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Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy
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
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
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Poll Watch
Yes, it will decrease the quality of games
Yes, it will impact people's jobs / shift the industry
Yes, but it is too early to say whether the net result will be negative
No, it will increase the quality of games
No, it will improve people's jobs
No, it won't substantially change anything
I don't have any opinion for or against it / don't know enough about generative AI to say
Recently Released
Oct: Drova - Forsaken KinOct: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Oct: Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire
Oct: Dead Season
Oct: Necro Story
Oct: Shards of Realm
Sep: Rogue Waters
Expected Releases
Oct: Passageway of the AncientsOct: Dawn of the Ashen Queen
Oct: Broken Alliance
Oct: Cabernet
Oct: Flint - Treasure of Oblivion
Oct: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven
Oct: Ys X: Nordics
News Watch
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy - Early Access in December by purpleblob
Dragon Age - Cut Content explained by purpleblob
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II - Character Development by Redglyph
Broken Alliance - Early Access Release on October 24 by JDR13
New Arc Line - Demo available by JDR13
Forum Watch
What I've Been Watching: The Catch-All Film Thread by danutz_plusplusSteam Next Fest (Fall 2024) by Corwin
The Science Thread by JDR13
Things you might like to know. by danutz_plusplus
What games are you playing now? by purpleblob
Tuesday - October 15, 2024
Banquet for Fools - Poll Votes are in!
Next stop Rozafir:
Poll votes are in!
CYOA Results: to Rozafir!
Thanks to all the players in the community who cast their vote into the CYOA of this Early Access. For Update 2.0 we will head southeast to Rozafir for more than just drinking with the locals, for treachery and trouble lurks below and above the surface of this farming settlement.More content to come with 1.5 soon!
Stay tuned for the next poll as we carve through the map and all the shroomers within.
Thanks Couchpotato!
Banquet for Fools
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Adventure-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Broken Alliance - Early Access Release on October 24
The strategy RPG Broken Alliance will be released into Early Access on October 24 - the Turn Based Lovers checked it out:
Retro-Inspired Heroes Of Might And Magic-Like Broken Alliance – Overview
A New HoMM-Like Strategy Game Ready To Debut This Month
The game I’m introducing aims to offer a gameplay style reminiscent of Heroes of Might and Magic, featuring exploration, city-building, and tactical combat. However, it introduces a unique twist: a deck-building mechanic. Players draw cards to perform attacks, move units, and use special skills. It’s called Broken Alliance and is an upcoming indie turn-based strategy RPG set for release in early access on October 24, 2024.
Developed by Placeholder Gameworks, it draws inspiration from classic titles like Heroes of Might and Magic, Age of Wonders, and Master of Magic, while introducing a fresh twist with deck-building mechanics. It combines tactical gameplay, rich storytelling, and deep world-building as you fight to save a dying world devastated by the overuse of magic. Players align with one of four factions—Anchorage, Phobos, Paradise, or Forge—each offering unique perspectives, gameplay mechanics, and moral dilemmas.
[...]
Thanks Couchpotato!
Broken Alliance
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Strategy-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Ys X: Nordics - Interview @ RPG Site
RPG Site interviewed Peter Thoman about the PC port of Ys X: Nordics:
Ys X: Nordics PC Interview - Durante discusses Falcom's new engine, PC-exclusive features, HDR, co-op, & more
NIS America is launching Ys X: Nordics next week in the West across Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC platforms following its debut in Japan last year. Make sure to read Adam's full review of the game here and my Steam Deck feature here. I actually imported Ys X: Nordics on Switch last year because I did the same for Ys IX: Monstrum Nox on PS4 a few years prior as a huge fan of the series who did not want to wait a few years for a Western release. Little did I know that we'd just be waiting about a year to see Ys X: Nordics in the West.
Ahead of its release from NIS America, I've been playing Ys X: Nordics on Steam and PS5. After sampling the PC port handled by PH3 a little while ago, I had a chance to chat with PH3's Peter Thoman AKA Durante to discuss the PC port, exclusive features like HDR, local co-op support, a popular Trails series feature returning, the state of PC ports today, and much more.
RPG Site: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, PH3, and how the studio has evolved over the recent years?
