Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 9 to 13

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Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 9 to 13

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!


Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Pre-order)

Focus Entertainment

$69.99

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II – September 9

Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine, the greatest of the Emperor’s warriors. Hold at bay the horrors of the galaxy in epic battles on far-flung planets with your deadly abilities and devastating weaponry. Uncover dark secrets to drive back the everlasting night and prove your ultimate loyalty to humanity.


Customers From Hell

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Customers From Hell – September 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Punch in for this intense wave-survival game where you have to defend the store, eliminate deranged customers, and upgrade your base. Each wave of shoppers becomes more and more challenging as the customers gets more aggressive. Protect your supplies and base, build barricades, traps, upgrades, weapons and survive for as long as possible!


Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York

Dear Villagers

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York – September 10

Immerse yourself in the third installment of this gripping visual novel series, set against the backdrop of a modern metropolis teeming with supernatural intrigue. Embrace the darkness as a Kindred, a vampire thrust into a world of danger and betrayal where survival is paramount.


Yars Rising

Atari

$29.99

Yars Rising – September 10
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

In WayForward’s experienced hands, the Yars franchise becomes an expansive mystery solved through 2D platforming action. Take control of the young hacker Emi Kimura, who is hired by a mysterious patron to infiltrate the shadowy QoTech corporation. Run, jump, sneak, and hack your way through challenges as you slowly unravel a complex secret shrouded in intrigue.


Action SuperCross

Infinite Zone

Action SuperCross – September 11

Action SuperCross is the first of its kind – a physics-based motorbike simulator, inspiring many famous franchises. It is the direct predecessor of Elasto Mania, showcasing the evolution of countless fascinating, unique and experimental concepts and gameplay mechanics.


Aidan in Danger

Brainium Games

Aidan in Danger – September 11

Aidan in Danger is an exciting platform game where the player takes on the role of Aidan, a young red-haired elf whose main weapon is a slingshot. Tasked with protecting Drakor, the last dragon on Earth, Aidan must navigate challenging levels, face dangerous monsters, travel to the future, and thwart the plans of an interdimensional villain aiming to dominate the world.


Crossy Road Castle

Hipster Whale

$19.99

Crossy Road Castle – September 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Climb castles with the Crossy Road crew in this adventurous multiplayer arcade platformer. Shoot out of cannons, ride rainbows, and make your way through a maze of never-ending levels. Bring your friends into the fray with co-op mode for even more chaotic fun!


Kiki – A Vibrant 3D Platformer

Eastasiasoft Limited

Kiki – A Vibrant 3D Platformer – September 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Put your platforming prowess to the test as you navigate vibrant 3D obstacle courses in first-person perspective! Kiki is a fast-paced action experience that’s laser-focused on precision platforming skills. Run and jump while dodging treacherous traps, collecting stars and trophies, finding keys to unlock gates and more, all set to a pumping chiptune soundtrack!


Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland

The MIX Games Inc.

Buy Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland | Xbox
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

When Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil see a commercial for the new Reptar video game, they pretend that they’re in a video game of their own! Toggle between beautiful 8-bit and HD art, select your favorite baby and play solo or co-op in Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland, a neo-retro platformer.


Dice Assassin

Afil Games

Dice Assassin – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Dice Assassin is a challenging game in which you defeat enemies on the board according to the numbers on the dice. Choose your moves using cards, position yourself strategically to defeat enemies on the board squares, and create tactics using action cards.


Fabledom

Dear Villagers


$24.99

$19.99

Fabledom – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Fabledom offers an accessible and intuitive way of playing City builders, no excel sheets nor optimization is required to build yourself a kingdom. Set in a strange world where Fairytales became reality, you will witness the growth of your village; follow your citizens’ lives and watch the rise and fall of your relationships with the neighboring kingdoms.


Garden Witch Life

SOEDESCO

Garden Witch Life – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience a fun, cozy witch’s life! Your life just took a whimsical turn, and you’re now on a quest to create a magical food forest and make it a home for all kinds of cute creatures! Grow your own magical garden, decorate your ancient treehouse, care for cute creatures, and make friends along the way.


