In this edition of RPGs Coming This Week: more games than you can shake a stick at! Okay, I can finally cross that cliche off the bucket list. But really, it’s a crowded field this week; from the return of old standbys to the debut of potential new favorites, I wouldn’t be surprised if the titles here show up on Game of the Year lists. Let’s dive in!
Away From Home – October 27th (Windows)
Kicking us off this week is Away From Home, an RPG with rhythm-based combat. Its store page specifically cites EarthBound as an inspiration, which makes sense considering that Mother 3‘s battle system had a rhythm mechanic. And that’s not to mention Away From Home has similarly quirky vibes with darker material under the surface, if the trailer above is any indication.
Small aside, but I swear this is a game made specifically for me. The game’s got side quests and chance-based events with progression influenced by Yakuza 0. In terms of music, one of the soundtrack’s contributors is Nelward, one of my favorite chiptune guys on SoundCloud over a decade ago and a fantastic pop artist today.
Another thing I want to note is that Away From Home looks fantastic. It’s gotta be difficult for pixel-art graphics to stand out these days, but this game pops from the screen with its vibrant, well-animated look reminiscent of classic ’90s cartoons.
A demo is available if you want to sample the game ahead of release. It’s a little confusing to access since there’s a separate Steam page for an identical game called Home, which I presume is its original incarnation. Avoid that and use the Away From Home Steam page.
by Gio Castillo
The Séance of Blake Manor – October 27th (Windows)
The Séance of Blake Manor is a supernatural detective game set in 1897 Ireland. It’s heavily inspired by Irish mythology and the spiritualist movements of the Victorian era, blending the supernatural with a classic detective mystery.
You play as Private Investigator Declan Ward, who arrives at Blake Manor to investigate the disappearance of a young woman, Miss Deane, who went missing the day before. Upon your arrival, you quickly realize she may not have left the manor at all. The house is full of mystics preparing for the Grand Séance, waiting for All Hallows’ Eve, the night when the veil between worlds is thinnest. On that night, they intend to tear down the barrier and speak to the dead.
Your task is to interview and interrogate suspects to uncover the truth behind Blake Manor and the séance that has brought everyone together. You’ll need to act quickly if you want to save Miss Deane, as every action you take advances the clock. If you’re not in the right place at the right time, you might miss the crucial clue that could reveal the manor’s darkest secrets…
If you’re intrigued by this mysterious story, you can try the demo now on Steam and experience the chilling atmosphere of Blake Manor for yourself.
by Adem Yilmaz
Death by Scrolling – October 28th (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Developer Ron Gilbert, the renowned mind behind beloved adventure classics like Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island, is taking a bold new direction with his latest project, Death by Scrolling. Releasing for PC on October 28th, this pixel-art roguelike RPG immerses players in a quirky yet dark reimagining of Purgatory. The game’s most notable feature takes its cues from auto-scrolling levels in 2D platformers, where the player must keep moving forward, lest they succumb to death by screen boundary.
The game features a frantic, auto-scrolling world filled with a relentless wall of flames that pursues characters upward. Players must navigate a series of escalating challenges while engaging in fast-paced combat, grabbing loot, and outrunning the ever-encroaching wall of death. There are five heroes to choose from, each equipped with unique perks. The main goal in Death by Scrolling is to gather enough riches to pay the ferryman and escape the chaotic realm. With any roguelike, players can expect plenty of death and resurrection, although the mechanics surrounding carryovers and upgrades promise to add depth to each run.
by Jimmy Turner
Simon the Sorcerer Origins – October 28th (PS5, XSX, PS4, XB1, Switch, Windows, macOS, Linux)
Simon the Sorcerer Origins is the highly anticipated prequel to the classic point-and-click adventure series Simon the Sorcerer. Thirty years after the first game, Simon is back, drawn into a strange world by an ancient prophecy that will finally reveal his origins. Longtime fans will be thrilled to know that the original voice actors — Chris Barrie in English and Erik Borner in German — return, adding a strong layer of nostalgia to this new origin story.
Set just a few weeks before the first legendary adventure from the 1990s, this prequel introduces a brand-new hand-drawn art style featuring more than 15,000 individually crafted frames. On this journey, you’ll solve loads of tricky puzzles, face absurd situations, and meet a variety of quirky characters as you unravel the mystery behind Simon’s destiny and become the legendary wizard you’re meant to be.
Simon returns with his unique humor and a new original soundtrack composed by Mason Fischer. Oh, and Rick Astley is in the game too!
by Adem Yilmaz
The Outer Worlds 2 – October 29th (PS5, XSX, Windows)
The Outer Worlds 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind the beloved Fallout: New Vegas. This sequel took over three times as long to make and is at least twice as large as the first game, featuring more action, more weapons, and a much bigger universe.
While the first Outer Worlds was set in Halcyon, this one takes place in a completely new region known as Arcadia. You play as an Earth Directorate agent, tasked with uncovering the source of devastating rifts that threaten to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads you to Arcadia, where the fate of the entire galaxy rests on your strengths, weaknesses, and the choices you make.
The sequel expands on everything in the original, introducing real-time faction clashes, a new traits and flaws system that evolves based on your playstyle, and countless other additions. For example, if you stare directly at the sun early in the game for too long, your character will remain half-blind for the rest of the adventure, proving that every action truly has consequences. You’ll be able to build your character with abilities that reflect your preferred playstyle and recruit companions who play an integral role in the story you create together.
