RPGs Coming This Week, 3/3/24

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The Thaumaturge – March 4th (Windows)

Since The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, I’ve craved more games based on Slavic culture and folklore. The Thaumaturge looks like it might sate that hunger in an unexpected way. Conceptually, it’s incredible: a turn-based RPG set in an alternate version of Warsaw during the waning days of the Russian Empire. You play as a kind of sorcerer who can see and tame magical beings called salutors. The Thaumaturge is story-driven, and the developers promise “morally ambiguous choices” as events play out.

This game has quite a bit of buzz behind it, and something tells me it’ll go on to become a hidden gem. Here’s hoping more quality titles from Poland and Eastern Europe follow in The Thaumaturge‘s wake.

by Gio Castillo

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Blade Prince Academy – March 7th (Windows)

Blade Prince Academy is a “real-time with pause mechanics” strategy RPG. You lead a group of young heroes on their quest to protect the city of Abjectalia, but it’s not all battles upon battles as players also have to balance social and study skills. Friendships in Blade Prince Academy are said to open up new strategic battlefield dynamics where characters wield powerful ability combos with one another.

I’ve been curious about Blade Prince Academy since I love SRPGs, and I’m especially curious about the way the innovative battle system is described to utilize pauses and combos in real time. The graphics and art direction look sleekly impressive, and I like how it appears that the relationship-building component will play into both the story and gameplay. Can you survive the whirlwind of battles and potentially make friends while dealing with the pressures of school? Well, we’ll find out when Blade Prince Academy releases later this week!

by Audra Bowling

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Penny Blood: Hellbound (Entering Early Access) – March 7th (Windows)

The hors d’oeuvres have arrived. Like Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising and Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon before it, Penny Blood: Hellbound is meant to whet the appetites of fans anticipating a much larger meal, that being the Shadow Hearts successor Penny Blood. These kinds of games tend not to be half-baked, though, and Hellbound looks like it’s quite tasty in its own right.

Hellbound is a roguelite serving as a prequel to Penny Blood, which is expected to be a turn-based RPG. Developer Natsume Atari previously worked on Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, so the game should be in capable hands. If you backed Penny Blood before February 1st, you should already be able to play this. For the rest of us, Hellbound is entering Early Access this week.

by Gio Castillo

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Zoria: Age of Shattering – March 7th (Windows, Linux)

CRPGs are all the rage nowadays, and Zoria: Age of Shattering is angling to hang with the best of them. It’s certainly got the fundamentals down; from party-based tactical battles and class development to a sprawling and varied world, I can all but guarantee that players will have tons to do and tons of ways to do it. Of course, the Suikoden fan in me is most interested in the base management mechanic.

Our own Mark Roddison delivered an extensive impressions piece on what to expect from Zoria, and my favorite takeaway from it is that developer Tiny Trinket Games has taken steps to minimize tedium. Faster combat? Gimme. Multiple difficulty levels? Yes, please. Methinks Zoria is a viable entry point for CRPG-curious individuals like myself.

by Gio Castillo

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Unicorn Overlord – March 8th (PS5, XSX, PS4, Switch)

Unicorn Overlord was an easy placement on our list of the Most Anticipated Games of 2024. We understand if you’re a little overwhelmed with all the must-play titles, AAA blockbusters, and long-awaited fantasies already this year. Just don’t sleep on Vanillaware’s latest this week.

A young prince turned wandering hero who must gather an army to take back his homeland? Check. Charming art style? Check. Unit classes and subclasses to offer customization options? Check. Comparisons to all our favorite strategy RPG games? Oh baby, now we’re cooking.

Scott Clay got the chance to do a hands-on preview a few weeks ago. Definitely check in on his impressions of the game, but strategy fans will want to take note of this delicious nugget:

Have you ever played a Fire Emblem game and wished there was more to it than just one-on-one fights between units in a game that is supposed to simulate a war? Well, Unicorn Overlord has you covered. The strategy combat of Vanillaware’s latest is a fun mix of Ogre Battle and Fire Emblem with a sprinkle of Final Fantasy XII‘s gambit system thrown in for added measure.

We can’t wait to get our hands on this one here at RPGFan. Keep it tuned to the main page for our review later this week and share all your favorite moments with the game as you encounter them!

by Kyle Cantelon