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[Woorloog]

Good list, good OP but not a single interesting game in it :/
Aside from Project Eternity that is. Pillars of Eternity, whatever. When did it get a name? And i'm somewhat skeptical about it too, because Obsidian games, while they have good writing (characters and story both) often, they also tend to have issues...

Where are all scifi RPGs in vein of Mass Effect (without being Mass Effect, and/or repeating typical Bioware problems)?
EDIT JRPGs don't count, don't care for them.

 

[Boke1879]

All in for Cosmic Star Heroine.

 

[AAK]

child of light is co op? How does it work? How many players?

 

[Sinatar]

Where are all scifi RPGs in vein of Mass Effect (without being Mass Effect, and/or repeating typical Bioware problems)?
EDIT JRPGs don't count, don't care for them.

Not much in the way of sci fi RPG's beyond Consortium and Cosmic Star Heroine.

 

[hemtae]

Good list, good OP but not a single interesting game in it :/
Aside from Project Eternity that is. Pillars of Eternity, whatever. When did it get a name? And i'm somewhat skeptical about it too, because Obsidian games, while they have good writing (characters and story both) often, they also tend to have issues...

Where are all scifi RPGs in vein of Mass Effect (without being Mass Effect, and/or repeating typical Bioware problems)?
EDIT JRPGs don't count, don't care for them.

It got a name when the backer portal was put up and the gameplay teaser was released.

 

[Woorloog]

Not much in the way of sci fi RPG's beyond Consortium and Cosmic Star Heroine.

Neither one looks very interesting even though they're scifi. Not to mention being types that don't really attract me.
Games like the Elder Scrolls series and Mass Effect (2) are what i really like though others may be acceptable if they're good and interesting enough.

It got a name when the backer portal was put up and the gameplay teaser was released.

Ah. Well, it will be Project Eternity for me for a long time anyway.

 

[Grayman]

Why the seemingly arbitrary exclusion of MMORPGs? I can understand avoiding things like the standard AAA game that hijacks RPG progression elements for modern rewards centric design philosophy, but I don't get the MMO exclusion. MMORPGs are just as much RPGs as anything else on the list. (and, in some respects, I'd say they exceed the traditional experiences)

I would assume because it is a drastically different type of a game experience and could make the list cumbersome in size. Someone should make an mmo thread if such a good year is coming though.

 

[BBboy20]

This seems like the perfect time to insert a time to fap image or gif but even I'm not willing to do it.

 

[DocSeuss]

Isn't Torment: Tides of Numenera set for end-of-2014?

--

I still have a hard time understanding how people classify JRPGs as RPGs.

We know that the name stems from a misinterpretation by some Japanese developers after seeing Ultima and Wizardry at a trade convention in the US--and that led to Dragon Quest. We know that Ultima and Wizardry became more RPG-like as time went on. We know that the JRPG became its own, distinct thing, and has very little in common with what an RPG is.

Why don't people want to celebrate that difference, and instead choose to lump 'em all together?

Good list, good OP but not a single interesting game in it :/
Aside from Project Eternity that is. Pillars of Eternity, whatever. When did it get a name? And i'm somewhat skeptical about it too, because Obsidian games, while they have good writing (characters and story both) often, they also tend to have issues...

Where are all scifi RPGs in vein of Mass Effect (without being Mass Effect, and/or repeating typical Bioware problems)?
EDIT JRPGs don't count, don't care for them.

Mars: War Logs, iirc? Most people don't really seem that interested in doing Mass Effect. If I had the people, I'd make a game that's a cross between Mass Effect and XCOM: Enemy Within, but I don't, so that's never happening.

Also, no interest in Wasteland 2 or The Witcher 3? Considering the talent behind both games, I'm a bit surprised.

 

[SargerusBR]

Dark Souls II takes priority above all else.

 

[BBboy20]

Persona 5 takes priority above all else.

Yeah, it'll probably come out in 2015 outside of Japan but still: "Winter 2014 for PS3". @+@

 

[Violet_0]

Neither one looks very interesting even though they're scifi. Not to mention being types that don't really attract me.
Games like the Elder Scrolls series and Mass Effect (2) are what i really like though others may be acceptable if they're good and interesting enough.

how about an Elder Scrolls game but with good writing?

*hint* *hint* I'm talking about The Witcher 3

 

[Basileus777]

how about an Elder Scrolls game but with good writing?

