This week in Q&A Quest, we discuss the recent Sony State of Play. We also discuss upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 releases. The post Episode 420: The Gang Avoids the Obvious Jokes – Q&A Quest appeared first on RPGamer.

Clouded Leopard Games and The Swordman Studio announced that wuxia martial arts RPG Wandering Sword is coming to consoles. The game will be released on PlayStation 5 on May 28, 2026, with a Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 release planned for sometime in 2026. The console versions will include PC DLC Mount Pack: The Supreme Steed and Immortal Trails Across the Blue Sea as part of the game. Wandering Sword released for PC in 2023. The game follows a young swordsman who becomes caught up in a feud. They travel between towns in ancient China, helping those in need while learning to master an array of martial art and weapon styles, with players able to swap between turn-based and real-time combat modes. Players can also build relationships with and recruit various NPCs, with the game featuring multiple endings and numerous side quests.   [foogallery id="179482"] The post Wandering Sword Coming to Consoles appeared first on RPGamer.

The game is at its best when players are able to explore the world and undertake activities at their own pace. Where Winds Meet is the latest action RPG drawing heavy inspiration from Chinese mythology and history. Developed by Everstone Studio and published by NetEase Games, the game launches this week as a free-to-play title. The free-to-play elements thankfully never get in the way of any progress and appear restricted fully to cosmetic elements, even if familiar holdovers of such games, like an unnecessary amount of different currencies and excessively nested menus, do exist. During the early review access period, we had time to check out the game's first story chapter and the beginning of the second, the latter of which takes players to the city of Kaifeng itself as they begin their quest in earnest. What remains is a solid open world that has lots to do and is fun to explore, even if its narrative elements frequently get lost in the jumble. The game is ostensibly set in a version of the chaotic Ten Kingdoms era of tenth-century China, in the region around Kaifeng. It comes with its fair share of mythological elements and certainly features wuxia -- fiction focusing on martial artists in ancient China -- stylings in full force. It begins with an introductory scene where a warrior escapes from pursuers while carrying a baby. Things then skip forward in time, with players creating their own character, strongly implied to be said baby grown up. Raised in an idyllic small rural village, they harbour dreams of becoming a famed hero and following in the footsteps of their guardian, who left the village under unknown circumstances a few years ago. [caption id="attachment_179295" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Where Winds Meet has all of the appropriate wuxia stylings.[/caption] The narrative's biggest stumbling block is its general inability to give players a fully coherent chain of events to follow. There may be a bit of a culture gap at play, but many of the conflicts in the game feel entirely arbitrary, especially references to various characters and factions that get no explanation. Things are further exacerbated when events suddenly leap into and out of the metaphysical for no clear reason, either at the time or afterwards. The localisation doesn't help, though it is worth noting that it was not finalised for the early review build, with many cases where the English audio did not line up with the subtitles, which makes it hard to determine how much has been lost in translation or if the game is naturally incredibly obtuse. It must be said that the game's cutscenes all have lots of style and plenty of choreographed fight scenes within them, but there's not much of substance in the actual events. Where Winds Meet's strongest element is its exploration of its open world. The environments look great, and there's a ton to find and do within them. These range from simple mini-games such as fishing and arresting criminals, to short puzzles that players can use their abilities to solve, and up to longer event chains and side stories involving dungeons and potentially a climactic boss fight. These side stories sometimes suffer a bit from the same narrative unclarity of the main story, though being supported by more interesting puzzles and explorative elements makes it much less of an issue, and others provide enjoyable short, self-contained tales. There are many mini-games and activities to find, some of which are more effective and enjoyable than others, but there most definitely isn't a lack of things to do. [caption id="attachment_167337" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Wrestling is just one of a whole host of mini-games and activities.[/caption] Unfortunately, while there is a huge amount to find and unlock, the UI makes it hard to decipher quite how everything connects up and belies the game's free-to-play nature, even if it lacks the usual roadblocks. The sheer number of progression messages is incredibly hard to follow, especially as the game throws around currencies like confetti, before even trying to figure out what each goes towards and the tangible benefits they offer the player. There's nothing to prevent players leaving and coming back to it later, but the sheer complexity of the UI makes it doubly frustrating when coming upon certain quests that require unlocking something else to progress. In addition to being able to choose between players in solo mode or an online mode where they can join up with other players, the game includes a signpost system, which is quite handy. This allows players to leave messages to others, providing potential hints on how to solve certain puzzles or highlighting a potential secret ahead. Fortunately, the systems surrounding character level progression, skill unlocks, and builds are easier to follow. The game's combat comes with a good selection of difficulty options for players to tailor the experience to them. Players can equip two different melee weapons and switch between them on the fly in fast-paced action combat. It makes use of dodge and defend/parry buttons, with players able to turn on various assist modes to help with the defensive aspects, though these use a meter that needs recharging, and so don't guarantee victory if activated. Otherwise, players make use of a mixture of light and heavy attack combos or charged attacks, special weapon skills, and mystic martial arts -- which can be learned by exploring the world and completing missions -- while trying to avoid enemy attacks. Combat is generally fun, although there's not a huge amount that differentiates it from many other action RPGs out there. Its most enjoyable moments come in its one-on-one fights against bosses and powerful enemies. Facing of groups often invites annoyances, as the combat and skills available are more clearly suited to engaging enemies singularly; when there are multiple foes, it often interrupts many of the stylish animations and abilities that make the combat interesting. The weapons and skills available offer a decent amount of flexibility in combat style, although it can be easy to forget that some of them exist in the heat of battle. [caption id="attachment_167336" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The game doesn't skimp on providing excellent views.[/caption] Environments are a big win for the game's visuals. There are fantastic views to be found all over the place, but also a huge amount of small details in the world and town designs that make all of the locations interesting to behold. Character designs benefit from detailed work on their outfits and hairstyles that match stylish combat animations and backgrounds. The PlayStation 5 preview build did suffer from some areas where the frame rate dipped noticeably or there was obvious texture pop-ins, plus one brief amusing scripted event following the protagonist on horseback when the camera kept spinning around. Audio is also solid, with the music utilising traditional instruments as it takes a strong supporting role in backing up the visuals and further enhancing the wuxia elements. The English voice acting is fine, even if the script is fairly stilted, though it also suffered a few technical issues in the build with lines getting out of sync. How successful Where Winds Meet will be for players depends on what they want to get out of it. The game is at its best when players are able to explore the world and undertake activities at their own pace. There are definite times when the game stumbles, largely with its UI and a lack strong direction in its main narrative, largely with its UI and a lack strong direction in its main narrative, but it has depth and breadth enough to satisfy many with its stylish wuxia elements and an enjoyable open world with lots to do.   Disclosure: This article is based on a build of the game provided by the publisher. The post Where Winds Meet Impression appeared first on RPGamer.

