- Article
- News
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Switch 2 Release Date and More Square Enix from Today’s Nintendo Direct
This morning’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase didn’t seem that packed with RPG and adventure game updates at first, but as it went on, I lost track of how many times I thought, “oh, this is also in our coverage at RPGFan.” We will get to more developers as well, but Square Enix alone featured a tr… Read More »- Article
- News
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Gets New Trailer, Coming in June
During this morning’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, we got our first look in a while at The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, showcasing the different time periods, and specifically how the same areas look at each point in time. As a major Chrono Trigger and Zelda fan, it finally dawne… Read More »- Review
Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass
There is no shortage of Earthbound-inspired games that seek to grab the attention of nostalgia-filled RPG fans. This only escalated with the release of Undertale in 2015, which is now so horrifyingly long ago that it apparently qualifies as retro itself. Console gamers have long been deprived of a k… Read More »- Review
Nioh 3
Nioh is my favorite Soulslike series of all time. Few games have ever rewarded mastery the way the series’ previous entries did, and even now, I struggle to think of another action RPG that offers the same sense of control once everything clicks. So, going into Nioh 3, my expectations were personal.… Read More »- Article
- Random Encounter
- Podcast
Random Encounter 340 – Cause and Effect
On this week’s Random Encounter, it’s all about games featuring cause and effect! First up, Audra is here to chat with us about the time-travelling, Souls-like sequel to 2019’s Code Vein: Code Vein II. Though it can occasionally feel like being trapped in a time loop while playing against a Souls-li… Read More »- Review
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
Sometimes I think I played a different game when people talk about the original Dragon Quest VII. What do you mean it’s too long? You want fewer islands? Okay, sure, I could do with things going a little faster in the beginning, but that’s part of the beauty of Dragon Quest VII: it takes its time. I… Read More »- Review
Hermit and Pig
Much of the joy I derive from playing indie RPGs comes from seeing how independent developers remix familiar mechanics and classic presentation towards a singular purpose that a larger studio or publisher would never touch. Many big productions are so focused on appealing to everyone that they lack… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 2/1/26
While our RPGs coming this week column technically includes anything coming out between February 1st through the 7th, it seems most publishers have their eyes firmly set on Thursday, as three of our four titles this week all launch on February 5th! With a new entry in a small-but-popular Souls-like… Read More »Music Review
Lies of P Original Soundtrack
2023’s Lies of P, a dark, Souls-like twist on Carlo Collodi’s classic 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, is all about exploring what it takes to turn a cold, mechanical heart into something human. Sure, some of that involves slaying giant, demented puppets and zombified beasts to an epic, dread… Read More »Music Review
Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version
As a teenager, I pilgrimaged to the Nintendo Store in New York City with my parents as part of a family vacation. My most distinctive memory of that visit is of “Terra’s Theme” blaring inside, and of my father, a gamer but certainly no RPGFan, whistling the iconic melody. That’s the compositional po… Read More »- Article
- Retro Encounter
- Podcast
Retro Encounter 478 – RPGs That Deserve a Perfect Score
On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we discuss something that has only been awarded once at RPGFan: a perfect score. So, each panelist brings on one game they think deserves a perfect score and defend it against the panel. But there can be only one! Who will be our winner? Listen in to find o… Read More »- Review
Cassette Boy
One of my favorite things about smaller games is their willingness to embrace off-the-wall mechanics and take quirky concepts as far as they will go. While big and even mid-budget games are so focused on appealing to the largest number of players possible by iterating on proven ideas, small developm… Read More »- Review
Steel Century Groove
I love indies because they can do almost anything, any way. Triple-A titles can break from the pack, but most of their qualities are time-tested and safe; after all, there is investors’ money on the line. Indies come with dreams, vision, and minimal worries about risk. That’s how we get titles like… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 1/25/26
