Ultimately, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is fine for what it is. Though exploration and combat primarily define dungeon crawlers, the fighting in this game isn’t interesting enough to justify the grinding necessary to progress. While I was curious to see the conclusion, both story and combat would have been more effective in a game about 40-50 hours shorter. Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi buries its treasures in deep depths, and some won’t find them worth digging for.

Crippled by poor gameplay, redeemed at times by enjoyable dialogue and decent aesthetic qualities, Arc the Lad: End of Darkness ends up being a mediocre game.

Ni no Kuni II is still an excellent game. In most respects, I find it superior to the original, with fewer barriers between the player and the game itself. It’s packed with quality-of-life features, cool subsystems, and interesting side content to conquer. Unfortunately, the Switch version is the worst way to experience a fantastic game. For most players, the original will provide the best experience. There’s no new content to speak of here, and the visual setbacks make taking advantage of the Switch’s form factor a dicey prospect. You should absolutely play Ni no Kuni II. But you probably shouldn’t play it on the Switch.

I’m normally not into kinetic visual novels, but I liked The Mysteries of Ranko Togawa: Murder on the Marine Express. Being able to check Ranko’s phone gave the game enough interactivity that I didn’t feel disconnected from it. The English language script is rough, but the story remained engaging, and the characters still displayed delightfully colorful personalities. The Mysteries of Ranko Togawa: Murder on the Marine Express is a cool little game that would be even better with a proper localization. That would further entice me to check out hypothetical future installments of Ranko’s adventures.

Despite developer Bunnyhug getting so much right in terms of the presentation and some of the gameplay, the multitude of bugs and questionable design choices cast a heavy shadow that is impossible to ignore. Since its October release, there have been two patches to address some of the bugs, but the game still remains a messy experience overall. If you can look past the technical issues currently plaguing the game then Moonglow Bay could be a worthwhile time-sink, but it otherwise remains a difficult sell for all but the most diehard Harvest Moon fans.

It's better than the original Atelier Rorona, but I'd still rather be playing any other Atelier game.

A fun strategy RPG that offers something for everyone but lacks an enjoyable story, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics assumes players are fans of the original movie, which is absolutely required viewing to get the most out of this game.

Rhapsody III is a fun and breezy musical RPG that is both cute, simplistic, and amusing. While it’s not the best of the trilogy, it serves as a solid capstone to the Marl Kingdom trilogy. It gives a peek at the often unnecessary and over-the-top mechanical insanity that Nippon Ichi Software later became synonymous with. I can only hope the recent remasters are a teaser for a new entry in the Rhapsody series.

As a visual (kinetic) novel, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception is quite good. It does take a long time to start, but once the story gets going, it is quite compelling. The music is fantastic, the voice acting is good, there’s a fun cast of characters, and the visuals are there. Unfortunately, as a game, it doesn’t do nearly as well. The tactical RPG part of the game lacks complexity and difficulty. The game doesn’t properly explain how the battle system works, and you will be left to fend for yourself to learn how to properly fight. If you can get over the 20 hour hump for the story to pick up, and can sit through the uninspired fights, then you can enjoy a story full of political intrigue that makes you realize how much you actually care for the characters and what they go through. However, if you are an impatient soul, and/or would prefer your games with good gameplay, stay far away. In short, this is a good visual novel, but a mediocre game.

There is an audience for One Piece Odyssey. Sometimes, in the middle of an exciting battle or while revisiting some of my favorite locations from the original series, I think I could be part of that audience. I’ve been a fan of the property for over 20 years and still read the manga every week. I’m not the world’s biggest One Piece fan, but I’m certainly an enduring one. But the repetition made the game a struggle to complete. As amazing as the game feels to start, it trudges across the finish line. A more patient player, or one whose love for One Piece is far more enthusiastic than mine, might be able to see past the repetition for the loving nostalgia underneath. For non-fans, or those of us looking for something meatier, One Piece Odyssey is more filler than killer.