Bandai Namco and FromSoftware announced that Elden Ring Nightreign's first DLC, The Forsaken Hollows, will release on December 4, 2025. In addition to two new playable Nightfarers, the DLC adds two new third day bosses, new field bosses, a new Shifting Earth, and new points of interest for players to find. Those who own the Deluxe or Collector’s Editions of the game will automatically receive the DLC at launch, with others able to purchase it separately. Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone co-op action title set in the Elden Ring universe and is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game sees squads of up to three players attempting to survive in the ever-shifting environment of Limveld. Players choose one of the Nightfarers to play as, each with their own distinct abilities, before being sent into Limveld to try and survive the coming Night’s Tide. The map shrinks as Night’s Tide approaches, with players having to end each night by facing off against a powerful boss, culminating in the third night where they battle the chosen Nightlord. Those interested in reading more about the game can check out Zack Webster’s review of its PC version.   [foogallery id="179468"]   The post Elden Ring Nightreign’s The Forsaken Hollows DLC Arriving in December appeared first on RPGamer.

Square Enix released a demo for Octopath Traveler 0 ahead of the game's release next month. The demo is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. It lets players players play for up to three hours and access the game's opening, the first chapter of the Retribution story's three different story arcs, and the first chapter of the Restoration story. Save progress can be transferred to the full version of the game. The demo's release comes alongside a new story trailer, viewable below. Octopath Traveler 0 is set to release for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, 2025. The game's story draws from that of mobile title Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. Players control a created protagonist from the town of Wishvale. On the annual Day of Reverence festival, the town is attacked and engulfed in flames, setting the protagonist on the path of revenge or restoration. As players journey across the world of Orsterra on their quest, they form a party of eight members from a total of over thirty recruitable travelers.   The post Octopath Traveler 0 Demo Out Now appeared first on RPGamer.

