Square Enix revealed more details and images for the upcoming Octopath Traveler 0. The latest information covers more of the game's cast, as well as additional elements of its town building gameplay. The first character revealed is primary antagonist Pardis III. He is the absolute monarch of the Kingdom of Edoras, but is not satisfied with his current wealth, power, and fame, and seeks to rule the entirety of the world of Orsterra. Other characters revealed are additional companions players can recruit during their adventure. The Cleric Pius, voiced by Todd Haberkorn, is a bishop in the Order of the Sacred Flame. He is a distant relative of the protagonist's mother, hoping to repay the kindness she showed him in the past. Dancer Saoirse, voiced by Brianna Knickerbocker, has unique tastes and impressive vocal talents. She is looking for a partner to share the stage with. Merchant Carinda, voiced by Erica Mendez, is from the outskirts of the Riverlands. She uses her warmth and friendliness as well as her business acumen to ensure she find opportunities. Finally, Scholar Xerc, voiced by Adam Korenman, is known to be an eccentric who studies soulstones. He is looking for funding to enable him to research a giant soulstone.   [foogallery id="178109"]   During the game, players are able to rebuild their hometown, freely placing down buildings while inviting new residents to move in. Some of these buildings provide new facilities for players to using. The Monster Arena lets players unlock a monster capture list and arena matches. By completing capture requests or winning matches, palyers can earn rewards. Meanwhile, the Museum lets players listen to music scores found on their journey, view memories of their adventure through journals, and display treasures of legend. Players can customised the background music of their town. Octopath Traveler 0′s story draws from that of mobile title Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. Players control a created protagonist from the town of Wishvale. On the annual Day of Reverence festival, the town is attacked and engulfed in flames, setting the protagonist on the path of revenge or restoration. As players journey across the world of Orsterra on their quest, they form a party of eight members from a total of over thirty recruitable travelers. Octopath Traveler 0 is set to release for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, 2025.   [foogallery id="178089"] The post Octopath Traveler 0 Shows More Characters appeared first on RPGamer.

Square Enix has announced mobile title Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy, a new entry in the Dissidia Final Fantasy arena action spin-off series. The game is billed as a three vs. three team boss battle arena, where the player is tasked with defeating opposing monsters and the large boss before their rival team. The game is planned to release for iOS and Android in 2026 as a free-to-play title. A closed beta test is planned to run from November 7-14, 2025, in the United States and Canada, with those interested in participating able to apply via the game's official website until October 28, 2025. The game is set in a modern-day Tokyo, where Final Fantasy heroes are summoned after a mysterious crystal appears, bringing with it strange monsters. These heroes conceal their identities and quickly disappear after battle, leading to them being referred to as "ghosts". The game's story will feature full Japanese voice acting. The initial confirmed characters are as follows (with more to be added): * Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy) * Kain Highwind (Final Fantasy IV) * Krile Mayer Baldesion (Final Fantasy V) * Terra Branford (Final Fantasy VI) * Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII) * Rinoa Heartilly (Final Fantasy VIII) * Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX) * Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII) * Gaia (Final Fantasy XIV Online) * Prompto Argentum (Final Fantasy XV) Combat sees players accumulating Bravery by defeating monsters and purifying the nearby crystal. Once players have obtained maximum Bravery they can then unleash it to deal damage to the boss. Characters are split into four roles -- Melee, Ranged, Agile, and Support -- and have their own sets of abilities to use. Players can obtains different outfits for their characters, as well as unlock scenes that can boost their characters' abilities and music tracks to listen to in the game.   [foogallery id="178117"]   The post Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy Announced appeared first on RPGamer.

