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Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review A Classic Undertaking Dragon Quest is one of the names that is almost synonymous with adventure in the RPG universe; a storied franchise that with each title provides its own journey across the world. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined , a full rebuild of PlayStation and later 3DS title Dragon Quest VII , offers a classic adventure with young protagonists, snappy turn-based combat, and a whimsical score, making it approachable to anyone. The diorama-style backgrounds that blend with the almost bisque doll characters belay the underscore of how harrowing aspects of the journey can be. While the main story is streamlined and by-the-books, its series of micro stories interspersed throughout make it endear the whole way through. The Dragon Quest franchise has common elements running throughout. Its eclectic and diverse monster portfolio, mute protagonist, designs from Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame, catchy music, and last, but not least, traditional turn-based combat. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined 's new graphical style breathes fresh life to these original creations, particularly in the monster designs. There's a layer of unassuming cuteness that somehow fits with the evil intentions of these monsters, and every once in a while, there will be one that screams Toriyama in the best way possible. The dialogue and voice acting have to work around the mute protagonist and, depending on the situation, can work well or cause leaps in logic. The soundtrack returns in a timeless manner with all the fanfare and care one would expect. The combat system feels quick, responsive, and there are a few different ways for characters to feel powerful. Everything comes together into a memorable adventure that captures the essence of what is expected of a classic Dragon Quest title while still feeling like a new experience. The hero begins their journey on the island of Estard, its populace consisting of a fishing village and a secondary town built around a governing castle. It's a quiet, lonely life, as everything around the island is open sea. This basic routine is stifling for the hero, their best friend Prince Keifer, and the mayor's daughter Maribel, who believe there has to be something else out there that can enrich their lives. They find a mysterious shrine with a voice that bids them to collect fragmented stone tablets to assemble on various pedestals. When one is completed, it sends them to a new island in a contentious period in the past, where its people are under attack by monsters. The journey to solving these issues and defeating the evil forces is always exciting. Some stories are genuinely heartbreaking, while others have a wondrous sense of hopefulness, and the key to both types is that they are full of heart. [caption id="attachment_183913" align="aligncenter" width="640"] An example of an intensely menacing yet adorable conversation with a boss.[/caption] The Estard trio undergo some growing pains during their adventure, trying to find a sense of belonging and purpose beyond their sleepy little village, but the game finds it a bit tricky to convey through the protagonist's limited yes/no head tilt responses and his friends' headstrong teenage attitudes that switch between endearing and irritating. Luckily, the charm of each story found on a new island is exhilarating, as temporary party members, whole villages, and even the enemies undergo a metamorphosis that enrich the party while they try and help a region deal with the local evils. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a large world, but does not connect every nuance; it is an adventure at heart, which means the occasional minor leap in logic and suspension of belief. None are immersion-breaking, but it does still happen often enough to be noted, and they eventually feed into a larger overarching story of the search for lasting peace and belonging that sufficiently ties everything together. Plot progression is tied to finding the aforementioned fragmented tablets. In Dragon Quest VII Reimagined , these are easy to track, as the minimap has a separate icon for them, they sparkle with an exclamation mark declaring “here it is,” and there are quest markers that keep players in the area until everything for progression is collected. Everything is straightforward, keeping players focused on the adventure, though it cuts into the player's explorative agency, which is now relegated to finding items and mini medals by searching everywhere. Despite requiring less exploration to progress, this is still a lengthy adventure likely running around 65 hours for most players, with a ton to find in the world. Enemies are seen on screen, allowing players to freely attack or attempt to avoid them. When the player is stronger than the monsters, they'll try to avoid the party, but if not, the monsters will give chase. The hero can slash at the enemy, which can either instantly defeat weaker foes for a smaller portion of experience or just damage stronger ones for a minor edge. There are options to adjust the battle speed or auto-battle functions, but honestly, the default setting typically takes less than a minute for a regular encounter to end, and do not start to feel long until the beefier enemies of the last few dungeons. [caption id="attachment_183914" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Even regular monsters are downright charming in their own right.