GoobnBalloonsDX

IconicArtsLLP

GoobnBalloonsDX – September 12

Evil forces have invaded Goobstar! Join Goobert and his friends on their quest to save the denizens of planet Goobstar from the invading balloon menace in this wacky hand-drawn shoot em’ up, and watch the world grow around you!


Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines

Super Rare Originals

Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Swing, jump, and blast through dimensions in the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2D action-platformer Grapple Dog! Zip between action-packed worlds as Pablo and Luna team up to save the cosmos in their own unique ways.


Xbox Play Anywhere

The Jackbox Naughty Pack

Jackbox Games, Inc.

Jackbox Naughty Pack – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play Anywhere

We know you’ve been begging to burst out of the box. It’s time to set your party aflame with a brand new pack of three adult party games that will bring some harmless heat to your next weekend hang with friends. It’s the perfect pack for your next college party, grown-up game night, bachelor/ette celebration, or hump day gathering.


LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP

DRAGAMI GAMES


$44.99

$40.49

Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP – September 12

The cheerleader Juliet, born into a family of zombie hunters, uses her trusty chainsaw to rip and tear through the undead! But now that RePOP adds speedier chainsaw action and auto-fire for her chainsaw blaster, the action never slows down till the very end! And it’s not just the gameplay that’s been improved, the visuals and soundtrack have been powered up too! Don’t miss out on this unparalleled zombie hunting adventure!


PICO PARK 2

TECOPARK

$8.99

Pico Park 2 – September 12

A 2D action-puzzle game where working together is key with four modes to choose from: World, Endless, Battle, and Dark.


Pneumata

PERP GAMES


4

Pneumata – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Pneumata is a true Lovecraftian survival horror with disturbing and brutal gameplay, enveloped by the psychological horrors that exist somewhere between reality and the beyond. With a fractured mind you must: Investigate, explore, and fight for your life as you lose yourself trying to survive the unimaginable horrors within the walls of Clover Hill.


Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2

Mob Entertainment

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 2 – September 12

After a run in with Huggy Wuggy and freeing Poppy, you must descend deeper into the Playtime Co. toy factory. Challenging puzzles and horrific toys await. Grapple, swing, and power your way to safety. Try to escape- and don’t let Mommy find you.


Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3

Mob Entertainment

Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3 – September 12

A decrepit orphanage known as Playcare sits beneath the once magical toy factory. You must make your way through this haunted place, solving new puzzles and avoiding the nightmares that lurk within the dark. Answers lie between the blood-stained bed sheets and screaming echoes… If you can survive.


Road Defense: Outsiders

QUByte Interactive

Road Defense: Outsiders – September 12

Road Defense: Outsiders is a game that combines elements of the ‘roguelike’ and ‘tower defense’ genres. Upgrade the towers and your own skills to be able to annihilate all the life around you!


Samurai Kento

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Samurai Kento – September 12

Play as an elder Samurai in this mini action RPG based on Feudal Japan, and save your people from evil yokai monsters! Travel through four different biomes based on Feudal Japan. Along the way, you’ll face the dangerous yokai while searching for the legendary four golden scrolls.


Selfloss

Merge Games

Selfloss – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

An emotional adventure game set in a Slavic-inspired, whale-worshiping fantasy land. The old healer Kazimir makes an epic journey by boat and on foot in search of a ritual that can cure his soul wound. Meet memorable characters and use the light of your magic staff to fight Miasm – the mysterious affliction taking over the world.


Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Nacon

$59.99

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Express your passion for cars via innovative gameplay and meticulous attention to detail. Drive around a map that has never featured in a racing game before: Hong Kong Island. Fully recreated at 1:1 scale, it is brimming with unique locations to explore. From old narrow streets and major highways to mountain roads and beaches: every cruise will be different from the last.


Unholy

Duality Games S.A.