It Takes A Village The art of conversation is often ignored in video games.  NPCs repeat the same dialogue, either hints of the next quest, or a quick line about current events.  Not so with Nihon Falcom's The Legend of Heroes franchise, which among its many accolades boasts worldbuilding on an intricate level rarely seen in RPGs. The sheer depth to worldbuilding, with how every bit of plot progression leads to every NPC having something to say is staggering.  This makes revisiting Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, as the start of such a rich story filled with foreshadowing, so interesting with the benefit of hindsight.  Adding new dimensions to the combat, with action elements to blend with the traditional turn-based, as well as redone visuals and voice acting, all reminscent of the newer Legend of Heroes titles, breathes new depth into the start of Nihon Falcom's storied franchise. Estelle Bright is the excitable and driven daughter of Cassius Bright, a senior Bracer at the local guild in the secluded village of Rolent.  Bracers are effectively mercenaries with a heart of gold that help those in need for a modest reward.  One day, Cassius brings home an injured young boy around Estelle's age named Joshua, and tells her that Joshua's going to be living with them.  Flash forward five years and Estelle and Joshua are planning on taking an exam to become junior Bracers.  During this time, Cassius is called away after a mysterious ominous letter arrives.  This gives Estelle and Joshua a good excuse to go off themselves and gain experience on their quest to become senior Bracers, which involves gaining recommendations from the five regional Bracer branches around the Kingdom of Liberl.  Said adventure involves exploring the regions, helping and befriending the locals, and frequently finding themselves in the middle of nefarious plots. [caption id="attachment_177970" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Bread is indeed more complicated than electronics to the technologically gifted.[/caption] There are times where the pace of the journey gives Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter a laid back and thoughtful attitude that stretches to the point of tedium.  There are overarching quests to each of the regions, which begin with an almost vacation-like start before a lengthy period of getting to know the features and characters of the area, after which come the reveals of the local scheme that needs to be thwarted.  The frequent switching between a snail’s pace and urgent action will encourage some players to simply skip sidequests or talking with townspeople in order to find the next thrilling moment.  Doing so would be a disservice, as plot points grow and gain considerable depth organically, if slowly, from experiencing the worldbuilding surrounding Estelle and Joshua's journey.  Although, by the end of Trails in The Sky 1st Chapter, there are more questions then answers to the inner workings of many characters both ally and villain, even from seemingly humble beginnings the story still truly pays off in exciting and interesting ways. There's always something brewing in every region of the Liberl Kingdom.  Many NPCs are given names and entire story arcs that are played out in the background of every town, with some spanning the entire adventure.  Characters pop in and out of Estelle and Joshua's peripherals as they live out their lives in minor yet relatable ways.  An example of this is a love struck couple that begins in Rolent with a shy boy sharing his feelings with his crush, and can see their whirlwind romantic tour of the Kingdom, only to end on the question of whether or not he will propose to the love of his life.  These little stories help make the slower pace of the main plot feel worthwhile as they enrich the world as the main plot grows larger in scope. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is full of these heartwarming micro stories that are only experienced if players actively look for them.  Luckily, players can fast travel to each notable location after reaching it the first time.  Speaking with every new conversation, shown on the mini-map as coloured circles that fade out when they've been spoken with, can take longer than most dungeons to complete.  They also pop up regularly during new points of plot progression, which can include a cutscene or ending an in-game day that leads to hours of talking.  Skipping these small moments can start to be enticing to even the most ardent fan of noticing the small things; one stopping to smell the roses while on a walk will rarely stop to smell every single flower they come across after all. [caption id="attachment_177971" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Only one conversation point left before this round of dozens of interesting micro stories is over.[/caption] The other party members, who come and go throughout the game, all blend into this highly realized world easily and leave their marks on Estelle and Joshua while having their own moments and have secrets that the player won’t fully uncover until subsequent games in the series.  Learning everyone's quirks and eccentricities feels natural and yet still packs surprises as the others learn to trust Estelle and Joshua more and open up to share their personalities and pasts, even if some parts can be a bit telegraphed ahead of time.  The layers for characters and storytelling run very deep as everything is connected through masterful levels of foreshadowing that makes every conversation a potential drop in the ocean that cascades into a later emotional tsunami. Appreciating all this character work means Bracer jobs must be completed.  Regions are massive set pieces where the ability to explore is only restricted due to plot reasons if the main story has something time or location sensitive that forces players to stay in a small section.  This means that players are best served exploring everywhere when they can, as it is not always easy to tell what will be available after the next main story section is completed, with locations or side quests potentially being cut off.  While exploring, there are destructible objects that drop ingredients or Sepith currency, with ingredients also dropped by enemies.  Ingredients are used on recipes that provide healing consumables with additional benefits like curing specific debuffs that are learned by purchasing meals or snacks from restaurants and shops, which unlock their recipes for future use after being consumed. Exploration is helped by the remake's new combat system, which borrows from the most recent Trails through Daybreak games.  Except for scripted battles, monsters in the field can be attacked in real-time without swapping to turn-based combat.  Combining enemy groups, running away, or just hammering away with strikes until the enemies are defeated are all possible through the action system.  Fighting this way does typically take longer against most foes as attacks are less powerful compared to the turn-based system.  However, fighting long enough to stun the enemy is worthwhile, because swapping to turn-based combat when an enemy is stunned leads to an immediate advantage in combat, including a free follow-up attack.  These advantages, also activated when players do a critical hit during turn-based combat, build up a meter up one tick each time, which lets players use more powerful follow-ups of a double attack or even a devastating full party Burst.  Engaging with this system is a fun mechanic to eliminate weak enemies, but there's a hierarchy on which characters should be used.  Only physical attacks can be done during action combat, giving a definite edge to controlling the more physically-inclined party members during exploration. [caption id="attachment_177972" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Burst finishes are both incredibly strong to use and flashy to watch.[/caption] Seamlessly transitioning into turn-based, often gaining an advantage in the process, makes combat quite snappy against regular foes.  While turn-based party members have access to magic orbal arts that use energy points (EP) as well as personal special abilities that use craft points (CP).  Orbal arts can be strategically implemented to hit an enemy's weakness or heal quickly and are boosted when a character has the “Zero” icon in the turn order, which makes the casting time immediate and use no EP.  Special abilities can be damage dealing, buffs, or debuffs, and when CP is over one hundred, up to a max of two hundred, a flashy finishing move known as a S-Craft can be used that drains all remaining CP.  Energy points can be regained from items or resting, while craft points build while engaging with the enemy.  The special icons shown in the turn order help shake up routines in combat as a well-timed critical hit, as shown by a exclamation point, or a Zero can shift strategies, creating a sense of excitement in defeating enemies that persists throughout the game. Orbal arts can be customized to fit every character however players choose.  With a few exceptions of party members needing to equip a particular element into certain slots on the orbment device that determines their arts, anyone can equip the quartz that unlock arts.  Even a basic Attack 1 quartz that boosts physical damage also gives one point in fire, which is enough to unlock the base Fire Strike spell.  The more powerful the spell, the greater the variety or level of quartz that needs to be equipped for it to be available.  In addition to granting access to arts, quartz can boost attributes, cause enemies to more likely avoid party members, or otherwise affect their role in combat in ways beyond accessing different spells.  This variety of quartz can allow players to tailor different strategies despite having the same party members. [caption id="attachment_177973" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Joshua is right to be that worried over something that makes Estelle's eyes sparkle so brightly.[/caption] Little details in the visuals show the care and love Nihon Falcom's developers have for these intricate stories.  Cutscenes are directed beautifully to capture the essence of these characters.  Humourous moments are punctuated with cartoonish white circles, spirals, or symbols that replace the eyes in a way reminiscent of special 2D character portraits, but are added here as appreciative flare to the 3D models.  Important scenes and many NPC introductions are fully voiced with a high level of passion and quality coming through to add a new layer to the high quality character work.  The redone soundtrack takes moments all across the emotional spectrum and heightens them with elegance that adds a sense of whimsy to the adventure with notable work coming from the piano, trumpet, and a whole host of other percussion instruments with the option to switch back to the originals if players want. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a wonderful remake where it is easy to see how much the team cares about the story and characters.  Little touches in the revamped visuals and voice work add a vibrancy to the adventure that is much appreciated.  This vibrancy loses some luster with an uneven pacing that highlights far too many meandering moments at the speed of everyday life, though it does build to just as many unforgettable crescendos of incredible storytelling.  The hybrid action system, combined with the orbal arts system, adds a variety to combat that makes it enjoyable throughout.  Altogether, the best and worst of deep worldbuilding are in full display and makes for a delightful re-entry into this long running franchise.   Disclosure: This review is based on a free copy of the game provided by the publisher. The post Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Review appeared first on RPGamer.

