Final Fantasy XVI is a spectacular blockbuster that is also so much more than a simple “AAA-game”. Where most blockbusters aim to manipulate the player’s emotions but have little ambition beyond that, Final Fantasy XVI dares to challenge players with a narrative of depth and poignancy. It is the rarest…
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Just this morning, I tweeted about how July is going to be a great month for games. Well, it’s about to get even better, as rotoscoped narrative adventure game Frake and Drake will also be released next month for PC and Nintendo Switch (with other console versions coming soon after…
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Back in 2019, Matt wrote a Friday Ten list about RPG franchises he’d like to see return. One of those was Baten Kaitos. In the article, he explains why it’s not likely for a sequel to be made. In February 2023, during a Nintendo Direct, the next best thing happened:…
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Once, many years ago, I read an argument that the enduring popularity of Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons in its homeland in Japan has to do with a very real desire for a “sea change” or “tree change” among Japanese urban populations. If this is true (and I believe there is…
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Ever since I first laid eyes on Bullfrog’s classic Theme Park, I’ve been equally smitten by theme park simulators and also terrified of what they make me do. Don’t get me wrong; the classic blend of management simulation – like it or not, you’re more or less balancing an Excel…
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The partnership between Eastasiasoft and Idea Factory is going strong! First, the pair released Moero Crystal H and Seven Pirates H. Then came the cult classic Mugen Souls. Now, Mugen Souls Z will be launching for Nintendo Switch. The vibrant RPG was originally developed by Idea Factory with Compile Heart,…
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Pathea Games has been busy: in addition to My Time at Sandrock, launching later this year, the developer now has another game launching this year. Let’s School is a charming low-poly sim-management game where players take on the role of a school principal trying to make their school the best…
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Bleak Sword DX is the latest Apple Arcade game to make its way over to consoles. This Devolver Digital-published title was always an admirable and interesting effort to take the core tension and taut action of the Souls “genre” and make it work on mobile devices. It did work and…
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Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. With each issue I will bring you the best news that you may have missed. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!…
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Not-E3 is over for another year – I wonder if it will ever become a single event again. I’d like this week to have a better name than Not-E3, that’s for sure. I’ve compiled fifteen of my most anticipated games from all the showcases I’ve already covered, one game each.…
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