Another PAX is in the books, and it brought another round of unforgettable games and lifelong memories with friends. While PAX East increasingly feels like a showcase for indie titles over AAA games (I’ve started calling it “PAX Indie”), PAX West still attracts big-name publishers, offering hands-on time with major releases announced during the summer convention season. This year’s lineup included big titles like Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (though I didn’t get a chance to play either, thanks to the long lines), though I did get a chance to check out some games from Square Enix including the upcoming Dragon Quest III HD-2D and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven too!
Instead, I split my time more evenly between the video game convention hall and the tabletop gaming area—a decision I’ll likely stick with at future PAX events. Both spaces had some incredible things to discover.
Video Games
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero
Growing up in the ’90s, Dragon Ball Z was a huge influence on me. After-school Budokai and Budokai Tenkaichi gaming sessions were a regular occurrence, so when Bandai Namco revealed Sparking Zero, it instantly shot to the top of my “most anticipated” list. Finally, at PAX, I got to spend some time with it, and it did not disappoint. The game is gorgeous, fast, and fun—it hit all those nostalgic notes and brought back memories of those after-school battles.
It’s been a while since I last played Budokai Tenkaichi 3, so I can’t compare every detail, but Sparking Zero felt true to what I remember. Playing as Ultimate Gohan, my all-time favorite character, was just as thrilling as it was back then, and the visuals are stunning. Although I wish it had retained the Budokai Tenkaichi name in the West (instead of using the Japanese Sparking), I’m eagerly awaiting its October 11 release.
Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind
Continuing the nostalgia, I had to check out the upcoming Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, a beat-’em-up that took me back to my early childhood obsession with the franchise. From age five until around eight or nine, Power Rangers dominated my life. Getting hands-on with what’s arguably the best-looking Power Rangers game to date was a special moment. However, after playing TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, Rita’s Rewind felt a bit lacking in depth and complexity.
Don’t get me wrong—Rita’s Rewind will be a fun, vibrant experience. But with the Rangers feeling almost identical in play style, no skill progression or tree system, and the absence of voice acting from the original cast (due to the ongoing voice actors’ strike, which I fully support), it felt like it might lack replay value. Still, I’m excited to grab some friends, don some spandex, and dive into the action when it releases later this year.
Pioneers of Pagonia
Every PAX has that one surprise gem, and this year’s was Pioneers of Pagonia. Developed by Envision Entertainment and led by The Settlers creator Volker Wertich, Pagonia lets players manage a colony of settlers on a procedurally generated island. Watching Tim, one of the game’s designers, demo the intricate systems—complete with workers hustling around like attendees at PAX—reminded me of Roller Coaster Tycoon, one of my all-time favorite PC games.
This game offers a remarkable level of depth, especially in resource management. For example, trees must first be chopped down by woodcutters, processed into boards, and stored in a yard before they can be used. The entire process requires meticulous planning, but the game automates much of the grunt work. You’ll adjust building priorities—like focusing your woodcutters on specific types of trees—and the AI handles the rest. It’s a relaxing, meditative experience that still offers plenty of strategy.
After PAX, I’ve been dipping my toes into Pagonia, and it’s quickly become a perfect game for unwinding. You can even play co-op with friends, working together to manage a single village. With more features, modes, and updates planned, Pioneers of Pagonia is one to watch.
Tabletop Games
The Unpub Area
At the Summit building, which housed all the tabletop action, I spent a significant amount of time in the Unpub area—a section where aspiring board game designers showcase early prototypes. Two standout games I tried were Pocket Parks and BattleVerse.
Pocket Parks is a charming, small-box card game focused on national parks, designed by a husband-and-wife duo who have visited every park themselves. The cards feature their own photos and are printed on recycled material, giving the game an organic feel. With a good balance of actions and light player interaction, I’m hopeful this one will succeed when it eventually hits crowdfunding.
BattleVerse, designed by my friend Asa Greenriver, is a faction-battling game for up to four players. Each faction—ninjas, zombies, pirates, and more—has unique abilities and an ultimate attack. While I didn’t win the game (shoutout to Jacob MaCourt and his pesky zombies), it was a tense and exciting experience that I’m eager to play again as Asa continues developing it.
Middle Ages
While wandering the vendor floor, I stumbled upon a demo for Middle Ages, a fast-paced engine-building game designed by Marc André. The goal is to develop your fiefdom by building structures that generate coins (victory points) and offer unique effects. The screen-printed meeples and building tiles were charming, and the rules were easy to learn, which made the game flow quickly. I was sold on it by the end of the demo and grabbed a copy for myself.
Eschaton
With fall approaching, I’ve been in the mood for something a little darker. I finally got to try Eschaton by Archon Games—a deck-building, area-control game where players command cults vying for power as Armageddon looms. The dark, gothic imagery and straightforward mechanics drew me in, even though I couldn’t finish the demo due to a scheduling conflict. If you’re looking for a thematic game for Halloween, give Eschaton a try—it ships in October and is available for pre-order now.
Final Thoughts
PAX West 2024 offered a mix of nostalgia and surprises, from the fast-paced action of Dragon Ball Sparking Zero to the relaxing strategy of Pioneers of Pagonia. The tabletop scene was equally strong, with innovative indie titles like Pocket Parks and BattleVerse keeping things fresh. Whether you’re a video game fan or a tabletop enthusiast, this year’s show had something for everyone. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.