It Takes A Village The art of conversation is often ignored in video games.  NPCs repeat the same dialogue, either hints of the next quest, or a quick line about current events.  Not so with Nihon Falcom's The Legend of Heroes franchise, which among its many accolades boasts worldbuilding on an intricate level rarely seen in RPGs. The sheer depth to worldbuilding, with how every bit of plot progression leads to every NPC having something to say is staggering.  This makes revisiting Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, as the start of such a rich story filled with foreshadowing, so interesting with the benefit of hindsight.  Adding new dimensions to the combat, with action elements to blend with the traditional turn-based, as well as redone visuals and voice acting, all reminscent of the newer Legend of Heroes titles, breathes new depth into the start of Nihon Falcom's storied franchise. Estelle Bright is the excitable and driven daughter of Cassius Bright, a senior Bracer at the local guild in the secluded village of Rolent.  Bracers are effectively mercenaries with a heart of gold that help those in need for a modest reward.  One day, Cassius brings home an injured young boy around Estelle's age named Joshua, and tells her that Joshua's going to be living with them.  Flash forward five years and Estelle and Joshua are planning on taking an exam to become junior Bracers.  During this time, Cassius is called away after a mysterious ominous letter arrives.  This gives Estelle and Joshua a good excuse to go off themselves and gain experience on their quest to become senior Bracers, which involves gaining recommendations from the five regional Bracer branches around the Kingdom of Liberl.  Said adventure involves exploring the regions, helping and befriending the locals, and frequently finding themselves in the middle of nefarious plots. [caption id="attachment_177970" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Bread is indeed more complicated than electronics to the technologically gifted.[/caption] There are times where the pace of the journey gives Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter a laid back and thoughtful attitude that stretches to the point of tedium.  There are overarching quests to each of the regions, which begin with an almost vacation-like start before a lengthy period of getting to know the features and characters of the area, after which come the reveals of the local scheme that needs to be thwarted.  The frequent switching between a snail’s pace and urgent action will encourage some players to simply skip sidequests or talking with townspeople in order to find the next thrilling moment.  Doing so would be a disservice, as plot points grow and gain considerable depth organically, if slowly, from experiencing the worldbuilding surrounding Estelle and Joshua's journey.  Although, by the end of Trails in The Sky 1st Chapter, there are more questions then answers to the inner workings of many characters both ally and villain, even from seemingly humble beginnings the story still truly pays off in exciting and interesting ways. There's always something brewing in every region of the Liberl Kingdom.  Many NPCs are given names and entire story arcs that are played out in the background of every town, with some spanning the entire adventure.  Characters pop in and out of Estelle and Joshua's peripherals as they live out their lives in minor yet relatable ways.  An example of this is a love struck couple that begins in Rolent with a shy boy sharing his feelings with his crush, and can see their whirlwind romantic tour of the Kingdom, only to end on the question of whether or not he will propose to the love of his life.  These little stories help make the slower pace of the main plot feel worthwhile as they enrich the world as the main plot grows larger in scope. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is full of these heartwarming micro stories that are only experienced if players actively look for them.  Luckily, players can fast travel to each notable location after reaching it the first time.  Speaking with every new conversation, shown on the mini-map as coloured circles that fade out when they've been spoken with, can take longer than most dungeons to complete.  They also pop up regularly during new points of plot progression, which can include a cutscene or ending an in-game day that leads to hours of talking.  Skipping these small moments can start to be enticing to even the most ardent fan of noticing the small things; one stopping to smell the roses while on a walk will rarely stop to smell every single flower they come across after all. [caption id="attachment_177971" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Only one conversation point left before this round of dozens of interesting micro stories is over.[/caption] The other party members, who come and go throughout the game, all blend into this highly realized world easily and leave their marks on Estelle and Joshua while having their own moments and have secrets that the player won’t fully uncover until subsequent games in the series.  Learning everyone's quirks and eccentricities feels natural and yet still packs surprises as the others learn to trust Estelle and Joshua more and open up to share their personalities and pasts, even if some parts can be a bit telegraphed ahead of time.  The layers for characters and storytelling run very deep as everything is connected through masterful levels of foreshadowing that makes every conversation a potential drop in the ocean that cascades into a later emotional tsunami. Appreciating all this character work means Bracer jobs must be completed.  Regions are massive set pieces where the ability to explore is only restricted due to plot reasons if the main story has something time or location sensitive that forces players to stay in a small section.  This means that players are best served exploring everywhere when they can, as it is not always easy to tell what will be available after the next main story section is completed, with locations or side quests potentially being cut off.  While exploring, there are destructible objects that drop ingredients or Sepith currency, with ingredients also dropped by enemies.  Ingredients are used on recipes that provide healing consumables with additional benefits like curing specific debuffs that are learned by purchasing meals or snacks from restaurants and shops, which unlock their recipes for future use after being consumed. Exploration is helped by the remake's new combat system, which borrows from the most recent Trails through Daybreak games.  Except for scripted battles, monsters in the field can be attacked in real-time without swapping to turn-based combat.  Combining enemy groups, running away, or just hammering away with strikes until the enemies are defeated are all possible through the action system.  Fighting this way does typically take longer against most foes as attacks are less powerful compared to the turn-based system.  However, fighting long enough to stun the enemy is worthwhile, because swapping to turn-based combat when an enemy is stunned leads to an immediate advantage in combat, including a free follow-up attack.  These advantages, also activated when players do a critical hit during turn-based combat, build up a meter up one tick each time, which lets players use more powerful follow-ups of a double attack or even a devastating full party Burst.  Engaging with this system is a fun mechanic to eliminate weak enemies, but there's a hierarchy on which characters should be used.  Only physical attacks can be done during action combat, giving a definite edge to controlling the more physically-inclined party members during exploration. [caption id="attachment_177972" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Burst finishes are both incredibly strong to use and flashy to watch.[/caption] Seamlessly transitioning into turn-based, often gaining an advantage in the process, makes combat quite snappy against regular foes.  While turn-based party members have access to magic orbal arts that use energy points (EP) as well as personal special abilities that use craft points (CP).  Orbal arts can be strategically implemented to hit an enemy's weakness or heal quickly and are boosted when a character has the “Zero” icon in the turn order, which makes the casting time immediate and use no EP.  Special abilities can be damage dealing, buffs, or debuffs, and when CP is over one hundred, up to a max of two hundred, a flashy finishing move known as a S-Craft can be used that drains all remaining CP.  Energy points can be regained from items or resting, while craft points build while engaging with the enemy.  The special icons shown in the turn order help shake up routines in combat as a well-timed critical hit, as shown by a exclamation point, or a Zero can shift strategies, creating a sense of excitement in defeating enemies that persists throughout the game. Orbal arts can be customized to fit every character however players choose.  With a few exceptions of party members needing to equip a particular element into certain slots on the orbment device that determines their arts, anyone can equip the quartz that unlock arts.  Even a basic Attack 1 quartz that boosts physical damage also gives one point in fire, which is enough to unlock the base Fire Strike spell.  The more powerful the spell, the greater the variety or level of quartz that needs to be equipped for it to be available.  In addition to granting access to arts, quartz can boost attributes, cause enemies to more likely avoid party members, or otherwise affect their role in combat in ways beyond accessing different spells.  This variety of quartz can allow players to tailor different strategies despite having the same party members. [caption id="attachment_177973" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Joshua is right to be that worried over something that makes Estelle's eyes sparkle so brightly.[/caption] Little details in the visuals show the care and love Nihon Falcom's developers have for these intricate stories.  Cutscenes are directed beautifully to capture the essence of these characters.  Humourous moments are punctuated with cartoonish white circles, spirals, or symbols that replace the eyes in a way reminiscent of special 2D character portraits, but are added here as appreciative flare to the 3D models.  Important scenes and many NPC introductions are fully voiced with a high level of passion and quality coming through to add a new layer to the high quality character work.  The redone soundtrack takes moments all across the emotional spectrum and heightens them with elegance that adds a sense of whimsy to the adventure with notable work coming from the piano, trumpet, and a whole host of other percussion instruments with the option to switch back to the originals if players want. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a wonderful remake where it is easy to see how much the team cares about the story and characters.  Little touches in the revamped visuals and voice work add a vibrancy to the adventure that is much appreciated.  This vibrancy loses some luster with an uneven pacing that highlights far too many meandering moments at the speed of everyday life, though it does build to just as many unforgettable crescendos of incredible storytelling.  The hybrid action system, combined with the orbal arts system, adds a variety to combat that makes it enjoyable throughout.  Altogether, the best and worst of deep worldbuilding are in full display and makes for a delightful re-entry into this long running franchise.   Disclosure: This review is based on a free copy of the game provided by the publisher. The post Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Review appeared first on RPGamer.

