Top 3 RPGs That Held My Attention This Year
SKALD: Against the Black Priory
If you’d told me a year ago that my favorite gaming experience of the year would have been an Amiga-inspired retro RPG, I’d have likely shot a pessimistic glance. But SKALD was so draped in dark atmospherics, both in its detailed pixel art and throbbing soundtrack, I could not look away from this creature. Supported by a robust combat system and some mature and clever writing, I was hooked from beginning to end. Amongst the glitz and glamor of the year, SKALD(re)proved to me that old could still be beautiful, and familiar could still be exciting.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Returning to Ichiban and the crew plastered a wide smile on my face that lasted for months. But it also had me worrying about the fate of Kiryu and his future all the way through. I can’t think of an RPG that so expertly blends pathos and fourth-wall-breaking satire. Given the smooth, agile systems of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, not much needed changing, but Infinite Wealth‘s addition of the movement systems and combo interplay lifted it to even greater levels. It didn’t hurt that Hawai’i offered a brilliant change of scenery, too. Across both LAD titles, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have proved they are swimming with the big fish, and I could not be happier.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
I kept having to remind myself not to expect a direct follow-up to Dragon Age: Inquisition, either in world atmospherics, battle design, or in characterisation. All the marketing had made that very clear. But you know what? I enjoyed my time in the north of Thedas, running around Treviso, Dock Town, and elsewhere. The breezy combat, lush visuals, and bite-sized mission structure worked for me, even if I did regret the loss of a more grounded world and deeper, more consistent character interactions. It wasn’t perfect, but it was wholesome fun. I enjoyed Dragon Age: The Veilguard on its own merits, even if it didn’t gel strongly with the series’ heritage. It will be interesting to see where the IP goes from here.
