This is definitely not a game for the impatient or easily frustrated, and if you can look at the game's foibles as endearing "retro-chic" quirks, then there is joy to be found in Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled.

It's fun, but incredibly flawed. As long as it's taken as such, fans of the adventure genre will probably have fun playing it like I did.

If you're a series fan, there's no question that you need to play this game. For newcomers, I only offer this one warning: be ready for a challenge.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years is not only a very respectful treatment of the original, it also makes me want to dust off my SNES and relive my innocent childhood love of games.

PSP owners who want a solid, fun, long-lasting, no-nonsense, traditional turn-based RPG will be served quite well with Crimson Gem Saga.

A major improvement over the junky Jake Hunter game we got last year. Some of the flaws like the misplaced Americanizations still bug me, but Memories of the Past is still a suitable apology for last year's disappointment.

I keep a list of RPGs I want to play, or think I should play, or have to play for the sake of writing a review. Cross Edge was right on the bottom "edge" of the list. Now, I happily "cross" it off the list.

Sequels typically either make only slight improvements or worsen the series, but Atlus went the extra mile to make a major overhaul, and ultimately succeeded on improving the series.

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.

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.

Despite the strange premise, the odd combination of franchises, and the gameplay departure from the main Super Robot series, Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier manages to thoroughly strike a blow at the JRPG mold while maintaining a level of fun uncommon in RPGs.

Definitely not for everyone. But regardless, at the end of the journey, after the countless deaths and billions of bruisings, the stat rolling and puzzle solving, you will undoubtedly feel accomplished.

Overall, Dokapon Journey is a refreshing game.

Lux-Pain is a decent, and quite lengthy, visual novel for the DS, although it does come with some stipulations. If you prefer your stories completely spoon-fed to you and are averse to digging through database menus to read backstories about everything, then Lux-Pain may not be the right choice for you.

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - Director's Cut for the DS is a worthwhile purchase for graphic adventure fans.

You have to put a lot of work into the game (and the WiFi settings) to get a good experience out of it.

Echoes of Time is the most robust game in the Crystal Chronicles series and has more longevity than many RPGs on the system.

This is what it all comes down to: if you've already played Pearl or Diamond, the only reason to plunk down another $35 or so for Platinum is if you are dying to have the new expanded online presence.

While Rune Factory Frontier is not without its flaws, it's definitely a solid step in the right direction for the series.

A compelling narrative, wonderful soundtrack, and likable characters all overcome the many flaws that the game bears and makes it an incredibly memorable entry in the Suikoden saga.

CotP is the worst game in the Valkyrie Profile series, but it is definitely my favorite SRPG on the DS.

It's unlikely to make it to the top of anyone's game of the year list, but it's still worth a look if you're between AAA titles.

Although Avalon Code would be without a niche had it not included the Book of Prophecy, the package as a whole is one full of variety and enjoyment.

Do yourself a favor, pass on the PSP port of this game and go find a copy of the PS2 version. Mana Khemia is a cute, enjoyable game - just not on the PSP.

If you've got a PSP, this is a quality game, something the system hasn't seen much of lately.

It's a game that most RPG fans will find to be a worthy purchase, but don't expect a world-class game out of it.

In the end, Legacy of Ys made the transition to DS well, presenting an enjoyable experience even to those who have played the games to death.

It's not flawless, it's not too hard, and the genre change may put off fans of the original game, but it gets a lot of little things right, and the whole ends up being greater than the sum of its parts.

After playing this game, and taking time to weigh out all the good and bad in this review, the only thing left for me to say is this: "I can't wait for Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie!" Let's hope Square Enix does another excellent job localizing that one as well, so we'll have a wonderful, complete trilogy for the Nintendo DS.

Remake or not, this is the first time we've seen the original game in the series here in the US, and almost 20 years later it's still worth playing.

Clocking in at a measly 20 hours, with very little replay value, this is not a game that will be worth hard-earned money.

Good game, great music, bad localization.

Most RPG fans will be relatively happy with Star Ocean: Second Evolution as a purchase, especially if they are fans of tri-Ace titles.

