Blizzard Creates New Overwatch Title with Unexpected Features

**Defining a role-playing game in 2025 has become more intricate than ever. Almost every game today incorporates RPG elements, so with a bit of imagination, one could argue that many titles qualify as RPGs, even if they stray from the traditional formulas and frameworks of the genre. As the criteria for what constitutes an RPG has broadened over time, any annual list of the top titles is almost certain to showcase a diverse range, from action-laden open-world adventures to strategic retro callbacks. Below are our selections for the finest RPGs of 2025.**

### **Assassin’s Creed: Shadows**
Numerous *Assassin’s Creed* titles take place in expansive worlds that don’t invite exploration. Everything is pinpointed on your map, and beyond those spots, there’s hardly anything to discover. However, recent installments, such as *Valhalla*, have defied this norm and introduced maps that are not only extensive but brimming with details to notice, characters to engage with, and activities to uncover.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows,* which adeptly transports the franchise to feudal Japan, represents the next evolution in this trend. The environment is incredibly enjoyable to traverse, and while exploring, you uncover various ways to modify both the characters you control and their builds. Moreover, the inclusion of two playable characters, each with unique quests, dialogue choices, combat styles, and skill trees essentially grants you two distinct RPG experiences in one. This is a significant achievement, positioning *Shadows* as one of the standout RPGs of 2025, as well as one of its most prominent titles.

### **Avowed**
My favorite RPGs are those where I can choose a path and start exploring, encountering fascinating events and adversaries along the way. *Avowed*, while not as expansive as some other open-world RPGs, allowed me to do just that.

Even better, I was immersed in a distinctive fantasy world filled with memorable characters. This RPG exudes confidence in its character development and storytelling, compelling you to take breaks between quests and exploration to camp out. Gathering around the campfire with my quirky group of misfits could have been tedious in different RPGs, but in *Avowed*, these moments stand out as some of the best in the game. Any RPG that makes conversations as enjoyable as combat and quests earns a place in my heart.

### **Clair Obscur: Expedition 33**
A lot has been said about *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* being a “savior” of the turn-based RPG genre, almost as if these games vanished after *Final Fantasy VII*. I don’t want the tiresome rhetoric of RPG critics to overshadow how exceptional Sandfall Interactive’s debut truly is. *Clair Obscur* tells a poignant tale of a group of adventurers on a desperate mission to put an end to an annual sacrifice of their loved ones (termed a Gommage), filled with constant surprises and anguish, whether in its narrative developments or in the dramatic way enemies attack to disrupt your well-timed counters or evasions. It avoids the excessive bloat that often plagues the RPG genre in favor of something concise, focused, and well-paced, coupled with a rich, rewarding turn-based combat system. Following the acclaim it has garnered this year, I hope that other RPG developers take cues from its balance of restraint and intentional flourish.

### **Deltarune**
Toby Fox’s episodic continuation of *Undertale* is still progressing, but four episodes in, *Deltarune* has already delivered humor, atmosphere, character depth, and an outstanding soundtrack that rivals its predecessor. With the final chapters still at least a year away, we have considerable time ahead before witnessing the conclusion of Kris’ adventure, but what has been revealed so far holds the promise of being just as powerful as *Undertale* was in 2015.

### **Demonschool**
What if you merged the original *Persona* game with *Into the Breach*? You’d arrive at *Demonschool*, an inventive and delightful RPG that transforms turn-based combat into a series of mini-strategic puzzles. The pixel art is impressive, and the soundtrack complements it well. The characters are charming, and the interactions are quick-paced, keeping the calendar management aspect of the gameplay feeling light rather than burdensome. The writing may not appeal to everyone, but it resonated with me. Picture the wittiest individuals in your group chat riffing off their stereotypes and exchanging quips at lightning speed. It can

### The Ascendance of the Blade Angels: An Insight into USA Figure Skaters Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito at the 2026 Winter Olympics

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, USA figure skaters Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito won the admiration of viewers globally with their outstanding performances, distinctive styles, and captivating personalities. Known as the “Blade Angels,” this trio infused a new dynamism into the sport, blending athletic prowess with a punk flair that resonated profoundly with supporters both on and off the ice.

#### Remarkable Performances on Ice

The Blade Angels exhibited their extraordinary talent throughout the event. Amber Glenn concluded Team USA’s journey on a triumphant note, making history by showcasing *Magic: The Gathering*—a move that was never seen in Olympic competitions. She secured fifth place in the women’s free skate and played a pivotal role in the team’s success by clinching gold in the team skating event.

As the closing ceremony approached, Glenn celebrated her accomplishments in a memorable way—tearing open a Lorwyn Eclipsed collector booster pack while surrounded by her teammates, with lights flashing and music booming. Her enthusiastic display not only emphasized her abilities on the ice but also her love for gaming. Additionally, she shared her findings with fans, featuring a rare foil Bloom Tender card, although the elusive Bitterbloom Bearer remained a missing gem in her collection.

#### A Fresh Face for *Magic: The Gathering*

Glenn’s passion for *Magic: The Gathering* was highlighted in her Olympic profile video, where she elaborated on the game’s premise, underscoring its strategic and collectible nature. She expressed her affection for the community, admitting to visiting local game shops where she frequently played. Her openness about her hobbies portrayed her as relatable, demonstrating that being a figure skater can coexist with interests often viewed as “nerdy.”

“I frequent local game stores and play. I realize it’s nerdy, but it’s my passion and I love it,” she shared, representing a comprehensive perspective on athlete identity that goes beyond competitive endeavors.

#### Highlighting Mental Health and Individuality

In her introspective moments, Glenn stressed the significance of mental health, acknowledging how focusing on life outside competition enhances her overall well-being. She remarked, “My skating and mental health journey are a continuously evolving path… I have hobbies. I have people I cherish outside of the sport.” This focus on personal wellness strongly resonates with a generation that prioritizes sincerity and self-care.

A noteworthy mention of her pet dog, Uki—named after a character from *Magic: The Gathering*—further exemplified her passion and bond with the game and the culture it nurtures.

#### Cultivating a New Epoch of Skating Culture

The emergence of the Blade Angels not only highlights personal achievements but also indicates a transformation in the figure skating culture. Glenn’s enthusiasm for gaming and anime, from instructing fellow skater Alysa Liu on how to play Commander to expressing her anime interests through various outlets, reflects a fusion of passions seldom observed at such elite levels of sport.

Supporters are encouraging game publishers like Wizards of the Coast to acknowledge this increase in visibility created by athletes like Glenn. With the popularity of *Magic: The Gathering* soaring—generating Hasbro $1.7 billion in a single year—the hope of Glenn becoming recognized as an ambassador for the game remains a promising possibility for many in the community.

In conclusion, Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito have transformed the perception of what it means to be a figure skater in today’s world, intertwining athleticism with personal identity and expanding the appeal of their sport to encompass gaming fans and a new generation of enthusiasts. The Blade Angels have made a lasting impact on the figure skating community, and their legacy may encourage future athletes to adopt a multifaceted identity.

Alas and alack for Lickity Split, knight hero of The Fortress, prisoner of a villainous Sorceror King. ‘Twas I who named him (I wanted a pun on “Lich” and I’m fairly sure we’ve done “Lich My Balls” several times before) and ‘twas I who led him to his death a whole six rooms away from his cell… and ‘twas I who then resurrected him as a wizard and got him killed again, a mere five minutes later.

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