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Articles by Zek Lu
The Blood of Dawnwalker
Time is the one thing none of us can ever get back. We waste it freely when there is nothing to lose, only to realize its value when it runs out. In The Blood of Dawnwalker, time is constantly working against you. It is the most valuable resource, and every moment forces you to decide where it is worth spending. The protagonist, Coen, has only 30 days and nights to save his family from the vampire lord Brencis, but there is no way to see everything or save everyone along the way.
Echoes of Aincrad
Did you ever enjoy the PS3 era of RPGs? I used to think I did, until Echoes of Aincrad reminded me what those games were actually like. There is something morbidly poetic about the idea of climbing Aincrad. One hundred floors suspended above the clouds, each one promising a new world and the hope of escape. The setting is steeped in adversity, with every floor conquered bringing you one step closer to the summit. Echoes of Aincrad understands that premise, but it never knows what to do with it.
Echoes of Aincrad Hands-on Preview: Beneath a Floating Castle
Thanks to the wonderful team at Bandai Namco, I recently had the opportunity to go hands-on with Echoes of Aincrad, the upcoming action RPG set within the world of Sword Art Online. I wasn’t exactly the target audience going into the preview, and I was admittedly a bit skeptical. I watched the first season of the anime years ago, but never followed the franchise much beyond that, nor have I played any of the previous games.
Starfield Review | RPGFan
With Starfield finally landing on PlayStation 5, I came into it as a first-time player who had spent the last few years watching the discourse unfold from a distance. Few modern RPGs have been picked apart quite like this, with some calling it a triumph and others treating it like a cautionary tale. It’s been praised, dismissed, defended, and hotly debated to the point where the conversation around it almost feels bigger than the game itself.
Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2026: A Spectacular Time in Anaheim
With the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2026 in Anaheim now behind me, I wanted to share some thoughts and experiences that didn’t make it into my other articles. Between the Evercold reveal, live competitions, hands-on activities, press conference, and incredible concerts, it was a weekend I will never forget. The event kicked off with the reveal trailer for Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold. The crowd erupted the moment the expansion logo appeared on screen.
Evercold Press Conference with Naoki Yoshida at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2026
Thanks to the Square Enix PR team, I had the privilege of taking part in a press conference with Naoki Yoshida following the reveals at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2026 in Anaheim. We were able to ask about everything from Evercold‘s story direction and gameplay changes to the newly announced raids, collaborations, and the long-term future of the game. One of the biggest questions following the keynote was the meaning behind the expansion’s title.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is something of an odd duck in the Kingdom Hearts series. Taking place directly after Kingdom Hearts and running parallel to Chain of Memories, 358/2 Days instead focuses on Roxas, the briefly encountered protagonist of Kingdom Hearts IIâs opening hours. 358/2 Days stands out in part because the full game remains exclusive to the Nintendo DS, releasing in 2009 and never receiving a complete rerelease beyond its cutscene compilation in Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection
Revisiting older games can be sobering. Sometimes they age gracefully. Sometimes they reveal ideas ahead of their time. And sometimes they expose every compromise that once hid behind a smaller screen. Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection stands firmly in that last category. This was my first time with the Star Force games, and I came in expecting a lost corner of Mega Man history. What I found instead was a trilogy that feels at odds with its new home.
Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy Hands-on Preview: Worlds Collide
Thanks to the wonderful team at Square Enix, I recently had some hands-on time with Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy ahead of release. Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been holding out hope for a proper console Dissidia again, something closer to the original or Duodecim. I came into this already a bit skeptical, especially since I’m not exactly a fan of mobile gaming. Sure enough, Dissidia Duellum is very much doing its own thing.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection Hands-on Preview: Back on the Grid
Thanks to the wonderful team at Capcom, I had the opportunity to go hands-on with the upcoming Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection. This is actually my first time playing through these games, and I’m coming in with plenty of questions about how well this Nintendo DS era of Mega Man RPGs holds up. At first glance, Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection looks much bigger than it actually is.
Avowed: Anniversary Update Interview with Obsidian Entertainment
In our review of Avowed, Jerry Williams praised its story, combat, and worldbuilding. A year later, Obsidian Entertainment returns to the Living Lands with Avowed’s most substantial update yet, alongside the game’s PlayStation 5 release. The Anniversary Update introduces New Game+, new playable races, expanded customization, combat additions such as the quarterstaff, and a wide range of quality-of-life improvements.
