuses to spoil the surprise or reveal any details ahead of time, so you’ll have to be patient and wait for the big event! What possible news could they be keeping?

ICYMI, you still have a chance to get your Collector’s Edition with a stunning Cassia figurine on our website, https://roguetrader.owlcat.games/. Don’t wait too long, the offer is limited!

May the Omnissiah’s blessing be with you, we await your presence at Warhammer Skulls 2024, Lord Captain!

Thanks Couchpotato!

Learn more about the factions of Reynatis in the new trailer:

REYNATIS - Release Date Announcement Trailer (Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Steam)

Liberate your world when REYNATIS launches on September 27, 2024 for Nintendo Switch™, PS4®, PS5®, and Steam®. REYNATIS is an atmospheric urban fantasy set in a realistic recreation of Shibuya, Tokyo, where the ultimate clash between magic and order is about to unfold.

Conceal your magic to explore the city as a regular civilian and shop or take on quests, or use your explosive powers to reach new locations and battle those who stand in your way. Fight for what you believe in in this stylish, spellbinding RPG from director TAKUMI and featuring music by Yoko Shimomura!

Thanks Couchpotato!

PC Gamer checked out the tactical RPG Capes:

Capes is a superhero game about the legacy its heroes inherit, but also the legacy of turn-based tactics as a genre

"X-Men meets XCOM" may be a glib summary, but it's not totally inaccurate.

Irrational's Freedom Force games celebrated the Silver Age of comics in all its goofy glory, with a cast of characters including a time-traveling robot called Microwave and a witch named Alchemiss. Capes evokes a later, more serious era: the Bronze Age of the 1970s and '80s, after Stan Lee ditched the Comics Code Authority's seal of approval to publish a Spider-Man story about drugs. It was a time when superhero stories became grittier, more political, and often dystopian.

Different as they are, Freedom Force and Capes share the influence of Morgan Jaffit. A writer on Capes, Jaffit was part of Ken Levine's Irrational Games during the Freedom Force era, and it's no coincidence that Capes references the period in comics history immediately following the one Freedom Force does. 

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

The action RPG series Kindom Hearts is coming to Steam on June 13:

Kingdom Hearts

• KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-
• KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue on Steam (steampowered.com)
• KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)

Thanks Couchpotato!

The Witcher 3 REDkit is available now for free for all owners of the game on PC:

The Witcher 3 REDkit - Official Trailer

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted a new trailer for Elden Ring - Shadow of the Erdtree:

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree - Official Story Trailer

Ossian Studios is planning to launch a Kickstarter campaign for a new Pathfinder RPG called Pathfinder: The Dragon's Demand:

Pathfinder: The Dragon's Demand

Experience the magic of digital tabletop with miniatures in this single-player, turn-based RPG video game set in the Pathfinder world!

Thanks daveyd!

Insider Gaming talked with with actor Tom McKay, who plays Henry in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II:

INTERVIEW: Actor Tom McKay Talks Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Thanks Couchpotato!

Mortismal Gaming checked out Songs of Conquest:

Check Out: Songs Of Conquest

The Gacha RPG Wuthering Waves will be released on May 23:

Wuthering Waves Reveal Livestream