Hotel Sowls is undeniably charming. The cast is easily lovable and the world as quirky as one could hope. Still, it’s also undeniably simple. I would suggest Hotel Sowls as a sleepy afternoon game to relax with if you are at all drawn to its art and atmosphere, but I would keep in mind the limitations of a two person team making their first game. If you aren’t bothered by a small soundtrack, occasional bugs, and a hotel with many rooms where there isn’t any room for questions, then you may just spend more than one span of five days in Hotel Sowls.

Lost Sphear is Tokyo RPG Factory's latest attempt to capture that golden age nostalgia, but its lackluster story and bloated systems aren't quite up to the task.

Dungeons of Dredmor isn't without problems, but the good humour and addictive gameplay make it an amiable purchase. It might not be to everyone's tastes, and the random generation can be frustrating, but for only a few dollars it's pretty easy to recommend.

The game manages to do something different fusing rhythm mechanics with turn based battles, but the awkward controls made it difficult to completely enjoy. While the addition of multiplayer, a new character, and a brand new game mode might tempt some toward the console version, the game is clearly best suited to the PC. As all of the upgrades are coming to Steam as well, there's no real reason for existing fans to try out this new port. If you like RPGs, music, and rhythm gameplay, and prefer console or handheld gaming, I'd recommend Theatrythm: Final Fantasy any day.

The game looks pretty yet cheap in places, but the simple presentation is easy to digest, especially with the sometimes-deeper concepts addressed in the story. I may not be the right audience for this, but as I watch my daughter delight in playing, it is easy to take a page from the story and appreciate the title for what it is instead of what it is not. Despite all of its issues, it is oddly delightful to spend a day playing in the old LDC helping friends, cooking new recipes, or exploring with a dragon!

If you like that neo-Gothic, dark Victorian setting, contrasting grays and sepia with rich, saturated color, you will likely adore this "psychedelic" game. But given the choice, I would recommend checking out Ashen Hawk before Black Butterfly, as the other title doesn't rely on amnesia to weave a tale.

It certainly has its unique charm.

If you enjoy grinding to unlock classes, and the experience of playing as different classes is more important to you than random loot drops, you could very well have a lot of fun with this game.

Luminous Plume feels more like a tech demo than a fully realized game. The lion’s share of effort was put into the sumptuous battle engine, luscious visuals, and bold music to the detriment of the narrative, characters, writing, and non-battle gameplay. I admittedly had fun playing Luminous Plume, but I would have better appreciated its amazing battle system if it were in a more substantial and fully-realized RPG. If battle-rush games like this are your thing, then you’ll probably enjoy Luminous Plume more than I did.

If you're looking for a fun time, a happy time, or a smooth ride, this isn't your game. If you're looking for something to chew on and to learn about a person or people you might not be able to truly see in our real world, then Stillness is here. I wish more games tried to communicate these kinds of messages.

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.

As it stands, if you’re a FF series completionist like myself, this is easily the version of FFII I’d recommend given what it offers and the fact that it doesn’t potentially overstay its welcome since it doesn’t have the extra dungeons found in other ports, but I can’t say I’ll be replaying Final Fantasy II either.

I went into Best Friend Forever expecting to pet a bunch of dogs and date some cool humans, and in that respect, I was not disappointed. The dogs are good boys and girls who deserve all the love in the world, even when they poop. The humans are a fun and varied bunch whose stories may be on the short side but still have a lot of heart. Sadly, the gameplay did not live up to my expectations, but I would love to see what improvements could be made if Starcolt one day decides to create a sequel. If your love of dogs is stronger than the issues I’ve laid out in this review, then you might want to check out Best Friend Forever. Just do yourself a favor, though, and play it on PC.

Class of Heroes manages to complete the job of being an introductory RPG, and it does a couple of things right, but it wasn't much fun.

Despite occasionally feeling dated, Yakuza 3 still offers a fun experience for fans of the series.

Planescape: Torment will continue to be a classic — a titan standing tall in the history of RPGs. However, the Enhanced Edition has only really enhanced the price and little else. Though I have to say, Planescape itself is okay. I know I may aggravate or annoy some fans who remember this title fondly or have even experienced it again and enjoyed the trip down memory plane, but if we’re being honest with ourselves, Planescape: Torment has not aged well. The writing is as engrossing as ever, yes, but even in that regard, so much more has been done with games like Pillars of Eternity. Certainly, the gameplay and controls could be better. I’m not here to give praise for the history and importance of Planescape, but to judge it as it stands today amongst whippersnappers, like Tyranny, who likely owe a great deal to what this title has done for RPGs.

