Minor blemishes aside, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition lives up to its namesake and is still among the best Tales of games ever.

Detention has something important to say, but using a game as a medium seems inappropriate in this instance. While the subject matter is definitely worth discussing and I'd personally love to see more of this in games moving forward, the way in which it's been executed here left me groaning by the end of the three hours. Predictable in terms of story and unimaginative in terms of game design, Detention doesn't work as a game.

I loved Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds. I already adored the game's previous iteration as Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom on the PSP in 2012, but Kyoto Winds brings it to the next level. I simply cannot say no to a hard-boiled, politically charged epic with visceral and bloody katana-wielding action, along with romances that feel robust, deep, and meaningful. Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is my benchmark by which all otome games shall be judged and I recommend that you leave any and all pretenses behind and give this game a look.

Bloodstained feels like SotN in combat, visuals, and plot but comes off as a rough impostor that we've gotten used to over the years. Rather than try to achieve its own identity, Bloodstained fails to compare to SotN in just about every aspect, but if you've never played its "predecessor," you'll find it a competent Metroidvania. Akin to the handheld Castlevanias and other independently made Metroidvanias, Bloodstained has failed to oust the king, and that really is okay.

This is still a huge, fun to play, absolutely sprawling game in the tradition of classic RPGs of yesteryear, and is really only one of a very few of its kind available on the iPad.

Life is Strange 2 concludes with an emotionally impactful and woeful story. How players have chosen to shape Daniel through Sean's actions comes to a head, and that's where player behavior seems to matter most. Though, based on the end-game statistics, it seems most people grew a similar Daniel. I can't say the sequel to this series blew me away, but I'm grateful for the story it told, as it touches the heart and shines a light on a still somehow overlooked problem in American society. This is the power of games.

Calling Persona 5 Strikers “just another Musou game” would be a disservice. I definitely recommend giving it a shot if it was on your radar at all, since it provides an experience so removed from regular Musou games and reuniting with the Phantom Thieves for more adventures seems to guarantee a fun time. Just one more spin-off to go before Persona 5 matches Persona 4‘s record. Will we see more of the Phantom Thieves in the future? All I know for sure is that I’m on board.

Even 30 years after release, Final Fantasy IV still shines as brightly as it did in 1991. Its genre-defining story and combat system coupled with the Pixel Remaster’s reorchestrated soundtrack and quality of life updates make this an iconic game you’d be a fool to miss. Much like Cecil struggles with his unwitting role as a killer for his king, I struggle to let go of Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster after spending a few dozen hours wrapping up its main quest. If you have even a modicum of affection for JRPGs, you will too.

Path of Fire is a much better expansion than Heart of Thorns, and the best part about it is it will only set you back $30. The Guild Wars 2 base game is already free to play, and if you want both expansions, you can get them combined for $50. You are essentially getting years worth of content for the price of one game. If you have already played Guild Wars 2 before but have left for one reason or another and are on the fence about returning, I could not recommend a better time to come back. The Guild Wars 2 of 2017 is a very different game then you probably remember, and that's a good thing. Change in MMOs keeps them fresh and fun for years to come, and Guild Wars 2 embraces this better than any other MMO on the market. Praise Joko!

While Triangle Strategy isn’t the second coming of Final Fantasy Tactics, it carves out its own identity as a title that is stylistically similar, yet certainly distinct. Serious pacing issues hurt it, as I’m not sure everyone wants to wait twenty hours for a game to be what it should have been at the start, but once it got there, I couldn’t stop playing or thinking about it. With New Game+ staring me in the face, I’m eager for a new challenge and to explore roads not yet walked. I also have a newly discovered appreciation for food seasoning.

At this point, my feelings on the game should be clear. Shin Megami Tensei IV is not only one of the best RPGs to come out this year, it's also proof that Atlus has not lost its touch with the main Shin Megami Tensei series. Despite how radically different it is from the Persona series, this post-apocalyptic adventure is no less engrossing. Strap on your gauntlet and hop to it, Samurai.

Ghost Trick is worth a playthrough, if only to experience something completely unique in the graphic adventure genre.

Etrian Odyssey meets Persona in a not-quite-the-sum-of-its-parts game.

The thing is, routine will always get disrupted, and it’s often difficult to come back from that in real life, too, for some people. Perhaps that’s what Loop Hero‘s endless apocalypse is all about. Learning to try again, try something different, or approach something in a different way to get back on track and re-experience the familiar. It’s easy to get lost going in circles, but once you find something you’re comfortable with, it’s easy to slip in, forget about your problems, and focus—even if the world’s secrets are enshrouded by an apocalypse.