Rise of the Argonauts is not unplayable. It's just mediocre and marred by countless careless mistakes born out of a lack of inspiration and passion for the product.

Among the cookie-cutter sequels and half-hearted remakes, Persona 4 is a near flawless example of the perfect balance between "falling back on what works" and "pushing the genre forward." That said, I wholeheartedly recommend it as one of the best RPG experiences of the year.

Yes, the graphical upscaling is certainly worth it, but unless you really dig the original plot of Sora and friends, or if you're interested in a new type of challenge involving real-time action-based battles and numeric-value cards, it's not worth playing.

While the DS can do more than the SNES could almost 15 years ago, this version of Chrono Trigger is definitively basic and could keep you entertained forever.

If this game ran smoother, it would have been something special. Instead it's just a solid, worthwhile trip that will be remembered more for its shortcomings than it will its triumphs, and what a shame that is.

It may sound like Rune Factory 2 is a worthless game, but that's only my tendency to focus on the negative, and it is especially frustrating because the developers made so many avoidable mistakes.

Even though Luminous Arc 2 is a pretty extensive handheld title (40 hours, multiple endings) with a bonus OST, I cannot recommend it to you. If it was March or April and you were dying for a new game, I would say to buy it cautiously. But we're in the middle of the Christmas season and there are so many games out there.

It's not a great game, but Eternal Poison is a game that I have no major complaints about.

Valkyria Chronicles shatters all strategy RPG conventions.

Ultimately, Bethesda triumphed over all odds with Fallout 3. Defeating hype and the need to live up to the past, the Fallout 3 team created an intensely profound world and worthy successor to the franchise.

Since the in-game graphics are weak, and the music is bland, the only chance this game has to win fans is its gameplay.

Fable II is a game that is much better than its separate parts might suggest. As an experience, it's some of the most fun I have had all year.

With addictive, entertaining action RPG gameplay and an effective gothic atmosphere, Order of Ecclesia is a ridiculously fun game.

Star Ocean: First Departure is not for everyone. Newcomers to the RPG genre should find their fix elsewhere first, though veterans will find themselves right at home with this tri-Ace title.

Quite simply, while Eternal Sonata may be overlooked as a broken title, it is truly no such thing. Instead, it is a world that I was happy to play in, and may even dream about from time to time.

Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, and the Path of the Ninja series as a whole, is proof that an RPG based on a popular license can be good.

I had some skepticism on how this RPG/board game hybrid would work out, but it turned out to be better than the sum of its parts.

With the basic layout of the game's universe out of the way, the developers were able to refine and revise to their heart's content and make a respectable sequel.

With more than forty hours of gameplay, a "versus" mode for you to battle friends, and a difficulty that is stout, Valhalla Knights 2 is one of the best buys you're likely to find on the PSP for quite some time.

An odd and unique fusion of Eastern and Western RPG conventions, Sonic Chronicles is a difficult game to qualify. On one hand, it's weak when compared to other Bioware titles, and even some other RPGS, such as the easily comparable Mario RPG. On the other hand, though, it must be evaluated based upon what it really is: a handheld Sonic RPG.

If you've never played it before, you've been missing out on a game that combines addictive, deep gameplay with a good plot and a great sense of humor.

Rhapsody is one of the best "oldschool" experiences you can have these days.

It was fun to play, had some great production values, and sported a contemporary anime vibe.

With simple, yet strategic gameplay, excellent voice acting, cute graphics, and decent dialogue, all improved from its GBA counterpart, it's definitely worth the pickup.

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

But I can say with confidence that Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen is a must-own for nearly all JRPG fans.

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.

Zoids Assault is a bland, uninspiring game that will keep the interest of very few gamers after the first battle or two.

Infinite Undiscovery isn't the epic JRPG for the X360 we have been waiting for, but it's a great stop gap for the expected ones (Final Fantasy XIII and Star Ocean: The Last Hope) and certainly the most fun I have had in a JRPG on the X360 yet.