Unholy – September 12

Open the doors between your everyday reality and a dark unholy world to unveil the mystery of the disappearance of your child. Explore both worlds to find clues, solve puzzles, decide whether you infiltrate or fight brutal enemies and stand up to an aberrant establishment.


Wild Bastards

Maximum Entertainment


$34.99

$29.74

Wild Bastards – September 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

From the veteran team behind Void Bastards and Card Hunter, Wild Bastards has you travel from planet to planet to recruit, manage and gun sling with a team of 13 outlaws, each of whom has their own weaponry, special power, and growth tree. On planets, you’ll wrangle loot and start showdowns that are then played out in intense, bite-sized shootouts.


Deep Beyond

Purple Play LLC


$9.99

$8.49

Deep Beyond – September 13

In the short story “Deep Beyond,” dive into a world of mystery and adventure alongside Lilly as she embarks on her quest. Explore ancient wrecks, solve intricate puzzles, and uncover the secrets of her past as you journey through the depths of the ocean.


Edge of Sanity

Daedalic Entertainment

$19.99

Edge of Sanity – September 13

A psychological survival horror game set in the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska featuring hand-crafted 2D art and intense atmosphere inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos. Explore hostile caves, forgotten mines and hidden laboratories in search of precious resources for you and other survivors. Look for clues to uncover the dark secrets of the mysterious PRISM organization and unveil the real story behind their experiments.


Funko Fusion

10:10 Games

$59.99

Funko Fusion – September 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Express your fandom with 60+ unique playable characters from more than 20 fan-favorite franchises, all lovingly recreated in Funko Pop! form. Explore incredible worlds inspired by Jurassic World, Back to the Future, JAWS, The Thing, Chucky, Battlestar Galactica, Hot Fuzz, The Umbrella Academy, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Masters of the Universe, Invincible, and many more!


METRO QUESTER | OSAKA

KEMCO

$19.99

Metro Quester | Osaka – September 13

A dungeon exploration RPG based in a post-apocalyptic futuristic world created by the manga artist Kazushi Hagiwara, with a deep game system designed by Hironori Kato that offers the excitement and surprises reminiscent of 1980s computer games through hack and slash.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for September 9 to 13 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 7 Is Not the Final Update, Larian Confirms — but It Doesn’t Want to Talk About What’s Coming Just Yet

Baldur’s Gate 3’s game-changing Patch 7 was seen as Larian drawing a line under the phenomenally popular Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, but the developer has said there’s more to come.

Patch 7, out now on PC but delayed on consoles and Mac (check out the Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 7 patch notes here), is headlined by the addition of official mod support, 13 new cinematics that offer varying conclusions to your most evil playthroughs (some really are something!), Honour Mode improvements and new Legendary Actions, and revamped split-screen gameplay.

Larian has announced plans to leave Baldur’s Gate 3 and indeed Dungeons & Dragons behind to make brand new games, but Patch 7 isn’t quite the finish line some might have thought.

“Good news kids it’s not the final update,” tweeted Larian head of publishing Michael Douse. “We ain’t gonna talk about what’s coming for the game because it puts undue pressure on the devs, but there are things we’ve said we’ll do that are still coming, and the chefs must cook.”

So, what can fans expect from a future patch? Larian has said it’s still working on both crossplay and a photo mode, alongside other fixes and updates. The question is whether Baldur’s Gate 3 will get any more major patches, like Patch 7, that significantly change either the story or add meaningful new gameplay features.

While we wait to find out, check out IGN’s recently published interview with Larian, in which the developer reflects on Baldur’s Gate 3’s success and discusses its future plans, for more.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

IGN UK Podcast 764: Bots, Bolters, and Blood

Cardy and Matt are putting on a two-man show this week as they discuss the pure joy of Astro Bot, the bloody delight of Space Marine 2, and PlayStation’s Concord disaster. There’s also a time for a quick chat about two of the best films of the year: coming-of-age comedy Didi, and beautiful toilet-cleaning drama Perfect Days.