Nioh 3 Review | RPGFan
Nioh is my favorite Soulslike series of all time. Few games have ever rewarded mastery the way the series’ previous entries did, and even now, I struggle to think of another action RPG that offers the same sense of control once everything clicks. So, going into Nioh 3, my expectations were personal. This is a series I know inside and out. For the most part, Nioh 3 manages to move the series forward, yet its scope often trips over itself. The most immediate change is structural.
Octopath Traveler 0
Revenge is a road that never loops back to where you began. Every step pulls you further from the person you once were and closer to the one you may become. In Octopath Traveler 0, that idea shapes the entire journey. Your hometown lies in ruins, your family is gone, and the only thing pushing you forward is the hope that those responsible will face what they have done. Yet as you close in on the powers that rule Orsterra, the pursuit turns inward.
Octopath Traveler 0
Podcasts Game Reviews Review Author Platform Score Octopath Traveler 0 Sony PlayStation 5 85 Media Octopath Traveler 0 Artwork 2 Photos Octopath Traveler 0 Cover Art 3 Photos Octopath Traveler 0 Screenshots 47 Photos RPGFan uses cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking βAcceptβ, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Octopath Traveler 0 Hands-on Preview: Stories Renewed
Thanks to the wonderful team at Square Enix, I had the privilege of playing Octopath Traveler 0 ahead of release, and it didn’t take long to realize this is far more than a side story. Built on the foundation of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent but crafted for fans craving a full traditional JRPG, Octopath Traveler 0 expands and refines nearly every system it inherits. The prologue wastes no time easing you in.
The Outer Worlds 2
I played The Outer Worlds 2 wanting to be surprised. I wanted the sequel to take the rough promise of the first game and turn it into something deeper, not bigger for the sake of being bigger. I followed developer interviews about the team leaning into classic RPG trade-offs and focusing on a denser opening world, and I understood the logic behind removing the ability to respec to make choices matter. After dozens of hours and too many half-baked quests, I can say those intentions are visible.
Hades II Review | RPGFan
Making a sequel to a hit game is never easy, and following something as beloved as Hades is even tougher. The inevitable question is: can it live up to the original? Right from the start, Hades II has to show it belongs alongside one of the most influential roguelikes ever created. As someone who never played the early access version, reviewing Hades II for the first time in its full release was an exciting opportunity. First, I have to admit I’ve never been a huge fan of roguelikes.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX
Coming off the heels of two widely successful games, Kingdom Hearts II had a high bar to meet upon its release in 2005. More than meeting expectations, it was critically lauded and, like Kingdom Hearts before it, later received a definitive Final Mix re-release, which did not see Western gaming audiences until 2014 as part of Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX.
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
As someone who grew up with RPGs, I’ve long championed remasters of forgotten titles, especially now that most classic games are no longer accessible on modern platforms. Reviving lost titles has never been more important. Enter RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, one of the best examples of how to do it right. Thankfully, Atlus has delivered an excellent version of the game, though the source material is rather dated at this point.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Interview with Composer Lorien Testard
In Zek Lu’s glowing review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, he proclaimed it features one of the most impressive soundtracks he’d ever heard in an RPG. As such, it is an honor to have the opportunity to interview Lorien Testard, the masterful composer behind this unforgettable journey. Patrick Gann shared this admiration in his brilliant soundtrack review. Itâs not often you get the chance to unpack the inspirations behind a work thatâs left such a strong impression.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
You know the feeling of post-game blues? That empty, longing feeling when a game is so good that nothing else quite compares? The feeling when you know the next game you play isn’t going to live up to the standard set by this one? Well, that feeling is hitting me right now as I sit down to write this review. And honestly, I’m not sure how to begin putting it into words. Because the truth is, no words can really do Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 justice.
Random Encounter 318 - Monster Hunting the Most Elusive Game: A New Suikoden
Article / Highlight · Podcast · Random Encounter by , and on March 10, 2025 On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s time to chat about a remaster and a new game in two long-running series! First up, Zach’s prayers have been answered: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is finally out! This remaster of the first two Suikoden games has been highly anticipated for years by fans of the series, but does it live up to their hopes?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Hands-on Preview – The Brushstrokes of a Dream | RPGFan
What if I told you there’s an upcoming game that’s a cross between Final Fantasy XIII and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door? Would that excite you, or worry you? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 certainly sounds like someone’s fever dream, but I couldn’t stop playing it. In fact, I played through the preview four times, discovering something new each time.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds is finally here! It’s not a perfect hunt, but it moves the franchise forward in mostly the right ways. As the sixth core entry, Wilds delivers a sprawling, dynamic world, weather systems that genuinely shake up gameplay, and some of the most thrilling monster encounters the franchise has ever seen. But does it strike the right balance for both veterans and newcomers?