HoYoverse announced the release date for the latest major update of free-to-play action RPG Genshin Impact. The Version Luna II update, titled "Song of the Welkin Moon: Reprise", will launch on October 22, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android. The update adds the previously announced Miliastra Wonderland, a new playable character, new quests, and more. Players who clear the act I of the Archon quest prologue, "The Outlander Who Caught the Wind", can access the Miliastra Wonderland. It features hundreds of stages players can explore alone or with other players. It also offers various customisation option to players' avatars and lets them create and share their own stages. Nefer, a 5-star Dendro catalyst wielder, is the new playable character. She specialises in dealing Lunar-Bloom damage and can gather intel that unlocks anecdotes through interactions with the Adventurers' Guild. The new Archon quest sees players facing off against the “Rächer of Solnari", Rerir, with Arlecchino, Sandrone, Nefer, and Varka assisting them. In addition, Players can assist The Damselette with commissions in exchange for rewards such as combat support and an exclusive namecard. Genshin Impact originally released in September 2020, with its most recent Version 5.8 update released last week. Players control a character in the world of Teyvat known as “the Traveler” and must embark on a journey to find their missing sibling. They are joined by NPC companion Paimon, travelling in a party of up to four active members.   The post Genshin Impact Version Luna II Releasing Next Week appeared first on RPGamer.