[/caption] Dragon Quest VII Reimagined keeps its traditional turn-based combat interesting in large part due to its vocations. Vocations are different classes that the party can shift into to learn new abilities to keep things fresh. Party members have a unique default class, but otherwise, the list is the same for everyone. Some characters may naturally fit better with certain vocations, but level-up gains and adjustments to base attributes allow characters adaptability to work for their selected vocations. For example, a mage will earn more magical might upon level-up than a warrior. There is a longer-than-expected portion of the game spent in the default class, but when the vocations are available, there are ten beginner classes that lead into intermediate ones, and only a few advanced. Depending on the choices made, there might be some backtracking through other vocations to gain access to the stronger advanced ones, but the moonlighting feature makes that easier. Moonlighting allows party members to add a second vocation, which, if it is a mastered class, makes learning the primary vocation one easier, while also giving access to all of the mastered vocation's abilities. Moonlighting while unlocking and growing vocations averts potential issues stemming from lower effectiveness of the earlier abilities within each vocation, which would otherwise make it take considerable time to defeat even routine encounters later in the game. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is not overly difficult, but dealing less damage per turn just prolongs fights longer than necessary, especially since there are enough recovery items and shrines that it is difficult to run out of MP. What that does mean is that the middle portion of the game works best, as learning abilities is a constant thrill. Once players have learned everything they feel they need to, combat becomes routine as enemy health totals grow and battles get a bit longer. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined significantly streamlines the original game, including the four optional islands to explore, which are depicted by gray fragments. The ability to travel to them tends to pop up during times of mild difficulty spikes, making them worthwhile to visit if just for the levelling benefits, and the stories are just as interesting as the main islands. A more dangerous time consumer comes in the form of Lucky Panel. This is a free loot-based memory game, where players flip shuffled cards to match the pairs and gain a prize, with each level of difficulty and reward adding in more treasures and more shuffling. When it becomes available, some really good rewards that are much better than what is available in the store are there, and it is an easy way to gain money, so it is a fun distraction that is worthwhile. [caption id="attachment_183915" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Come on Kiefer, tis but a scratch.[/caption] Dragon Quest VII Reimagined has a fun diorama playset feel, with the characters acting as detailed figurines within it. The picturesque details in the backgrounds add a brightness that makes even the darkest locations a joy to go through. Character and enemy designs combine the intricate hand-painted details of a bisque doll with the styling of a kids' cartoon, creating a wonderful style that makes even the most menacing boss feel approachable and adorable, and it's a treat to see every one of them. This detail doesn't extend to villages, as there are only a few NPC designs, so one area's mayor may have the same look as another one's chancellor, which can be distracting. The soundtrack is big, loud, triumphant, and ear-catching, creating a big band feel that gains a lot of mileage, and even though a number of tracks get reused, they never feel repetitive. Voice acting adds another layer to the story, but the dialogue feels more like a footnote, with characters sharing expositions or wrapping up the lessons they learned in a manner that feels more like narration than characters living through it. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is about new beginnings and, speaking as a relative beginner to the franchise, it is a great adventure. The artwork and character designs are just a treat, and it's always worth getting to the next island just to see what big bad resides there. The combat system is snappy, making it a fun way to fight to the next heartfelt story beat that runs the whole gamut of emotions. Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is an eye-catching and enjoyable appeal to wide audiences, and serves as a great example for the franchise. Disclosure: This article is based on a build of the game provided by the publisher. The copyright of the images used on this page is jointly owned by SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. and other co-owners. The unauthorized reproduction and distribution of the images is prohibited. Ⓒ ARMOR PROJECT/BIRD STUDIO/SQUARE ENIX Ⓒ SUGIYAMA KOBO Ⓟ SUGIYAMA KOBO The post Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Review appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerFeb 2

Hermit and Pig review – A good time sautéed in absurdity A life of solitude with your pet pig is thrown off course when a magic mushroom crash-lands on Earth. Forager by day, social recluse by night, Hermit and Pig must navigate society and help the townsfolk scrounge up some food, else chaos ensues. It was an ordinary day for Hermit and Pig, who'd spend every morning scavenging for mushrooms and foraging truffles. That was until Mary showed up. After eating a blue mushroom (because why not?) Hermit and his only friend, Pig, journey into town and into the heart of a conspiracy that's quickly spiralling out of control. Everything wants to fight and talk to you. How will Hermit cope? Hermit and Pig is a turn-based RPG focused on delivering a story-rich, compact narrative that is sure to bring a smile to those who journey with these wholesome companions. While the plot is rather generic and rarely expands beyond