December is just around the corner, and this time I’ve gotten a bit of a head start to take a look at everything new that’s worth considering in terms of RPGs and Strategy Games. Not bad as a month, with several major releases and some substantial updates and DLCs for popular titles.
Beat The Humans – December 2, 2024 On PC
We kick off on December 2nd with Beat the Humans, a roguelite that puts players in the shoes of alien species defending themselves from the vile human race, now attempting to conquer the galaxy. Expect grid-based combat, planetary defense, and recruiting new alien allies, all presented with charming pixel art.
The Edge of Allegoria – December 4, 2024 on PC
For those born in the Game Boy era, December 4th delivers a nostalgic treat: The Edge of Allegoria. This RPG evokes the feel of early Pokémon games while introducing a growth system focused on mastering specific weapons and enhancing their capabilities. Defeating enemies yields items and body parts that can be sold to afford better gear, adding a gritty layer of resource management to its retro appeal.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension – December 5, 2024 On PC, PlayStation, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Same day we get the enhanced edition of the original FANTASIAN (from the creator of Final Fantasy Series) introduces several new features and improvements. Gameplay features turn-based battles with a unique twist: players can manipulate skill trajectories to target multiple enemies simultaneously. The “Dimengeon” system allows players to defer random encounters, storing up to 30 enemies to battle later at a more convenient time. This mechanic offers depth and flexibility in combat.
The game will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam. Pre-orders are currently open, with bonuses such as the “Vibran Secret Stone,” a jewel that increases experience points earned in battle.
Dustgrave: A Sandbox RPG – December 5, 2024 on PC
Dustgrave: A Sandbox RPG is an upcoming turn-based role-playing game developed by Innervoid Interactive and published by Digital Tribe. Set in the crumbling Dahlan Empire, a land ravaged by plague and internal strife, players are invited to carve their own path in a dynamic, open-world environment. Every action influences the world and its inhabitants, with a complex relationship system tracking events and shaping NPC reactions based on their morality and faction affiliations.
Combat is turn-based, offering a deep system that encourages experimentation with various skills and item combinations. Players can engage in direct confrontations or utilize a stealth system to achieve objectives through subtler means, such as theft or assassination.
Dustgrave is scheduled for release on December 5, 2024, and will be available on Windows PC via Steam. A free prologue was released on October 10, 2024, providing a glimpse into the game’s mechanics and narrative.
Urban Strife (E.A.) – December 10, 2024 on PC
Now we come to one of the titles I’ve been eagerly anticipating for quite some time. After trying it out on several occasions, Urban Strife is finally set to debut this month. This isometric RPG seems to inherit the legacy of Jagged Alliance, at least in terms of its visual style and certain gameplay mechanics, such as the aiming system. On top of that, it offers a richly detailed game world filled with meaningful choices, factions to engage with, and, of course, zombies.
The game combines classic isometric, turn-based combat with modern survival elements. Players can customize weapons with attachments and kits, both looted and fabricated, and employ stealth tactics based on dynamic view and hearing ranges. The advanced AI alert system adds depth to the gameplay, allowing for diverse strategies such as silent takedowns (thing that excite me the most) or explosive assaults.
In addition to combat, Urban Strife emphasizes immersive role-playing elements. Players can create their in-game character, customizing appearance and skills, and navigate a skills and perks tree that unlocks powerful specialist abilities. Personal reputation plays a significant role, influencing alliances and conflicts with various factions. Autonomous NPCs with their own lives react to the player’s actions, adding to the game’s dynamic world. Urban Strife is set to launch on Steam Early Access on December 10, 2024.
Wartales The SKelmar Invasion DLC – December 10, 2024 on PC
It’s time to go back in Wartales lands, because the open-world RPG from Shiro Games, is set to expand with its latest DLC, The Skelmar Invasion, releasing on December 10, 2024. This expansion introduces the war-torn region of Ormance, now under the control of the formidable Skelmar forces.
Players will lead assaults to liberate heavily fortified baronies and rally local rebel factions. Rebuilding devastated settlements unlocks new progression opportunities for the mercenary company. The DLC also features epic siege battles against well-defended strongholds, adding a new layer of depth to the game.
