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

A new direction for Aveyond that could divide fans.

By subtly incorporating gameplay mechanics to tell an intelligent story, Steins;Gate is a triumph of the visual novel genre.

Cyber Sleuth is a great game, and one I heartily recommend.

Between its excellent dialogue, enchanting visual design and care handling delicate subject matter, Firewatch is one of my favorite narrative experiences of 2016 so far.

Recommended to those seeking an RPG that is light in all senses of the word.

Darkest Dungeon is fantastic for the first twenty or so hours.

I simply can't recommend a purchase right now. Lacking substance and heart, I feel as if Telltale is going through the motions while cashing in on previous successes and Michonne's popularity. Add old mechanics that few praise, and one has to wonder if the studio is reacting to input from fans. The series could take off in the next two episodes, but for right now, would-be buyers should keep their wallets sheathed.

Another compelling visual novel from MoaCube.

Final Fantasy Explorers offers a lighter alternative to players intimidated by Monster Hunter, but know going in that it's a very light experience indeed.

An extremely personal game which confronts cancer head on, it shines brightest when telling its story and examining the effects of grief.

Blade & Soul's combat system is a huge breath of fresh air in the MMO market.

A decent entry in the venerable Atelier series.

A good game that retreads a lot of old ground and uses its last few hours to squander the good will it's earned up until then.

A disappointing and boring fantasy romance game that has potential but fails to fulfill the most basic expectations of a visual novel.

Hatoful Boyfriend isn't just quirky and bizarre, it's also the smartest visual novel you've never played.

Holiday Star is possibly the only game that contains a pheasant weaponizing the delusional fervor of otaku. Established birdie lovers will find a lot to love in Holiday Star, but fledglings should start with the prequel.

A good clean fun, no nonsense, SRPG.

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

If you like traditional JRPGs but Trails in the Sky was a little too dated for you, Cold Steel is exactly what you've been looking for.

A great dungeon crawler whose quote-unquote sexy artwork means you've probably already decided if you're going to play it or not.

While an improvement upon the series and as adequate a closure as Telltale could muster, Minecraft: Story Mode's finale can only ornament a dying tree. The good news is that the withered green is perennial and came to an early close.

There's potential for a fine adventure clutched within ICY's frosty embrace, and a little more time and care could've made this memorable. As it stands, it just feels broken.

A content-rich sci-fi adventure that diverges from its predecessor in unexpected but delightful ways.

The game is absolutely gorgeous to look at, but an absolute slog to experience.

While Episode 3 improves on Episode 2 in terms of plausibility and points of interest, this is likely due to the structure of the script, and less about any conscious improvements Telltale has made, especially with regard to how quickly they put out Episode 3.

A great first expansion for an already robust and fun MMO.

Surprisingly immersive horror adventure that fails to amaze due to several annoyances, dated graphics, and lack of conclusion.

Once you get over the fact that it’s not Pokémon, Yo-Kai Watch is sure to delight adventuresome types looking for a good laugh.

If you've played Trails FC, there's a good chance you're already waist-deep in SC, and so my review isn't going to sway you one way or another. For those who haven't yet taken the plunge, I cannot stress enough that SC is a direct sequel that takes place immediately following the ending of the first game, so I recommend beating FC first.

Episode 2 is a short, disappointing excursion into what's shaping up to be an arduous five-episode series. I can't decide if Episode 2 is worse than Episode 1, or if the formula is wearing on me already.

Fans of the books and TV series will love taking part in Martin's world.

Stella Glow is a game that makes a terrible first impression: The story is a hodgepodge of several other JRPGs that telegraphs its twists from a mile away, its villains' motivations fall apart under any scrutiny, and the game's attitude towards its female cast is abhorrent at the best of times. And yet, something happened as I spent time with it: I started having fun.

It's more Fallout. If you liked Fallout 3, you'll probably like this.

Unless you've played a million Dynasty Warriors games or can't stomach Dragon Quest without turn-based gameplay, this is definitely worth playing.

An extensive and well-planned expansion that makes Eorzea an ever-more compelling place to get lost in.

An excellent battle system and gorgeous soundtrack create an immersive entry that's a whole lot of fun, but Bandai Namco needs to polish their series a little more.

If you like to ruminate and piece together the details of a story, this one's for you.

Uncanny Valley doesn't always get it right, but still manages to be an effective horror adventure well-worth your time.

For fans of traditional RPGs with a twist.

Yet another game to add to the pile of mediocre, free-engine made RPGs.

Good port of an old favorite.

The entirety of Episode 5 pulls at the soul, using the series' history as a catalyst for existential query.

For those willing to suffer through a couple hours of mediocrity, this ending justifies the investment.

Fans of Minecraft might enjoy it on the surface for its in-your-face references, which is fine, because not much exists beneath the surface. If you're thinking about purchasing Telltale's newest title, do so with these considerations in mind. Similarly, if you buy it, approach it knowing what to expect and be prepared for light, childish adventure.

An impressive expansion that takes the best bits of Wild Hunt and adds great new ideas.

