Stellar Tactics will get a few updates:

Faster load times, Dark Space, fixes and updates.

A few updates and fixes in this build as I work towards completing Chapter 3

I'm posting a few fixes and updates in todays patch before I lock everything down and start integrating the chapter 3 content. I've completed all assets for the new content update and it's time to put everything together.

This update adds pre-caching for all space content. You will notice that resources are being loaded when the game launches. This means a longer load to the main menu of the game, however, load times to space while in the game with be much faster. I also did a bit of work on load times for transitions between ground locations and will continue to work on this.

You will also find a new "Dark Space" option on the video options screen. This will set a single high resolution sky throughout the game. I felt this was a good option for players who would prefer a more realistic experience when flying through space. If you enable this at the main menu, loading a save will apply the new setting. If already in the game and in space, you will need to save and reload to see the changes.

[...]

Ye Old Entertainment reviewed the free RPG Moonring:

Ye Old Entertainment

Mortismal Gaming reviewed the Wartales: Pirates of Belerion - DLC:

Wartales: Pirates of Belerion - DLC Review

04AM checked out the Wartales - Pirates of Belerion DLC:

Wartales Pirates of Belerion DLC is MASSIVE - Exploring Everything You Need To Know!

Couchpotato spotted a new trailer for the dungeon crawler Mystic Land: Search for Maphaldo:

Mystic Land: The Search for Maphaldo - Official trailer

Couchpotato spotted patch 1.28.1 for LoA: The Forgotten Crown:

Legends of Amberland version 1.28.1

Version 1.28.1 released

A small update targeted at improving gamepad support.

• [interface] Gamepad support: Improved Virtual Keyboard (physical keyboard can be used identical to a physical keyboard when detected, more characters supported).
• [interface] Enable/Disable Gamepad option (Options/Controls/Gamepad), useful for people who have a gamepad plugged in but who do not intend to use it. The option is ignored if SteamDeck is detected.

By the way, the sequel, Legends of Amberland II: The Song of Trees is out tomorrow!

Couchpotato spotted a teaser video for the upcoming DLC Wartales, Pirates of Belerion:

Wartales, Pirates of Belerion | TEASER

Wartales, Pirates of Belerion releases on December 14th!
Embark on over +25 hours of new adventures and explore Belerion, a new hostile region far larger than any other part of the continent. Discover a land unlike anything you’ve seen with the first expansion to the world of Wartales! Unravel the secrets of the region's storyline, discover new factions and master the new way to travel: navigation.

The Adventure-RPG Noctuary has been released:

Noctuary | Gameplay Trailer

Noctuary is a dual-protagonist Visual Novel. Players can play the role of the duo, Fancia Dream and Alina Nightsong who have dreams of "becoming Arborangers who protect and serve everyone." Travel through the fairy-tale-like world as the duo, experience their lively daily adventures, and gradually encounter the life story of a mysterious girl who came down from the sky.

Meanwhile, don't forget to fight against the everpresent monsters - "Darkritters!" These dangerous enemies threaten the life of Illuminators constantly. Sharpen your fighting skills, defeat ferocious monsters and ensure peace in your community!

Thanks Couchpotato!

Creative director Matt Cox and senior producer Kayla Belmore share their lessons learned in developing and shipping Tiny Tina's Wonderland:

Making Chaotic Great, 'Tiny Tina's Wonderlands': Finding Precedent in Unprecedented Times @ GDC

Thanks Couchpotato!

The action RPG Arisen Force: Vonimir has been announced for 2024:

Arisen Force: Vonimir

Arisen Force: Vonimir is an A-RPG game featuring exquisite high-definition pixels, it combines the engaging RPG adventure storyline with the Stylish Actional combat experience. We create a magnificent Middle-Earth world, for players exploration and adventure, recruit teammates, collect and develop business, challenge enemies, reveal the secrets of the world, guide the future, forge your own legends:

Features

• A magnificent fantasy world for players to explore, develop and other interesting experiences.
• Exquisite HD pixel style and ingenuity hand-painted, experience picturesque play art style.
• From remote villages to magnificent castles, from desolate deserts to silver ice sheets, enjoy the vast and distinctive landscapes.
• In a chaotic world, interact with all forces and write your own epic chapter.
• Smooth action strategy combat with rich skill modules,and it can instantly switch teammate anytime,
  challenging the World BOSS , the ultimate path will always be left to the Warriors.
• More than eight kinds of unique weapon modules,it will continue to be enriched with the follow-up development.
• A free kit system of weapons and skills,it's Ok to be a mage wielding a giant sword, or a hunter who tanks the enemy, interesting and powerful.
• Rescue and recruit teammates, build them with unique equipment and skills for your exclusive forces.
• In addition to adventure, there are taverns, forging, trade and other activities as travel seasoning.
• On the basis of the world outlook, we add some linked characters makes the game journey more interesting and full of surprises.

Thanks Couchpotato!

Couchpotato spotted the strategy RPG Demiurges:

Demiurges Trailer

Demiurges is a strategic roguelike game. Your task will be to keep the world from extinction. To achieve this, you will have to create a deck of cards that will define your strategy, and then direct the actions of your heroes to defeat your enemies.

Map
The player can move around the map with all of his heroes. While exploring, they can find new items, resources, objects with unique abilities, and enemies who will be valuable sources of experience. As you defeat the guard, a new area of ​​the map unlocks with new challenges. After the player captures the game, the entire map changes to the next level.

Cards
One of the most important things to success is creating the right deck. You can create it before each skirmish from previously unlocked cards. Cards are dropped from packs you can buy with gems earned during the game. To use a card, you need resources that you can produce or obtain on the map. Be careful, some cards require sacrifices to be used.

Fight
When you meet an opponent on your way, you can attack him. The battles take place in a turn-based system on a board divided into hexes. Units move depending on the initiative they have. Units have different passive and active abilities, so you must think about each move to make the best use of their skills.

Town
Each faction has its own town. With cards, you can expand them to support your plans. You can build new buildings, recruit units, create special constructions and produce resources.

Demiurge
You start each game with one Demiurge, but you can recruit more by map events or using cards. Demiurges are powerful units that can cast spells and use powerful artifacts. By defeating new enemies and gaining experience, the demiurge is able to learn new abilities and become even more powerful. In addition, he gathers an army that supports him in the fight against opponents.

The open-world RPG Exoplanet: First Contact is still in Early Access - learn more about the planet K'tharsis: 

PLANET K’THARSIS

The story about how K’Tharsis was discovered and who inhabits the planet now.

Hello folks!

We continue to tell you more about the world of the game and now we’d like to pay more attention to the planet K’Tharsis. In the previous post dedicated to the setting we deepened a bit into the history of the planet, and this time we want to share how exactly it was discovered and why it has such a motley population.

A bit of history

K’Tharsis would remain a wild planet forever but for captain Brennigan who had to make an emergency landing on an unfriendly looking planet. A precious mineral called antigravium brought fabulous riches to the captain, but he hardly managed to use them. Very soon the poor guy was found tortured to death in his new villa. And the news about antigravium Klondike spread across the galaxy with the speed of light.

K’Tharsis became the most desired aim of adventurers of all kinds including criminals and outcasts. Right after them the planet was invaded by corporations, and the biggest of them was called Terraform. To get antigravium these people never hesitated to resort to violence, having no mercy both for people and for kvargo — native population of the planet.

Kvargo was a great race that once degraded after the cataclysm. They were quite controversial about people who came to their planet. Some part of them believed that if they possessed human technologies, they could restore the greatness of the past. Others suspected that people from the stars would bring only suffering, so they had to go back home.

Nobody knows how far this confrontation could go. But suddenly the war in the galaxy makes most of the corporations go home — the planet becomes cut off from civilized worlds. Besides, the antigravium has almost come to an end, so most corporations leave the planet without any remorse.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Rat Tower dev talks about the latest updates for the dungeon crawler Monomyth:

Monomyth DEVLOG / 8.0 - Balancing

Thanks Couchpotato!

Wizard Worm checked out the Adventure RPG Mage's Initiation: Reign Of The Elements:

Mage's Initiation: Reign Of The Elements Review (The Last Quest For Glory Heir)

Patch v0.91.66 for Low Magic Age introduces a new player race: The Lizard Scion

v0.91.66 Patch Notes - Lizard Scion, Feats, New Adventure Preview #3

New Player Race: Lizard Scion

Every few generations, a lizard scion is born to a lizardfolk tribe. With twice the life span of a typical lizardfolk and a large and muscular stature, a scion typically rises to become the leader of her tribe.

Lizardfolk show great—often unquestioning—devotion to scions, believing they are blessings from the spirits and divine in nature. In many ways, tribes see them as living monuments to the lost greatness of their people, singing songs of an era when every lizardfolk was as large and impressive as the scion.

Some lizard scions become great protectors and voices of wisdom among their people, leading a tribe to previously unknown accomplishments and stability within its hidden enclave. Others attempt to build alliances with other lizardfolk tribes or even unite two tribes into one.

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Learn more about the great beasts of Zodiac Legion:

Great Beasts and Turn-Based Carnival

Greetings, Commanders!

Since Turn-Based Carnival has started on Steam, and Zodiac Legion is featured as part of it, we figured it would make for a good occasion to reveal the latest upcoming addition to our bestiary – great, hulking, intimidating, monstrous beasts!

The first one you may already be familiar with, since it’s been lurking in our screenshots and other materials for a while, but we’ve never introduced it properly. The scorpion beast is a living weapons platform employed by the fleshcrafters of the Aegidian League. Heavily armoured and with fearsome pincers to match, it projects a terrifying presence on any battlefield, but its most devastating weapon is its stinger, which is capable of launching magical projectiles over great distances, making the scorpion a natural artillery unit. Zodiac Champions will need to carefully consider how to tackle these abominations – whether to seek shelter from their barrage or approach and be torn to shreds in close combat.

Next there are two very special newcomers. The French region of Provence is known for its chivalric traditions, and so we sought its support in financing the game, and the grant we’ve received has allowed us to make room for two monstrosities from Provençal folklore. The Coulobre and the Tarasque are the first dragons to slither their way into Zodiac Legion. The former is a great winged serpent – slaying it may prove a challenge given its lethal breath and razor-sharp claws. The latter is a lumbering behemoth with a carapace tougher than any steel, and with a strength and ferocity that let it crush its foes even when greatly outnumbered, literally stomping them into the dirt.

It will take all your might and cunning to bring down these dreadful creatures! Standard infantry formations may not save your men from bombardment, deadly sprays and trampling. Only with faith in the stars will your knights emerge victorious.

Until we meet again!

Thanks Couchpotato!

Rock Paper Shotgun checked out the indie RPG Small Saga:

Small Saga review: a short, story-heavy RPG that's light on challenge

Well, I think this is probably the first and only time I've ever heard British documentarian Adam Curtis appear as an ominous backing sample in an RPG boss battle theme, but in many ways, I hope it's not the last. Forget the operatic choral chants of Final Fantasy bosses. The new rallying cry against peak villainy is now some no-nonsense British commentary about the state of human extinction. It works surprisingly, well, and Small Saga is a game shot through with these kinds of Britishisms, set in the parks, streets and underbelly of modern-day London.

[...]

Hopefully, with a bit of rebalancing, Small Saga might yet reach the upper echelons of pint-sized RPGs, joining the likes of Jack Move as another lively reimagining of their Final Fantasy inspirations in miniature. As things currently stand, though, Small Saga gets a much more tepid recommendation - though I'd be half-tempted to say the Adam Curtis battle music (and its excellent score more generally) is almost worth the very reasonable price of entry alone. It's certainly a one-off, I'll give it that, so if you can stomach its lack of challenge, you'll probably still have quite a good time with it.

Small Saga review

A short and sweet turn-based RPG that has a lot of bite to its story and whose music will have you harking back to the Final Fantasy glory days, but its battles are too much of a cakewalk to leave much an impression.

Styg explains the new armor mechanics of Underrail: Infusion:

Dev Log #7: New Armor Mechanics

Hi guys,

It's that time of the year again. All the stars and planets are in the right position and it's time for an Infusion dev log.

We already showed you the extent to which we upgraded the visual aspects of the engine, but the mechanical changes that I've done so far and am yet to do are just as extensive, and perhaps more radical. I'm going to talk about them one by one, in separate dev logs, as I continue to test, tweak, and refine them.

Our immediate goal with the engine and the game is to (re-)implement a number of items and mechanics, get a few areas together, and get the game in a state where it can be played for real, so to speak. Mainly so I can better asses how all these changes work in practice, but also so we can produce a short demo video and show you the game in action for the first time.

* * * * * * * * * *

So, anyway, let's get to the changes to the armor mechanics and damage resistance in general.

In Underrail, the damage resistance was divided into percentual resistance and flat threshold. Incoming damage would be reduced either percentually or by flat amount, whichever would reduce more damage in any given case. This caused a lot of balancing problems. Threshold was generally either useless or overpowered (especially when stacked in early game), while resistance was hard to progress with armor quality, as its percentual nature made it already scale innately.

All these problems really came to forefront when I was implementing different types of shotgun shells in Expedition. Balancing usefulness of different shells in this system was just impossible and it took a lot of tweaking to make it even remotely decent with liberal use of seemingly arbitrary threshold and resistance ignore factors. At one point I was tempted to just implement a completely different interaction for the shells specifically, but decided against it for the sake of consistency.

Another problem with the old model was that all resistances stacked globally. Meaning: resistances from boots and helmets were equally effective as body armor and they all aggregated when it came to interacting with incoming damage. This made me really hesitant to put a lot of resistances on helmets and boots because, on one hand, I didn't want them to make the high resistance armors completely broken by just maxing (or near maxing) out all the resistances and, on the other hand, I didn't want these items, because of their high resistances, becoming mandatory for characters that use ligher armor in the body slot.

There are other problems too, but these are the main issues, I think.

So how does the Infusion's new system differ from the old one?

[...]

Thanks Couchpotato!

Splattercatgaming checked out the tactical RPG Wantless:

Wantless is a Customizable Strategy RPG About Back Alley Brainwashing

Wizard Worm checked out the dungeon crawler Chronicles of Vaeltaja:

Chronicles of Vaeltaja: In Search of the Great Wanderer Review (Party-Based RPG)

A demo for The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles is now avaiable:

Explore, Battle, Survive, and (Hopefully) Stay Sane: The Demo is Here!

Dive into our roguelite and descend into an ever-changing, whimsical dungeon with each new playthrough.

Welcome, bold adventurers!

On a scale from "zero" to "final boss," we're at least "miniboss" level excited to announce that you can now get your greedy mitts on the demo for The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles!

Immerse yourself in a chaotic, pixelated world where each level is a new beginning, every room a potentially murderous unknown, and every enemy a challenge that will test your coolness and strategic skills. Ready to start the hunt for the Sacred Groowl?

The demo gives you a taste of our personal reinterpretation of the classic dungeon-crawlers of YGOD™ (Ye Good Olde Days):

• Innovative combat system that blends arcade action with turn-based strategy.
• Randomly generated levels to ensure a unique experience with every new playthrough.
• A succulent arsenal of weapons and special abilities that adapt to your playstyle.
• Dialogue loaded with nerd humor that enriches a memorable adventure.

Folks, it goes without saying: your feedback is as precious as gold. We will listen to your experiences and painstakingly collect your advice like scribes to refine the game until its release in the fall of 2024.

So, put on a comfy pair of boots, check your equipment and supplies, and dive into the crazy world of The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles! We can't wait to see how you'll fare.

Catch you on the Sixteenth Level!

The Development Team 

The Kickstarter campaign for the DLC Tales of the Moon Cult has been successful:

Tales of the Moon Cult

You are amazing!
We're thrilled to announce that Black Geyser: Couriers of Darkness is getting an expansion pack next year! Thank you so much for your incredible support!!

Even though the Kickstarter campaign for Tales of the Moon Cult finished with success, late backing (pledging) is still possible, and is counted towards stretch goals. Let's spread the word together about the PayPal option!

Reward surveys will be sent out in the near future. Just like in 2018, we are going to use BackerKit. You will also be able to upgrade your pledge or choose add-ons in BackerKit for a limited time.

We are truly grateful to everyone who has been on this long journey with us and worry not, we're not finished yet. Also, be sure to drop in to our Discord channel and chat by the fire!

The Black Geyser Team

Thanks Couchpotato!

Gameffine checked out the narrative RPG Cabernet:

Cabernet Preview

It’s no secret that I’m a sucker (vampire pun #1) for vampire RPGs, my obsession with which began with the deeply flawed Masquerade: Redemption and peaked with Troika’s magnum opus, Bloodlines. I tried to satiate the thirst left behind by Bloodlines with Vampyr, Coteries of New York, Swansong, V Rising and even Vampire’s Fall: Origins to varied results. Heck, I’m one of those poor suckers (vampire pun #2) who pre-ordered Bloodlines 2 over three years ago. You can understand my excitement when Party for Introverts (cool name, btw) announced Cabernet, a narrative vampire RPG set in a world of 19th century aristocratic vampires. Thanks to Neon Hive PR, I got to have an early look at Cabernet’s juicy new demo build. Here’s yours truly, presenting Gameffine’s Cabernet preview.

[...]

One can never have too many vampire RPGs. Even with the limited time spent in the demo, I can confidently say that Cabernet is one to watch out for. An often overlooked historical setting, choice-driven gameplay, and plenty of opportunities to piss off immortal elites made Cabernet climb to the top of my ever-growing Steam wishlist. You can even say that it’s got a bite!

Thanks Yemeth!

Splattercatgaming checked out the recently released expansion Vagrus - The Riven Realms: Sunfire and Moonshadow:

This Gigantic Post Apocalyptic RPG Just Got Even Bigger - VAGRUS

The Early Access version of the tactical RPG Wantless: Solace at World's End is now available:

Wantless - Early Access Release Trailer

Early Access Now Available

Play Wantless: Solace at World’s End today!

Greetings, fervent gamers!

This is it! We are thrilled to announce that the Early Access for Wantless: Solace at World's End is officially live! It's time for you to become a mind-doctor and make good use of your tactical cunning in a dystopian future.

[...]

Paolo Nicoletti announced the dungeon crawler/roguelike The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles - a demo will be available soon:

The Crazy Hyper Dungeon Chronicles Trailer

Dive into this 2D Roguelite Dungeon-crawler and get catapulted into a series of mind-bending labyrinths with a top-down perspective. All this is rendered in glorious pixel-art and adorned with a turn-based combat system infused with electrifying arcade nuances, where each weapon serves as a unique extension of your character.

Another hallmark of this adventure is its randomly generated level design. Every zone of the Hyper-Dungeon is a unique universe, different from any other gameplay session. The layout of the rooms, the shape of the corridors, and the placement of monsters, traps, and treasures are reinvented every time, providing players with an ever-changing challenge.

Navigating these subterranean levels will be anything but a walk in the park: you'll need tactics, quick reflexes, and keen observation to overcome lethal traps and a wide variety of enemies. The full version of the game offers a total of 50 meticulously designed levels, paying special attention to gameplay mechanics, plot, and dialogue. The gameplay offers a broad spectrum of experiences that continually alternate: from last-stand battles to tactical reasoning, and from puzzles that require intuition and wit.

Each level is a microcosm unto itself, with different biomes, varying levels of brightness, and changing dimensions. Think you can dodge some challenges? Think again... what invaluable treasures will you miss by taking the easier path? But it doesn't end here: classic mechanics of the genre--such as character development, leveling up, and collecting rare items--are enriched by an intuitive yet effective crafting system.

Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to customize your fighting technique with three different styles, each with unique unlockable abilities. Monsters in the game are numerous and exhibit different behaviors, making encounters compelling without being excessively difficult or frustrating: we firmly believe that a video game should above all be fun.

But don't be fooled by the seriousness of the challenge: the entire adventure is imbued with eccentric humor and sharp dialogue, rich in pop culture, nerd/geek references, and nods to classic video game lore, which, we hope, will capture the heart of every gamer!

Couchpotato spotted the first playtests for Dungeons of the Amber Griffin:

Dungeons of the Amber Griffin - Playtest Launch

The Sunfire and Moonshadow DLC will be released on November 7 - the Turn Based Lovers checked it out:

Vagrus - The Riven Realm: Sunfire and Moonshadow - New DLC

Delve into a new, expansive region known as the Bronze Desert; a treacherous land that is host to a burgeoning conflict between two nemesis factions: the Chimera Legion and the mysterious, desert-dwelling Ahari.
Sunfire and Moonshadow is Vagrus - The Riven Realms' first expansion and it is rife with opportunities for the taking. Expansive quests, colorful NPCs, and new, terrifying enemies await any vagrus daring enough to test their mettle. Will you take the plunge?

Thanks Couchpotato!