Because timing is everything, we’re bringing back our monthly release radar video just in time for October of 2023, the month that every developer you’ve ever heard of has decided to drop their games all at once in the world’s most fun twenty-car pileup. Let’s fantasize about having an infinite pile of money and an extra day in the week as we count out ten games that should be on your radar this month. Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC | October 3, 2023) After the somewhat rocky reception of its previous entry (the debut of the series’ brand-spanking-new…
Author: Noisy Pixel Staff
Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit III and producer Naoki Yoshida kicked off their latest Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival Keynote with an announcement trailer for the game’s fifth expansion, Dawntrail, set to release in Summer 2024. The trailer featured much of the game’s main cast, including Erenville from Endwalker. Producer Yoshida described the story as “the best summer vacation you could ever have,” with the teaser: “As hope’s light dawns once more, a hero looks to new horizons… “Alongside Alphinaud, Alisaie, and Erenville, the Warrior of Light embarks upon a journey across the Indigo Deep. Should rumor be true, the contest may lead them…
The Trails series isn’t as niche as it once was, but it’s still pretty niche. Regardless, we have managed to get ten of the twelve mainline entries officially localized. Suffice it to say, for those who have played; it’s been quite a wild ride. Now, with Trails into Reverie available, it’s the perfect time to reflect and rank the series before we meet a new cast in the region of Calvard. The list focuses on our experiences with each title and how they stand in the overarching narrative. https://youtu.be/kf-9CKlHe1Q With that said, let’s begin: 10 — Trails to Azure Trails…
As manga becomes more and more popular in the West, we want to continually keep up-to-date on all the new series that releases throughout the year. Better yet, we want to highlight our favorite. With the year already being half over, we are here to share the ten best manga from April through July 2023. Be sure to let us know what you’re reading or if we missed any stand-out releases that started this year. Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Vol. 1 (April 18, 2023 | Yen Press) Being an adaptation of a light novel…
Occasionally, you will come across a game that incorporates elements that seem to line up just right with your interests, only for you to get blindsided by confusion. BONE MADE’s Runes Magica puts you in the role of a girl entrusted with magic runes, pitted against a kingdom that seeks to extinguish her power. In linear roguelike fashion, you will be fending off a mob of enemies and obtaining randomized equipment to assist her adventure into the kingdom. With a fairly standard premise, a lot rides on the shoulders of the gameplay, which does not offer the supporting foundation the…
Hey everyone, we’re halfway through the year, which means another quarterly update of 10 games that stand out among the rest. We’re sad to report that Redfall and Gollum will not be appearing on this list, even though we had high expectations for them. Well…not too high, but we always carry high hopes for great games to play. This leads us to this list of hand-picked titles that were released from April 2023 through June 2023, so let’s get to it, in no particular order. https://youtu.be/Q1OfOQPY_Ng We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X, Switch, PC…
With the western release of Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening coming soon on July 20, 2023, our team recently had the opportunity to sit down with the producer, Michi Ryu, and discussed its new gameplay systems and his thoughts on the overall gameplay experience. Q: Given that this is the 40th anniversary of the Nobunaga’s Ambition series, were there any development meetings on how to bring all of that history into the release of Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening? Also, are there any stories you can share about the overall development of this entry? A: The goal of this series is to create a…
With Steam Next Fest in full effect, we decided to help you narrow down the selection of games, given that there are just so many demos available and so little time to play them. Taking place from June 19 through June 26, gamers get the chance to experience some upcoming titles to get a glimpse of their characters, gameplay, and worlds. Although we may have missed some, here are 15 that we think you should check out. LunarLux (PC | 2023) This retro sci-fi adventure RPG caught our attention with its cut character designs and interesting systems. Players are tasked…
We recently spoke to the Head of Gust, Junzo Hosoi, about the upcoming JRPG Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg, a revival of the first-ever game in the Atelier series. We discussed the work that went into this remake, design decisions, and what fans can anticipate from the Atelier franchise’s future. The full interview is quoted below: Q: The systems of an Atelier title are constantly evolving across each entry. When developing Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist Of Salburg, how did the systems of this entry hold up when compared to modern game design and recent entries of the…
In the past, June was the time that the gaming industry prepared for E3. For about a week, we would be graced with the latest game updates and reveals. However, due to the cancellation of the event this year, several others have taken its place, retaining some of the thrilling spirit we’ve always enjoyed. From Summer Games Fest to several smaller-scale live streams featuring Ubisoft and Capcom, there was plenty to be excited for this year, though one company, at least to us, really towered over the rest. Sega and its subsidiary Atlus took this moment to completely blow us…
