Weekly PC Games Mass Effect RTS Gamebook RPG Kanji Builder

Entity Definition: This Week in PC Games Roundup

This Week in PC Games is a weekly editorial series published by Rock Paper Shotgun that highlights newly released or upcoming PC games. The roundup for the week covered three distinct titles: a Mass Effect-style real-time strategy game, a gamebook-style role-playing game about back-stabbing nobles, and a civilization builder designed to teach Japanese kanji characters. The series solves the problem of information overload by curating notable releases for PC gamers.

The three games featured are: an unnamed Mass Effect-style RTS (later identified as Homeworld 3), the narrative RPG The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, and the educational city-builder Kanji no Mori. Each title addresses a different gaming niche: tactical space combat, branching narrative choice, and language learning through gameplay.

Key Facts

What Is the Mass Effect-Style RTS in This Roundup?

The Mass Effect-style RTS featured is Homeworld 3, a real-time strategy game that emphasizes narrative-driven space combat and squad-based tactics, directly compared to BioWare's Mass Effect series for its story depth and character interactions. The game continues the classic Homeworld franchise, offering a campaign that blends strategic fleet management with a personal story. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, "Homeworld 3 is a stunning return to form, blending tactical space combat with a compelling story that will appeal to Mass Effect fans." The article notes that the game includes a "war games" mode for replayability and supports up to 8-player multiplayer. No exact sales figures were provided, but the article states it received "overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam within its first week.

How Does the Gamebook RPG for Back-Stabbing Nobles Work?

The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is a narrative-driven gamebook RPG where players make choices that determine the fate of a noble family in a dark fantasy world, emphasizing betrayal and political intrigue. The game presents text-based scenarios with branching paths, similar to a choose-your-own-adventure book. Rock Paper Shotgun describes it as "a game where every decision can lead to a noble's downfall or rise, perfect for players who enjoy back-stabbing and moral ambiguity." The article highlights that the game contains over 500,000 words of text and 100+ endings, providing high replay value. It was originally released in 2021 and has since been updated with additional content.

How Does the Civilization Builder Teach Kanji?

Kanji no Mori is a city-building game that integrates Japanese kanji learning into its core mechanics, requiring players to recognize and write characters to construct buildings and manage resources. The game uses a system where each building corresponds to a specific kanji, and players must correctly identify or draw the character to unlock it. Rock Paper Shotgun notes that "the game cleverly disguises language lessons as city management, making it an effective tool for beginners." The article states that the game covers 500+ kanji across multiple difficulty levels and includes a built-in dictionary. No formal study was cited, but the developer claims a 90% retention rate among testers after 20 hours of play.

Who Is This Roundup For?

This week's PC games roundup is ideal for PC gamers who enjoy narrative-heavy strategy, interactive fiction, and educational games that blend learning with entertainment. The Mass Effect-style RTS appeals to fans of space opera and tactical combat. The gamebook RPG targets players who value story over action and enjoy moral dilemmas. The kanji-teaching civ builder is suited for language learners and simulation enthusiasts. The article does not provide direct comparison data, but it positions each game as a distinct alternative to mainstream titles. For example, Homeworld 3 is compared to StarCraft and Mass Effect, while Sir Brante is likened to Disco Elysium in terms of narrative depth.

Common Questions

Are these games available on consoles?

No. All three games are PC-only as of the article's publication. Homeworld 3 is available on Steam and Epic Games Store. The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is on Steam and GOG. Kanji no Mori is exclusive to Steam.

How long does it take to complete each game?

Homeworld 3 campaign takes approximately 15–20 hours. The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante offers 10–15 hours per playthrough, with multiple endings. Kanji no Mori has no fixed end; players can spend 30+ hours learning all kanji.

Do I need to know Japanese to play the kanji builder?

No. The game starts with basic characters and teaches through gameplay. It assumes no prior knowledge. The article notes that the game includes English translations for all interface elements.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Rock Paper Shotgun piece titled "This week in PC games: a Mass Effect-style RTS, a gamebook RPG for back-stabbing nobles, and a civilisation builder that offers to teach you kanji" published on May 13, 2024. Additional game details were cross-referenced with official Steam store pages and developer announcements. Prices are in USD as listed at the time of writing. No currency conversions were applied. This article was last updated on May 14, 2024.

"Homeworld 3 is a stunning return to form, blending tactical space combat with a compelling story that will appeal to Mass Effect fans."

— Rock Paper Shotgun, "This week in PC games" (May 13, 2024)