Videoverse has to be one of the most authentic time travel pieces of media I’ve ever experienced. I’ve played countless games that lean heavily on nostalgia—oftentimes cheaply—to try to make me feel like a kid again or at least like I was immersed in something similar to those RPGs of yore. Videoverse might be the only title to truly accomplish that.

Nightshade is a text-heavy otome visual novel with a whole lot of plot to uncover, and I enjoyed my time with it immensely! Enju's journey to find her true self and love is something both otome and ninja fans might find worthwhile if given a chance. Like Hakuoki, I'd even recommend Nightshade to those who aren't sure if otome is for them, as the plot has a lot more to offer than just the romance angle.

What makes Crisis Core so great isn't just one thing, it is many things. The presentation is the best I have seen on the PSP; the gameplay is simple and addictive with a great twist on the traditional JRPG, and the story is emotional and fulfilling.

You can count on Variable Barricade to treat you to highly enjoyable love interests that are surprising in the best ways, and span some fun and whacky romance tropes. You can trust it to provide an incredibly well-rounded cast of both love interests and secondary characters, in addition to a protagonist with her own capacity for engaging character growth. And you can be confident that it will have you grinning from ear to ear from start to finish. With Variable Barricade, I’ve found not only the cure for my own Resting Bitch Face syndrome, but a genuinely loveable title that’s permanently wormed its way into my heart. Yes, it’s a heart that’s been running on otome games for quite some time by now, but Variable Barricade stands out in all the right ways with its mix of uproarious humor and heartfelt romance. No matter what mood you enter in, you’ll leave and think back on Variable Barricade with a smile.

The two best games in the series with substantial added content packaged with one of the stupidest things the series has ever done.

I had my doubts about Birth by Sleep, and was prepared to call it quits for the series if this game didn't live up to expectations. However, Square Enix has delivered what is, in my opinion, the best Kingdom Hearts experience to date.

Overall, Jagged Alliance 3 is an impressive and endlessly entertaining production that not only revives an old series but does it justice in a more modern style. The story and characters make for another compelling entry in the series. Grand Chien is wholly believable as a vibrant nation, even though it’s non-existent. Combat is expertly converted to a 3-D environment, and there are so many strategic layers that it’s good to the last drop for the 50-ish hours it should take to complete. It’s easy to see how players could return time and again to check out all of the mercs and challenge themselves to level up the weaker ones. Haemimont Games wrung all the fun they could out of this system and served it up on a diamond-crusted platter. Jagged Alliance 3 gets the job done and even throws in a little extra. I love it when a plan comes together.

There is so much to love about Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, from its improvements to farming to its lovable cast and how its story calls back to previous Rune Factory plot elements. The game clearly loves its heritage just as much as it loves Japan, so it’s easy to love it back. Guardians of Azuma is by far the greatest Rune Factory game yet, thanks to its forward strides in farming and player expression. And while there are still some minor limitations to overcome, Rune Factory 6 has some massive shoes to fill. The best simulation games keep you coming back to maintain your personalized worlds, and Guardians of Azuma does just that, with flying colors of all the seasons.

Cheers to you, System Shock 2, for living up to your own hype. And cheers to you especially, Nightdive Studios, for bringing it back in such a loving, passionate way so that others may experience such a titan of gaming once again, or for the first time.

There are a few bumps along the road, but Trails of Cold Steel III is yet another excellent entry in the Legend of Heroes series. Longtime fans will find a lot to love about this game, from the smaller but stronger core cast and the intertwining of plot threads from previous arcs to the refined battle system and quality of life changes. Personally, I'm still reeling from the ending, so I'm definitely going to need a few more playthroughs to tide me over until Trails of Cold Steel IV makes its way Westward.

So long as those flaws don’t seem like deal breakers, Dynasty Warriors Origin is the easiest recommendation I’ve had in the mainline series. It’s got a more substantial format, more potent storytelling, and more engaging combat than the series has seen before. While individual elements of other games may stand out, Origins is the most complete package currently, even though it’s not the full Romance of the Three Kingdoms story. It’s the starting point for a direction we’ll almost certainly be seeing more of, and it’s a direction we’re lucky to have sitting ahead of us. As it stands, Dynasty Warriors Origins is the top of the mountain. It’s not to be missed.

