Hello, dear readers, and welcome to Animal Crossing! Er, Coming This Week with RPGFan. Sorry, I’ve been a bit… busy. That’s right, busy. Hey, these flowers aren’t going to water themselves! In any case, as we approach the end of March and (hopefully) the end of all the craziness that’s been going on in the world (seriously, y’all, stay safe and healthy!), here are the latest game releases, and there are a surprising number of cards involved. Let’s jump right in.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III – March 23rd (Windows)
We’re still missing a few entries in The Legend of Heroes series in the West, but while we all wait patiently for a localization announcement for Cold Steel IV, the third entry (which released late last year on the PlayStation 4) is making its way to Windows via Steam today. Cold Steel III once again follows Rean and the stalwart members of Class VII, continuing the events of the first Cold Steel duology and featuring an expansive cast of characters from other Legend of Heroes titles. Be sure to read our review for more information.
Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition – Dark Dreams of Furiae – March 24th (Windows)
Neverwinter Nights was one of the last Dungeons & Dragons games developed by BioWare, and saw an Enhanced rerelease by Beamdog in 2018. In similar fashion to what Beamdog did with Baldur’s Gate, the company is publishing a brand-new downloadable module for the 18-year-old game, one that ties in with the Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus tabletop campaign. Dark Dreams of Furiae casts players as a resident of the city of Furiae, a “city on the edge of hell” where a mysterious arcane substance, known as worldwine, is being smuggled. The substance is lethal to Furiae’s devilish overlords, and mortals easily succumb to its influence. How will this affect this city, teetering on the brink of oblivion? Find out on March 24th.
Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition – March 24th (Switch)
Dystopian fiction is all the rage these days, and Deep Sky Derelicts, originally released in 2017, is a prime example. The game is set in a dystopian future where humanity has scattered across the galaxy, and the player must scrounge upon alien wreckage to survive. Deep Sky Derelicts features turn-based combat with card mechanics, a great deal of customization options, and procedurally generated content akin to a roguelike. The Definitive Edition of Deep Sky Derelicts will hit the Switch on the 24th.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York – March 24th (Switch)
No, not Bloodlines 2, this is the other game based on the Vampire: The Masquerade tabletop license. Coteries of New York is a visual novel/adventure game set in the Vampire universe, where players will seek to find their place amidst the underground vampiric societies in New York City. We have a review of the game by the impeccable Neal Chandran, who… wasn’t a fan of it, but hey, maybe you will be! I don’t know, I’m not your dad. Vampire: the Masquerade – Coteries of New York hits the Switch on the 24th.
Iron Danger – March 25th (Windows)
What do you do when you have a nice-looking medieval setting with steampunk elements but still want just one more “cool” factor feature in your game? Add time-travel elements to the battle system, letting you both see what’s going to happen based on your chosen actions, and rewind time to try different tactics. It was one of the unexpected delights we played at E3 2019, and now Iron Danger is releasing on Windows this week. Look for more coverage soon!
Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition – March 26th (Switch)
A lot of definitive/enhanced editions going around on this list, eh? Ara Fell is a 16-bit JRPG developed by Stegosoft Games, which came out in 2016 on Windows. Now, the game is making its way to the Switch, with an overhauled UI, new side quests, an upgraded battle system, and much more. Indie JRPGs are my jam, so I’m excited to play this one! For more information on Ara Fell, read the lovely Alana Hagues’ review.
Grand Guilds – March 26th (Windows, Switch)
One of three titles this week that were featured in our Crowdfunding Chronicles columns, Grand Guilds wrapped up its funding last May at nearly triple its initial goal. A beautiful strategy RPG coming to Windows and Switch (PS4 and Xbox One are expected down the line), Grand Guilds mixes deck building with grid-based strategic battles and has seen no small amount of polish since its Kickstarter days. If you’re finally done with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, this may be your next SRPG fix.
Sin Slayers: Enhanced Edition – March 26th (Switch)
Sin Slayers initially released in September 2019 on Windows, macOS, Linux. Another game featured in Crowdfunding Chronicles, Sin Slayers is coming to Switch this week with an “Enhanced Edition” moniker. That means it bundles in the expansions that came to PC platforms, which include new enemies, heroes, locations, quests, and even new storyline content. If you were waiting for this dark, medieval RPG to be pocketable (assuming you have large pockets), now is your chance.
One Step From Eden – March 26th (Windows, macOS, Linux, Switch)
It’s been far too long since the world has seen a new Mega Man Battle Network title. Enter One Step From Eden, which has no qualms about citing its inspiration for the game’s battle system. Admittedly, “Eden” isn’t attempting to replicate MMBN, as the crux of the gameplay isn’t just those grid-based battles, but the blending of those fast-paced battles with deckbuilding with roguelike elements, and, heck, why not, bullet hell. Any screenshot or video you see has a lot going on, but that’s the fun, right? One Step From Eden is another Crowdfunding success story, hitting release a mere 14(ish) months after the end of its campaign.
Children of Zodiarcs – March 27th (Switch)
Children of Zodiarcs released on Windows and macOS in July 2017. A participant in the Square Enix Collective project that sees SE feature and support curated indie titles, the strategy RPG/card battler (wow, it’s a major theme this week) later came to PS4 and has largely been well-received. This week the title comes to Switch, making it available to all major platforms that don’t feature a large X or a penguin.
And that’s a wrap, folks! As always, keep an eye on RPGFan for more of the best RPG coverage on the planet. We’ll catch you next time.
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