Peter 'Durante' Thoman: Sure! My name is Peter Thoman and I used to do a lot of game modding as Durante – the most well-known thing I ever worked on is probably DSFix for the PC version of Dark Souls. I was subsequently approached by some companies – primarily XSEED – to help with their game ports in a consulting role. In 2018 I co-founded PH3 with two colleagues from university, here in Austria, and we mostly work on JRPG ports right now.
At the start we were a very small operation, basically just the founders working remotely and no employees, but we have grown to a small but “real” company these days, with 6 employees in addition to the founders, half of whom work on game projects. Given the current industry climate, I’m happy to mention that we haven’t lost anyone who joined the company yet.
While we initially were laser-focused on just PC, we now have the ability to work on various console platforms as well, since there are significant synergies you can leverage when working on a single project across multiple target platforms.
[...]
Thanks Couchpotato!
Ys X: Nordics
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: J-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
New Arc Line - Demo available
A demo is available for New Arc Line:
New Arc Line Demo Available in Steam Next Fest
Greetings, Magicians and Technologists!
We have excellent news for you today - we are excited to announce that New Arc Line is joining the Steam Next Fest with a free demo, available from today until October 21 - so make sure to jump in right now to get your first chance to explore a world where Technology is at constant odds with Magic!
As many of you have noticed, several journalists and influencers have tasted a sample of the game already and have shared their initial impressions (for example PCGamesN.com, SplattercatGaming, MortismalGaming or TheGamer.com). The demo version you can get your hands on right now is different, however, so even if you had read and watched the previews, it will not spoil your experience at all!
You will get to select from 2 classes and play as either a Voodoo Shaman or a Diesel Engineer of either the Human or Elven race. The events of the demo take place a little further on in the main storyline, in a small part of the Harbor Slums - you will be tasked with investigating the Leprosarium and find out why a doctor is not making her rounds, helping the poor community afflicted by the deadly Iron Plague epidemic (find out more details about the disease in our previous devlog).
We are really looking forward to seeing what you think about the short demo, and what choices you will make! Come let us know here in the comments, in the Steam Discussions, or better yet, come chat with the devs as well as fellow fans on the New Arc Line Official Discord server. We are also preparing more surprising announcements for you very soon - don't forget to wishlist and follow the game so you are always up to date!
Thanks Couchpotato!
New Arc Line
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Steampunk
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
The Wayward Realms - Ask Me Anything
Couchpotato spotted an AMA for The Wayward Realms:
AMA Rewind (No Music) - The Wayward Realms - Sept. 2024
The Wayward Realms
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
AI Limit - Gameplay
AI Limit
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Genshin Impact - About Metagaming
Saurusness talks about metagaming in Genshin Impact:
What's the point of Genshin's meta?
Genshin Impact
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy - Early Access in December
Luethar spotted that Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy will released into Early Access in December 2024.
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Drova - Forsaken Kin - Review
The Gamer Social Club reviewed Drova - Forsaken Kin:
Drova – Forsaken Kin: Review
Drova – Forsaken Kin, an indie CRPG, offers a rich, choice-driven narrative in a beautifully designed Norse-inspired world.
If you asked me to describe Drova – Forsaken Kin with one word it would be “deep”, since it aptly describes many elements of the game. As the maiden title from Just2D, a six person indie studio out of Germany, it is astonishing how much there is to do and see in its beautiful, Norse inspired world. After an engrossing 30 plus hour playthrough, with a story shaped by my choices and finishing with one of multiple endings, I am left to wonder what other stories are yet to be told, secrets to be found, and consequences to be faced. I think it is safe to say that Drova – Forsaken Kin has a great deal to offer, and nearly all of it is absolutely brilliant!
[...]
Final Thoughts
Drova – Forsaken Kin is a fully realised, living world where you shape who you are as well as the world around you, a story that you can write again and again based on your decisions. The few flaws and bugs the game has are far outweighed by the cohesive nature of the game’s world and it’s mechanics. If you are a fan of cRPGs and similar games you must pick up Drova – Forsaken Kin.Score: 8.5/10
Drova - Forsaken Kin
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Drova - Forsaken Kin - Release Day
The action RPG Drova - Forsaken Kin will be released today:
Drova - Forsaken Kin
Drova is an Action-RPG that marries the dark grim tones of its genre with the mysticism of Celtic mythology. Encounter a society where ancient restless spirits and divided factions battle for dominance. Uncover forgotten abilities and unravel the secrets of a past shrouded in mystery.
