The marriage between the Warriors and Fire Emblem franchises has yielded one of the deepest and most engaging games the Warriors series has done to date.

Worth the cost of entry for any Final Fantasy fan.

If it isn't already apparent, I'm completely invested in the series. Whereas Death Mark examines the darker side of human beings through an emotionally repressive lens, NG painfully portrays just how cruel life can be. This engrossing rumination on the nature of life and death is something we all can easily identify with, and I for one am eager to know where it will take me next. As for what the letters in NG stand for, you'll just have to play this Necro-centric Game to find out.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus wanders from the “traditional formula” that held the series a little too firmly in place. But all who wander aren’t necessarily lost—at least, not in a bad way. Players will find themselves delightfully astray within Hisui’s enthralling world, ambling with many worthwhile purposes and finding amazing new sights and Pokémon. Similarly, Pokémon Legends: Arceus finds a gameplay loop that keeps the franchise’s appeal intact while feeling impressively fresh and thoroughly engaging. It’s wonderful what you can discover when you stray off the beaten path—you just have to be daring enough to venture in that direction.

A sizable new adventure for Aloy in a frozen wilderness that gives Horizon fans more of what they love.

What I'd forgotten since first experiencing the game back in 2015 was that Undertale is more than just internet jokes, amazing music, and crazy boss battles — it's a heartwarming, beautiful, and tearful romp. I said at the beginning there was nothing like Undertale at the time, and there still is nothing else like it. It's hard to explain what makes Undertale so special without spoiling a lot of it, but all you need to know is that this is a modern classic at its most accessible, and it's worthy of your time, whether you're new to the game or returning for another adventure. This review should fill you with determination to play Undertale.

Oxenfree is an extremely well put-together horror game from a new developer, and one that I can find very little fault with. Night School Studios might just be 2016's class valedictorians, and any fan of Telltale games and suspense fiction simply must give this one a go.

A really decent RPG. This is the game you were looking for, I promise. It's lengthy, but not 80-hours-lengthy. It's hard, but not impossible. It's engrossing, but not so much that it will ruin your life (unlike "World of Warcraft.")

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale could easily be considered the definitive King Arthur game and likely among the greatest modern media on the subject, especially since there’s little competition. It’s also a top-notch tactical RPG with an unexpectedly compelling story. The gameplay is solid on all levels, especially if you’re looking for a tactical challenge and love using fancy abilities in battle. My playthrough of King Arthur: Knight’s Tale alone took over 50 hours, so there’s plenty to keep you busy, but you can expect even more bloody adventures to come. The king is dead; long live the (new?) king!

With a fun and rewarding battle system, lush visuals, a touching story, charming and endearing characters, and grand world, Atelier Sophie 2 is a fantastic game that is easy to recommend. Fans of the series are in for a treat, though they may be a little surprised by just how story-heavy the game is. New players have an easy way to catch up on the story in a matter of minutes, ensuring there are as few roadblocks as possible. While the game took me just over 60 hours to complete, it never once felt too long. It’s a wonderful, wholesome, and heartwarming game that wears its heart on its sleeve. If this, Atelier Ryza 1 and 2, and Blue Reflection: Second Light are what we can expect from Gust with a little more time and money, I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the 25th anniversary this May.

If you’re on the fence about whether The Case of the Golden Idol is for you, I highly recommend giving its demo a shot. You may be surprised at how engrossing this off-kilter take on Mad Libs crossed with point-and-click adventuring is. It’s the perfect example of a game that takes established ideas and creates a unique identity for itself by frankensteining them together.

In particular, it looks back fondly at the NES trilogy and updates the mechanics, structure, story, and gameplay, all while retaining that traditional turn-based combat and wonderful music. Even the sometimes frustrating dungeons and bosses stick around for much-needed reminders of the good old days. Because of this, Final Fantasy V has a unique spirit amongst the other Super Famicom/SNES titles. VI does have some elements of customisation, and IV has its moments of silliness, but the core of V is to embrace the fun and experimentation and lose yourself in the adventure. Sometimes, I forget to do that when I’m playing a video game, particularly a Final Fantasy game. So, for that alone, I’m glad I gave the Pixel Remaster of Final Fantasy V a chance.

