Fextralife summarizes last week's RPG news:

Dragon's Dogma 2 New Class and News, BG3 Patch 5 Huge Update, PoE2 Mercenary Class - Top RPG News

Timestamp
0:00 - Top RPG News of the Week
0:04 - Dragon's Dogma 2 Release Date, New Class and Gameplay
2:02 - Enotria Last Song Closed Beta Announced
3:01 - Soulframe Early pre pre-alpha
3:58 - King Arthur Legion IX Expansion
4:56 - Morbid The Lords of Ire Demo
5:47 - Path of Exile 2 Mercenary Class Announced
6:59 - Flintlock The Siege of Dawn 2024 Action RPG
7:36 - Baldur's Gate 3 Update 5 Patch Adds New Difficulty, Epilogue and more!

Learn more about the weather system in Vahrin's Call:

Time for a Weather Report!

Happy Friday all!

I can't believe we're in December already. Are you guys getting into the festive spirit?
Hope you've managed to get all your Christmas shopping done!

From time to time we receive questions about the weather system in Vahrin's Call, and while many of you probably have a good understanding of what kind of weather the game features, I bet not many of you know what the world of Leyda looked like before this system was introduced.

In the grand scheme of things, the introduction of dynamic weather to world is very new. However, it may suprise you to know that originally not even a day/night cycle was planned to be a part of the game, as the entire story used to take place in a single night.

This was long ago, before we started sharing the game's development with you all, back when the game was still called, "Exodus: Rising". I wonder how many of you remember that name?

Anyway, back to the weather system!

Dynamic weather in Vahrin's Call offers up a breath of fresh air when exploring the world. From bright and sunny, to torrential downpour and everything in between, it's nice exploring these fantastical areas at different times of the day and in different weather conditions.

While the weather in Vahrin's Call doesn't impact gameplay - it's purely cosmetic - one of the benefits of being a semi-open world is that we can more easily cater each area in the game to have specific weather conditions, to better match the atmosphere we're trying to deliver in that location.

We're excited to see you dive into the areas we've been keeping behind closed doors, and unravel the mystery of what has befallen the once great city of Vahrin!

Before I go, as this was more of a laid-back post taking a little look at the weather system in our game, I'm curious as to what your favourite weather conditions are! Do you like it when it's sunny, snowy, rainy, stormy, foggy? Do you prefer certain weather in games, compared to real life? Let me know!

I think next week we'll take a look at our new in-game tutorial, so be sure to stop by and check it out~

Have a good weekend all!

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Learn more about the localization of Lost Eidolons:

Localizing the World of Lost Eidolons

Hello Tacticians,

I'm ODS Roy, Localization Manager at Ocean Drive. Today, I want to talk to you a bit of the Localization Team's role here at our studio. I'll give you a brief look into what localization is, how it affects the game, and discuss how our contributions helped to shape Artemesia, the world of Lost Eidolons. Specifically, the names of characters and locations.

What is Localization?

Let’s say you’re on an epic quest to save the world from tyranny. You might not get very far if none of your allies can speak the same language! That’s where localization comes in. Localization is the magic spell that transforms our game from an experience designed for a specific audience, to an experience accessible to players worldwide.

[...]

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Mortismal Gaming explains the Warhammer 40K universe:

WH40k: Rogue Trader - Lore Primer

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GamingBolt checked out The Awakened King DLC:

Remnant 2: The Awakened King DLC Review - The Final Verdict

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Couchpotato spotted a new trailer for the strategy RPG Demonschool:

Demonschool - Battle System Trailer | PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2023

Henriquejr spotted a major update for King Arthur: Knight's Tale:

Patch 2.0 Notes | December 2

General patch notes of the major overhaul of King Arthur: Knight's Tale

Noble(?) Knights!

The wait is over... the massive new update is here: Patch 2.0 and the Rising Eclipse season are finally available to play. New missions, new mechanics, multiple balancing adjustments for encounters, loot, heroes and bosses await!
Due to the massive amount of changes and updates, our patch notes overextend the capacity of Steam posts. Because of this we are only showing you a general overview of our patch notes here, and you'll find links to the entirety of them at the bottom of this post.

Patch v2.0

[...]

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

RPG News Roundup (12-2-2023)

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis will be released on Steam on December 7.

Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.1 will launch on December 5:

Discover New Content Coming To Cyberpunk 2077 With The Free Update 2.1 This December!