Salt and Sacrifice is a capable Soulslike for those who can’t get enough of the genre. I had a good time playing it and found the experience worthwhile, but I by no means think this cements itself as a flagbearer for games like it. Five years later, I still distinctly remember the personality and mystery of Salt and Sanctuary, but this title seems to lack that same sort of magic. Though, I will say, Soulslikes have a high standard given the sheer quality of titles available.

Despite its solid production values, Lost Echo is a bit of a lost cause. Playing it felt like going on a date with a reasonably attractive girl with a characterless personality and mundane attire. Conversation with her held potential, but there were too many awkward stumbles throughout the date. All in all, it was not a bad way to spend a weekend, but I certainly won't be calling her back for a second date.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin offers only minor tweaks to serious gameplay issues of the original game. Nonetheless, it still remains a wholly enjoyable online experience, just don't expect much from the singleplayer experience.

If the updated look and feel gets you to play this classic for the first time, it was a worthwhile endeavor.

Satirical humor, thematic citizens, neat puzzles.

Indecision and hasty writing is what ultimately brings down Angels with Scaly Wings. Although the game starts off promisingly enough, the quality of its opening is definitely not reflected in the rest of the writing, least of all the romance scenes, which mars the overall journey despite the very interactive nature of the story. The novelty of a setting can only carry a story so far, and without a solid cast of characters or a well-developed plot, Angels with Scaly Wings is, unfortunately, quite a mundane experience.

I recommend Trinity Trigger to fans of old-school action RPGs; the combat is fun, the visuals are a delight, and its ambiance is unique. Unfortunately, other areas were either lacking or led to frustration, and I’m not sure if all the design decisions complement each other. My biggest ire is the pacing and delivery of the story; what’s there is fine, but it felt mediocre because I’d lost engagement. However, combat and exploration are the main selling points of this game, so many of you will be able to look past its flaws to enjoy what’s on offer. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a diamond in the rough, but I’ve had less fun with more polished games. It’s a short game, roughly 20 hours, and with more and more people looking for something that isn’t an 80-hour investment, Trinity Trigger is a quick play. I’ll praise it for crafting its own identity and not relying too much on the tropes and gameplay elements from its source inspiration, but don’t expect a modern classic.

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is a game with great promise but poor-to-mediocre performance, depending on your affinity for action-oriented loot hunting and patience for AI and other technical shortcomings that should have been nipped in beta. But with promise comes optimism; Tuque Games has a robust DLC and expansion roadmap planned, so its continued investment in the game could lead to patches ameliorating my gripes. If it does, you’ll find that Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance reaches the lofty heights of its renowned spiritual predecessors. But if Tuque Games neglects these issues, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance will remain a fun but prohibitively frustrating game I can recommend to series devotees and few others.

Tokyo Xanadu is a good example of a developer pulling together the best parts of beloved franchises but not quite following through completely. I'd wager that Falcom pulled back a bit on the Persona-inspired mechanics to avoid a 100-hour saga that already struggles with a paper-thin story. As a result, we're left with a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging battle system wrapped in an uninspired package with little originality. To put it plainly, Tokyo Xanadu is a painfully average experience that still manages to be worth your time.

All in all, Half Past Fate: Romantic Distancing is a title that doesn’t do anything wrong in its gameplay or story presentation. Truth be told, it is really only hampered by its brief duration. If you’re looking for a shorter diversionary title with an emphasis on romance development that doesn’t ignore the pandemic experience we’ve all been going through, you might want to look into this cute episodic adventure. Like most rom-coms though, don’t expect it to be insanely memorable afterward.

A fun game that offers a lot of variety between classes and partners, but difficulty spikes later on require you to miss out on it in favor of specific choices to have a chance at success.

Nocked! has some solid elements to it, but as a whole, I did not enjoy it. I found it to be a rather lukewarm Robin Hood game and would rather get my Sherwood Forest fix from the myriad of superior books, movies and TV shows out there. As far as games of this ilk go, Inkle Studios' Sorcery! games had superior interactive gamebook-style gameplay and MoaCube's Cinders was a more enchanting reimagining of a classic tale with its enthralling dialogue and charismatic, gorgeous graphics. Objectively speaking, Nocked! is not a bad game, but I've definitely played better.

Dicey Dungeons certainly offers a unique experience to turn-based, deck-building titles. Unfortunately, the inclusion of dice can both excite and frustrate, as no amount of planning can prepare one for each contingency one might encounter or a poor run of luck. The unique playstyles keep the game fresh, the sheer quantity of items one might accrue add to the customization. If I've got the itch to throw dice, I can see myself dusting off Dicey Dungeons before anything else, but I think my luck's run dry for the time being.

Labyrinth might slake the thirst of players coming straight from Fruit, but it ultimately fails to live up to the standards set by its predecessor.

Lord of Arcana, at its core, is a solid title with lots of potential.

Thankfully, with Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name behind us, RGG is set to forge ahead, blending new gameplay and characters with the distinct sense of humor and flair that made Yakuza so popular in the first place. Sadly, if you’re looking for one last enjoyable adventure with Kazuma Kiryu, I suggest playing Yakuza Kiwami 2 again. You’re going to get almost the same experience but with a much better plot, more intriguing characters, bigger stakes, and, most importantly, an awesome cabaret minigame.

Diehard DQ loyalists and tacticians will enjoy what this game has to offer, but those who want an experience – a game with heart and a story to tell – should spend their hard-earned medals elsewhere.

Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is a wonderful little treat, and I’m glad it received a modern port. The game is blissfully short and quickly paced – coming in at around 12-13 hours – but it’s not without its faults. With extremely easy combat, an absurdly uneven encounter rate, and heavily reused maps for dungeons, the game operates almost exclusively on its charm. With how short it is, overlooking its flaws is easy as players zip from one location to the next, listen to musical numbers about how great frogs are, and learn the meaning of true courage as they help Cornet rescue the love of her life. Rhapsody is definitely worth playing, though it’s little more than nostalgic novelty some twenty years later.

In no way would I ever recommend Hard West 2, but I have to be honest and say that I enjoyed myself. I just wish it didn’t come with a heaping bowl of curses. The developers should swallow their pride and listen intently to their customers, as I am sure I am not alone in my grievances. The team is clearly full of talented people who know how to create a good game, as long as they don’t get in their own way. As for me, I’m in need of some whiskey after this ordeal.

Monster Crown, though flawed, offers its own take on Pokèmon-style monster collection games. I liked its darker themes and several of its ideas, including having dialogue options when encountering other tamers before engaging them in battle. I should also mention that Monster Crown has online components for trading and battling. Monster Crown has potential, and I did enjoy the time I spent with it, but I was not enthralled by its overly-grindy gameplay and general lack of refinement. I hope Studio Aurum learns from Monster Crown‘s experience and creates better games in the future.

Layton's Mystery Journey is a mediocre game at best, with uneventful mysteries and anticlimactic plot twists. As a returning veteran, it almost doesn't feel like a Layton game at all.

For fans of traditional RPGs with a twist.

Born of Bread adds another entry to my ever-growing list of games that I wanted to love but left me with mixed feelings. It’s clear that a lot of heart went into Born of Bread. I loved the bevy of unique characters inhabiting the game’s world, and the second half of the story was quite engaging. However, Born of Bread‘s confluence of minor flaws, including a lack of convenience features, marred my enjoyment. Born of Bread is not a bad game, but those seeking that magical Paper Mario experience might be better off waiting for the upcoming Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door remaster.

Yes, the game was often cheap and unrefined, but it had a certain je ne sais quoi about it that made me want to keep playing in spite of its foibles. Sacred Earth's ending sets everything up for a series, so I hope future installments polish this diamond in the rough to a lovely shine.

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.

Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story has lovely visuals and some solid ideas, but felt like an overlong rough draft in need of editing before going to print. I needed to call upon all my patience and perseverance to get through Bandle Tale. There were even times when I had to step away from the game for a night or two and return to it with a fresh mind. Spurts of fun were flanked by lengthy stretches that dragged, making playtime feel artificially padded. If Bandle Tale were shorter and more tightly focused, it would have been a more pleasurable experience with fewer lulls and more cohesive storytelling. Bandle Tale may not be perfect, but Bandle City and the Yordles are a wellspring of good multimedia material, so I hope to see more Yordle-centered League of Legends material in the future.

You get a whole lot of game for the humble price tag, and I’m very interested to see what projects we see from Brownies in the future. EGGLIA Rebirth would be a very easy recommendation with some tweaking and a few overhauls to its weaker systems, but even in its current form there’s still plenty to enjoy.

While The Council's meager finale is indicative of its inability to meet the lofty expectations it set for itself early on, there's still a lot to like for fans of the genre. Your acceptance and enjoyment of the story's twists and shoddy lore will determine just how much you like it, though.

Dragon Quest Swords was originally intended to be a launch game for the Nintendo Wii system and it definitely shows.

If your friends are getting it and you like multiplayer, it's worth playing.

Demonicon is ugly, awkward, and unknown, but it's still an average action RPG.

Exist Archive is proof you can sometimes have too much of a good thing, and doesn't have enough unique ideas of its own to stand out.

Sacred 2 is definitely not a game I can recommend to anyone and everyone. Only particular players are going to enjoy this game, while others will log a few hours into it, and quickly lose interest. It's a shame because it has been a long time since we've had a strong console hack-and-slash game, and while Sacred 2 will provide you with something to fill the hack-and-slash void, it will not leave you entirely fulfilled.

An almost apathetic sequel that accomplishes nothing more and a little less than its predecessor.

A sad but moving piece that will make you think for far longer than the time it takes to experience it.

Overall, The 3rd Phantom isn't exactly terrible, it's just devoid of much real gameplay to satisfy gamers looking for more meat than just a bit of fanservice and origin stories.

I’ll continue to keep plugging away at Tales of Crestoria as it’s updated, because I’m genuinely enjoying my time with the game, and love seeing characters like Arche, Farah, Presea, Leon, and all of my other favourites take to the stage once again. I just hope Bandai Namco can manage the bugs a little better and increase the frequency of materials and drops just a bit so people who are less willing to drop lots of money on a gacha can enjoy the story and the additional content at a reasonable pace.

The ideas that could have made this a great game are often undermined by the actual clicking feeling subpar.

It’s a bit ironic to me that NieR Re[in]carnation is a game about memories, about being trapped, and about trying to break free, but that it’s a gacha game. All of those overwhelming, overbearing elements that loop you into a grind are all surrounding a beautiful game that presents a world of isolation and oppression. It’s a package of things I love about NieR, chained to another package of things I really dislike. It feels deliberate, but in a way, that’s more frustrating and overbearing than in Replicant and Automata. Yet it all sounds basically perfect for a Yoko Taro game, doesn’t it? Maybe this is a faultless encapsulation of the NieR experience, and my grievances are exactly what the developers are going for.

I’m just glad that most of what Dragonborne has to offer at least put a smile on my face. The world is perfectly pocket-sized, and it’s easy to navigate and progress, and there’s a real charm about its humour and simplicity. Yet, the combat and the repetitive dungeons stop me from fully embracing the game. I played Final Fantasy Adventure for the first time in 2019; even though it was nearly 30 years old, I saw the ambitious spark that ignited the Mana series and how it inspired many kids growing up (even if that tree puzzle is ridiculous). Dragonborne isn’t far off from replicating that kind of nostalgia — and it succeeds in some ways — but it falls short in others and remains a sleeping dragon.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has a lot going for it—a compelling mystery, a strong cast of characters, and a nostalgic atmosphere that captures the era perfectly. But the technical issues are hard to ignore. From audio glitches to animation bugs, it feels like the game needed more time in the oven. I’m hopeful that Part 2 will smooth out these rough edges, because there is certainly some potential here. It’s just not quite there yet.

MHF is definitely not a game for newbies, and it's not a big fan of loners, but there's some real fun to be had along with the frustration.

Atelier Firis is a highly ambitious and experimental Atelier game that tries to mix everything up. Though I consider it the weakest of the Mysterious trilogy (and one of the weaker Atelier entries in general), it’s by no means a bad game. The sandbox/open world is quite enjoyable to explore, the soundtrack is solid if a bit cramped, and the combat does eventually open up after feeling tacked on for a large portion of the game. There is a lot to like in the game, but the time limit can make you feel more anxious than you should. If this is your first time with this experimental Atelier, make sure to take your time and enjoy all it has to offer. Atelier Firis is best played as an open-world slow-life game. After all, the best part of the game is the Mysterious Journey itself.

As it stands, Rune Factory 3 Special is a welcome addition to the series’ library mainly because it preserves the original and makes it the most accessible it’s ever been. Players interested in replaying the title or who strongly want to play each game in the series in some form can’t go wrong with Rune Factory 3 Special. But anyone not inclined to play them all is much better off with 4 Special, or even 5. Rune Factory 3 Special includes all the basics that make Rune Factory great, but has less content, fewer player options, and fewer quality-of-life features than the current series standard. It’s especially hard to recommend Rune Factory 3 Special over 4 Special when the only area 3 bests 4 in is graphics, yet 3 still retails for $10 more.

If there’s entertainment to be found in the schadenfreude of watching your characters retch as they eat the disgusting food you serve them, it wears off quickly, leaving a solid — if frustrating — roguelike as the bulk of Monster Menu. While there are some great ideas at play, those ideas don’t automatically coalesce into a fun or enjoyable experience. Some may appreciate the challenge, but that’s the only hook beyond the thin main gimmick. Like a plate of grubs, Monster Menu may fill you up, but there’s no guarantee it will make you happy.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo offers some fun in drawing up a horror story from Japanese superstitions. Unfortunately, it leans too heavily on the comedy, even though the jokes are appreciated. When the game dangles the possibility or even the appearance of some agency for the player, it would have been more exciting to make the player feel as though they’re really making choices or feel invested in the horror elements. If there’s anything to take away from this experience, it’s that murder is typically wrong, but a chicken dressed as a greaser is way cool.

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.

SOULVARS is best described as a “tsundere” game. Its mechanics are tough and intimidating at first, but investing a little time and effort getting to know it opens its heart. You get out of it what you put into it. Beyond its 10–15 hour main campaign (depending on the difficulty level), there is post-game content. Sadly, the disappointing story and characters are a mountain of unrealized potential that could have been so much better. If you are the kind of RPG fan who favors gameplay over story and characters, then SOULVARS may be worth a look.

Competent, yet forgettable.

Dead Island is filled with good concepts and potential, but it can't stick the landing. As it stands today, sadly,

For those of you with strong attachments to the 80s, Crossing Souls is a sure cure for your nostalgia; for those without, Crossing Souls simply feels like a game that's trying too hard.

This is a rough-around-the-edges nostalgia trip for die-hard fans, but with very little narrative reward.

Fun can definitely be had with Kiwami. I know there are people out there who are going to love roaming the streets of Kamurocho to beat up baddies, stopping to take a break only because they passed by an arcade and want a new prize from the claw machine. Unfortunately, from a mechanical perspective, everything about the game seemed completely shallow. In the end, Yakuza Kiwami felt more like a novelty experience than it did a rewarding one.

If you enjoy LucasArts' games, you should definitely play Full Throttle after so many years of not having the option to do so. If you haven't played their games but enjoy the genre in general, I'd still recommend it, as long as you're willing to accept occasional help from the internet when you can't find the right stupid rock to kick.

I don’t doubt that some folks are going to fall in love with the breezy vibes Mr. Saitou delivers; not every game needs a gigantic demon boss or world-ending evil. For what Mr. Saitou appears to be trying to do, though, I can’t say the satisfying ending justifies the journey. If more of the conversations or relationships I had with the characters had more texture, I would say otherwise, but I spent too much time having directionless interactions. If nothing else, Mr. Saitou has heart and something to say, and if that’s worth two hours of your time, you may be the audience.

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.

In the end, I am happy with much of my time spent on Potion Permit, but I’m equally pleased to be done with it. Though there was no obvious ending, I can set it aside for now, feeling satisfaction at the good I did in Moonbury. Despite a pretty graphical veneer, a brief and lovely soundtrack, and solid sound design, it can’t compensate for the buggy, cumbersome gameplay and an average collection of stories. Still, if you’re patient and enough patches come, there’s a ton of charm and some unique ideas in Potion Permit to enjoy, and I hope MassHive refines their approach for future entries in this world.

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.

Although still intended for kids, the plot is more satisfying for all ages.

Fans of The Case of the Golden Idol will find their itch for more demented mad libs scratched but not sated by The Rise of the Golden Idol. Despite my issues with the game, existing devotees of the Golden Idol will find something to like here. Everyone else should start with the first game and its two expansions, which are better and provide vital context for fully enjoying the sequel.

Misao may not be a filling portion, but sometimes all you need is a bite-sized parody.

An enjoyable experience with a disappointing final act. There's still plenty of potential left, if Season 2 ever comes along.

An enjoyable experience with a disappointing final act. There's still plenty of potential left, if Season 2 ever comes along.

What Bit Kid does with Chasm is ambitious. I'm impressed that the procedural generation is so well executed. The problem is the procedural generation, on its own, does nothing to distinguish an otherwise relatively bland and by the numbers take on the Metroidvania genre. Add to that a few frustrations with the control and lack of variety in the game, and what we get is a game which might be worth checking out if you're really looking for a new game in the genre, but you'd likely be better off checking out the myriad of superior options which have been released in the last few years.

Despite its terrific combat, The Alliance Alive is far from a spectacular experience. With the 3DS having such a vast catalogue of RPGs to choose from, it's not enough for Alliance to simply be passable. It's hard to truly recommend the game to anyone except those who have already exhausted their options on the system.

A messy, bland RPG that might attract some for its nostalgic powers.

Saltsea Chronicles was a bizarre experience for me. I admired the quality of the writing, maturity in language, and world the developers sought to craft, but I was frequently bored and eager for something to happen. I couldn’t even call this game slice-of-life, which one could argue is a genre where nothing ever happens by definition, but at least slice-of-life stories are poignant and heartfelt. Saltsea Chronicles just felt flat to me, but I am certain this game will hit some beautiful notes for folks who are tired of melodrama and intensity.

I can appreciate developers wanting to add more realistic touches to games, but to me realism does not always equate to fun.

It isn’t yet retirement time for the Blade Runner game, but as enhanced versions go, this one takes a solid game and sadly weakens it, much like a Replicant’s limited timespan tragically does to them.

This is my dilemma with Haven, then: as a chill-out RPG with a beautiful world to explore, it’s a pleasant experience that really helped me relax in the evenings after a rough day. But it has a story, a story with a real threat that is swept aside, and a central couple that, while sweet and believable, never grow beyond their typical “hot-headed girl” and “meticulous research boy” characteristics. Even as I was rebuilding my ship and growing plants, I didn’t feel like I’d gained anything or learnt anything new about the characters. If I were to return to Source, it would be to give my pet lizard Oink a little scratch on the chin, or to see the breeze blow through the grass and experience a brief moment of calm in this currently chaotic world.

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.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War is a mobile game with mindless, monotonous fun in short gameplay bursts. I wouldn’t recommend playing it for long periods simply because you start feeling the drag pretty quickly. It’s disappointing that the entertaining Northern War side story is such an average game. Lavi and company’s journey deserves the proper treatment of getting a mainline The Legend of Heroes: Trails game. Given the script’s lackluster translation, it’s difficult to recommend this title to anyone because, aside from the Trails fanservice and high-quality new character art, this story has been presented better in another media format. I suggest watching the anime adaptation first, as you’ll get the same story but with actual subtitles that make sense! It’s still the ideal way to experience The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War.