Bandai Namco announced the first DLC for both Digimon Story Time Stranger and Super Robot Wars Y. Digimon Story Time Stranger's Additional Digimon & Episode Pack 1: Alternate Dimension will release this winter. It features new Digivolution routes for Mega Digimon including BlitzGreymon, CresGarurumon, Omnimon Zwart Defeat, and Omnimon Alter-B, as well as a new questline involving encounters across time and space. The DLC is part of the game's Season Pass, included in the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions of the game, and will also be available to purchase individually. Digimon Story Time Stranger is currently available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game begins in a version of Tokyo, where the protagonist is an agent of ADAMAS, which investigates various phenomena. Entering a sealed-off Shinjuku, they encounter a Digimon before being caught up in an explosion. They find themselves awakening eight years in the past and must prevent the upcoming collapse. Those looking to read more about Digimon Story Time Stranger can check out Ezra Kinnell’s review of its PC version. Meanwhile, Super Robot Wars Y's DLC1: Contract from the Darkness will release on November 21, 2025, though those who have purchased  the game's Digital Ultimate Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, or DLC 1 & 2 Set will receive early access on November 19, 2025. The DLC adds Galaxy Cyclone Braiger, The Big O, and Fuuto Pi: The Portrait of Kamen Rider Skull to the crossover strategy RPG, adding a total of five playable units, sixteen area missions, thirteen onboard missions, and two assist crew members to the game. Super Robot Wars Y is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game features an original story combining the universes of various mecha anime series, with players commanding a force against foes on a grid-based battlefield. Those looking to read more about Super Robot Wars Y can check out Sam Wachter's review of its PlayStation 5 version.     The post Digimon Story Time Stranger, Super Robot Wars Y First DLC Announced appeared first on RPGamer.

Level-5 released a new video for football RPG Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road. The 30-minute video features footage from the first chapter of the game's Story Mode, showing town exploration, mini-games, and story events. It comes as the game is now available early for those who pre-purchased its Deluxe Edition on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S ahead of its official release on November 14, 2025, with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 joining the list of platforms. Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road features two main modes. The Story Mode acts as a reboot for the series and follows Dustin Billows, a boy who attempts to revive South Cirrus High School’s football club. Meanwhile, the Chronicle Mode lets players form a team from players that have appeared across the entire series as they take the Inazuma V Caravan across time and battle teams from the series’ past. Those looking to learn more about the Inazuma Eleven games can check out RPGamer’s retrospective on the series.   The post Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Gets 30-Minute Gameplay Video appeared first on RPGamer.

Humble Games and Dead Mage announced that co-op action RPG Wizard of Legend 2 will release on Nintendo Switch later this month. The game -- which launched for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in June 2025 -- will arrive on the console on November 25, 2025. The Switch version will include all content from other versions, refined controls for Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers, and optimised performance for handheld and docked play. Wizard of Legend 2 is a follow-up to Contingent99’s 2018 release Wizard of Legend. The full game will see up to four players taking on the Floating Lands, a gauntlet created by Lanova’s supreme wizard Hieronymus to find a worthy successor. It features new and returning Arcana (base spells), with players able to find effects that can be altered or combined with others in different ways, as well as a persistent progression system as players can unlock more arcane options for subsequent playthroughs.   (Original launch trailer) The post Wizard of Legend 2 Hitting Switch This Month appeared first on RPGamer.

Developer Flatline Studios has released its cyberpunk deckbuilding dungeon-crawler Into the Grid on Steam Early Access. The Early Access version is available for $14.99, with a 10% discount available until November 17, 2025. The game is expected to spend at least a year in Early Access. Into the Grid sees players controlling hackers in their fight against evil corporations. The game will feature four playable characters, each with their own gameplay mechanics and story arcs, with two available for its Early Access launch. Players build up their deck of programs and unlocks various skills and perks as they venture into the Grid, an infinite digital landscape. The game is partly inspired by tabletop titles as players explore a tactical map and engage in card-battle battles while managing resources. Each card played generates both an effect and Virtual Memory (VIM), which can be used for various actions, such as drawing new cards.   [foogallery id="179414"]   The post Into the Grid Available on Steam Early Access appeared first on RPGamer.

