RPGs Coming This Week, 7/9/23

The first Oxenfree was a tight horror adventure heavy on the spooky atmosphere and young adult themes. With Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, Night School Studio and Netflix Games double down on that recipe and take it up a notch. In other words, this new entry seems like more of the same, but (hopefully) better.

The story takes place five years after the first game and sees a young woman named Riley investigate some mysterious radio signals in her hometown. Things get rapidly more horrifying, and I’d rather you stay in the dark as to why for maximum creep effect.

If more information on Oxenfree II‘s plot is what you’re looking for, I don’t think you can go wrong with our own Monica Rose’s account of the prologue from Summer Game Fest.

Also, assuming you have a not-ancient phone or tablet, you can play this game on the Netflix app. Don’t worry, Bandersnatch this ain’t.

by Gio Castillo

Atelier fans outside of Japan rejoice! We’re finally getting to play Atelier’s first game ever officially in English this week! Atelier Marie is getting a full remake in Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg and I couldn’t be happier. After seeing small snippets of Marie in games like Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia, Cross Edge, and Nelke & The Legendary Alchemists, we’re officially getting to meet Marie in her own game.

Atelier Marie Remake is aiming to please fans of the series both old and new by introducing a new Unlimited Mode where there are no time constraints and keeping the original mode so one can experience the original gameplay style. On top of that, the brand-new art style and graphics are both very reminiscent of the original while being more modern at the same time. I’m super excited to finally be able to dive into and meet Marie after becoming a fan of the series since the game came West with Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana. On top of that, if you buy the Digital Deluxe Edition of the remake, Koei Tecmo has graciously localized the original PlayStation Atelier Marie Plus: The Alchemist of Salburg in English too, so we can fully experience Marie’s original adventure.

For those looking to start their Atelier journey with Marie Remake but are still on the fence, please check out Des Miller’s preview of the game. He’s just as excited as I am to finally be able to play through the first Atelier game officially in English, and it shows in his preview. We also got the opportunity to interview the Atelier series producer recently about the game for those interested!

by Alvin Lim

Touhou: New World is a fan-made game combining elements of action RPG and bullet hell. Based on the ever-expanding Touhou Project and created by the developers behind Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity, players are put into the roles of Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame. Using their respective special abilities as both shrine maiden and magician, they combat powerful enemies seemingly keen to lob projectiles at anything and everyone.

Touhou: New World promises tons of customizable skills and stats, a versatile equipment system, plus frenetic action-oriented gameplay. Gensokyo seems like a fascinating world to explore on the Nintendo Switch and PC later this week!

by Audra Bowling

The Jagged Alliance series really should be bigger than it is. Chalk it up to years of being tossed around and mismanaged until Nordic Games (now THQ Nordic) got its hands on the turn-based tactics IP. Audaciously, Haemimont Games and THQ Nordic are marketing Jagged Alliance 3 as a true successor to Jagged Alliance 2 and a clean break from the mediocre spinoffs and remakes that came out in the interim. I admire their gumption.

This new entry follows the same formula as its predecessors; you assemble a band of mercenaries, configure their stats, and press into a variety of locales to secure violent wins over adversaries. It’s all about keeping your crew healthy and happy while methodically advancing toward your objective.

New to the numbered series is online co-op, a super cool and underutilized concept for tactics games. Basically, you and your pals can work together to accomplish the main scenario together. I wish they let you do that in, say, the Valkyria Chronicles games. That’d be rad.

Here’s hoping Jagged Alliance 3 lives up to the expectations of fans who’ve been waiting since 2004 (!!).

by Gio Castillo