Drova - Forsaken Kin
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Monday - October 14, 2024
Ys X: Nordics - Review
The Kiseki Nut reviewed the upcoming Ys X: Nordics:
Ys X Nordics Might Be My JRPG Of The Year
Ys X: Nordics
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: J-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Diablo 4 - Vessel Of Hatred Review
Noobfeed reviewed Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred:
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Review
Go back into the jungles of Nahantu with the Spiritborn and some unlikely allies.
Diablo IV has come a long way since its release not too long ago. While it had a fairly rocky start, the game has seen a lot of progress. Much of it has come to a head in Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, a new leap that steps away from demon-slaying and fighting gods to explore an old location that many might remember.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred continues where the main game left off, giving you the option as a new player to skip the main game and get right into the DLC. Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred gives you access to a new zone: Nahantu. You get sent off there, looking for a missing companion right after the events of the main game.
[...]
Verdict
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred makes the Diablo experience even better with all-new mechanics and a new class. Nahantu is great to get back into but leaves much to be desired.Score: 80/100
Thanks Couchpotato!
Rogue Trader - Patch 1.2.1.17 released
Couchpotato spotted that patch 1.2.1.17 for Rouge Trader has been released:
Patch 1.2.1.17 is here!
Lord Captains!
The Omnissiah blessed us with the Patch 1.2.1.17! Our Tech-Priests are humbly presenting nearly one hundred fixes, changes, and improvements that are ready to explore.
Please be aware of the plot spoilers below!
Note that this forum always contains up-to-date information on known issues and the roadmap of upcoming patches.
Patch Notes:
[...]
Banquet for Fools - Preview
Mortismal Gaming checked out Banquet for Fools:
Check Out: Banquet For Fools
Thanks Couchpotato!
Banquet for Fools
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Adventure-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Those Who Rule - Development Update October
October news for the tactical RPG Those Who Rule:
Dev Update (October 2024)
Hey everyone!
Sorry for the late update, but I've narrowed down the release month to January 2025!!
I've been nose to the grindstone on polishing up the demo for the Steam Next Fest that we'll be participating in starting TOMORROW! Really excited to see how it goes, as it's usually a major source of visibility for indies. This one has over 3,000 games participating though so we'll have to wait and see.
We also have a shiny new trailer to announce the new launch month.
Between all the demo updates and trailer creation, I also had time for finishing up chapter 8, focusing on a more tight experience. I have a new process for designing maps that I think is going to be super engaging:
The new demo is also released now, still up to chapter 3, but I've gotten a ton of feedback that I've already incorporated into the game.
[...]
Thanks Couchpotato!
Those Who Rule
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Songs of Conquest - New Faction is coming!
Songs of Conquest will get a new faction called Vanir as a DLC:
New faction is coming! (Vanir Teaser)
This winter, you’ll be getting Vanir, our first DLC. It means you won’t have to wait long to experience brand-new units, fresh Wielders, and beautifully harsh winter biomes. Inspired by Viking and Scandinavian folklore, the Vanir raiders will bring some interesting new twists to Songs of Conquest!
Songs of Conquest
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Strategy-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Dragon Quest III - Side Quest Gameplay
Gematsu explains the gameplay of Dragon Quest III:
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake ‘Side Quest’ gameplay
Publisher Square Enix and developer Artdink Corporation have released seven minutes of new gameplay for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake running on PlayStation 5, which is focused on one of the game’s side quests.
Here is some additional information about what you will see in the footage:
The Sleepy Village of Norvik
The world of Dragon Quest III is large and full of things to discover. There’s a real sense of exploration and discovery, and exploring every nook and cranny of these beautiful lands is strongly encouraged. After all, who knows what an inquisitive adventurer might find?
Naturally, you may discover gear, items, and other valuables, but exploring can also open up new questlines for you to explore.
An example of this is shown in the new gameplay footage. If you venture north after traveling to Romaria, you may find the sleepy hamlet of Norvik—and when we say “sleepy,” we mean that literally.
[...]
Thanks Couchpotato!
Dragon Quest III
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: J-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Hidden Pass - Announced for February 4, 2025
The tactical RPG Hidden Path has been announced for February 4, 2025:
Hidden Pass is a Tactical Turn-Based RPG inspired by Divinity OS 2 and Wartales.
Hidden Pass is a Tactical Turn-Based RPG inspired by Divinity OS 2 and Wartales with arena-like combat, square grid system and initiative order. Build a team of skyfaring heroes, wield techno-magical devices and construct automatons as you explore sky-islands rich in secrets and Elyrium crystals.
Thanks Couchpotato!
Hidden Pass
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Kill The Shadow - Gameplay Trailer
Kill The Shadow
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Modern
Genre: Adventure-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
RPG General News - More Souls-Likes
Iron Pineapple played nine more Souls-Likes:
I played 9 MORE Souls-Like games you've never heard of (AGAIN)
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
1:31 Home Defender
6:35 Atlyss
27:42 Nine Sols
39:24 Enotria
1:02:53 Nightmare Kart
1:18:01 TimeLost
1:25:49 Slime Heroes
1:35:26 Gorble
1:39:19 Perennial Order
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RPG General News
SP/MP: UnknownSetting: Unknown
Genre: RPG
Platform: Unknown
Release: In development
Banquet for Fools - Matt Chat #540
Matt talked with Joseph and Hannah Williams about Banquet for Fools:
MC540: Joseph and Hannah Williams on Banquet for Fools
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Banquet for Fools
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Adventure-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Alvara - New Features
The Early Access title Alvara got a lot of new features - a demo is available:
Alvara
Story
Immerse yourself in Alvara, a forgotten land at the heart of the Vat, the infinite universe. This RPG with mechanics inspired by the classics of the genre offers an innovative narrative experience and an immersive system of choices. Every decision you make will shape Alvara's destiny and influence her story.
Forge your own adventure in this rich, captivating world, where every choice has real, tangible consequences. Explore varied environments, meet fascinating characters and make crucial decisions that will determine Alvara's fate.
You are Zoltae, an orphaned warrior from Bazzya. Your tormented past and uncertain future plunge you into an epic quest where every choice will determine the fate of Alvara, the lost land. Will you save Alvara from the darkness that threatens it, or doom its inhabitants to a bleak future?
Discover how your past and future are intimately linked to the history of Alvara, and influence the world in which you live.
Choose
Make your own choices, where each decision will have irreversible consequences for Alvara and its inhabitants. Write a unique story where your quest for truth and justice may well lead to the destruction of everything you love.Recruit
Meet colorful characters with unique motivations and personalities. Convince them to join you and form a formidable team to face the dangers of Alvara. Take advantage of their skills and strength to overcome the obstacles that stand in your way.Fight
Master tactical turn-based combat where strategy is your ultimate weapon. The unique Synergy system lets you unleash devastating attacks if your allies trust you, but will leave you exhausted afterwards.
Make crucial choices: will you fight alongside the most powerful warriors who despise you, or will you prefer the cunning thief who faithfully follows you? Each ally has its strengths and weaknesses, so exploit them wisely to triumph.Exploration
Explore the vast expanses of Alvara, especially the continent of Occilargia. Wander through richly varied landscapes and discover ancient ruins that hold the secrets of the past. Understand the history of the world and your place in it. But will you be ready to accept the truth, even if it challenges everything you believe?Features
- Combat: Immerse yourself in battles offering an immersive or strategic experience, with the option of choosing your angle of view.
- Menu: Enjoy an ergonomic menu that lets you navigate freely between the map, equipment and your missions.
- Interaction: Interact with hundreds of objects, explore the world, harvest its riches and discover its secrets.
- Dungeons: Put your wits to the test by solving puzzles to understand the world and find your way.
- Exploration: Enjoy an immersive camera that moves closer when you walk and farther when you run, for a better gameplay experience.
- Quests and Merchanting: Take part in quests and vary prices according to your relationship with merchants, adding a social dimension to your transactions.
- Blacksmithing and alchemy: Master the art of crafting and alchemy to forge or craft anything you desire.
- Exploration: Discover interactive maps and, if you find them, use them to travel quickly to the places you've discovered.