This week in Q&A Quest, we discuss Dragon Quest. We also answer a wide-ranging set of questions. The post Episode 419: The Gang Plays Dragon Quest – Q&A Quest appeared first on RPGamer.

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 * Persona 3 Reload Switch 2 Review Atlus's newest Persona 3 remake is now available on Nintendo Switch 2. Though blunted by some performance issues on the console, Persona 3 Reload still delivers the same high-caliber experience that made it a hit. * Solasta II Interview Developer Tactical Adventures is building upon its previous title for Solasta II. RPGamer was able to ask some questions about the upcoming cRPG ahead of its planned Early Access release next year. --- Major News * Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dimension DLC Launching in December The Pokémon Company revealed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dimension DLC will arrive in just over a month. The DLC sees players return to Lumiose City to investigate spatial distortions. * Musical Action RPG Etrange Overlord Announced NIS America unveiled Etrange Overlord, a new musical action RPG from Disgaea creator Sohei Niikawa. The game sees a duke’s daughter ending up in hell, which she duly starts to take over. * Kingdom of Night Releasing Next Month Action RPG Kingdom of Night will launch for PC next month, with console versions planned to release later. A demo of the game is currently available on multiple digital storefronts.       * Secret Character Announces Eternity Breaker Secret Character announced new title Eternity Breaker. The game is a fantasy 2.5D turn-based roguelike set to release on PC next year. * Meg’s Monster DLC Releasing on PC in December The expected DLC for turn-based RPG Meg’s Monster will launch next month for PC. The Lost Memories DLC lets players discover five characters’ pasts. * The Falconeer Gets Revolution Remaster Update Tomas Sala and Wired Productions have released a remastered version of aerial combat RPG The Falconeer. The Revolution Remaster update is available now for PC on Steam, with previous owners getting the new version as a free update. * Alchemy-Themed Roguelike Alchemia Rogue: Mia and the Mystery Labyrinth Announced Developer Limeleaf Games has announced Alchemia Rogue: Mia and the Mystery Labyrinth. The alchemy-themed roguelike is set to release on PC next year. * New World: Aeternum Ceases New Content Development Amazon Games announced that development for new content for New World: Aeternum has ceased. It is planning to keep the game running for at least the next year. * Karaneko Kickstarter Campaign Underway nekoda! launched a crowdfunding campaign for pixel-art RPG Karaneko, which draws inspiration from JRPGs, visual novels, and Undertale. The campaign has already met its funding goal, with stretch goals including console releases and more content.       Other News * Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army Demo Available * Pillars of Eternity Turn-Based Mode Beta Available This Week * Astral Ascent Getting Animal-Focused Charity DLC * Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 * Action RPG Retrace the Light Releasing This Month * Begraved Announced * Odds Chronicles Announced * Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked Reveals Second Campaign * Starfinder: Afterlight Adds Roger Clark as Narrator * Titan Quest II Update Adds Character Creator * Echoes of Elysium Arriving on Early Access in December * Elminage Original: Priestess of Darkness and The Ring of the Gods Coming to Switch in Japan Media and New Releases * Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Gets New Trailers, Pre-Orders Open * Code Vein II Character Trailer Introduces Lou MagMell * Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Gets English Final Trailers * Yakuza Kiwami 3 Receives New Media, Details * Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade Gets New Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S Screenshots * Gothic 1 Remake Showcases Its Voice Actors * Sacred 2 Remaster Gets Devlog Video * The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Main Theme Revealed * New Release Round-Up (November 6, 2025) --- Podcasts * RPG Backtrack 348 – Why Does He Look Like Kiryu? Have you ever wondered what Sakamoto Ryoma’s life was like, but need more wackiness in your Japanese history lesson? What about racing chickens or playing baseball with cannon balls? This week, Josh, David, Ryan M., and Pascal talk about a period piece with a touch of that Yakuza/Like a Dragon charm. * RPG Cast – Episode 792 (Extra Life 2025): Chocobos Are an Invasive Species Kelley must find and pet all the kitties, Chris mourns losing all his microplastics, Joshua is too old for SpongeBob, Andi agrees Thunder Bay is a JRPG dungeon, and Sam goes to horny jail... as usual. Final death count for Chris: 63 The post RPGamer Round-Up: November 2 – November 9 appeared first on RPGamer.