Remember to send us your thoughts about all the new games, TV shows, and films you’re enjoying or looking forward to: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.

IGN UK Podcast 764: Bots, Bolters, and Blood

Astro Bot: Every PlayStation Character – Easter Eggs

Warning: Spoilers for Astro Bot follow.

In Astro Bot, our little robot friend bumps into many familiar faces of his fantastic planet-hopping adventure. Tasked with reuniting the crew of his PS5 mothership, he’ll have to rescue over 300 bots on his journey, of which 173 are cameos from other PlayStation games. Needless to say, that’s a lot of references and easters eggs to pack into one game.

Well, we’ve found them all, which you can check out in either the video above or slideshow below. With a vast range of characters from the expected such as Kratos and Nathan Drake to the more obscure end of the scale like Mister Mosquito and Boku no Natsuyasumi, it really is a treasure trove of PlayStation history, with some not being obvious at first exactly who they are. So, we’re here to help you out. Here’s every single PlayStation character who pops up in Astro Bot and where they’re from.

Random: Fans Are Begging Nintendo’s Ex President To Sell His N64 Collection

Reggie Fils-His Pockets.

When ex-President of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aimé, showed off a portion of his N64 collection on social media, we suspect he probably wasn’t anticipating a wave of offers from potential buyers.

Alas, that’s exactly what happened. Reggie has remained fairly active on social media since his departure from Nintendo in 2019 (!!), and attracts quite a bit of attention whenever he posts something Nintendo-related. At the end of August, he posted an image of a box containing a selection of N64 cartridges with the caption “Found part of my ⁦Nintendo 64 collection! Reorganizing it all! wonder what hidden gems I have here!” This was swiftly followed by an amusing offer from user ‘Omni’ @InfernoOmni, who said “I’ll buy the whole tub for $7”.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Helldivers 2 is getting “significant changes” in September, as Arrowhead take inspiration from “player fantasies”

Not too long ago, Arrowhead dropped a vague list of improvements coming to Helldivers 2, as they admitted “inconsistencies” in their “approach to game balance and direction”. They’ve now published another blog post that torches the vagueness of the previous post with the righteously democratic flames of specificity. Overhauls to enemies are on the way, less-loved guns will be more effective, reworks to armor penetration and health values are on the boil, and they’re taking inspiration from “player fantasies” for certain weapons and stratagems. All of these tweaks are set to go live on the 17th September, so not long to wait.

Read more

Fans Wave Goodbye to PlayStation Flop Concord as It Goes Dark — Maybe Forever

Concord is set to shut down today, September 6, and what players the game has remaining are waving goodbye to a shooter they were only able to play for two weeks.

Sony’s shock decision to haul the long-in-development PC and PlayStation 5 hero shooter offline just two weeks after launch amid disastrously low player numbers and terrible sales sent some players racing to nab its Platinum trophy in… creative ways.

“While many qualities of the experience resonated with players, we also recognize that other aspects of the game and our initial launch didn’t land the way we’d intended,” Ryan Ellis, game director at Sony-owned developer Firewalk Studios, said at the time. “Therefore, at this time, we have decided to take the game offline beginning September 6, 2024, and explore options, including those that will better reach our players.”

Some Concord players have suggested the game may return in free-to-play form, but Sony has made no such guarantee. And so today’s shutdown may end up being the last we see of Concord — ever.

Now, Concord’s community is sending its regards. “Been gaming for 35 years and have never experienced anything like the whiplash of Concord,” redditor Two_Bear_Arms said. “TBH it was pretty fun to be part of. Jumping in and enjoying the game, seeing all the drama online and now watching the dramatic death of Concord – just nuts!! I appreciate getting the refund and hope that Concord does make a return (in a significantly more appetizing form).”

Other players are celebrating finally nabbing that Platinum trophy just in the nick of time, a trophy that may end up being one of the rarest ever.