This is a title that not only allows people sometimes unable to experience gaming a chance to do so, but it also provides an incredibly unique immersion experience and a different perspective to sighted gamers. A solid, engaging RPG lies at the heart of The Vale: Shadow of the Crown, one that proves to be a truly insightful experience for those who can play it.

Regardless of Future Connected, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is a must buy for all fans of RPGs, regardless of your history with the series. It is the perfect example of a remaster done right: it retains everything that is excellent about the original, but updates and smooths things in almost every important way. It's an amazing time to be a fan of the series, and I can't wait to see what Takahashi comes up with next.

Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed by Trails through Daybreak. I love the Trails series, but I did not expect to enjoy the start of this new story arc nearly as much as I did. The more mature and complex storyline, handled with surprising thoughtfulness and filled with believable characters, really drew me in. Given how enjoyable previous games were, most gameplay aspects are polished to a shine I wouldn’t have thought possible. Trails through Daybreak is easily one of the most robust starter games of the series and an almost perfect entry point for newcomers if they don’t want to start with Trails in the Sky FC. It might even be my new favorite game from the series, at least until Trails through Daybreak II comes out! I can even easily say without a shadow of a doubt that it’s by far the best game I’ve personally played this year. Fans should pick up Trails through Daybreak, as should anyone simply craving an excellently made and wonderfully written JRPG experience!

I am wildly pleased by every little thing this game had to offer, and I consider myself fortunate to be one of the millions of gamers who will laugh, cry, and fight their way through this exciting title.

The lack of ability to choose specific affection levels through the flowchart is a small price to pay for reaching the Salvation endings. Virche Evermore perfectly encapsulates feelings of despair and hope not only through its dark subject matter, but through its phenomenal foreshadowing and focus on bad endings before the good endings become available. While death reminds us of the life that preceded it, the endings of Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- always harken back to content in the routes, the many twists and turns required to reach its endings, and it makes the anguish felt along the way worth it.

The Witcher is in better shape than ever, and gamers that played the original will be jealous of those who can enjoy the game for the first time in its higher form. Don't worry, though, as the Enhanced Edition gives Witcher veterans a perfect excuse to replay a sure-to-be classic.

Bottom line: if you want to play Final Fantasy, this is the way to do it. The quality of life changes are invaluable, the visuals are eye-catching, and the game plays as great as ever. Even a few hiccups can’t hold back a wonderful all-time classic.

Finding Paradise is a memorable experience that may last me a lifetime, like a good book or film. The care placed into each scene is one of the reasons why Finding Paradise is such a masterpiece. Each string of dialogue, each reference to other games, every joke, and every pixel — they all feel deliberate and labored over, yet also so smoothly executed, as if effortless.

I had a wonderful time playing Valdis Story. Time and time again it exceeded my expectations, and it's a privilege that I was able to play and review it. Just when I thought I had seen the greatest boss or most intense challenge, it threw another one at me.

Despite some pacing issues early on, The Fruit of Grisaia is an unforgettable experience, and a hallmark of romance visual novels.

Tales of Arise is exactly what I want in a Tales of game, but also a JRPG in general. It fulfills the promise of a modern-day Tales of title in a way no other game in the series has managed in over a decade. While Tales of Arise is clearly influenced by previous games in the series, it also takes cues from other long-running series like Xenoblade Chronicles and Star Ocean. However, Tales of Arise is its own beast—a refreshing, smartly designed, and just plain fun monument to its genre. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The time I’ve spent with Horizon Forbidden West has been an absolute blast. I’ve gawked at beautiful landscapes, engaged in frantic fracases with machines, delved into ancient ruins, laughed at snarky dialogue, triumphed in an arena, gotten my butt handed to me in a board game, and much more. I still haven’t seen everything Forbidden West has in store for me, but I’ve seen enough to know it is special, just like its predecessor. This is one of those sequels where the developers have really upped their game in just about every way, and I can’t wait to play more of it!

It's been a long time since I've played an RPG this engrossing in terms of story and yet was still fun to play after 35+ hours. Shadow Hearts: Covenant is one of those rare games that you simply don't want to end.

