Couchpotato spotted some reviews and impressions of Metal Slug Tactics:

Mortismal Gaming: Metal Slug Tactics - First Impressions

Console Creatures: Metal Slug Tactics Review - Tactical Roguelike

COG: Metal Slug Tactics Review – A Bold New Battle

Dannoomen and Couchpotato spotted some previews for Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch:

Gamer Social Club: Lost Eidolons: Veil Of The Witch – Review

Fextralife: Lost Eidolons Veil of the Witch Gameplay Preview - Fire Emblem Meets Darkest Dungeon 2

Turn Based Lovers: Lost Eidolons Roguelite Spinoff Veil Of The Witch – Preview Hands-On

Gamespot reviewed Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven:

This polished remake of an obscure JRPG gem is the most inviting way to dive into Square Enix's long-running SaGa series.

SaGa stands as one of Square Enix's longest-running series, but it's also had a rough time outside of Japan. If you pick up a random SaGa game, you'll probably understand why: SaGa games are JRPGs that don't do things in the way most overseas players would expect. SaGa tends to focus more on complex, interweaving systems of combat, character growth, and questing. And that's supplemented by narratives that tend to act more as connective tissue that link locations and objectives together instead of the sprawling, character-driven stories the genre has become known for. Wandering around blindly and piecing out what to do and how things work in a SaGa game can be incredibly compelling, but some entries in the franchise lean toward immensely frustrating. Romancing SaGa 2 is more the former than the latter, but its earlier releases were still an acquired taste.

[...]

Regardless, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a superb remake of a classic game that rarely received due recognition outside of Japan. It's filled with systems that are fun to explore and utilize alongside a core gameplay conceit that remains unique. If you're looking for a different take on JRPGs--or just a unique RPG in general--this is a lengthy journey you'll want to invest lots of time into.

Score: 8/10

Thanks Couchpotato!

Siliconera interviewed Masaaki Hayasaka about Dragon Quest III:

Interview: Preparing a HD and 2D Dragon Quest III Remake

When it comes to the Dragon Quest series, Square Enix is no stranger to Dragon Quest III remakes. The NES game ended up being remade for the Super Famicom. That version inspired a Game Boy Color release. Then there was the mobile adaptation, which showed up worldwide. With Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, we’re getting yet another take with a whole new graphical approach and even more original content than in past games. To learn more about its development and additions, Siliconera spoke with Producer Masaaki Hayasaka about the project. 

Jenni Lada: What was it like to work on Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake after working on Octopath Traveler? How did your experience on it shape your approach to Dragon Quest?

Masaaki Hayasaka: I observed how HD-2D games are created and refined through Octopath Traveler up-close, so I didn’t have trouble regarding the sensibility of what we needed to accomplish to create an HD-2D game as it was ingrained in my body. On the other hand, the previous HD-2D games tended to have chic color palettes and atmospheres that were more reminiscent of the old Square games, but this time we had to craft a vivid, colorful atmosphere that felt true to Dragon Quest. 

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

The dungeon crawler Thysiastery has been announced:

THYSIASTERY Gameplay Teaser - DIRGA

THYSIASTERY is a dungeon crawler RPG featuring traditional roguelike and turn-based gameplay. Command a party of bearers of the Brand, drawn into a vast Labyrinth. Recruit while exploring the Labyrinth in hope of finding a way out, and its secrets will be revealed as you delve deeper.

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted a new trailer for The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II:

Trails through Daybreak II - Story Overview Trailer

DSOGaming reports that Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will not have Denuvo on PCs.

Thanks Couchpotato!

Gamepressure reports that a Dragon Age: Legendary Edition is not likely:

Dragon Age's Creative Director Would Love to Make Collection Similar to Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. Problems Are Two: Technology and Changes at Bioware

How about remasters of the first three installments of the Dragon Age series? Unfortunately, the chance of their creation isn't high. The problem is the engine on which Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2 runs.

Last week, Dragon Age: The Veilguard was released on the market. The game raised a lot of doubts before its release, but it ended up receiving "mostly positive" reviews on Steam and ranking high on the list of Electronic Arts' most popular paid games on Valve's platform. Time will tell whether the results, combined with console sales, will ultimately be satisfactory for the publisher. As a result, some players started dreaming about remasters of the previous three installments. Unfortunately, the chances of their creation are slim.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Wccftech reports that Hogwarts Legacy sold 30 Million copies.