The game is far from perfect, but it does prove that there can be fluid, legitimate choices in a digital form and still have things make sense.

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

For Zelda fans who have been desperate for a fix since they finished their seventh run of Breath of the Wild, Cadence of Hyrule is like having a refreshing drink at the bar after hours of dancing. Its engaging mechanics, beautiful pixel art, and stunning soundtrack make it a joy to play. Cadence of Hyrule is an immensely successful spin on Zelda, and I hope that Nintendo takes more chances like this with other franchises. And as for the future of the Crypt of the NecroDancer games? Hmm... I wonder if Samus has a sense of rhythm?

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.

The long and short of this review is that if you enjoyed Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds as much as I did, then playing Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms is an absolute no-brainer.

I wish the game had been a bit longer, but there is a new game+ option, and I didn't manage to get everything the first time around, so there should be some good replay value in it for me.

Yes, the cast is so charming and the worldbuilding so intriguing that it’s hard not to wish each route had a few extra full chapters and not just bite-sized unlockable post-game skits. But Paradigm Paradox is very much a complete package—one that knows when to be serious yet is still adorable enough that you may need to call up a dentist once you’re done. As flawed as its world’s systems may be, it’s one location that is definitely worth a visit.

With its long journey, wonderful characters, and a plethora of choices, Rosewater is truly an impressive achievement among point-and-click games. If you have the slightest interest in graphic adventures or the Western genre, this is an experience not to be missed!

For less than an hour of your time, Florence is one of the most beautiful coming-of-age stories you can experience.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was clearly a labor of love from creative people with the ways and means to bring their ideas to fruition, and it shows.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered does what every great remaster ought to: it recaptures the fun and silliness of the original, quietly removes some underlying flaws, and makes the whole experience look as beautiful as memories seen through rose-tinted glasses.

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.

My unease aside, The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition is a mighty pleasant way for a sci-fi RPG fan to spend 30-40 hours, especially if you haven’t yet played its two DLC packs. It is wonderfully crafted, offers compelling choices between “right” and “wrong,” and gives curious players a few hidden pathways beyond those binaries. Its worlds are compact and homespun. It is not a galaxy of content, but in a world full of corporate bloat, overlong working hours, console wars, and games as a service, all I can say is thank goodness for that.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy might take a bit to grow on you. It doesn’t have the most elegant start, and there are many rough edges even after it gets going. And yet, with all that in mind, the sheer variety and ambition still make it something special for fans of both its directors and those looking for a decidedly unconventional experience. For what it’s worth, I’m both, and I can recommend it easily. There’s definitely a lot to unpack with this game, and I know it will have a hold on me for a while.

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

Bigger and better console Diablo III, plus remote play.

Exciting, funny, and addictive: you should play this game.

OoT provides a worthy challenge, and I can't say many games today are making players think as much as they should.

Sakura Wars ~So Long, My Love~ is a great game in its own right. It sports NISA's best localization to date and has truckloads of replay value to boot.

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.

A worthy finale to Professor Layton's adventures, whether you've played the previous games or not.

It's been a while since I've been so pleasantly surprised with a game. Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling takes inspiration from one of Nintendo's most popular RPG series, but it doesn't rely on the tropes and humour that made those games so beloved. All of the meticulous detail and care that's gone into the world, characters, and mechanics is on display here. Instead of being just a cardboard cutout copy of its roots, Bug Fables embellishes that established template with its own style and flair while improving things where need be, and as a result, it's one of the best and most honest tributes I've ever played.

Even though Mankind Divided's story doesn't quite reach the same heights as its predecessor, the overall package is still an undeniably strong follow-up to one of the best cyberpunk RPGs of the past decade.

This is more than just the original with a facelift; this is truly a different experience. Even if you didn't take to the initial release, the inclusion of the job system and overall enhancements warrant you giving this game a second chance. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is more than just a fun game; it's an achievement for the RPG genre as a whole.

Everhood wears its inspirations proudly on its sleeve, but it’s a different beast entirely. With hidden secrets, harder difficulties, and an absurd world that I’ve grown fond of, I think I’ll be back more than a few times to get on the dance floor with some old friends.

Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir shows what is possible when a grand idea is not hampered by hardware limitations.

