A trio of indies awaits us on this edition of RPGs Coming This Week. Just one is totally brand new; the other two have officially been accessible for a while, but we thought they still deserved some shine. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Inkbound (Exiting Early Access) – April 9th (Windows)
Inkbound is getting the full launch treatment this week after a successful early access period on Steam dating back to last May.
In a world where roguelikes are becoming a dime a dozen, Inkbound aims to set itself apart by offering an online co-op adventure involving various character classes, high-stakes decision-making, and an interesting turn-based twist. Players can play the game solo, but earning the best loot will require playing with others.
Risk/reward choices and a heavy emphasis on replayability are where developer Shiny Shoe experienced success with their debut title Monster Train, and they have clearly tried to infuse Inkbound with the same DNA.
If you’re looking for a new PC grind with friends, we encourage you to check this one out.
by Kyle Cantelon
Broken Roads – April 10th (PS4, XSX, XB1, Switch, Windows)
Broken Roads is as true blue as an RPG gets: developed in Australia (by Drop Bear Bytes), set in the post-apocalyptic (I can’t tell the difference) desert landscapes of Western Australia, and filled with stories involving Australian characters with thick, slang-laden accents.
Broken Roads features a novel quaternary morality system in the form of the “Moral Compass”, with quadrants accounting for Utilitarian, Existentialist, Nihilist, and Machiavellian choices and traits. Players make dialogue and action choices throughout their journey that can shift them across the face of the compass, leading to branching dialogue and action possibilities and closing off some conflicting options.
Originally slated for a November 2023 release, the game was delayed last minute for further polish and optimization. I’m hopeful the extra time in the oven has given Broken Roads the shine it needs to put its best foot forward and potentially put Aussie RPGs on the map.
by Claton Stevenson
Also Coming This Week
Moonglow Bay – April 11th (PS5, PS4, Switch)
Moonglow Bay gets a “port” to modern consoles this week after the “Fisherperson’s take on Stardew” arrived on PC in the fall of 2021. The general feelings from RPGFan were that the art style and OST were delightful, but the default controls and technical performance were not. Here’s hoping a couple of years to fine-tune things has these aspects feeling ship-shape for a console debut.
by Kyle Cantelon
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