its surface, its story isn't the reason to keep playing. The dialogue makes the game Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid Off the bat, it's clear Hermit and Pig has a distinct identity and so much character. Much like Frog Detective , Thank Goodness You're Here! , and Night in the Woods , Hermit and Pig is quirky, humorous, and packed with funny dialogue that keeps the adventure feeling light. Any form of tension is broken by light-heartedness, where the stakes continuously grow, but settle with comedic relief that tells us to never take what's happening too seriously. It's a pleasant reminder for those like myself, who struggle with social anxiety—that life truly isn't out to get you. Screenshot by Destructoid The dialogue and overall vibrant and cute art style immediately invite relaxation. Even without voice acting, every character has a distinct voice that's silly yet believable, and it strengthens the overarching story. The quirky characters and their interactions bring the otherwise still landscape to life. Quirkiness follows Hermit and Pig's dream sequences, which also remind me of Night in the Woods . Keep moving, old friend Screenshot by Destructoid Hermit and Pig is very easy to digest with its design and core gameplay mechanics. The pacing and level design are simple but great, and the map is incredibly helpful at pointing out where you need to go without hand-holding. I'm not a huge side-quest fan and find it often breaks the immersion, but Hermit and Pig does a great job at blending quests together that it feels natural, fun, and certainly never tedious. It adds to the story's flow and makes backtracking engaging. Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid Screenshot by Destructoid Hermit and Pig is packed to the brim with tiny details. Hermit holds quest items in front of him, he spreads his arms out to balance across wooden beams, pets Pig's head for 1HP, and sweats profusely when approaching a conversation. The soundtrack is awesome and very reminiscent of OG Crash Bandicoot . I almost feel tricked into enjoying Hermit and Pig for nostalgia is strong in this one, and I felt transported to my childhood while playing it. Accessibility in combat Screenshot by Destructoid While this RPG lacks in secrets, there are Trinkets to find or barter, Mushrooms to cut, and Truffles to dig up. Speaking of core mechanics, Hermit and Pig has amazing combat options. Being able to simplify controls outside of changing the overall difficulty is an awesome feature I wish more games had. As enemy health bars get higher, the combat expands to give you new ways of fighting back, but it also means fighting gets easier. The UI is clean, and you have everything you could possibly need on the menu, which is super easy to navigate if you ever need a refresher. Screenshot by Destructoid I gave myself a disadvantage using a controller where the buttons didn't line up to what's shown on-screen, meaning I couldn't use any Special move at all without failing miserably (this is not a fault of the game). There is a slight learning curve with the arcadey fighting-game-inspired Combos and Specials that makes Hermit and Pig feel more like playing a WarioWare game than a Pokémon title, as reaction time and quick-thinking take precedent in every fight. Of course, you can remove the challenge altogether by either lowering the difficulty or simplifying the combat. Taking me seven hours to beat, I only felt the need to use Specials at the final boss fight, demonstrating Hermit and Pig 's lacking difficulty. Screenshot by Destructoid There's also the Trinkets, Mushrooms, and Truffles. Trinkets give you combat buffs, Mushrooms act as healing or status effect items, and Truffles revive allies. There is a lot of RNG involved in fighting and logical thinking to figure out what attacks are effective, but I didn't find combat too much of a challenge, especially since I ignored Special moves (Granted, I did play on Normal difficulty). I'm sure, however, that Hermit the Pig isn't intended to be a difficult game. Social anxiety simulator Screenshot by Destructoid Interestingly, you cannot outrun a single thing in this game (which is fitting as you're playing an elderly and anxious man). But Hermit and Pig is very forgiving and wants you to have fun—and fun you shall have. Save stations are found in abundance, meaning it's rare to go into a new fight with low health. It's highly unlikely you'll ever run out of Mushrooms, either, as you can get Pig to forage mid-fight, trade with vendors, or find them as you explore. I will say however, scripted fights should remove the Run feature as there's a moment in the game where I was meant to fight a bear but ran away, then NPCs immediately praised me for beating up a bear... The anxiety aspect of this RPG is uniquely done with the socializing mechanic that behaves similarly to fight encounters. It breaks up the chaos of fighting with dialogue, where you must pick the most socially acceptable prompt, and you will lose 1HP for every time Hermit cringes at your words. While it's entertaining, it's also incredibly easy to complete these sections without losing any health, and they're always positioned near save points. I would have loved it if this mechanic had higher stakes, such as losing more HP, which then puts you at a disadvantage going into the next fight. Screenshot by Destructoid Though Hermit and Pig wants to deliver a story-rich experience, it is sorely lacking in replayability and is overall an easy game to beat if you disable the Combos mechanic. However, if you're looking for a cozy turn-based RPG that is a good time, then Hermit and Pig is an authentically entertaining experience from start to finish. The post Hermit and Pig review – A good time sautéed in absurdity appeared first on Destructoid .