2K Games and Gearbox Software revealed the first wave of DLC for looter shooter Borderlands 4. The DLC includes the paid Bounty Pack 1: How Rush Saved Mercenary Day and the free Seasonal Mini-Event: Horrors of Kairos and endgame updates. The full details pertaining to the upcoming DLC can be found here. The Bounty Pack 1: How Rush Saved Mercenary Day will launch on November 20, 2025. It is the first of four major paid DLC included in the Bounty Pack Bundle, which is part of the Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition of the game but also available for separate purchase. The DLC sees Rush, the leader of the Outbounders, undertaking missions to make the upcoming Mercenary Day more festive in opposition to Timekeeper Screw's view. The Bounty Pack 1 includes a Vault Card that allows players to unlock twenty-four cosmetic items and four pieces of rerollable gear. It also comes with a new Digirunner Vehicle, a Vault Hunter skin, and an ECHO. The Seasonal Mini-Event: Horrors of Kairos will be available from October 23, 2025, to November 6, 2025. It features world boss encounters, which once vanquished potentially yield legendary loot such as tediore assault rifle Murmur and order grenade Skully. During the event, players can receive SHiFT codes unlocking further cosmetic items. The free endgame updates, set to release in December 2025, let players take on Bloomreaper the Invincible, a boss with massive health pools, lethal attack damage, and new modifiers. The updates also unlock the Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode level that provides more challenge. Borderlands 4 takes players to Kairos, where they search for valuable alien treasure while fighting the authoritarian Timekeeper. The game introduces four new playable Vault Hunters and includes cross-platform co-op multiplayer for up to four players. It is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned.   The post Borderlands 4 First Wave of DLC Revealed appeared first on RPGamer.

