Author: Marcus Orchard

Developer: SOFTSTAR Entertainment Publisher: EastAsiaSoft Genre: Action RPG Nintendo Switch It’s not a well-known franchise in the West, but Xuan-Yuan Sword has been around since the ‘90s. The action RPG series leans heavily on mythology and history, delivering a great experience in both story and setting. Xuan-Yuan Sword 7 marked the first official Western release, and with it, an opportunity for new fans to jump into a fresh storyline with a new protagonist, Taishi Zhao. Now, Xuan-Yuan Sword 7 arrives on the Nintendo Switch, bringing questions about how well its intricate visuals and combat translate to the handheld. Xuan-Yuan Sword 7…

Welcome back! If you joined us for our spotlight on Punk Hazard, Dressrosa, or Zou, we are so glad you are joining us again as we look at the next arc: Whole Cake Island! The Whole Cake Island Arc is one of my favorite arcs, and that’s mainly because of Sanji (See more below). It’s an incredible arc that contains all of the things that make One Piece special – Excellent comedy, heartbreaking drama, and creative action. SPOILERS AHEAD Sanji Is Redeemed As A Character Sanji’s character arc in Whole Cake Island alone makes it unforgettable. Since the time skip, Sanji’s…

You already know I love board games. Rough Justice ’84 is a strategy game set in the gritty 1980s. Players manage a private security agency, balancing risks and resources. It combines board game elements with narrative-driven gameplay, which means I should love it. While this is undoubtedly a cool game, it falls short in many ways.  In Rough Justice ’84, the story takes players into the crime-filled streets of Seneca City. Players step into the shoes of a former cop framed and imprisoned, now seeking redemption by running a private security agency. The game has a colorful cast with brief…

Platforming, twin-stick action, and humor are the perfect ingredients for a memorable game, and Trifox serves them up in a colorful package. Does it deliver enough flavor to satisfy? Please disregard this weird food metaphor – this isn’t a game about food. Trifox starts players off with three character classes—Fighter, Mage, and Engineer. The game’s skill tree system allows players to mix and match abilities from different classes, creating custom loadouts that lead to unique builds. This flexibility opens up neat options, encouraging experimentation. The game blends platforming and combat, with players managing puzzles and enemies. While the action is…

Publisher: PopHaus Collective Designer: Joe Boyle, Josh Kemper, and Robert Freeman Smith 3-10 Players Playtime: 30-45 Minutes Getting to know our friends intimately can be kind of overwhelming, but it should at least be fun, right? It’s Kind of A Fun Story is a party game that focuses on storytelling and personal experiences. The game creates an inviting environment where participants can share their stories on topics that might not naturally come up in conversation. It emphasizes connection and reflection, encouraging players to open up about their lives while navigating a series of prompts. Let’s learn more! A Brief How…

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. has announced DEATH NOTE Killer Within, an online social deduction game based on the series Death Note. Launching on November 5, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam, this is the first game to bring the Death Note universe into a multiplayer, social deduction format. The announcement trailer gives fans a first look at the gameplay dynamics. Up to 10 players join one of two teams—either fighting to protect Detective L or attempting to seize control of the Death Note from Kira. Each team operates with one goal: outsmart the other while…

Free League Publishing unveiled two new expansions for the Vaesen RPG: Mythic Carpathia and City of My Nightmares. The Kickstarter campaign for both expansions launches on October 29 and will introduce a new Starter Set and an updated Core Rulebook. Building on the success of Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying, which is based on Johan Egerkrans’ art book, these expansions will take players beyond the Mythic North into new territories. Mythic Carpathia invites players to explore Central and Eastern European folklore, facing off against iconic creatures like the Baba Yaga and vampires. Meanwhile, City of My Nightmares offers an urban…

Every year, cultural representation in popular media gets a little better. One genre in fiction that has experienced an explosion in representation is fantasy. For decades, RPGs have often drawn inspiration from real-world cultures to build imaginative worlds, but all too frequently, these portrayals have been problematic, relying on stereotypes or oversimplified views of entire regions. Most fantasy focuses on European fantasy, and the creators of these works put little effort into actually treating other regions and cultures well.  However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards more respectful, nuanced representations, especially in fantasy. Fantasy and all of…

Publisher: Paizo RPG System: Pathfinder Second Edition Introduction If you’ve read my review of the Lost Omens: Tian Xia book, you know how highly I regard it and its fantastic introduction to representation. While the continent of Africa isn’t fetishized in fantasy as much as Asia, it still isn’t treated well. Settlements in these regions are often depicted as strange or savage, with deep-rooted stereotypes and harmful clichés. Stories that involve this region are often full of outsider perspectives and heavy colonization or brutalization. The introduction of Pathfinder Lost Omens: The Mwangi Expanse titled “Reclaiming the Expanse” and while it…

With the release of the Requiem expansion, fans of The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls have even more content to explore and enjoy. But what exactly does this expansion bring to the table, and is it worth adding to your collection? What’s New in Requiem? The Requiem expansion introduces tons of new content in a relatively small box, including new characters, treasure, and monster cards. This expansion adds more variety to the game, keeping the gameplay fresh for players. New Characters and Items: Requiem brings in new character cards, each with unique abilities that can significantly impact the game. These…