David and Paige travel back 22 years to enjoy the first Fire Emblem game to be localized in the West: The Blazing Blade.
Our first RPG Club game has come to an end, and we have a chat about our experience with the Dragon Quest III: 2DHD Remake and discuss why we hope this is the first of many from Square Enix.
A Quarter Century of Quests: Reliving the Magic with Our Top 25 RPGs
Remember those late nights, long after we should have gone to bed, controller in hand, exploring fantastical worlds, forging lifelong relationships (even if they were just with pixels on a screen), and saving the world from destruction? That feeling, that immersion, that pure escapism – that's the magic of a great RPG. And for the past 25 years, we've been blessed with an incredible bounty of them.
Join us on the latest episode of The Thirsty Mage as we embark on a nostalgic journey through the very best that the world of role-playing games has offered. We're counting down our definitive Top 25 RPGs of the last 25 years, a celebration of the titles that defined a generation and shaped the landscape of interactive storytelling.
From sprawling open worlds to tightly-knit narratives, from turn-based tactical combat to action-packed real-time battles, we've explored every corner of the RPG genre to bring you this carefully curated list. This isn't just a list; it's a conversation. It's a chance to reminisce about the games that stole our hearts, the characters we grew to love (and sometimes hate), and the moments that are etched into our gaming memories.
Think back to the first time you cast Firaga, the thrill of leveling up, the agonizing choice between two equally powerful pieces of loot. These are the experiences that bind RPG fans together, a shared history of adventure and imagination. Our Top 25 RPGs list reflects that shared history, highlighting the games that pushed boundaries, innovated gameplay mechanics, and crafted stories that resonated with millions.
This episode isn't just about nostalgia, though. It's also about rediscovering classics. Perhaps you missed a few gems along the way, or maybe you're looking for a new (old) obsession. Our countdown is the perfect guide for anyone looking to delve into the rich history of RPGs. We discuss what made each game special, its impact on the genre, and why it deserves a spot on our prestigious list of the Top RPGs of the last 25 years.
Did your favorites make the cut? Prepare for some tough choices, passionate debates, and maybe even a few surprises. We've done our best to represent the diverse landscape of role-playing games, So, settle in, and join us as we celebrate a quarter century of incredible role-playing experiences. This is more than just a podcast episode; it's a time machine, a portal back to the worlds that shaped us. Tune in now to The Thirsty Mage and relive the magic of the Top 25 RPGs of the last 25 years.
(3:30) First 16 RPGs of the Top 25 Games of the past 25 Years
The Thirsty Mage community meets up for part 1 of a multi-part spoiler-cast of Dragon Quest III HD2D. This episode covers the beginning of the game and includes the first five hours leading up to the arrival in Asham.
David and Jordan discuss Ys: Memoire, the remaster of The Oath in Felghana, which also happens to be a remake of Ys III. Jordan also shares his impressions on playing DragonAge Origins via Xbox GamePass.
(:22) RPG Club Introduction
(8:23) Ys Memoire - The Oath in Felghana
(23:22) Octopath Traveler Update
(31:36) Dragon Age Origins
Our backlogs each have one less game after playing Octopath Traveler, Silent Hill 2, and Chrono Trigger.
(9:17) Reevaluating Octopath Traveler
(17:45) Silent Hill 2 Remake
(46:12) GamePass Rundown and Chrono Trigger
Paige shares the details of her recent trip to Japan. From the halls of the Nintendo Museum to the wilds of Dragon Quest Island, she provides the scoop on spending 10 days in the dreamland of video games.
(4:45) Exploring Osaka
(17:05) Nintendo Museum Impressions
(40:25) Universal Japan Studios
(59:30) Visiting Dragon Quest Island
The podcast ends 2024 with a quick look back on some of the recommended episodes from our almost 300 episode catalogue.
https://discord.gg/5EY4xPd4Jb
The discussion at the pub this episode includes our biggest surprises, disappointments, and best Games of the Year for 2024.
The pub shares their thoughts on what to add, or not add, to their Christmas Wishlist.
Jordan shares his impressions on a pair of games with Dragon in the title: Dragon Quest III HD2D and Dragon Age: The Veilguard
In this episode, David and Casey discuss the new Pokemon mobile game and the upgraded Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance.
Game, Games, and more Games. Jordan shares a spoiler-free review of Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven and early impressions of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. David shares his experience of playing Slay the Princess on Halloween.