Owlcat Games released the main theme of the soundtrack for sci-fi action RPG The Expanse: Osiris Reborn. The three-minute track is composed by Paweł Perepelica, who also created the main themes for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. The game is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, though a release window has not been announced. The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is billed as expanding upon the universe depicted in The Expanse TV and novel series, which is set in a future where humanity has colonised the Solar System. Players are put in the role of a customised Pinkwater Security mercenary stranded on Eros Station during a lockdown. They will need to lead a crew and take command of the most advanced ship in the Solar System. Players are joined by two squadmates in battle; squadmates have their own pasts and motives, with their loyalty impacted by player decisions. The game will include some familiar faces from the TV show, with certain actors reprising their roles.   The post The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Main Theme Revealed appeared first on RPGamer.

THQ Nordic and Alkimia Interactive released four new making-of videos for the upcoming Gothic 1 Remake. The videos feature voice actors as they share behind-the-scenes details through four different languages: English, German, Polish, and Russian. Gothic 1 Remake is expected to release in early 2026 for PC (via Steam and GOG.com), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with a demo currently available on PC and consoles. The original Gothic was developed by Piranha Bytes and released for PC in 2001, with a Nintendo Switch port released in 2023. The game is an action RPG set in a medieval fantasy realm where anyone found breaking the law is sent to the giant penal colony of Khorinis to mine the much-needed ore for a war effort against an Orcish invasion. It spawned two official follow-ups, as well as the Arcania spin-off that was originally titled Arcania: Gothic 4.         The post Gothic 1 Remake Showcases Its Voice Actors appeared first on RPGamer.

THQ Nordic released a new video for its upcoming remaster of the 2008 isometric action RPG Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, Sacred 2 Remaster. The four-minute-long video is a devlog that sees Franz Stradal, veteran developer on the series, sharing his thoughts about the forthcoming remaster. Sacred 2 Remaster will release on November 11, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by SparklingBit, the remaster will include refined combat and gameplay, high-resolution textures, UI improvements, and all of the game’s post-launch content updates, including its Ice & Blood expansion. Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is set in the fantasy realm of Ancaria, where a substance called T-Energy acts as the source of all life and magic. The High Elves are the dominant race on Ancaria; however, a factional struggle has seen the T-Energy grow increasingly out of control and cause chaos in the world. Players can choose from seven classes, with the game featuring two campaign paths, Light and Shadow, which intersect at various points during the game.   The post Sacred 2 Remaster Gets Devlog Video appeared first on RPGamer.

Sega and Ryū ga Gotoku Studio provided further details for their upcoming action RPG Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties through two new videos and new screenshots. The Japanese voice cast trailer introduces the setting and cast of the main story and the Dark Ties storyline. Meanwhile, the second video sees Kazuma Kiryu voice actor Takaya Kuroda and staff from Ryū ga Gotoku Studio sharing behind-the-scenes details of the game's development. In addition, the companies revealed more details about Kazuma Kiryu and Yoshitaka Mine's fighting styles alongside the new screenshots. Kiryu's Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami Style includes new Heat Abilities in addition to the original in Yakuza 3. His Ryukyu Style Combat allows him to use weapons such as sai, nichogama, tonfa, tekko, nunchaku, eiku, and surujin. Players can upgrade Kiryu's abilities by fulfilling mission or undergoing training. They can also customise his cell phone to boost his motivation, which strengthens his abilities. The names of Yoshitaka Mine's previously-showcased fighting styles are Ruthless Combat and Dark Awakening Mode. Ruthless Combat includes shoot-boxing techniques, while Dark Awakening Mode empowers Mine and alters his default shoot-boxing techniques. Upgrades available to Mine include mid-air Heat Actions and perks for Dark Awakening.     Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a remake of PlayStation 3 title Yakuza 3, and also contains a new separate story in Dark Ties that follows Yakuza 3 character Yoshitaka Mine. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is planned to release worldwide for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12, 2026. Yakuza 3 follows series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu as he attempts to run an orphanage in Okinawa despite attempts to convert the land it is on into a seaside resort. It takes players to a new district in Naha, Okinawa, as well as the familiar district of Kamurocho in Tokyo. Dark Ties is a new story following Yoshitaka Mine, who falls in with the yakuza after losing his successful startup company. It sees him attempting to understand the actions of Daigo Dojima as he rises through the ranks of the Tojo Clan.   [foogallery id="179220"]     The post Yakuza Kiwami 3 Receives New Media, Details appeared first on RPGamer.