Those who enjoy the Tales series or action RPGs won't be doing themselves a disservice by buying Vesperia, but those desiring a more groundbreaking title should look elsewhere.

The game is certainly a worthwhile purchase; I recommend it to all PS3 owners, particularly those who have yet to experience the Disgaea series.

Despite the faults, From the Abyss is a solid dungeon crawler. It does what it does well for the genre, and it is very easy to pick up and play. In the long run however, it's not going to be memorable game.

Too Human is repetitive, unbalanced, and frustrating, made complete with an uninteresting story.

A great RPG at a great price.

If you really enjoy SRPGs and don't have anything on your plate at the moment, Spectral Force 3 is a decent buy.

I guess if I had to summarize my experience with Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns, it would be this: do not buy this game. Do not rent this game. Do not borrow this game from a friend.

If you are a big fan, then I can't see you being disappointed with the game unless you really hate the graphical style or the voices.

If you can deal with the kiddie atmosphere and lackluster graphics, Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon provides an enjoyable gameplay experience.

Operation Darkness isn't so bad as to be unplayable, but it gives no motivation for the completion of more than a few hours of play.

It's hard to understand why Square Enix didn't put any effort into the story, which would have upped the greatness of this game significantly had it been good. Even after some disappointments, FFTA2 remains worth it for all the reasons that FFTA was: great presentation and solid gameplay.

Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard is everything you loved about the original, except even better.

Since there is no dynamic gameplay to fall back on, the visual novel genre is driven 95% by story, and the stories were below average in this game.

While Summon Night: Twin Age does not push the envelopes in any area, it has a certain charm to it that can't be denied.

Chaos Wars is not a great game, but it is fun. I felt let down by O~3's low-budget localization, and the last few hours of gameplay really felt dragged out, but otherwise I enjoyed the experience.

BioWare has created a top-shelf RPG with Mass Effect, though it's not without its flaws. Many of the issues present in the Xbox 360 version of the title are gone, and while there are new issues thrown into the PC version, they are minor in comparison.

For the amount of fun, hilarity, and challenge it provides, I would say it's well worth it. But don't get this game if you're unwilling to do plenty of reading. To play this game, you need a computer with a mouse, and a fairly ranged knowledge of English vocabulary.

Stay very far away from this port. Virtually any other port will do, but not this one.

Don't hesitate to try this one!

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is better than the sum of its parts. When you look at everything separately nothing sticks out as particularly fantastic, but its charm and addictive quality go a long way towards making it a great game.

My final thought on The World Ends With You is that it's a grower. I was not initially sold on the game, but as I sunk more time into it, the more it grew on me.

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

Those who liked the first installment will enjoy this one as well, and will appreciate the improvements brought about by the second screen, but weighing in at only 30-40 hours of mediocrity, it's probably a better rental than purchase.

Those who liked the first installment will enjoy this one as well, and will appreciate the improvements brought about by the second screen, but weighing in at only 30-40 hours of mediocrity, it's probably a better rental than purchase.

Rondo of Swords could have been a great strategy RPG.

The gameplay can be cheap, but it does have a good degree of challenge. Technical aspects are weak, but there is some style going for it.

The gameplay can be cheap, but it does have a good degree of challenge. Technical aspects are weak, but there is some style going for it.

Mana Khemia is an incredibly fun game with a fairly large scope, that takes a minimum of 40 hours to complete. And, with a simple New Game Plus feature, serious fans can get all of the character-specific endings without doing much work.

Opoona is yet another example of a game where very little is actually broken, but very little is noticeably good, either.

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.

If you've never played Lost in Blue 3 or any game like it, you ought to give it a try.

It isn't remarkably better than the first game, but it is a slight improvement.

Wild Arms XF may not be the ultimate or defining strategy RPG experience, but it was definitely one of the most fun strategy RPG experiences I have had in a long time.

This is a game for the most hardcore of the hardcore. Though, on another level, it is a surprisingly casual game if you want it to be.

If you are into both RPGs and rhythm games, you'll definitely enjoy Patapon longer than just enough to get your money's worth out of it.

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