You’d think an Octopath Traveler pun would have more Resonance.

A new Castlevania game also hits this month. The demo is available as of this week.

This month’s new releases:

Aion 2 (PC) (10/5)
Agent of Strange: Arrival (PC) (10/8)
Valor Mortis (PC, PS5, Series X) (10/13)
The Witch’s Bakery (PC, PS5, Switch/2, Series X) (10/14)
Frosthaven (Full Game) (PC) (10/15)
Tales of Eternia: Remastered (PC, PS4/5, Switch/2, Series X) (10/15)
Stupid Never Dies (PC, PS5) (10/21)
Final Fantasy: Resonance (PC, PS5, Switch/2, Series X) (10/22)
Queen’s Domain (PC, PS5, Switch 2, Series X) (10/30)
The Light in the Darkness (PC) (10/?)

Rereleases on other platforms:

Octopath Traveler (Switch 2) (10/1)
Octopath Traveler 2 (Switch 2) (10/1)
Kingdom Hearts Collection: I ~ III (PS5, Switch 2, Series X) (10/8)
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen (PC, PS5, Switch 2, Series X) (10/9)
The Relic: First Guardian (Switch 2) (10/9)
Back to the Dawn (PS5) (10/22)

Early Access games:

Emberville (PC) (10/27)

About three games if you don’t include remakes. I’m talking about the Trails series, where the demo for the second remake is available to play. The first game also has a demo if players are looking forward to seeing what the series offers.

Another demo which turned out to be surprisingly good with its systems is Final Fantasy Resonance, Square-Enix’s second remake of a mobile game after Octopath Traveler 0. Resonance takes a lot of enemy designs from Final Fantasy VI (so far) and uses a turn-based system. A slightly different take on the job system is available with ‘Visions’ being subjobs players learn skills from. The plot is mediocre, but I’m having a lot of fun just leveling and seeing what the enemy designs are.

For now it’s back to my other love; that hybrid of Metroid and Castlevania which has enthralled me since the Wonder Boy games had their serial numbers filed off for the TurboGrafx-16.

This month’s new releases:

Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault (PC, PS5, Switch 2, Series X) (9/2)
The Blood of Dawnwalker (PC, PS5, Series X) (9/3)
Shroom and Gloom (PC) (9/10)
Forsworn (PC) (9/10)
Runescape: Dragonwilds (PC, PS5, Switch 2, Series X) (9/15)
Aniimo (Cell Phones, PC, PS5, Switch 2) (9/16) (Cell Phones 9/23)
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave (Switch 2) (9/17)
The Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky Second Chapter (PC, PS5, Switch/2) (9/17)
Another Eden Begins (PC, Switch/2) (9/17)
Kernel Hearts (PC, PS5, Switch 2, Series X) (9/17)
Graveyard Keeper II (PC, PS5, Switch/2, Series X) (9/22)
Nocturne (PC) (9/24)
The Relic: First Guardian (Series X) (9/17)
Minecraft Dungeons 2 (PC, PS5, Switch/2, Series X) (9/29)
Songs of Glimmerwick (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One, Series X) (9/30)

Rereleases on other platforms:

Angeline Era (PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One, Series X) (9/2)
Exstetra (PS5, Switch/2) (9/3)
AereA (PS5, Switch, Series X) (9/3)
Ova Magica (PS4/5, Switch/2, Xbox One, Series X) (9/8)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (PS5, Switch 2) (9/10)
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Azure (PS5, Switch 2) (9/10)
Artis Impact (Switch) (9/17)
Fountains (Switch, PS5, Series X) (9/17)
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Switch 2) (9/24)
The Relic: First Guardian (Series X) (9/25)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered (PC, Switch 2, PS5, Series X) (9/29)
Viractal: Will You Trust Your Party? (Switch/2) (9/30)

Early Access games:

Withering Realms (PC) (9/2)
Among Shadows (PC) (9/24)

By my mouth. Delicious.

Been playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. And recently got my Obscurum weapon in FFXIV. But what I really want is apparently a custard-filled donut topped with chocolate.