The game can be completed rather quickly (in less than 20 hours), but there are tons of unlockables to keep you playing well past 40 hours, such as secret characters, a Hard Mode, and the option to start a new game with your cleared save data.

Remember that weird Japanese PS2 game you picked up on a whim in 2004 because it had an interesting cover and the description on the back caught your eye and it turned out to be one of your favorite games of all time? Yeah, that’s Promise Mascot Agency.

Of particular note is the great climax and emotionally satisfying ending. It wraps everything up on a sweet note, and then manages to jam in an absolutely awesome throwback to the original film AND offer up the possibility of future sequels to the game.

If you're the type of person who skips cutscenes or nods off during long bits of exposition between explosions then steer clear of 999. If you want to try something new, though, I would suggest giving the game a look. Aksys has taken a huge risk in bringing something like this to America, and it may just be the necessary ice-breaker to bring a whole new genre to our shores.

A splendid platform bundled with a highly agreeable romp through a lengthy and entertaining sample adventure. In addition, fan-made modules are already beginning to pop up, and while most are tests and exploratory attempts at present, there are a few coffee-break modules that immediately extend the life of the purchase.

Exactly what we've come to expect from Spiderweb Software, however that makes you feel.

A must play for SRPG fans and wistfully nostalgic D&D enthusiasts.

This remains a game that everyone who loves RPGs should play, and I'm pleased to say that the iPad version is as good a platform as any to experience it.

One of the best games of this year, and was entirely deserving of our "Best of E3 2006" award. With a fantastic tri-Ace battle system that's both accessible and deep, Square Enix has provided a sequel that both fans and newbies will love equally.

There’s really little else to say about Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster other than that it’s a solid, faithful, and accessible rendition of one of the more underrated Final Fantasy titles. While it kind of bites that we don’t get to see the extra content from the Game Boy Advance version in this remaster, that’s a negligible quibble in the grand scheme of things. If you’re a longtime Final Fantasy fan who has somehow missed out on the adventure of Bartz, Lenna, Galuf, Faris and company, then this is a perfect chance to redress that.

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

Dawntrail’s story itself is a bit of a letdown, but the foundation has been laid for future expansions, and I know Creative Studio III can make the most of it. Meanwhile, the gameplay is fantastic, the graphics update is lovely, and the music continues to impress. Dawntrail may not reach the bar set by Shadowbringers and Endwalker, but it’s still a lot of fun to play.

While lacking in the traditional gameplay department, if Tyranny is approached as an interactive adventure title with fascinating choices, it will surely satisfy. I'm eager to thrust myself back into the world, perhaps with a more magnanimous bent, if Obsidian will allow.

As I said before, The Millennium Girl offers a fantastic opportunity for new players to dip their toes into Etrian Odyssey, as it provides the familiar sorts of characters we have grown to love in JRPGs while keeping intact the extremely strong foundations of the original game.

Every piece of the game is well-executed, and given the PSP's exclusive gameplay modes, it is easily the best version of the game for anyone who's not going to fault the PSP's inability to match the Xbox 360's graphical power.

I’m pleasantly surprised by 9 R.I.P., especially considering I was initially somewhat wary of it due to my horror aversion. Yet I found it to be, at its core, an excellent tale of self-discovery and romance with a supernatural element that helps make it a perfect Halloween treat. Given some of its subject material, it might not be for everyone, but those to whom it does appeal should find a compelling game to play with the lights either on or off!

ENDER LILLIES manages to mitigate my issues with the Metroidvania subgenre while surpassing any expectations I had thanks to its story, art, and gameplay. My time with it was so overwhelmingly positive that I found myself struggling to pinpoint things I didn’t like. To those (like myself) who found themselves enamored with Valkyrie Profile’s theater-of-tragedy style of storytelling, I highly recommend giving Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights a look. To all others, I’d highly recommend it as an incredibly strong action RPG platformer with breathtaking art, engaging gameplay, powerful writing, and an emotive soundtrack that is bound to leave its mark upon you.

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.

Don't let the game's lengthy localization period deter you from experiencing the latest chapter in the Tales universe. Xillia's likeable cast, frenetic combat, and enjoyable storyline make this one of the best entries in the franchise, though its emaciated side content leaves something to be desired.

