RPG Backtrack

Word of mouth built about a tactical title Sega released, enough to justify two sequels so far. The company’s handling of the new franchise has spawned many strong feelings, and a lot of them come forth in this episode. (Valkyria Chronicles)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 99: “Flight of the Valkyria” appeared first on RPGamer.

Square could have let roll with sequels to a certain tremendously successful game promptly, but years passed before they came to fruition. The number of purchases the public made once more products became available demonstrates the financial wisdom of the move. (Final Fantasy VII Compendium)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 98: “Rolling a 7” appeared first on RPGamer.

Sega revived a venerable series with the Dreamcast, but was determined to promote multiplayer over the internet with this incarnation. From the era of dial-up to the present, it’s turned into one of the company’s biggest franchises. (Phantasy Star Online)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 97: “Another Day, Another Meseta” appeared first on RPGamer.

A little girl with the ability to put spirits into objects, a foolish demon who almost burns his dimension out of existence, multiple consumers of the world, and a place with a certain je ne sais quoi. All came from NIS and involve various amounts of strategic thinking to succeed. (La Pucelle, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom, Soul Nomad and the World Eaters)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 96: “La Makai Phantom World” appeared first on RPGamer.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, one for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie. Mordor’s grip has ensnared most attempts to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to life. (The Lord of the Rings)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 95: “Central Middle Earth” appeared first on RPGamer.

This particular Gust series has many trademark RPG elements, including tongue-twister subtitles for the games. It also steadily progresses in misogynism, until the amount of odious material reaches near-cataclysmic levels. (Ar Tonelico)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 94: “Ou Est le Sol Ciel?” appeared first on RPGamer.

Being a detective in an alternate history version of Tokyo with demons crawling all over the place isn’t that hard. It just demands a willingness to get lost in evocative 1920s-esque environments while smacking inhuman adversaries repeatedly in action combat. (Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner).

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 93: “Devil Doll” appeared first on RPGamer.

Link went through several phases during the GameCube era. First he demonstrated cel shading, then he tempted gamers to buy GBA link cables, and after that ushered in the Wii’s launch. It’s all up for reminiscence on this episode – along with something about a fellow named Tingle. (The Legend of Zelda, Part 3)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 92: “Master of Swordplay” appeared first on RPGamer.

Cavia’s occasional ventures into the RPG world have been filled with bloodshed and piling up huge numbers of corpses. The other tenets of these games vary quite a bit, so have a bloody good time with a slice of this episode. (Drakengard, NIER)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 91: “Y’know, for Kids!” appeared first on RPGamer.

Instead of venturing further into a galaxy far, far away BioWare chose to enter a land inspired by, but hardly identical to, imperial China. The company’s usual high writing standard made the transition with flying colors. (Jade Empire)

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 90: “Bauxite Republic” appeared first on RPGamer.