This week’s RPG weekly recap is highlighted by the release of two highly anticipated titles and some important news. Personally, I am busy this week with one of these two titles and with all the demos now available on Steam for the Next Fest. But now let’s take a detailed look at all the news and releases of the week.
News and Announcements
I’m open the weekly recap news with some of the most interesting demos you can try now. Let’s start with a very interesting new project set in a post-apocalyptic world full of zombies. The title is called Dead Season and it features tactical combat and survival elements. The full game has no release date yet, but it is expected to come out in 2024.
A new one I suggest trying is Hidden Pass, a fantasy XCOM-Like with a Kickstarter Campaign on the go, featuring dynamic RPG mechanics. Players lead a team of skyfaring heroes through uncharted sky-islands, utilizing techno-magical devices and constructing automatons. Key features include multi-layered combat, an evolving world, and a customizable stronghold known as the Wanderer’s Tower.
To be honest, these are just some of the available demos that I will also try over the weekend, but there are so many others.
Songs Of Conquest Will Keep Unleash New Content
Carl Toftfelt, the Lead Game Designer of Songs of Conquest, announced in a Steam post that the team at Lavapotion is excited to expand the game further. They have planned a series of updates, including an expansion with two new factions and four DLCs to enhance existing game content. The first of these, Rise Eternal, focuses on the undead faction, the Barony of Loth, and is set to release this fall. Additional DLCs will continue to explore other factions, with the next, Essence Awakened, featuring Arleon, scheduled for December. Looking ahead, a major expansion introducing the Vanir and Roots factions is planned for the summer of 2025.
Toftfelt also shared that the upcoming Tales of Conquest DLC series will provide quarterly updates, each offering new story missions and gameplay expansions. The first tale, Rise Eternal, will follow the character Kastus Maal in his quest for vengeance. The development team is committed to supporting “Songs of Conquest” for years to come, aiming to satisfy the community’s desire for more faction variety and deeper storytelling. The roadmap includes significant updates and improvements, reflecting Lavapotion’s dedication to the game’s ongoing evolution and player engagement.
Is Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake ready to arrive?
Square Enix has officially announced the platforms for the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remake, confirming its release on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This remake features the distinct HD-2D graphical style popularized by Octopath Traveler. The announcement, made via Twitter, intriguingly did not explicitly name Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D, leading to speculation about additional upcoming announcements.
The tweet included phrases like “The legend of Erdrick approaches” and used hashtags such as “Dragon Quest Day,” along with a generic Dragon Quest logo, hinting at more than just a single game release. Fans have speculated that this could mean an HD-2D remake of the entire Erdrick trilogy, which includes the first three Dragon Quest games, rather than just the third installment. While this remains speculative, the announcement has added credibility to recent leaks suggesting more extensive plans for the Dragon Quest series by Square Enix.
A New Bollywood-Inspired RPG
Toronto-based developer Thousand Stars has announced Aikyam, a Bollywood-inspired turn-based RPG, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam. While the release date has not been disclosed, the game promises a vibrant and fantastical world set in Ancient India.
Players will control Vishva, Ramli, and Guru-ji as they battle demons threatening their village, using cinematic, Bollywood-style combat moves. The game also emphasizes acts of kindness, with players unlocking new adventures and gaining allies by helping villagers. Aikyam combines dramatic battles with charming quests, offering a unique blend of Indian cinematic flair and RPG mechanics.
Fantasian could soon arrive on PC
Fantasian, the 2021 turn-based JRPG created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, known for his work on Final Fantasy, is set to become available on multiple platforms soon. Originally an Apple Arcade exclusive for the past three years, there have been numerous hints about a potential PC port since last summer. Now, reliable sources suggest that the official announcement from Mistwalker Studio is imminent.
The insider Midori hinted at the release of a popular Apple Arcade game on multiple platforms, with further confirmation suggesting that Fantasian will be announced for PC and Nintendo Switch during an upcoming Nintendo showcase in June. There are also rumors that the game might come to PlayStation, Xbox, Epic Store, and Android.
