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.

The PlayStation 3 hosted a short-lived series that does not feature Level 5 firing on all cylinders. Talking about this interesting experiment nevertheless makes for an entertaining episode.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 146: “The White Knight on His Chronicles” appeared first on RPGamer.

It’s time to talk about a Final Fantasy. Which one? Well, it’s got improbable returns from death, monsters on the moon, a spoony bard, a jumping Dragoon, and too many versions to count using the fingers of just one hand. Those things should narrow it down.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 145: “A Whale in Space” appeared first on RPGamer.

In the future envisioned by Deus Ex, law enforcement is encroaching on the freedom of citizens around the world and corporations are pursuing a complementary agenda in the name of making sure the right people stay on top. Any similarity to modern day headlines is coincidental – probably.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 144: “God in the Machine” appeared first on RPGamer.

It took the Persona series nearly as long as Street Fighter to count to three, but the reception once it did was enthusiastic. Here we have quite a bit more adulation to throw its way, along with a little talk about how it managed to get better in a Portable form.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 143: “The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun” appeared first on RPGamer.

If Sega’s Yakuza series is accurate, urban Japan is filled with hotheads on every street corner just waiting to have whatever handy devices are lying on the street used for facial rearrangement. The first two installments of this series have other concepts too, but bicycle bashing gets plenty of praise.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 142: “You Now Have 12 Hours” appeared first on RPGamer.

Studio Ghibli’s entrance into the gaming world ought to have been a time of rejoicing, but the reception Ni no Kuni received was not quite that enthusiastic. Here we examine why, and also hear about the DS Ni no Kuni that will probably never officially cross the Pacific.

The post RPG Backtrack – Episode 141: “World in My Eyes” appeared first on RPGamer.