Summary What goes into makinga great RPG?One thing, of certainty, is the narrative, but this is only a single piece of the puzzle. Another equally important part of what makes a good RPG is the gameplay. An RPG needs to have gameplay that reinforces the type of story the game is trying to tell, and is inherently satisfying for the player to engage with. How developers factor gameplayinto their worldbuildingis what separates the decent from the masterwork....

Amazon is now offering thePowerColor Fighter RX 7800 XT graphics cardfor $419.99, continuing the amazing Black Friday pricing still days after the sale. This GPU is now $80 off its regular price of $499.99, which is fairly competitive to begin with. Now, after the steep price cut, this is arguably one of the best value deals on any graphics card on Amazon. As it is originally a Black Friday deal, it might discontinue at any point as there’s no word on how long this promotion lasts....

Discounts on thebest gaming consoleshappen periodically throughout the year. Still, being popular holiday purchases, there is hope for greater savings on Black Friday. TheXbox Series Sis one of the most attainable gaming systems, supporting the same titles as the pricier Xbox Series X. Although the Series S doesn’t natively render gameplay in 4K, it’s an excellent match for the expansiveXbox Game Pass library. TheSeries S is being sold for $50 offat several retailers, but is it as strong a value now as when it debuted in 2020?...

Summary Tekken 8has unveiled a new trailer that hints at Anna Williams' return to the franchise. For the first year, the developers brought back names that were very dear to the hearts ofTekken 8players. Now, with only one fighter left to close out the list, many fans are wondering who might be the lucky one. The first to return as a DLC fighter was Eddy Gordo, the Brazilian capoeirista who debuted inTekken 3and has since become one of the fans' favorite characters....

Summary Action roguelikes and roguelitesare typically more overtly dynamic experiences than traditional roguelikes, thanks to real-time gameplay. These titles typically come in the form of brawlers, twin-stick shooters, and hack-and-slash games. However, some are more dynamic than others. Dynamic gameplay should contain an element of change that keeps the player on their toes, forcing a reaction. This could be via a diverse cast of well-designed enemies, timed challenges, or any other element that adds chaos and/or unpredictability to each encounter....

Summary Platformershave been one of the most storied genres in video games, with aged history and numerous titles taking a shot at being the best. Of course, being an older genre, the vast array of games allows for unique takes and innovations to sprout up, doing more than just following the same gameplay loop that it started out with. While there have been different ways to mix up the gameplay of platformers,explorationis one such avenue that can make for a highly engaging game....

Summary Many fans of the originalHorizon Zero Dawnwould be forgiven if they wondered why, exactly, it was necessary to release a remastered version of the game a mere eight years after its initial release. That game still looks gorgeous, and while it can’t compare tothe sequel,Horizon Forbidden West,there’s a console generation leap to blame for that. It’s reminiscent of other PlayStation IPs—likeThe Last of Us—that seem to always have a remastered or remade version of their games looming on the horizon....

Summary There are so many reasons people may choose to play their favoritegame without audio. Of course, players who are deaf or hard of hearing may simply be unable to hear the audio, while other players may find the audio overwhelming or uncomfortable during their playing experience. Most modern RPGs offer subtitles and accessibility options like text-to-speech and visual alerts, which means players who cannot use audio won’t be missing out on any of the details in games....

Summary Fortniteplayers can once again vote on the best user-created islands, with The Game Awards and Epic Games partnering up once again. From now through December 11, players can drop in and “celebrate the bestFortnite” experiences, with The Game Awards Island, voting on the very best user-created maps, modes, and experiences. The newFortniteexperience comes ahead of The Game Awards live show, which will be presented a day later on December 12....

Towers of Aghasbais a survival building game that mixes in some homestead management and high fantasy. It also has quite a particular system that allows players to interact with the world in several ways to get the resources they need. This, of course, includes getting Fur from animals, which is needed for many crafting recipes. Players can use Amity to keep a healthy relationship with the Ecosystem of their new home, andprevent the Shimu tribe from starving....

Summary Call of Duty: Black Ops 6players are sharing accounts of a gameplay bug where they’re surrounded by a glowing green aura, making them stick out, vulnerable to the entire enemy team for easy elimination. Multiplayer games that receive so many constant updates likeCall of Duty: Black Ops 6can often encounter bugs that lead to some inconveniences, but fans are expressing dissatisfaction with this problem because it feels like a spotlight that could potentially punish good gameplay....

Though it may seem likeDisney Dreamlight Valleyhas an infinite well to pull from, even Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios only have so many characters. One ofDisney Dreamlight Valley’s main draws is its consistent addition of new characters and content. The game may have only been out for two years so far, but ifDisney Dreamlight Valleycontinues to add content from new franchises at this rate, it may eventually run out of steam....

Summary Cozy gaming is now a massively popular genre. Many players are looking to slow down and relax and start a farm, run a coffee shop, or decorate a home instead of slaying a dragon. Still, it is nice to have a few dragons around! Enjoying a fantastical setting from a more relaxed perspective as opposed to a fast-paced, fighting-focused one can be great for mental health and stress relief. Plus, these games use innovative mechanics, narratives, and aesthetics that more traditional, adrenaline-chasing titles don’t have, creating a different kind of story-telling experience....