Civilization VII, Spellforce Conquest Of EO, Sword Of Convallaria, and lots of new announcements and releases
Welcome to the Weekly Recap that straddles July and August 2024. Without further ado, let’s dive into what happened this week, starting with our content. First, I would like to introduce the brand-new TBL community on Reddit. Yes, a few days ago, I decided to launch this community to start collecting your comments and feedback about what we publish here since we don’t have a comments section for technical reasons. I’m unsure how to manage this community, but I’ll figure it out as I engage with you. Now, let’s really get started.
This week, we tested and reviewed two RPGs. The first is Space Prison, a role-playing game that takes players to deep space in a maximum-security prison where they must climb a gang’s social pyramid, survive, and ultimately attempt to escape. The game features a tactical combat system, but its focus is on management aspects. You can find our detailed review here.
The second title we reviewed also sparked the most debate. It’s Sword of Convallaria, a tactical RPG with the charm of classic games from the past (which I won’t name to avoid ruffling any feathers), but it’s been criticized for its gacha mechanics. You can find our review here. Another game reviewed this week is the eleventh installment of one of the most beloved JRPG sagas, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak. Our review provides all the details of this chapter, which is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to explore this series.
Moving on to a new title announced on TBL’s overview pages that has genuinely piqued my interest. It’s called Rubedo: The Occult Dawn, a 100% indie project promising an open-world 3D environment and, most notably, a complex combat system where players must use alchemy to unleash powerful magic. Another overview this week is Nif Nif, a colorful roguelite deck-building game where we play as a pig hero trying to save the forest from a mysterious muddy invasion. If you love the genre, you definitely need to check it out.
Now, let’s move on to some significant announcements. The first concerns Arco, one of the RPGs I’m most looking forward to, which announced its release date on the 15th of this month. It’s a tactical game with a hybrid combat system that combines turn-based and simultaneous actions, featuring a unique pixelated graphic style. The game is set to release on PC and Nintendo Switch, with a future release planned for PlayStation.
Another announcement comes from the publisher 2×2 Games, and it’s dedicated to all fans of realistic strategic simulations. The publisher has announced a brand-new DLC for the excellent Unity of Command II, which will introduce new campaigns, scenarios, units, and various quality-of-life improvements. It’s called Berlin, but there’s no specific date yet. It is slated for Q4 2024.
One of the most exciting news is related to one of the most impressive indie RPGs of recent years. Wildermyth, the procedurally generated turn-based tactical RPG by Worldwalker Games, is set to launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on October 22 2024. Published by Auroch Digital, the console edition will feature a revamped user interface and controls optimized for gamepad use, as well as a new Monster Compendium and local cooperative multiplayer. The game, originally released for PC in June 2021, immerses players in a richly detailed papercraft world where characters evolve through player choices and generational legacy. Physical editions for PlayStation and Switch will include exclusive items and a DLC pack.
Still on console, KIWIWALKS has announced that WitchSpring R will be released globally on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on August 29, with pre-orders for both the Collector’s Edition and Standard Edition now available. The game, featuring a rich narrative following young witch Pieberry, combines collecting, simulation, and turn-based combat. Since its PC release, it has earned a 96% positive rating on Steam and sold over 100,000 copies. Other great Survival PC RPG transitioning to current-gen consoles is Dead Age 2.
Set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 8. This game, which blends survival, management, rogue-lite elements, and turn-based combat, has been available on Steam since 2021. Console players will explore an open world with 80 locations and face decisions that influence one of six possible endings. Enhanced features include improved combat, extensive base management, and a faction reputation system.
Jumping back on Strategy fields, C Prompt Games, led by strategy veterans Rob Fermier, Ian Fischer, and Brian Sousa, announces the release of Millennia: Ancient Worlds on August 12, 2024. This expansion for the historical 4X game Millennia will add a new start option, government type, and diplomacy-centered National Spirit, along with landmarks inspired by early human history. Players can guide nomadic bands, face megafauna threats, and explore new terrains.
And we conclude with two very important pieces of news for two significant strategy games. The first concerns the brief teaser trailer for Spellforce: Conquest of Eo, which seems to be preparing to add new content. The second is about the king of strategy games or the boss, or however you prefer to call it.
2K and Firaxis Games, in fact, have announced a gameplay showcase for Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, set for later this month. The first gameplay footage will debut during the Opening Night Live show at Gamescom on August 20 at 11am PT / 4pm ET / 7pm BST. Following this, a dedicated Gameplay Showcase video will stream on the Firaxis Twitch channel and Civilization YouTube channel at 1:30pm PT / 6:30pm ET / 9:30pm BST, featuring over 20 minutes of exclusive insights and deep dives into new features. The game, officially announced in June, will be released in 2025 on multiple platforms, including PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, and I can’t wait.
Top New RPGs and Strategy Games Releases Of The Week
Let’s now move on to what might always interest you the most: let’s see what’s new to play this week on PC and consoles. As mentioned in the introduction, Sword of Convallaria debuts on PC via Steam and is also available on mobile.
Next up is Soulkin, a roguelite I briefly tried this morning, which puts the player in the shoes of a summoner who must capture creatures and defeat giant bosses. It features meta-progression and tactical combat on diamond-shaped mini-maps. Currently available in early access on PC.
Broken Roads is available this week for Nintendo Switch owners. Initially released on PC, this isometric RPG takes players to a post-apocalyptic Australia where, through tactical combat and choices that will alter the course of events and relationships with NPCs and party members, it offers a deeply immersive experience with many hours of gameplay.
Another title available in early access is Arc Seed, a tactical roguelite deck-building game in which players control giant mechs defending Earth against an alien threat called Archangels. Combat takes place among city buildings, requiring players to carefully plan each move to avoid building collapses and resulting human casualties while neutralizing threats using the mechs’ equipped abilities. I tried it this morning, and compared to the demo, which seemed quite sparse and monotonous, I found significant improvements.
Staying on the tactical theme, this week saw the debut of version 1.0 of Dungeons Dungeon! on PC. This RPG, which I haven’t yet tried but find visually appealing, involves recruiting companions and delving into the depths to fight all sorts of enemies using the available skills and classes. I’ll definitely try it in the coming days, as there’s a demo available.
