- Review
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
We make the most of the one life we have by layering it with diverse experiences and developing meaningful connections with others. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time seeks to replicate this intricate tapestry by weaving together a variety of gameplay styles and risks becoming a “Jack of all t… Read More »- Article
- Retro Encounter
- Podcast
Retro Encounter 463 – Fallout: New Vegas Part II
You hear that? Richie Marcus likes Retro Encounter! In today’s episode, the panel gets back together to discuss the second half of Fallout: New Vegas. Our conversation covers The Strip, the endgame, the DLC, and of course, Richie Marcus. Does The Strip live up to its name? Which ending did we pick?… Read More »- Music Review
Atelier Yumia ~The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land~ Original Soundtrack
The longer a franchise continues with new entries, the more urgent the warning “evolve or die” comes to be. With the latest Atelier entry, Atelier Yumia ~The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land~, developer Gust must have been feeling that pressure. Without question, Project A26 is a new… Read More »- Review
Date Everything!
If Lucille, late blues icon B.B. King’s immortalized guitar, could talk… oh, the stories she could tell! Francesca, WWE wrestler Xavier Woods’ trombone, is a famed character unto herself in pro wrestling lore. I named my #1 bass guitar Hepzibah. We’ve had many adventures together, and she’s even had… Read More »- Feature
CANADAFan: RPGs and Adventure Games from the Great White North
“Made in Canada” used to be kind of a joke in the entertainment industry. Back in the late ’90s, Rick Mercer (one of Canada’s greatest satirists and the host of Talking to Americans) starred in a brilliant Canadian television series, Made in Canada. He played a cutthroat television executive working… Read More »Feature
Crowdfunding Chronicles: DOWNHILL
It’s common practice to control the main character in a video game, but this time, she knows someone is pulling her strings! DOWNHILL is a bewitching pixel-graphic action RPG and debut title from all-female trio Sisterhood Games.- Article
- Random Encounter
- Podcast
Random Encounter 326 – Back to Business as Usual
On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re back to business as usual! Not-E3 and the release of the Switch 2 hit us like a hammer. But now that things have finally settled down, it’s time to chat about some games! First up, Aleks gets a chance to talk up the long-awaited Chapters 3+4 of Toby Fox’s follo… Read More »- Feature
Ranking The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy’s Routes
When tactical RPG The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy was described by its directors Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi as having one hundred different endings, I was skeptical. It’s the kind of hyperbolic claim that dares you to doubt it. Of course, one hundred endings later, I’m here to infor… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 6/29/25
All is tranquil in this edition of RPGs Coming This Week. No fast-paced or turn-based combat on the horizon, just games that require a lot of reading — not unlike what you’re doing right now. But I promise this article will be a lot more brisk than your average visual novel, so let’s just get starte… Read More »Article
New Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant DLC Drops on August 7th
Publisher Deck13 Interactive and developer Umami Tiger (Matthias Linda) have announced that the much-awaited Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant DLC is releasing on August 7th for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam. FYI, the paid content occurs just prior t… Read More »- Review
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX
Coming off the heels of two widely successful games, Kingdom Hearts II had a high bar to meet upon its release in 2005. More than meeting expectations, it was critically lauded and, like Kingdom Hearts before it, later received a definitive Final Mix re-release, which did not see Western gaming audi… Read More »Music Review
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector Soundtrack
“Wake up, Sleeper.” In Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, you awaken once again into your new body, its context, its emotions—or rather, singular emotion: fear. Somewhere, another you has signed away your consciousness to be emulated into a sleeper, a synthetic body built to toil in deep space on b… Read More »- Review
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
In the not-so-far future of 2029 (okay, it’s slightly farther from Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’s 2016 release), the world is still reeling from the “Aug Incident” that struck two years earlier, as depicted in Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011). Humans—or “naturals”—are disconcerted and distrustful of the… Read More »- Article
- News
Atelier Yumia Gets a Free Collaboration With Tales of Graces f Remastered
Publisher Koei Tecmo and developer Gust have partnered with Bandai Namco to release a free Tales of Graces f Remastered DLC costume for Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land. Yumia gets to wear Asbel’s outfit in-game. This bonus update is live now on PlayStation 5, PlayS… Read More »- Article
- News
Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive Announced for PC and Xbox