Role-Playing Games Archives – DestructoidFeb 2

RPGamer Round-Up: January 25 – February 1 Welcome to the latest edition of RPGamer's round-up column, where we look back at some of the articles that we have posted over the intervening period. This article is designed to give reminders of some interesting content and stories that our readers might have missed. Editorial Content RPGamer’s Best of 2025 Awards It’s time again for us at RPGamer to celebrate the previous year’s standout releases. After taking our usual time to digest the past year, RPGamer is proud to present our Best of 2025 awards. Dynasty Warriors: Origins Switch 2 Review After originally releasing last year, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Amaan Bhimani finds that its refined 1 vs 1000 combat and impressive performance allows it to claim a spot near the top of the system’s library. Little Witch in the Woods Review On the tippy of her toes, to adventure this witch goes. Under hill and over dale, learning lessons without fail. Michael Baker reports back on the adventures of the Little Witch in the Woods . Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Retroview During his streams, Ryan Radcliff has taken on a bunch of RPG challenges, but his retro wheel is his most daunting task yet. He takes a look back at the first title completed as part of it, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys . Major News Action RPG Darkhaven Announced Moon Beast Production, a studio founded by Diablo II veterans, has announced Darkhaven . The dark fantasy action RPG will undergo a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign soon. Reigns: The Witcher Releasing on PC, Mobile Next Month Nerial and Devolver Digital announced a crossover between Reigns and CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher series. Players will help Dandelion spin reimagined tales of Geralt next month. Utawarerumono: Past and Present Rediscovered Releasing in May Aquaplus announced that its latest Utawarerumono title will release in May. The game will be available for PS5 and Switch 2 in Japan, as well as on PC worldwide courtesy of DMM Games and Shiravune. People of Note Reveals Voice Cast Iridium Studios and Annapurna Interactive revealed the main voice cast for People of Note . The announcement comes alongside a new video showing one of the game’s musical numbers. Genigods: Nezha Announced for PC, PS5 Developer Genigods Lab has announced action RPG Genigods: Nezha . Planned to release on PC and PS5 in 2028, the game is based on Chinese creation myth. Compile Heart Announces Villion: Code Compile Heart announced Villion: Code , a school life RPG set to release in Japan in June. Its staff includes key members from early Megami Tensei and Persona titles. Rock Tour Tactical RPG Sonic Terror Announced Book Burner Games revealed turn-based tactical RPG Sonic Terror . The game is set in an alternate 1984 as a rock band fights back against a body-snatching alien invasion in a totalitarian republic. Viractal: Will You Trust Your Party? Fully Released on Steam Sting’s board game-style RPG is out of Early Access on Steam. The full release of Viractal comes with a title adjustment, a new character, and a new stage combining its previous three stages. Under the Island Releasing in February Top Hat Studios and Slime King Games announced that Under the Island will release in a few weeks. The 2D action adventure RPG follows Nia, who seeks to prevent Seashell Island from sinking. Other News A Whisper of Fall: Jinyiwei Announced Dungeon-Crawling RPG Erehwon Releasing on Steam Later This Year Absolum’s Thread of Fate Content Update Arriving in February Death Howl Launching on Consoles Next Month Nioh 3 Demo Available Now Final Fantasy VII Getting Updated Steam Release Four Final Fantasy Titles Arrive on GOG.com Sword Hero Undergoing Kickstarter Campaign Encounter: The Lost Cards Fully Released on Steam Super Robot Wars Y’s Second DLC Releasing Next Week Card-en-Ciel Expansion Pass Detailed; Switch 2 Version, Content Update Released Long Gone Days Physical Release Announced ANNO: Mutationem Adds Boss Rogue Mode, Mac Version Echoes of Elysium Now Available on Steam Early Access Action Adventure RPG Emberville Coming to Steam Early Access in Summer Nested Lands Early Access Release Delayed to February Media and New Releases Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Adventure Log Video Introduces Its Party Newest Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Adventure Log Shows Vocations Crimson Desert Offers First Feature Overview Video GreedFall: The Dying World Introduces Antagonist Kurnaz Tombwater Showcases Its Classes Norse: Oath of Blood Showcases More Gameplay, Pre-Purchases Available New Release Round-Up (January 29, 2025) Podcasts Episode 426: A Short One – Q&A Quest Episode 427: Metroids – Q&A Quest This week in Q&A Quest, your hosts promise, and fail to deliver, a short episode. We also prepare for the onslaught of upcoming releases and discuss Metroid Prime 4 . RPG Cast – Episode 799: “Milking Requires Consent” Chris announces "Super Robot Wars Ys" . Kelley makes rabbits nature’s problem. Josh complains about the realism of cat leashes. The post RPGamer Round-Up: January 25 – February 1 appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerFeb 1

