(s) Archive
2023-07-26
Card games within the board game scene blew up once Dominion made a splash in 2008, just as board games started hitting a certain quality and mainstream appeal. Since then, several released titles built on what Dominion did fifteen years ago, such as Thunderstone, Ascension, various video game intellectual property spin-offs (like Resident Evil), and… Read More »
For several years before the pandemic, pride parades occurred the same weekend as Origins. For most of us, this was a welcomed occasion, despite the increased traffic and congested restaurants. While the typical parade didn’t occur this year, the Pride Gamers of Columbus had a room prominently displayed with a rainbow banner near registration and… Read More »
Origins always brings something new and exciting to the board gaming and RPG scene with peripherals. In years past, I praised companies like the Broken Token—who I believe was missing from this year’s show—for their meticulous work making board game box inserts to help keep everything neat and tidy. Other companies do much the same,… Read More »
Whether it’s crocheting, the ancient art of ukiyo-e, or good ol’ fashioned pen and paper, Origins 2023 brought a variety of exceptionally talented artists. Resisting the urge to turn my home into a museum of fan art was challenging this year, though I certainly purchased a few works. Contained here is just a brief sampling… Read More »
If you’re usually chasing after the latest and greatest, Origins is one of the premier events to attend every year. Here, I got my hands on some fantastic demos. While I’m rarely shy about doling out bad news when a video game doesn’t deliver, I’m going to remain positive here, as most of the demos… Read More »
2023-07-19
In 2012, the world was not ready for the Wii U. At that time, we barely understood what the iPad was. There was no space in gaming for a hybrid console with simultaneous TV/touch-pad functionality. People were unaccustomed to a multi-display setup. Heck, college students were just starting to figure out they could watch SportsCenter… Read More »
2023-07-16
Aleks Franiczek Final Fantasy VI has long been my default answer when asked what my “Favorite Game of All Time” is. I hadn’t played through it in over a decade leading up to this podcast, and I was honestly concerned that the experience wouldn’t live up to this legendary status I’ve assigned it. Childhood memories and… Read More »
2023-07-06
A run of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance.
2023-07-05
And we’re back with another 25th Anniversary feature! Five years ago, as we were celebrating our 20th Anniversary, we put together a list of 20 localizations we still wanted. Luckily, we’ve received more than a few of those titles, along with a number of other surprise localizations over the years. While we’re still waiting for… Read More »
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love By Alvin Lim SEGA’s dating sim/visual novel mecha SRPG hybrid series, Sakura Wars (or Sakura Taisen if you prefer), has often been absent from Western shores — at least game-wise. When Sakura Wars V was released in Japan in 2005, there was virtually no hope of us getting it… Read More »
The Great Ace Attorney By Niki Fakhoori Ace Attorney localizations weren’t doing so hot during the days of the Nintendo 3DS. Hot on the heels of Investigations’ unlocalized sequel were digital-only releases of Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice—and these games were let off easy. The spin-off games, Dai Gyakuten Saiban—The Great Ace Attorney—1 and… Read More »
2023-07-04
For some mysterious reason *cough* my huge backlog *cough* I still haven’t gotten around to watching Adventure Time, a clear inspiration for today’s game of choice.
2023-06-20
Eight mainline titles and counting. Dozens upon dozens of lovably wild characters and scenarios. Roughly 175,200 hours (of darkness) since one of the wackiest — and deepest — SRPG series exploded onto the scene. Happy 20th, Disgaea. Is there any better way to celebrate than by opening this piece with a bunch of increasingly prodigious… Read More »
2023-06-18
If you have an eye for detail, a love of European architecture, and an overwhelming urge to uncover family secrets, read on.
2023-06-15
The Atelier series celebrated its 25th anniversary just over a year ago, and Gust has continued to keep the cauldron turning. As part of the 25th anniversary celebration, we’re being taken back to where it all began with a fresh and gorgeous remake of the first game in the series: Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of… Read More »
2023-06-06
Peter Triezenberg Lost Odyssey is a special game. While it doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the table, it’s an exemplary RPG made by experienced developers and talented artists. Much praise has been given to the Thousands Years of Dreams, and they’re indeed beautiful, but I’m in love with the rest of the package as… Read More »
2023-06-05
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Darth Revan Twist By James Turner I met my wife in 2005, who just happened to be an Xbox owner. Up until that point, I was a PlayStation fanboy through and through. One afternoon we were looking for a new game to play, and a memory of… Read More »
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Lost in a Dream By Noah Leiter My six-year-old nephew is a baller at video games. He can beat Donkey Kong Country solo. He understands how to play PokĂ©mon games — he even keeps a full party with different types. He just beat Insomniac’s Spider-Man on his own.… Read More »
Get this, folks: RPGFan is in its 25th year as a website! 25 years of reviews, news, features, and all kinds of other RPG coverage. As a person who has been following the site almost since the beginning it both blows my mind and makes me feel very, very old. So, we’ll be bringing you… Read More »
2023-05-24
The Kingdom Hearts games have been around for over twenty years now. Odds are pretty good that you’ve at least heard of them, or your kids have pointed one out at the store because they want the game with Mickey Mouse on the cover. Seems like a no-brainer purchase, right? If it has Mickey on… Read More »
2023-05-22
Disclaimer: This is a special version of the game made for media to experience, and content may differ from the final version. FINAL FANTASY XVI © 2023 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Thanks to the amazing people over at Square Enix, I got another chance to play Final Fantasy XVI. This time, however,… Read More »
2023-05-19
Final Fantasy XVI is just around the corner, and it’s the first mainline Final Fantasy release in almost seven(!) years. That’s the longest wait between mainline entries in the series yet. Like many of us, I’ve been inclined to reflect on the legacy of these games, and the little ranking demon in my brain has… Read More »
2023-05-17
“Xenosaga is a prequel to Xenogears.” “Mira in Xenoblade Chronicles X exists in the same world as the Bionis and Mechonis of the original game.” Starting a game in the Xeno series may feel daunting, but these myths and theories make it seem far worse. The beautiful yet tragic thing about the Xeno series: you… Read More »
2023-05-10
In an effort to support diversity and representation in gaming, I am writing about a topic near and dear to me: neurodiversity—specifically, neurodivergent characters in RPGs. I knew this was a project that would take a good deal of time and research. Add on the struggles and distractions that come with being ADHD myself, and… Read More »
2023-05-07
Hello RPG friends! I have returned from a short absence to bring you a tale of daring detectives, respectable robots, and even a bit of murder.
