- Review
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
It’s been a decade since the original release of Xenoblade Chronicles X, and during that time, things have changed massively for Nintendo and developer Monolith Soft. Today, Nintendo is coming off the most successful console ever made, and Monolith Soft has established itself as its premier RPG deve… Read More »- Episodic Review
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Patch 7.21 & 7.25 – Relics in Space and Time
Heavensward, Final Fantasy XIV’s first expansion, introduced the first iteration of field content: a huge zone where large numbers of players can explore and engage in activities together. Initially, this content was limited to battle jobs with Heavensward’s Diadem and Stormblood’s Eureka. Shadowbri… Read More »- Article
- News
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian Gameplay Systems Explained
Our second Atelier game of the year, Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian, is shaping up to be a more classic experience than Atelier Yumia. To prove this, publisher Tecmo Koei released a new trailer showcasing each of its systems. The game follows a loop of four different… Read More »- Feature
So you want to get into The Legend of Zelda Series…
So you want to get into The Legend of Zelda series? In some ways, that’s like asking, “So you want to get into videogames?” The Zelda series is everywhere in the gaming world: on store shelves, in online discourse, and steeped in the design of many modern videogames. If… Read More »- Review
Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut
My first experience with the series now known as Like a Dragon was Yakuza 4, back when it was still known by its localized name. Ever since, the series has held my attention with each new entry. Even the titles with weaknesses in gameplay or story still carry the series’ signature sense of humor and… Read More »- Review
Death end re;Quest Code Z
The Death end re;Quest series is a strange but enjoyable mixture of disturbing horror visual novels and RPGs. They’re often experimental and overly ambitious in the gameplay department, but the VN side has a lot of charm and heart thanks to a cast of endearing, fun, and memorable characters. As part… Read More »- Article
- Random Encounter
- Podcast
Random Encounter 327 – My Kingdom for a Horse (Girl Game)
On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re playing an updated classic, a spin-off of a modern classic, and talking about the weirdest game I have heard of in a long time! First up, Mark is taking off his nostalgia goggles to give the recent remaster of the CRPG classic Neverwinter Nights 2 an updated lo… Read More »- Article
- Rhythm Encounter
- Podcast
Rhythm Encounter 162 – A Very Nintendo Summer
The Switch 2 is here! Is what we would have opened with had this episode gone up on time. Still, Nintendo’s latest is the newest console on the market and it’s doing pretty well, so we gathered up some fans of Nintendo music for this one. To try something new and to celebrate a wider range of Ninten… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 7/20/25
In this edition of RPGs Coming This Week, a dark and gritty Souls-like debuts alongside a trio of considerably more hospitable adventure games. As an enjoyer of brutal challenges and gentle experiences alike, I feel like I’m being attacked on both fronts. I’m begging someone who’s good at the econom… Read More »- Review
Wuthering Waves
It’s no surprise that HoYoVerse titles such as Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero dominate the gacha market given their absurdly high quality and seemingly infinite budgets. Yet, is there room on the world stage for an unproven competitor to swing at the king and make some wave… Read More »- Review
Tunguska: The Visitation
Solo developers hold a special place in my heart. Seeing one person do the arduous work of multiple disciplines all the way to release is nothing short of inspirational. Home runs like Papers Please are also easy enough to praise from the consumer’s perspective, with the developer’s dedication shini… Read More »- Review
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
What do you get when you combine 2D Zelda-ish world design, cute coloring book mechanics and aesthetics, and a story featuring sincere depictions and reflections on depression and impostor syndrome? Turns out one of the most enjoyable, original, and impactful indie games yet made. I never got around… Read More »- Review
No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files
In his review of Dragon Quest XI, Tim Rogers described the Dragon Quest series as “hangout games,” where much of their appeal comes from spending time with the cast and soaking in their personalities. This concept informs much of my perspective on ensemble casts, especially when it comes to RPGs. Ko… Read More »- Article
- Retro Encounter
- Podcast
Retro Encounter 464 – Breath of Fire II Part I