With so many game reveals across various livestreams during the week of Not E3 2023, we decided to hand-pick a few that could have fallen under your radar. We don’t blame you, either; there were a ton of exciting new games revealed, but let’s not forget to make room for unique experiences from developers that push their creative passion to the limits. https://youtu.be/Eld3TraXJK0 RESISTOR (PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC | TBA) From developer Long Way Home, Resistor is a narrative-driven racing game set in 2060, when the world’s governments have destroyed each other, leaving self-contained city-states led by corporations.…
What’s up, nerds? The summertime is upon us, and as we prepare ourselves for the incoming heat, let’s look forward to staying indoors to play some 40-hour-long JRPGs. We’ve brought together 13 titles for you today, we know there are a ton of video games to be excited about that are available now, but let’s look forward and get this hype train going. https://youtu.be/HoJCZKBoD-U Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection (June 1 | Switch, PC) When it comes to dungeon crawlers, Etrian Odyssey is a consistent series of high-quality games. However, after the 3DS lifetime ended, the future of the franchise became…
You know those moments that, for whatever reason, just stick with you? Like me, in 1996, sitting on the grass with my back against the school wall, getting the “What! Poliwhirl is evolving?” message while playing Pokemon Blue. I didn’t know it then, but I’d be chasing that feeling for decades. The few games that bring me back to those times are some of my favorites, and Bytten Studio’s Cassette Beasts earn a spot on that list. Cassette Beasts opens with your character waking up on a beach in an unfamiliar area. You’re given control almost immediately and can wander…
Ahead of Spike Chunsoft launching the mystery adventure Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE this Summer, we had the opportunity to speak to one of the game’s writers, Kazutaka Kodaka, also of Danganronpa fame. Our website’s founder, Azario Lopez, discussed this title’s development process, Kodaka’s unburdened creativity, and what gameplay elements fans can anticipate. Azario Lopez: You established Tookyo Games with other creators. Looking back, what are some of the trials that you had to overcome in this new development environment? Kazutaka Kodaka: So Tookyo Games doesn’t have a development team. So we work with a lot of different developers, which has…
Following Spike Chunsoft announcing that they would be publishing the MAGES-developed visual novel ANONYMOUS;CODE for Western audiences later this year, we received the opportunity to interview the game’s localization producer, Yu Namba. Our website’s founder, Azario Lopez, discussed Namba’s history with the Science Adventure series, the progress of the localization, and other tangentially related facets. Azario Lopez: Okay. So your background includes many Persona titles that have been released in the West. How are those years of taking on those types of projects kind of prepared you for something a little more nuanced within the visual novel genre? Was that challenging…
As parenthood steadily becomes a more difficult milestone, we can always rely on the raising simulator genre to teach us the basics. Volcano Princess is a raising-social simulator with light RPG elements that puts the player in the role of a father preparing his daughter for the future. While Volcano Princess does not deviate from the standard raising simulator gameplay, it still offers a unique experience. https://youtu.be/yyOnuCgHli0 As per the standard for a raising simulator, you will be taking care of your daughter by managing what daily activities she will participate in. The first phase begins with your daughter in…
The Metroidvania genre has blown up in popularity over the last few years, and I love it. But even when standing next to games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Ender Lilies, and Hollow Knight, Hello Penguin’s Vernal Edge finds a way to be different. There may be lost ruins, tricky puzzles, and platforming sections that make you want to pull your hair out. Yet there’s also something special about the way Vernal Edge was designed. https://youtu.be/hZIBce44Nbw Upon starting a new game, you meet your protagonist, Vernal. In the opening scene, you find yourself on an airship being threatened by…
Author Junji Ito, writer of several classics such as Tomie, Uzumaki, and Mimi’s Ghost Stories, once again re-releases a collection of several of his short stories. The most prominent story in this collection is the titular Tombs. The story of Tombs follows two siblings that visit an old friend in a new town that she had moved to, where they discover a strange occurrence that happens to the residents that die in the city. But before they arrive, the siblings are caught up in a tragic incident that brings more tragedy the more they try to keep the situation a…
We’re already a fourth of the way through the year, but that doesn’t mean we are lacking notable game releases. As we look forward to more releases this year, let’s take a second to reflect on the best games already released this year. If there’s any that we missed, be sure to share your top game in the comments below. https://youtu.be/YAjA0I_Jxhs Metroid Prime Remastered February 8, 2023 – Switch Released out of nowhere (despite some rumors before), the remastered edition of Metroid Prime was made with so much care and polish that some were even confused if it was actually…
With manga becoming increasingly popular in the west. It may seem daunting to some to start on a series that’s already 10 Volumes deep. So, we decided to create a list of 10 new manga released this year in the west. These manga volumes launched their Volume 1 debut in the west, and we think they are definitely worth your attention. Helck Vol. 1 This classic manga series is getting a few updates in the form of colored pages and new covers, but it’s also officially coming west with a fresh translation from VIZ Media. Helck might be a meathead,…