Triple Click The RPGs of 2025 (with Cameron Kunzelman)
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Nov 13, 2025 In this discussion, Cameron Kunzelman, a writer and podcaster who explores gaming cultures, shares insights on the RPG landscape of 2025. He debates the definition of RPGs, highlighting the balance between player agency and predefined characters in titles like Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2. The evolution of Assassin's Creed into RPG territory is also a focal point, as Cameron discusses its new mechanics and design philosophy. The conversation is spiced up with thoughts on modern onboarding design and the nostalgic influences of JRPGs like Claire Obscur.
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Watch Price Not Just Specs
- Monitor hardware pricing when adopting new consoles; specs alone don't guarantee success.
- Jason warns Valve's new Steam machine could fail if launch prices end up too high.
Agency Vs. Onboarding Design
- Different RPGs present agency differently: some lay out lore up front, others let you discover it.
- Jason and Kirk note neither approach is inherently better; it's a design choice aligned to a game's goals.
Outer Worlds 2 Character Creation Wins
- Maddie praises Outer Worlds 2's character creation and flaw/perk system for prompting role-play.
- She says the game's mechanics let her invent and role-play a personality throughout the game.
