rpgs

Japanese Subway Stations Totally Look Like Role-Playing Game Dungeons

As any long-time resident can attest, Japan’s subway is punctual, clean and convenient. Its stations, however, can get elaborate and confusing.


One Simple Ni No Kuni Tip To Help You Catch ‘Em All

I’m a sucker for sidequests in Ni no Kuni. I blame the stamps. In the game, each time you do a sidequest, you get a number of “merit stamps” on your stamp-card, and if you fill out a card, you can trade it in for power-ups. The tougher the sidequest, the more stamps you get.


Watch These Guys Get Really, Really Into Their Medieval Fantasy RPG

I dunno about you guys, but I kind of can’t help but get really into the worlds of some fantasy-riddled RPGs. That’s what I imagine is the cause for Olan Rogers’s newest video game-centric video.


Are We Being Unfair When We Say That Grinding Sucks?

I hate feeling like a cog in the machine — like my actions don’t matter, like I’m wading through tedium before I can get to the ‘meaningful’ part. Tedium exasperates me, makes me start thinking about depressing things like not reaching my true potential. This is true in both real life as well as in games.

So it should come as no surprise that I hate grinding in games, even though just about every title — from popular games Call of Duty to the smallest, esoteric RPGs, force me to do it. There must be a reason for the constant inclusion of the grind — either people can enjoy it, or it provides something worthwhile for game designers.


One Of The Best Indie RPGs Ever Made Is Getting A Sequel

If you haven’t played Tales of Game’s Studios Presents Chef Boyardee’s Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, Chapter 1 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa, you really should. It’s funny, awesome, and 100% free. (Download here.)


Wow, Final Fantasy’s Combat Really Is Based On Football

I’ve written before about how RPGs parallel football in many ways, and how the ebb and flow of an NFL game mirrors traditional turn-based combat.


NFL Punter Chris Kluwe Has Strong Opinions RPGs And Gay Marriage

When he isn’t kicking footballs or cursing out politicians, Chris Kluwe spends his time playing video games. Lots and lots of video games.


The Trouble With Most High Fantasy Dialogue Is That It’s Terrible

I can pinpoint the exact line that finally broke me. Despite being an ardent fan of many books and games that use high fantasy settings, I’ve never had very much patience for some of their tropes. And last night, one ridiculous line in a thoroughly ridiculous, but mostly enjoyable, game finally pushed me over the edge.


An Early Look At Combat In The Banner Saga

If you’re like me, you’ve had a curious eye on The Banner Saga since it was announced earlier this year. Three former BioWare developers went to Kickstarter before Kickstarter became “Kickstarter” (if that makes sense?) to fund a DRM-free PC/Mac RPG called The Banner Saga.


Why Is Skyrim’s World Better Than Amalur’s? (And Other Burning RPG Questions)

Welcome to Burning Questions, a new Kotaku feature where Jason Schreier and Kirk Hamilton chat about the games they’re playing, the news they’re hearing, and the comings and goings of the world of video games.


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