Having not played the original Code Vein, I have no idea whether Code Vein II is effective in building on it, or whether the two games are related at all. What I do know is that Code Vein II is an excellent soulslike. One that starts quite slowly, but has an odd way of getting its hooks deep into you.…
Sony’s PlayStation Plus Deluxe subscription service has a big lineup of blockbusters. It also has some amazing games that won’t catch nearly as much attention that are well worth your time. This will be an ongoing regular series where we look at some of the gems that sit outside of…
Read MoreWe do love JRPGs at DDNet, and it has been interesting to see over the years how developers and publishers have tried to create “blockbuster” entries in the genre. Here we talk about that topic – what are the challenges that developers and publishers have when trying to appeal to…
Read MoreI’ve barely started with Xenoblade Chronicles 3, but I already know two things: firstly, this is a game that I want to take my time and savour, and secondly, it’s probably going to be a pretty thinky game. It’s already thinky, and I’m only one chapter in. Related reading: You…
Read MoreIf you’re a fan of Square Enix, you’ll probably know the company’s current line-up of upcoming JRPGs, and amongst your Dragon Quests and Final Fantasies is Valkyrie Elysium, releasing as early as September 29 for PS4 and PS5, and on Steam on November 11! But there’s a lot more to…
Read MoreThere are a couple of different ways that you can approach an apocalypse in art. In most cases, artists depict desperately grim stuff, and that approach makes sense given that in these stories humanity is close to (or experiencing) extinction and mere survival in a harsh, traumatic world is a…
Read MoreSquare Enix continues on its drive to remake, remaster, or re-release just about every game from its classic library. The next title to get a makeover is Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song. A game that many fans would say is one of the best of the publisher’s best B-tier JRPG property.…
Read MoreWe’ve seen China grow rapidly as an international game development hub, and one of the most exciting things about that nations’ game development scene is that they seem to be every bit as enamoured with the RPG format as their neighbours in Japan. Codename: Wandering Sword is basically “what if…
Read MoreThe release of a The Legend of Heroes game is always an exciting event. This series has, over quite some time now, bubbled along as the JRPG for the most committed JRPG fans, with rich worldbuilding, character writing, and classical JRPG combat coming together to produce something that isn’t necessarily…
Read MoreI love Fairy Fencer F, and not just because one of the characters, Tiara, has a short skirt that bounces around nicely as she runs around, and some lovely blue panties underneath. I mean, that doesn’t hurt matters, but it’s not the reason I love the game. In all sincerity,…
Read MoreSeven Pirates H has hit my limit. I am more than happy to whip out Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, Gal*Gun, Hyperdimesnion Neptunia, Nekopara, or any other fanservicey Switch game that you can think of on the train or any other public space. I just don’t care if people look…
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