RPG Cast – Episode 799: “Milking Requires Consent” Chris announces Super Robot Wars Ys. Kelley makes rabbits nature's problem. Josh complains about the realism of cat leashes. Question of the Week Did you start a game series with one of its "weakest"games? For example, Ys III, Final Fantasy II, etc.. How did it affect your perception of the series? Check out the show notes here! The post RPG Cast – Episode 799: “Milking Requires Consent” appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerFeb 1

Four Final Fantasy Titles Arrive on GOG.com GOG.com revealed four Final Fantasy games are now part of its catalog. The games are Final Fantasy III , Final Fantasy IV , Final Fantasy VIII , and Final Fantasy IX . All four titles are available DRM-free, with a 60% discount until February 7, 2026. Final Fantasy III follows four young orphans tasked with finding four crystals to restore balance in a world plagued by strange occurrences. It initially released in Japan in 2006 for Famicom. The GOG version is based on the 3D remake released for Nintendo DS in 2006. Final Fantasy IV sees dark knight Cecil uncovering a conspiracy that threatens his homeland and the peace of the world. The game's original version launched in 1991 on Super Nintendo, with the GOG release based on the 3D remake released on Nintendo DS in 2007. Final Fantasy VIII follows cadet soldier Squall Leonhart and his friends as they get involved in a conflict with huge stakes. The GOG version is based on the remaster released in 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, while the original title launched in 1999 for PlayStation. Final Fantasy IX is set in the fantasy world of Gaia, where the meeting of thief Zidane and princess Garnet sets up events that will determine the fate of the world. The title initially launched in 2000 for PlayStation, with the GOG version based on the port released in 2016 for PC. The post Four Final Fantasy Titles Arrive on GOG.com appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerFeb 1

A Whisper of Fall: Jinyiwei Announced CangMo Game Entertainment announced its upcoming title A Whisper of Fall: Jinyiwei . The game, which is part of the PlayStation China Hero Project, is a martial arts-themed action RPG. It will launch for PC (via Steam , Epic Games Store , and WeMade) and PlayStation 5, with no release date as of yet. A Whisper of Fall: Jinyiwei is set during China's Ming Dynasty. It follows an ordinary boatman, who is forced to infiltrate the Jinyiwei, Imperial Guards of the Ming Dynasty, as an undercover agent for the black market. As he carries out missions for both the Imperial Guard Bureau and the black market, he uncovers a conspiracy and must maneuver among different factions to survive. Players are tasked with investigating various cases, while honing their martial art skills. During investigations, they can interrogate suspects and use their deduction ability to identify the true culprit. Their martial artist's prowess allows them to engage enemies in combat, walk on walls, and leap between rooftops. Source: Gematsu [foogallery id="183826"] The post A Whisper of Fall: Jinyiwei Announced appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerFeb 1

Norse: Oath of Blood Showcases More Gameplay, Pre-Purchases Available Publisher Tripwire Presents and developer Arctic Hazard released a new trailer for strategy RPG Norse: Oath of Blood . The three-minute-long video introduces craftspeople working in the player's settlement and the Viking warriors fighting on battlefields. In addition, the companies announced that pre-purchases for the standard edition and Special Edition are now available for PC via Steam , Epic Games Store , and GOG.com . While the standard edition is priced at $34.99, the Special Edition, which includes the in-game Kievan War armor set and unique Ulfberht sword, is available for $44.99. All pre-purchases include the Brokkr’s Bearded Axe and are discounted by 15% until launch. Norse: Oath of Blood features a story written by author Giles Kristian. Players take on the role of young warrior Gunnar, who sets on a quest for vengeance after his father, Jarl Gripr, is murdered by Steinarr Far-Spear, who usurps his seat. Players build up their own settlement and gather allies as they pass judgments, settle disputes, initiate projects, and face off against rival clans. Norse: Oath of Blood will launch for PC on February 17, 2026, with the PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S versions following in spring 2026. The post Norse: Oath of Blood Showcases More Gameplay, Pre-Purchases Available appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerFeb 1

RPGamer’s Best of 2025 Awards RPGamer Best of 2025 Editor's Choice Awards! 2025 puts another year in the books, and as has been the case for many years now, it was packed with plenty of excellent titles to choose from. Filled with plenty of surprises across the genre in more ways than one, there were highlights throughout the year, giving RPGamers plenty to get stuck into. As is tradition for the site, the RPGamer staff has taken January to consider as much as possible from the huge selection of titles that came out during the previous year and come up with our Best of 2025 Awards. Please enjoy and, as always, we invite our readers to let us know your highlights. Editor's Choices Best Turn-Based RPG Best Action RPG Best Strategy RPG Best Sim/Hybrid RPG Best Re-Release Best Battle System Best Story Best Dialogue Most Original Best Music Best Voice Acting Best Visuals Best Interaction Most Overlooked Biggest Surprise Biggest Letdowns Best Non-RPG Most Played Most Completed Most Anticipated Special Award Game of the Year Organization and Direction by Alex Fuller Content by Alex Fuller , Glenn Wilson Editing by Alex Fuller , Pascal Tekaia , Sam Wachter Banner by Sarah McGarr Award Graphics by Ed Walker Past Awards 2024 - 2023 - 2022 - 2021 - 2020 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 The post RPGamer’s Best of 2025 Awards appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerJan 31

