The Elder Scrolls began with obtuse games that are customarily bundled with later titles nowadays rather than being sold alone. For sheer quantity of material they’re hard to beat, but figuring anything out can be quite a struggle.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 156: “Arena of the Elders” appeared first on RPGamer.

Somehow the work of Idea Factory has been crossing the Pacific much more frequently in recent years. This is a look back at certain titles which have occasioned great sorrow, and learning that those feelings have not dimmed one bit after some time to recover. (Chaos Wars, Cross Edge, Trinity Universe, Blazing Souls: Accelate, Mugen Souls)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 155: “Bad Idea Factory” appeared first on RPGamer.

Being a spy probably isn’t easy, but Alpha Protocol makes it look that way in certain regards. Some of what Obsidian tried to do with the game is admirable, while other things just baffle the player.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 154: “Delta Force” appeared first on RPGamer.

The Shin Megami Tensei brand has spread over a great number of platforms, and two recent entries on the 3DS are the subject this time. One finds the series counting to four, and the other brings a title originally on the Saturn out in English at last, showing that newer isn’t always better. (Shin Megami Tensei IV, Soul Hackers)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 153: “Demon Seed” appeared first on RPGamer.

Back in the day, first person shooters didn’t come with RPG elements very often. System Shock and its sequel bucked the trend of 90s FPS titles by having some, and now they can both be played without resorting to shadowy tricks.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 152: “Shock to the System” appeared first on RPGamer.

In the shift from Demon’s to Dark Souls, many subtle things changed. The location, mechanics, platform, and feel all experienced some alteration, but the fundamental essence of moving through a cruel world eager to kill the foolhardy trekking through it remained intact.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 151: “Darkness in the Soul” appeared first on RPGamer.

The Wanzer is a human-piloted mech with enormous versatility. People piloting these devices are central to a series that spans many years and console generations, with an unfortunately high number that never crossed the Pacific, but something linking almost all the Front Mission games is that they provide a good dose of tactical action.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 150: “Say Hello to My Little Wanzer” appeared first on RPGamer.

Once upon a time, the idea of melding RPG mechanics with objects dropping out of the sky in matchable shapes and colors would have seemed absurd. After multiple Puzzle Quests, the idea can still seem absurd, but that’s no longer the automatic reaction.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 149: “It’s A Puzzle” appeared first on RPGamer.

Among the annals of NES action RPGs, Crystalis stands tall. It may not be the best game in the system’s library, but it deserves some attention, and finally gets some on this episode.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 148: “Crystal Clear” appeared first on RPGamer.

Following up Deus Ex has proved a difficult task, but developers went ahead anyway. The results have been greatly varied, and we tackle all the ones currently extant.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 147: “The Gods Must Be Crazy” appeared first on RPGamer.