*hint* *hint* I'm talking about The Witcher 3

Please don't destroy my interest in the Witcher 3 like that.

 

[King_Richard]

I think Fallout 4 will be released in late Nov/Dec 2014, too. Skyrim was released 11 months after its announcement, and we know Bethesda's been working on the game full force for the last year and a half, so I expect an announcement in Spring 2014 or definitely E3 2014 with a release date late Nov/Dec (6 to 8 months after announcement).

 

[Zachi]

Yeah, it'll probably come out in 2015 outside of Japan but still: "Winter 2014 for PS3". @+@

he said Dark Souls 2

 

[poisonelf]

Thank you for this post.

I can't believe I'm at long last excited for so many games, I hadn't realized that so much awesome is being released in the same year.

My hype rating would be:

1. Pillars of Eternity
2. Grimrock 2
3. Might and Magic X Legacy
4. Grim Dawn (Titan Quest being the best Diablo game since Diablo 2)
5. The Witcher 3
6. Wasteland 2 and Divinity same spot.

Only bad news here is that Numenera isn't planned for '14, I'll be all over it even with their blasphemous turn based combat.

Great times.

EDIT: Blackguards also looks interesting, knew nothing about it. If impressions are even partly positive here I'll give it a try.

Also, is there any hope that Dragon Age's optional tactical combat will be like Origins, without awesome somersaults and magically spawning enemies?

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

To help remove some of those question marks on Cosmic Star Heroine...

Yes to World Map.
No to Dialogue Checks (but we're still debating on Dialogue Trees).

 

[Grayman]

Isn't Torment: Tides of Numenera set for end-of-2014?

No way Tides makes 2014.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inxile/wasteland-2/posts/324612

We have been very focused on getting the writing wrapped up by end of October[2012] so that we can do a table read of the entire game. Things are on track for about 95% of it which will allow all of us to get in a room for days on end to step through the game play. We look for flaws in logic, world consistency, keyword consistency, adding personality, adding ways to solve problems, creating visual cues, extra word descriptions, etc. It is quite a bit of work but it is a process that creates cohesion so that it feels like one world. There is so much content that the only way to grasp it all is to sit in a room for days for everyone to absorb. And quite often the best moments will come from the random ideas that spring forth from it all.

Pre-production on Wasteland 2 was coming to a finish 14 months ago and that game is not coming out for at least a few more. Torment is in that writing stage now. Even if you got optimistic and cut the time for making content and bug fixes in half Torment is not releasing in 2014.

 

[Shalashaska161]

Lots of great stuff coming up. No idea how I'm going to have time to play them all...

 

[Durante]

To help remove some of those question marks on Cosmic Star Heroine...

Yes to World Map.
No to Dialogue Checks (but we're still debating on Dialogue Trees).

Thanks, nice to get information straight from the source.

This will be my go to thread whenever the hype levels in my system start to drop. Thank you Durante.

I'm guessing the 'Bioware' structure is like the 'linear' structure only the dungeons sometimes start to feel familiar without needing to backtrack, am I right?

It's just poking fun at the Bioware structure of 1 intro dungeon/planet -> 3 dungeons/planets in every order -> 1 dungeon/planet -> 3 in any order -> finale

I still have a hard time understanding how people classify JRPGs as RPGs.

We know that the name stems from a misinterpretation by some Japanese developers after seeing Ultima and Wizardry at a trade convention in the US--and that led to Dragon Quest. We know that Ultima and Wizardry became more RPG-like as time went on. We know that the JRPG became its own, distinct thing, and has very little in common with what an RPG is.

Why don't people want to celebrate that difference, and instead choose to lump 'em all together?

I don't think you should lump them together, but I also don't see why they shouldn't be classified as RPGs. The differences aren't any greater than e.g. the difference between Witcher 2 and Wasteland 2, and yet both are RPGs.

4. Grim Dawn (Titan Quest being the best Diablo game since Diablo 2)

 

[Woorloog]

Mars: War Logs, iirc? Most people don't really seem that interested in doing Mass Effect. If I had the people, I'd make a game that's a cross between Mass Effect and XCOM: Enemy Within, but I don't, so that's never happening.

Also, no interest in Wasteland 2 or The Witcher 3? Considering the talent behind both games, I'm a bit surprised.

Mars War Logs? Yeah, no. Completely wrong.