NieR: Automata is everything I could have wanted from a sequel to NieR, to the point that I almost feel spoiled here. It keeps the same off-the-wall plot and well-written characters from the original while discarding the clunky combat and movement for a system that has the sheen of any one of Platinum's greatest titles. It really is the best of both worlds. If you've been a fan of NieR since day one, but have been burnt by its clumsiness before, you're in for a fantastic treat. And if you're new to the craziness that is a Yoko Taro game, know that this is the absolute best time to jump in.

Dragon Quest VIII may not revolutionize the console RPG genre, but it has done one thing that all the older RPGs have strived to be: it has become the greatest classic RPG experience of all time. [JPN Import]

A perfect realization of what the Persona universe should feel like as a fighting game.

At this point, my feelings on the game should be clear. Shin Megami Tensei IV is not only one of the best RPGs to come out this year, it's also proof that Atlus has not lost its touch with the main Shin Megami Tensei series. Despite how radically different it is from the Persona series, this post-apocalyptic adventure is no less engrossing. Strap on your gauntlet and hop to it, Samurai.

Persona 4 Golden is a fantastic game, and this release is the best way to play it. The characters are loveable, the story is driving, and the entire game is hard to put down until you’ve absorbed it all. Persona 4 Golden might just be the apex of the series so far, and really, don’t you deserve something nice for yourself?

Folks that loved how engaging and approachable Monster Hunter: World was will find Iceborne offers more of the same with enough exciting changes to invigorate the many hunts they're sure to have.

The most impressive refinement of Fire Emblem to date, this game belongs in everyone's 3DS.

Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass moved me in a way that a game hasn't in many years. It's as though Ozymy reached into my childhood and created a game that appeals to me on every level. Its beautifully written characters, surprisingly robust combat system, and satisfying exploration make it worth the price of admission. Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is a quirky, hilarious, emotional experience that simply shouldn't be missed.

The detective gameplay still needs some work, and the plot stumbles a bit from time to time, but I have never been happier to dive back into this world, nor sadder to leave it once the game is finished.

Ys X: Nordics is a truly sensational adventure where the story, themes, characters, and combat are all individually strong and collectively transcendent. It is a worthy starting point and an excellent evolution for fans of modern Ys. It has singlehandedly reinvigorated my passion for both Ys and Falcom as a whole, and I regret having only so many words to recount all the reasons you should play it. 2024 is already packed with several more-than-worthwhile RPGs, but please do not let this one go unnoticed.

I haven’t encountered writing anywhere near as good as this since Disco Elysium, yet that isn’t to say one is better than the other. Roadwarden is sort of dark fantasy, while Disco Elysium is an irreverent inspection of human psychology, society, and the Apocalypse. At about thirty hours, I cannot complain about my time with Roadwarden. A part of me is terribly sad to say goodbye to this world and its people, but it certainly didn’t overstay its welcome; that’s important. While I experienced amazing successes, I also made horrible mistakes and oversights that the game punished tastefully and forcefully. I don’t need or want a perfect adventure where everything ends with a neat little bow on top, and Roadwarden delivers just that. Some mysteries were left unsolved, while others were solved a little too well. Succeeding is sometimes a form of failure. So much to chew on, and I am thankful for the adventure.

In closing, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together appeals to a very specific demographic: the serious fan of the SRPG. It is time- and energy-intensive, but the reward is immensely worthwhile.

Despite my occasional narrative discomforts and technical gripes, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is absolutely essential material. This is a game that will stir the mind with masterful prose in one moment and have you gasping on the edge of your seat from the crucial roll of a cube in the very next. Disco Elysium will split your heart open with tectonic ferocity and leave you demanding more games exhibit the positively shameless amount of grace and humor that peppers every minute of this cerebral adventure.

Virginia is an intensely intimate, powerful and thought-provoking experience masquerading as an homage to supernatural detective thrillers, and it is one of the most important games of 2016.

While the aesthetic elements of Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey are only slightly above-average, the incredibly strong gameplay elements make the game so addictive that this doesn't matter.

