Saviors of Sapphire Wings is a great introduction to the DRPG genre and games from this developer. It’s worth playing for the base game alone for its enhanced features and engaging narrative, but genre veterans might prefer the challenge and freedom of Stranger of Sword City Revisited. Sure, these games are an output of modest production values and can be quite the grind. Still, the stylistic presentation and satisfying challenge go a long way to reel players into what is generally an acquired niche. Irrespective of your preference for RPGs, this is a welcome compilation among the big JRPG releases of 2021.

From top to bottom, Time on Frog Island oozes personality. The world, music, and characters create an amazing, laid-back experience that had me laughing at the random goofiness, and just stopping to enjoy the scenery as I thought about which task to do next. If you’re a fan of more laid-back experiences like I am, I strongly suggest giving Time on Frog Island a try.

Never7: The End of Infinity Remastered brings Kotaro Uchikoshi’s early work to a new audience, blending romance, mystery, and mind-bending twists. While it may not be as polished as later Infinity titles, its influence on the visual novel genre is undeniable, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.

Jiangshi X Daoshi is well worth your time as it pushes what the idea of a visual novel can be. The animations, combined with a simplistic story, makes it a perfect entry point for pretty much anyone. It won’t leave you questioning your existence or provide a feel-good experience, but it does present a group of characters who you can’t help but want to hang out with, which is an excellent foundation for any visual novel.

Farmagia is a narrative-driven action-strategy game that blends farming, monster-raising, and real-time combat in the fantasy realm of Felicidad. Players join protagonist Ten and his allies in resisting a tyrannical regime, forging bonds with Elementals, and navigating satisfying combat mechanics centered on timing and parrying. Despite some underdeveloped world-building and maze repetition, Farmagia offers rewarding gameplay loops, memorable character interactions, and a surprisingly immersive English dub, making it a standout gem in 2024's lineup.

Possessor(s) is a visually arresting 2D action-adventure that blends fast-paced metroidvania combat with a character-driven story. While the relationship between its two leads is compelling, the broader narrative lacks the same impact. Combat remains the highlight thanks to varied weapon types and strategic enemy design, though some balancing issues and uneven dialogue can drag the experience down. It’s a game with strong mechanics and bold style, even if it doesn’t always hit emotionally.

B-Project Ryusei*Fantasia offers an engaging and emotionally rich idol management experience. Players guide 14 unique idols through personal growth and industry challenges, supported by stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack. The game excels in character development and interactive gameplay, though it may feel repetitive across multiple playthroughs. Despite minor localization issues, this visual novel provides a heartwarming and immersive journey for fans of the genre.

Gundam Breaker 4 marks a triumphant return to the series' roots, offering fans an intricate and rewarding Gunpla-building experience. While the story may not be the game's strongest aspect, the detailed customization options, engaging combat mechanics, and creative features like Diorama and Painting modes more than make up for it.

Nekopara: Cat Boys Paradise is a fun visual novel that can be enjoyed by otome catboy lovers everywhere. The narrative doesn’t overstay its welcome and is only hurt by a lack of quality-of-life features. Each route provides enjoyable insight into the four main characters, which expands the Nekopara universe. The free nature of the visual novel also makes it an easy recommendation fur the purr-fect afternoon otome.

CLICKOLDING by Strange Scaffold is an experimental game that challenges players to click ten thousand times while contemplating various thought-provoking themes. Set in an unsettling motel room with a creepy masked figure, the game offers an atmospheric and intentionally uncomfortable experience. Despite its short duration and repetitive gameplay, CLICKOLDING captivates with its unique premise and raises intriguing questions about its deeper meanings. This affordable title is a curious blend of art and gaming that continues to provoke thought long after the final click.

Master Duel is currently a reasonably barebones experience that delivers on what it needs to but not anything else. I am impressed by the focus on allowing players to get right into the swing of competitive duels by giving them the tools to quickly put together whatever deck they would like. The presentation is immaculate, aside from many typos in the game’s original text. I love the pacing of the flashy animations that lend a lot of weight and satisfaction to every blow struck on your opponent. I only wish there were more differences in how easy it is to create older, less-competitive decks than the new stuff being played in stores in 2022.

Neva: Prologue is a short but emotionally resonant addition to Nomada Studio’s atmospheric platformer, offering a glimpse into Alba’s journey before the main game and the touching moment she meets the wolf cub Neva. While the DLC only lasts about an hour, it introduces a few clever puzzle ideas and reinforces the bond that defines the original adventure. Some players may miss the wolf-based abilities from the base game, but the shift toward Alba as a protector adds a meaningful narrative layer that strengthens the story’s emotional core.

There may not be a lot to say about Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen, but that doesn’t necessarily signify a lack of quality. Its few hours of gameplay offer an enjoyable dungeon experience with memorable enemy encounters that rival and even surpass those in the base game. While the narrative may not be the main attraction, it does set the stage for The Rising Tide DLC, which has been confirmed to be a more substantial experience. Ultimately, Echoes of the Fallen is a worthwhile addition for fans, while those who are more hesitant should exercise caution.

