RPG Inn - Ronin Fights Dragon, and Smaller Games Attack Players’ Wallets

Source: Capcom / Koei Tecmo / Team Ninja

i

Welcome to a new series of review series in which, together with you, I look at the RPG genre, discussing hits from the last 30 days, looking at smaller titles, and trying to pick out at least a few gems from the multitude of various projects.

Let's sit at the tables and listen to the innkeeper's stories. Over the past month, he has meticulously recorded all the noteworthy news newcomers from faraway places have brought to his inn.

Big RPG game premieres

Over the last four weeks, we have only had two high-profile RPG premieres. It's not much, and what's more - in the case of both, the players' expectations were slightly out of touch with reality.

Dragon's Dogma 2

1. Release date: March 22, 2024
2. Platforms: PC, PS5, XSX/S

The release of Dragon’s Dogma II was preceded by very positive reviews. Considering the average rating from industry media, which according to Metacritic was in the range of 85-88/100 (depending on the platform), we could expect that Capcom would deliver a real hit. However, it turned out that industry critics were given access to a slightly different version of the game (devoid of microtransactions) than the one that was released for sale. Additionally, the game's optimization wasn't the best.

The outcome was truly disastrous - the title caused a lot of controversy, and players heavily criticized it by giving it low ratings on both Steam and the aforementioned Metacritic. However, all the confusion didn't affect the sales results of the title in question, which found 2.5 million buyers in less than two weeks after the premiere.

Rise of the Ronin

1. Release date: March 22, 2024
2. Platform: PS5

Along with Dragon’s Dogma II, another big action RPG game, Rise of the Ronin, has arrived on PlayStation 5. Indeed, "right off the bat" the game could boast slightly worse reviews than Capcom's creation (its average rating from industry media according to Metacritic is "only" 76/100), but in this case, there were no controversies.

Gamers recognized Team Ninja's bold move into the territory dominated by Ghost of Tsushima. However, they could be heard complaining about, among other things, the "outdated" graphics and the open world that didn't quite feel alive. At the moment these words are being written, we still don't know the official sales results of the discussed title.

Smaller, noteworthy RPG games

RPG fans had extra time for smaller (but not less worthy of attention!) titles due to the lack of AAA premieres in the last 30 days.

The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered

1. Release date: March 22, 2024
2. Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch

In 2015, a jRPG game titled The Legend of Legacy was released for Nintendo 3DS. After years, the developers at FuRyu Studio decided to expand its reach to a broader audience by creating a remastered version of the game. The procedure was partially successful - the game was released on new platforms, but it didn't arouse much interest; suffice it to say that at its peak it was played by less than... 30 people.

The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered takes us to the mysterious island of Avalon, which we travel through in the shoes of one of the characters, different in motivation, fighting style, and combat skills. Throughout the adventure, we carry out quests, meet the residents of Avalon, and participate in turn-based battles with opponents.

Terra Memoria

1. Release date: March 27, 2024
2. Platforms: PC, PS5, Switch, XSX/S

The game of the independent French studio Le Moutarde, which delivered Old School Musical in 2018, takes us to the fantastic Terra, where we are tasked with confronting the danger posed by ancient robots and rebuilding the land following a destructive conflict. Players have taken a liking to the game, and the "highly positive" reviews on Steam suggest that exploring the vibrant world, participating in turn-based battles, and utilizing the crafting system can be very enjoyable.

Unfortunately, according to data provided by SteamDB, at its peak, just under 100 Steam users were playing the described title at the same time, and after just over a week from the premiere, their number began to fluctuate around 20. So it doesn't seem to be a sales hit.

Felvidek

1. Release date: March 29, 2024
2. Platform: PC

Developers from Central Europe have a knack for RPGs. Although Felvidek from Jozef Pavelka doesn't aspire to be called a "Slovak Kingdom Come: Deliverance," the game, which takes us to the medieval-fantasy border of Slovakia and Hungary and allows us to play the role of a knight named Pal'o who doesn't shy away from alcohol, has gained recognition among players.

During the exploration in Felvidek, the action is presented in an isometric view, while turn-based fights with opponents are viewed from a first-person perspective. The unusual graphics, maintained in a monochromatic color scheme, also attract attention.

Felvidek. Source: Jozef Pavelka / Steam.

Monsters Domain

1. Release date: April 5, 2024
2. Platform: PC

The Polish studio G-Devs decided to "marry" an action RPG and a strategy game, and the result of this venture is the game Monsters Domain. We collect a horde of monsters and send them to battle to defend our territory, all while viewing the action from a first-person perspective. We can take control of any of our subordinates in the game and personally send disgustingly good heroes to their demise, as well as strip their corpses of valuable equipment. A wide range of skills and various schools of magic have also been implemented here, which increase our combat potential.

Although such a gameplay idea seems interesting "on paper," the title suffers from many problems - from a cumbersome interface, through issues with the combat system, to overly simplified strategic elements. As a result, it received only "mixed" reviews on the Steam platform.

Inkbound

1. Release date: April 9, 2024 (In Early Access from May 22, 2023.)
2. Platform: PC

After delivering the warmly received Monster Train, the independent studio Shiny Shoe developed another RPG. Inkbound takes us to a fantasy land that is home to every story ever written. On the other hand, we take action when an unknown force starts to destroy one narrative after another, and it is up to us to find a way to stop it. During the gameplay, we traverse a procedurally generated world, engage in turn-based battles, and develop characters. We can play both alone and in co-op mode.

Despite not sounding very original, it appears to have been a straightforward recipe for success - with "very positive" reviews from Steam users, developers can peacefully focus on further developing their game.

Inkbound. Source: Shine Shoe / Steam.

Broken Roads

1. Release date: April 10, 2024
2. Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, XONE, XSX/S

Before the premiere of Broken Roads, voices were saying that the spiritual successor of the first two Fallouts was looming on the horizon. Having Colin McComb on board, who was involved in these iconic projects, might have made it seem like Drop Dear Bytes studio would be able to handle this challenge. Regrettably, not everything went as planned by the devs, as the adventure in post-apocalyptic Australia faces several issues.

Among the latter, the main issues are such problems as a not-very-exciting plot, repetitive battles, a clumsy interface, or a small impact of the moral compass on the gameplay. As a result, Broken Roads can boast an average rating of 60/100 from industry media (according to Metacritic, for the PC version), and "mixed" reviews on Steam. Well, maybe the announced changes will remedy this.

Tales of Anturia: Hejstos

1. Release date: April 15, 2024 (Early access)
2. Platform: PC

Today, the game Tales of Anturia: Hejstos, an action RPG developed in parallel to Farathana and referred to as "gothic-like" by its devs, was released on the Steam platform. As these words are being written, the title hasn't yet received its first reviews from players, so we don't know how the idea of an action RPG "without dialogue" will be received. The devs hope to deliver the full version of their game by March 2025.

Gems so small that they can be overlooked

1. Geneforge 2: Infestation is a remaster of Geneforge 2, offering complete freedom of where to go, how to solve encountered problems, and which direction to push the story. Platform: PC (Steam).
2. The Tower of Babel - a title on the border between RPGs and strategy, in which we have to build the titular Tower of Babel within seven days before the language barrier prevents us from completing this task. Platform: PC (Steam).
3. Crown of Pain - a hybrid of an RPG and a match-3 puzzle game in which we accompany the heroes on a dangerous journey to the castle, where they intend to find the titular crown of pain. Platform: PC (Steam).
4. King Island - a refreshed version of an action RPG that evokes memories of the first and second Diablo, which was highly popular during the heyday of Flash technology. Platform: PC (Steam).

Geneforge 2: Infestation. Source: Spiderweb Software / Steam.

Other RPG news

1. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist has been released on Steam Early Access, as a Metroidvania presented in the form of an action platform game with RPG elements, serving as a sequel to the highly acclaimed Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. "Overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam indicate that the title may at least repeat the success of its predecessor.
2. ASTRA: Knights of Veda, an action RPG in which we, as the titular knights, try to overthrow a bloody tyrant. The title tempts us with a low entry threshold or rather its lack - the game is available for free. However, it hasn't gained the approval of players who are critical of the intrusive microtransactions and the monotony that accompanies the gameplay.
3. The game Sons of Valhalla, a combination of RTS and RPG where we explore medieval England as a Viking, also received a lukewarm reception from players. Fans of the genre gave it "mixed" reviews on Steam, complaining, among other things, about the simplified and repetitive gameplay.
4. The game Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors, an arena survival game, has also received "mixed" reviews on Steam, primarily due to its overall lack of refinement, shallow character development, and the general monotony of sending hordes of enemies to dust.
5. For a change, The Devil Within: Satgat, an action platform game with soulslike elements released in Early Access on Steam, enjoys "very positive" reviews.
6. Moonglow Bay, an RPG game with life simulation elements, has appeared on new platforms - from April 11, owners of Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 can check it out. The situation is similar with the compilation of Grandia HD Collection, released on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Additionally, Outward: Definitive Edition was released on Nintendo Switch.
7. It's true that Horizon: Forbidden West - Complete Edition isn't a traditional RPG, but it's worth noting that it's another Sony "exclusive" that PC gamers can also play.

Warhorse Studios' fans can get ready for the announcement of the second installment of Kingdom Come. Source: Warhorse Studios / X.

Quick series:

1. Sequel to Game About Miners Dreaming of Riches Confirmed; UnderMine 2 to Expand on Charms of Original
2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 On The Way. Warhorse Studios’ Preview Announcement Leaves No Illusions
3. New Feature Trailer For Upcoming Arc Line's Steampunk RPG Reveals it Leaning Towards Baldur's Gate 3, Fallout, and Frostpunk
4. Larian's Next RPG, Following Baldur's Gate 3 Success, Heads to Early Access. 'This Is the Only Way to Do It Now,' Says Dev
5. Locations From Fan-Remake of Fallout 2 on Comparison With 1998 Original
6. KotOR Remake Devs Reassure That the Game Is Doing Well and Will Beat Fans’ Expectations
7. Starfield's Ending Was Developed at the Last Moment. Level Designer Tossed the Idea
8. Larian Studios Now Officially Has Studio in Poland. Baldur’s Gate 3 Devs Have Opened New Branch in Warsaw

Upcoming RPG game releases

And finally - a list of potentially the most interesting RPG games that will be released in the next 30 days:

1. April 18, 2024 - No Rest for the Wicked (PC, Early Access)
2. April 23, 2024 - Bellwright (PC)
3. April 23, 2024 - Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (PC, PS4, XONE, Switch, PS5, XSX/S)
4. April 26, 2024 - Sand Land (PC, PS4, XONE, PS5, XSX/S)
5. April 26, 2024 - Stellar Blade (PS5)
6. April 30, 2024 - Front Mission 2: Remake (PC, PS4, XONE, PS5, XSX/S)
7. May 9, 2024 - King Arthur: Legion IX (PC)