It’s December, and as highlighted in the article about this month’s releases, it’s shaping up to be a month packed with new titles and updates. To be honest there are a lot of RPGs debuting in early access but also some hidden gems. Let’s take a look at what awaits us this week.
Verfall
December 1
Verfall is an upcoming turn-based tactical RPG that immerses players in a decaying world threatened by the ominous “Servants of Corrosion.” As a hero marked by a mysterious curse, you’ll assemble a diverse team of unique characters, each offering distinct abilities essential for navigating the game’s rich narrative and uncovering hidden secrets. The game emphasizes team formation, with characters possessing skills such as conversing with spirits, overcoming physical obstacles, and extracting crucial information from NPCs.
Players must judiciously manage items, potions, and abilities, all influenced by a Karma and Morality System based on the seven deadly sins. Your choices shape the storyline, leading to multiple endings, including a true ending.
Beat The Humans (E.A.)
December 2
Beat the Humans turns the tables on the classic alien invasion trope, putting you in charge of an extraterrestrial resistance fighting back against a relentless human onslaught. This tactical turn-based RPG challenges you to assemble a squad of unique alien warriors, each boasting distinctive skills, weapons, and traits, as you defend your species and reclaim your galaxy. With humans wielding advanced technology and overwhelming numbers, every decision counts in this asymmetric battle for survival.
Missions range from daring rescues to high-stakes planetary defenses, all set across a variety of procedurally generated maps. Customize your squad with powerful artifacts and gear while leveraging explosive weapons, advanced tech, and clever positioning to outmaneuver the enemy. Beat the Humans offers a fresh perspective on tactical RPGs, blending humor, challenge, and deep customization to create a thrilling battle for galactic freedom. Perf
The Edge of Allegoria
December 4
The Edge of Allegoria combines retro-inspired charm with a bold, irreverent twist on the traditional turn-based RPG formula. Set in the quirky, chaotic land of Allegoria, the game follows a protagonist in the throes of a midlife crisis as they navigate an unpredictable adventure filled with over-the-top humor. Its pixel-art aesthetic channels the nostalgia of classic handheld RPGs, while the mature themes and self-aware narrative make it a standout for fans seeking something unconventional.
Gameplay features a robust turn-based combat system with over 144 unique enemies ranging from mythical creatures to bizarre monstrosities. Players will gather gear, unlock over 80 abilities, and experiment with nearly 150 pieces of equipment to build their ideal party. Exploration is rich with secrets, hidden dungeons, and eccentric NPCs, encouraging curiosity and creative problem-solving.
Rapture Recovery Squad (E.A.)
December 5
Rapture Recovery Squad is a thrilling blend of dungeon crawling, deck-building, and auto-battling, set in a gripping post-apocalyptic world. As a Dive Operator, you command a team of psionically gifted survivors tasked with descending into the remnants of civilization to battle nightmarish creatures, recover critical resources, and uncover the mysteries behind humanity’s impending doom.
At its core, Rapture Recovery Squad delivers dynamic turn-based combat. Between battles, you’ll customize your squad, carefully plan your dives through procedurally generated maps, and manage the escalating Prey System—a mechanic that ensures prolonged missions are met with deadlier foes. With a wealth of characters, abilities, and upgrades to experiment with, the game rewards creativity and risk-taking.
Dustgrave: A Sandbox RPG (E.A.)
December 5
Dustgrave: A Sandbox RPG plunges players into a vast, crumbling empire where survival, ambition, and morality collide. You’ll craft your own path as a wandering adventurer. Whether you seek to rise as a cunning thief, a ruthless warrior, or a shadowy assassin, the choices you make ripple through a living, breathing world where every decision shapes the story.
The game features deep turn-based combat, allowing for customizable tactics as you adapt to powerful foes and ever-changing challenges. Beyond battles, the sandbox world invites exploration and creativity—steal from nobles, broker alliances between warring factions, or forge your legacy in the shifting power dynamics of this dynamic realm. With its focus on player freedom, evolving NPC interactions, and faction politics, Dustgrave offers a potentially immersive experience for RPG lovers.