- Unique events: Unique events linked to the calendar will be present throughout Alvara, to create a more dynamic gameplay that will have a direct impact on it.
- Skills: Develop your character and those of your team, with your skill points.
About Early Access:
Currently, early access allows you to explore Alvara up to the Bazzya Road (end). After that, although the game is fully playable, updates have not yet been implemented. However, you should know that they are weekly, and that embarking on the Alvara adventure will keep you captivated for many hours!
Sunday - October 13, 2024
Archaelund - Update 0.8.1 released
The Early Access title Archaelund got a new update:
Beta release: update 0.8.1 is out!
You can join Beta and start testing the new content now, or wait a little until it gets publicly released.
At long last, it is here! The first major update to Archaelund has arrived. Want to join Beta and try it? Here are the instructions. I advise you to not overwrite all of your previous saves, just in case! this is Beta testing, remember.Here is the provisional list of changes (I'll keep adding and fixing while testing goes along, so definitive 0.8.1 changelog may differ).
New Content & Improvements
- Added a new outdoor region east of the Galeb Peninsula, with a town and a new dungeon to explore. Some dungeons and area sections are still not accessible.
- 12 new side-quests added (one of them non-completable, marked as such on journal).
- Level cap raised to 5!
- Many new talents implemented.
- Rank III spells implemented only for Impetus and Mentalism Disciplines, the rest are on the way. Please don't raise other Disciplines to Rank III yet.
- New companion available after one of the new quests is completed.
- New Alchemy recipes (Difficulty 6 & 7), some of which need to be purchased or found. Crafting recipes will come in the next update.
- All skills are now implemented and have at least a few checks present in the game, although some like
*Maps & Charts* will see new functions added in the future.
Balance
- Talents Beast Mastery and Tenacious Fortitude I, II and III have been improved, please see the new descriptions.
- Spell Torment of Needles now deals 1d6+2 damage per round (was 1d6).
- Spell Searing Malison instant damage is unchanged, but afterwards will now deal 1d8 damage per round (was 1d6).
- Slightly reduced the amount of enemies for certain encounters in the Peninsula.
- Talent Herbalist is now adapted to the updated skill system; it was unintendedly giving an extra herb foraged in nearly every case.
- Potion of Healing slighly adjusted in effect and price(slightly cheaper and less potent). New potions available via Alchemy.
- Ghosts are now more resilient to physical, cold, fire and toxic damage.
- Lifeless creature bonuses increased slightly.
Content changes & adjustments
- Added the proper loot to certain chest in the Redaxe Tomb.
- Creature type *Spirit* renamed to *Fey* for clarity.
- Some outcomes of quests *The Ancient Lantern* and *Wielder of the Red Axe* now also grant Urendale reputation. This is gained retroactively.
Bugfixes
- On some ocassions, a combat spell with zero rounds remaining would linger forever on a character, especially when its caster was killed after casting it. Fixed.
- NPCs were not receiving its correct Critical Defense. Fixed.
Thanks Couchpotato!
Archaelund
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Age of Wonders 4 - Dev Diary #35
Couchpotato spotted the dev diary #35 for Age of Wonder 4:
Dev Diary #35 - Ways of War: Tomes and Wildlife
Hello again! I am Luis Ferreira, a senior designer at Triumph Studios. This time we are going over the Tomes and Wildlife that will be available to you on the first pack of our second expansion pass, Ways of War.
[...]
Conclusion
And there it is, tomes and the wildlife! I didn’t go over everything that a tome has but I hope this gives you a taste of what you can play with in the future, when Ways of War releases on the 5th of November! Hope to see you there, and join us next week for another Dev Diary!
Age of Wonders 4
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Tactical RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Dragon Age - Cut Content explained
Game Rant explains what was originally planned for Dragon Age: Origins:
Dragon Age: Origins' Cut Content Explained
Key Takeaways
- Dragon Age: Origins originally planned more character origins, like a Human Commoner similar to Luke Skywalker's story.
- Numerous companion features, like Jowan as a full-time companion and other companion features, were cut from the final Dragon Age: Origins release.
- Story beats and quests were also removed, such as a quest involving defaming the player character by an NPC hired by Loghain.