CD PROJEKT RED’s Cyberpunk 2077 will be receiving a brand new, free update introducing hotly anticipated gameplay elements. The latest REDstreams presented details regarding the new features coming with Update 2.1, which releases on December 5th for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Snapshot:
A brand-new, free update is coming to Cyberpunk 2077.
During the most recent REDstreams, developers Paweł Sasko and Monika Janowska discussed new features, including a fully functional metro, replayable car races, boss fight improvements, accessibility features, and more. The update will become available to players on December 5th, the same day as the release of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition.

Full article:
With Cyberpunk 2077’s Update 2.1, players can expect several exciting additions to the range of experiences Night City already offers. Chief among them is a city-wide fully functional NCART metro system, offering a more relaxed way of getting about the most dangerous megalopolis of the dark future — and taking in the beautiful views along the way. Radioport, another new feature, lets players enjoy the eclectic musical vibes of Cyberpunk 2077’s selection of radio stations beyond the confines of their vehicle of choice — for example, during a peaceful walk through the city center. New hangouts with romantic partners are also available to partake in, as following Update 2.1 players will be able to invite their in-game significant other to enjoy some quality time together in V’s apartment.

The latest REDstreams, hosted by Senior Community Managers Alicja Kozera and Amela Kołat, premiered December 1st on Twitch and featured CD PROJEKT RED Producer Monika Janowska and Quest Director Paweł Sasko, who shared additional details about the upcoming free update to Cyberpunk 2077.

Further new features include additional chases and replayable car races — the latter was only available as a finite set of missions, but now can be replayed to gain further rewards and discounts on the Autofixer website, through which players purchase cars. The developers also prepared a series of improvements to boss fights, including the late-game Adam Smasher fight. Smasher’s AI has been improved and he’s now equipped with a Sandevistan, as seen in the award-winning anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Also coming with the new update are the Porsche 911 Cabriolet, new motorcycles, upgraded motorcycle handling and new riding mechanics, new secrets to discover, and more, including a healthy dose of technical improvements and accessibility features for players to choose from — such as a larger interface font and the ability to turn off the timer in the Breach Protocol minigame.

Read the full list of accessibility features

Ahead of the release of Update 2.1, players can discover more of Night City’s history with the Night City Archives, a video series that delves into the complex past and dark future of the city.

[...]

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You can join the alpha phase of New Arc Line:

Wanna Be the First to Play New Arc Line? Closed Alpha is Coming!

Greetings, esteemed Mages and Technologists alike!

Excuse our short period of silence, we have been tinkering with the technological marvels of game development. And you know how easy it is to lose track of time like that, it's almost like being under some kind of a spell.

Either way, this absolute laser-focus on work allowed us to make great strides forward in making New Arc Line. While the game is by no means ready yet for the full public spotlight, we will be running a closed, private playtest soon. We are at a stage when we need to gather feedback from a smaller group of players and fans, and we want you to be a part of it!

If you would like to be present even in these early development stages and leave your mark on New Arc Line, we cordially invite you to join Fulqrum Publishing's Champions program - this will allow you to play the alpha version of our game soon, when we start our closed playtest. Just send an e-mail to champions@fulqrumpublishing.com and they will prepare you to embark to the New World!

[...]

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The adventure RPG Vampire Dynasty has been announced for 2024:

Vampire Dynasty | Gameplay Reveal Trailer

Embrace the darkness. Become one with the night. Feast on blood and start a dynasty. Rule as a merciful lord or a ruthless tyrant. Build a beautiful castle, fight and thrive in an open world - either alone or in co-op mode.

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IGN published a new story trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2:

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl - Official Strider Story Trailer

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Couchpotato spotted a teaser video for the upcoming DLC Wartales, Pirates of Belerion:

Wartales, Pirates of Belerion | TEASER

Wartales, Pirates of Belerion releases on December 14th!
Embark on over +25 hours of new adventures and explore Belerion, a new hostile region far larger than any other part of the continent. Discover a land unlike anything you’ve seen with the first expansion to the world of Wartales! Unravel the secrets of the region's storyline, discover new factions and master the new way to travel: navigation.

The isometric RPG Svarog's Dream will be released on December 4:

Svarog's Dream

Ever-changing world
In Svarog's Dream, you will have absolute freedom to explore the world and make decisions.
However, freedom comes with consequences; over time, your actions will shape the world around you, either for the better or worse.

Soul lost between worlds
You start as a lost soul, and you will inhabit human hosts who are desperate enough to accept you. With each death, you will revisit the underworld and return through new characters with their unique backgrounds and talents.

A pawn in the game of Gods
While humans are waging their wars on Earth, the Gods are battling each other in the sky.
Their power is immense; however, everyone is bound to the threads of destiny, except for you.
You possess a valuable power—the power of free will—and because of that,
the gods will see you as an important piece and will try to persuade you to join their side.