One of the hottest webtoon and anime series is getting its own action RPG! Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this month, Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive recounts Sung Jinwoo’s adventures as a E-rank hunter along with adding new story, raids of up to four players, weapon customization, a… Read More »- Review
Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut
In 2011, Deus Ex: Human Revolution revitalized a franchise, garnering heavy praise yet alienating fans of the original who sought a faithful “immersive sim” follow-up. Two years later, Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut launched to PC and all current consoles, including the series’ first foray… Read More »- Review
Deus Ex: Invisible War
The shining reputation the first Deus Ex enjoys is no accident. Director Warren Spector has stated that Ion Storm’s John Romero asked him to make the game of his dreams without budget restrictions and with a large marketing push. Under those circumstances, visions of grandeur seem inevitable. What i… Read More »- Review
Deus Ex
[Editor’s Note: June 23rd, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the original Deus Ex. In honor of this, we have asked our review team to offer fresh looks at all four mainline games in the series. Be on the lookout for those later this week!] Twenty-five years ago today, we were given a glimpse into t… Read More »- Article
- Rhythm Encounter
- Podcast
Rhythm Encounter 160 – Foliage Ocean: The Second Story
It’s been nearly nine years since we published our first episode about RPG forest music, so it is high time we revisited the topic! Forest music comes in several varieties, from contemplative to mysterious, upbeat to foreboding, and many more. Today’s long-awaited episode covers RPG music with a rea… Read More »- Article
- News
Alzara: Radiant Echoes Developer Studio Camelia Shuts Down, Game on Indefinite Pause
Announced in 2024, Alzara: Radiant Echoes looked like it had it all: music by Motoi Sakuraba (Tales of series, Star Ocean), Yoshiro Ambe (Trials of Mana, Genshin Impact), and influences from Golden Sun and Final Fantasy X. Unfortunately, not all Kickstarter campaigns fulfill their promises. However,… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 6/22/25
In this edition of RPGs Coming This Week, we run the gamut from strategy RPGs to visual novels. This lineup feels like it offers something for everyone — even more than it usually does. I, for one, can’t wait to dive in. Let’s do this! Gales of Nayeli – June 23rd (Windows) Gales of Nayeli is a grid-… Read More »Music Review
Citizen Sleeper (Original Soundtrack)
“It’s at its worst when waking, when your self has spent many dark hours recalling what it felt like to be real, to be a person, to be in a body that was indisputably yours.” Right from the opening lines of solo developer Jump Over the Age’s (Gareth Damian Martin’s) Citizen Sleeper, the theme of the… Read More »- Article
- News
The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon Adds Switch 2 Version, Launches 2026
In addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 (Game-Key card, btw) version, publisher NISA and developer Nihon Falcom have announced that the western release of The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon will be moved to January 2026. Initially, the game was scheduled to launch this fall only for PlaySt… Read More »- Article
- News
Disgaea 7 Complete Launches Exclusively for Switch 2 This Fall
With zany characters and attack numbers in the millions, the Disgaea series has hit a chord with strategy RPG fans for the last two decades. The latest entry, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless, launched back in 2023 for multiple consoles, but only one console will have a new enhanced package with al… Read More »- Article
- News
Vibrant Co-Op RPG Farever Enters Beta in 2025
Shiro Games, the French developer behind Wartales and Evoland, has announced Farever, a new co-op action RPG set in the high-fantasy world of Siagarta. The reveal took place during the latest PC Gaming Show, confirming a PC release via Steam with a beta planned for 2025. If you enjoy exploring wild… Read More »- Article
- Retro Encounter
- Podcast
Retro Encounter 462 – Deus Ex RetroSpective
We always love to celebrate birthdays here at Retro Encounter, and one of our all-time favourite RPGs/immersive sims has a big one coming up! Deus Ex is turning 25 years old! In honour of this momentous occasion, we’ve assembled a panel of fans to chat about each entry in the series. Whether you’re… Read More »- Review
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
As someone who grew up with RPGs, I’ve long championed remasters of forgotten titles, especially now that most classic games are no longer accessible on modern platforms. Reviving lost titles has never been more important. Enter RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, one of the best ex… Read More »- Article
- Preview
Digimon Story: Time Stranger Hands-On Impressions at Summer Game Fest 2025
I’ve heard great things about the Digimon Story series, but unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to check these games out yet. Digimon Story: Time Stranger is making me want to rectify that, as I had a fantastic time with the title during Summer Game Fest. From developer Media.Vision and publishe… Read More »- Article
- Preview
Summer Game Fest 2025 Demo Round-Up: Petal Runner, Blighted, and More
Summer news season is in full swing, and I had the chance to get hands-on with some fantastic upcoming titles at Summer Game Fest! From an adorable, pixelated Game Boy Color throwback to a cozy mix of dungeon-crawling and shopkeeping, there was no shortage of creativity on display in this year’s lin… Read More »Article
Random Encounter 325 – Time for a Switch 2!