Video games go through a lot during the development stage, from additions to subtractions and divisions to multiplications. At the end of it all, there is generally plenty of content left on the cutting room floor, and that includes BioWare's classic RPG, Dragon Age: Origins. Dragon Age: Origins is considered one of the best role-playing games ever made, but it didn't reach that point without first having plenty of content cut from its final form.
With the release of the highly anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard just around the corner, it's worth looking at everything that was cut from the Dragon Age game that started it all, Dragon Age: Origins. Cuts from Dragon Age: Origins included numerous character origins, companion features — both narrative and visual — and several story beats and quests. Fortunately, it still came out on the other side a critically acclaimed experience that is still recognized to this day as a bedrock for BioWare and role-playing games.
[...]
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Vampyr - Looking back
Eurogamer looks back at Vampyr:
Vampyr was underrated - it's the best vampire RPG we've got
Strong points.
While the world waits, and waits, for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, a sequel that only ever seems further away - can you believe it was once scheduled for 2020? - I'm reminded of a vampire role-playing game that nearly passed me by. One of similar size and similar tone: thoughtful, brooding, dark. A game about drinking blood to sustain yourself and fighting demons, yes, but also about deciding what kind of vampire you want to be, and what kinds of morals you, as an undead being, want to have. Are you a monster, or are you a person still?
Vampyr is the game I'm talking about, released in 2018 by Focus Home Entertainment and Life is Strange studio Dontnod, so there was some fanfare around it. But middling reviews sank it and the game floated downriver, past most people, and it would have passed completely had it not been fished out by the - then - new wave of subscription services. They resuscitated it and gave it another chance (see also: Focus Home's A Plague Tale: Requiem) and I'm so glad they did.
There's something about rediscovering a game in solitude, away from all of the noise of release, that makes for a more sympathetic appraisal, I think. The pressure is off; and the pressure that was on Vampyr when it originally came out, to fill the vampire RPG void left by Bloodlines in 2004 (the sequel hadn't yet been announced) was great. Lots of people wanted the game to be lots of different things, and it fell short for lots of understandable reasons. But rediscovered a couple of years later, a surprisingly considered and accomplished vampire tale is there to be found.
[...]
Thanks Couchpotato!
Vampyr
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Historical
Genre: Action-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Diablo 4 - Vessel Of Hatred Review
GamingBolt reviewed Diablo 4: Vessel Of Hatred:
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Review - The Final Verdict
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VED - Release: November 2024
The story-driven RPG VED will be released in November:
VED – Developer Diary: 12 Years of Creating a Story-Driven RPG
After 12 Years of Development, VED is Finally Ready for Release!
Hello! We are Karaclan, a small indie team of three artist brothers from Lithuania working on VED.
VED, a story-driven RPG featuring a unique turn-based combat system set in a vivid world full of magic. The award-winning title is our first game and will launch on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GoG in November 2024.
[...]
VED is a story-driven, hand-drawn RPG with a unique turn-based combat system and roguelite elements. Set in two different worlds, VED tells the story of Cyrus, a young hero who sets out on a quest to become a master of sword and magic, and save everything he knows from destruction.
[...]
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RPG Crawler - RPG News Roundup
Like every week the RPG Crawler sums up the computer and tabletop RPG news:
RPG News Roundup (10-12-2024)
RPG Crawler
Saturday - October 12, 2024
Esoteric Ebb - About Spellcasting
Learn more about spellcasting in Esoteric Ebb:
An Esoteric Campaign - Spellcasting
You ever hear about the soft magic/hard magic system categorization? If you haven't, I'll summarize it here: some people like to depict awe-inspiring everlasting wonders and mysteries of the universe. Some other people like numbers.
Personally, I'm somewhere in-between.
Esoteric Ebb is based on the 5e ruleset. This system is built on layers of fantasy tropes and decades of common understanding among players and DMs. But one of the core pillars of my homebrew setting (working title: The Esoteric Coast) is to look at this generic fantasyland aesthetic through the eyes of modernist ideologies and realism. Or at least what I would consider 'realism' to be.
How would a nation be affected if every law-enforcer came equipped with Charm Person? A spell that is, ostensibly, mind control? Or what about Restoration? All diseases and ailments, suddenly gone. And how would the economy be affected by the simple existence of Plant Growth? You know, the spell that could easily allow a medieval farm to compete with genetic engineering of the 21st century? None of this even touches upon the reality-shattering change of removing mortality with resurrection spells, that all have component costs, of course. Suddenly life has a price on it, even more so than in our own reality.
