FF7 Rebirth: When Is The Point Of No Return For Side Quests?

The soulslike genre has been shifting and evolving for over a decade now, and with the rapid release of recent entries like and , it's clear just how much has changed over that time. Although was the first game to codify many of the core soulslike mechanics, was the one that shot the concept to worldwide popularity. Within a few years, the ideas that made so compelling were starting to spread throughout the gaming industry, and plenty of titles have benefited from them since.

The new is an interesting addition to , but more than anything, it's a reminder that one older game in franchise deserves to have a proper comeback. Although the release model of has long relied on extensive amounts of expansion packs, the series also spent much of its lifespan spinning things off into proper side games. Although this could sometimes get very far from the original concept (like in ), the franchise also had its fair share of games that fulfilled core concepts in their own interesting ways.

Navigating the world of isn't that tricky as a whole, but one element that's easy to get tripped up on is the game's approach to relationships. makes a major departure from both the original and by making relationship progress with party members a central part of the game, with the ultimate payoff lying in a number of potential dates at the Gold Saucer. Although the basic thrust of the system is clear enough, some key aspects aren't actually revealed until after the credits roll.

might not look like a game that would have much of an emphasis on the story at first glance, but by the time it reaches the ending, it proves that its narrative ambitions are greater than might be expected. As an unusual twist on the soulslike genre, packs intense fights and a healthy dose of platforming into a package that's more charming than most of its peers. Although the framing might seem like it wouldn't dwell in the grim, quiet corners that most soulslike games frequent, the story ends up having some serious weight.

It's been a while since a new entry in the series, but there's good reason to believe that a reveal of the next game could be happening in the near future. released in 2019, so the signature series hasn't yet made a current generation debut with a new mainline game on the Xbox Series X/S. There isn't anything quite like its bulked-up brand of third-person shooter gameplay, and as the gap between games nears the five-year mark, it definitely feels like time for a new entry.

isn't content to just be an average, everyday city-builder, and the game's commitment to doing something unique goes beyond its central concept. The obvious thing that makes different from other games in the genre is its blend of tactical battles into the mix, which gives it an extra dose of appeal. This isn't the only feature that's hard to find elsewhere, however, and another fairly unique addition also contributes to making its medieval settlements feel more like real places with real people.

has a lot of memorable characters, from the main party members to NPCs on the sidelines. Not every person who appears in the game is necessarily a winner – any charm points that Chadley might have are hard to appreciate when he won’t stop popping up on screen – but it’s hard to call any significant figure bland. The problem of overuse isn’t exclusive to Chadley, however, and even more engaging characters do sometimes wear out their welcome by the time the credits roll.

is a new physics-based party brawler set on carving out a niche in a crowded market, and there's one element in particular that could help give it an edge. Developed by Lightfox Games and published by Mad Mushroom, the publishing label of creator group OTK, is angling in part to hook streamers and their audiences into the game. Finding success in this area can be something of a gamble, but Lightfox isn't leaving the prospect entirely up to chance.

Xbox Game Pass is getting yet another exciting day-one addition on April 26, but despite how incredible this game looks like it could be, there's also some cause for caution. Getting to play new games as soon as they release without a purchase is one of the biggest draws of Xbox Game Pass, which opens up a large library of games for a subscription fee. The service is available on both Xbox systems and PC, and it often makes it possible to play games on either platform.

The future of might end up making the game a lot more exciting, and the update that could change everything isn't the DLC release. Although has plenty of fans, its reception so far has been a largely mixed one, especially when compared to the success of Bethesda Game Studios titles like Its expansive world can also feel empty, and the gameplay loop hasn't proven as universally compelling as the best RPGs to come out of the studio.

covers a big story with a wide cast of characters, but there are two in particular who could benefit from receiving an DLC treatment. introduced the idea of filling in story gaps with a DLC through the Yuffie-focused, which debuted the new version of the classic character and sent her on a mission to infiltrate Shinra. Although it's not 100% necessary to play through the side chapter before , it adds important context for her character and teases some threads that follows.

makes a fair few changes to the story of the original, and based on hints dropped throughout the story, there's one major location from the first game that's definitely going to get a very different treatment in the conclusion of the new trilogy. Making alterations to a classic title can come with a lot of pitfalls, and plays it safe in some key areas to avoid major mistakes. In some categories, however, the game makes significant overhauls that seem likely to precipitate even bigger changes down the line.