Just like in 2005, Kingdom Hearts manages to cut through our malaise and deliver a shot of unfiltered joy. It reminds us of the importance of our shared humanity. So while Kingdom Hearts III is a far cry from a perfect experience, it's a wild ride into familiar worlds that is well worth the trip for veterans and newcomers alike.

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

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.

Judgment is a successful spinoff from the Yakuza series that simply demands a follow-up. If Yakuza: Like a Dragon is pulling the main series towards turn-based combat, then Judgment would be an excellent place to continue exploring its real-time brawler roots. If you’re looking for a next-gen title that will deliver much more than just pretty visuals, it’s well worth a purchase on the PS5! If, however, you already own the title on the PS4, your money is likely better spent on other games (You HAVE played Yakuza: Like a Dragon, right?)

An excellent ending to the series, but best played by those who have played its predecessors.

Whether you liked Muv-Luv or not, if you're a fan of visual novels you owe it to yourself to experience this absolute genre-defining crown jewel of a story.

Overall, Cassette Beasts is charming, fun, and creative. Despite being a monster-collecting RPG inspired by Pokémon, it feels unique thanks to its aesthetic, design, and, most importantly, its heart. The development team has a clear passion, and the game drips with personality on every front. Cassette Beasts is a game I’d recommend to any Pokémon fan looking for a new take on monster-collecting games, as well as a game I’d suggest for anyone in the mood for a fun and breezy little RPG. It’s short, it’s sweet, and most importantly: it’s fun.

Regardless of my feelings on the final changes, or at my annoyances at the reptetitions, few games touch my soul as deeply as this series does. NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is still an experience that will always stick with me, whether I think my hard work has been rewarded or not. The original 2010 release came with many caveats, and Replicant has softened many while bringing some of its own, but this is a game that makes me think and feel more than most others. It’s tedious, mindless, and even frustrating at times, but this rerelease makes a peculiar, melancholy and beautiful game much easier to recommend.

As an RPG, it is an excellent experience that provides a beautifully crafted world and engaging battle system. However, as a Final Fantasy game, it falls short of expectations somewhat.

Wayward Strand is a heartfelt, touching story that grows on you the more you play it. I found myself caring a lot about Casey and the people she encountered at the hospital, and I started thinking about what I might uncover the next time I played the game the second I completed my first playthrough. That, to me, makes the title a success! I love the messages the story conveys, and the amount of care and thought that was clearly put into it. Wayward Strand is a feels-inducing, gentle sort of tale. For those looking for that type of story, Wayward Strand should not be missed!

While it may not be hailed as a classic, genre-defining game, Riven was a very strong sequel, a difficult thing to do considering the widespread popularity of Myst.

Sure, there's some problems here and there that could use some tuning, but DQB is one of the most interesting and unique titles I've played in a long time.

EverQuest II does not make a profound mark on MMORPG titles that its predecessor did. However, this doesn't mean it's by any means a bad MMORPG; it's just not innovative.

There's murder, intrigue, babysitting, and thoughtful contemplation on what it means to be a man and a father in these changing times.

RPGs as indistinct and shallow as Fable are rare, and for good reason.

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

Experience Inc. are on to something exciting with Death Mark; it's a quiet, slow-burning horror the likes of which we rarely see in favor of unrelenting, high octane scarefests. Playing it alone in the dark with headphones on is incredibly affecting, and yet its misguided swerves into fetish territory make me hesitant to casually recommend it. A follow-up to Death Mark that focuses on the scares without getting bogged down with tacked-on titillation could be really special. Hopefully spiritual sequel NG, which recently released in Japan, will be just that.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a creative, choice-heavy game focusing on interactive music at the root of a murder mystery involving ancient myths in the modern day. Stray Gods: Orpheus is a genuinely compelling DLC addition to that mythos centered around one person’s quest for self-discovery long after they thought their story was over. Ultimately, I love the hopeful possibility inherent in the plot as this DLC proves to be a welcome return to an enjoyable game.

Strategic yet led by its narrative and decision-making, Sultan’s Game sinks its venomous fangs in, forcing addled players to say: just one more turn. I had several instances in which I wanted to set up my team’s positions so that I didn’t forget what I wanted to do before I quit for the day, but I was so curious about the outcomes that I clicked to end the day and see the events play out, telling myself that I’d save right after the stories finished. Then the next in-game day rolled around and four new events popped up with their dazzling clinging sounds. I hovered my cursor over just to see the titles. That title! I just had to see what that title meant for the event. Before I knew it, I was placing characters into a whole new set of events. That’s the kind of game this is. Of course, like any venom, a little bit over time builds a tolerance, and while the content in Sultan’s Game may feel endless, there is, indeed, an end. Two-hundred, in fact.

