(s) Archive
2023-09-16
For most RPGs, I’d venture to say only superfans wonder about the nitty-gritty details of each character’s past. What were they like as children? How did they become such an amazing swordsman? Why did they come to stay in this village if their birthplace is on the other side of the world? I’d reckon most… Read More »
2023-09-13
Exploring in Baldur’s Gate III, the main character and their party eventually find themselves embroiled in conflict with the Three Chosen, the main humanoid antagonists and a trio of fascinating individuals. Ketheric Thorm anoints himself the chosen representative of Lady Shar, the goddess of darkness. Lord Enver Gortash, the Chosen of Bane, the god of… Read More »
2023-09-06
Campaign Ends: September 14thPlatform: A table, a desk, or your floor! Clear your table and prepare a beverage of your choice, as today we welcome a new and exciting adventure in Crowdfunding Chronicles: our first coverage of a card game! Presenting To the Moon: Bestest Memories, a heartwarming standalone game based on Freebird Games’ beloved… Read More »
2023-08-27
Hilary Andreff Disco Elysium is a game you play when you feel like reading a book. I’ve been reflecting on this comment significantly since we convened and podcasted, and it’s true in many ways. This game requires attention, patience, reflection and promises a range of responses and feelings that match even well-written fiction. Disco Elysium… Read More »
2023-08-23
Earlier this month, SEGA invited me to New York City for hands-on experience with a few new games coming out in the next half a year or so. I was even more excited when I heard that Persona 3 Reload, Persona 5 Tactica, and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name would all… Read More »
2023-08-09
This article is my first contribution to a newer series of features here at RPGFan: Parental Guidance. Cat Quest and Kingdom Hearts have already been wonderfully covered by Monica and I encourage everyone to read those pieces as well. This feature aims to achieve the same goal: to aid parents in making educated decisions about… Read More »
2023-08-08
Thanks to the folks at Square Enix, I had the opportunity to attend Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2023 in Las Vegas! This year was the first in-person iteration of the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival since 2019. In addition, the event served as a celebration for the MMO’s upcoming tenth anniversary of its relaunch… Read More »
2023-08-03
Sometimes cats go missing and later turn up just two streets away, examining a confused woman’s newly bought groceries. I’m not sure if that’s what happens to the cat in this game, but I would like to find out.
2023-08-02
After an extended absence from our TV screens, Star Trek roared back into the limelight in 2017 with Star Trek: Discovery, a brand-new show set pre-The Original Series. This spurred an entirely new era of Star Trek shows, with Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds following soon after. With this renewed interest in… Read More »
2023-07-26
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 »
Is COVID over? Is it safe to come out? Can I go to Origins again? I’ll leave the first two questions up to you, but as for that third one, yes, I can go to Origins Game Fair again. Boy am I glad I did, too, because this was one hot year! Now, veterans might… 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
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 »
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 »
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 »
