Welcome to October and, with it, a wave of exciting new releases about to make their debut this month. Last month was jam-packed with new RPGs, strategy games, roguelites, and much more. Personally, I had a great time with Beyond GalaxyLand. If you missed it, you can check out my review here.
This month, my main focus is obviously on Metaphor ReFantazio. I’ve already started with the free prologue, and I have to say, it’s absolutely impressive from a technical standpoint. The combat system is dynamic and can be played quickly, with frequent opportunities to bypass weak enemies—avoiding those repetitive, grindy encounters. And then there’s the unmistakable Persona influence, but with a fresh twist that works brilliantly. In short, this is a triple-A title that’s a masterclass and a source of inspiration for turn-based gameplay.
Another title that has caught my interest is Dead Season, a survival RPG set in a classic post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world. The gameplay involves progressing through missions that seem to follow a linear path—something that’s got me a little skeptical—but each scenario promises multiple ways to approach objectives and plenty of creative options for taking down zombies. The isometric graphics are really well done, and the turn-based combat plays out on grid maps, giving it a solid tactical feel. Definitely a title to keep an eye on if you love strategic depth mixed with that survival edge.
A new RPG worth mentioning is Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire, a heartfelt tribute to Skies of Arcadia. It revisits that familiar sky pirate setting, complete with dynamic aerial combat that seems incredibly engaging. As an old-school JRPG enthusiast, I can’t recommend this one enough—it’s the kind of nostalgic throwback that scratches that itch for classic adventure.
Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of remakes and remasters. But judging by the responses to one of my recent tweets, it seems I might be in the minority here. So it’s only fair to highlight Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven, which brings back the classic RPG originally released in Japan way back in 1993. This version gets a significant visual overhaul along with a bunch of new content. It’s coming out on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation this month, which should please anyone with a soft spot for old-school JRPGs.
My attention is also on Flint: Treasure of the Oblivion, a pirate-themed RPG that promises a richly detailed world shaped by documented historical events and famous tales of piracy. The protagonist is inspired by Treasure Island’s legendary pirate Flint, with plenty of other colorful characters joining the crew along the way.
The game features isometric real-time exploration combined with turn-based combat that incorporates dice rolls. There’s also a loyalty system that changes based on the choices you make, which adds a compelling layer of depth. The distinctive art style and engaging mechanics make this one to watch, with a release planned for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Coming this October 2024, there are several intriguing indie RPGs worth keeping an eye on, starting with Tarnished Blood. This roguelite stands out with its unique combat system, one that lets you manipulate the timeline—rewinding if your strategies don’t play out as planned during intense battles against colossal creatures.
Also making waves is 8-bit Adventures 2, a retro-style JRPG that originally launched on PC in 2023 and is now set to debut on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. If you’re nostalgic for the classic pixel RPGs, this one captures that old-school magic with modern twists, much like Octopath Traveler, but with a distinct charm that feels right at home for console gamers.
Another one to watch is Guild Saga: Vanished Worlds. We’re currently working on an in-depth review—both written and video—so stay tuned for that. This game offers a richly pixelated world filled with numerous quests to tackle. Its tactical combat system shines, letting players leverage the varied skills across different character classes.
Here’s the complete list for October 2024, with release dates and available platforms:
- Shards of Realm – October 2 [PC]
- Tarnished Blood (E.A.) – October 2 [PC]
- Vestiges: Fallen Tribes (E.A.) – October 3 [PC/VR]
- Necro Story – October 7 [PC]
- Beloved Rapture – October 7 [PC]
- Dead Season – October 8 [PC]
- Spear Song – October 10 [PC]
- Sky Oceans: Wings For Hire – October 10 [PC/PlayStation/Nintendo Switch/Xbox]
- Guild Saga: Vanished Worlds – October 10 [PC]
- Metaphor ReFantazio – October 11 [PC/PlayStation/Xbox]
- 8-Bit Adventures 2 – October 16 [PlayStation/Nintendo Switch/Xbox]
- Wildermyth – October 22 [PlayStation/Nintendo Switch/Xbox]
- Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch – October 23 [PC]
- Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven – October 24 [PS5/PS4/Switch/PC]
- Flint: Treasure of Oblivion – October 24 [PC/PlayStation/Xbox]
- Romance Of The Three Kingdoms 8 Remake – October 24 [PC/PlayStation/Switch]
- Triangle Strategy – October 31 [Quest]
That’s my roundup for October 2024! As always, if I’ve missed any releases or if you just want to chat more about upcoming games, feel free to reach out on any of the social media pages linked on TurnBasedLovers. I’m particularly active on X (Twitter) lately, so that’s the best place to catch me.
Wishing you an awesome October filled with great turn-based games. Take care. Ciao
