Well, we’ve reached the end of July and the year is just past half-over. In the first half we saw great RPG release such as…..well, there was Fallout DLC. In the next couple of months we are going to see an avalanche of new releases not just limited to the RPG genre, but for video games in general. Arkham Asylum, Dark Void, Uncharted 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Modern Warfare 2, and Left 4 Dead 2 are all games that we hear about endlessly. But fuck all that, we all know you’re a 30 year old man who never leaves the house and sports a balding-ponytail combo. Grab your dice and cheetos, it’s time for a look at some upcoming RPGs.

Dragon Quest IX: The Japanese release of Enix’s flagship title (and first main title of the series to have it’s launch on a handheld system I might add) was extremely successful. Dragon Quest IX has currently sold over 3 million copies and is still going. Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu went so far as to rate the game a perfect 40/40, the tenth game to do so since the magazine’s debut in 1986. I am aware that sales don’t mean everything, but when have you ever said to yourself “wow this is actually pretty terrible” while playing one of the main Dragon Quest games, honestly?

Dragon Age: Origins: Ray Muzyka claiming that Dragon Age: Origins is a ’spiritual sucessor’ toBaldur’s Gate should be all the hype any true RPG gamer needs for this game. BioWare have a very impressive resume of RPGs (Mass Effect, KotOR, Neverwinter Nights, Baldur’s Gate) so it’s safe to say that they can be trusted. Dragon Age utilizes a brand new engine by the name of Eclipse, and will allow the creation of fan-made content.  This is one of those games that just looks better and better every time I see it, and the collector’s edition comes with a freaking CLOTH MAP! Dragon Age: Origins is due out on October 20th.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade: Muramasa may be somewhat less of an RPG than other games appearing on this list, but that doesn’t hurt it’s potential in any way. The main character is Kisuke, a fugitive who has amnesia and can’t remember a thing, including why he’s even a fugitive in the first place (sounds like The Suffering). Players will be able to choose between either the Wiimote or the classic/GameCube controllers (YESSS!). Japanese critics have praised the game’s difficulty, graphics, and sound, but panned the game’s weak story. Now I always hold story higher than I do graphics, but Weapon X has played the retail game and loved the gameplay, so maybe the combination of great art and gameplay will distract me from the sub-par storyline. Muramasa is due out on September 8th.

Alpha Protocol: Obsidian Entertainment’s third-person action RPG is definitely a title to look out for. Players will take on the role of rookie CIA field agent Michael Thorton as he attempts to unravel a conspiracy after being betrayed and hunted down by his own government. One interesting aspect is the dialogue structure. Conversations happen in real-time, meaning players have to respond at certain key-points throughout the conversation and won’t be able to go make a snack before answering a question. Alpha Protocol is due out on October 6th.

Demon’s Souls: Some of you may have caught Drakol’s review of From Software’s PS3 exclusive (if you haven’t then here you go). Games these days just aren’t as hard as they used to be, well…most games. One thing I hear from a lot of gamers who have had time with Demon’s Souls is that it is actually very challenging! Not to mention very deep. In this dark and dreary fantasy players must travel to Boleria, which isn’t too great a shape anymore, to engage in epic battles with demons and beasts. Demon’s Souls is due out on October 6th as well.

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love: Many North American gamers haven’t even heard of the Sakura Wars franchise at this point, but all that might change very soon. In So Long, My Love it is late 1920s New York City, and crime is probably the least of their problems. Demons have invaded the city and are planning some pretty nasty things. This is where you come in. You play as Shinjiro Taiga, and you must lead you’re own small army to defeat these hell-spawns, good luck. So Long, My Love is due out on September 30th.

Well there you have it, the second half looks like it has much more potential than the first. For updates on these and many more games tune in to Playing the Role every….well I don’t really have a schedule yet. Let’s say Friday.