Preview(s) Archive

Persona 3 Reload: Episode Aigis Hands-On Preview – The (Better) Answer?

Posted by Scott Clay on August 15, 2024
See the video version of this preview below to see the game in action! Thanks to the great people at Atlus, I recently had the privilege of trying out a small portion of the upcoming DLC for Persona 3 Reload, Episode Aigis. Episode Aigis is often known by its original name, … Read More »

Visions of Mana Hands-On: A Beautiful Return to Form

Posted by Izzy Parsons on August 14, 2024
Who had the majestic return of the Mana series on their 2024 bingo card? I certainly didn’t. And yet, I’ve spent nearly eight hours with Visions of Mana, and I couldn’t be happier with its direction. Visions of Mana is Mana at its utmost, a game oozing with charm, vibrancy, and an underlying melanch… Read More »

AI LIMIT Hands-On Preview: A Sci-Fi Souls-like with Style

Posted by Des Miller on July 18, 2024
The action RPG landscape is dominated by Metroidvanias and Souls-likes these days. As the subgenre gets more crowded, developers must find ways to make their games stand out amidst a sea of clones. Aside from The Surge, there haven’t been many sci-fi-oriented Souls-likes, and outside of Code Vein, t… Read More »

Beloved Rapture Demo Impressions: A Promising Classic-Style RPG

Posted by Audra Bowling on June 27, 2024
Beloved Rapture is a game I’ve been eagerly anticipating for quite some time since it is a throwback to classic, turn-based RPGs promising a narrative centered around bonds and LGBT undertones. Admittedly, what first drew me to Beloved Rapture is how pretty it looks and the developer’s descriptions… Read More »

SteamWorld Heist II Preview

Posted by Ben Love on June 26, 2024
Thunderful Gothenburg wowed me nearly a decade ago with their tightly-tuned turn-based strategy tile SteamWorld Heist. Taking a 2D side-scrolling approach to strategy proved to be a stroke of genius, relying on steady aim and careful positioning of your colorful cast of Steambots rather than behind-… Read More »

Wander Stars Demo Impressions: Super Fire Edition!

Posted by Audra Bowling on June 24, 2024
Martial arts and the power of words combine in interactive anime-styled turn-based RPG Wander Stars! Step into the role of aspiring martial artist Ringo as she reluctantly joins forces with the enigmatic and somewhat shady Wolfe in a star system-spanning adventure to find the pieces of the mythic Wa… Read More »

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Lands This Fall: Our Hands-On Impressions

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 18, 2024
Folks, it’s finally here. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will release on November 14th of this year. I had the chance to spend 45 minutes exploring the early part of the game at Summer Game Fest’s Play Days, and at the end of that time I had tears in my eyes. Not just because I got to… Read More »

Netflix at Summer Game Fest – The Dragon Prince: Xadia and Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure

Posted by Mario Garcia on June 17, 2024
Netflix continues to expand its gaming library, and I got to check out The Dragon Prince: Xadia and Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure during Summer Game Fest! Let’s dive in.  The Dragon Prince: Xadia  Based on the beloved animated series, The Dragon Prince: Xadia has players engage in hectic… Read More »

Bloomtown: A Different Story Demo Impressions

Posted by Audra Bowling on June 15, 2024
Bloomtown: A Different Story is a traditional RPG unfolding in a seemingly idyllic Americana setting. The game’s unique narrative revolves around twelve-year-old Emily and her younger brother Chester, sent to live with their grandfather in Bloomtown for the summer. Expecting a mundane time of runnin… Read More »

Dungeons of Hinterberg Preview

Posted by Abraham Kobylanski on June 15, 2024
Welcome to Hinterberg! Hit the slopes and hit some enemies as you explore this resort town in the mountains of Austria in Dungeons of Hinterberg. Meet charming friends and support small local businesses with some shopping. Enjoy food from the local eateries and get involved with restaurant drama. Se… Read More »

Summer Game Fest: Monster Hunter Wilds Demo Preview

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 12, 2024
The Monster Hunter series has taunted me for years, but I’ve never dipped my toes in. Maybe it’s because the gear grind doesn’t sound like my speed or because fans of the series love it so intensely it’s a bit intimidating. After watching a brief 30-minute gameplay demo of Monster Hunter Wilds at Su… Read More »

Phantom Blade Zero Hands-On Preview at Summer Game Fest

Posted by Mario Garcia on June 11, 2024
With impressive trailers that spotlight the game’s eye-catching combat, sick-looking combos, and ruthless action, Phantom Blade Zero piqued my interest in experiencing how the game actually feels to play. Does the gameplay hold up to the intensity of its visuals? After checking out a demo at Summer… Read More »