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Switch 2 Review Rally 'Round The Flag The latest entry in Koei Tecmo and Omega Force's Dynasty Warriors series has stormed onto the Nintendo Switch 2, bringing with it a rousing tale of heroes vying for the favor of the heavens, chaotic battles that pit one against thousands, and an emperor's worth of content. With its endlessly entertaining action and excellent performance, Dynasty Warriors: Origins on Switch 2 is a must-have for fans of the genre and a perfect fit for players looking to get the most out of the system. Adapting roughly the first half of Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , the story takes players from the peasant revolt of the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the decisive Battle of Red Cliffs, as the Han Dynasty loses its grip on the realm and warlords spring up to replace it, blazing a path to the future through bold promises and spilled blood. Players take on the role of Ziluan, a wandering warrior with amnesia who devotes his blade to those who further the cause of peace. As the story progresses and control of the realm is divided between three heroes, Ziluan begins to remember the duty he was once entrusted with and joins the leader that he believes will be the one to unify the land. Players can choose between the idealistic Liu Bei, the pragmatic Cao Cao, and the fearless Sun Jian, as they fight under the banner of the righteous and tear down all that stand in their way. [caption id="attachment_182964" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The enemy of my enemy will be my enemy tomorrow.[/caption] At every turn, old alliances are broken and new ones are forged, as the chaos of war turns yesterday's comrades into today's enemies. Political intrigue and surprising twists await players regardless of which path they choose, and true to the Origins title, those unfamiliar with the source material and this era of history are eased into its world slowly. The story covers a tremendous amount of ground, yet it manages to treat individual characters and arcs gracefully. Antagonists like the revolutionary Zhang Jiao and the conqueror Dong Zhuo are portrayed with a deft touch, showing how ambition leads both the just and the strong astray. Though both the source material and the game favor Liu Bei, the game portrays his rivals as being worthy of leadership in their own ways. Through its thoughtful writing and well-rounded cast, the story beautifully portrays changing times, clashing ideals, and the sacrifices that must be made on the road to peace. Ziluan, being an original character made just for the game, acts as a proxy for players by letting them march alongside legends like Guan Yu and Lu Bu, and though the lack of voice acting for him makes his scenes somewhat awkward, it is a small price to pay for the added immersion and freedom of choice that comes with his inclusion. However, the subplot dealing with his past is rather trite, and it takes what was otherwise an acceptable avatar character and makes him feel forced by spending an unnecessary amount of screen time on him. The fact that his character and the concepts featured in his story have no historical basis makes them stand out even more. Pitfalls typical of this character type also rear their head throughout, such as Ziluan being regularly met with an overabundance of praise and admiration by the entire cast, which further disconnects him from the grounded tone and historical setting. [caption id="attachment_182965" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Might makes right.[/caption] Despite having spawned countless games and an entire genre based on its large-scale battles and blood-pumping hack n' slash combat, the Dynasty Warriors formula continues to excite. The decision to cut the roster down to just one playable character recenters the series, allowing for a narrower but deeper battle system. Ziluan is peerless in both offense and defense, with the dodge, parry, and Battle Art mechanics turning him into a one-man army. The dodge and parry work as they do in most action games featuring them, yet their inclusion feels significant because of the freedom and power that they grant players upon mastery. Meanwhile, the cooldown-based Battle Arts allow players to consistently string together powerful attacks instead of relying on just light and heavy attacks or having to wait until the Rage and Musou gauges are full to feel the rush the combat is meant to provide. That would be satisfying enough on its own, yet there are even more options available to players, such as issuing orders to a detachment of guards to disrupt the enemy or temporarily taking control of one