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1: Bloom
From the team behind Life is Strange and Life is Strange 2 comes Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, the first part of a new narrative-driven series. If you’re a fan of DON’T NOD‘s previous work, there’s a good chance you’ll find the story here intriguing enough to stick around. That said, the game is held back by a laundry list of technical issues—bugs, pacing problems, choppy animations, and audio mishaps—that make it feel like it’s not quite living up to its potential.
Shujinkou Review | RPGFan
In an interview with Game*Spark News, Shujinkou director Julian Rice expressed his desire to create a first-person dungeon crawler (DRPG) in the vein of Etrian Odyssey. With so few games like this in the current landscape, I was eager to try it before release. From the outset, Shujinkou wears its Etrian Odyssey inspiration proudly. After a brief ten-minute introduction, the game throws you into the first dungeonâa forest reminiscent of the classic First Stratums from that series.
Prisma Preview - Beyond the Boundaries of Time and Space
Imagine a world where every person you meet is another version of you. They share your face but not your goals, your voice, but not your intentions. Some are allies, others adversaries, but none of them are truly strangers. As someone who loved the artistic creativity of Cris Tales, I was eager to see where the team would go next. Prisma, its spiritual successor, surpassed all my expectations, taking everything that worked in Cris Tales and expanding on them in bold, new ways.
Random Encounter 310 - Preview Week with Avowed & Path of Exile 2!
Article / Highlight · Podcast · Random Encounter by , and on November 25, 2024 On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re chatting about previews of two games we’re excited for in 2025! First up is a hands-on preview of Obsidian’s newest first-person RPG, Avowed. A spin-off from the beloved Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed is being presented as Obsidian’s answer to Skyrim.
Path of Exile 2 Hands-On Preview: Off to a Thrilling & Promising Start
Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be a remarkably ambitious follow-up to its predecessor, and the exclusive presentation led by game director Jonathan Rogers gave us a firsthand look at the gameās innovative direction. Unlike past previews that focused on the early stages of the story, this preview dove straight into the endgameāa decision that reflects the development teamās clear commitment to building a vibrant, enduring experience that can hook players for hundreds of hours.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Preview and Dev Q&A
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a tactical JRPG and the long-awaited sequel to the fan-favorite Phantom Brave, arriving more than 20 years after the original game’s release. RPGFan recently attended a live demonstration of the new title by NIS America, which primarily focused on gameplay and mechanics, leaving us excited for this second entry.
Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Life is Strange: Double Exposure is the latest entry in a series that has seen its fair share of praise and criticism. While the original Life is Strange set a high bar with its unique time-bending mechanics and emotional storytelling, subsequent titles have received mixed receptions. Fans have been divided on how well each game lives up to the originalâs emotional depth and character-driven narrative. Unfortunately, Double Exposure falls short of living up to the original’s legacy.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX
In 2002, at a critical juncture in the company’s history, Square took a novel and somewhat daring direction with Kingdom Hearts. Released after the commercial disappointment of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, but before Square’s merger with Enix, the company needed a successful game to ensure its financial future and maintain its position in the gaming industry.
Random Encounter 307 - Social Links to the Past
Article / Highlight · Podcast · Random Encounter by , , , and on October 14, 2024 On this episode of Random Encounter, two first-timers are joining us to chat about two of the year’s biggest games! First up, Zek is joined by Zach to rave about Atlus’ latest RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Back in 2016, following the release of Persona 5, Atlus announced the creation of a new development team, Studio Zero, tasked with developing an entirely original game. Originally announced as Project Re:Fantasy, the game was to take place in a medieval fantasy world, with only a few pieces of concept art accompanying the announcement. For years, details about the project remained scarce—until last year, when the game finally received an official title and release date.
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
Xenosaga Episode I is an enigma of a game—it is a product of its era while at the same time being incredibly ambitious, even by modern standards. Released in early 2002 in Japan and just a year later in North America, it is a spiritual successor to the cult classic Xenogears and a spiritual predecessor to the Xenoblade Chronicles series. Initially planned to be an ambitious six-game series, underwhelming sales for Xenosaga Episode II caused the series to be cut short to three games.
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
The release history of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is a somewhat long and strange one. Commercially overshadowed by its immediate predecessor and successor, it was initially released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. After several years, the game got a remake in 3D for the PlayStation 2 as Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, included as a second disc with Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix. Since its initial remake, Re:Chain of Memories has been remastered and ported several times.
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