RPGs Coming This Week, 9/10/23

Eternights – September 12th (PS5, PS4, Windows)

Eternights is a post-apocalyptic horror action RPG about trying to save the world and just maybe getting a date or two in the process! I recently played the demo and was intrigued by the concept though, unfortunately, the preview didn’t last long enough for all the touted game elements to show up. Still, the demo provides a peek at a solid setup, helping to whet my appetite for the main course.

The characters appear written well, reacting believably given the horrific situation they’re in. I can also see where the bonding system might be well-implemented from the sliver we see of it in the demo. It’s probably no surprise to those who follow this site that I’m a big fan of romance and dating sim elements in games when they’re handled well! Combining that with intense, fast-paced action RPG mechanics too? Well, let’s just say I’m eager to see what Eternights has in store when it releases in full!

by Audra Bowling

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask – September 13th (Switch)

Here comes the first part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, the major expansion for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yeah, there’s so much content that it’s been split into two parts. For all the crap I give The Pokémon Company and Game Freak, I feel like they’ve been pretty good about making DLC worth buying. I mean, maybe selling DLC isn’t the best practice in the world, but it’s been normal for years now.

Titled The Teal Mask, this first half of Area Zero will see players visit a Japan-themed region called Kitakami. There’s a whole bunch of Pokémon from past generations to capture there and also new ones. My favorite’s Poltchageist, a Grass/Ghost-type that’s basically a living jar of matcha powder. It’s adorable. When are they coming out with a houjicha tea variant or evolution?

Aside from following the story, The Teal Mask players can also participate in side activities like taking photos of forest-inhabiting Pokémon and popping balloons to collect berries. You’ll want to consult Bulbapedia for a more comprehensive overview.

Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster – September 14th (Switch)

Listen. I’m gonna be straight with you. You owe it to yourself to play the Baten Kaitos games. They’re RPGs with a card-based battle system, and if that scares you a little, trust me. They’re worth your attention. In addition to a wonderful story with a unique framing narrative, you’ll get some of the most gorgeous environments you’ve ever seen. The places you visit are some of the most unique areas in RPG history, and Motoi Sakuraba is on his A game for the soundtrack.

What’s different with the Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster? Honestly, quite a bit! The script has been modified, which unfortunately comes with a lack of English voice acting. While this is a shame for the sequel, fans of the first game might see this as a necessary culling. Meanwhile, quality-of-life features range from auto-battle and instant victory settings to fast-forward and encounter toggling. Besides all that, the visuals on the remaster look as gorgeous as fans remember the original game looking. It looks like this will be the definitive version of two GameCube hidden gems!

by Wes Iliff

Monster Hunter Now – September 14th (Android, iOS)

It was only a matter of time. After Pokémon GO, we’ve seen quite a few franchises attempt to spin off their own GPS-based augmented reality RPGs. Some failed, like The Witcher: Monster Slayer, which shut down in June. Others are (seemingly) thriving, like Dragon Quest Walk, which is unfortunately inaccessible outside of Japan. (There are ways to spoof your location, but what’s the point if you aren’t actually there?)

Monster Hunter Now is the newest GPS RPG on the scene and probably the biggest since Pokémon GO. It’s also made by GO developer Niantic, so you can be sure that the developers know what they’re doing. Instead of catching ‘mons in real life, you hunt them, and you can team up with other players to do so. Thus far, the likes of Rathalos, Great Jagras, and Anjanath are confirmed to be in.

For more details, our own Monica Rose got some hands-on time with Monster Hunter Now during Summer Game Fest. Pre-registration is still ongoing ahead of the Thursday launch.

by Gio Castillo

Wandering Sword – September 15th (Windows)

A first look at Wandering Sword may remind you of Octopath Traveler, but don’t let appearances fool you. Wandering Sword is a vast, open-ended adventure inspired by Chinese Wuxia and martial arts culture.

The story follows Yuwen Yi after an ambush by a villainous gang leaves him for dead and turns his world upside down, starting him on a path of revenge and justice. There are a variety of different martial arts to master and companions to recruit, each with their own unique background and playstyle.

Yuwen Yi quickly becomes embroiled in the political intrigue and conspiracies threatening the world, requiring you to manage your reputation with and relationship to the various martial arts sects. There is a robust crafting and fishing system with tons of loot to find. Wandering Sword also features a unique character progression system that allows characters to develop individual martial arts skills and learn to focus their Qi toward specific attributes rather than traditional level-ups.

All this combined with the tactical, turn-based combat makes Wandering Sword a game to keep an eye on for PC RPG fans when it releases on September 15th.

by Ben Love