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted a new update for Enshrouded:

Enshrouded: Souls of the Frozen Frontier Update

You know the drill: if you read this, drop your best mountains- or winter-themed pun in the replies.

Greetings, Flameborn!

We’re thrilled to bring you Souls of the Frozen Frontier, a new and massive update designed to elevate your gaming experience and make the world of Enshrouded more dynamic and immersive than ever. This update introduces the Albaneve Summits, a breathtaking new mountain region packed with fresh challenges, discoveries, and opportunities.

Get ready to fill your world with adorable new pets, farm animals, and lively townsfolk, all waiting to make your base feel like home.

As always, we’ve included numerous fixes and refined existing features with quality-of-life improvements, including a visual update to enhance your journey. As with the Melodies of the Mire update, we’ve created a story trailer to introduce the new update.

We’re eager to hear about your adventures in the Albaneve Summits and to see the creative ways you’ll bring life to your settlements. Don’t forget to share your feedback! And if you’d rather sit back and watch, check out our update highlights video below.

Changelog for Update #4 v.0.7.4.0

[...]

The Farming Sim Mirthwood will be released today:

Mirthwood - Official Launch Trailer

Embark on an enchanting journey and brave ferocious creatures in an immersive medieval fantasy world. Will you settle a new homestead to live a life of farming and trade, or pick up the sword and take up the adventurers' path?

Version 1.3 of Zenless Zone Zero launches tomorrow:

Tsukishiro Yanagi Character Teaser "Oni Guardian"

Tsukishiro Yanagi Character Demo - "99+ To-Dos"

Couchpotato spotted that Kingdom Come: Deliverance I sold over 8 Million copies.

RPG Site checked out Lords of the Fallen update 1.6:

Lords of the Fallen version 1.6 improves onboarding, tweaks mob density, removes Lightreaper boss in tutorial area on first playthrough, and more

CI Games and Hexworks have unleashed the next major update to Lords of the Fallen (2023) with version 1.6. Some of the highlights included in this update is fine-tuning mob density that further prevents mobs from stacking up, better umbral tutorialization that provides tutorial spaces for the 'soulflay' & 'syphoning' abilities, and removing the Lightreaper boss entirely from the tutorial area on a player's first New Game playthrough.

Along with additional performance enhancements in Lord of the Fallen's more graphically demanding areas, the developers have also decided to reduce the vignette effect in the Umbral realm based on player feedback. Plus, adjustments to the enemy spawn curve have been made in the Umbral realm, too.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Gamepressure is looking back at Disciples II:

Disciples 2 Was Heroes 3's Fiercest Competitor; Darker, Rougher and Almost as Playable

Today, the series' position has weakened, but when Disciples 2 came out, the brand was considered one of the most dangerous competitors to Heroes 3. It was similar yet different enough for turn-based strategy enthusiasts to reckon with the title.

Contents:

• Disciples 2 - the dark cousin of Heroes
• Disciples 2 - the same, but different
• Disciples 2 - always second, but still great
• How to play Disciples 2 today?

Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is a phenomenon. A game that is always alive, with a strong gameplay foundation, further developed by dedicated fans. It's so universal that it's almost like the go-to board game when you want to add some variety to a geeky party. Horn of the Abyss ensured that Heroes will stay with us for ages to come, despite strong competition such as Songs of Conquest. Will the upcoming new Heroes change this? I doubt that.

I remember the times when nothing was certain. Heroes 4 – no matter how good it turned out – was bugged and so different from the beloved third part that the series' position weakened. At that time, Strategy First made a strong hit that almost rivaled Heroes 3, and certainly outperformed Heroes 4 and other contenders from that time, such as Age of Wonders 2 and Etherlords. Disciples 2: Dark Prophecy not only improved the ideas present in the genre but did so with such style that it momentarily outshone all other turn-based strategy games combined with RPG elements.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

GamingBolt checked out Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake:

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake - 15 Things You Need To Know Before You Buy

Thanks Couchpotato!