Hello, fellow RPG fans! This week we have a pair of offbeat indie titles you may want to keep an eye on, plus a decidedly larger title with vampires or something. So whether you’re into open world anime soulslikes, British comedy adventure, or dancing robots, the RPGs coming this week don’t lack in… Read More »- Feature
RPGFan Chapters Review: Boss Fight Books ‘Legend of the River King’ by Alexander B. Joy
After hearing about publisher Boss Fight Books from podcasts and reviews (like Alana Hagues’ review of BFB title Final Fantasy VI) over the years, yet somehow never picking up one of their titles, I jumped at the opportunity to review their newest addition to their vast library of documentary-style… Read More »- Feature
Retro Encounter Final Thoughts – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Aleks Franiczek It’s been over 6 years since Vanillaware released 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and in that time the game has garnered a reputation as one of the great videogame narrative masterpieces of the modern era. Obviously, I had lofty expectations going in. Cue the first scene: a schoolgirl is er… Read More »Music Review
Final Fantasy V Original Sound Version
In summer 2000, at the young age of 16, I wrote an embarrassingly terse review of the Final Fantasy V soundtrack. Granted, everything about this entry in the acclaimed series seemed novel at the time, given its lack of official localization until around the same time as Final Fantasy VIII. But there… Read More »- Article
- News
Max and Chloe Make a Comeback in Life is Strange: Reunion
The PEGI rating leak for the next Life is Strange installment has now been confirmed. During a recent livestream, developer Deck Nine and publisher Square Enix officially revealed Life is Strange: Reunion, marking the long-awaited comeback of fan-favorite characters Max Caulfield and Chloe Price as… Read More »- Article
- News
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Demo Available Now
SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released a demo for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. It is currently available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Players can sample both halves of the game, playing as Kazama Kiyru in Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Yoshitaka Mine in Dar… Read More »- Review
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Switch 2)
Hey there, sports fans. I have played a sports videogame before; my first was Baseball for the Nintendo Game Boy, a remarkable game for its time because it let you simulate playing baseball outside, you know, where they play baseball and stuff. But this isn’t a review of Baseball on the Nintendo Gam… Read More »- Review
TR-49
“But how can a novel…be fake?” my friend astutely pointed out as I was trying to explain the premise behind inkle’s TR-49. Because the authors never existed? No, there are plenty of instances of pen names and disputed authorship. Because there were no records of these books outside one instance bu… Read More »- Review
Angeline Era
As a longtime fan of the Ys series, I’ve often wondered what Ys would look like had it kept the archaic yet charming bump-combat system that defined Ys Books I&II. This bump combat arose when games were more minimal in their presentation and limited in scope; in adapting to the changing times an… Read More »- Article
- News
Sea of Stars Coming to iOS & Android in Early April
Playdigious and developer Sabotage Studios have announced that Sea of Stars will release for iOS and Android devices on April 7th. The port will have revamped controls exclusive to the mobile version of Sea of Stars. Additionally, Playdigious has also confirmed that it will launch with cloud saves,… Read More »- Article
- News
Bel’s Fanfare Brings 3D Exploration, Bullet Hell Battles, & More; Kickstarter Goes Live on Feb 3rd
Developer Chibig has announced their next game in Bel’s Fanfare, an exploratory RPG experience that fuses bullet-hell style combat and shipboard secrets. As part of the announcement, Chibig revealed the short and stylish teaser trailer below. Bel’s Fanfare – Announcement Teaser As seen at the end of… Read More »- Article
- Random Encounter
- Podcast
Random Encounter 339 – 2025 Year in Review
In our first Random Encounter of 2026, we’re taking a look back at 2025! While many would describe 2025 as a mixed bag (at best), there is no disputing that it was a banner year for video games. Not only did we finally get two of the most anticipated sequels of all time in Hollow Knight: Silksong an… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 1/18/26
Hello RPG fans with an eye on the future! We have another week that is small on quantity of releases, but high on quality and content. For many, the Switch 2 (and Xbox) release of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is the star this week, as we all look forward to seeing how Cloud’s remade adventure… Read More »- Feature
Final Fantasy: Moogle Bounty Mayhem