Some of my players often joke about starting up a business, using Create Food and Water, which creates bland-tasting, but nourishing and good-looking food, and then using Prestidigitation to make it tasty as hell. With just a few third level spell slots and a quick cantrip, you can make yourself a food truck with near zero expenditure. If there were any practical ways of 'learning' magic, wouldn't every single political or economic force in the world scramble to exploit them? You could argue that a world with these fairly basic and low-tier magics should (if the spells aren't limited by gods or physical laws or angry DMs) fundamentally change from a fantasyland to... something very different.
I like to call it Arcanapunk. Primarily because it's a very silly title (all 'punk'-titles are). It's a world where the hard magic system of something like 5e has allowed its people to actually just go wild, and rush through an era not too dissimilar to our own industrial revolution. Except powered not only by technology (which is inevitable) but also by incredibly world-breaking magics. On the Esoteric Coast, folk call it the Arcane Era - a couple hundred years where magic suddenly became a commodity. When nations grew powerful beyond their wisdom and men wielded mago-industrial forces into a fiery and destructive climax.
Why am I telling you all this? Because Esoteric Ebb is all about putting a lens to these 5e mechanics and asking, 'Uh... what if that actually happened?'
[...]
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Esoteric Ebb
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
GreedFall 2 - Community Update #4
Couchpotato spotted community update #4 for GreedFall 2:
Community Update #4 | News on Hotfix 0.1.1 & what we’ve been up to
Dear carants,
The team has been hard at work and we bring some news regarding what we’ve been up to for the last weeks.
Hotfix 0.1.1
We will deploy a small patch next week. This patch will bring numerous fixes and some improvements to the game based on your comments, such as:
- Fixing the issues of inactive companions or main character in Autonomous Party
- Fixing some animation issues like the jittering hair
- Improving the interaction button so you won’t have to hold it anymore to interact with NPC
- Improving targeting of creatures during combat
- Adding localization
- And more…
We will communicate the full changelog when it’s live.
Optimization
We noted your feedback regarding the game encountering frame drops or not running well in some instances. We prepared a guide to help you while we investigate the matter and continue to work on the game’s optimization.
We also suggest you contact our Support Team so our agents can take care of your request and troubleshoot the issue with you. Make sure to provide as many details as possible, such as your dxdiag and your game’s settings. The more details you provide, the faster the agent will be able to help.
What else?
But that’s not all the team has been up to. We’ve also been working on the next big update which should bring improvements to the game and additional content, such as:
- A new region
- The first companion quests
- New skill trees
- The hub, a new feature which will help you navigate the world
But we’ll reveal more in due time…
And aside from the next update on the Road Map, the team has also been working on other projects based on what is the most demanded by the community.
Combat
While we do not intend to revert to the old system from GF1, we know the current system needs drastic improvements to make it fun for everyone. The key elements the team is currently working on thanks to your feedback are:
- Faster pacing with more responsive actions and animations
- Better accessibility with improved onboarding and options
- Better controls to macro and micromanage your party
- And more…
Though the next hotfix will only fix some bugs for now, you can expect deep changes to the system in the future. As those changes will take more time to analyse and implement, we’ll share all the concrete details when it’s ready, so stay tuned!
UI/UX
The UI in the game is still a work in progress and as the Early Access unfolds, we will build upon it updates after updates. What you can expect in the future:
- Global UI improvements
- New UI for Reputation Standing
- And more…
As the team advances on those important subjects, we will reveal more about them.
In the meantime, we will keep reading your comments which have been helpful for the team. The game still being in development, we know there’s a long road ahead of us and we are very excited to continue improving the game’s experience as we carry on this Early Access with you.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us, and until then, happy gaming!
GreedFall 2
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Historical
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Darkest Dungeon 2 - Inhuman Bondage DLC announced
Darkest Dungeon 2 will get a new DLC:
Darkest Dungeon II - Inhuman Bondage DLC is coming soon!
Get a new playable hero, and The Catacombs, a brand new mini region.