of the era's most legendary warriors to inflict major damage on their ranks. To make up for the one-man roster, Ziluan is also able to cycle between several weapon types, each transforming his move set, often with a unique gimmick that justifies using one weapon over another in a given situation. With battles often changing objectives partway and tenacious bosses leading the foe into the fray, that adaptability becomes key to victory. Through these mechanics and systems working in tandem, combat becomes rhythmic and free flowing, with players weaving through enemy formations like flowers in the breeze, all to strike where it hurts most with the full brunt of their thorns. Weapon usage grants EXP towards weapon proficiency, which, once leveled up, rewards players with new attacks, new skill branches on the skill tree, and better stats. The EXP needed to reach the next rank for a weapon type grows considerably between ranks, encouraging players to use all weapon types to grow stronger more consistently. Skill points for the skill tree are awarded for performing well in battle, though more can be obtained by fulfilling certain requests from comrades, such as defeating a certain number of enemies with a specific attack. Additional Battle Arts can also be purchased from shops, obtained from NPCs around the world map, learnt from the skill tree, or unlocked by maxing out bonds with comrades. [caption id="attachment_182966" align="aligncenter" width="640"] March across the realm and bring it closer to unity with each step.[/caption] Optional battles are scattered across the map, offering smaller skirmishes that are good for grinding EXP and skill points. A few side quests, including one dealing with Ziluan's memories, are also available for those looking for a break from the main story. However, the most compelling of the optional content is completing all three routes, as they differ significantly and each have different strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Sun Jian's route misses out on some of the game's more historically significant battles, but it also tells a more approachable and heartfelt story than that of Liu Bei or Cao Cao's routes. All three routes also include what-if scenarios that change the fate of a character or outcome of a battle from what it is historically meant to be by performing certain actions, which brings more variety to the mix. Players can expect the Switch 2 battery to get around two hours and thirty minutes out of the game in handheld mode. Completing the first route may take around twenty-five to thirty hours, while completing all three roughly tallies up to forty. Progress carries over between campaigns, allowing for breezy repeat playthroughs and for players to continue honing their skills after the credits have rolled. The postgame can push playtime up to and past one hundred hours through unlocking every skill on the tree, maxing out proficiency on all weapons, replaying from the start on the Ultimate Warrior difficulty for a true challenge, and more. Skill checks are dispersed throughout, with one of them being hard enough to potentially end a playthrough, though they are never unfair and can be blown past by players willing to engage with all of the game's mechanics. The new Visions of Four Heroes DLC that can be purchased separately brings even more content and challenges for those who are left craving more. Voice acting is a mixed bag, with the English cast having both standout and laughably bad performances. It also struggles with keeping pronunciations of names consistent across the cast and across every scene. The Japanese cast is more balanced in its quality, but it has a fatal flaw in that the abundance of in-battle dialogue's subtitles are pushed off to the side where they're hard to read in the thick of combat. Meanwhile, Chinese voices are absent, at least in the North American release, which may be a disappointment for certain players. [caption id="attachment_183462" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Rise above all others to become unmatched under the heavens.[/caption] What is unlikely to disappoint, however, is the electric guitar-dominated soundtrack that makes each battle twice as epic. Though famed series composer Masayoshi Sasaki, also known as MASA, retired from Koei Tecmo in 2022, his successors have followed up on his work commendably. Iconic tracks like "EVE" from Dynasty Warriors 4 have been remixed, while many of the new ones hold their own against the classics. It's easy to get sucked into battles because of the soundtrack, and it's when players sync with the rhythm of the combat and the music simultaneously that they feel most like an unstoppable warrior, letting instinct and the beat guide their blade to victory. When it comes to performance, the Switch 2 version offers players the choice between a locked thirty frames per second and a variable frame rate that shoots for sixty. The former works as expected, but the latter is impressive in both docked and handheld play. Though it is kept back by the inconsistency inherent to an unlocked frame rate, many players may find themselves choosing this mode for the entire playthrough, just for the battles where it stays close to sixty from start to finish, which is more often than one might think. This setting occasionally leads to pop-in and blurry textures, but