Publisher tinyBuild and developer Fire & Frost Studios have announced that Of Ash and Steel will release on November 6, 2025. The open-world action RPG will be available for PC via Steam and GOG.com. A demo version is currently available on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest. Of Ash and Steel draws inspiration from 2000s RPGs such as Gothic and The Witcher. It is set in an unforgiving low-fantasy world and takes place in the formerly prosperous Kingdom of the Seven, named after the islands that make it up. The game puts players in the role of a cartographer who becomes stranded on the island of Greyshaft after his expedition is attacked.   [foogallery id="178067"]   The post Of Ash and Steel Launching in November appeared first on RPGamer.

Bandai Namco released a three-minute animation short for the recently-released Digimon Story Time Stranger. The prelude short shows events from the game takes place involving Inori and her younger brother, and features the game's theme song "wherever you are", performed by reche. Developed by Media.Vision, Digimon Story Time Stranger begins in a version of Tokyo, where the protagonist is an agent of ADAMAS, which investigates various phenomena. Entering a sealed-off Shinjuku, they encounter a Digimon before being caught up in an explosion. They find themselves awakening eight years in the past and must prevent the upcoming collapse. Digimon Story Time Stranger is currently available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Those looking to read more about the game can check out Ezra Kinnell's review of its PC version.   The post Digimon Story Time Stranger Gets Prelude Animation Short appeared first on RPGamer.

Welcome to the latest edition of RPGamer's round-up column, where we look back at some of the articles that we have posted over the intervening period. This article is designed to give reminders of some interesting content and stories that our readers might have missed.      --- Editorial Content * Disgaea 7 Complete Review Hinomoto got a lot more chaotic with the arrival of Disgaea 7 Complete. Amaan Bhimani reports that Nippon Ichi Software’s latest entry in the tactical RPG series feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch 2. * Class of Heroes 3 Remaster Deep Look It took fifteen years for Class of Heroes 3 to come to western shores. Unfortunately, Matt Masem finds that lackluster implementation of many promising features points to the remaster being not quite worth the wait. * Character Creation Goes Both Ways: The Proteus Effect Character creation is an opportunity for players to project themselves on to the playable character, but can the opposite occur? Maibell Ong looks at how the Proteus Effect explains how physical features of a character can drastically change the attitude and behaviour of the player. --- Major News * Code Vein II Gets More Screenshots, Details * Code Vein II Story Trailer Released Following its release date announcement at TGS, Bandai Namco revealed new media and information for Code Vein II. RPGamers can get a look at the game’s Partner characters, new weapons, and character creation. * Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Free Update in Development Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has passed the five million sales milestone. To mark the occasion, the companies revealed that a free content update is in development. * Mina the Hollower Delayed Yacht Club Games announced a delay for Mina the Hollower. A new date has not been announced, but the developer stated that it will not be a major delay.     * Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Showcases First Game’s New Content Square Enix released new screenshots and details for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. The new update covers some of the additions included in the first game in the collection. * Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Reveals More Characters More details have been released for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. New screenshots reveal five more characters appearing in the action RPG. * Sacred 2 Remaster Releasing in November THQ Nordic announced a release date for Sacred 2 Remaster. The remaster of the 2008 action RPG will arrive on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S next month. * Bittersweet Birthday Celebrating November Date World Eater Games and DANGEN Entertainment revealed that Bittersweet Birthday is launching on PC next month. The boss-focused action RPG follows an amnesiac boy trying to escape a group of pursuers. * Further Final Fantasy Physical Releases Announced Square Enix announced a trio of physical Final Fantasy releases. The physical Final Fantasy VII Remake & Rebirth twin pack, Final Fantasy VII + VIII Remastered twin pack, and Final Fantasy IX releases will arrive in December.     Other News * Starfinder: Afterlight Kickstarter Campaign Live * Utawarerumono Zan PC Release Delayed * Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector Adds French, Japanese, Simplified Chinese Localisations * Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Releasing Next Year, Demo Available Now * Emberville Announced * I Am Machine Announced * Action RPG Life Slash Death in Development * Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Gets Happy Bingo Update * Frosthaven’s First Major Early Access Update Launching Later This Month * Cloudheim Coming to Steam Early Access, Demo Available * Palia Brings Its Fall Fantasy: The Spiritfest Spectacle Update * Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Closed Playtest Starting This Week * Fractured Worlds Playtest Underway * Nice Day for Fishing Physical Release Landing in November * Yakuza Kiwami 3 Showcases Yoshitaka Mine Fighting Style * Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga Opening Movie Revealed * New Release Round-Up (October 9, 2025) --- Podcasts * RPG Backtrack 346 – I’ve Got No Strings Who could have guessed that the classic Carlo Collodi children’s novel would be become the inspiration for an amazing game? This week’s show features Pascal, Ryan M., and Wheels, where we discuss Lies of P. One thing is for sure, it’s not like the Disney movie. * RPG Cast – Episode 788: “Warking Towards Salvation: A Chocobo’s Tale” Chris has at least one hundred things he doesn’t understand in Quartet. Kelley wants a pet skunk. Robert is a Super Robot Wars Original Gangster. And we all ask ourselves, “Wherefore doth the yellow birds meet the Son of Man?” The post RPGamer Round-Up: October 5 – October 12 appeared first on RPGamer.