Kelley must find and pet all the kitties, Chris mourns losing all his microplastics, Joshua is too old for SpongeBob, Andi agrees Thunder Bay is a JRPG Dungeon, and Sam goes to horny jail...as usual. Final death count for Chris: 63 Question of the Week What is the best Skittles flavor? Check out the show notes here! The post RPG Cast – Episode 792: Extra Life 2025 – Chocobos Are an Invasive Species appeared first on RPGamer.

ExtraLife Nov 7-9 24/7 STREAM! #ForTheKids

Have you ever wondered what Sakamoto Ryoma's life was like, but need more wackiness in your Japanese history lesson? What about racing chickens or playing baseball with cannon balls? This week, Josh, David, Ryan M., and Pascal talk about a period piece with a touch of that Yakuza/Like a Dragon charm. The post RPG Backtrack 348 – Why Does He Look Like Kiryu? appeared first on RPGamer.

Twitch is the world

Taking Life Day By Day 2024's Persona 3 Reload was one of the most requested titles for the Switch, however, given that the Switch port of Persona 5 Royal had notably lower resolution in both handheld and docked modes, Atlus' decision to wait for the system's successor may be understandable. Persona 3 Reload's Switch 2 version has excellent image quality, but in exchange, it suffers from its own performance issues. Despite its imperfections, however, it remains to be as fulfilling as a game of its caliber was meant to be. At midnight each day, the hidden twenty-fifth hour begins. During this Dark Hour, the sky turns a ghastly green, the moon takes on a golden glow, and monsters known as Shadows descend, bringing forth destruction and death onto a world unprepared for their wrath. But while most sleep, unaware of the supernatural happenings around them, a chosen few brave through the darkness. High schoolers in the day and exorcists by night, the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) harnesses the power of spirits known as Persona to bring an end to the Shadow menace. Players take on the role of the newest member of SEES, who awakens to his powers and helps uncover the secrets of the Dark Hour, just as the Shadows begin to grow in strength. [caption id="attachment_178491" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A mystery hidden in plain sight.[/caption] As both a student of Gekkoukan High School and a member of SEES, players balance the ordinary and the otherworldly each day, attending classes one moment, and taking the fight to the enemy the next. Gekkoukan reveals its own secrets after midnight, when it morphs into Tartarus, the towering nest of the Shadows. In addition to dealing with incidents involving powerful Shadows each month, SEES ventures into the tower to try and learn more about the threat while growing stronger in preparation for what they might face next. The story progresses day by day, month by month, as new characters, powers, and revelations are drip-fed little by little. Initially, the story seems to be entirely driven by this threat, but as it evolves, a greater focus is placed on the themes and how the characters embody them. SEES brings kindred spirits together, each with their flaws and fears that make them human, while the Shadows and Tartarus have a greater purpose of their own. Once the corrupting influence of the Shadows starts to bleed into the daytime, even the ordinary start to realize that something is wrong, leading to greater problems across the city. Through this premise, Persona 3 Reload explores ideas of life, death, and the human condition, all while asking players if they would have the heart to stand tall in the face of adversity, even when others may fall to their knees. An incredible final act takes the story to legendary status, and though uneven pacing and a handful of rushed subplots weigh it down, it is sincere and powerful enough that it'll be remembered by players for its triumphs and not its failures. Outside of the plot, players interact with the world and characters through the social simulation that the Persona series is known for. The Social Link system lets players build relationships with characters around the city, and by spending time with them in the day, benefits can be reaped in the battles of the night. Regrettably, the female protagonist and her unique Social Links from Persona 3 Portable are absent, but Linked Episodes have been introduced to offer something new. These pseudo-links provide much-needed development for important characters and make this the definitive way to experience the male protagonist's story. Between the main story and their Social Links, SEES gets the lion's share of the screentime, but the supporting characters are all compelling in their own ways, culminating in a well-rounded cast that players can grow close to without even realizing. [caption id="attachment_178492" align="aligncenter" width="640"] They won't know what hit 'em.[/caption] Fighting Shadows comes down to exploiting weaknesses to gain more actions in a turn and deal heavy damage. Persona skills are associated with an element and are key to creating an opening, and much of the difficulty comes from either not having the right Persona on hand or facing an enemy with no weaknesses, at which point it becomes a race to see who scores a critical hit first. It's simple and satisfying, but no summer picnic, as Shadows can exploit the weaknesses of party members and kick off a chain of attacks themselves. Even on lower difficulties, Shadows act with the same cunning that players are expected to have. The two new mechanics in Persona 3 Reload help level the playing field, however. Shift allows players to swap the active party member after a critical hit, while Theurgy adds a special attack to each party member's toolkit that negates elemental resistances. Of the two, Theurgy stands out for its breathtaking animations, destructive potential, and unique activation requirements that differ from character to character. All in all, it's a solid battle system that allows players to keep laying on the hurt and look good doing it. The best thing about the combat is how stylish it is, which keeps it from ever losing its spark, unlike the dungeon-crawling, which gets dull due to repetition and a lack of charm. Tartarus is divided into blocks of procedurally-generated floors that must be explored, with each floor having an assortment of enemies to execute and treasure to plunder. About every two blocks, the aesthetic and enemy pool changes, but otherwise, the first hour spent in Tartarus is not that different from the tenth or twentieth. Minor quality of life changes like being able to dash or send party members to scout out the next floor make it superior to the Tartarus of Persona 3 Portable, but it's faithful to a fault. Battles help break the monotony, the loop itself is well-designed, and there's a crowd that'll have no problems with it, but by dragging it out and not innovating, it loses the appeal it would otherwise have. It's especially disappointing as the concept of climbing a mysterious tower floor by floor is promising from both a story and gameplay perspective, but only the former gets the most out of Tartarus. [caption id="attachment_178493" align="aligncenter" width="640"] It's the little things that go a long way.