What could have been a gem among point-and-click adventures fails to rise above mediocrity despite its fantastic visuals.

A polished cyberpunk graphic adventure with themes other developers rarely handle with this much finesse.

An opaque, minimalist RPG that demands much but will strike the right chords with a particular audience.

Short, no voice acting, music and sound design, some amusing moments and a few clever puzzles.

This is the Disgaea you know and love, but with a fresh coat of paint and enough new features to warrant another trip through the Netherworld, dood.

If you missed this treasure last time, now is the perfect time to don your travelling gear and let this game's prose take you on a global adventure.

At this point, it should be obvious that if you're considering purchasing this game, I'd advise you not to. There are so many other, better games you could be playing.

Worth it for Persona 4 fans, but misses the mark in regards to its rhythm gameplay.

If you loved Dragonfall, you're going to really like Hong Kong.

A must-have for any fans of cyberpunk, point and click, and/or great storytelling.

Accessible and enjoyable for both fans and newbies to otome games, this is one love story you won't forget about for a while.

A visually appealing but ultimately trite series of references to much better games.

Sadly, Belladonna proves to be less than the sum of it's parts, though fans of Gothic settings and short stories may be able to find that special something which evidently eludes me.

Those who like the genre or who love artistic games will enjoy it despite its flaws.

Re: Hollow Fragment is an appropriate title for yet another shallow licensed game.

The second half doesn't quite live up to the first, but Broken Age is still a journey worth taking.

A solid porting effort, though one that shows Square Enix still has a little ways to go.

While Epanalepsis succeeds at being thought provoking, most players will be left feeling empty, even after multiple playthroughs.

An easy recommendation for those looking to munch on some popcorn while you get the crap scared out of you.

A warm and nostalgic reboot that isn't afraid to build its own identity.

Tales from the Borderlands' fourth episode shows much improvement over the previous chapter, but calls into question the substance of this series, though I smiled, laughed, and always kept at least one eye on the screen.

Regardless, Episode 4 reassured me with a powerful episode that tugged at my heart. Max and Chloe truly feel like lifelong friends, and I want them to have happy closure.

Chroma Squad, while not perfect, is, undeniably, the best Super Sentai-based game around.

Episode 5 is part conclusion, part setting up for the climax.

Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight is how a remake is done.

If you can persevere through the first 5-10 or so confusing, trope-ridden hours, there are some great character relationships and an absurd/epic story to discover.

This thrilling game of high-stakes detective falls short narratively but remains strangely compelling throughout.

My final thought is that Grace of Letoile is far from graceful. Effort was put into the story and gameplay mechanics, but execution could have been more refined.

The graphics are stylish, the sound is gorgeous, the gameplay is fun, and the story is cinematic. Some players may find the game too short or skewed easy, but those are not problems to me.

It's a little tropey, and it could've been better balanced, but Lord of Magna is a surprisingly competent SRPG that exceeded my expectations.

Tales from the Borderlands still provides worthwhile entertainment, but the comedic edge is losing its grip.

A seamless and exhilarating meshing of two entirely different genres.

The Witcher 3 presents a realistic, engaging, and dark fantasy world. With fast-paced combat, deep character customisation, and massive locations to explore, it's a game not to be missed.

If you're itching for a dungeon-crawler, go for Etrian Odyssey or Unchained Blades instead.

You could do better within the Ys series, but it's still near the top of the pack as far as retro-styled action RPGs go.

Still two great games, but the PS3 version is $30 cheaper.

Episode 4 manages to up the ante in modest ways, and continues to indicate that Telltale knows what they're doing.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 — Record Breaker is more of the same with a bit of polish.

A Telltale-esque title set in suburban America that hints at maturity.

An excellently written story with excitingly deep characters and themes.

Get lost in the enchanting art, but don't expect much more.

The best RPG Obsidian has ever made. Just be ready to read.

An intriguing protagonist and art style can't save you from long battles and artificial content.

Whether you've had a video game farmer's tan for years or are planting your first crop of electronic wheat like me (and Story of Seasons' main character), I think you'll find enjoyment in this game.

Neither a very good Etrian game nor a very good Mystery Dungeon game.

A heartwarming, low-stress alchemy adventure with a standout soundtrack.

A Telltale-esque title set in suburban America that hints at maturity.

A solid game that was built for the different needs of mobile devices and modern gamers while embracing its past.

If the writing in this episode is any indication of what's to come, they will have another hit alongside their previous masterpieces.

I started Bloodborne scared and unsure, quaking in my boots every time a new enemy showed its ugly face. I was horrified, timid and alone. But now, I have a confidence and strong sense of self. I am a hunter in Yharnam. I'm confident in my abilities, I know my weaknesses, and I trust my instincts. There's a real bloodlust that builds up in you once things start to click. You'll want to hunt, you'll want to kill, and you'll thirst for blood to make you more powerful. I find Bloodborne intoxicating, and I trust you'll find the same should you let it get into your system.

Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters is pretty, but it's not the next Steins;Gate.

Although not a negative experience, the drop in quality from Episode 1 can't be ignored.