Swordhaven: Iron Cospiracy (E.A.) – December 12, 2024 on PC
Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy is an upcoming classic party-based RPG developed by AtomTeam, known for their work on ATOM RPG. Set in the fantasy world of Nova Drakonia, players embark on a journey to uncover a hidden conspiracy that threatens the realm’s very existence. The game offers a flexible combat system, allowing players to choose between turn-based combat and real-time with pause (RTwP) modes, catering to different playstyles. It features a classless roleplaying system where character development is determined by stat combinations, leading to unique dialogues and multiple ways to solve quests.
Exploration is a key aspect, with a vast, nonlinear world filled with diverse NPCs and quests that reward thorough exploration. Players can expect to traverse various locales, from quiet villages to hidden temples and bizarre dungeons. Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy is scheduled for Early Access release on December 12, 2024, on both Steam and GOG platforms.
Stoneshard Rags to Riches Update – December 16, 2024 on PC
God knows how much I’m itching to dive into this traditional roguelike, and December will give me even more reason with the release of a massive update. Stoneshard, the challenging turn-based RPG developed by Ink Stains Games, is set to receive its largest update yet with the Rags to Riches expansion, scheduled for release on December 16, 2024. This significant update introduces a plethora of new features and improvements, enhancing the game’s depth and player experience. A key addition is the Caravan System, allowing players to travel more efficiently across the game’s expansive world. This system includes customizable upgrades such as camps, shrines, and reputation boosts, providing advantages during exploration.
The update also introduces Caravan Followers, unique NPCs who assist with various tasks like equipment repairs, supply sales, and accelerating character leveling. Their support adds a new layer of strategy and resource management to the game. Settlement Situations bring dynamic events to villages, ranging from fairs to disease outbreaks, which impact gameplay and the local economy. These events require players to adapt their strategies based on the evolving world around them.
Additionally, the Contracts System has been revamped with new objectives and a rotation system that simulates a more immersive world. Players can also explore Denbrie, a new settlement centered around salt production, offering unique opportunities and challenges.
Flint: Treasure of the Oblivion – December 17, 2024 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox & Nintendo Switch
Flint: Treasure of Oblivion is an upcoming tactical role-playing game (RPG) developed by Savage Level and published by Microids, set to release on December 17, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
In this game, players embark on a high-seas adventure alongside Captain Flint and his crew, including his trusted friend Billy Bones, in pursuit of a legendary treasure. The narrative is presented through a comic book-style visual, incorporating elements like onomatopoeia and speech bubbles to enhance the storytelling experience. Gameplay features turn-based tactical combat where players command crew members with unique abilities, acquire new skills, and enhance their dice rolls. During combat, skill and attribute cards can be used to influence outcomes, with dice rolls adding an element of chance.
The game offers exploration of diverse environments, from the French city of Saint-Malo to the exotic landscapes of Central America, powered by Unreal Engine 5. It aims to recreate a historically inspired world of piracy, incorporating authentic elements such as language, costumes, and weapons to immerse players in the era.
Fusionist – December 23, 2024 On PC
Fusionist is a free-to-play, mech-themed game that seamlessly blends simulation management, turn-based combat, and 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) gameplay elements. Set in a future where environmental degradation and resource depletion have rendered Earth uninhabitable, players assume the role of Fusionists—digital beings exploring the universe to find new homes for humanity’s DNA.
The game offers a rich narrative experience, with players embarking on expeditions across three distinct planets, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Central to the gameplay is the assembly and deployment of Mechs, customizable units with varying combat capabilities. Players can forge new Mechs using collected blueprints and materials, and enhance them through upgrades and skill enhancements.
Combat in Fusionist is turn-based, requiring positioning and tactical decision-making. Players can engage in player-versus-player (PvP) battles, testing their Mech teams against others worldwide. The game also features a gacha-like Mech forging system, adding an element of chance to Mech acquisition and customization. Built on its proprietary mainnet, “Endurance,” Fusionist integrates blockchain technology to offer a decentralized user engagement platform. This infrastructure supports features like an auction house, NFT showcases, and web-based gameplay, enhancing the game’s depth and player interaction.