Speedrunners will likely delight in ripping through this game, while others will enjoy a leisurely adventure as they poke into every inch of the world plumbing for secrets. A magical adventure tinged with nostalgia can be hard to find these days, but Ocean’s Heart delivers a stellar, fun experience that may leave you craving more.

All in all, if you've followed the series, there's no point in stopping now. Capcom has the formula down by this point, and they will only improve upon it as time passes.

It's impossible to deny that Rune Factory 3 is the best entry in the series. It has improved in just about every area it possibly could: the battles are more dynamic, the farming isn't monotonous, the characters are deeper and more intriguing, and the dialogue is full of variety.

Not just another Diablo clone.

Exceptional entries in the series that include some great new mechanics.

Exceptional entries in the series that include some great new mechanics.

At the end of the day, Café Enchanté is a charming and, dare I say, enchanting take on the otome genre. Much like a delicious cup of coffee, I immensely enjoyed my time with the game and its quirky cast of characters. The tonal shifts in the plot at times could be surprising, but ultimately made the story stand out all the more. This is definitely the type of refreshing visual novel I wouldn’t mind having a refill of.

I had a great time playing Xuan Yuan Sword 7 and can only hope that Western gamers will get the chance to experience more games in the series at some point. We’ve clearly been missing out on a compelling series if this entry is any indication! It might not have reinvented the action RPG wheel, but Xuan Yuan Sword 7 is a well-rounded and incredibly solid take on the genre with a phenomenal story at its core.

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

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy’s celebratory nature may draw attention to the second trilogy’s flaws, but it also showcases its assets, from the visual to the auditory and, yes, even the narrative. For all its pros and cons, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is the best way to play these great, albeit sometimes incohesive, games.

This episode flew by at the swiftness of a baseball bat or bullet. While I hesitate to say that this was worth the wait because I do not want to encourage Telltale's practice of delayed releases, the fact of the matter is that I love this new season as much as I have seasons 1 and 2, albeit in slightly different ways. The series has matured nicely alongside Clementine — I just wish Telltale's release schedule would do the same.

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

This final episode makes the long trip worthwhile. Newcomers should take the plunge with confidence.

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.

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

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is an easy grab if you’re a Final Fantasy music fan. There are more songs than ever before, and the features are cleaned up. Less is more, I think. While I enjoyed Curtain Call’s overworld map, all of the items and fussing with routes distracted from the core of what Theatrhythm should be about: the music. Having this arguably simple-looking game on a home console brings the atmosphere to life with its charming, cute art, though some may not enjoy the look and feel of the characters. Pricing might irritate some, especially those who already went all-in on previous titles, but the amount of replayability warrants the price of admission. Still, $100 for everything now and in the future can feel like a hard sell, especially if not all of the announced releases whet the palate. I have no doubt that the streamlined online experience, pair mode, and sheer quantity of music will keep me entertained for years. Also, the name suggests that this may be the last Theatrhythm, but…you know.

A Space for the Unbound is a pleasant surprise to me in many ways. I started out with a preconceived notion of what it would be about, only to have that turned on its head in a rather alarming way. The tale it tells instead is genuinely haunting and upsetting, but one with a powerful and altogether touching ending. I felt so many things by the time I saw the end credits, and I came out thinking about what an ultimately beautiful and moving adventure this title ends up being. If it strikes a chord with you, it may even help you see things from a different perspective; A Space for the Unbound is a truly memorable gaming experience.

While I encountered few serious technical problems during my playthrough, I did have one instance where I loaded into a cutscene before I was supposed to with Yuma sitting suspended in a void until the game caught up to me. This didn’t impact my experience but seems worth mentioning. After a pre-launch update, I also noticed a few lines of dialogue seemed to be missing audio, although it was a sporadic occurrence. All in all, I greatly enjoyed my time with Master Detective Archives: Rain Code. As mentioned earlier, it feels like a lost relic of the PlayStation Vita in the best possible way. While the egregious fanservice may be a turn-off to some, for Danganronpa veterans and fans of other narrative adventure titles like the Zero Escape series, I highly recommend taking a trip to Kanai Ward. Just be sure to pack a raincoat.

Amnesia: Memories achieved so well. But Amnesia: Crowd picks up the slack with ease, making the combination Later x Crowd a worthy follow-up for any fan of the original.

Despite my gripes (including a few frivolous ones I didn't mention), Pokémon Sun and Moon are great games that take X/Y's base and create a vivid new world with its own special culture and unique features.

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

In the broadest terms, there are two ways to make a great game: do something cool that hasn't been done before, or do a great job of improving on things that have been done before. Torchlight falls pretty firmly in the second category, but that doesn't make it any less great.

Despite my gripes (including a few frivolous ones I didn't mention), Pokémon Sun and Moon are great games that take X/Y's base and create a vivid new world with its own special culture and unique features.

Season three is off to a thrilling beginning with a host of questions, answers, dramatic entrances, and believable new characters.

If you're looking for a fun 30-40 hour game to play, Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny is a clear choice. It's nothing like those state-of-the-art 3D RPGs from Square Enix and the like: this is oldschool glory.

SKALD is one of those games that brings a smile to your face when you’re playing it despite the dark and mature content. The design evokes fond memories but also adds enough modern sensibilities and systems to make playing comfortable and approachable. The graphics and sound take root in your psyche and you are drawn to the title in much the same way the main character is drawn into the island’s mysteries. It’s not perfect; the frustrations with the combat and technical bugs preclude that, but it’s still a wonderful reminder that sometimes the old ways are best. Just like the Great Old Ones promise.

Ultimately, Necrobarista reminded me of another Roger Ebert essay about his thoughts on life and death. In it he wrote, “What I am grateful for is the gift of intelligence, and for life, love, wonder, and laughter.” Necrobarista brings all of these things, with incredible style and panache. Like a good movie, I felt a little different after I played it, and to me, that makes it worthy of being called art…whatever that means.

A Vampyre Story is a fantastic graphic adventure that evokes the spirit of those bygone LucasArts adventures while also adding its own unique flavor.

But all of you gamers who tend to have the same tastes I do in RPGs should not miss out on this one. It really is a ton of fun to play.

From showtime ‘til curtain call, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an unpredictable adventure that kept me hooked. If you’ve been interested in trying this game like I was, you’re probably not going to be disappointed. Wrinkles like the excessive backtracking and restrictive partner swapping in combat hold back the game from its true potential, but its witty writing and arresting art direction make this a singular entry in Nintendo’s RPG lineup. Hopefully, Nintendo’s taking note and course corrects for their next Paper Mario entry.

Liberation Dx2 does the Shin Megami Tensei franchise justice as an engrossing RPG for mobile with impressive looks and equally enjoyable gameplay.

A potent, frustrating, demanding, amusing, tedious, exhilarating world unto itself.

Radiant Tale presents an admirable and enjoyable fantasy romance narrative. It might not be original, but the game does what it sets out to do, both successfully and entertainingly. Radiant Tale is another top-quality otome title on the Nintendo Switch, sure to put a smile on the faces of genre enthusiasts. Without further ado, let’s get on with the show!

In a market saturated by AAA titles, Vampyr is an excellent example of why we need more AA games. It's not the prettiest or the smoothest experience, but then again, it's really not trying to be. What Vampyr wants to do is tell the story of a newborn vampire who holds the fate of post WWI-London in his hands; the focus is on story, atmosphere, and making hard decisions that have hard consequences.

Quite simply, Bastion is a game with lots of character and precious few flaws. Any fan of old-school action RPGs would be remiss not to play this game. If every title released had Bastion's sense of newness and adventure, the gaming world would be even better than it already is.

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.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter took me by surprise, successfully combining blatant inspirations from the big cheeses of action RPGs and reinterpreting them in a fine, nibble-sized package. It looks simultaneously beautiful and intentionally rough, and its combat is challenging but (mostly) fair. I’m not sure it needs to continue doubling in size with its potential third entry—it’s a little fighter, and rat’s good enough.

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.

With a strong narrative chocked full of fascinating characters and choices, DS2 ably sprints ahead with the torch passed on from the first game. Simply, those underwhelmed by the first game will not like this installment, while those who lauded the former only have to decide if the safety and security of structured, neat opportunities and a lack of tension hinder the experience.

Where this game really shines, though, is in the fun gameplay and excellent music and voice acting.

If you can get past the heavy-handedness with which Detroit: Become Human approaches some of its story, you'll find that it is possibly Quantic Dream's best effort yet.