I strongly recommend checking out Zek’s review of the game, which covers even more details than I’ve mentioned here. And if you’re already convinced, you can pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 on Steam to unlock exclusive content before launch!
by Adem Yilmaz
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake – October 30th (PS5, XSX, Switch, Windows)
It’s finally time! Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake has arrived, ready to conclude the legendary Erdrick Trilogy. This release brings the first two adventures together in one package, letting you play either game in any order you like.
These titles mark the beginning of the Dragon Quest series, featuring Akira Toriyama as the original character and monster designer. While the core games remain faithful to the classics, many things have been improved, including the visuals, story presentation, and gameplay systems.
The HD-2D art style looks better than ever, with richly detailed pixel art, enhanced lighting, and improved depth, surpassing even Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. (If you’re curious, you can check out our review of that game to see how far this beautiful visual style has come.)
Square Enix has also added new story elements, reimagined cutscenes, new monsters, and an additional companion, the Princess of Cannock. Mini medals return as collectibles, and there are even entirely new areas to explore. Altogether, these additions make for the most complete versions of these timeless classics, designed to delight both longtime fans and newcomers.
Story-wise, the remakes stay true to their roots. In Dragon Quest I, peace reigns thanks to the legendary hero Erdrick, who once defeated the Lord of the Underworld. But that peace is short-lived; the diabolical Dragonlord has risen, unleashing hordes of monsters upon the realm. As Erdrick’s descendant, your duty is to defeat this evil and restore order to the world.
Dragon Quest II takes place many years later, when darkness stirs once more and monsters threaten the land again. As the princes and princesses descended from Erdrick’s line, you must rise to the challenge and honor your ancestor’s legacy.
If this sounds interesting, check out our preview, since some of us got to play a little bit of it early and came away with plenty of positive impressions! And if you pre-order the game on Steam, you’ll receive a few exclusive in-game bonuses, so don’t miss out if this adventure calls to you!
by Adem Yilmaz
Kamitsubaki Academy Newspaper Club – October 30th (Switch, Windows)
Kamitsubaki Academy Newspaper Club begins with you waking up with amnesia in Kamitsubaki City, a mysterious place in another world with a giant tower rising at its center. You’re soon greeted by Kafu Morisaki, who invites you to join the Kamitsubaki Academy Newspaper Club. There, you’ll build bonds with Kafu and the other members through daily school life (yes, it really is a school!) and by investigating the city’s many mysteries.
As a member of the Newspaper Club, your job is to dig into Kamitsubaki City’s rumors and secrets. You’ll uncover fascinating stories to report on, but also clues that might help you recover your lost memories. Progress through the story by exploring the city, investigating its corners, and witnessing strange events unfolding in unexpected places.
Will you uncover the wildest rumor in Kamitsubaki City, and, more importantly, the truth behind your amnesia? You can start your investigation right now by trying the demo on Steam.
by Adem Yilmaz
Stray Children – October 30th (Switch, Windows)
Indie studio Onion Games’ upcoming JRPG, Stray Children, aims to deliver a thought-provoking adventure that echoes the studio’s signature quirkiness. The game is directed by the talented Yoshiro Kimura, known for works such as Moon: Remix RPG Adventure, which Undertale creator Toby Fox has credited as a main source of inspiration for his acclaimed game.
In Stray Children, players step into the shoes of a young boy known simply as the Child, who must navigate a world where only children live and adults have been transformed into monsters. The charm lies in its fusion of RPG mechanics with a narrative steeped in humor and poignant themes of childhood and adulthood. The game blends traditional combat with unexpected interactions, like riddles and emotional conversations. The game’s artistic style merges whimsical animation with dark imagery.
Stray Children releases in the west on October 30th for Nintendo Switch and PC. Onion Games is poised to offer a unique experience with a complex narrative and setting. Fans of Undertale or Onion’s previous titles should give this game a look.
by Jimmy Turner
Tales of Xillia Remastered – October 31st (PS5, XSX, Switch, Windows)
Tales of Xillia Remastered is the enhanced edition of the beloved action RPG originally released exclusively for the PlayStation 3 over ten years ago. This marks the first time the game is available outside of the PS3, so be sure to check out our review of the original 2013 release!
In this action-packed adventure, you’ll dive into the world of Rieze Maxia as either Jude Mathis, an aspiring medical student from the capital, or Milla Maxwell, a mysterious woman accompanied by four powerful spirits. Follow their intertwined paths as they embark on a fantastic journey through a land where humans and spirits coexist in harmony.
One of the game’s most intriguing features is its dual-story system. The full narrative can only be understood through a second playthrough, as certain events unfold differently depending on which character you choose. While their stories often overlap, there are key moments where they separate, giving you a unique perspective on the same world. Combat takes place in real time, allowing you to team up with allies and unleash devastating combo attacks to overwhelm your foes.
The remaster features beautifully enhanced visuals and animations, improved graphics, an auto-save function, and all of the DLC originally released with the base game. If you’re interested, you can pre-order Tales of Xillia Remastered on Steam right now!
by Adem Yilmaz
Also Coming This Week
Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth trilogy – October 28th (PS4)
Idea Factory’s trilogy of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth games releases as an all-in-one package for PlayStation 4 this week. For those unfamiliar, Hyperdimension Neptunia is a JRPG series full of genre tropes and a fourth-wall-breaking story. Players control goddesses known as CPUs (representations of real-world video game consoles) who are engaged in a long-standing conflict called the Console War. The trilogy includes remakes of the first three games in the Re;Birth series, released for PlayStation Vita and PC. This PS4 collection also includes all DLC for each game, and provides a solid option for anyone looking for an entry point into the series.
by Jimmy Turner







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