THE CRAVE GAMING CHANNEL
V'lanna
 

Banner

Still to Come

After a stellar first half, the second half of 2017 has some big footsteps to follow. Fortunately, there is still plenty to look forward to on the horizon. The RPGamer staff shared some of the upcoming titles that they are excited for in the next six months or so.


Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle (Switch)
Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release Date: 08.29.2017

The name sucks. Rabbids suck. Rabbids pretending to be Mario characters is not nearly as funny as some of the people of Ubisoft seem to think. Yet I can't deny the immediate appeal of tactical RPG set in the Mushroom Kingdom, a land so amenable to any flight of fancy that crosses its denizens' minds. Sure, Mario and friends had to get guns in the process, but the potential is there. As the Mario and Luigi series continues its mediocrity streak and the world wonders why Paper Mario even bothers anymore, perhaps some new blood can inject some fun into once appealing prospect of a Mario-themed RPG. Mario + Rabbids: Battle Kingdom should hopefully provide a good time. Also, I wasn't allowed to put Super Mario Odyssey on the list, as apparently that's not an RPG. - Zack Webster


Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition

Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition (PS4/One)
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment | Publisher: Paradox Interactive | Release Date: 08.29.2017

I backed Pillars of Eternity, and even received a physical copy of the PC version, but I should have known that I would never really get around to playing this as I'm just not much of a PC gamer. That said, I'm a big Obsidian fan, so I still was curious about this. After inXile's PC RPGs received console ports, I was left wondering if Pillars of Eternity would ever get the same treatment, and though it might have taken a while, I'm happy that we're finally getting the Complete Edition. With all of the updates and both parts of The White March, I guess my patience worked for the best. - Michael A. Cunningham


Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth

Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth (PS4/Vita)
Developer: Aquaplus | Publisher: Atlus | Release Date: 09.05.2017

I have allowed Mac to take over the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 hype for now, and instead get to share my hopes for Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth. While the first part in the duology released earlier this year, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception, suffered some pretty big pacing issues in its first half, the second half really took off and got me well and truly hooked by the time it actually finished. If Mask of Truth manages to pick up where Mask of Deception left off then there could be an excellent tale in the offing.

Developed primarily by Aquaplus, Sting once again returns to showcase its tactical combat expertise. Though combat maybe wasn't as deep or involved as in Tears to Tiara II, another visual novel/tactical RPG hybrid the companies teamed up for a few years ago, it still provided plenty of enjoyment. Hopefully, Mask of the Truth allows the combat to play a bigger role, as it did feel underused in the first game. Still even if it does much the same as before, I have great faith in Aquaplus to deliver another riveting story. - Alex Fuller


Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (PS4/Vita/PC)
Developer: Nihon Falcom | Publisher: NIS America | Release Date: 09.12.2017

This year has already been pretty Falcom heavy with Trails in the Sky the 3rd, Ys Origin, and Tokyo Xanadu already out, but that doesn't mean that I'm any less excited about playing the newest Ys game. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is the latest in the "Ys party" branch, which is great as I got my start with Ys Seven, the first game in the series to focus on a party instead of Adol's solo adventures. Import impressions have been very positive on this one, so when it hits Vita and PS4 in September expect me to jump right back on board the #TeamHandheld train at that time. - Michael A. Cunningham


Battle Chasers: Nightwar

Battle Chasers: Nightwar (PS4/One/Switch/PC)
Developer: Airship Syndicate | Publisher: THQ Nordic | Release Date: 10.03.2017

Two E3s have come and gone, and two sessions with Battle Chasers: Nightwar have made me more and more impatient to finally get this game! The combat system — from the way it looks with its comic-book-inspired aesthetics to the way each character's abilities complement each other — has been both a joy to watch and try out for myself. To be sure, I'm generally a fan of games that promise to provide much more on the story side of things, but everything about Battle Chasers just looks so plain fun.

And I'm not even part of the built-in fanbase that knows the IP from its graphic novel roots. For those that have read the Battle Chasers' adventures before, this must surely be a game to slobber in anticipation about. From what I've been able to tell so far, it's stuffed full of humor and, though this is difficult to say after only one hands-on session, a fair bit of challenge too. Something to look forward to beyond the sequels and HD remakes for sure. - Pascal Tekaia


Horizon: Zero Dawn

South Park: The Fractured but Whole (PC/PS4/One)
Developer: Ubisoft | Publisher: Ubisoft | Release Date: 10.17.2017

If you played the previous South Park game, you don't have to be told why this upcoming RPG is one to be excited for. If you're a fan of the show, you don't have to be told why this upcoming RPG is one to be excited for. In fact, if you have to be told why this upcoming RPG is one to be excited for, you're probably not part of its target audience.

I was as excited for this game before I played the E3 demo as I am now. The difference is that now I've seen for myself just how rude and wildly outrageous the game is shaping up to be. Which is to say very rude and outrageous. Not that that should be a shock to anyone. If it is, this probably isn't the game for you. - Pascal Tekaia


Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch)
Developer: Monolith Soft | Publisher: Nintendo | Release Date: Holiday 2017

Nintendo keeps promising that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will release on Nintendo Switch in North America this holiday, so despite my hesitation in believing that, I've still decided to pick this as my most wanted game for the rest of 2017. After the non-sequel disappointment that was Xenoblade Chronicles X, I was thrilled to see that Xenoblade 2 is going back to the story-focused style that made me fall in love with the original on Wii. From watching the Treehouse Live playthrough during E3, everything I loved about the original seems to be the focus of this game and there appear to be improvements in areas I found lacking as well.

While I enjoyed combat in the first Xenoblade, there was no question that I felt like the skill system was a bit chaotic and overcrowded. There were more skills than it made sense to be able to use, so seeing that Xenoblade 2 seems to have streamlined this is fantastic. While more focused, it doesn't appear to have been dumbed down either, merely make clearer in how and when to use the best abilities. Swapping between blades and powering up their skills to execute feels like a natural progression and I welcome it. Now while the lead character Rex's outfit is a little too Sora-like with his massive shoes, I'm not bothered enough to be turned off, especially as long as you still have visible armor changes like the prior games had. Other than that, I love the colorful art style and cannot wait to get my hands on this, be it this holiday or early into 2018. - Michael A. Cunningham


Call of Cthulhu

Call of Cthulhu (PC/PS4/One)
Developer: Cyanide Studio | Publisher: Focus Home Interactive | Release Date: TBA 2017

Horror and RPGs so rarely go together that I'll take what I can get. Since this year's Call of Cthulhu looks to adapt the classic pen-and-paper game of the same name, that crossover is looking a little brighter this year. While there is a little discomfort to be had about the lack of gameplay shown with supposedly less than half a year to release, the source material is strong enough that even a middling adaptation should be enough to scratch that itch. I'm not expecting the most polished game in the world, but if Cyanide can deliver on the dread I come to expect from my Lovecraftian horror, then I will come away from that game quite pleased. - Zack Webster


Honourable Mentions

Etrian Odyssey V Divinity: Original Sin II Hand of Fate 2 Yakuza Kiwami
Fire Emblem Warriors Nights of Azure 2 Pyre Pokémon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon



Halftime Report 2017
Intro - Highlights so Far - Still to Come

Discuss on the RPGamer Message Boards
© 1998-2017 RPGamer All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy