Fans of comic fantasy and action RPGs will be comforted by Driftmoon's cheerful atmosphere and delightful exploration.

Clearly, I enjoyed The Silent Age: Episode One, and I think there's a lot to admire here. It's free, and there are no in-app purchases, although you can donate to the developers' efforts to fund and finish Episode Two (of two, if I understand their blog correctly). I'd love to see Joe deliver that message and learn the answers to the mysteries raised in this episode, and I think that if you play it, you'll feel the same way.

Overall, Devil Summoner Soul Hackers is a solid entry in the SMT franchise.

Retro games have been a popular niche market for a while now, and they exist in a whole spectrum from goofy parody to heart-attack serious. And yet Knights of Pen & Paper somehow manages to find a slot in that spectrum that hasn't been filled yet: the fairly humorous take on tabletop gaming.

Evoland has to be appreciated for what it is, which is less "game" and more "journey traveled." Nostalgia's a hot selling piece these past few years.

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.

Play it on the PC if you haven't done so. If, like me, you're an old dude that has played this so many times you know almost everything by heart, you'll enjoy having it to take with you wherever you go.

They're still good games, but there's nothing overtly special about them that makes them stand out from the rest of the series or, more importantly, Black and White 1.

They're still good games, but there's nothing overtly special about them that makes them stand out from the rest of the series or, more importantly, Black and White 1.

There's some playability at the core of the game for those who enjoy mindless, droll beat 'em ups, so Code of Princess isn't the worst game out there for the 3DS, but for $40 you can do a lot better.

Like the Atelier games before it, it may appeal to a somewhat limited audience, but Atelier Ayesha is a quaint, relaxing adventure that provides a refreshing contrast to high-stakes JRPG melodrama.

Anyone who enjoys a good challenge or likes tooling with character creation and party set ups owes it to themselves to play this game, as it offers an experience that can be matched by few others.

Richard & Alice may have a generic name, but it is anything but generic.

3 Stars of Destiny is an enjoyable RPG, but its enjoyment is definitely proportional to how much the player enjoys old-school.

While both games feature a rather banal save-the-world plot, there's an underlying sense of mythology that remains just clouded enough to suggest a grander scheme. Although the characters are somewhat lifeless, the games themselves bear a strong sense of personality heightened by the music, the frenetic action, and the very sound of their name.

It wouldn't be much of a review, but I could describe Saturday Morning RPG to you in just six words: "a love letter to the '80s." If you watched cartoons and movies back then, this game is aimed squarely at you.

Generation of Chaos: Pandora's Reflection is a perfectly serviceable game that didn't give me the headache I feared, but it never got my blood pumping, either.

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.

Though quirky, The Cave took an opportunity to revive a beloved classic and squandered it. I have to wonder if Schafer and Gilbert were active participants in this game's development, because the final product does not match what the gaming community has come to expect from these original thinkers.

Drox Operative is something entirely different from its peers among whom I'd count Diablo, Torchlight, Path of Exile, and Titan Quest. It's something familiar and it's something bewilderingly new.

So while episode 2 is certainly an improvement, the series still has a little ways to go before I say, "Wow." Right now, I'm saying "not bad."

After just one chapter, I'm not sure I'd put The Journey Down in the realm of classics like Grim Fandango, or with the best of its episodic contemporaries like The Walking Dead and Back to the Future. But it's worth the purchase price, and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next episode's release.

I will end my review the same way I started it: Kentucky Route Zero is a very strange game. Although I did not enjoy it very much, I can see how it is a compelling piece of software. It is very artsy, very avant-garde, very surreal, and a very acquired taste.

A solid re-release of a classic plus some nice new frills, but not without its problems.

If you don't enjoy experimental games or those that refuse to handhold, or if you simply have no interest in the tabletop roots of RPGs, forget about it. Crimson Shroud's unique concept and esoteric execution make it a perfect match for my RPG desires, however, and one of my favorites of 2012.

So many things don't fit, so many things work against each other, and everything just reeks of half finished game ideas.

If the developers put as much effort into the rest of the game as they did catering to player choice, then this title would successfully tread new territory for its ilk.

With companies like XSEED offering higher quality localizations at the exact same price point, there is absolutely no excuse for the abominable work done here by UFO.

The Layton series' formulaic approach to gameplay is a double-edged sword – it's still engaging and fun, but at the same time, the premise has begun to show some weathering. Still, the mix of point-and-click adventure and logic puzzles is something that few other games can offer, and Miracle Mask still does it well. For anyone who is deeply invested in the Layton series and jumps at any chance to experience a new Layton game, Miracle Mask is not a game to be missed.

Although having a sidekick like Crispin corrodes Primordia's otherwise beautiful presentation, there are nevertheless fun puzzles, memorable conversations, and new thoughts to be had.

If you're looking for something with a ponderous story full of morality and contemplation – one best savored alone – then you'll need to look elsewhere. Borderlands 2 delivers tons of lighthearted, occasionally juvenile fun with immense replayability, and is best approached with a few buddies in tow. It doesn't revolutionize the concept pioneered by its forebear, but it refines it to a razor-sharp edge and offers some of the most fun you can have in a cooperative action RPG this side of Diablo II. And if nothing else, it's got lots of Claptrap.

After spending fifty hours with GW2, I have a lot of praise for ArenaNet's work and the way it changes up some of the typical trappings of the MMO. And yet, I find myself thinking less and less about it each day. It's not a declaration against the product, mind you, but simply a fact that this game still is very much an MMO, and your enjoyment will directly relate to how much you enjoy the genre. For many who were hoping for a clean break from MMO design philosophy, Guild Wars 2 will probably come across as a slight disappointment. It pushes the genre slightly forward, however, and could lead to even further development in the future.

I felt Telltale's occasionally heavy hand throughout the story, but I view this limitation as a work in progress. Despite this, they put together a powerful package that I hope surpassed Robert Kirkman's expectations, because it sure did mine.

Chaos on Deponia is exactly what Deponia needed: another Deponia. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, because the trilogy is a mere one game shy of wrapping up. And while I honestly can't tell you where we'll go or if we'll get there, you can bet the skies will be paved with smoke.

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

In the final analysis, Sticker Star is no Thousand Year Door, but don't let that turn you off – it's still a really good game, even if its RPG elements have been toned down.

Ultimately, Cognition is a good start, and at its core, a quality adventure game.

Repetition and game-breaking bugs cannot be excused. While I understand that some bugs just slip by and patches will likely rectify issues like the one I experienced, this is what separates top-notch games from the rest.

Despite its issues in just about every department, the core of Ragnarok Odyssey is a competent Monster Hunter-style adventure. For the right audience, the fast-paced combat counterbalances any issues with repetition and awkwardness.

Its sharp wit, cleverness, and enigmatic plot provide not only a top-tier visual novel experience, but some of the best entertainment I've had gaming.

Of Orcs and Men feels like a missed opportunity. Action RPGs tend to be gameplay-driven rather than story-driven, and this game is no exception.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like RPGFans are stuck waiting a little longer for a killer app on the Vita. Conceptually sound but riddled with technical flaws and a lack of polish, this game is a perfect example of the adage "good idea, bad execution."

It's a good game, but not an amazing one, mostly because it's more complicated than it needs to be.

Any detachment we may have felt as we slowly immersed ourselves into this hellish world should be lost here. Those who've hungered for each coming episode may experience some tunnel vision as they dive into their monitors and become a part of the group's lives.

Realms of Ancient Wars is a game. It's not particularly buggy and it's far more playable than last year's Daggerdale debauchery– in fact, you may even enjoy it for a piece of brainless weekend entertainment. But that's it, completely. It's a game. There's nothing memorable about it and you'll likely finish it and forget about it just as quickly as I have. You might pick it up if you can't find something else to play, but that seems unlikely given the flood of similar, better releases.

All this is a long winded way of saying I loved Torchlight II, and I think you will too. But if you don't, at least you'll only be out $20.

Rainbow Moon is a game that I couldn't help but come away from with pleasant feelings. It's not revolutionary, but it's well-executed and knows exactly what it wants to be. There is a certain type of player out there who is going to absolutely love this game, and get hours upon hours of enjoyment out of it. The only question you have to ask yourself is if you are that kind of player. If not, at least try it out for the sweet music!

With the new content included and a controller in the USB port, Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is the best version of the game – just not by as much of a margin as some might've hoped for.

Questionable price tag aside, if you're looking for a lengthy, retro-style RPG on your iOS device, Final Fantasy Dimensions is your best bet. Just be aware that some of yesterday's frustration slipped into the package alongside its felicity.

With its combination of a good storyline, a memorable cast of characters, decent graphics, and beautiful music, Lunar: Silver Star Story Touch is sure to quench your JRPG thirst.

Some of the choices made in both the presentation and the design of the port are questionable and show some of Square Enix's disconcerting business ethics, but as a game, TWEWY is still very enjoyable and arguably a worthy purchase.

With excellent writing, engaging storytelling, interesting characters, perplexing decisions, incredible visual style, and great music, Cinders is everything you could ever want from a visual novel and every fan of the genre should try it.

As stated earlier, Episode 3 keeps pace with the other two installments, which speaks highly of its developers – the episodes truly feel like chapters of one long story, and not parts that jaggedly fit together. Unfortunately, the gameplay staggers wantonly while simultaneously stagnating in long adventure-style fetch quests.

Although expansive, sometimes beautiful, and occasionally fun, Darksiders II is mediocre at best, a rambling bore of a game and a shoddy sequel. You may have liked the original, and you may enjoy action RPGs, but you've played this game before, and not just once.

Legasista is a strange thing with an equally strange name, full of great ideas that almost always come hogtied to an opposing force. It's a game's game, but that's all it can ever be. A lukewarm story will do that to you. While the systems in place promise an endless descent into addictive, loot-driven madness, it's just too hard to prop up a game that's been tempered with bean sprout inspiration.

If you have shunned Idea Factory RPGs in the past and/or found the previous Agarest War titles a chore to play, this one's marked improvement may sway you slightly. I recommend at least giving Record of Agarest War 2 a rental because it shows that Idea Factory has the potential to create good stuff.

At the end of the day, The Last Story is a decent RPG, but nothing to be excited about. A dull story and uninteresting characters mar a unique combat system and solid gameplay.

Wanderlust has few redeeming moments and is ultimately hard to recommend.

Despite some unfortunate pacing hiccups and esoteric puzzling, what we're left with is a joyous little journey for the dumpster-diving faithful. Back-of-the-box quote right here: It's solid.

Ten minutes of novelty can turn into ten hours of monotony, and, while An Elysian Tail has many merits, repetition and simplicity prevent it from ranking among the best.

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.

Tight, strategic combat and a good variety of mission objectives keep battles feeling fresh, while the story holds surprising depth and well-written characters. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time emerges from a bygone epoch no worse for the wear.

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance is everything gamers have come to expect from this series, for better or worse. I can't recommend it to newcomers in any way, but for those who have followed it this far, they'll find a flawed game that occasionally reaches some great highs.

Lone Survivor bears doubtless resemblance to that classic survivor horror franchise, Silent Hill. After all, Lone Survivor has creepy monsters, a mostly-empty city, a basement you don't want to be in but must be, fleshy red membranes, and a psychological bent. I like to think of Lone Survivor not as a tawdry imitator, but as an intelligent and surreal homage to a once-powerful series, and even perhaps a comment on the genre itself.

I may have initially been disappointed by the focus on online play, but these fears quickly passed as I discovered what an enjoyable game Dungeon Defenders is. 13 maps with 15-20 hours of play is a considerable amount of initial content, but the extra challenges and loot-hunting are what will keep you coming back. Working out strategies and tower placement is a great fun, and finally succeeding in your strategy is immensely satisfying. Some of the online features are a little rough, but if you enjoy a good tower defence game, then you should not miss this one.

It may be short, but Cherry Tree High Comedy Club is a nice change of pace from other games and offers something unique.

If you know what you're getting into, Unchained Blades is an enjoyable game that doles out pain and pleasure in equal capacity.

If you didn't play the first and you don't mind grinding, you can have fun with White Knight Chronicles 2, but I'd strongly advise that you play its predecessor if you're interested in knowing what's going on.

All in all, Pokémon Conquest is solid across the board, but it is lacking in a few key areas that are likely to turn away non-Pokémon fans and hardcore strategy players. However, if you don't go in expecting the next Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre, then there's plenty to enjoy.

Faith in Destiny is not a good game, and I could not recommend it to anyone.

All things said and done, I still enjoyed my time with Alpha Kimori Episode 2 despite my gameplay grievances. As with episode 1, I enjoyed it more than my critique would indicate. Despite having design traits that I normally dislike in RPGs, the atmosphere, story, and characters still have me invested.

If you can look past the so-so music, retro visuals and somewhat sluggish interface, Resonance is a good graphic adventure.

I really came into this game wanting to like it. As I said in my preview of the alpha version, it showed promise. That promise just never seems to be realized in the final version of the game.

All-in-all, Heroes of Ruin is a good bit of fun, marred by a couple of serious problems. The combat is dynamic and fluid, loot collecting is as addictive as ever, and online and multiplayer is done right. If only dungeons suffered from less repetition, the campaign was longer, and the inventory had been thoughtfully designed, it could have really shined.

It's not perfect and certainly has its share of hiccups, but if you go in expecting to tear up some mean guys and rock out to some great music, you'll definitely be happy. And with a $20 price tag, you really can't go wrong.

The experience is remarkably evocative of the fairytale-like adventures of the King's Quest series, and nearly every facet of the game is remarkably well-executed.

Simply, if you enjoyed the first game and haven't pre-ordered the rest of the episodes, then this is a must-buy. The game has only gotten better, though the true lack of choice is a little more evident.

The Book of Legends is a good RPG Maker game worthy of Aldorlea's pedigree, but it has the potential to be more. I'm left feeling as if the limitations of RPG Maker prevent the game from realizing its full potential.

At a final length of about six to eight hours, Penny Arcade Episode 3 is a decent value for the money, as long as you keep your expectations in check.

It's a fun game with some great mechanics and intriguing ideas going for it. If there was reduced experience gambling, less incessant grinding and a few additional songs, it could have been a far superior game.

Overall, I found TERA to be a bombastic mix of bleeding edge graphics and blazing gameplay in an enormous persistent world. I cannot express how much the change to action combat has enriched an already competent MMORPG.

All-in-all, Botanicula is a competent adventure game. What it lacks in story and characters, it does its best to make up for in scenery and puzzle variety. It may be rather short, but it's still an enjoyable experience I recommend to adventure gamers looking for something a little different. If point and click adventures are not usually your thing, or you're only interested in this because of your experience with Machinarium, then I'd definitely advise you to at least wait for a Steam sale.

The game is fantastically playable, and utterly addictive.

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.

I would love to say that Game of Thrones is a great introduction to George R. R. Martin's world, but that simply isn't the truth. There are quite a few references to A Song of Ice and Fire and only those who are already fans of the series will get a significant amount of joy out of this title. Solid combat and interesting gameplay systems prevent it from being a licensed throwaway, but don't expect a gaming masterpiece if you're not already rooting for one of the lords of the Seven Kingdoms.

Personally, I feel as if this is one of the best titles I've played in a long time, despite some of its gratuitous flaws. Movies are sometimes judged on their ability to make people forget their problems for a couple of hours – the immersion. LoG definitely has that going for it, and even when stumped and dying repeatedly, I couldn't pull myself away. This is a sleeper hit that everyone should at least try, and let's hope its success encourages the developers to work on another game, improving on an already-polished title.

It's no secret that I thoroughly enjoyed Analogue: A Hate Story. The writing is stellar, the music and graphics are stylish, and the interactive gameplay elements are immersive. I also appreciate its unapologetic attitude toward mass appeal, instead opting to please a very specific kind of gamer. Those who want to see a fine example of elevated video game storytelling would do best to check this game out. It may not be a long ride (5-7 hours for a single playthrough), but it is a satisfying one.

There's nothing special about Ash II. It has no glaring flaws – just a few foibles that are somewhat annoying – but by that same token, there is nothing really special about it, either.

Hack, Slash, Loot is not a good game, and I couldn't even recommend it to the most hardcore roguelike enthusiasts. It's dull, it's frustrating, it's entirely dependent on luck and, most significantly, it's not even remotely fun to play. The graphics and sound are appalling, and a little variation in dungeon types isn't enough to save this horrid title. Go spend your money elsewhere.

For better and worse, Gemini Rue might best be described as a "neat little game." For whatever reason, the game feels short of its potential, and every facet seems sullied by flaws both minor and moderate. Still, the cyberpunk tone, engaging story, and varied gameplay make more of an impression than those flaws.

Despite a few fumbles, The Walking Dead: Episode 1 is a resounding success. I can't wait for the next installment, and I have found myself reflecting on my choices, pondering at how events could have unfolded differently. This two-and-a-half hour game is most certainly a love letter to fans of TWD and zombies in general, but those who've yet to be bitten by the zombie bug may enjoy the experience as well.

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.

I'm rarely disgusted after beating a game. Risen 2 left me aghast, and I'm not even a pirate fanatic. I can't imagine the disappointment of those expecting to finally lay their hands on a quality pirate RPG. What could have been a heavily nuanced action RPG is instead a waste of potential and a cheap product. Risen 2 doesn't just leave the niche as empty as it found it. Risen 2: Dark Waters gives pirates a bad name.

Disgaea 3 is a game that will last you a while, whether you just want to casually focus on the main story or go all out with post-game content. The fact that it's portable makes it well-suited to quickly pick up and play a level or two or spend a few minutes grinding away.

Regardless of the game's quality when put side-by-side with its PC incarnation, however, The Witcher 2 on the 360 is definitely an incredibly well crafted and polished game with a few flaws that only rarely hinder the overall experience and prevent it from achieving perfection.

You may find yourself occasionally frustrated with a design choice, but do yourself a favor and look past them, for the simple act of carefree exploration and discovery appears lost to most developers these days.

Lag was an acceptable issue in games up until five or so years ago. At this point, most high-quality online experiences are relatively lag free. That's why I have to say that RMG is not a high-quality experience, but not just because of lag; Realm of the Mad God suffers in its simplicity.

If you're a fan of classic 2D RPGs, then you shouldn't hesitate in picking up Sweet Lily Dreams. It has just the right mix of traditional gameplay and new ideas that make it a joy to play.