Wasteland 2 just is not interesting. Have had enough of post-apocalyptic games for now. Fallout 4 may re-kindle that interest or it may not.

The Witcher 3... eh, i haven't played the first one. Own the second but my laptop is not good enough for it even with minimum graphics. I might be interested if i ever get to play and finish The Witcher 2. And when i don't have any other fantasy games to play, still have a few hundred hours of content left unexplored in Skyrim (and our pen-and-paper RPG campaign).

EDIT besides, as far as i know, The Witcher 3 doesn't allow free character creation like the Elder Scrolls does. Don't care for pre-set character in an open RPG world, in a more linear one they're just fine.

 

[water_wendi]

Yea its a really good year for rpgs. There is plenty of choice for every stripe of rpg.

 

[Durante]

I added 3 new entries which people pointed out (I'm still going through the list and will continue tomorrow, so don't worry if I didn't get to the game you pointed out yet -- some of these take even more time since I have absolutely no clue about them and need to fill at least the basic fields in the table ).

-----

Bound by Flame

http://boundbyflame.com/

From the people at Spiders (who brought us Mars: War Logs, which I almost bought at some point) comes this multiplatform action RPG which I know absolutely nothing about. 2/10 Durante hype points after reading the blurb on the official website.

Conception II

http://www.atlus.com/conception2/

Another entry in the list of games I really don't know much about, I had to watch annoyingly narrated youtube let's plays to enter the information into the table for this JRPG by Spike Chunsoft. I still don't really get what's going on with the battle positioning. Anyway, it looks very moe-focused. 2/10 Durante hype points, and it only gets that second point since I need stuff to play on Vita.

Demon Gaze

http://nisamerica.com/games/demongaze/

I actually heard about this one before, and remember the localization announcement thread, but forgot it in the initial list. Sorry about that. What I also remember is some people posting that this is actually a better dungeon crawler than it might appear. It certainly looks low budget, but I'm still somewhat curious - 4/10 Durante hype points.

 

[Some Nobody]

How many games do you really think he'll want to play by 2015? Maybe 5 tops.

Buying consoles day 1 is for chumps. Launch hardware is notoriously shit, launch games are bad and theres no guarantee that the system is ever going to get a library of exclusives that you give a shit about.

I dunno, there's over 100 games scheduled for release between November 2013 and November 2014. I'm notoriously hard to please with video games and even I can think of more than 5. But even setting that aside, I dunno, maybe its because I'm getting older now but while a stack of new games always seems appealing to me, eventually I realize "Holy shit this is too many video games and I'll never beat them all."

Good list, good OP but not a single interesting game in it :/
Aside from Project Eternity that is. Pillars of Eternity, whatever. When did it get a name? And i'm somewhat skeptical about it too, because Obsidian games, while they have good writing (characters and story both) often, they also tend to have issues...

Where are all scifi RPGs in vein of Mass Effect (without being Mass Effect, and/or repeating typical Bioware problems)?
EDIT JRPGs don't count, don't care for them.

I keep thinking my tastes in RPGs are narrow (console, no retro "throwback" graphics, no isometric bullshit unless its a strategy RPG, 3D) but then I see something like this.

Why the seemingly arbitrary exclusion of MMORPGs? I can understand avoiding things like the standard AAA game that hijacks RPG progression elements for modern rewards centric design philosophy, but I don't get the MMO exclusion. MMORPGs are just as much RPGs as anything else on the list. (and, in some respects, I'd say they exceed the traditional experiences)

I guess in scale. But there's something about a never-ending game which I have no true control over that's kind of a turn-off. But MMOs aren't here because there are a lot of gamers who don't really care for them, I'd guess? Well, that or because MMOs are a pretty large subgenre unto themselves.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

That Bound By Flame game intrigues me. If the combat is good...

 

[Tizoc]

A question about Atelier Escha & Logy- How's the main story for the male character? This'd be my first Atelier game mainly because you can play as someone other than a generic moe girl.
Also what's the word on a Vita ver.?

 

[spirity]

Might + Magic, Grim Dawn, Divinity and Grimrock for me.

Sui Generis I'd not heard of before, so thanks for the heads up. Looks pretty interesting, though I'm not sure how I feel about the combat. The animation makes it look kind of messy but I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[water_wendi]

Unless Barkley 2 comes out in the next 3 days i guess it too will also be gracing the world in 2014.

 

[jroc74]

This thread just reminded me I neee to play Shadowrun Returns. Shadowrun was one of my fav SNES games. And I hated the FPS version.