I originally intended to wait for the PS5 version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon to start my first playthrough. When the PS4 version came out, however, I found I couldn’t wait, and I impulse bought it. I’m glad I did, since it ended up being my favorite game of 2020 and it gave me a story about love, loyalty, and helping those in need during a really trying time. But I’m also glad I played this game again on PS5. Not only is the experience better thanks to the higher resolution, better frame rate, and faster load times, but it’s just a damn good game that I’m happy to play multiple times. There are definitely a few growing pains in the transition from beat-em-up to RPG, but I have no doubt that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will address these issues in the next Yakuza game. And with the way Yakuza: Like a Dragon ends, I hope they are already working on a sequel. Because I want more!

Despite my stance on how ATLUS chooses to sell their games, I’m glad that this version exists. I’m a big fan of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth turn-based game. The game’s atmosphere and themes are unlike anything anyone else is doing, and its brand of post-apocalyptic melancholy juxtaposes masterfully with its serene catharsis.

Everything in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth comes together into an extensive package that’s earnest both in its desire to be faithful in the ways that matter to the original and in being its own thing. I can’t help but love it. Does everything always work? No. But it manages to modernize the way Final Fantasy VII felt all those years ago, and it’s beautiful. After all, if you told me I got to explore the Gold Saucer in full HD 25 years ago and the minigames are even better than the original? Well, that’s all you need to know.

In a narrative sense, Act IV is most likely the calm before the storm in Act V, and falls perfectly in line with the five-act structure often used to analyze Shakespeare (the section of falling action). The best adventures are ones where the location — physically and mentally — one begins and where one ends up are shockingly, violently different. Kentucky Route Zero embodies this notion as the characters (and the player) disappear into the night.

Quite simply, Dragon Age: Origins is the first true 100 hour console RPG I have ever seen. When it ends, you'll shed a tear. And if you don't, you may not be human.

All the pieces of Olympia Soirée work together seamlessly like the colors of a rainbow naturally drawing together. Just as we all comprise multiple roles, some given to us by family or tradition and others that we seek out ourselves, Olympia Soirée takes its roles of comfortingly traditional and refreshingly modern otome with pride and executes them with great skill. The welcome mixture of seeking out a soulmate and working towards societal change bestows great merit on the game’s storytelling as a whole: just like how looking for love in real life doesn’t have to get in the way of your other goals, an emphasis on romance doesn’t have to get in the way of an interesting story. Olympia Soirée is proof positive that an emphasis on romance, or that being “a game for the female audience,” should never by itself be used as a point of contention against a game.

Symphonia alone is worth the price of admission.

I hope this review doesn’t sound overly critical because I am genuinely pleased with most of what Esoteric Ebb achieves. I just think the game could have been significantly improved, had it the confidence to shed its most conspicuous Disco-isms and dance to its own tune. Given everything that happened at ZA/UM and its creative core’s dissolution, we will likely never get a true successor to Disco Elysium. I am at peace with that. But if developers like Bodegård can iterate on its systemic expressiveness with the type of passion and intelligence that Esoteric Ebb manages, its legacy is in good hands.

Triangle Strategy is a game that welcomes numerous approaches to its strategic gameplay and multiple runs through its story. No matter which way you proceed, you’re met with an impactful experience, thought-provoking in its mechanics and the story that it tells.

OPUS: Prism Peak is an outstanding adventure. Like its spiritual predecessor, OPUS: Echo of Starsong, it pairs a thought-provoking, emotional story with polished gameplay. At times haunting yet hopeful, it reflects life and reminds us how we grow from experience. I teared up often—sometimes from sadness, and sometimes from the bittersweet yearning to reach for something more, no matter the winding paths we take. The open-ended resolution of Eugene’s journey is moving and lingers with me. Developers SIGONO has once again created an artistic video game masterpiece with OPUS: Prism Peak.

For better or worse, Deltarune is deliberately being developed in Undertale‘s shadow. So far, it’s doing an admirable job following up. I’m not sure if it’ll achieve the iconic highs, cultural impact, or effortless thematic unity, but it’s already got a lot to offer. Chapter 2 is more consistently engaging mechanically than Undertale, and there’s much more of this game on the way. If Undertale achieves the immaculate confidence and unity of Dragon Quest games, then Deltarune swings for the spectacle and multifaceted characterization of Final Fantasy. Perhaps it’s no coincidence how both games’ battle screens reflect those respective series. With that said, Deltarune’s first two chapters feel like a satisfying experience in their own right. Their combined length already exceeds an Undertale run, and with Chapters 3+4 on the horizon, we’ll have access to allegedly more than half of its overall content. That’s a lot of a great game! Unless you’re opposed to playing through a game begging for repeated visits more than once, or cliffhangers negatively affect your well-being, I don’t think there’s a reason to wait to acquaint yourself with this world. Chapter 1 and especially Chapter 2 have set the grounds for what I have no doubt will surpass Undertale mechanically. What remains to be seen is where this story goes.