Wander Stars proves to be a major delight, especially if you’re a fan of the classics that the developers obviously have a lot of love and respect for. Yet, being a phenomenal RPG with an innovative turn-based combat system and a found family of characters you can’t help but grow to love for their own merits makes it a worthwhile experience on its own. While I find the ending satisfactory, much like many classic anime season closings it honors, I wouldn’t mind seeing further adventures of Ringo and company either. The stars may be far apart, but given constellations and the like, they can always find each other again. The creative Wander Stars is one of the brightest video game stars I’ve played this year so far.

Ys X: Proud Nordics is an odd duck: though it’s most certainly the definitive edition of the tenth Ys game, it’s a tall order to get someone to pay full price for a game that could’ve easily been a cheaper DLC expansion, especially if they’ve already played Ys X: Nordics. I greatly enjoyed this game myself and was thoroughly entertained by this new installment of Adol the Red’s adventures, but I’m in the position of not having had a chance to try the original beforehand. I think any newcomers to Ys X should certainly add Proud Nordics to their collection, but those who’ve already crossed these waters might want to wait for a price reduction before doing so again.

Octopath Traveler is unapologetically old-school, and would not have been out of place if it had released back in the golden age of JRPGs.

Triangle Strategy is a game that welcomes numerous approaches to its strategic gameplay and multiple runs through its story. No matter which way you proceed, you’re met with an impactful experience, thought-provoking in its mechanics and the story that it tells.

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.

Overall, I found this nine-hour jaunt to be superior to Cat Quest II, which already wasn’t a bad game. As I suggested earlier, all the developers had to do was beef up the game slightly, which they did. This is the definitive comfy game that you can play with a spouse, friend, or child. If this trajectory is any indication of what the developers can accomplish with the series, I’m eager to see what they do next.

After over 100 hours of play, I’ve completely fallen in love with this new take on Yakuza. With its robust character relationships, expansive job system, kinetic turn-based combat, and all of the usual Yakuza wackiness and heartbreak, this has rapidly become my current favorite in the series. For traditional RPG fans on the fence about Yakuza, this new JRPG-inspired entry is the perfect place to start! For those who prefer the classic beat-em-up combat, I implore you to give the new gameplay a try. If it doesn’t stick, don’t worry, because I suspect that Judgment will become the new home of this time-tested combat system. For me, Yakuza: Like a Dragon stands as one of the greatest RPGs of 2020 and (hopefully) the beginning of a brand-new era of Yakuza!

Cupid Parasite is a lengthy game with a decent-sized common route and suitor-specific routes that tend to be just as long. Given that there are five suitors initially and a secret character route once you’ve completed the others, along with the various alternate outcomes you can uncover, there is quite a lot of replayabilty to be had here! The sheer amount of energy in the story, combined with a likable cast of characters and well-written developing romances, makes this a rom-com worth perusing if that happens to be your thing. If nothing else, Cupid Parasite certainly knows how to entertain its target audience!

While I’m ultimately disappointed by a few of the newer features LISA: Definitive Edition boasts, I’m overall pleased with the finished product. The border art, new songs, Painless mode, text scaling, and more are all incredible quality-of-life improvements to an already great game. Adding extra dialogue, endings, and enemies is just RPG gravy. LISA: Definitive Edition takes a game I’d already recommend playing and makes it that much more accessible.

With an awful plot, some shoddy controls and poor dialogue working against it, you might expect that Rogue Galaxy would receive a poor overall score from me... and you'd be right if it weren't for everything else. The gameplay, in particular, was a saving grace but the music and graphics also pulled this game from the depths of despair into something fun.

While Crisis Core’s remaster is a fantastic appetizer to the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake series, it falls flat in a lot of ways. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed my time with it, and having all of the narrative freshened up for me is a fantastic strategy on Square Enix’s part, but Crisis Core would have benefited from some substantive changes, not just a face lift. If you’ve never played Crisis Core and want to see what the hubbub is about, this is the definitive pick for you, but remember that this game was developed fifteen years ago.

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.

Zero Time Dilemma is the weakest entry in the series but still worth a gander to find out how it all ends/begins/continues.

Life is Strange: True Colors opens phenomenally well and then somehow loses its way, never really knowing if it wanted to tell a cheesy conspiracy story or dive completely into slice-of-life territory. I wish it chose an identity. Most of all, I wish it took some chances. I don’t want to say the series is growing stale, but there’s certainly a careful balance needed between giving fans what they expect and reinventing some aspect of itself. This is a cool world to get lost in over a weekend, but it may float on by as a passing phase.

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.