GungHo Online Entertainment and Nihon Falcom have released the version 1.05 update for The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. The update is available now for PC and PlayStation 5, with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 release to follow soon. It includes a new first-person mode, a hide UI toggle, a text speed adjustment option, a graphics/performance setting on Nintendo Switch 2, and a selection of text and bug fixes. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a full 3D remake of the first game in the series that takes place on the continent of Zemuria. It follows adopted siblings Estelle and Joshua as they set out to become Bracers, a group that acts to protect the safety of the world’s citizens. Acting as junior Bracers, they look to become full-fledged Bracers by taking on jobs across the Kingdom of Liberl. Those looking to read more about the game or the series in general can check out RPGamer’s impression of early access to the prologue demo, or RPGamer’s recently updated Where to Start? guide for the series.   [foogallery id="178032"] The post The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Update Includes First-Person Mode appeared first on RPGamer.

Hooded Horse, Ubisoft, and Unfrozen announced a delay for their upcoming strategy RPG Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era. Initially planned to release this summer, the Steam Early Access version of the game will now launch next year. Meanwhile, the companies released a demo of the game for PC via Steam. The demo features four playable factions and three different game modes: Classic, Single Hero, and Arena. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era takes place on the continent of Jadame, which has been mentioned in the series but not previously visited. Gameplay sees players expanding the castles and kingdom while sending out heroes and armies to explore and defeat foes. The campaign sees rival factions banding together to defeat the Hive, a swarm of insectoids corrupted by a demon lord. There will also be various single maps and randomly-generated scenarios as well as a selection of competitive multiplayer modes and a map editor that will let players share their creations with others.   The post Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Releasing Next Year, Demo Available Now appeared first on RPGamer.

Developer Noodle Cat Games announced co-op action RPG Cloudheim will come to Steam Early Access later this year. In addition, the company released a demo for PC via Steam. The demo lets players access the game’s tutorial, the airborne base of operations Odin Shell, and Acts I & II of the story in Arcadia. Cloudheim is set in a Norse-inspired world and looks to combine crafting with physics-based combat. It sees players looking to expand their flying turtle base, exploring islands and dungeons in solo play or in co-op with up to four players. The world is destructible, with players chaining abilities together and able to deal more damage when they make use of physics on enemies. The full release of Cloudheim is planned to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with no release date as of yet.   The post Cloudheim Coming to Steam Early Access, Demo Available appeared first on RPGamer.

Marvelous released a new update for its farming sim Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. The version 1.1.0 update adds the Happy Bingo feature, which is accessible once players reach City Bazaar rank in Zephyr Town. The feature grants players a set of bingo cards, with each spot of a card corresponding to activities such as fishing or petting animals. Players undertaking these activities can fill their bingo cards that, once completed, can be exchanged at the Nature Sprites’ stall, Happy Shoppe, on bazaar days to earn useful items. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a remake of the Nintendo DS farming sim released in the west as Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar. The game is available now for PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. It is set in Zephyr Town, the bazaar of which previously attracted visitors from all across the world, but has fallen on lean times. As the town’s newest resident, it is up to players to help revitalise its fortunes. Those looking to read more about the game can check out Michael Apps’s early impression of its Nintendo Switch 2 version.   [foogallery id="177877"] The post Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Gets Happy Bingo Update appeared first on RPGamer.

Developer Cygnus Cross revealed its upcoming game Emberville. The title is a simulation RPG in development for PC. It is expected to release in 2026 on Steam Early Access, where it is expected to spend one year prior to its full release. Emberville follows an amnesic individual who escaped from a mysterious dungeon named Vitromotus. Accompanied by Memento, a luminous entity that claims to have their memories locked inside them, the protagonist must rescue townspeople stranded in the procedurally generated Vitromotus, and rebuild the decrepit town of Emberville. Rescued townspeople help in the rebuilding effort, teach new skills, and assist players in their quests. The real-time combat lets players chain combos with a variety of weapons and class-related skills. Players can take part in activities such as farming, gathering, fishing as well as customise Emberville with houses and other buildings.   [foogallery id="177884"]   The post Emberville Announced appeared first on RPGamer.

Chris has at least one hundred things he doesn't understand in Quartet. Kelley wants a pet skunk. Robert is a Super Robot Wars Original Gangster. And we all ask ourselves, "Wherefore doth the yellow birds meet the Son of Man?" Question of the Week What is your bedside gaming setup? Pillows, tablet arms, your stomach, or a cat? Check out the show notes here! The post RPG Cast – Episode 788: “Warking Towards Salvation: A Chocobo’s Tale” appeared first on RPGamer.

Who could have guessed that the classic Carlo Collodi children's novel would be become the inspiration for an amazing soulslike game? This week's show features Pascal, Ryan M., and Wheels, where we discuss Lies of P. One thing is for sure, it's not like the Disney movie. The post RPG Backtrack 346 – I’ve Got No Strings appeared first on RPGamer.