A rare title that manages to do most everything right. Gamers who have been craving a dark, mature RPG experience will find satiation this fall when Nocturne is released stateside. [JPN Import]

Once again, Mario and Luigi star in one of the most ingenious and well-polished titles on the DS. Their Fawfulized adventure through the bowels of the Mushroom Kingdom and its number one bad guy is one no one is likely to forget, especially Bowser.

A hundred hours in, Rise does feel a little rote. The lack of quest variety and endgame options besides grinding for talismans has begun to wear on me somewhat. But the journey of getting to this point has been nothing short of an incredible experience. From zipping through the air to bludgeon monsters in the face to setting out on gathering runs with my trusty palamute, the minute-to-minute gameplay of Rise is impeccable. The only real issue with Rise is that there isn’t more of it, but with plenty of future updates and an entire expansion on the horizon, this is surely just the beginning of what this game has to offer.

Even 30 years after release, Final Fantasy IV still shines as brightly as it did in 1991. Its genre-defining story and combat system coupled with the Pixel Remaster’s reorchestrated soundtrack and quality of life updates make this an iconic game you’d be a fool to miss. Much like Cecil struggles with his unwitting role as a killer for his king, I struggle to let go of Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster after spending a few dozen hours wrapping up its main quest. If you have even a modicum of affection for JRPGs, you will too.

An honest insight into the tragedy of loss and growth in youth. I'm torn, because I want so much more of Chloe and Rachel — what a beautiful duo — but I know that all good things must end — some sooner than others. This one, as we all know, will be coming to an end too soon. I'm just not sure I'm emotionally ready for it.

Fantasian was something of an impulse play for me. I hadn’t considered getting an Apple Arcade subscription before I found out about the game, but so far, I’m glad I did. Of course, I’m pretty immersed in the Apple ecosystem, so it was an easier adjustment for me than it might be for others. I’d like to hope that Fantasian may one day make its way to other systems — it felt like it would be right at home on console and PC when I played it on my Apple TV — but for now, it’s Apple or bust. I absolutely think the game is worth it. It’s such a delightful and nostalgic adventure, especially if you’re like me and your first Final Fantasy was on the original PlayStation.

The Outer Worlds is a triumph for Obsidian Entertainment and AA games in general. They set out to create a successor to New Vegas and succeeded on every conceivable level. Every mechanic I loved from that game, including the stunningly robust faction system, has been taken to new heights. Sure, the world isn't quite as big as New Vegas, but with the almost-limitless choices the game offers you, it feels just as massive. The Outer Worlds may not reinvent the genre, but it is an outstanding example of how engaging RPGs can be when created by developers who have a passion for them and video games in general!

If you have the slightest interest in Journey to the West, Asian philosophy, or want to broaden your horizons, then this is an easy recommendation. Aside from being an exceptional, accessible game to play, the references to works you may not be familiar with will instill an appetite to learn more. I know it has in me. All of this coming from a studio I had never heard of before (GameScience), though I hope it finds great success after their effort here. If this is an example of what they can achieve, I can’t wait to see the next project.

Brings the incredibly fun PC-style RPG experience to your console: co-op, physics, and bugs intact.

This is a tight trilogy with so few slow parts that I could barely tell I had sunk 13 hours into the third episode by the time I was finished with it. I could easily see myself returning to the series at episode one just to experience the story from an entirely new perspective. If you've played the first two games, I have to wonder why you're reading this. Quickly, save the world from the dark! Or you know, some other choice betwixt saving the world and desolation.

Monster Hunter Rise has looked at what did and didn’t work in past entries' gameplay loops, and bridged the gap between with new features in a refreshingly effective way.