 

[Otakumegane]

Strange. Besides the obvious South Park and Witcher 3, and maybe Dragon Age 3...


I find myself oddly intrigued in "X". I saw the trailer with the awesome high octaine pop track and it felt like Attack on Titan.

Well they are composed by the same people.

Man there a lot of titles I want next year.

 

[Riki]

X is the big one for me. I need more information on it immediately.

 

[Usobuko]

Pretty informative thread for 2014. Also, I guess I lean closer to OP's WRPG choices than his JRPG ones.

 

[Shepard]

Thanks a lot Durante. I love RPGs, no matter in what form. Lots of projects to keep an eye on.

 

[BeesEight]

Excellent thread Durante.

Nothing new that I wasn't excited for before but certainly drives home the point how big this year is going to be. Part of the excitement for me is seeing the kickstarters I supported finally come out.

But throw me in the camp not interested in Witcher 3. Still detest the first game and that'll probably keep me from picking up other entries in the series.

 

[Rarutos]

Awesome thread, Durante. I think we needed one of these for 2013 too, lots of good stuff came out!

Forgive me if this has already been said but, there's also Witch and the Hundred Knight (though that has been said already), One Piece: Romance Dawn, which is technically a port of the PSP game but it's the first time the west is seeing it, and Mugen Souls Z that I can think of off the top of my head. I also thought of Toukiden, but I wasn't sure if that actually was an RPG or not when I thought about it.

Let's hope New Rorona and Ar nosurge get announced for localization soon too!

 

[vagabondarts]

I'm looking forward to:

Witcher 3
After loving 1&2 and getting totally absorbed into the world and lore, I'm chomping at the bit for this one.

Wasteland 2
This has so much potential and I want it to meet or exceed it so badly.

Shadowrun Returns
Skipped the initial entry (am I crazy?) but will jump in full force when the new one releases.

Might & Magic
I'm really curious to see how this turns out

Even if only 2 of these turn out to be to my taste and I get totally absorbed into them, it's a wealth of gaming experiences to me.
If I had to pick one to pass on it would be Might & Magic.
I will play the other three no matter what.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Thanks for the list. I haven't been keeping up with games lately. That Atelier game looks interesting as do Child of Light and Cosmic Star.

 

[Grayman]

I'm looking forward to:

Witcher 3
After loving 1&2 and getting totally absorbed into the world and lore, I'm chomping at the bit for this one.

Wasteland 2
This has so much potential and I want it to meet or exceed it so badly.

Shadowrun Returns
Skipped the initial entry (am I crazy?) but will jump in full force when the new one releases.

Might & Magic
I'm really curious to see how this turns out

Even if only 2 of these turn out to be to my taste and I get totally absorbed into them, it's a wealth of gaming experiences to me.
If I had to pick one to pass on it would be Might & Magic.
I will play the other three no matter what.

Shadowrun is linear but has great writing. Areas and characters are introduced with a lot of text describing them. It is like torment or having a GM narrate your game. Combat is serviceable and there are good ability based classes if you mix things up. I haven't even jumped into physical adepts, chi casters, or shaman yet.

User made content so far seems to be stuck in chapter like releases but has really good breadth at least in the single conversation sense. Some conversations will throw up a scroll bar of stat, skill, etiquette, and item based responses to suit the character you want to be. There are modules for new characters, mid level characters, very high level, set characters. There are even very basic sandbox setups with a few maps, random runs, and such.

I am excited to see what the expansion ends up as as far as openness and if combat moves up a notch or not.

 

[vagabondarts]

Shadowrun is linear but has great writing. Areas and characters are introduced with a lot of text describing them. It is like torment or having a GM narrate your game. Combat is serviceable and there are good ability based classes if you mix things up. I haven't even jumped into physical adepts, chi casters, or shaman yet.

User made content so far seems to be stuck in chapter like releases but has really good breadth at least in the single conversation sense. Some conversations will throw up a scroll bar of stat, skill, etiquette, and item based responses to suit the character you want to be. There are modules for new characters, mid level characters, very high level, set characters. There are even very basic sandbox setups with a few maps, random runs, and such.

I am excited to see what the expansion ends up as as far as openness and if combat moves up a notch or not.

Man that sounds really awesome to me. I don't know why I waited so long to check it out. Shadowrun always deserved such a game. I especially like the heavy text that you describe coming across as a GM running a game.
Right up my alley.