Couchpotato spotted some gameplay of the Mercenary class in Path of Exile 2:

Path of Exile 2: Mercenary Gameplay Walkthrough

Learn more about graond combat in Rogue Trader:

Ground Combat Guide

Unforetold: Witchstone is coming to Steam Early Access on January 25, 2024:

Unforetold: Witchstone - Early Access Release Date Announcement Trailer

Unforetold: Witchstone Interview | PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2023

PC Gamer shows a gameplay trailer for the tactical RPG MENACE:

Menace - Gameplay Trailer | PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2023

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Patch #5 for Baldur's Game 3 has been released:

Patch #5 Now Live!

Version Number: 4.1.1.4061076

Hello everyone,

Patch 5 is now live for Baldur’s Gate 3! Today’s patch is our most feature-filled update yet, and we’ve prepared a special Community Update to really do it justice. For a deep dive into Patch 5, head here.

This update brings brand new epilogues, new game modes and much more - including improved inventory access. No more recruiting and dismissing party members to get ahold of that clown corpse they’ve been holding on to for you. Thanks, Karlach!

Patch 5 is also so beefy, it has once again been defeated by the Steam character limit. Head to the following link to witness the notes in their magnificent splendour. We recommend reading over them with a nice mug of something warm, next to a roaring fire.

Please note that with new patches, some installed mods may become temporarily incompatible. If you experience any issues after installing Patch 5, please check if the issue persists with all mods uninstalled. If it persists, please reach out to our support team with your report.

Without further ado, here are your Patch 5 highlights. Thank you for all your feedback, and thank you for playing Baldur’s Gate 3.

HIGHLIGHTS

Main Highlights

• Epilogue: An entirely new section at the end of the game after the defeat of the  that aims to provide a well-deserved sense of closure with your allies.
• Two new play modes: Honour Mode and Custom Mode.
• Many performance improvements, particularly in Act III.
• Added dynamic resolution for PS5.
• Players playing on machines with low VRAM/RAM should see improved performance.
• The game is now available in Korean!
• While at camp, you can now access and manage the inventories of companions who aren't in your active party.
• Added a brand new fight in Ramazith’s Tower 
• Orin’s outfit now drops as loot and is wearable by anyone. We also gave it a suitably disgusting description and name.

[...]

The Turn Based Lovers present their favourite roguelikes of 2023:

Top 25 Best Turn-Based Roguelite Games to Play in 2023

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Spoiler Warning:

Cyberpunk Director Breaks Down Phantom Liberty Endings

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Couchpotato spotted the Dev Diary Recap #2 for Bloodlines 2:

Dev Diary Recap #2 - Phyre & Narrative

Good evening Kindred,

This week, we have another recap diary where The Chinese Room Community Manager Josh Matthews meets Ian Thomas, Sarah Longthorne and Arone Le Bray. In this recap, Sarah recaps parts of her dev diary, and is joined by Ian Thomas and Arone Le Bray to go into more depth on the main character, as well as answering a few fan questions relating to the main character and the dev diary on Narrative Atmosphere and Themes.

[...]

Tim Cain compiled Arcanum as a native Windows 10 application:

Arcanum As A Windows 10 App

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The sci-fi RPG Honkai: Star Rail won the Google Play’s Best of 2023 award - Best Game:

Google Play’s best apps and games of 2023

We’re announcing the winners of Google Play’s Best of 2023 awards, highlighting this year's most outstanding apps, games and books across various categories.

[...]

Best Game: Honkai: Star Rail

This sci-fi extravaganza takes the title of our best game of the year thanks to its excellent depth of content, stunning visuals and thoughtful design. By sprinkling lore and character backstories throughout the game, Honkai: Star Rail delivers lasting entertainment for role-playing game enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

[...]

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The Adventure-RPG Noctuary has been released:

Noctuary | Gameplay Trailer

Noctuary is a dual-protagonist Visual Novel. Players can play the role of the duo, Fancia Dream and Alina Nightsong who have dreams of "becoming Arborangers who protect and serve everyone." Travel through the fairy-tale-like world as the duo, experience their lively daily adventures, and gradually encounter the life story of a mysterious girl who came down from the sky.

Meanwhile, don't forget to fight against the everpresent monsters - "Darkritters!" These dangerous enemies threaten the life of Illuminators constantly. Sharpen your fighting skills, defeat ferocious monsters and ensure peace in your community!