[/caption] Party members and their Personas gain levels through combat, but the protagonist has his own set of stats that can be leveled up outside of battle. Courage, Charm, and Academics are the three social stats that determine compatibility with characters, and they can be increased through activities in the city such as working a part-time job or heading out for karaoke. Certain Social Links are off-limits until the protagonist maxes out his stats, but each character also has their own schedule they follow, meaning that there are a limited number of days that players can interact with each character. Social Links and stat-building activities both progress the time of day as well, making time management another strategic component of the game. Aside from a few time slots and one infamous stretch of the calendar, there is almost always something productive to do in an in-game day. Side quests range from summoning Personas in the mysterious Velvet Room to rescuing lost souls that wander into Tartarus, and they give substantial rewards while asking little, which encourages players to stay busy instead of rushing through the story. Between the battles, Social Links, and side content, the minute-to-minute gameplay is bite-sized and easily digested, held back only by needing to explore Tartarus every month. But when paired with spotless graphics and a stylish soundtrack, that routine becomes all the more addictive, and players may find it easy to get lost in the sights, sounds, and stories of the night and day. [caption id="attachment_178494" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Only a few are blessed with the power of Persona, and even fewer can use that power to chart their own path.[/caption] Character models, portraits, backgrounds, and animations are sharp throughout, though the phenomenal art direction pulls a lot of weight. Dynamic lighting makes it all look even better, but there's a strong blur effect while dashing that takes away from the immersion a little. Sadly, while resolution is consistent, the frame rate is anything but. When climbing stairs or turning the camera quickly or even when walking slowly through a busy street, it can be jittery and rough. It's noticeable as soon as players first take control of the protagonist, though the silver lining is that the rough patches are dispersed and dependent on what's on screen instead of plaguing the entire game. It becomes less and less noticeable as the game progresses, and there are some straightaways when it runs as it should, at a smooth, if standard, thirty frames per second. Persona 3 Reload features a redone soundtrack with a new female vocalist taking center stage, but the Switch 2 release coincided with an update that added songs from previous releases. Players can choose the versions they prefer or mix it up as desired, but the remixed soundtrack has higher production quality, which may give it the edge for players who haven't heard the original. There are also a handful of new songs, and these stand out for demonstrating the new vocalist's capabilities and Atlus' commitment to making Persona 3 Reload feel fresh. What makes the soundtrack special as a whole is its cohesion and consistency, as it delivers hit after hit, yet it never strays from the style it aims for. Motifs are present throughout, and the lyrics of many songs reference the story and its themes, adding depth to a soundtrack that would have still been excellent without it. The English cast is also new, and opinions will differ on whether the old or new is superior. Unlike the soundtrack, however, there's no way to bring the old voices back. This is only an issue for those who associate the old cast with these characters, as the new voices deliver good performances, on top of keeping the general vibe that the characters are meant to have. Given that all Social Links are now fully voiced in a first for the series, and that even optional scenes with characters get full voicework, there's not much to complain about. [caption id="attachment_178495" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Set aside your fear and cut through the darkness to discover the truth.[/caption] In handheld mode, the Switch 2's battery life lasts around three hours, which is more than enough to get through a block of Tartarus or a month of the calendar when on the go. A rushed playthrough can take forty hours, while a more relaxed one can go beyond sixty, eighty, and even past one hundred for the most dedicated. It's up to players to decide if they want to make the most of each day or focus on the main threat, but compared to the notoriously long Persona 5 Royal, this one can be less intimidating and time-consuming. As mentioned earlier, battles can't be brute-forced, but the dungeon-crawling and social simulation don't punish players for failure too often, and there are strategies for making both elements of the game considerably easier anyway. Persona 3 Reload on Switch 2 is functionally the same game found everywhere else, and though the remaster of Persona 3 Portable is playable on the system, this is a more refined way of experiencing one of the most memorable stories in gaming and a seminal title for the RPG genre. The inconsistent frame rate will be unnoticeable to some and inexcusable to others, but the added perk of portability may be enough to make up for its graphical shortcomings. Moreover, it wouldn't be right for a game that aims for excellence to be shot down for the few targets it missed, just as how a life of many highs shouldn't be defined by the times it stumbled and struggled. Persona 3 Reload is a beautiful game, and it being on the Switch 2, imperfect as it may be, means that more people will get to see that beauty for themselves and come away from it with a greater love for what games can really be. Disclosure: This review is based on a free copy of the game provided by the publisher. The post Persona 3 Reload Switch 2 Review appeared first on RPGamer.

