In lieu of a traditional conclusion, I’ll just say this: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the single most impressive debut RPG I’ve ever played. If this were a Final Fantasy title, it would easily rank among my all-time favorites. I can’t recommend it enough.

It’s been my sincerest pleasure experiencing FromSoftware’s latest work. Elden Ring is a landmark title that I hope shapes the future of what this industry can do; maybe we can one day point at this time in 2022 and note that this is when gaming took a giant leap. At risk of “laying it on thick” and coming off as hyperbolic, in my more than 30 years of gaming, I have almost never played a title that so neared perfection. I’ve devoted 80 blissful hours to Elden Ring, and at no point was I not enjoying myself or captivated by this world. My wish is that this team continues to receive the support it deserves and graces us with more opportunities to lose ourselves in the fantastic.

I could complain about how The Ivalice Chronicles doesn’t have a revamped soundtrack like we got with the Pixel Remasters, that the PSP content wasn’t included, or that it didn’t have new cinematics, but you know what? This is an outstanding remaster with a subtle touch to rebalancing that fans—and newcomers—will clamor for. Having Final Fantasy Tactics accessible on modern hardware with all the furnishings Square Enix was kind enough to bestow upon us—all I can say is “thank you.” In truth, while an updated soundtrack would have been my biggest ask, I still cannot believe how good this voice acting is. The localization team and actors have absolutely done us a service with this masterpiece, treating this title with the respect it deserves. This epic fantasy that tonally draws from different styles into one coherent, beautiful voice is available to all of us, and if communication from its creators is to be believed, we might see more of this world if we support Ivalice Chronicles. Do yourself a favor and enjoy what is, without question, one of the greatest tales ever told. One of the greatest RPGs ever created.

Anyone who has invested any amount of time in the previous games will enjoy watching the final chapter of Shepard's tale unfold, and among the feelings of excitement and joy as they meet and fight alongside old friends for the fate of the galaxy, they will also feel just a tinge of disappointment and heartbreak as they bid farewell to the colorful universe and memorable characters BioWare has created.

Easily the finest game I've had a chance to play this year and stands to be one of the great games of this generation. DDS2's superb graphics, magnificent aural pieces, excellent, fleshed out story, and better balance makes Digital Devil Saga 1 - and just about every other game this year - look like child's play.

Monster Hunter: World is a remarkable game. It's a rich, worthwhile experience that you'll sink hundreds and hundreds of hours into thanks to incredibly fun multiplayer and engaging gameplay. The new additions and simplified mechanics couple well with the buttery smooth combat, making the game accessible and enjoyable to both new and returning players. By breaking the traditional Monster Hunter mold, World successfully thrusts the global status of the series from beyond the niche and into the mainstream.

Atlus has taken a four-year-old game and reinvigorated it in every conceivable area.

Environments look absolutely stellar with BioWare's new 3D engine for Knights of the Old Republic.

Xenogears is a must for any RPG lover, regardless of your views toward Squaresoft. With its depth and creativity, Xenogears is my choice for RPG of the year.

Quite possibly one of the greatest RPGs ever made, Nocturne has stood the test of time and demands to be played.

It's easily the best game I've played in a long time and the benchmark by which future Zelda titles will be judged.

Wrapping up a story is never easy, even in a single-player game. Wrapping up a near decade-long arc and meeting the high bar set by previous expansions is even more difficult, but Endwalker manages both with aplomb. Even with the promise of a new adventure on the horizon, I was still sad things were over when I reached the end credits and immediately wanted to start a replay. By my reckoning, this is the sign of an exceptional, unforgettable experience, and I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in FFXIV.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is Atlus’s crowning achievement—a culmination of the best elements from their past titles and across the RPG genre. The Press Turn system, combined with the genius of the Archetype and synthesis facets of battle, creates a thrilling, strategic, and well-balanced battle system as you face off against one incredible boss after another. The impressive moments never stop, never cease, and the utterly magnificent plot is paced perfectly, with no dull moments. A cast of wonderfully written characters carries us through a magical, cohesive, and alluring fantasy world lifted to dizzying heights by a bombastic score and stunning visual design. Atlus has shown that fantasy is not dead.

