PC RPGs for the Holidays...
While I do pwn, play, and even create console games (ah, the day job), I'm still a PC gamer at heart. PC gamers have been dealing with the doom & gloom of the "imminent death" of PC games for... oh, nearly a decade now. RPG fans, in particular, have been feeling the squeeze of somewhat limited offerings this year. We complain about the lack of RPGs, but this season's crop of recent and imminent releases sounds like tidings of comfort and joy to the PC RPG fan for the holiday season.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer - By most reports, the expansion surpasses the original campaign. I never finished the original campaign, so maybe I could just start over with this expansion and play through as a spirit shaman.

Aveyond 2: Ean's Quest - Currently in beta, the sequel to the hit "casual RPG" Aveyond may squeak in during the holiday season. It's currently boasting 60+ quests, over 100 areas, and tons of gameplay.

The Witcher - Wow. Old-school sensibilities in an action-RPG structure. Interesting moral decisions with lots of "gray areas",and a rich story... sounds pretty cool. One interesting bit is that it is unapologetically "mature" in its focus.

Eschalon: Book 1 - Due out in about a week, this is an old-school style RPG which, like the Witcher, relies upon an unfortunately trite amnesia plot. However, in spite of that, the game is looking to be pretty dang awesome. Turn-based combat (hey, some of us still like it!), non-linear storyline, plenty of skills and different directions you can take your character... I am excited about this one.

In case you missed the trailer video for Eschalon: Book 1, here it is. While the graphics won't blow away the likes of The Witcher or Oblivion, I think it looks pretty dang sharp:



Depths of Peril - This is the one I can report on from personal experience. This is an awesome game. Unfortunately, it may be flying too low under the radar for many RPG fans, or may appear confusing with it's mix of simple Diablo-style combat mixed with a rich, dynamic, interactive world and a strategic level of competing factions.

Avernum 5: This is the latest in the one of the best-known indie RPG series. Isometric graphics, deep storylines, interesting tactical turn-based combat, big worlds and lots to explore - these games have it all. Avernum 5 was just released for the Mac yesterday, which means the PC version shouldn't be too far away. Maybe not by the end of the year... but we can hope.

At a month per game (assuming I can actually play them that quickly), that should take me into the next batch of RPGs - both indie and mainstream - in mid-2008. If I somehow manage to finish them all and still have time left over (yeah, right), there are a couple of console RPGs I am also looking forward to - specifically, Mass Effect (I have faith in Bioware) and Persona 3 (which just sounds nicely weird and interesting).

Sorry - I can't generate much interest in Hellgate: London (I already play an MMO, and this one looks like it's got one foot squarely planted in MMO territory right now), or Two Worlds (which just landed on Steam) right now. But hey - tell me why these games are on YOUR wish list!

And what have I missed? What RPGs are you planning on enjoying over the next few weeks?

RELATED FORUM POST: What RPGs Are You Most Looking Forward To?

Labels: Roleplaying Games

- posted by The Rampant Coyote @ 10:58 PM (Permalink)