ExtraLife Nov 7-9 24/7 STREAM! #ForTheKids

Level-5 has released new English version of its final trailers for football RPG Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road ahead of the game's launch next week. The Story Trailer highlights the game's Story Mode, which acts as a reboot for the series and follows Dustin Billows, a boy who attempts to revive South Cirrus High School's football club. Meanwhile, the Chronicle Trailer shows the game's Chronicle Mode, where players are able to form a team from players that have appeared across the entire series as they take the Inazuma V Caravan across time and battle teams from the series' past. Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is set to release on November 11, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Those looking to learn more about the Inazuma Eleven games can check out RPGamer’s retrospective on the series.     The post Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Gets English Final Trailers appeared first on RPGamer.

Bandai Namco released a new character trailer for upcoming action RPG Code Vein II. The minute-long video introduces Lou MagMell, a mysterious girl who partners with the player character and uses her time-travelling powers to try and rewrite the fate of the world. Code Vein II will release on January 30, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A follow-up to 2019 action RPG Code Vein, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity’s existence is hanging by a thread. The sudden emergence of a threat known as the Luna Rapacis has seen Revenants — humans with supernatural abilities that come at the cost of severe bloodlust — transformed into creatures called Horrors.   The post Code Vein II Character Trailer Introduces Lou MagMell appeared first on RPGamer.