This edition of RPGs Coming This Week is kind of… all over the place? Like always, there’s a ton of variety on the slate, from classic turn-based adventures to tactical romps. Let’s dive in!
Metal Slug Tactics – November 5th (PS5, XSX, PS4, XB1, Switch, Windows)
Metal Slug Tactics is an isometric tactics RPG with roguelike elements, developed by Leikir and published by Dotemu. This is a long-awaited and unique new entry for the typically side-scrolling, action-heavy Metal Slug franchise. Metal Slug Tactics retains the series’ richly colored and goofy visual character while delivering a robust turn-based tactical experience not unlike Final Fantasy Tactics, with its use of elevation and varying character specializations.
Story-wise, Metal Slug Tactics doesn’t seem to be breaking into any novel territory, instead returning to many established characters, organizations, and the series’ central conflict. Players will take control of the legendary Peregrine Falcon Squad as they face off against the hordes of troops under the command of the ambitious and tyrannical General Morden, to end his ill-conceived attempts at a military coup.
The excellent Mark Roddison went hands-on with Metal Slug Tactics, writing a thorough and highly positive preview that describes his experience as “fun and thrilling”. If you need any convincing on this title, I strongly encourage you to read Mark’s insights.
by Claton Stevenson
Brighter Shores (Entering Early Access) – November 6th (Windows, macOS)
Okay, as someone who’s never played an MMO outside of a few cautious attempts, I almost certainly do not appreciate the significance of Brighter Shores as much as I should. But, objectively speaking, RuneScape creator Andrew Gower making a new game is a tremendous deal, one that more people should be paying attention to.
As expected, Brighter Shores is an MMO, but it isn’t necessarily a successor to RuneScape. From what I’ve been able to gather, this new game is heavy on exploration; developer Fen Research wants players to roam the world and gradually let the story unfold. Expect “hundreds of hours of gameplay,” even with the game starting in Early Access.
by Gio Castillo
Mirthwood – November 6th (Windows)
Note: Mirthwood was due to release in September until a last-minute delay. We’re leaving a snippet of our original write-up below, but check out that week’s article for more.
It takes a lot for life sim RPGs to stand out nowadays, but here comes with one of the more striking takes on the concept to date. The aesthetic is quite pleasant; it’s got a painterly look to it that really helps set it apart.
by Gio Castillo
Mario & Luigi: Brothership – November 7th (Switch)
After years of dormancy and subpar entries, the last 12 months have brought a resurgence of RPGs starring Mario. Last November, Nintendo went full remake with the re-release of Super Mario RPG. They followed that up with a remaster of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. This week, the Mario triple threat will be complete when Mario & Luigi: Brothership releases on November 7th.
For the uninitiated, the Mario & Luigi series includes five turn-based RPGs — starting with 2003’s Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga on the Game Boy Advance — that had been exclusive to Nintendo’s handheld consoles. Brothership marks the sixth entry, and the first since Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam in 2015. As the name suggests, games in the series give Mario’s oft-overlooked brother a platform to share the spotlight.
Focusing on open-water exploration, Brothership sees the brothers sail around a series of islands to restore lost magic to each of them. The game will have many familiar features that fans of other Mario RPGs will be familiar with, particularly in the turn-based combat that requires timed hits and button prompts. What makes Mario & Luigi games different is that each brother has his own dedicated buttons and special abilities.
Brothership is the first fully 3D game in the series and is, without question, the best-looking. The Switch is the perfect home as it allows for graphical improvements while retaining the handheld option with which the series is synonymous. I can’t wait to see what new improvements come with utilizing the Switch’s hardware.
by Jimmy Turner
Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- – November 7th (Switch)
Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- is a fan disk following up otome title Virche Evermore – ErroR: Salvation. Our very own Niki Fakhoori’s rather positive review of that earlier game has made me quite curious about the Virche Evermore series in general!
This fan disk contains five new tales that delve deeper into the main story routes, provide extra scenarios, and may even show what the future has in store for everyone on the island of Arpéchéle alongside some truly stunning VN art. As an otome fan, I’m glad we’re seeing more fan disk localizations, and Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- promises to be memorable when it releases later this week!
by Audra Bowling
Also Coming This Week
Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered – November 7th (PS5)
If you bought Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 1 on the Switch, you already have Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered, an upgrade of an upgrade, so to speak. Now, it’s coming to PS5, which makes sense considering the impending arrival of sequel Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero.
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