Square Enix released new screenshots and details for Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. The latest update focuses on new additions include in the remake of the first game. The remake includes additional story content, part of which helps connect the game to Dragon Quest III. This content sees players seek to summon and gain the aid of the great spirit Rubiss by visiting the faeries, who are said to have a deep connection her. In order to summon her, players will need to find the Dream-Whisperer, the leader of the faeries, who has gone missing. The remake also includes additional new events, including trouble involving Tantegel's soldiers, visiting a mage who studies keys, and encountering cave-dwelling dwarves. Other new content includes new dungeons, new monster foes, and mysterious nature-imbued ingredients that can be found scattered around the world. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake will release on October 30, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Dragon Quest I-III make up the Dragon Quest series’ Erdrick trilogy, with Dragon Quest III (which received the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake in 2024) taking place before the events of the first two games. The first Dragon Quest was initially released for the NES/Famicom in Japan in 1986 and in North America in 1989, while Dragon Quest II was first released for NES/Famicom in 1987 and in North America in 1990.   [foogallery id="177978"] The post Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Showcases First Game’s New Content appeared first on RPGamer.

gaDeveloper Two Horn Unicorn is working on cartoon-style action RPG Life Slash Death. The game is in development for PC and Mac, though a release window has not been announced. A demo version is currently available to download via Steam, which lets players access the first two locations in the game with a limited pool of skills and loot. Life Slash Death puts players in the role of a "representative of office plankton", who is transported to a fantasy world. His attempts at returning to his world are rebuffed by those able to open such portals, and his attempts at eliciting help end up drawing him into a conflict between worlds. The game's story is billed as focusing on humour and fun, with its world including unicorns, wizards, living vegetables, and more.   [foogallery id="177956"]   The post Action RPG Life Slash Death in Development appeared first on RPGamer.

Square Enix announced new physical releases for a number of Final Fantasy titles. Firstly, the company announced the Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade & Rebirth Twin Pack for PlayStation 5, which contains both Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the first two parts of the planned Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. It will release on December 4, 2025, and is priced at $59.99. In addition, Square Enix announced both the Final Fantasy VII (Original) + Final Fantasy VIII Remastered Twin Pack and a Final Fantasy IX physical edition for Nintendo Switch. These will release on December 9, 2025, each priced at $39.99. All three editions are available to pre-order now.   The post Further Final Fantasy Physical Releases Announced appeared first on RPGamer.

Bandai Namco released a new story trailer for action RPG Code Vein II. The four-minute video gives a quick introduction to the game's premise, where the player-created protagonist travels back 100 years to the past with the assistance of a mysterious girl called Lou MagMell to try and rewrite the fate of the world, including appearances from its major characters. Code Vein II will release on January 30, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A follow-up to 2019 action RPG Code Vein, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity’s existence is hanging by a thread. The sudden emergence of a threat known as the Luna Rapacis has seen Revenants — humans with supernatural abilities that come at the cost of severe bloodlust — transformed into creatures called Horrors.   The post Code Vein II Story Trailer Released appeared first on RPGamer.

Silver Lining Interactive announced that it will be releasing a physical edition of FusionPlay and Team17 Digital's fishing RPG Nice Day for Fishing. The physical edition will release for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on November 21, 2025. It is available to pre-order now through Silver Lining's online store for £34.99, as well as selected local retailers. Nice Day for Fishing released digitally for PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch earlier this year. The game is a licenced title based on the Viva La Dirt League sketch group’s Epic NPC Man series. Players control the fisherman Baelin, who must defend the town of Honeywood through the only profession he knows after the world’s adventurers go missing. The game sees players engage in fishing battles to fulfil quests, grow stronger, and gain new spells and equipment. Players need to equip the right bait and time their attacks to succeed. Baeilin will travel through the Honeywood forest to the Azerim coast on his adventure, while finding resources that can be used to rebuild Honeywood to its former glory.   The post Nice Day for Fishing Physical Release Landing in November appeared first on RPGamer.

THQ Nordic announced Sacred 2 Remaster, a remaster of the 2008 isometric action RPG Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, will release on November 11, 2025. The remaster will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, priced at $19.99 on PC and $24.99 on consoles. Developed by SparklingBit, the remaster will include refined combat and gameplay, high-resolution textures, UI improvements, and all of the game’s post-launch content updates, including its Ice & Blood expansion. Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is set in the fantasy realm of Ancaria, where a substance called T-Energy acts as the source of all life and magic. The High Elves are the dominant race on Ancaria; however, a factional struggle has seen the T-Energy grow increasingly out of control and cause chaos in the world. Players can choose from seven classes, with the game featuring two campaign paths, Light and Shadow, which intersect at various points during the game.   The post Sacred 2 Remaster Releasing in November appeared first on RPGamer.