On this week’s Random Encounter, we’ve finally recovered from Not-E3, so now it’s time to talk about the Switch 2! Nintendo’s long-awaited follow-up to the Switch has finally released and, surprise, it’s still the Switch! The Nintendo Switch 2 is burning up the sales charts and already consuming cou… Read More »- Article
- News
RPGs Coming This Week, 6/15/25
In this edition of RPGs Coming This Week, dating sims and devil summoners! Not in the same game, though, but I’m certain Persona enjoyers will appreciate what’s on here. I’m also certain there is at least one otome game out there that is the exact intersection of those two concepts. To round it all… Read More »- Article
- Preview
TOEM 2 Hands-On Impressions at Summer Game Fest 2025
Adorable environments, a neat black-and-white aesthetic, endearing characters, and some cozy photography are all par for the course in upcoming adventure title TOEM 2! From developers Something We Made and co-publishers popagenda, this sequel to 2021’s TOEM: A Photo Adventure is slated for release i… Read More »- Article
- News
Steam Next Fest RPG & Adventure Demos to Check Out This Weekend [UPDATED]
The latest Steam Next Fest kicked off last week, meaning this weekend (until June 16th at 10:00 am PT) is your last chance to check out many of the demos available during the event! But where did the week go? How do you decide what to spend the next 50-ish hours playing in case the demos vanish on M… Read More »- Article
- Preview
Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy at Summer Game Fest 2025
The highly anticipated Magic: The Gathering and Final Fantasy collaboration has been a lovely thing to witness. It’s brought some fantastic energy into both these franchises and absolutely oozes passion for the worlds within them. With that context, I was stoked to get the opportunity to speak with… Read More »- Article
- Preview
Dosa Divas Hands-On Impressions at Summer Game Fest 2025
From Outerloop Games, the developers of Thirsty Suitors, Dosa Divas left quite the impression on me during my time with it at this year’s Summer Game Fest. Its combat felt intuitive, its writing was witty, and I already started to get invested in the characters and world in the short time I played i… Read More »- Article
- News
Aniimo Announced at Xbox Showcase 2025
Pokémon clones are a dime a dozen these days, but Aniimo is looking to shake things up. Announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, this free-to-play monster-catching game has the usual fixings of the genre: collecting magical creatures and watching them grow stronger and evolve. However, with th… Read More »- Article
- News
Lost RPG Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster Gets Switch Revival
Unreleased Game Boy Advance RPG Navinosuke: The Yo-kai Buster will finally see the light of day. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch in early 2026. The creature collector title is being rebuilt by Kohachi Studio, which employs former members of original Metal Slug developer Nazca. Multiple representative… Read More »- Article
- News
Neverwinter Nights 2 Gets Enhanced Edition, Due July 15th
Aspyr Games has revealed Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition, coming July 15th to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG. This new version is expected to bring improvements to gameplay and textures, full controller support, Steam Workshop modding, and all three… Read More »- Article
- News
The Blood of Dawnwalker Launches in 2026
The latest trailer for The Blood of Dawnwalker has confirmed the dark fantasy-themed action RPG will launch in 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Shown at the recent Xbox Games Showcase, the trailer gave us a sneak peek of pre-beta gameplay, as well as a fairly comprehensive… Read More »- Article
- Preview