Mortismal Gaming discusses VtM: Bloodlines 2:

VtM: Bloodlines 2 - New Trailer & Gameplay Details

Thanks Couchpotato!

Tim talks about the GURPS system:

GURPS Everything

Thanks Couchpotato!

The tactical RPG Metal Slug Tactics has been released:

Metal Slug Tactics - Official Launch Trailer

METAL SLUG makes an explosive return! Dive into this dynamic tactical RPG with a roguelite thrill and experience the iconic run'n'gun action of the original series, redefined. Grab your weapons, assemble your squad and conquer the battlefield to defeat the infamous Rebel Army.

Couchpotato spotted a new Fallout: Cascadia showcase:

Fallout: Cascadia | Crossbow Showcase

Tonesville talks about Elder Scrolls-like games:

Scrolls-Likes: The Unexpected Rise of a New Genre of RPG

Thanks Couchpotato!

The tactical RPG Tarnished Blood has been released into Early Access last month:

All You Need to Know About Tarnished Blood

You can give some feedback to Owlcat Games:

DLC Survey

Lord Captain!

To all Rogue Traders of the Koronus Expanse! Word has reached us of the illustrious ways in which you've dealt with the new trials.

Share with us your insights on the mysterious Death Cults and your most recent adventures!

Thanks Couchpotato!

Kristala version 0.2.1.0 comes with a new boss:

Kristaloween BOSS Reveal + Patch Notes for Kristala Version 0.2.1.0

HAPPY KRISTALOWEEN! Kristala Version 0.2.1.0 is here - with a spirited new Banshee boss fight

Something Wicked This Way Comes 

SURPRISE, TRAVELERS! Our Kristaloween Chapter II launch celebration culminates today with a spirited content update we've been carefully cookin' up in our cauldron of awesomeness...

Get ready to extend your adventure even further with Version 0.2.1.0 of Kristala, featuring the conclusion of our Hallowed Haunts level and the unveiling of the area's final boss: the Conjurer of Screams.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Gaming Respawn reviewed the Vessel of Hatred DLC:

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred DLC Review

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred comes a little over a year after the initial launch of Diablo IV and adds a significant chunk to that base game, akin to something like the expansions that came to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt back in 2015.

This is my first time dabbling in a Diablo game, so I had a learning curve as I ran through the base game almost non-stop to get through it all before tackling the DLC.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this novice telling you why you should pick this expansion up if you love Diablo IV.

[...]

Conclusion
In my humble opinion, this new expansion does do enough to justify its price tag. When I compare it to other big expansion packs I have played in the past (mainly the ones in the Destiny franchise come to mind), it has enough new and innovative features to significantly impact your gameplay experience.

The new class system almost feels like a new way to play the game and a different way of approaching the world itself.

As this was my first foray into the Diablo franchise, whizzing through the base game and then this expansion, I can finally understand the hype these games have received over the years. The world and story built up during the base game is something to behold, and I’m disappointed in myself for not picking it up sooner.

In terms of what the DLC adds, and if I am putting myself in the shoes of a die-hard Diablo player, it is well worth the price of admission and sets up the game’s future in excellent stead.

Score: 7/10

Thanks Couchpotato!

Gaminbolt reviewed Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review – An Empty Throne

Nearly 14 years later, Dragon Age is back in a more or less muted fashion. Find out what keeps the sequel from being truly great.

Judging a sequel to any video game can be challenging, especially with such a rich – and tumultuous – history as Dragon Age. It all began as a successor to BioWare’s Baldur’s Gate series, followed by an action RPG with a grossly limited development cycle, and then a sequel sporting open-world machinations (and its own development troubles). Then nothing for 10 years as the studio transformed and released some other abysmal titles while many of the original team left.

The next Dragon Age thus went from another live service title to a single-player title. From possessing any semblance of a tactical RPG combat system in Inquisition to a real-time hack-and-slash action title with RPG elements; and from shining a spotlight on the Dread Wolf to focusing on The Veilguard, the companions recruited throughout your journey. The results are enjoyable on the gameplay front, backed by stunning environmental art direction and some decent interactions, if you can accept or ignore the many nagging issues.

