RPG Game of the Year 2016: Demon’s Rise 2

RPG’s are a very different proposition on mobile than on other platforms – rarely do we get the vast open-worlds of Skyrim, or the action-fuelled spectacles of Mass Effect… although there is promise to be found in projects that sacrifice visuals for substance, like Wyvern.

Still, RPG-mechanics can add a lot of engagement and depth to prevent a __game from being just another run-of-the-mill tactics or action title. There were a lot of great contenders for RPG of the year this year, but Demon’s Rise 2 narrowly beat out the competition to emerge victorious.

Like a well-run __game of D&D 4^th Edition (which is a good and a bad thing, to be fair), Demon’s Rise 2 boasted some very satisfying combat mechanics and some really interesting character paths to get invested in. We asked Nick to write some words regarding the game's victory, and here’s what he had to say:

Demon's Rise 2: Lords of Chaos is an RPG perfectly suited for gamers who love a good fight. The game features over thirty hours' worth of carefully crafted combat encounters. These aren't your straight-ahead-until-you're-dead encounters either, no, you'll need to employ smart tactics to succeed. Demon's Rise 2 makes good use of terrain—standing behind large objects makes you harder to hit, for example—and a morale system that can either demoralize a combatant or send them into a frothing berserker rage. You assemble a party of six powerful warriors chosen from fifteen options, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and special abilities and go into battle. If you're a fan of smart, tactical combat reminiscent of tabletop-RPG action, this one is for you. Check out my full review of Demon's Rise 2 if you need more convincing. If not, buy it now for your iPad!

Not bad for a game that ‘only’ got 4 stars, but a well-deserved win none-the-less. It’s been a great year for RPG games, and we look forward to seeing what 2017 brings.

Apple App Store

Runner-Up: Banner Saga 2

There was a bit of a scrap for the runner-up prize during the voting, with a lot of games tying for that 2^nd Place position. The Banner Saga 2 managed to beat off the competition in the end and is our RPG Runner-Up for this year.

It almost ended in tears, as Tof noted in xis review – technical difficulties and weaknesses in the auto-save feature held this title back at launch, but it’s managed to rally since then. Sans technical issues, Tof had this to say:

I’ll come right out and say that Banner Saga 2 is a better game than its predecessor, and that’s no small thing, considering that the first game shook off its critics stings like so many biting flies, winning nearly all of them over despite their misgivings. It’s not perfect, especially as a mobile experience, but it builds on the previous game’s strengths and benefits from a shift in players' perspectives from what they thought The Banner Saga should be to an appreciation of what it actually is.

Luckily, its managed to rally a bit since release and so is very deserving of the runner-up prize.

Apple App Store Link

Google Play Store Link

Congratulations to Wave Light Games and Stoic for their awards. Stay tuned for more GOTY coverage over the coming week.

To keep track of all the winners and runner-up’s during the Awards, please see the 2016 Index Page.