I'm curious how challenging it is to create campaigns for it

 

[Mindlog]

I've already purchased PoE and Divinity. Bought them both on faith, but their development has yet to disappoint. Weird to be able to see two games at such an early state and every decision that's made just keeps getting a 'Yup' from me. Hardly a head-scratcher to date. That's amazing!

Also ready to play Dark Souls 2, South Park, and Witcher 3. Will probably be picking them up Day 1. We'll on see on what platforms and if I pre-order when the time comes.

If those five land this year that's already more than enough! I'm cautiously optimistic with Deep Down and Inquisition. I know there are plenty of others as well. The OP definitely drew a few titles to my attention. Shaping up to be a good year in just about every RPG niche.

 

[Mr Nash]

There are so many RPGs that I'm interested in next year. I have no idea how I'll find the time to play all of them. >_<

 

[Muzy72]

But you forgot about GOTY 2014 Breath of Fire 6

Spoiler

sorry

 

[flatearthpandas]

Not a terrible list, but you have to be a multiplatform owner to really have a good RPG year with a list like that.

I think 2013 was the better year but I'm looking forward to 2014

 

[SparkTR]

This thread just reminded me I neee to play Shadowrun Returns. Shadowrun was one of my fav SNES games. And I hated the FPS version.

It's a different kind of game compared to the originals, but it's good and a great return to form after the FPS. I'd suggest you wait for the expansion pack though.

 

[hemtae]

Not a terrible list, but you have to be a multiplatform owner to really have a good RPG year with a list like that.

I think 2013 was the better year but I'm looking forward to 2014

The only two RPGs that came out this year that I can remember are Pokemon and Shadowrun. 2013 was a bland year all around for me but especially for RPGs.

 

[mrpeabody]

When you put them all together like that...wow, what a lineup. We haven't had a year like this for RPGs in a long time, maybe ever.

I'm far more interested in these games than anything on next-gen. I don't think I'll be buying a PS4 or Xbone next year. These RPGs are going to take all of my time and all of my money.

Highly anticipated:
- Pillars of Eternity (This is the game I've been waiting for since 2000; my hype level cannot be overstated)
- Wasteland 2
- Bravely Default
- Atelier Escha & Logy
- Witcher 3
- Dark Souls 2
- Grim Dawn
- Divinity: Original Sin

Medium hype:
- South Park: The Stick of Truth
- Cosmic Star Heroine
- Child of Light
- Dead State
- Shadowrun: Dragonfall

 

[injurai]

I've already purchased PoE and Divinity. Bought them both on faith, but their development has yet to disappoint. Weird to be able to see two games at such an early state and every decision that's made just keeps getting a 'Yup' from me. Hardly a head-scratcher to date. That's amazing!

Also ready to play Dark Souls 2, South Park, and Witcher 3. Will probably be picking them up Day 1. We'll on see on what platforms and if I pre-order when the time comes.

If those five land this year that's already more than enough! I'm cautiously optimistic with Deep Down and Inquisition. I know there are plenty of others as well. The OP definitely drew a few titles to my attention. Shaping up to be a good year in just about every RPG niche.

Yeah, it's amazing what happens when developers are allotted pure creative freedom. Specifically a vetted set of talent of the likes that Obsidian keeps around.

 

[mrpeabody]

Google doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsJJsDLHjnFLdDFIMjdtNklUMHdmYUFQckNqY0t0TFE&usp=sharing

 

[djtiesto]

WRPG's coming in full force in 2014. JRPG's don't even stand a chance. Drakenguard 3 is cool though.

Aside from Witcher 3 and South Park, most of the western RPGs look generic as all hell (sooooo sick of the medieval settings in games).

Bravely Default, TITS 2, Cosmic Star Heroine, and of course X for me (if X makes it in 2014, which I doubt... maybe in Japan...).

 

[Milennia]

This is the year i get back into rpgs full force.

Going to have to force myself to actually play a lot of these (recommended ones by gaf at least) as its hard for me to stay focused on rpgs anymore, however I'm going to get back into them with the new year and ill get back in the groove once more. Hopefully after i play a couple i wont have to lull myself to stay focused, it will just come naturally like it used to for me.

So far I'm interested in Dragon age/FFX/South park/Bravely default (as well as KH but that was a given in my case), the rest will be purely recommendation and off of impressions.