Path of Exile 2 Impressions at Summer Game Fest

Posted by Mario Garcia on June 11, 2024
My time with Path of Exile 2 at Summer Game Fest began with the age-old question: among warriors, archers, casters, and the like, what character class would I choose to play? To help with my decision, the menu came with nifty previews of the skills that each of the twelve classes would unlock down t… Read More »

Dragon Age: The Veilguard First Hour Impressions at Summer Game Fest

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 11, 2024
“Choices and consequences.” That’s what the Creative Director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, John Epler, repeatedly promised while showing me and a few others the opening hour of the game at Summer Game Fest’s Play Days. Of course, Dragon Age has always been about choices and consequences. Now, it se… Read More »

Metaphor: ReFantazio Hands-On at Summer Game Fest

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 10, 2024
Even after a thorough, excellent trailer showing off a variety of things Metaphor: ReFantazio will offer us when it releases in October, I wasn’t convinced that it would do enough to justify its existence as, ostensibly, a Persona spin-off set in a (mostly) medieval world. After getting about 45 min… Read More »

Metal Slug Tactics Impressions

Posted by Mark Roddison on June 10, 2024
Gamers haven’t had anything new to savor in the Metal Slug universe for quite a while. The frantic run-and-gun action was most recently available in Metal Slug XX, a revised version of Metal Slug 7 from all the way back in 2008.  Now, after a series of delays and a conspicuous silence, retro-publish… Read More »

Demonschool Orientation Week: Demo Preview

Posted by Aleks Franiczek on June 6, 2024
What’s cooler than being cool?Demonschool! Now, I’m going to break this thing down in just a few seconds. Demonschool has you play as Gen Z-fashioned university students with demon-sensing abilities and anti-authority attitudes. With one foot planted in Persona’s hangout vibe and the other in Devil… Read More »

Final Fantasy XIV Media Tour Hands-On Dawntrail Preview

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 6, 2024
Editor’s note: The following impressions are based upon a pre-release build that has not undergone final adjustments. All content is subject to significant change. It also contains a few spoilers for Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail. See the video version of this preview below! Final Fantasy XIV: Endwal… Read More »

First Look at The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak + Demo Release Date

Posted by Scott Clay on May 30, 2024
In just over a month, it will be time to return to Zemuria with another installment of the Trails series. The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak kicks off the Calvard arc, the fourth arc in the greater Trails series. If you are new to the Trails series or generally curious about it, you can r… Read More »

Hades II Hands-On Preview

Posted by Jerry Williams on May 21, 2024
You don’t need me to tell you the vast majority of players already loves Hades II. After all, Supergiant Games just needs to copy the first Hades to create a potential Game of the Year title. Of course, folks wouldn’t really be satisfied with that; Supergiant Games must innovate, carefully making su… Read More »

Monster Hunter Stories Hands-On Preview

Posted by Abraham Kobylanski on May 20, 2024
With the end of the 3DS eShop and the handheld console receiving its last rites from Nintendo, many excellent games were left without a home. Thankfully, Capcom wasn’t content to leave Monster Hunter Stories stranded, and next month, we’ll see it return on modern platforms with a few… Read More »

Prescription for Sleep: Heavenly Avatar Exclusive Video Preview

Posted by Mike Salbato on May 8, 2024
Why, it feels like not even a year ago we were talking about Scarlet Moon’s Prescription for Sleep series. Probably because it was on May 9th, 2023 that we talked about Volume III! Today we have another exclusive video preview for the latest album in the series – Prescription for Sleep: Heavenly Ava… Read More »

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Hands-On Preview

Posted by Scott Clay on April 30, 2024
Rejoice, Shin Megami Tensei fans. If you were slightly disappointed with the original Shin Megami Tensei V, it’s likely that Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance might wash that bad taste out of your mouth. I enjoyed the original SMTV but always knew something was missing compared to previous entries in… Read More »

Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER Hands-On Preview

Posted by Neal Chandran on April 18, 2024
Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER is the long-awaited sequel to 2015’s indie adventure 2064: Read Only Memories. 2064 introduced players to a more introspective cyberpunk story with all manner of character types represented (because representation matters). NEURODIVER takes us back into that vibrant wo… Read More »

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Preview Impressions

Posted by Audra Bowling on April 9, 2024
I played Suikoden II in 1999, an impactful experience that shaped my thoughts and expectations regarding the RPG genre. It was the second RPG I ever played to completion. I became so enamored with multiple facets of the game that the entire Suikoden series became dear to my heart… Read More »