Shadowbringers is not just the best FFXIV expansion yet, it's also one of the best Final Fantasies, period.

If you haven't played Persona 3, however, there is no better reason to pick up FES. Do it now!

I loved every second I spent delving deep into the dungeon floors of Serpentcoil Island. The new approach to narrative combined with the classic emphasis on game knowledge developed across multiple runs and risk/reward mechanics breathe new life into the series. The change to the visual style remains as charming as past entries despite the shift to 3D. The soundtrack is particularly noteworthy, as it is the series debut of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon composer Keisuke Ito. His tracks have so much energy to them, yet retain the traditional Japanese instrumental sound. There are a whole host of post-game dungeons I have yet to conquer, each with a unique gimmick that makes every run feel fresh and exciting. The ultimate 99-floor dungeon is particularly challenging this time and may take me months to finally clear. Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is the best way for new players to begin the journey and features enough devilishly challenging content to keep returning fans occupied for a long time.

Bioware has delivered everything they have promised with Mass Effect 2, and then some.

I have to hand it to Starfield. It delivered on its promises, and maybe a little more. It hosts a remarkably immersive, player-focused game space, and I am captivated by all elements of its design, even its blemishes, of which there are fewer than expected. It is a game whose components are captivating alone but greater than their sum. Somehow, it crafts a near-infinite space for play, but it leaves more still for players to explore. And it does so in interesting and innovative ways, almost reflecting back on itself as if it were Constellation, whose motto is appropriately “infinitum addendum,” or what we are adding to infinity.

Final Fantasy's final swan song for the PlayStation 2 is a complete masterpiece. Square Enix's attention to detail and love for their craft is embodied through and through. This is an adventure that will, without a doubt, stand the tests of time.

Overall, there is very little to fault Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk for. My time spent with the game was memorable, and many of the endings emotionally resonated with me. As far as otomes and visual novels go, Ashen Hawk is one of the best I've played in a long time.

My experience with Persona 5 Royal on the Switch is exactly what I wanted. The game is of exceedingly high quality, and we’ve known that for years. We’ve wanted a portable version for a long time, especially considering Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden both came relatively quickly after their respective progenitors. It’s finally here though, and it’s an appealing release for both first-timers and returning players.

If you've never played NieR: Automata, this package is the perfect way to experience this bizarre and haunting masterpiece.

It’s not quite what you remember, but it’s exceptionally well done and retains the unique soul of the original where it matters most. And it’s sure to make that soul more appealing to a new audience that can fall in love with it for the first time.

So, yes, Final Fantasy XVI may not be entirely “new,” but it’s bold in a way Final Fantasy has never been. It’s meticulous, it wants to thrill, and it wants you to feel. All of this combined makes Final Fantasy XVI a new high-water mark for the series, and I don’t expect it will be matched for many entries to come.

I typically favor games that introduce something new to the gaming landscape, because I think trudging through old waters — even incredibly — doesn’t really push us forward as a culture or in terms of design. Dragon Quest XI is just too good, though. In fact, it’s one of the best games I’ve ever played. I laughed, I cried, and I’ve felt a part of this cast. I’m actually on hour 140 with no signs of stopping, and I couldn’t be happier. Without question, this is one of the best-designed games I’ve played to date, and I’ve had the beautiful opportunity to share it with my daughter who has adorably pointed at the screen, screaming, “It’s a monster octopus!”

With Pokémon X and Y, Nintendo may have become their worst enemy; they've outdone themselves so much that it's difficult to see how the series could get any better.

With Pokémon X and Y, Nintendo may have become their worst enemy; they've outdone themselves so much that it's difficult to see how the series could get any better.

Persona 5 Royal is possibly the best enhanced port ever made, and it helps that the original material is still as amazing as ever. This is a must play for RPG fans.