Fantasian is set in a fantasy realm governed by machines, following the story of Leo, who wakes up with no memory after a massive explosion. He embarks on a journey to recover his memories and combat a dangerous mechanical infection threatening humanity. The game’s story and music are crafted by Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu, both renowned for their contributions to the Final Fantasy series.
Age Of Wonders 4 New DLC
Age of Wonders 4: Eldritch Realms, is the major expansion for the fantasy strategy game. Launching on June 18, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this expansion introduces a new map layer called the Umbral Abyss, a new Eldritch Sovereign ruler type, and several new gameplay features, including tomes of magic, physical forms, mounts, and events. Priced at $19.99/£16.99/€19.99, the expansion will be free for players who purchased the Premium Edition or the Expansion Pass of Age of Wonders 4.
The Umbral Abyss adds a layer of the map filled with corruption and powerful secrets, accessible through transformative magic. Players can explore new tactical combat maps, encounter unique factions, and engage with the new Eldritch Sovereign rulers, who possess a Thrall spell casting mechanic.
Additional features include three new tomes of magic, a new event system called Cosmic Happenings, and new playable forms and story realms. Concurrently, a free Mystic Update will be released, offering new randomized realms, pantheon content, and updates to the Mystic Culture.
What To Play This Week – Top Releases
This week, as I mentioned at the beginning, there are many releases, including two particularly noteworthy ones. Additionally, the upcoming Steam Next Fest has made a plethora of new demos available. Let’s see what to play this week.
Old World New Expansion
The new DLC for the historical 4X strategy game Old World, titled Behind the Throne, is now available. This expansion focuses on character interactions and introduces gameplay mechanics that challenge players’ strategic plans. Key features include over 350 new events centered on politics, intrigue, and personal ambitions, more than ten new character traits, new goals and ambitions, and three new improvements and projects such as Estates and Slums.
Additionally, six new historical characters can become significant allies or rivals. The DLC is priced at $9.99/£8.99/€9.99/¥1,240 and is available on PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.
Tactical RPG Trash Of Titans Available in E.A.
I tried it a while back and was pleasantly surprised by this tactical RPG. Trash of the Titans features gameplay where players control trash animals, defend their dumpsters from invading rats, using the trash to upgrade their team. It includes five characters to choose from and two acts with highly replayable, randomized encounters.
The Early Access version is priced at a discount, and the developer plans to expand the game significantly before its full release, including more characters and content. The game has received very positive reviews so far.
Roguelite Tactical Dethroned
Another interesting title I tried some time ago, with very interesting mechanics, is Dethroned. Now available in early access, it is a roguelike tactic that features a dark, procedural, open world where players lead armies of fantasy creatures to reclaim a usurped throne.
Players choose a mage, develop unique abilities, and hunt for spells and artifacts while exploring an unpredictable world and forging alliances.
Retro-Style Turn-Based RPG SKALD
I eagerly anticipated it, and my expectations were confirmed and fulfilled. SKALD: Against the Black Priory is a retro RPG that offers 8-bit Commodore graphics and fabulous music. It’s a delight for those who grew up with video games in the ’80s and ’90s. I’ve been playing for about five hours and really enjoy it. The game world is Lovecraftian and truly inspired, creating a dark and intriguing atmosphere.
The combat system is well-balanced, and the UI strikes a perfect balance between retro and modern aesthetics. We are working on a review that will be published in the next few hours. In the meantime, trust me and buy SKALD right away; it’s really worth it.
Tactical RPG With Super Heroes
Let’s end this Weekly RPG recap with Capes. It’s a tactical RPG with superheroes, which we reviewed a few days ago. Personally, I don’t like the linear formula, but the combat system is worth it, and the various superpowers of the heroes offer lots of strategic plans to apply on the battlefield. Try it and let me know your opinion.
The Weekly RPG News And Releases Recap ends here; you know all our social pages and Discord community by now. Wish you an amazing weekend. Ciao