[...]

Depending on expectations, Dragon Age: The Veilguard can provide an enjoyable action RPG experience. If you’re seeking a worthy successor to Dragon Age: Origins or even Inquisition in companions or plot, it doubtless falls short, feeling more comfortably bland than outright terrible. The combat may be worth the price of admission if you’re keen on real-time action without too much thought for your companions beyond choosing which targets to detonate.

Similarly, the visuals can be gorgeous, backed by incredible music, even as the facial animations, odd image quality, and voice acting can feel uneven. It’s nowhere near BioWare’s best, especially in the storytelling department, but after all its past failures and uncertainty, there are certainly far worse alternatives than “good enough.”

Score: 7/10

Thanks Couchpotato!

Gamesradar explains why there are no guns in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.

Thanks Couchpotato!

All the info about the latest update, which is the final one for EA!

Hello, Champions!

Alberto again after recent events and the delay of the 1.0 release with a new Sunday update. First and foremost, regarding the issues we faced for the launch, a heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who has supported us. A delay is never ideal, and it usually comes with reasonable technical timing. For us, it was a last-minute unexpected issue and tough to handle. As mentioned, we tried everything to launch by the Thursday, but there was no way around it. We are actively working on setting a new date, and we can confirm for now that we will be out 110% in November, depending on the plans we’re reworking.

That said, we’re here to dive into the highlights of Arcane Arts, the freshly released update and the final stop of Early Access. Arcane Arts is the largest and most comprehensive update we’ve done, requiring almost a year of work, running in the background while we handled other developments. This is because, simply put, the presence of magic in Alaloth was originally conceived in a specific, focused way, at a time when many aspects of the game were different.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

The life sim Sengoku Dynasty 1.0 release is just around the corner:

Sengoku Dynasty | 1.0 Content | Part 1

Sengoku Dynasty | 1.0 Content | Part 2

Thanks Couchpotato!

NeverKnowsBest tells the story of the J-RPG subgenre:

The Entire History of Japanese RPGs

Thanks Couchpotato!

Mortismal Gaming reviewed Dredge:

Dredge - Review After 100%

Eurogamer asked Marc-Alexis Coté about the recent delay of Assassin's Creed Shadows:

Assassin's Creed Shadows delay necessary to change "narrative" of Ubisoft's "inconsistency in quality"

"We only have one shot."

Assassin's Creed boss Marc-Alexis Coté has discussed the recent shock decision to delay the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows until February 2025, just a month before its originally intended release.

The move means Shadows will miss Assassin's Creed's typical pre-Christmas sales window, and comes amidst much scrutiny of publisher Ubisoft's ongoing fortunes, as well as a culture war that has erupted over Shadows' main characters.

Speaking at a BAFTA event attended by Eurogamer in London last night, Coté reflected on the reasons for delay, and the crucial importance of the game to Ubisoft at such a pivotal moment for the company and the Assassin's Creed brand.

"Players can afford to be selective, choosing only the best, and they rightfully demand excellence," Coté said. "Ubisoft's portfolio has faced criticism in recent years for a perceived inconsistency in quality.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

The tactical RPG Stratagem Lost has been funded on Kickstarter:

100% FUNDED!! Thank You!

Hey everyone, we did it! We hit $18,000 today! That means we're funded! We can't say thank you enough, the whole team is so incredibly grateful for your support. Every dollar and every spreading of the word has enabled us to pursue our dreams!

We also have the luxury of reaching our goal with about 12 days in the Kickstarter left! To that end, we can try to reach stretch goals! Up next is custom campaigns! That's gonna include such like randomizing characters, adjusting their skillsets, modifying some mechanics, etc.

Even if we don't hit the stretch goals, we're still very lucky to have gotten this far. From all of us at Hybrid Fiction Games—thank you! The future is looking bright!

-Smithy, Hybrid Fiction Games

Thanks Couchpotato!

RPGFan checked out Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake:

Hands-On with the First 10 Hours of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake + Launch Trailer

There is plenty to say about Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, but let’s start with the brand new launch trailer (that artwork above is also new) to get you in the spirit, with the rest of this preview below!