A seamless and exhilarating meshing of two entirely different genres.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak fixes many of my complaints that popped up after extensive time with Monster Hunter Rise. Monsters have far more tools and can match the hunter in most instances, new armor skills ensure that builds and playstyles are varied and viable, and the maps and monsters themselves are fantastically exciting. For anyone on the fence about Sunbreak due to disappointment with the base game, this expansion is for you. For those who loved the base game, Sunbreak is a no-brainer. It has something for everyone, from longtime fans to newcomers who just started with Rise. As I said in the review for the base game, Monster Hunter Rise is a great way to lose a couple hundred hours of your life. With Sunbreak, you might want to say farewell to a couple hundred more.

I cannot overstate how much I enjoy Unicorn Overlord, but it is not a game that everyone will enjoy. Even with accessible difficulty options, there are still several systems to manage. If you enjoy Fire Emblem, make sure you give Unicorn Overlord a chance—try the demo. Personally, I believe this is one of the best strategy games released in a generation. You can play Fire Emblem, Triangle Strategy, and Tactics Ogre, and each one will give you a great strategic experience, but no modern games play like Unicorn Overlord. The experience is unique for everyone who plays it, every time they play it. The replay value of Unicorn Overlord cannot be overstated; there are multiple difficulties, multiple story paths, and more items, characters, and classes than you could ever properly appreciate in a single playthrough. In short, Vanillaware has created the spiritual successor to Ogre Battle and surpassed its inspiration in almost every way.

While it’s true that players who can pick up a PlayStation edition of V3 may be best off doing so to avoid the hiccups of the Switch (and PC) port, it’s also true that V3 is a phenomenal experience that shouldn’t be missed regardless of the system it’s played on. By bringing what Danganronpa does best to its natural apex, Danganronpa V3 allows fans to experience the systems and themes of the series in their purest form, with all the fluff and frills set aside as meaningful bonus content. The result is a magical cast, gripping story, mind-bending ideas, and outstanding gameplay and mystery-solving that leaves an unforgettable impression—and that’s no lie.

While a sorrowful game like What Remains of Edith Finch chooses to end on more of a “life is short, but beautiful” angle, the opposite can be said here: Mouthwashing waits until the last minute to deliver its final, devastating punchline. Even if the gameplay here isn’t revolutionary, it’s hard not to be drawn by the gravity of games that “go big on story” (like how Yoko Taro games tend to revel in delightfully twisted storytelling). After a certain point, you simply can’t look back and need to see how this ends, even if it’s all in tears. But the best parts of Mouthwashing have sat in my mind for a while now, and Wrong Organ has quickly established itself as a developer worth keeping a creepy, unblinking eye on.

Moon is not only a great game, but an important piece of video game history that has clearly influenced Japanese developers and even the modern indie scene through games like Toby Fox’s Undertale. On a personal level, I found Moon a delightful experience that continues to hold my heart captive, and I feel justified in calling it a masterpiece. Relatable, smart, funny, and powerful, Moon is everything I wanted it to be during all those years of waiting and more.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Game is a phenomenal visual novel and interactive musical. I do feel prior knowledge of Greek mythology might prove beneficial to someone’s overall enjoyment, and those who aren’t VN or musical fans won’t alter their taste with what is here, but those who love well-crafted VNs with choice-heavy narratives and who also love musicals? Those gamers will find plenty to appreciate! Grace’s journey of self-discovery is just as heroically compelling and epically grandiose as the myths she’s now interacting with, and it’s a song worth belting out.

In the areas where it counts, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope — and Kingdom Battle along with it — represent a bright and colorful departure from everything strategy RPGs tend to be while still offering relentlessly creative challenges in a package that’s straight-up fun. Sparks of Hope builds on everything Kingdom Battle did right and devises new entertaining challenges to shoot your way through. Though it took me about 25 hours to complete the main story with a healthy number of sidequests, the game told me I’d only completed 67% of it. This is easily the greatest Western RPG series that adapts a Japanese property about an Italian plumber. Whether you’re a hardcore strategy RPG fan or a newbie to the genre, Sparks of Hope should make anyone shout “YAHOOOOO!”

If you're a more casual RPG player, you might want to give Gungnir a pass, but if you are a connoisseur of the SRPG genre, then Gungnir will delight you like few other games will.

If you came here looking for anything but glowing praise, you came to the wrong place. All the work that Takahashi has put into building his world pays off beautifully here with a fun, rewarding nostalgia trip, the most refined gameplay in the series, and the same beautiful look and sound we’re accustomed to. Frankly, my biggest criticism is that I wanted more. Future Redeemed may close the door on one chapter of the Xenoblade Chronicles saga, but hopefully it won’t be too long before Monolith Soft opens another and I get just that—more Xenoblade.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 was over a hundred hours of pure RPG bliss. Memorable from start to finish, I'm somehow unaware of where the time went. My Steam account could have reported half the time I actually spent, and I wouldn't have questioned it for one second. Odd how people gauge the quality of something based on length of time committed and felt. Divinity 2 won't be a title I soon forget, if ever. While I am most certainly done with the experience for now, I have no question that the community has already begun working on some fantastic mods and campaigns. I smell spiritual successors in the near future. Regardless of what the future holds, the present is good, because I've experienced Larian Studios' epic, and I'm all the better for it.

I loved Slay the Princess, but truthfully enjoyed Scarlet Hollow even more. The sheer number of story permutations and complex character relationships offer a replay value I’ve rarely seen in a VN. I’ve only completed two playthroughs, but I will be returning for another few runs before the next episode. Black Tabby Games has created something special that all adventure game and VN fans should experience, even if they don’t love horror. Yes, Scarlet Hollow is technically a horror game, but it’s not full of jump scares or cheap thrills. Instead, it gently pulls you into the world of this small, decaying town, allowing you to experience the rot within. By my fourth day in the game, I realized I didn’t want to leave Scarlet Hollow. It’s the first time I’ve ever been content in a small town, and if that isn’t a testament to the quality of this wonderful, terrifying game, nothing could be.

As I led off by saying, if you enjoy action RPGs and have an iOS device, you should buy Bastion. It's a little pricier than many games in the mobile market, but it is absolutely worth the money.

Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass was a fun game. On top of that, it was creative and used the DS in ways that really showed off the potential of the system.

I feel no hesitation in calling Star Ocean: The Second Story R not only the definitive version of the second Star Ocean title but also one of the best games in the series and one of my favourite games of the year. I can only hope it speaks for the future of the Star Ocean franchise and the developer of this remake, Gemdrops.

Bloodlines manages to deliver an enjoyable RPG experience, while at the same time providing high-quality visuals, excellent audio, and a truly fantastic story. If it hadn't been for the bugs, this game would have been one of my favorite RPGs of all time.

Several times during my playthrough of Torna, I found myself thinking that, in some ways, it might actually be a better experience than Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which is perhaps a shocking thing for me to say because I very much enjoyed the original game. The more mature tone, focused cast, and refined gameplay are definite pluses, and even though the scope of both the world and the time you spend in it is far smaller, this can play to the game's strengths. Those who liked the original game will almost certainly like Torna.

Although I truly believe that Bastion could have doubled its length in terms of gameplay, I'm glad that the story didn't risk imploding on itself. Don't let anyone tell you this is a Diablo clone–that would cheapen Bastion; it needs to be heard to be believed.

With exceptional writing, beautiful art, a compelling environment, and a captivating central gameplay mechanic, Expelled! is a video game work of art. If you have any interest in visual novels, adventure games, whodunits, or time loops, I can’t recommend it enough. Believe me, you will want to play this one again and again!

While Please Be Happy is a slow burn in terms of its overall plot and romance, those who appreciate detailed storytelling will undoubtedly find a lot to like. Since it’s more of a low-stakes tale, it might not appeal to everyone, but it will certainly entertain those seeking character-driven VNs with heavy romantic undertones. The core themes of acceptance and love at the heart of Please Be Happy resonate deeply with me, and I loved every second I spent in Miho’s fascinating world.

Present day's king of adventure games.

Proves that well-written adventure games still have a place on any system.

With each installment of the franchise, I grow to adore Professor Layton and Luke and their delightful world all the more. All while sharpening my intellect. In the (hopefully wound) future, I doubt Level 5 will modify the formula any more heavily than they already have, and for once, that's fine by me.

With Nintendo's handheld expecting many promising RPGs in English this year, Awakening still ought to be near the top of any RPG lover's list, as it easily stands out as one of the very best 3DS titles to date.

I think Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is a great introduction to this spin-off series, especially to those with a fondness for detail and strategy-heavy monster collecting and explorable fantasy adventures. Given how fantastic Monster Hunter Stories 3 is, if the next game in the series can provide an even stronger outing, I’ll be paws-itively impressed.

Unless you find JRPGs absolutely repugnant, there's little to dislike about Atelier Meruru. It's a delightfully addictive game that provides a great sense of player achievement. A wealth of content ensures that players are never without a goal to work towards, and ten possible endings give the game tremendous replay value.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a creative, choice-heavy game focusing on interactive music at the root of a murder mystery involving ancient myths in the modern day. Stray Gods: Orpheus is a genuinely compelling DLC addition to that mythos centered around one person’s quest for self-discovery long after they thought their story was over. Ultimately, I love the hopeful possibility inherent in the plot as this DLC proves to be a welcome return to an enjoyable game.

Stardew Valley is without a doubt the best game in the Harvest Moon genre in many years. It has a subtle message about what it means to live a good life and to flourish through a combination of hard work and human connection. The Harvest Moon games all basically boil down to managing a mix of time, tasks, and metrics, and recent entries in the series have relied heavily on exploiting a new gameplay gimmick with each iteration: in one it's crafting structures for the town, in another it's trading with foreign economies. The problem with this approach is that once these gimmicks are exhausted — all the houses built or all the goods traded — the games feel hollow. Stardew Valley succeeds by delivering a robust experience that does not merely rely on watching a meter go up. It has something to say and says it well, while never abandoning the core gameplay that attracted players in the first place.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is a fantastic game that finally manages to show off the development team’s capabilities when they’re given extra time, a bigger budget, and a little bit of breathing room. Every aspect of the project benefits from polish, and as the final game in the Secret series, Atelier Ryza 3 is the perfect send-off. The callbacks and relationships from the previous games grow and evolve, and it’s exciting to see these beloved characters find their place in the ever-expanding world. While I often say the latest Atelier game is the best Atelier game, it’s always true. This time, Gust have outdone themselves, and I simply cannot wait to see how they top this highly polished gem of a game.

I really couldn't be happier with what we've been given. Deck Nine gets Life is Strange, but more than that, it capitalizes on the material to make it even better. By the end of this first episode, I was not only awe-struck, but a little misty. Completely blown away by the sheer quantity (four hours!) and quality of this first episode, I absolutely cannot wait for the next two installments in this three-episode series. I may know what's going to happen, but it's all about the details. This is more than a love letter — it's a brewing tempest of adolescent insight.

To be clear, Suikoden I & II shine even more brightly here than they have for over 25 years. Plus, building up your base is still a blast, and I got the same dopamine hit every time I added someone to my army. The characters and story are still working on a singular, elevated level. I love the look and the sound. But, even this superfan purist wanted a little more care and attention in addressing the legitimate complaints people have about these games.

All in all, Chaos Rings II is a great RPG for iOS that has restored some of my faith in the platform for carrying more serious games instead of casual diversions.

ICO has met and transcended most of my initial expectations: espousing staggering beauty with elegant control in a fantastical world of very human characters. I can only describe the game as a breathtaking voyage, filled with the wonder and majesty of a most regal dream.

Kamitani and Vanillaware have achieved their ultimate goal with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. It’s clear that this game is so much more than just “a little RTS, a little action, and a decent story.” It delivers a dense and gripping story full of twists that is grounded in its characters and smaller moments. Empathising with the characters and watching the revelations unfold through all of the different perspectives enamoured me. It’s a bold departure for the studio, one which seems impenetrable at first, but it’s hard not to love a game where you can drink milk coffee from a vending machine one moment, and then pilot a giant mech the next.

To sum up, never have I seen a game so visually pleasing. If you look past the heavy repetition, Odin Sphere is a fun game with solid concepts, along with a great musical score and interesting plot.

The content is fantastic, though the timing between episodes holds the game back.

The entertaining battles and the resolutions of plot threads as the game progressed toward the final credits were worth paying the cost of a slow start to the gameplay. This is a game that we'll be talking about for years to come, and I'm happy to have played it.