Final Fantasy: Moogle Bounty Mayhem is yet another iteration of Final Fantasy licensed board games, this one driven by cardplay. In the board game sphere, licensed properties range from all-time greats to harrowingly disappointing. A good intellectual property does not guarantee good board game desi… Read More »- Article
- News
Deltarune Chapter 5 Expected to Release in 2026
Undertale reached its 10-year milestone in 2025, but the game’s expanded universe continues to thrive. Undertale’s spinoff title, Deltarune, has released four chapters to date, including Chapters 3 & 4 in 2025. The next installment, Deltarune: Chapter 5, is planned for a 2026 release. Creator an… Read More »Music Review
Final Fantasy IV Original Sound Version
Final Fantasy IV’s OST brings together the game’s 44 tracks across almost an hour of music. This is my first time hearing the soundtrack in full outside of playing the game, and I’ve found it a great listen both from a purely musical perspective and from its ability to trigger reminiscences of my ti… Read More »- Article
- News
Obsidian Moon Brings Detective Work & Danger Together in New Demo
Lost Moon Games has released a demo for Obsidian Moon, its text-based detective adventure, for PC via Steam. The demo is part of the Steam Detective Fest, celebrating a wide array of investigative-themed titles. A new trailer for Obsidian Moon was also released, showcasing its text-based gameplay, s… Read More »- Article
- News
Avowed Coming to PlayStation 5 Alongside Anniversary Update
Avowed is getting a new update and a new platform. Obsidian Entertainment’s fantasy action RPG was released for Xbox consoles and PC on February 18th, 2025. One year later, on February 17th, the game will drop on Sony’s flagship console. At the same time, a free “Anniversary Update” patch is c… Read More »- Article
- Retro Encounter
- Podcast
Retro Encounter 477 – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Part II
I love you, and that’s why I gotta listen to Retro Encounter. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we chat about the twisty, turny second half of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Do all the plot points land? Who was our favorite character? Is there actually a reason they’re naked in the Sentinels? Lis… Read More »- Review
The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon
Those valiantly keeping up with The Legend of Heroes: Trails series have long been anticipating the finale of the multi-faceted, interconnected grand saga that’s arguably Falcom’s magnum opus. As the Republic of Calvard begins preparations to journey into space (the final frontier) for the first tim… Read More »- Article
- Rhythm Encounter
- Podcast
Rhythm Encounter 174 – Music of the Year 2025
Well hello there, and yes, it is time for a super-sized episode of Rhythm Encounter to celebrate many of the excellent RPG soundtracks, arrangements, and more from 2025. That’s right, it’s Music of the Year 2025 time! With four panelists who each brought on three songs, this is certainly our longest… Read More »- Article
- News
Square Enix Reveals Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Logo
Square Enix has revealed the official logo for the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest franchise. The logo itself highlights the cute and iconic Blue Slime, a mainstay monster and mascot since the series’ start in 1986. The announcement came via the series’ official social media, with the added pr… Read More »- Article
- News
Atlus Teases Persona 30th Anniversary Updates Through 2026
Atlus has unveiled a Persona 30th anniversary website to celebrate its most popular series and promised updates throughout the year. It showcases original artwork by longtime Atlus artist Shigenori Soejima, fusing all of the previous series protagonists in a stylish tableau. A new teaser trailer for… Read More »- Article
- News
Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass Brings Its Dream to Consoles February 5th
Electric Airship and developer Starseed Games have announced that the upcoming console port for Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass will release on February 5th for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The announcement was made via an official Bluesky post, alongside a new tr… Read More »- Article
- News
Trails beyond the Horizon Drops Story Recap Trailer Ahead of Worldwide Release
The latest installment in Nihon Falcom’s Trails series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon, is set to release internationally on January 15th. This sequel to 2022’s Trails Through Daybreak II was released in Japan last September. In anticipation of the worldwide release, publisher NIS A… Read More »- Article
- News
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Now Available Via Switch 2
Nintendo recently added Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance to the GameCube library, which is exclusively accessible to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members via Switch 2. For those who want to check out the series’ first jump into 3D turn-based combat, players need to make sure their subscripti… Read More »- Article
- News