Speaking of Final Fantasy XIV, it is now available on the Switch 2 as of this month. Lots of new and excited players are storming the servers. It’s adorable.

While we’re talking about Switch 2, let’s switch to releases of games already available on other consoles:

Lies of P (8/6)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (8/11)
Elden Ring (8/28)

And the rest:

HellSlave II: Judgement of the Archon (PC) (8/4)
Fields of Mistria (PC) (8/5)
Echobreaker (PC) (8/6)
Brave Dungeon: The Meaning of Justice (PS5) (8/8) – Previously released on PC and Switch
Echoes of Mystralia (PC) (8/11)
Ledgerbound (PC) (8/11)
Warhounds (PC) (8/11)
Defender of the Crown: The Legend Returns (PC, PS5, Switch, Series X) (8/13)
Mortal Shell 2 (PC, PS5, Series X) (8/20)
The Witch’s Bakery (PC, PS5, Switch/2, Series X) (8/20)
Yet Another Zombie Survivors (PS4/5) (8/20) – Previously released on PC, Xbox One, and Series X
Brigandine: Abyss (PC, PS5, Switch2, Series X) (8/26)
Fractured Worlds (PC, PS5) (8/26)
Aggelos 2 (PC, PS4/5, Switch/2, Xbox One, Series X) (8/27)

Also some Early Access titles:

Pax Autocratica (PC) (8/10)
Luminary (PC) (8/11)
Swordcery (PC) (8/11)
Entropy (PC) (8/18)Entropy (PC) (8/18)
Stars Reach (PC) (8/18)

Called out Switch 2 because it’s playing catch up. Hope these lists have something you’re looking forward to playing.

More like Power Outrages amirite? Hahahaha- (cries in $400 lost groceries)

Anyway, Echoes of Aincrad came out on July 9th for the PS5 and XboxX. This Sword Art Online game looks like it is trying to minimize its SAO origins, what with the incredibly small _{Sword Art Online} text under the main title.

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure was released via Console Archives for the PS5/Switch 2. This means all the Rhapsody games are available in some form on modern consoles when paired with the Marl Kingdom Chronicles.

Disgaea Mayhem hits PC, PS5, Switch and Switch 2 July 23rd. This title is an action-RPG take on the Disgaea universe.

Blue Reflection Quartet comes out July 30th. This remake includes the first two games, but also game versions of the anime series and the an update version of the mobile game release. It’s a surprise to see this much thought put into a multimedia release, and quite honestly more companies could stand to do something similar.

Other July releases include:

Forward to the Sky (PS4/PS5) (7/9)
Digimon Story: Time Stranger (Switch/Switch2) (7/10)
PalWorld (PC) (7/10)
Hell Clock (PS5/XboxX) (7/14)
The Life & Suffering of Prince Jerian (PC) (7/20)
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Collection (Switch2) (7/23)
Mahou Arms (PC) (7/27)
Forsaken Realms: Vahrin’s Call (PC) (7/27)
Prelude Dark Pain (PC) (7/27)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch2) (7/30)
Signy & Mino: Against All Gods (PC) (7/30)
Dungeon Antiqua (PS5/XboxX) (7/30)
Verho: Curse of Faces (PS5/Switch/XboxX) (7/30)
The Relic: First Guardian (PC/PS5) (7/31)

I’ve become very visibly blocky in my old age.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is a new title from Square-Enix in the style of Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy – but this time it’s an action adventure game. The title releases June 18 for Switch, PS5, and probably one of the Xbox systems. A demo is available now.

Same day release is R-Type Tactics I•II Cosmos for PS4/5 and Switch. This title is a re-release of a set of previously PSP only titles in one package.

One day later on June 19 is the Gothic Remake, or Gothic 1 Remake depending on where you visit. The title will be on the PS5 and Xbox series X/S.

Meanwhile, I’m catching up on titles from three years ago. The Backlog is immense, folks.

One Drac’s Misery is Another Person’s Paradise.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is out on May 28th. The physical PS5 edition is touted as an Amazon Exclusive. The Switch and Switch 2 have premium editions. Choose your Farmer wisely.

