Preview Archives | Page 3 of 6

Hymn to the Earless God Hands-On Preview

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on August 30, 2023

Five years ago, the very first game I reviewed for RPGFan was a little indie game called Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass. And let me tell you, it was a doozy. You play as an 8-year-old exploring his dreamworld, trying to take down the “Pulsating Mass” threatening him, his family, and the entire world.… Read More »

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails Preview and Hands-On Impressions

Posted by Kiyan Mullen on August 29, 2023

For Anglophone Falcom fans, patience is less a virtue and more a premise. In modern times, the distinguished developer’s bread-and-butter is Trails, an ongoing chronicle as legendarily loquacious as you’re liable to find in the RPG genre. Series diehards devour it. Every entry builds onto a single c… Read More »

Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten Preview and Hands-On Impressions

Posted by Kiyan Mullen on August 13, 2023

Aquaplus — and its mostly retired 18-and-over imprint Leaf — is one of the most fascinating development studios of all time. Their impressive repertoire boasts such storied series as To Heart, such cultish classics as Kizuato. They have contributed immeasurably to the Japanese visual novel and adven… Read More »

Blue Protocol Hands-On Impressions from Summer Game Fest [UPDATE]

Posted by Alvin Lim on July 25, 2023

Update: Bandai Namco has released a new combat trailer for Blue Protocol, showcasing the game’s starting roster of playable classes. Check it out: During Summer Game Fest’s Game Days, I got the opportunity to sit down at Amazon Games’ booth, have some charcuterie, a few drinks, and try out a little… Read More »

One Lonely Outpost Hands-On Preview: A Promising Sci-Fi Farming Sim

Posted by Mike Salbato on June 23, 2023

I don’t have any robotic cows yet, and I’m sad. Hang on: there’s a chance that line needs more context. Since first appearing on Kickstarter in August 2020, I’ve had my eye on One Lonely Outpost. I love farming games and sci-fi, so unless Marvelous wants to revisit Innocent Life one day, there’s ver… Read More »

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles Preview and Hands-On Impressions

Posted by Kiyan Mullen on June 20, 2023

Nippon Ichi Software’s Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure may be one of the comfiest video games ever crafted in the classic JRPG mold. It wraps with patient, gentle hands a glimmering gift of cozy sights, soothing sounds, light puzzle-adventuring, breezy battles, enchanting scenarios that know just how… Read More »

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless Preview and Hands-On Impressions

Posted by Kiyan Mullen on June 20, 2023

Like a tenacious bat out of the wackiest possible hell, Nippon Ichi Software has returned to the SRPG arena to once again curb-stomp the rules and reach nearly unmatched levels of mechanical depth and complexity while doing it. In other words? Disgaea is back, dood. For those who have remained on th… Read More »

Cross Blitz Preview

Posted by Jerry Williams on June 19, 2023

Yes, folks, it’s time for Yet-Another-Card-Game, this time starring Cross Blitz. What’s peculiar about this fad that’s been going on since Slay the Spire made a splash is that while creating a card game appears easy, standing out from the competition isn’t. Here, we have a preview for Cross Blitz, a… Read More »

Eternights Hands-On Preview Impressions

Posted by Audra Bowling on June 19, 2023

Dating and the end of the world go hand-in-hand in post-apocalyptic horror action RPG Eternights. Can our nameable protagonist save the world and find love while adhering to a strict deadline? Only time will tell when Eternights gets fully released on September 21st. Those curious abo… Read More »

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals Summer Game Fest Impressions

Posted by Monica Rose on June 18, 2023

Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is an interesting mix of soothing music and relaxing exploration intermixed with eerie vibes and a deep sense of dread that a cosmic horror is barreling towards you, and there is nothing you can do to save yourself or anyone else. You start as an unknown character waking up… Read More »

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (Remaster) Preview

Posted by David Silbert on June 12, 2023

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since 2011’s Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective hit the Nintendo DS. In a year dominated by massive sequels (Portal 2, Uncharted 3, and Skyrim, to name a few), Ghost Trick stood out as a clever little adventure title that fit the handheld like a glove. While… Read More »

Beastieball Hands-On Impressions at Summer Game Fest

Posted by Alvin Lim on June 12, 2023

I got the opportunity to sit with three Day of the Devs games and their developers at Summer Game Fest for ten minutes each this past weekend! Jeff Lobanov of Wishes Unlimited introduced me to their game Beastieball, the only one of three that was an RPG, and it turned out to be one of my favorite g… Read More »

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Summer Game Fest Hands-On Impressions