The most surprising thing about the first ten hours of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is the reminder that I am obsessed with monster collecting in this series, dating all the way back to my first playthrough of Dragon Quest V. Want to give me a Pokémon game? Please don’t. Who wants to play a game where the only point is to recruit monsters? But put a Slime and a Golem together and let me trounce my enemies? Oh yes. Give me more. I will make sure it’s exactly the right time of day and I have exactly the right set-up to add any baddie to my team.

If you told me that’s how I’d open my preview for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake after the hour I spent with it at Summer Game Fest, I would have scoffed. After all, I love this series, and my thoughts on a game I already adored were glowing. The look, the sound, and the feel are just right, beautifully rendered in HD-2D with an updated, rollicking score, and enough quality-of-life upgrades to make this classic accessible to the less patient tastes of today’s RPG fan.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Check out the combat of Urban Strife:

Urban Strife @ Scream Fest (Night Combat Sneak Peek)

We have snuck silently into another Steam festival

Here's another sneak peek of our upcoming title, Urban Strife. This time we're showing a short night fight, to fit the theme of Steam Scream Fest we are attending. Please take this combat with a grain of salt - we've intentionally used a lot of noise makers to draw out the zombies. Do not try this at home, we are professional zombie killers (we also tend to die a lot in our playtesting but we edited out that part).

On a serious note, we've completely overhauled our hover information system and we've added a couple of the new voice-overs. You can also see the new plate carrier body armor at work in game.

You can check out the pre-recorded dev test on our Steam Store page or on our YouTube channel:

Thanks Couchpotato!

Fextralife reviewed Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

Dragon Age Veilguard REVIEW - Should YOU Play It? Is It Worth It?

Thanks Couchpotato!

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

RPG News Roundup (11-2-2024)

COG checked out Dragon Quest III HD-2D:

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Made Me Think Differently About Combat 

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Preview

I’ve put several hours into Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake at this point. I’m having a lot of fun so far, but! There is one little wrinkle I can’t stop thinking about. You see, square Enix recently added an auto-battle system to this series. It turns out having a combat system so easy to automate gets you thinking about the game in a whole new way. Not a good way, but definitely a new one.

[...]

It’s been well over twenty years since I played the original Dragon Quest III. In other words, I’m utterly in the dark about how this all turns out. I’m very hopeful, at least based on what I’ve played so far. How big does this adventure get? What new features have I yet to encounter? And will there come a time when the auto-battle system is no longer viable? In spite of my struggles with certain modern mechanics, I’m having a lot of fun with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. I’m psyched to play the whole thing, and I suggest you keep an eye on it as well. If you’re a fan of classic Dragon Quest, I think this one just might be a winner.

Thanks Couchpotato!

RPGamer reviewed Black Myth: Wukong:

Black Myth: Wukong Review

Journey to the East

Black Myth: Wukong made quite a splash when it was first announced in 2020, thanks to its impressive graphics and and snappy, action-focused gameplay. Four years later, the game has finally launched, bringing with it a massive wave of hype-fueled players. Much of what Black Myth: Wukong promised, it delivers: spectacular visuals, a reenactment of Sun Wukong’s story, and a swift, seamless combat style. On the other hand, the game’s plot and storytelling lean far too heavily on knowledge of the source material, Journey to the West, which may alienate those unfamiliar with it.

[...]

Overall, Black Myth: Wukong is a good game. Developer Game Science delivered on its promise of high-quality graphics, though some of its greatness was lost on the PlayStation 5. The action gameplay is entertaining and easy to learn, but despite its clever attempts to innovate, it still feels repetitive after dozens of hours. Crafty players can alternate builds to modulate and refresh their battle experience, but it’s only a temporary solution.

The biggest bummer in Black Myth: Wukong is its narrative. With each new story beat introducing more elements without explaining previous ones, the narrative becomes increasingly confusing and somewhat disconnected. It’s a shame because the game’s mythology is incredible. Occasionally, the bestiary makes subtle connections between more common enemies and chapter bosses, which often reference Sun Wukong’s journey to the West. However, these references will only be picked up by players who know the source material or look it up externally.

Score: 3.5/5

Thanks Couchpotato!