After a six-month break, I’ve returned to TBL. What better way to return than with the Tokyo Game Show 2023 (TGS)?
What is the Tokyo Game Show?
It’s an annual video game expo and convention held in Chiba, Japan, at the Makuhari Messe convention center. TGS is one of the top gaming events in the world, and it’s organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) in cooperation with Nikkei Business Publications.
The event showcases upcoming video games and game-related merchandise from various companies, primarily from Japan and worldwide. It’s an opportunity for developers, publishers, and hardware manufacturers to showcase their latest products and provide hands-on demos to attendees. TGS typically features keynote speeches, announcements, and stage events.
In addition to the business side, TGS has a public side where fans can try out demos of upcoming games, purchase merchandise, and enjoy various live events and stage shows.
The event has traditionally been split into two parts: the first couple of days are “business days,” where industry professionals and media attend, and the latter days are open to the general public.
Top TGS 2023 Turn-Based RPGs Announcements
It was a great 2023 so far for turn-based games, but let’s see what the future offers. Let’s put the turn-based filter on and catch the best announcement of the famous Japan event.
Persona saga
One of the first protagonists was the Persona saga (Shin Megami Tensei world.) We saw new information about the future titles: Persona 5 Tactica and Persona 3 Reload. Persona Tactica is Persona mixed with turn-based tactical battles, and Reload is a remake of the original Persona 3 (those were the days).
Persona Tactica comes on 17th November 2023, and Persona 3 Reload comes on 2nd February 2024 for PC and consoles.
Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes
If you are old enough, you will probably remember the Suikoden Saga. They were epic turn-based RPGs where players recruit a hundred (and some more) characters to the cause, whose remastered versions are supposed to be released in October.
Eiyuden Chronicles is the spiritual successor of this saga, taking the Suikoden vital features to the current times. After a 2023 delay, Eiyuden Chronicles is set to be released on 24 April 2024 for PC and consoles.
Yakuza Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
Turn-based battles come again in the Yakuza series with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Now, it will have two protagonists, Kasuga of the first Like a Dragon, and Kiryu, the protagonist of the main series. We reviewed the first Like a Dragon, and we loved it. The new entry to the series will come 26th January 2024.
Decapolice
From Level 5 comes this game where players have to resolve mystery cases and fight the city criminals in turn-based combats inside a steampunk setting. Its release window is 2023 for consoles.
Gamera Games
The Chinese publisher, Gamera Games, presented new turn-based games and updates for its existing titles:
- It announced Yi Xian The Cultivation Card Game, an online deck builder arena available on Early Access on Steam.
- Just a Chest. RPG where players will live the journey of…a chest, a prince without memory, a slime, and a cat (what the…?), with turn-based battles.
- Abyss Fantasia. A deck builder with an intriguing story and great art. Scheduled for 2024.
- Dice Mancer. A turn-based deck-builder combined with dices and handwritten graphics.
Gamera Games comes to Nintendo Switch
Aside from the new titles, Gamera Games announced the arrival of two games on Nintendo Switch:
Xuan-Yuan Sword: Mists Beyond the Mountains. This turn-based RPG is different from the recent titles of the saga. This one is more similar to the first titles. It’s available on Steam but will come to Nintendo Switch this year.
Also, Warriors of the Nile 2, available on Steam, was released on the 21st of September to Nintendo Switch. It’s a game with tactical turn-based battles based on Egyptian mythology.
SAGA EMERALD BEYOND
We got a new turn-based announcement from Square-Enix: Saga Emerald Beyond—a new addition to the series scheduled for 2024.
There is a bright future for turn-based games (and for nostalgia) in 2024 with Eiyudeen Chronicles and Persona 3 Reload, aside from other titles. After seeing the Tokyo Game Show, what do you think about the show’s turn-based games? Are they enough?
