RPGamer Round-Up: Nov. 4 – Nov. 11

Welcome to the first trial run for a new RPGamer column where we take a quick look back at some of the articles we’ve posted throughout the week. This article is designed to help give reminders for some interesting editorial content and stories that our less regular visitors might have missed. During this initial trial period we would very much appreciate any feedback or comments on its usefulness. With that said, let’s get to the articles!

 


Editorial Content

Joshua Carpenter has the opportunity to put some questions to Valkyria Chronicles 4 director Kohei Yamashita and producer Kei Mikami. The questions primarily focus on the gameplay design elements, with the developers providing interesting insights into decisions behind the classes, mission objectives, and map design.

Pascal Tekaia has managed to work his way through NIS America’s lengthy dungeon crawler Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk. He reports back on whether the eighty-plus hours he spent within it were worth the time.


Major News

Arguably the biggest and most surprising news story of the week came from Square Enix’s presentation to mark the two-year anniversary of Final Fantasy XV. Beginning with the positive news, its upcoming Episode Ardyn DLC has been confirmed for a March 2019 release, while the standalone console version of the Comrades multiplayer expansion is coming in December with a Final Fantasy XIV crossover quest. However, it was also revealed that director Hajime Tabata has left Square Enix and Luminous Productions, and a refocus of the studio has resulted in the remaining three expansions being cancelled.

Publisher Idea Factory International held its 5th annual press event in San Francisco where it made plenty of announcements. Dragon Star Varnir, Arc of Alchemist, and visual novel Date A Live: Rio Reincarnation are heading to North America and Europe next year, with Death end re;Quest given a February release date.

Microsoft held its X018 event in Mexico City this week, where it held a special Inside Xbox stream featuring multiple announcements. Chief amongst those was the company is acquiring studios inXile Entertainment and Obsidian Entertainment, while Final Fantasy XIII, The Good Life, and Kingdom Hearts III also appeared.

Following its successful launch on Xbox One last year, Grinding Gear Games has revealed its action RPG Path of Exile is coming to PlayStation 4 in December. The developer is also preparing to announce its newest expansion early next week.

The Dragon Quest Monsters series is making a return in Japan, with a new title currently in development. No details are available, otherwise than a reveal that young versions of Dragon Quest XI characters Eric and Mia will be involved. Meanwhile, the first DQM game is heading to mobile.

Members of #TeamHandheld wanting more physical PlayStation Vita releases before production officially ends will get three more from NIS America. The Lost Child, Penny-Punching Princess, and The Longest 5 Minutes will add to their original digital-only releases with a limited number of physical copies in March 2019.

Demos are now available for the pair of rhythm game spin-off for PlayStation 4 in North America. Those in Europe and on Vita will need to wait until after the games’ launch next month to be able to get their groove on.

 

Additional Selected Stories

Podcasts

Chris, Anna Marie, Kelley, Josh, Pascal, and Jonathan join for this week’s episode where they discuss what they’ve been playing and the latest RPG news. You’ll have to listen to figure out what on earth that title’s all about.

severinmira

Alex Fuller

Alex joined RPGamer in 2011 as a Previewer before moving onto Reviews, News Director, and Managing Editor. Became Acting Editor-in-Chief in 2018.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply