Operation Backlog Completion 2026
Nov 272024
 

It seems like we completely forgot to talk about this one, so let’s start at the beginning.

Back near the end of September, Gust and Koei Tecmo announced Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian for Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC.

(That name is a mouthful, but it looks like the official account shortens it to RW, so that’s what I’ve done in the tags.)

It will be released in 2025, which means we not only have Atelier Yumia coming next year, but this new game as well.

If the title “Resleriana” sounds familiar, it’s because this is an offline game with an original story set in the same universe as the gacha game Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator, which we discussed when its localization was announced.

I’m not especially interested in that one because of its nature, but an offline game? Now that has my attention.

A short teaser trailer shown at the time of the new game’s announcement revealed a bit of the world, but not much else.

Although it was widely assumed at the time due to it being an offline game, Koei Tecmo has now confirmed this game has no gacha system. They also said it can be enjoyed without knowledge of the other Atelier Resleriana.

It’s interesting that they have two Atelier games in development at once, and even more interesting that one is set in the same world as the gacha game, which is itself considered a mainline entry.

They still haven’t said anything about the combat system, which is what I’m most curious about. Atelier Ryza opted for a very fast-paced ATB system and Atelier Yumia is taking a step even beyond that into action combat, but Atelier Sophie 2 was turn-based (and so is the gacha game). A lot of fans think Atelier Resleriana RW might also be turn-based, and that’s why they’re working on both it and Yumia.

2025 is already shaping up to be a good year for JRPGs, although I’ve still got a backlog of Atelier games to play. What do you expect from Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian?

Nov 222024
 

It’s been almost 4 years since I played Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling, and 5 since the game came out.

I found Bug Fables to be an excellent game that satisfied my craving for a classic Paper Mario game while still having an identity of its own. There’s still no sign of a sequel, but I have my fingers crossed.

But even if there’s no sequel, that doesn’t mean there’s no news. For its fifth anniversary, the game got a surprise update!

(I’ll admit, when they teased news coming yesterday, I had hoped for a sequel announcement, but this is still exciting.)

The 5th anniversary v1.2 update adds a fishing mini-game, a new post-game boss fight, a medal that lets allied characters support you, 11 other new medals, new items, a new music track, and some quality-of-life improvements.

It’s wonderful to see Bug Fables being supported even five years after launch, and it increases my hopes that we’ll see more from this universe someday. The additions aren’t enough to make me replay the game just yet, but it sounds like Bug Fables will be an even better experience for new players now.

Bug Fables is available on Steam, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One (all digital-only, although there was also a Limited Run Games physical release for the Switch), so if you’ve been hoping for another game in the style of Paper Mario, this looks like the best time to give Bug Fables a try!

What do you think of the new Bug Fables update?

Nov 202024
 

Two years ago, we discussed the official announcement of Control 2, and last month I finally finished Control.

Now some new information has come out, although what it means isn’t quite clear yet.

Remedy made a few small announcements yesterday, including the detail that Control 2 will be an action RPG.

This made me pause when I first read it, because the first game already has some RPG elements despite being classified as an action-adventure game. You earn experience and unlock upgrades from a skill tree. It sounds like Control 2 will go even further in that direction (maybe something similar to how Alan Wake was a thriller with horror elements while Alan Wake 2 was survival horror). What that exactly means, however, hasn’t been explained.

Of course, it’s sparked all sorts of arguments about what defines an RPG. I usually focus on leveling up as the main criteria, but it’s definitely muddied by games with RPG elements. But if your definition of RPG excludes most JRPGs, I disagree there completely.

What I’m imagining for Control 2 right now is an expanded version of those systems so that you can customize your build and combat style, maybe with more types of equipment available, too.

Meanwhile, in a curious maybe-easter-egg-maybe-glitch, some Control players are reporting that a certain spoiler character has disappeared from their game. The discussion involves spoilers, so don’t click that link if you’re avoiding Control spoilers. There was a Control update after the release of Alan Wake 2’s Lake House DLC that this might be related to, but it’s still not entirely clear since not everyone has been able to replicate it. If it is an easter egg, however, that’s pretty neat.

I enjoyed Control despite how long it took me to finish it, and I’m planning to play Control 2. Although the multiplayer spin-off coming out in between doesn’t interest me, I’ll be looking forward to learning more about Control 2 and what its new RPG direction means.