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RPGamer has reviewed Star Ocean: The Second Story R:

Star Ocean: The Second Story R Review

Star Ocean: The Second Story was one of my favourite games growing up. I must have played it more than ten times, I could recite parts of it line for line, and it’s a game that gave me some of my dearest friends whom I still speak to today. Not every RPG stands the test of time, but Star Ocean: The Second Story is often one many RPGamers cite as being both a favourite game and an influential release. When Star Ocean: The Second Story R was announced, I remember laying in my bed with my broken arm, screaming how I wanted the game injected into my veins at that moment. Gemdrops has created a worthy remake that is not only more accessible than the previous iterations but has made what is arguably the most definitive edition of the game to date.

[...]

As soon as Star Ocean: The Second Story R released, I was glued to my recliner and I didn’t want to stop playing. Not only is this a favourite gem from my childhood, but this edition is definitely the definitive one. Everything Gemdrops has produced in Star Ocean: Second Story R shows a lot of love and respect towards the original game while making it much more accessible and fresh to newcomers. While I will always cherish my memories of the cheesiness that is PSX edition, the joy I felt replaying a favourite game was strong throughout. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is the best Star Ocean game hands down, and every RPGamer owes themself a chance to enjoy this amazing remake. You won’t be disappointed.

Score: 4.5/5

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Gematsu reports that the strategy RPG The Legend of Legacy will be released on March 22, 2024 in the west:

Gameplay Trailer

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Mortismal Gaming reports some new details about Dragon's Dogma 2:

Dragon's Dogma 2: Release Date & New Details

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11 Bit Studios published the prologue of The Thaumaturge:

The Thaumaturge | Prologue Long Gameplay No Commentary

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The Steam page for Dragon's Dogma 2 has listed a release date of 21st of March 2024.

Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. On your journey, you’ll be joined by pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure. All of these elements are elevated further by the latest in graphics, artificial intelligence (AI) and physics technology to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2. Coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam.

Learn more about character building in Zoria: Age of Shattering:

Stats - how to build your hero?

Commanders!

In Zoria: Age of Shattering, a classic tactical RPG, you can develop the character as you like. However, maintaining a balance and distributing stat points when leveling up according to the character's class will make the game more enjoyable.

If you'd like to play a warrior-type character in Zoria, it'd be best to invest your points in Strength (if you're planning to be in the first line or carry a shield) or Agility. Agility better suits more nimble heroes or those attacking from a distance).

Casters, on the other hand, will benefit the most from Agility and, of course, Intellect, which will influence their Mana pool and Crit Chance. High Intellect means your character can cast more spells, and they will hit your enemies harder!

Stamina will increase your character's health. It'll be extremely important, no matter what type of hero you'll be playing as, especially at the beginning of the game! Zoria can be challenging, so there's no point in making it harder, right?

Follow us on Twitter and join our Discord if you haven't already. Let's stay in touch!

Until next time,
Tiny Trinket Games

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Eurogamer reports how Bethesda's customer support is responding to negative Starfield reviews:

Bethesda responding to negative Starfield reviews on Steam

A Sa-turn of events.

Bethesda's customer support team has been responding to negative Starfield reviews on Steam.

Starfield had a strong start, becoming the "biggest Bethesda game launch" of all time. Those numbers rose over the first few days of release, with Starfield's concurrent player count previously beating Skyrim's concurrent player record on Steam.

But despite these initial player numbers, Starfield currently sits with a 'Mixed' review status on Steam. At the time of writing, 69 percent of the game's 80,365 reviews on the platform are positive. The rest are, obviously, less generous.

Perhaps in a bid to turn these negative Starfield takes into a positive for the game, members of Bethesda's customer support team have started responding to certain reviewers on Steam.

As spotted by social media account JuiceHead, the team has taken the slightly unusual step of explaining to the people leaving these negative reviews that the game is good, actually. It has then asked them to consider the amount of effort that went on behind the scenes to make a game of such scale.

In response to one user that called Starfield's story "generic" and the gameplay "boring", one member of Bethesda's customer support staff replied with a post highlighting everything players can experience in the game.

"You can fly, you can shoot, you can mine, you can loot!" it wrote. "Starfield is an RPG with hundreds of hours of quests to complete and characters to meet. Most quests will also vary on your character's skills and decisions, massively changing the outcome of your playthrough."

It then suggested the reviewer gives the game another chance, but this time tries different characters with different backgrounds.

"You will feel like you are playing a totally different game," it said. "Put points in different skills from a character you've previously created, and you are now faced with completely different decisions to make and difficulties to encounter."

[...]

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