it isn't jarring enough to be a problem. With that and some scattered long load times as the exceptions, the game looks and feels next-gen, which makes it even more inviting than it already was. Wounded only by minor flaws, Dynasty Warriors: Origins for Switch 2 offers a banquet of content to those willing to follow its path of conquest to the top. From a grand narrative to addictive combat to music and visuals that deliver, it wins the war by succeeding on every front. Good for both quick portable sessions and binging on the big screen, as well as causal and hardcore play, it stands above many of its rivals for being capable of winning the hearts of many. Fans of the genre who have yet to experience the game will find much to appreciate about it, while newcomers and skeptics may find themselves persuaded by it to awaken the warrior within them and head into battle with the wind at their backs. Disclosure: This review is based on a free copy of the game provided by the publisher. The post Dynasty Warriors: Origins Switch 2 Review appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerJan 31

Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Retroview Adol the Relentless Back in 2021, I started to stream on the RPGamer Twitch channel, where I would juggle between multiple RPGs during a three-hour window via a giant wheel filled with classic and obscure RPGs for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It was hectic, it was chaotic, it got messy at times, but eventually, I started beating games during my stream. I wanted to put pen to paper and classify these games based off how well I enjoyed them, how good they are compared to other SNES RPGs, and if I would ever want to replay these games. With all that said, let's get to the first game I ever beat on my Retro stream: Ys III: Wanderers from Ys . Released on the SNES in early 1992, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys would change the series structure. While still following the exploits of Adol Christin, Ys III forgoes the top-down perspective and bump battle system for a 2D side-scrolling adventure with unique attacks depending on directional input. The most notable concept about these changes was just how frail Adol is at the beginning. Enemies come at the red-haired hero non-stop and unless he exits the danger zones, his healing options are initially limited. It takes a decent amount of grinding to level up and collect enough money to upgrade gear, and some bosses have level thresholds that need to be met before they even take damage. Ys III can be frustrating and punishing at first, but with enough patience and the proper amount of grinding, Adol can muscle his way through any area. [caption id="attachment_183522" align="aligncenter" width="493"] This is a great grinding spot. No serious![/caption] That's not to say there isn't some trial and error with this game and some of its bosses. Each boss is larger than life, and usually only has a few weak spots that Adol can wail on to actually deal damage. Instead of magic in this game, Adol acquires rings and equipping them uses up Ring Points. There are a few rings to collect, and some are more useful than others. These rings are lifesavers during boss fights, and it is recommended to save all Adol's Ring Points for the major battles. Thankfully, you can save almost anywhere in the game, so as long as players are diligent and prepared, backtracking isn't that big of a hassle. Ys III looks fine for a game originally created in the late 1980s. Adol's iconic red hair and armor stand out, but every other character in the game is noticeably less detailed. The story is simple, if not a tad shallow. Adol travels with his long-time buddy Dogi back to Dogi's hometown, where there is a disturbance that Adol quickly finds himself caught up in. He is seemingly the only person that can stand up to the evil forces and must travel to unique locations where he begins to collect a bunch of mysterious statues. This culminates in a final battle, that without save states, would have taken this reviewer quite a substantial amount of time to complete. [caption id="attachment_183529" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Seven shots and 31 spins later, we finished our first RPG on the wheel![/caption] Accompanying Adol is a snazzy soundtrack arranged by long-time series composer, Mieko Ishikawa. Her music is one of the stronger aspects of the game, as every track brings life and atmosphere to Adol's journey. When picking this game back up, that familiar music ushered in a wave of nostalgia that brought me back to the 90s. Ultimately, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys was a game I rented a lot as a kid, but never was able to beat until I began doing this retro stream at RPGamer. It was my first game completed, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I can easily see myself going back to this game, even if there is a more recent remake out there. The original is fine for me, as it ties directly to my childhood. With its vibrant soundtrack and quick-paced combat, Ys III stands the test of time. Disclosure: This review is purely comparing this game to other SNES RPGs. Nintendo Power issue 33 has an article for this game. The post Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Retroview appeared first on RPGamer .

RPGamerJan 30