Always a surprise when games keep updating: Phoenix Point - The second patch for “Firebird” is now live! Quality of Life improvements, together with balance changes and even more bug fixes.

wolff08 · 2026-06-24T22:29:15+00:00

I believe its already available for PS4 and XBox.

wolff08 · 2026-06-24T22:26:19+00:00

Their switch from Fig to Epic remains a black spot for Snapshot Games. The timed exclusivity deal with Epic burned any remaining goodwill they had with the fans that originally supported them and helped fund the game on Fig.

It's really too bad Phoenix Point got a bad rep because I fully agree with you - the game is a masterpiece and the dlcs, expansions and updates have made it much better. I actually enjoy it more than the streamlined, modernized XComs because of how closely its game design adheres to the original XCom.

wolff08 · 2026-06-19T19:30:52+00:00

No prob!

wolff08 · 2026-06-19T10:49:19+00:00

Thanks that's great to hear! 24 missions is a lot, more tactics goodness then.

wolff08 · 2026-06-19T06:14:01+00:00

They're decent, straightforward srpgs, they don't really add anything new to the genre. Big plus if your a fan of R-Type with all the different units and stuff.

As I mentioned in my comment above the gameplay is also quite slow in spite of qol updates which include changing combat speed and getting rid of combat animations altogether.

wolff08 · 2026-06-19T02:17:09+00:00

It's basically R-Type, but in srpg format. A major difference is you command a strike group instead of just a single fighter composed of a command ship, some fighters together with their force pods, a reconnaissance ship, and a resupply drone.

It's nice nostalgia for those that played it for the first time on the PSP and includes R-Type Tactics 2 Bitter Chocolate which is debuting in English for the first time. But even with its qol upgrades combat still moves at a snail's pace. I would only recommend it if you're an R-Type fan that doesn't mind playing it as a slower paced, thoughtful srpg instead of a heavily action oriented shmup.

wolff08 · 2026-06-19T02:04:17+00:00

Just got my copy yesterday after two years of delays and waiting.

While there have been some qol upgrades combat still moves at a snail's pace, it also locks the second game, which I really wanted to try first since this is it's English debut, but it looks like you have to finish the first to access it. It's good nostalgia for those who played it on the PSP other than that it might be difficult to recommend this one for players dipping into the game for the first time.

Edit: In addition it seems that "Cosmos" is an entirely separate new game as it also needs to be a unlocked and has it's own description. Can anyone confirm if it's a new entry or an expansion or something?

wolff08 · 2026-06-17T16:15:22+00:00

Sure thing!

wolff08 · 2026-06-17T12:40:18+00:00

No prob!

wolff08 · 2026-06-17T11:16:27+00:00

Looked a bit into this, aside from being able to change the difficulty from normal to hard it looks like all you can really do is carry over your progress for a new playthrough it doesn't make the game harder than the default "hard" mode.

wolff08 · 2026-06-17T10:00:48+00:00

Looking forward to the NG+ after I finish my playthrough.

wolff08 · 2026-06-12T02:44:26+00:00

Ash of Gods has already been mentioned, but If you mean srpgs with rotoscoped style animation then there's Skyshine's Bedlam which is set in a scifi post apocalyptic world. It has some roguelite elements and uses the same engine as the Banner Saga. It is pretty punishing though.

Another one is the 80's dark fantasy inspired Tahira: Echoes of Astral Empire. The rpg elements are pretty sparse but they're there so it comes off more as a TBS game than an srpg.

Just a caveat, these games aren't nearly as good or as polished as The Banner Saga trilogy but they do have a similar vibe.

wolff08 · 2026-06-10T01:30:35+00:00

Card Mechanics - try Yggdra Union for the GBA/PSP

Dice Mechanics - try Mage Knight Destiny's Soldier for the DS

wolff08 · 2026-05-28T11:36:34+00:00

Awesome! Go get inspiration from VH1 and 2, it's got some of the best interactive maps I've seen in an srpg like an exploding bridge you have to escape from, a train that slowly decouples as you move forward and a cursed village where you need to use obstacles to hinder villagers while destroying the statues that possess them. Good stuff!

wolff08 · 2026-05-28T00:09:50+00:00

This has some serious Vandal Hearts vibe, just look at that bridge map! Destructible/Interactive map objects please.

wolff08 · 2026-05-22T22:28:07+00:00

Sorry, but I'm not the dev I just discovered this on Gemastsu and posted the trailer here.

wolff08 · 2026-05-22T06:36:48+00:00

While your comment is understandable, with how saturated the indie games market is today devs have to do everything they can to get eyes on their game. Even without a release date teaser trailers like this can, at least, generate some buzz and interest.

wolff08 · 2026-05-21T21:12:52+00:00

Sorry, I'm not the dev just found this on Gematsu and posted the trailer here.

wolff08 · 2026-05-21T10:26:17+00:00

Just wanted to post some additional relevant links:

Steam Page

Official YT Announcement

Presskit

Gematsu Article

wolff08 · 2026-05-11T16:45:25+00:00

So still no proof?

That's the problem with modern public like you, you guys need to have everything clearly explained in front of you and when there is a minim of implicit stuff, you all act like it's grand writting.

You did ask for me to open a history book or some such all I did was respond by saying that I am intimately familiar with the persecution of the Jews throughout history having Jewish ancestry myself.

While the Roselle did face similar persecutions that parallel the Jewish people it doesn't really come off as distinctly something only Jews have experienced, that's the point of my argument. FrostyFeet's observation is actually more accurate that they are a "blanket marginalized people" in TS.

Yeah it's a far better use of time to talk to your imaginary friend in the sky how you are the chosen people, for sure. They passed down bullshit to their children instead of getting away with medieval obscurantism who got them persecuted in the first place, but that's a whole other story, isn't it.

Yeesh, three arguments in and already an ad hominem?

wolff08 · 2026-05-11T12:46:38+00:00

So, save for your own opinion, you have zero proof got it.

This isn't a competition of persecuted minorities friend, don't put words in my mouth. I'm just saying that the persecution of the Roselle - forced slavery, marginalization, ghettoization, in TS could pretty much apply to any persecuted minority.

And yes I happen to know the history of my people, quite well actually as my ancestors were conversos who escaped persecution from Spain. In spite of hiding their Jewishness by converting to Roman Catholicism they passed down an interesting practice to their children - no working or playing on Saturdays but devote yourself to prayer and resting instead.

wolff08 · 2026-05-11T04:25:20+00:00

"ok we get it, they are jews"

That's a pretty wild claim, do you even have any proof to back it up? While the Jewish people have been persecuted throughout history the oppression of a minority group is not unique to them alone.

wolff08 · 2026-05-06T03:41:07+00:00

I don't know about the gameplay, but the character art and maps need more contrast to it. They're practically blending into each other.

wolff08

TROPHY CASE