We’ve arrived at what many (in my circles, at least) consider their most anticipated single-player RPG of the year, as well as the latest (and hopefully not the last) from adventure game outfit Too Kyo Games. Plus, a wealth of smaller — but never lesser — releases. So, join us as we kick off this supersized edition of RPGs Coming This Week!
P.S. There are rumors of a certain Elder Scrolls remaster making a splash this week. We won’t get into it here, but it certainly deserves mention.
Maliki: Poison of the Past – April 22nd (Switch, Windows)
Maliki: Poison of the Past is an indie game that combines role-playing elements and action-adventure, creating what promises to be an entertaining adventure across the space-time continuum. The malevolent plant monster Poison is terrorizing all that remains, and only a small group of colorful survivors operating outside the temporal plane can hope to somehow fight back.
Our very own Patrick Gann had plenty to say in his impressions piece for Maliki: Poison of the Past too! Puzzles and exploring are huge gameplay cornerstones. Featuring turn-based, strategic combat and eyecatching, anime-inspired visuals, this title based on the graphic novel series Maliki is an interactive environmental tale sure to have gamers turning their heads its way, with it coming this week to Nintendo Switch and PC.
by Audra Bowling
Old Skies – April 23rd (Switch, Windows, macOS, Linux)
Growing up, I was super into Nancy Drew, Kim Possible, Detective Conan, and other mystery/detective stories. While I have many recommendations when it comes to games in that vein, this week I’m casting the spotlight on Wadjet Eye’s Old Skies, a point-and-click adventure that’s been five years in the making.
Time is of the essence in New York City, as the time-traveling agent Fia Quinn has been tasked with keeping an eye on seven cases across two centuries. Players can expect to explore the possibilities of altering events, uncovering secrets, and surviving paradoxes. If that sounds like your jam, check out Neal’s impressions of the demo, or give it a try firsthand by downloading it on Steam! The game is also launching on Switch.
by Tin Manuel
Sunderfolk – April 23rd (PS5, XSX, Switch, Windows)
Get ready for an innovative gaming experience in 2025 with developer Secret Door’s first game: Sunderfolk.
Tabletop RPGs have always had an influence on video games, but not usually to this extent. Sunderfolk aims to help players “rediscover game night together”, by enabling the social interactions of a traditional tabletop game night via a couch co-op or online experience. Its design encourages collaboration and the kind of spontaneous storytelling that only unfolds in dynamic, shared play sessions.
All the playable characters in Sunderfolk are anthropomorphic animals, with players able to choose from six classes ranging from a fierce bear Berserker to a charming bat Bard, or — my personal favorite — a goat Ranger. Players can equip weapons and trinkets as they level up, further enhancing their abilities. One unique though possibly concerning aspect of Sunderfolk is the use of mobile devices as controllers. However, this was done with a tabletop-like focus in mind, and it’s been compared to an interactive version of a tabletop app like D&D Beyond. As someone who enjoys tabletop RPGs as much as their video game counterparts, I am eager to explore the land of Arden with my family.
by Jimmy Turner
Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy – April 24th (PS5, XSX, Windows)
In case you’ve been in the mood for more first-person adventure goodness after Blue Prince, developer Microids has made it possible for many to revisit (or, in my case, try out) an old classic. Coming this week is Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy, a remake of a 1999 PC game by the late comic artist and developer Benoît Sokal. Judging by this comparison video, the graphical differences are understandably drastic over 25 years later.
In terms of gameplay, the team behind The Explorer’s Legacy sought to honor its heritage while introducing new features like the player character’s diary and an investigation system — additions that wouldn’t have been out of place in the original game (or most other adventure games, for that matter). Microids has also taken steps to enhance immersion in the remake, as well as improve quality of life with movement and other things.
Of interest to VGM nerds is the return of Inon Zur, this time with his son Ori in tow! It seems game scoring’s become a family trade for the Zurs, and I believe we are all better off for it. Taking all this into consideration, it seems The Explorer’s Legacy has everything it needs to do justice to the original Amerzone. Here’s hoping this hydrafloat sticks the landing.
by Gio Castillo
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – April 24th (PS5, XSX, Windows)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sets the stage for an intriguing and haunting narrative woven around the enigmatic figure known as the Paintress. Each year, she marks her presence by painting a new number, and with that stroke, the inhabitants of the world at that age die. As the countdown continues, the urgency escalates, and a group of volunteers sets out on a mission to break the ominous cycle. Players step into the shoes of Gustave (voiced by Charlie Cox, known for his role in Daredevil), a survivor burdened by trauma, as he navigates the remnants of fallen expeditions. Other top-tier voice talents lend their tones to the game, including Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate III) and Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI).
The journey across The Continent is fraught with danger and moral complexity. At the same time, the world is visually stunning, showcasing beautifully crafted fantasy environments. And yet. the combat system intrigues me the most; it’s turn-based but incorporates timed button prompts to get the maximum effect, as well as other systems like changing stances. It feels like a modern take on The Legend of Dragoon’s system (fellow LoD fans rejoice) that adds a strategic element based on smart use of character skills.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises to be a rich tapestry of character-driven storytelling and intricate gameplay mechanics, potentially making it a must-play when it releases on April 24th.
by Jimmy Turner
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy – April 24th (Switch, Windows)
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is coming this week to PC and Switch . Players will ind themselves at the forefront of humanity’s last stand in a twisted version of Tokyo, in the face of impending doom as monstrous invaders encroach upon the Last Defense Academy. The game presents a compelling blend of visual novel and tactical RPG. With Kazutaka Kodaka (Danganronpa) and Kotaro Uchikoshi (Zero Escape) at the helm, the mixture of the two genres makes sense.
The Hundred Line’s story unfolds over a 100-day period, during which players need to prepare their characters for battles that often feel like puzzles, and every decision carries weight. It sports a grid-based battle system, with each student you control boasting unique skills and strategies. The Voltage Bar system adds depth by allowing players to fill up a meter through attacks and powerful abilities unleashed at strategic moments. Outside of battles lies a social sim where players can engage in day-to-day activities and build relationships within the academy. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy has the potential to appeal to a wide variety of RPG fans, including fans of Persona, Fire Emblem, and VNs.
by Jimmy Turner
Kindaichi Mystery Series: The Honjin Murders – April 24th (Switch, Windows)
Kindaichi Mystery Series: The Honjin Murders is a stylish and spooky new detective game with unusual roots. It’s based on the novel The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo, a classic piece of Japanese literature that’s inspired numerous adaptations in film, manga, anime, and more since its publication in 1946. The main character, Kosuke Kindaichi, is essentially Japan’s answer to Sherlock Holmes, and from what I’ve been able to gather, he’s about as popular in the country as Holmes is in the west.
The game starts just like the book does. Kindaichi finds himself tasked with solving the gory death of a married couple in a locked room. Much of The Honjin Murders will be spent collecting and poring over testimonies for clues. Ya know, actual detective stuff. Considering the book was only officially translated to English in 2020, I think this classic case is likely to offer a fresh experience to hardcore mystery buffs.
by Gio Castillo
Also Coming This Week
Metro Quester – April 24th (iOS, Android)
Metro Quester is coming this week to iOS and Android. Originally titled Quester: A story that explores the truth of the lost world. on Steam, it’s been rebranded for its release on other platforms. This is one of those games I regret skipping when it first came out, as it’s just a cool homage to old-school PC dungeon crawlers. Also check out the sequel Metro Quester: Osaka, which isn’t on mobile yet but is available everywhere else.
by Gio Castillo
发表回复