While Concord the video game is no more, it will live on later this year as part of Amazon’s Secret Level adult animation anthology series. But there remains concern about the fate of Firewalk, which Sony acquired in 2023, and Sony faces tough questions about its live service plans, which include Bungie’s Marathon and Haven’s Fairgame$.

Concord’s launch was nothing short of disastrous, with analysts telling IGN it has likely sold as few as 25,000 units. It debuted to a tragic 697 peak concurrent players on Steam, a number that made the 12,786 players of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which was dubbed a disappointment by Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav and caused a $200 million hit to revenue, look like a titan.

Last year, Sony president Hiroki Totoki committed to launching just six of 12 live service games in development, and one based on The Last of Us has already been canceled.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Lone Survivor creator’s gorgeous “Zelda x Demon’s Souls” action-RPG is back in development, over a decade since reveal

About 12 years ago, we drew our breath in pain to report that Lone Survivor developer Jasper Byrne’s new “Zelda x Demon’s Souls” action-RPG was no more. “It was too big for a single person to make,” Byrne wrote at the time. “This is the root of the problem. It wasn’t that I fell out of love with the idea, just that I can’t physically do it.” That was then and this, thankfully, is now. Byrne has tentatively returned to the project and begun sharing screens on social media.

Read more

Microsoft Confirms Xbox Broadcast for Tokyo Game Show 2024

Microsoft has announced a return to the Tokyo Game Show later this month with a special Xbox broadcast event.

The Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2024 Broadcast is set for Thursday, September 26 at 7pm JST / 3am Pacific / 6am Eastern / 11am UK.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Larissa Hazel, Director, Gaming Integrated Marketing, Asia, said Microsoft will share content from Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, and Bethesda, as well as an “exciting lineup of games from third-party partners primarily based in Japan and across Asia, including games coming to Xbox Game Pass.”

So, what can fans expect from the show? Microsoft has a long list of first-party studios currently working on various games due out across the next few years, but the mention of Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda perhaps narrows down the list. Activision is set to release Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in October, so perhaps the shooter will make an appearance. Blizzard, fresh from releasing World of Warcraft expansion The War Within, has Diablo 4 expansion Vessel of Hatred out in October, as well as ongoing updates for mobile game Diablo Immortal. Bethesda operates MMOs Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls Online, has Starfield expansion Shattered Space waiting in the wings, and is set to release MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in December, and Id Software’s Doom: The Dark Ages in 2025. Obsidian’s Avowed, recently delayed to February next year, may also turn up.

As for the games from third-party partners based in Japan and across Asia, perhaps Square Enix will finally announce Final Fantasy 16 for Xbox, and maybe even the Final Fantasy 7 remakes for Microsoft’s consoles. Microsoft recently announced that MiHoYo’s megahit Genshin Impact is finally coming to Xbox, so maybe that game will make a big splash, too.

It’s worth noting that this year Microsoft closed its Japan developer Tango Gameworks, with the studio having released Hi-Fi Rush to critical acclaim, as part of significant cuts that resulted in 1,900 layoffs across its gaming business. PUBG publisher Krafton later picked up roughly 50 of the 100 staff members employed at Tango.

Microsoft is also heavily rumored to be working on an Xbox handheld, and has confirmed plans for next-generation consoles.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Here Are Some Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Hands On Impressions and the Best Aussie Deals

Let’s start with a confession about one of my greatest weaknesses. I absolutely adore the HD-2D visual aesthetic from the Octopath Traveler series, and I’ll play anything that employs it. Is your game unpolished with a bug that may or may not ruin save files? I’ll take my chances with it in HD-2D. Am I also looking at a 30-hour plot that reads like your intern randomly threw up gobstoppers labelled with names, places, and plot twists? How concerning—now gimme my HD-2D.

Obviously, if you choose to wrap this modern-meets-ancient art-style around one of the most celebrated RPGs of the golden age of gaming, well, winged serpents could not drag me away from your HD-2D quest.