It is podcasts. On this week’s episode, two old veterans and one newcomer dive into the 1995 SNES RPG Breath of Fire II. A game known for its brutal grind and maybe even more brutal localization, some of the panelists still have a soft spot for it all these years later. Is the localization really th… Read More »- Feature
‘Now That’s What I Call 10 out of 10!’ – A Star Ocean Series Retrospective
The Star Ocean series is, in my opinion, massively underappreciated. Since beginning back in the mid-1990s, it has had quite the bumpy road, with entries generally releasing just once per generation and with wildly varying budgets and critical and player responses. Admirably, the Star Ocean games ha… Read More »- Article
- News
Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack Adds New Characters and Story
Tell me if this is you: the Atelier Ryza games look so good, but I don’t want to buy each individually. Good news! The upcoming Atelier Ryza Secret Trilogy Deluxe Pack includes all three titles in one package. Plus, each game will feature new playable characters and story content! Ryza’s journey beg… Read More »- Review
Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition
I can’t believe we finally have a complete set of the remastered Neverwinter Nights series. After the accomplished rework of the original CRPG game, Aspyr has brought the classic follow-up, Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition—a game some believed unlikely to make the journey—to modern d… Read More »- Article
- News
Dear me, I was… Announced by Arc System Works
From the title alone, Dear me, I was… already sounds like it will tug on the heartstrings. Throw in the gorgeous art of Taisuke Kanasaki (Another Code: Recollection, Hotel Dusk: Room 215), and we’re in for a treat! Arc System Works announced the adventure game following a young girl’s everyday lif… Read More »- Article
- News
Metro Quester: Osaka Heads to Mobile July 31st
Kemco has announced that dungeon crawler RPG Metro Quester: Osaka is coming to mobile platforms on July 31st. Pre-registration and pre-orders are up now on iOS and Android. This latest game follows Metro Quester, which just released on mobile last April. Both games are already available on PlayStati… Read More »- Review
Hanako’s Flower Shop
Actions speak louder than words, and they can even jumpstart much-needed conversations. The language of flowers embodies that sentiment, allowing for hidden meaning and symbolism behind the seemingly simple act of choosing a bouquet for someone. Such is the premise behind the visual novel Hanako’s F… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 7/13/25
In this edition of RPGs Coming This Week, our sleepy July finally perks up. On the slate are a long-overdue remaster, an action RPG based on a manga/anime franchise, and a selection of interesting indie titles. I think it’s safe to say things never get samey around here, even during the quieter time… Read More »- Review
Covenant of Solitude
Covenant of Solitude is a KEMCO-published RPG from developer Magitec that was first released on mobile devices back in 2013. Now, it’s made its way to other platforms, including Steam. Covenant of Solitude unabashedly hearkens back to the 16-bit era of RPGs from the 1990s, but does it do enough to s… Read More »- Feature
Retro Encounter Final Thoughts – Fallout: New Vegas
Audra Bowling Fallout: New Vegas was my first foray into the Fallout series, and it is one heck of a great starting point. I’m not always a huge fan of some of the dated gameplay mechanics: why can’t I lug around as many jugs of purified water as I want and still fast travel, darn it?!? But the choi… Read More »- Review
Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer
From Clifftop Games comes the return of Kathy Rain, a beloved adventure gaming icon of the past decade, now with a new adventure that is twice the length and scope of the original game in Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer. Does it match up to or even surpass the original, or is it more of a sophomore slump?… Read More »- Article
- News
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Update Adds New Game+ Mode and More
Primal Game Studio and Knights Peak have announced that their dark-fantasy action RPG Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree has just received the substantial Update 1.6, now live on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The patch introduces the long-awaited New Game+ mode and much more. Check out… Read More »- Article
- News
Latest Monster Hunter Wilds Update Brings Lagiacrus and Seregios to the Wilds
During the latest Capcom Spotlight, Capcom detailed Title Update 2 for Monster Hunter Wilds, headlined by the comeback of two fan-favourite monsters: Lagiacrus and Seregios. Lagiacrus, the iconic leviathan from Monster Hunter 3, returns with all-new underwater showdowns, complete with exclusive aqua… Read More »- Article
Prolific Composer Motoi Sakuraba Joins Scarlet Moon Artists Lineup