“Ancient sepulchers oozing with the gelatinous night-soil of a thousand corpses.”Plunge your stagecoach into the long-forgotten Catacombs beneath the Kingdom and face a corrosive, oozing threat!
The Inhuman Bondage DLC is coming!
This DLC introduces a new Sluice-sized bonus region to Darkest Dungeon II, along with a fresh faction of enemies. Fight through these putrescent piles of slime to obtain unique combat items and trinkets to modify your heroes and gain the upper hand. Helping you to explore the Catacombs uncharted regions is The Abomination.
Unleash the beast within! The Abomination makes his return to the Darkest Dungeon series. This reclusive alchemist comes with a unique battle mechanic, allowing him to transform into a fearsome monstrosity - at the risk of spiraling stress!
[...]
Darkest Dungeon 2
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Turn Based Lovers - Weekly Overview
A weekly overview of turn-based games:
New Turn-Based RPGs Released This Week 10/11/2024
Here’s the weekly recap of new releases for RPGs and turn-based strategy games. Let’s not beat around the bush - this is the week of Metaphor ReFantazio. As I’m writing this, the game dropped just a few hours ago. I’ve already started playing it myself, finishing up the prologue. I’ll share more of my personal impressions later on.
That said, aside from the Atlus title, there are also a few indie gems worth your attention that I’ve gathered here for you to check out.
- Spear Song
- Metaphor ReFantazio
- Guild Saga: Vanished Worlds (E.A.)
- Dead Season
- Stellar Orphans
- Necro Story
[...]
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Turn Based Lovers
Hogwarts Legacy - Definitive Edition in Development
Insider-Gaming reports that Hogwarts Legacy Definitive Edition is in Development.
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Witcher 3 - HD Reworked Project NextGen Edition: November 23
The Witcher 3 - HD Reworked Project NextGen Edition launches on November 23:
The Witcher 3 HD Reworked Project NextGen Edition - Novigrad Preview / Release Date Reveal
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Path of Exile 2 - Preview
Gamereactor checked out Path of Exile 2:
Path of Exile 2 Preview: Everything you could want from a sequel?
With a new control scheme, plenty of abilities and an intense opening, Path of Exile 2 looks set to carry on the legacy of its successful predecessor.
With the long-awaited Path of Exile 2, Grinding Gear Games must fulfil two seemingly contradictory tasks. On the one hand, the experience needs to be expanded with new content, which is no easy task as more than 10 years of expansions have made the original Path of Exile a truly massive game. At the same time, the game also needs to be made more accessible to newcomers, but this can't be easy either when the game's skill tree contains more abilities than there are stars in the night sky.
[...]
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Path of Exile 2
SP/MP: Single + MPSetting: Fantasy
Genre: Hack & Slash
Platform: PC
Release: In development
Metaphor: ReFantazio - First Impressions
Mortismal Gaming checked out Metaphor: ReFantazio:
Metaphor: ReFantazio - First Impressions
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Metaphor: ReFantazio
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Medieval Dynasty - Autumn Update Trailer
Couchpotato spotted a new trailer for Medieval Dynasty:
Medieval Dynasty | Autumn Update Trailer | Part I
Medieval Dynasty
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Historical
Genre: Survival-RPG
Platform: PC
Release: Released
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy - October Update
Couchpotato spotted the October update for Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy on Steam:
October Update
Hello, friends!
Today, we decided to conduct a little experiment by making a short video about what we’ve been up to over the past month. What do you think of this format? Would you prefer us to make the next update in a similar fashion, or do you think a text format would be better? Let us know in the comments!
Stay as awesome as always,
Yours faithfully,
Atom Team
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy
SP/MP: Single-playerSetting: Fantasy
Genre: RPG
Platform: PC
Release: In development
RPG General News - Dual Eclipse Demo
A demo for the dungeon crawler Dual Eclipse is now available:
Dual Eclipse
Delve into mysterious dungeons and discover a way to restore order to the cosmos in this trick-taking dungeon crawler. Evade traps, discover secrets, and strategize with unique trick-taking combat. Change the tide of battle with powerful eclipse cards, upgrade your deck, and parry cards!
RPG General News
SP/MP: UnknownSetting: Unknown
Genre: RPG
Platform: Unknown
Release: In development