Wandering Sword is out the same day digitally. This is a 2D-HD RPG with graphics similar to Octopath Traveler or the Dragon Quest remakes.

Hope May finds you all playing the exact games you need to play. Enjoy!

Now they look out for me. Stupid algorithm.

All Switch re-releases this month.

Tomodachi Life and Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta see Switch releases on April 16 and April 28 respectively.

Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition sees a Switch 2 release on April 16 as well.

Ys games are fun, and Xenoblade games tend to be pretty good. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Tomodachi Life. These are all re-releases but a fun time could be had nonetheless.

Capcom sees what the PC industry is doing and wants to make sure they get their piece of the pie.

Looks like Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen were made available LateFebruary to buy on the Switch. I have never played a Pokemon game, but the availability of those two has created a desire to ‘mon up.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection hits Switch 2, PS5, Steam, and XboX on March 13. Capcom’s crafting RPG with copious monster-hunting has another entry in its turn-based sister series. The stakes and production values are higher, but will they be enough?

Speaking of increased production values, WiZmans World Re;Try hits PS5 and Switch with another try at releasing same day and date as Stories 3.

Etrange Overlord – a NIS title in line with several other NIS releases – has noble Etrange executed and sent to Hell, where she decides to take it over. This time it’s an action RPG for the PS5 and Switch; available March 26.

March 27 sees the release of the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection for the Switch, PS4/5, Steam, and XboX. Physical copies are for the Switch. The last of the Battle Network-style of Mega Man games (but still not a Legends collection); Star Force fans will eat well this day.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade gets a Switch 2 release as the system continues to pick up drifting titles to bolster its ranks. Not a bad strategy: Sony is pulling back from PC ports in a time when PC ports are super important for money, and Xbox is attempting to AI itself to death. Nintendo may win by simply being the last system standing.

Seriously, console wars are bullshit.

Also known as the Leon S. Kennedy.

First up is the first release of February: Dragon Quest VII Reimagined. I am currently working on Dragon Quest II from the 2D-HD release and am shocked at how the series has gone from absolute grindfest to ‘let’s make a fun game’. Don’t get me wrong, I often enjoy a grind; but after perfecting the series’ battle system in DQXI, it’s like the developers doubled-down on quality of life issues to make the games more accessible. I am here for this, by the way. The games have their charm, the monster designs are fun, and there is more emotional maturity contained in these games than a lot of other titles on the market.

Anyroad, DQVII Reimagined has a demo out. The title releases February 5^th for PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and Series X.

The next day has the release of Nioh 3 for PS5. The latest in a line of samurai-themed Soulslikes by Team Ninja, the Nioh series has focused more on combat than other games in the genre.

Ys X: Proud Nordics releases February 20^th, and is Ys X with all the bells and whistles meant for the Switch version. It hits the PS5 and Switch 2.

And yeah there’s a new Resident Evil game closing out the month my house is going to bond over; cats and all.

Some other titles for this month:
Calamity Angels: Special Delivery (PS4/PS5/Switch) (2/17)
WiZmans World Re;Try (PS5/Switch) (2/19)
No Sleep for Kaname Date (PS5/Switch/Switch2) (2/26)

Re-releases:
Kemco RPG Selection 3 for the Switch (2/12)
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for PS5 (2/13)
Tales of Berseria: Remastered (PS5/Switch) (2/27)
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (PS5/Switch 2/XboX) (2/12)

Don’t push back your flu shots. Every time I could have gone something came up and I have been paying for it for about 9 days now. The bad parts of the flu are over, but the hanger-on chest and throat cold is annoying.

Trails Beyond the Horizon, the capstone game for the Calvard Arc; launches on January 15. The long-running sub-series still has a few more games left in it even as Nihon Falcom eyes the end of the story (and begins to plan for other properties such as a sequel to Tokyo Xanadu).

Code Vein II hits the end of the month. The animation of God Eater combined with a Dark Souls-inspired combat system to take down vampires.

Not much else this month. The Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined demo is out to try. It’s pretty fun.