RPGs Coming This Week, 7/28/24

The Dragon Prince: Xadia – July 30th (iOS, Android)

To tie in with a critically acclaimed sixth season, Netflix and developer Wonderstorm are putting out a free-to-play mobile game called The Dragon Prince: Xadia. This hero-based hack and slasher is not to be confused with Tales of Xadia, a tabletop RPG based on the TV show. It’ll feature the characters Rayla, Viren, and Amaya—each with unique movesets—along with new environments across the land of Xadia. The story events will be canon, which should be a decent incentive for fans to try it out.

by Gio Castillo

Minds Beneath Us – July 31st (Windows)

Minds Beneath Us is a dystopian cyberpunk narrative adventure from Taiwanese studio BearBone. It takes place in a near-future Asian metropolis where AI has reached societal saturation. A new AI-free internet emerges by way of interconnected human minds, creating a burgeoning jobs market for the vast vulnerable and unemployed masses. This porous, interconnected consciousness has seemingly unintended consequences: a digital phantom finds its way across the void, inhabiting an unsuspecting citizen.

Minds Beneath Us employs a striking 2.5D presentation, with dynamic camera direction adding cinematic depth and atmosphere. Both dialogue and action choices will effect the progress and outcomes in Minds Beneath Us, with hidden options revealed by keen eyed exploration of the gritty scenes. A dark and mysterious adventure awaits players seeking a futuristic thrill.

by Claton Stevenson

Sword of Convallaria – July 31st (Windows, iOS, Android)

Sword of Convallaria is an isometric tactics RPG in the vein of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, even enlisting those games’ renowned composer Hitoshi Sakimoto. However, unlike those influences mentioned, Sword of Convallaria is free to play, opting for the now common practice of multiple in-game currencies, character collection by earned or purchased summons and play gating via a stamina system.

A recent story trailer showed a definite medieval fantasy tone with warring kingdoms and layers of political intrigue. Politics and endless war are nothing too new for the genre, but it may offer a good framework for a service game of this type; the ebb and flow of power and conflict could give this title some legs in a very crowded corner of the industry.

by Claton Stevenson

Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom – August 1st (Switch)

Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom brings together the otome games Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds and Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms into one package. The franchise is set in the Bakumatsu period of Japan, with the focus being on the Shinsengumi, a special law enforcement unit of the time. In these two games, you play as a woman who becomes entangled with the (very handsome) men who make up this group. As with most otome games, you eventually go down a path with one of these guys, which usually ends in romance. There are, naturally, multiple endings to uncover depending on your choices. Chronicles of Wind and Blossom largely preserves the original games, but it is expected to have an updated localization.

by Gio Castillo

Mossroot – August 2nd (Windows)

The strategy RPG/roguelike Mossroot might look all cute, but it could well be hard as nails. The tactics gameplay is obvious, with its grid-based maps and inclusion of genre staples like recruitable characters. The roguelike part comes with the procedural generation (all maps are unique per run), and you are presented with bonuses after each skirmish. Tying it all up is a town-building mechanic to support your run. Mossroot also promises to present players with diffcult choices, which is always welcome.

by Gio Castillo

Roots of Pacha – July 31st (XSX, XB1)

The prehistoric farming sim Roots of Pacha is coming this week to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Made by Argentinian studio Soda Den, this game started out for PC and it’s already made its way to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.

by Gio Castillo