Honorable Mentions
Sylpheed Academy Story (シルフェイド学院物語)
Developer: SmokingWolf
Link: https://www.dlsite.com/home/work/=/product_id/RJ01591080.html
In the Anglosphere, SmokingWolf is perhaps best known as the developer behind the Wolf RPG Editor and the delightful One Way Heroics, yet the developer’s backlog is much richer than this, having made a larger universe of RPGs. Sylpheed Academy Story functions as a spin-off and cross-over of these various games, taking place in a school setting where players must train their protagonist, similar to Princess Maker and Tokimeki Memorial. Originally released in 2011, this new version of the game offers graphical and gameplay improvements.
Song of Sunlight
Developer: RageForDragons
Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2263250/A_Song_Of_Sunlight/
According to developer RageForDragons, Song of Sunlight will span 4 episodes, two of which are currently available. The game is primarily an action-RPG during dungeon exploration with story portions instead taking a visual-novel-like approach. Set in a community on the brink of ruin, the writing and pacing here are particularly strong, drawing players into the mystery of the world and the protagonist Arem’s struggle into adulthood. As for combat, the rhythms here recall Sekiro, unfolding into an elaborate dance of decision making. What’s more incredible? The entire game is free.
Cosmic Galaxy Wars
Developer: Yoshitsuna Inc.
Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4004490/CosmicGalaxyWars/
Cosmic Galaxy Wars is the first new game from Yoshitsuna Kobayashi of Disgaea fame in 20 years. There’s no way to go into this expecting a standard dungeon crawler when the game’s own store page warn players that there are a million floors. Those familiar with Disgaea’s numbers heavy crunch approach to combat might feel Cosmic Galaxy Wars to be similar, but I’d suggest instead that in its emphasis on spatial exploration, the game hews closer to Dungeon Encounters, asking players to break the game’s own systems in order to reach the bottom floor. The only surprise here is how little fan-fare the game has drawn, even from die-hards
Demon Kill Demon: Yomi 1984
Developer: Experience Inc.
Link: https://store-jp.nintendo.com/item/software/D70010000104864
Forget about whatever legal battles Drecom and Atari have been waging against one another over Wizardry. Experience has released a sequel to their cult dungeon crawler, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi, Demon Kill Demon~Yomi 1984~. The pleasure here lies in using flowers to build out a dungeon, headbutting every wall until the appearance of a shovel icon triggers that sweet dopamine release. While Experience’s overall formula hasn’t been drastically changed, item crafting, build crafting, and boss fights still offer plenty to chew on.
Dead End Beam
Developer: Yondray
Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3867150/DEAD_END_BEAM/
For the past few years now, Yondray have been quietly developing genre hybrid experimental games, typically centered around rogue mechanics. No doubt, the fatigue over rogue-style mechanics has certainly set in. These days, it seems as if every indie developer is scrambling to invent the next big hit. But to Yondray’s credit, their games seem far from being aimed towards a popular consumer base. These game’s are mechanically complex and challenging. Dead End Beam is no different, giving players a gambit style system to use in battle. What initially seems simple, turns out to become incredibly deep.
Sin Chapter 8 & 9 (Sin 第八章＆第九章)
Developer: Blue Forest
Link: https://freegame-mugen.jp/adventure/game_14605.html
Chapter 7 of Sin ended in a cliffhanger that only now, over twenty years later, players will finally see resolved. Earlier this year, Blue Forest finally released episodes eight and nine in conjunction. In some ways, Sin has become a game out of time, harkening back to an era when a certain style of visual novel were at their peak. In other words, here, players will find battles, bombastic humor, and plenty of moe. As a smaller team, Blue Forest are working within the constraints of a limited budget and development power. Chapter 8 features full voice acting but no character portraits whatsoever, and the opposite is true for chapter 9. Still, the game isn’t without charm.
SOLDIERS DesireWing
Developer: Tokumei Kibou
Link: https://freegame-mugen.jp/roleplaying/game_9561.html
After being in development for several years, earlier this February, Tokumei Kibou finally released the completed SOLDIERS DesireWing, a sprawling tale on the cycles of violence and the monstrously powerful women inhabiting it. Mixing absurdist and foul humor with an epic narrative and extremely well designed high-octane battle scenes, DesireWing has remained unforgettable. With a wealth of optional super bosses, and a variety of character builds to experiment with, the end game is equally addicting to those seeking a greater challenge. My full review of the game can be read here.