Motoi Sakuraba, the legendary composer behind Dark Souls, Tales, Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile, and many more games (and especially RPGs!), has joined Scarlet Moon Artists. This branch of music label Scarlet Moon began in 2014 and includes many talented musicians who are available for indie projects… Read More »- Review
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered
Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m a Gundam fan. I enjoy the high-stakes mecha battles, epic science-fiction stories buoyed by political machinations, and the horrific and believable impact of war experienced by painfully human characters. I’ve been hooked on the franchise since watching Mobile Suit Gundam Wi… Read More »- Review
Deltarune (Chapters 3+4)
In my recent review of Chapters 1+2, I discussed Deltarune mainly on a macro level: how its legacy ties to Undertale, its main design iterations, and the broad narrative themes it sets up. Having already gone over that, I won’t be retreading any of it. If Toby Fox can just pick up from where he left… Read More »- Article
- Rhythm Encounter
- Podcast
Rhythm Encounter 161 – Mobile RPG Music Medley
Say what you want about your average mobile game, but there are a growing number of great RPGs you can play on your phone. Sure, some have hostile gacha mechanics, and many of the best get shut down eventually, but the care, budget, attention, and talent that goes into some mobile RPG soundtracks is… Read More »- Feature
SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered Interview with Hiroyuki Miura and Naofumi Ueno
Though Square Enix had hinted at an eventual SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered over the past five years, it definitely came as a surprise when they shadow-dropped it on March 27th, 2025 as part of a Nintendo Direct broadcast. While I (Patrick) enjoyed playing through this remastered version of the classic… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 7/6/25
Our quiet July continues in this edition of RPGs Coming This Week. It seems there aren’t as many games releasing this month, even outside the scope of RPGFan. Anyway, it took a little more digging than usual, but I managed to unearth some potential treasures for us. Let’s get down to business, shall… Read More »- Article
- News
Pera Coda, a Mystery Adventure Set in Istanbul, Announced for Steam
With inspiration taken from critically acclaimed Disco Elysium and the beautiful architecture of Istanbul, Pera Coda already sounds promising. Throw in puzzles that rely on time loop mechanics similar to the game 12 Minutes and exploration-driven mysteries like in Outer Wilds, and you’ve got quite t… Read More »- Article
- News
Aksys to Publish House of Fata Morgana Creator’s Project Code M
At the recent Anime Expo, Aksys Games announced it will publish Novect’s (formerly Novectacle) upcoming title, Project Code M. The mystery adventure visual novel was first teased in 2022, for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, as Project Code Name M. Based on the trailer below, it is… Read More »- Review
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
We make the most of the one life we have by layering it with diverse experiences and developing meaningful connections with others. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time seeks to replicate this intricate tapestry by weaving together a variety of gameplay styles and risks becoming a “Jack of all t… Read More »- Article
- Retro Encounter
- Podcast
Retro Encounter 463 – Fallout: New Vegas Part II
You hear that? Richie Marcus likes Retro Encounter! In today’s episode, the panel gets back together to discuss the second half of Fallout: New Vegas. Our conversation covers The Strip, the endgame, the DLC, and of course, Richie Marcus. Does The Strip live up to its name? Which ending did we pick?… Read More »Music Review
Atelier Yumia ~The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land~ Original Soundtrack
The longer a franchise continues with new entries, the more urgent the warning “evolve or die” comes to be. With the latest Atelier entry, Atelier Yumia ~The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land~, developer Gust must have been feeling that pressure. Without question, Project A26 is a new… Read More »- Review
Date Everything!
If Lucille, late blues icon B.B. King’s immortalized guitar, could talk… oh, the stories she could tell! Francesca, WWE wrestler Xavier Woods’ trombone, is a famed character unto herself in pro wrestling lore. I named my #1 bass guitar Hepzibah. We’ve had many adventures together, and she’s even had… Read More »- Feature
CANADAFan: RPGs and Adventure Games from the Great White North
“Made in Canada” used to be kind of a joke in the entertainment industry. Back in the late ’90s, Rick Mercer (one of Canada’s greatest satirists and the host of Talking to Americans) starred in a brilliant Canadian television series, Made in Canada. He played a cutthroat television executive working… Read More »Feature
