don’t make any E.T. jokes about Elliot, nobody is going to get it, just carry on and— Oh, hello! Here we are with a new edition of RPGs Coming This Week because while we just spent the last week reveling in approximately 100 new game announcements (an exaggeration, but it sure felt like a lot!), you may be wanting to know what you can play now. And by “now,” I mean “within the next four days.” We have a very exciting new HD-2D title from Square Enix in the vein of some all-time great action/adventure titles, perhaps the first mention of the R-Type series on the pages of RPGFan, and some notable DLC all happening this week.
Thankfully, I had great help with this week’s column courtesy of Ben and Hilary, so this is all you get from me. Take it way, you two!
Intro by Mike Salbato
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales – June 18th (PS5, Switch 2, XBX, Windows)
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is the next HD-2D title from Square Enix’s acclaimed Team Asano (the creative leadership group behind titles like Triangle Strategy, Octopath Traveler, and Bravely Default). This time around, they’ve partnered with frequent collaborator Claytechworks (the studio that co-developed Bravely Default II and the excellent LIVE A LIVE remake) to bring RPG fans worldwide an action RPG that melds the puzzle-solving of classic Zelda titles with the platforming and fast-paced combat of the Ys series, and a little bit of Mana series influence sprinkled on top for good measure. A recipe for success, if I’ve ever heard one, and our own Scott Clay agreed when he had the chance to preview the game last month.
Square Enix is so confident in this title that they released a meaty free demo on Steam, Switch 2, and PlayStation 5. Better yet, any progress made in the demo will carry over to the full release! Both Zelda and Ys have mostly abandoned their classic, top-down, dungeon-and-puzzle-focused design in favor of larger-scale, more expansive worlds. The Adventures of Elliot looks to scratch a similar itch to the classics while maintaining the high production value and polish players expect from Square Enix titles, and that’s why it’s one of my most anticipated releases this year.
by Ben Love
R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos – June 18th (PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, XBX, Windows)
R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos is a remake of both R-Type Tactics and R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, a pair of tactics RPGs originally developed by Irem for the PSP. Although the R-Type franchise is primarily known for brutally difficult horizontal shmups, these games adapt the horizontal presentation, ships, and enemy types from the main series of shooters to a tactical, turn-based strategy framework.
Developer Granzella (made up of former Irem staff and led by Tsuyoshi Nagura, creator of the Disaster Report series) has spent the last decade reviving classic Irem properties for the modern era. Here in the west, the first R-Type Tactics came out for the PSP, but the sequel never received an official Western release until now (though there is a fan translation available). Cosmos includes not only the full branching campaigns of both original titles, but also an entirely new set of missions set after the end of the second game. I appreciate that Granzella saw fit to revisit these classic (but undoubtedly niche) strategy games, and this is definitely the best place to jump in for fans of the R-Type franchise and newcomers alike.
by Ben Love
Also Coming This Week
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle DLC – June 17th (PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, XB1, XBX, Windows, macOS)
I guess one ecosystem the Blue Hole doesn’t really emulate well is a freshwater lake, so when mysterious phenomena start near the jungle village of Utara, Dave and his crew are off to investigate. This latest DLC for Dave the Diver promises not only this new ecosystem, but new missions, systems, and locations. The information on the Steam page also suggests it’s another ~10 hours of content, so this is a hefty portion of new adventures. We’re getting a full, multi-course meal here! And if you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if Mintrocket would do something weird like film a live action trailer with the help of indie film production company The Asylum (Sharknado, Meth Gator),” do we have good news for you:
by Hilary Andreff
Observer: System Redux – June 18th (Switch 2)
Next on this week’s menu are some dreams, because dream-eating neural detective Daniel Lazarski (portrayed by the late Rutger Hauer) is making an appearance when Observer: System Redux arrives on Nintendo’s latest platform. We reviewed the original version in 2017, so feel free to use that as a reference in deciding whether it’s worthwhile to grab this dark cyberpunk mystery in 2026. Though keep in mind that this is the updated 2020 version, System Redux, which includes visual and system improvements, as well as some extra content.
by Hilary Andreff
Until Then: Afterimages DLC – June 17th (Switch, PS5, XBX, Windows, Linux)
We missed out on reviewing Until Then when it released in 2024, but it looks like there’s a good opportunity to dive in this week with the Afterimages DLC. This DLC involves two chapters—titled Homecoming and Sparks—with one for each main character. Sofia contends with her homecoming, and Mark evaluates the spark of a new relationship alongside everything he’s built. Whether you’re starting with the base game or getting a second course with the DLC, don’t wait to play this delightful mix of slice-of-life situations, minigames, and mystery, all uniquely inspired by culture and settings in The Philippines.
by Hilary Andreff
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