I’ll clear my calendar for such a rejig, even if I didn’t grow up with the NES original because it didn’t launch in my country. For a few Aussies, like me, our introduction to DQ3 was a Game Boy port of the SNES refresh, which sold a million cartridges on launch day in ’96. Apparently, it also caused 300 Japanese fans to be arrested for truancy—a bit of gaming trivia I love almost as much as HD-2D.

Speaking of delaying education, I’m going to tell you what to expect with Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake in two shakes of a Jackanape’s tail. For now, though, let’s service the needs of the “mind’s already made up” types, because I know you exist. If that’s not you, by all means skip the window shop by clicking here to continue.

Preorder Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Nintendo Switch

PS5

Xbox Series X|S

PC

The standard edition comes with the game, along with the preorder bonus (detailed below), which includes a handful of in-game upgrades for your team of heroes. Don’t worry if you don’t see your store of choice in the list above. We’ll add new retailers as the listings become available.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Preorder Bonus

Preorder the game from any retailer, and you’ll receive the following in-game items:

  • Elevating Shoes x1
  • Seed of Agility x3
  • Seed of Magic x3
  • Seed of Defense x3
  • Seed of Strength x3
  • Seed of Life x3

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Impressions

Here’s the basic overview: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a brand-new version of a classic RPG that first blew minds on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988. It’s a faithful remake that, despite the significant graphical revamp and refined narrative elements, doesn’t stray too far from the source material.

If you’re already an uber fan, you’d know that the first three Dragon Quest games represent the Erdrick Trilogy, and (kinda sorta spoilers) this third installment was actually a prequel that outlines the first steps of the adventure. Semi-confusing, no?

Anyway, you must fill the 16-bit boots of a 16-year-old child of a hero named Ortega, who was sent to defeat the villainous Baramos. Your old man cocked it up, so the king sends you and a group of companions to rectify his mistakes.

By the by, it should also be mentioned that you’re not going to hit end credits and be left in a narrative lurch for long—Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D upgrades are in the pipeline for 2025. It’s very much worth getting in on the ground floor now if you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is with this (soon to be) 12-games-thick franchise.

While I only had roughly an hour’s worth of hands on with DQ3, I found it to be surprisingly delightful and engaging, despite the somewhat creaky bones source material. I’m told that there will be new story elements and never before seen vocations for its heroes. Sounds like cutting room floor stuff that the diehard faithful will drool over.

Getting into the technicals, I noted Performance and Graphics modes on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, and more. The former translates to 60 frames per second, and the latter is a 4K resolution. Not sure why we can’t have both there, to be honest. This being a turn-based combat affair with the only major motion being your top-down traipsings across the overworld…I just went 4K and was perfectly happy.

I also noted that the devs are offering a choice between two protagonist appearances and three difficulty settings. If you do take the plunge there, you can always fall back on some quality of life features, including autosaves (with manual saves still available). Given that the combat here is light on the animations to preserve the OG feel, I was glad for the ability to speed the fisticuffs up with my shoulder buttons. Just give me my XP and a host of victory affirming, 16-bit-esque sound effects, please and thank you.

Other welcome additions included two camera modes, and a mini map which could be toggled on. I also love this feature and wish it was in more RPGs that I have to finish in dribs and drabs—an NPC conversation log that saves the last 30 interactions.

Looking back through my notes, it seems I also appreciated the now vestigial visual aesthetic where towns in the overworld appear like miniatures when compared to your super-deformed party. It’s also cool that the level designers add in rolling topography to what were once pancake grid overworlds, not to mention some gorgeous dappled light caused by foreground trees and moving clouds up beyond your vision. It’s modern things such as this—like the day/night cycle shoehorned in—that really make one appreciate the extra effort gone into enhancing this in sensible, non-destructive ways.

Unless my eyeballs and instincts are deceiving me, this package already has the feeling of being built by a team who worship the original article. Playing a remake like that is always an infectious experience, and I can’t wait to fill the gaps in my understanding of the “in the beginning” of a series I came to love later in the piece. November 15th can’t arrive soon enough.

Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.