FANTASIAN Neo Dimension
December 5
From Final Fantasy Series creator comes FANTASIAN Neo Dimension. A revamped version of 2021 mobile RPG featuring visually stunnin diorama-style environments. The enhanced edition of the original FANTASIAN comes to new platforms with fresh features, including full English and Japanese voice acting, 4K resolution support, and additional difficulty options to challenge even the most seasoned adventurers. Players step into the role of Leo, a hero battling to recover his lost memories and save a world plagued by a mysterious mechanical infection. The story unfolds across over 150 meticulously crafted real-world dioramas, blending a unique aesthetic with immersive storytelling.
At its core, the game introduces the “Dimengeon” system, an ingenious twist on random encounters. Instead of battling enemies on the spot, players can store them for later, allowing for large-scale combat sequences. This system complements its classic turn-based mechanics, offering depth and customization through character progression and a rich variety of abilities. On PC, Switch, PlayStation and Xbox.
Dominate & Conquer
December 5
Dominate & Conquer is an engaging tactics autobattler set in a medieval fantasy world. Players assume the role of a king determined to expand their realm by challenging rival monarchs and seizing their territories and resources. The game offers a diverse roster of units, including pirates, vikings, and knights, each equipped with unique skills that can be strategically combined to create powerful synergies. A distinctive feature is the selection of one of three kings, each providing two unique spells, adding a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay.
The core objective is to protect your king while devising tactics to defeat the enemy king, emphasizing strategic unit placement and effective use of kingly spells. The game has been released on itch.io and is slated for release on Steam on December 5, 2024.
With its fast-paced battles and deep customization options, Dominate & Conquer offers a fresh take on the autobattler genre, appealing to fans of strategic gameplay and medieval fantasy settings.
Myths of Minerva: Stolen Sceptre
December 6
Myths of Minerva: Stolen Sceptre is a new Roguelite Deckbuilding that invites players into a vibrant fantasy world where storytelling and magic collide. The Kingdom of Minerva is on the brink of disaster after the theft of the Sceptre of Fertility, an artifact vital to the realm’s prosperity. Step into the roles of Fulvia Riverino, a brilliant mage, and Aurelia Verus, a steadfast palace guard, as they embark on a perilous journey to recover the scepter and save the kingdom from famine and ruin.
The game blends card-battling mechanics with roguelite progression, offering dynamic encounters. As you travel through diverse, danger-filled regions, you’ll face powerful foes, uncover secrets, and make choices that shape the story.
Fernageddon (E.A.)
December 6
Fernageddon is a bold and fiery twist on the sandbox RPG genre, where destruction isn’t just the goal—it’s your divine mission. Set in a grim, fantastical world, you serve as the chosen emissary of the Fire God, tasked with razing civilization and ushering in the apocalypse. This darkly ambitious game inspired by games like Battle Brothers, features a unique premise where your actions are judged by a capricious deity. Fail to sow enough chaos, and the Fire God’s wrath will reshape your journey in unexpected ways.
The game offers a deep progression system with 52 branching professions and over 200 skills to master. You’ll recruit an eclectic array of allies, from feral beasts to eldritch horrors, and face foes ranging from defiant knights to ancient dragons. Expect tactical grid based combat and first person 3D world explorations.
Caves of Qud
December 7
Caves of Qud, the beloved science-fantasy roguelike is poised to leave Early Access on December 7, 2024, marking a major milestone in its nearly decade-long journey. Celebrated for its richly simulated world, intricate lore, and unmatched player freedom, this release promises to refine and expand upon an already exceptional experience. Players will venture through a sprawling post-apocalyptic landscape filled with hand-crafted and procedurally generated regions, with nearly a million unique maps to explore. From mutant clones to cybernetic warriors, the game’s deep character customization and faction system create a world brimming with storytelling and depth.
The full release will include polished content, enhanced systems, and potential surprises to thrill long-time fans and newcomers alike. Core features such as destructible environments, and the dynamic faction system—with over 60 unique groups—remain central to the experience.