Posted by Alvin Lim on June 11, 2023

When I first heard about Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis (which is coming to iOS and Android mobile devices), I thought it would just be a retread of Final Fantasy VII with gacha elements. Most mobile game announcements nowadays are gacha games, so it was easy to assume. I’m glad to say that I was pr… Read More »

Fae Farm Summer Game Fest Impressions

Posted by Monica Rose on June 10, 2023

I’m not ashamed to say that I love cute games. If it is colorful, bright, and not too hard, it’s right up my alley. I also get bored with simplistic games. In Fae Farm, I might have just found the cozy gaming love of my life. It is bright, colorful, mega customizable, and packed to the gills with co… Read More »

Thirsty Suitors Summer Game Fest Impressions

Posted by Monica Rose on June 10, 2023

I have never laughed so hard playing a video game as I did during my 30-minute demo of Thirsty Suitors. Picture Scott Pilgrim, but based on healthy emotional growth instead of video games. The opening scene combines a skateboarding game and a personality quiz. The quiz matters, too, as the results c… Read More »

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg Preview

Posted by Des Miller on May 10, 2023

On May 23rd, 1997, a small developer named Gust released the first game in the Atelier series: Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg. The game was based around a love of collecting and creating items, which their contemporaries weren’t focusing on at the time. While games such as Harvest Moon popu… Read More »

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie Sneak Peek

Posted by Audra Bowling on May 4, 2023

What if you could peer into the future and make decisions based on what you see? What if your decisions had a long-reaching impact on those you’re close to and the fabric of reality itself? Polly recently returns to the Mediterranean island of Atina, where she grew up, hoping to find her missing mot… Read More »

Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord Exclusive Combat Sneak Peek

Posted by Neal Chandran on April 24, 2023

A new Fairy Fencer F game is not something gamers expected from Idea Factory since it’s not one of their high-profile series. The original Fairy Fencer F released in 2013, and an expanded, enhanced version called Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force came out in 2016. Those games featured a traditional… Read More »

PAX East 2023: 5 RPGs to Keep on Your Radar

Posted by David Silbert on April 21, 2023

To many, Boston is a city of callous drivers, hard-nosed sports fans, and pricey lobster rolls. But, to me, it’s home to one of my favorite annual rituals: PAX East. As a Boston native, I’ve attended PAX East for over a decade. Each year, I walk the halls of Boston’s exhibition center in search of… Read More »

PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack Hands-On Preview

Posted by Mike Salbato on February 24, 2023

I don’t know what I expected when starting up PowerWash Simulator’s Midgar Special Pack, but I wouldn’t have ever guessed I’d be Reeve’s confidant. Obviously, as a general rule, we would not cover PowerWash Simulator at RPGFan, but come on, if you’re going to offer me a chance to help Tifa clean up… Read More »

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Hands-On Preview

Posted by Des Miller on February 22, 2023

The Atelier series has been on the upswing since Ryza’s debut in 2019. Thanks to positive critical and commercial reception, developers Gust have finally received what they’ve needed the most: some breathing room. A seemingly higher budget and longer development cycle for 2020’s Atelier Ryza 2: Lost… Read More »

Sea of Stars Hands-On Preview

Posted by Caitlin Argyros on February 14, 2023

It’s only February, but 2023 is already shaping up to be full of AAA releases from big-name developers. From The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to Final Fantasy XVI and Starfield, RPG fans have a lot to look forward to. One of my most anticipated titles, however, is an indie retro RPG from th… Read More »

Wandering Sword Demo Impressions

Posted by Audra Bowling on February 6, 2023

So, you’re an RPGFan who also loves to lose yourself in the martial arts action of a Wuxia tale. But do you ever wish they could be interactive like your favorite game genre? Well, the upcoming RPG Wandering Sword might be right up your alley! A demo of a couple of early story mi… Read More »

Forspoken Hands-on Preview Event

Posted by Scott Clay on December 12, 2022

Thanks to the lovely people at Square Enix, I was invited to an event last week where I got some hands-on experience with the soon-to-be-released Forspoken. I also had the privilege of speaking to and interviewing Takefumi Terada (Co-Director), Takeshi Aramaki (Head of Luminous Productions/Director)… Read More »

I Spent a Season on Coral Island, and You Should Too

Posted by Mike Salbato on October 11, 2022

Coral Island is a farm sim inspired by classics like Harvest Moon (sorry, Story of Seasons), Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and more, set on a beautiful tropical island. Developer Stairway Games reached their initial funding goal on Kickstarter within 36 hours. By the… Read More »

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