Announcements, News, and Playable Stuff of the Week
Here we are with the final May recap. It’s been a solid month for new releases. But before diving into the packed calendar of events and launches coming in June, let’s take a quick look back at everything that happened this past week.
This roundup covers all the latest news, announcements, and a few new releases I missed in my earlier article dedicated to the week’s launches.
Before diving into everything that’s happened this week, I want to give you a heads-up about some structural updates I’ve made to the site to boost overall performance. These improvements include changes to the hosting service, optimization plugins to enhance page loading speed, and a transition to a new ad platform.
Testing tools are giving me excellent performance scores, which is promising, but the most important test is yours. So go ahead, browse around the site, click through a few pages, and let me know how it feels. With that out of the way, it’s time to kick off this week’s Weekly RPG Recap.
Let’s start with the ever-busy team at Owlcat Games. In addition to ongoing updates and fresh content for Rogue Trader, and last week’s reveal of their new Warhammer title Dark Heresy, this week they also dropped new trailers for three CRPGs they’re publishing. The first is Shadow of the Road, a tactical RPG set in feudal Japan. Then there’s Rue Valley, a title with clear Disco Elysium vibes. Lastly, Nested Lands, a multiplayer survival game. You can find all the new gameplay footage in the article linked here.
We also got the release date for the upcoming Wandering Sword DLC, Secrets of the Eastern Sea, which brings a wealth of new content to this already intriguing tactical RPG. You can check out the full list of additions at the link, but mark your calendars, it’s launching on June 19 2025.
If you’re looking for something fresh to sink your teeth into this weekend, there’s a surprise demo drop that might be just what you need. The developers behind Hard West and Rogue Waters have unveiled their latest tactical RPG, Nightmare Frontier. While it shares gameplay DNA with Rogue Waters, it shifts to an entirely new setting. The demo is now available on Steam, and you can find more info here.
Among the week’s biggest announcements is a firm release date from Square Enix: the Front Mission 3 remake will officially land on Nintendo Switch on June 26. Full details are available at the link.
Though honestly, the biggest headline might be this: Metaphor: ReFantazio is now available on Xbox Game Pass. That’s right, the latest title from the creators of the Persona series has joined Microsoft’s subscription lineup. If you’re even slightly interested, now’s the time to dive in.
Staying on the JRPG track, we also got a release date for an intriguing indie RPG that borrows the narrative structure of Octopath Traveler, multiple protagonists with intertwining paths converging for a greater cause. It’s called Quartet, a game I’ve highlighted several times before. It’s set to launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox on August 26, 2025.
Another standout announcement this week is Lost in Prayer, a truly unique roguelite that introduces a killer gameplay mechanic, literally. In short: anything that kills you becomes playable.
I had the chance to try it out a few months back, and it’s a traditional roguelike at its core, turn-based movement where enemies act after you, but with a twist. You can fully take over the enemy that defeats you, inheriting all its stats and abilities. It’s a compelling mechanic that adds serious depth to every run. The big news: Lost in Prayer is hitting Early Access on Steam for PC starting June 15. And yes, a demo is available now; it’s absolutely worth checking out.
There’s another demo worth checking out this weekend: Titans of the Past. This is a first-person RPG in the vein of Oblivion, but with a tactical twist, you can pause combat to issue commands to your companions. Yes, it’s RTWP (real-time with pause), but it’s compelling enough to warrant a look, even for turn-based purists. Back in full turn-based territory, another standout with a demo now available is Artis Impact. This visually striking JRPG isn’t just offering a hands-on preview via Steam, it’s also got a confirmed release date: August 7. Definitely one to watch if you’re into stylish, strategic gameplay.
Time for 4 Strategy ENDLESS Legend 2 as Amplitude Studios and Hooded Horse have unveiled the third playable faction for the upcoming turn-based strategy title, the Necrophage. Emerging from the depths as the oceans recede, this hive-minded, insectoid swarm brings ruthless aggression and a hunger that knows no bounds. Centered around a single evolving city and supported by a web of underground tunnels, the Necrophage excel in overwhelming their enemies and turning the spoils of war into fuel for their ever-growing brood. Follow this link for the showcase trailer.
That wraps up the week’s major headlines. Let me know what you think, as always! You can reach out on my social channels or join the conversation over on the new Reddit channel. Catch you there!
