All right, we’ve had our monthly lull week. It’s back to regularly scheduled programming on RPGs Coming This Week. We’re taking a look at a diverse set of titles, including some on the adventure side of things and some on the tactics side. Without any further ado, let’s begin!
Miasma Chronicles – May 23rd (PS5, XSX, Windows)
Well, let’s just immediately start off with my pick of the week. When Miasma Chronicles was first announced, I didn’t think too much of it. I hadn’t played the devs’ previous game, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, and the initial reveal didn’t show much in the way of gameplay, so all I could really say about it was “game pretty.” I do enjoy tactics, though, and all the new information out there tells me that Miasma delivers more of that XCOM-with-stealth goodness that should be in more things not called Mario + Rabbids. (No shade intended; I’m just not big on either Mario or Rabbids.)
So, gameplay: check. How about the narrative? What is the chronicle of Miasma Chronicle? I came across an interview with the game director that made its context crystal clear; it’s an unabashed examination of capitalism and climate change set in a nightmarish dystopian version of America. Yes, even more than it already is. I’m intrigued to see where Miasma goes with the story and what it has to say about the present, so count me in.
by Gio Castillo
Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook – May 23rd (PS5, PS4, Switch)
Here’s NIS’ latest, a culinary spin on the dungeon crawler formula. Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook is a turn-based rogue-like RPG centered around managing your party’s hunger levels. Basically, navigating the game world depletes your calorie and hydration levels, so survival means you’ll need to cook meals out of the (sometimes edible) ingredients you come across. Those materials will slowly expire after a while, so you’ll want to prioritize making meals out of them as soon as possible.
If you’re a resource management freak like me, it sounds like you’ll get something out of this. I’m downloading the demo as we speak.
by Gio Castillo
Star Trek: Resurgence – May 23rd (PS5, XSX, PS4, XB1, Windows)
Star Trek: Resurgence is an adventure game set in the Star Trek universe, detailing an adventure of the U.S.S. Resolute, a Starfleet vessel. You’ll experience the narrative through the eyes of the starship’s new First Officer Jara Rydek and Petty Officer Carter Diaz. Players switch between Jara and Carter’s perspectives over the course of the game with your actions changing how the story plays out and determining how other characters feel about your decisions. The game appears to play like an interactive Star Trek saga, which is quite a neat feat for Trekkies. There are even homages and cameos to events and characters from the various Star Trek television shows! I’ve a special fondness for Star Trek, and Resurgence appears to be a solid video game adaptation of the famed space opera franchise. Live long and prosper, my friends.
by Audra Bowling
Trials of Kokoro – May 23rd (Windows)
Trials of Kokoro is a visual novel/RPG hybrid promising a robust, heavily customizable combat system. The adventure begins when a young man named Aedric finds himself in a forest with no memory. His mission to find out more about himself evolves into an emotional fantasy tale that covers a wide range of narrative themes, including family and friendship. Combat is turn-based and highly adjustable with a combat log you can peruse to check the statuses of characters after battle. I’ve been curious about this game and its predecessor, Trials of Guinevere, for a while now and will be eager to find out just how compelling a tale Trials of Kokoro is when it releases!
by Audra Bowling
Forspoken: In Tanta We Trust (DLC) – May 26th (PS5, Windows)
Forspoken: In Tanta We Trust is a DLC expansion set after the base game’s conclusion, finding Frey somehow traveling through Athia’s past. While there, she teams up with Tanta Cinta, uncovering the truth behind what led the prominent group of matriarchs known as the Tantas to their eventual madness. New magic parkour abilities await Frey, who now has the support of a formidable ally in combat. Those who purchased the Digital Deluxe Edition of Forspoken will gain access to In Tanta We Trust on May 23rd. It’ll be available for purchase elsewhere on May 26th. You can read our very own Izzy Parsons’ review of the Forspoken base game to decide if this expansion is something you’d be interested in perusing. I’m mighty curious to see what this return trip to Athia and its past has in store for Frey!
by Audra Bowling
Also Coming This Week
Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord – May 23rd (Steam)
Releasing last month on consoles, Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord is finally coming to Steam this week! The second (sort of) Fairy Fencer F and also developer Sting’s second Idea Factory game after Hyperdevotion Noire. It’s also Sting’s second Steam port this year, since they released Yggdra Union in Early Access! It’s great to see this developer back again after disappearing for a bit! Let’s hope they continue making and porting their games!
by Alvin Lim
The Case of the Golden Idol – May 25th (Switch)
In case you missed it on PC, we’re getting The Case of the Golden Idol on Nintendo Switch this week. It’s an unnerving-looking point-and-click mystery game that’s seen some comparisons to Return of the Obra Dinn. I’m very excited to check this one out.
by Gio Castillo
Cassette Beasts – May 25th (XSX, XB1, Switch)
Less than a month after making its debut on PC, the Pokémon-like RPG Cassette Beasts finally arrives on consoles. We had many a good word to say about this charming game that you should definitely page through.
by Gio Castillo
Random aside: Playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is making me want to become a speedrunner. I think I’ve got that dawg in me. I just watched a video showing off some relatively easy tricks casual players can do to improve their general experience in the game, and something in me might have awakened.
…I’ve been away from my Switch for too long, so I’ll see you all next week, readers!
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