RPGs Coming This Week, 10/27/24

Clock Tower: Rewind – October 29th (PS5, XSX, PS4, Switch, Windows)

Silent Hill isn’t the only OG survival horror franchise mounting a comeback in 2024. The venerable Clock Tower series returns with Clock Tower: Rewind, an enhanced port of the 1995 Super Famicom original.

For the uninitiated, this is a point-and-click adventure game about an adopted teenager who moves into an old, secluded mansion. Naturally, the place is a death trap, but come hell or high water, this young lady will uncover the truth. The biggest threat? A guy wielding a comically large pair of scissors.

…It’s scarier than it sounds.

If you’re like me, you might have bounced off the original release because of the slow pace and finicky controls. Well, Clock Tower: Rewind introduces a range of quality-of-life features, including faster healing, faster movement on stairs, and save states. It also has content from the subsequent PS1 release. For the purists and/or sadists, the original version is part of the package.

by Gio Castillo

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure – October 29th (PS5, XSX, Switch, Windows)

The third-person narrative adventure series Life Is Strange returns with Life Is Strange: Double Exposure. This newest title reunites fans with Max Caulfield, the main protagonist from the first entry.

Even though Double Exposure is set ten years after the events of Life is Strange, players don’t need to experience any of the previous games to enjoy this one. But, if you’ve been following along, you were probably thrilled to see an adult version of Max in the initial reveal.

You most likely already have a head start on the first two chapters if you bought the Digital Ultimate Edition. As for me, I’ve been trying my best to steer clear of any spoilers on the interwebs until its official release this week. Fingers crossed that it won’t disappoint.

by Tin Manuel

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket – October 30th (iOS, Android)

Pokémon is no stranger to the digital space; look no further than the incredibly popular Pokémon GO for evidence. This week, the franchise continues to expand its digital presence with the launch of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.

Though a digital version of the card game already exists in the form of Pokémon TCG Live, Pocket aims to offer a more streamlined and simpler experience. In its gameplay, Pocket clearly takes inspiration from the popular digital card game Marvel Snap. The game is designed for TCG veterans and newcomers, aiming to balance accessibility with the depth of the original card game. 

Operating a free-to-play model not unlike many mobile or gacha games, players will open booster packs of cards to build their personal collection. Cards can then be used to construct customized decks. Players can engage in casual or competitive matches, with a matchmaking system designed to pair players of similar skill levels. Pocket will feature an intuitive tutorial designed for beginners. This onboarding experience will walk new players through the basics of the game, including deck building and type strengths and weaknesses.

One of the major issues with the physical game (and many collectible games) is the cost to build up and maintain a card library. Of all the popular TCGs on the market, Pokémon has fallen victim to price hikes and inflation from skewed demand and resellers. This has created a substantial barrier of entry for new players, one that Pokemon TCG Pocket aims to fix. 

The game will also include regular updates, seasonal events, limited-time challenges, and the introduction of new cards and mechanics. Players will earn packs through daily logins, completing challenges, and in-game currency. Some currency is earned through play, and some can be purchased with real money. As with any free-to-play competitive game, the concern becomes whether the game will become pay-to-win, giving players who spend more money a significant advantage over those who don’t. Only time will tell. 

As a big fan of the Pokémon franchise and an avid Marvel Snap player, I look forward to seeing how Pokémon TCG Pocket uses this format to introduce new players to the beloved card game. Players can start battling and collecting when the game launches October 30th on iOS and Android.

by Jimmy Turner

Dragon Age: The Veilguard – October 31st (PS5, XSX, Windows)

Ten years. 120 months. Roughly 3,600 days. That’s the time that has elapsed since the last entry in Bioware’s epic dark fantasy series Dragon Age. But that all comes to a halt this Halloween with the arrival of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Most of us know the deal by now: the Corrupt Old Gods are on the loose, and new protagonist Rook may or may not be at least partially to blame. Series stalwarts Morrigan and Varric return, Inquisition companion Solas slides into the role of pseudo-antagonist, and a whole host of other series standouts are bound to make cameos as players begin to pick favorites between the seven members of the Veilguard.

Those looking for a way to get caught up on the previous game’s events should look no further than Retro Encounter — Sollosi and the gang most recently broke down Dragon Age: Inquisition over two episodes in late August.

Otherwise, whether you’re preparing to sink your blade into the world of Thedas for the first time, or you’ve been trudging through the Deep Roads since Sandal’s first “enchantment,” it won’t be long until newbies and veterans alike are taking down Blighted Dragons and taming Corrupted Gods. See you on Halloween, “Rooks.”

by Kyle Cantelon

Farmagia – November 1st (PS5, Switch, Windows)

Ever wondered what it would be like to raise and train a group of monsters for a living, only for political turmoil to thrust you into the role of fighter and protector?

Boy, do we have the game for you.

In Farmagia (which also means a special type of farmer who raises and commands monsters), players assume the role of Ten, a resident who joins his friends in a battle against the new ruler Glaza. Cultivate, befriend, and command an army of homegrown monsters as you explore the lands of Felicidad and search for valuable resources to improve your farm.

Monster lovers are definitely going to want to check this one out.

by Kyle Cantelon

Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution – October 29th (XSX)

Idea Factory International is bringing Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution to Xbox Series X|S. This title features a full-on game studio management sim, which tracks with the satirical nature of the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise. Personally, I’m amused that the series is trucking along on Xbox, a platform that, as an aside, is stealthily building up quite the JRPG selection.

by Gio Castillo

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered – October 31st (PS5, Windows)

I’d have to say that the $9.99 USD PS5 upgrade to Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is a fair deal, especially with the new coat of paint. If you’re grabbing this for the first time, know that the game (which includes the Frozen Wilds expansion) will set you back $49.99. Although I don’t personally intend to go back and relive my journey spent with my favorite huntress Aloy, the time has come for me to convince my partner and any uninitiated friends to give this stellar series a chance.

by Tin Manuel