Watch Dogs: Legion is an interesting game in that it doesn’t feature a real main protagonist outside of the comical AI, Bagley. You may not care about each individual character, but their collective goal makes the narrative worth seeing through. The way you can take on missions any way you wish rings truest in this title, and what better set piece to do it all in than a fully realized London. Looking past some of the open-world janks may be required, but Watch Dogs: Legion is a hacking great time.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined offers a bold reinterpretation of the classic JRPG, blending nostalgic structure with modern design tweaks. The revamped pacing, deep Vocation system, and charming diorama-style visuals bring new life to a lengthy adventure, though the experience may feel diluted for longtime fans. While some structural gripes persist, newcomers will find an accessible and feature-rich entry point into one of the series' most divisive chapters. Then again, the added conveniences, combat features, and other new incorporations still make this a satisfactory, and admittedly by-the-books, classic JRPG through and through. I suppose that, if there's one facet to be constant, it's that Dragon Quest VII will remain at least semi-controversial, no matter what version is played.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an Unreal Engine 5 revival of Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma that arrives unexpectedly yet brings back the series’ legendary fast-paced action. While some missing features from the original Ninja Gaiden 2 and random performance stumbles keep it from being the perfect return, its wildly satisfying combat and varied arsenal make it a worthwhile visit for fans craving that classic Ninja Gaiden rush.

Star Wars: Outlaws is, despite some narrative shortcomings, an absolute blast. It’s big enough that I couldn’t even hope to 100% it before launch, but not so massive as to make me question what I’m doing with my life (looking at you, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla). It’s the first game in over a decade to allow players to live in and properly interact with the Star Wars universe.

Centum is a psychological escape room experience that forces players to question their reality, identity, and choices. With eerie storytelling, cryptic puzzles, and an unsettling atmosphere, this narrative adventure keeps you engaged until its thought-provoking conclusion. While some mechanics feel obtuse, the game’s unique approach to introspection and mystery makes it a compelling experience.

The single-player content is orthodox, but the combination of sly banter between the characters and the unlockable art and music keeps it fresh. The online lobby experience is satisfactory, but the lack of a true random player pairing system holds it back a little. Nonetheless, the true feature of Maiden & Spell, its multiplayer gameplay, shines through as a knowledgeable example of what fighting game players like, shipped in a unique bullet hell platform.

Virche Evermore ~ErroЯ:Salvation skillfully blends a tragic story with unconventional romance. It’s not without its flaws, as the forced bad endings and the lengthy common route can be a minor inconvenience. However, the heart-wrenching ending route is so mesmerizing that it makes it worthwhile, provided you have the emotional resilience to endure the bad endings.

GINKA is a compelling visual novel that expertly blends an engaging cast of characters with a captivating storyline. With its impressive presentation, heartfelt character development, and well-balanced mix of slice-of-life moments and intriguing plot twists, the game offers an immersive and memorable experience for players. From its beautiful illustrations and evocative soundtrack to its thoughtful quality-of-life features, GINKA sets a high standard for the genre. Whether you’re a fan of visual novels or looking to explore a rich and immersive narrative, GINKA proves to be a solid and rewarding choice that deserves a place on your reading list.

Arknights Endfield is an ambitious spin off that successfully transforms the tower defense roots of the original into a semi open world action RPG with meaningful factory building systems and generous launch content. While its 1.0 story feels more like a prologue than a payoff and its gacha systems miss a chance to set a new standard, the moment to moment combat, clever automation mechanics, and surprisingly strong exploration design make it one of the most compelling free to play RPG launches in the genre.

Oddworld: Soulstorm is hands-down the best entry in the series to date. It takes everything great about these games and packages it up in a beautiful and modern adventure that mirrors its classic gameplay mechanics used for over 20 years. Some of the item management systems weigh on the pacing, and the controls take a few hours to master, but there’s just something unique in every stage that makes this adventure enjoyable from beginning to end.

Tales of Arise Beyond the Dawn is a welcome revisit, providing a satisfying epilogue for those who value engaging character relationships and complete the sidequests. Nazamil is an exceptional new character who gives the expansion a unique identity. Unfortunately, the same gameplay issues from Tales of Arise persist, but they are not particularly egregious in practice. In all honesty, the price point for Tales of Arise Beyond the Dawn may be too steep for what it offers, but it was undoubtedly crafted with care, so fans have nothing to fear in that regard.

In broad strokes, the story of Subway Midnight feels like a metaphor for dealing with trauma. However, despite how much I enjoyed the artwork and environments, the vagueness left me without much to hold onto after it was finished. Players who do tend to project onto blank slate characters, though, will likely find Subway Midnight a more profound, more emotional experience, so I’d recommend the title to that crowd.

If what you want in a game is a simple, relaxing cycle that doesn’t require more from a player than their time and doesn’t offer much more than the enjoyment of playing it and the satisfaction of completion, Powerwash Simulator might be perfect. Of course, it’s not for everyone, but if it hits right, you too might find yourself up late into the night, looking for that last…little…spot.

At its core, Blue Fire is a title that boasts magnificent exploration and platforming majesty. It demands strict attention and skillful maneuvers from players to get the most out of this experience as possible. While combat can become vexatious alongside the present technical issues, this is still an extraordinary title that any adventure genre aficionado should check out.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen gives western players the missing piece to this almost 20-year-old story. The updated visuals and balance of narrative and battles creates an experience that's more approachable to new fans, but still true to the series.