I had a wonderful time playing Valdis Story. Time and time again it exceeded my expectations, and it's a privilege that I was able to play and review it. Just when I thought I had seen the greatest boss or most intense challenge, it threw another one at me.

I love this series, and even if they developed a Layton title comprised entirely of sliding block puzzles, I would still play. Such thoughtlessness is only fantasy, of course, because Level-5 pours their heart into this series. Regardless of how much heart they muster, however, the Layton formula just doesn't have infinite vitality, and with The Last Specter, a bit of wear is finally starting to show.

The combination of engrossing story, fabulous music, expansive world, and complex yet rewarding battle system make XC2 one hell of a grand adventure.

Ultimately Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp is a fairly successful remake of the first two Advance Wars games. While appreciation of the new aesthetic may vary, the game retains the tightly designed strategic combat of the original duology while adding a few welcome tweaks. It’s a shame this remake doesn’t have a robust online experience to offer returning players. If you’ve never tried the series out and enjoy strategy games, this is the best way to experience the games for the first time. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough additions to make the remake a must-have if you’ve already poured hundreds of hours into the GBA games.

Not only are the two games in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles remarkable examples of what this series can do, but they deliver a massive amount of content for the price. When played back-to-back, you’re looking at around 70 hours of playtime in total, and that isn’t including all the extra content. I’m delighted that I can now go from desperately wanting Capcom to localize the games to desperately wanting Capcom to announce The Great Ace Attorney 3! These games are full of the same over-the-top craziness and heartbreaking melodrama that makes the series so memorable, and I highly recommend it to both long-time fans and those who are simply looking for a fantastic story. Absolutely no objections here.

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

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

Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga is a nostalgic fanservice game for Falcom’s PSP era. I happen to love both Ys and The Legend of Heroes: Trails, so indulging in this missing localized title was a true delight. It might only appeal to diehard Falcom fans or those who enjoy earlier Ys and Trails games, but if you fall into those categories, it’s undoubtedly entertaining. When all else fails, I’d bet on the little girl with the orbal cannon any day of the week!

While players won't be choosing skill points in trees or devoting time to selecting whether +5 intellect or +3 wisdom is better, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime is simply some good, clean fun for all ages.

Collection of Mana, heck even just Trials of Mana in the West, is a dream come true for me. If you decide to pick this up, you're getting three wonderful games that you can play anywhere. Some extra features, like a museum with the series' artwork, or a history lesson on the entire franchise, wouldn't have gone amiss, but we got something we never thought we'd get. If $40 for three excellent games isn't too much to ask, then do yourself a favour and pick this up if you're an RPG fan.

Trails in the Sky the 3rd is one for the fans; it's for those of us who are in deep, who devour every morsel of lore and character development because we can't get enough of this world. It's also notably inaccessible, requiring easily upwards of 100 hours of investment in previous titles to fully appreciate. But isn't worrying about that sort of missing the point? The 3rd is a heartfelt goodbye to a trilogy that has become dear to my heart, and I am deeply grateful that more adventures exist in this world, because I don't know if I'll ever be ready for the Trails magic to end.

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.

All of the additions to the "Advance" port of Final Fantasy V are worthwhile, but it is a shame that the new jobs and bonus dungeon are only available right at the end of the game.

While flawed, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a grand and ambitious adventure and an impressive adaptation of a popular tabletop RPG. The eclectic characters feel alive, though the thought of that literally being true is terrifying. In some ways, it feels like too standard a CRPG; in others, it stretches the conventions of that subgenre in fascinating directions. The amount of writing here (and pretty good writing at that) is astounding — it’s a rare case where the sheer quantity is a positive, each quest another strand in your character’s tapestry, even if they don’t always hit. As such, if you only play one game you missed out on from last year, it might be this one, as it might be all you have time for. But that decision is less appealing in the shadow of the abuse accusations.

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.

Beacon Pines is a special kind of game in that it doesn’t strive to be more than it should be. That’s praise, by the way. At its core, it is a mystery title about conspiracy and larger-than-life problems; no deep human insights, no world-ending machinations, and no shoe-horned gameplay. Beacon Pines might not strike our fancy for those of us looking for something more than a small-town mystery, but if a simple romp with cute animals told with superior visuals and music is what you’re after, then Beacon Pines will sate nicely.

It demands a specific mood and mindset, but if there’s a match there, it’s like cracking a code and your reward for meeting these demands is thoughtful, flow-like immersion to reveal an engaging story. One that decidedly does not feel fake when you experience it.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is true to the spirit of the original while sporting the best look and combat in the series.

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

Afternoon of Darkness was great on both the PSP and the DS, and the elements that were added to Dark Hero Days make it even better.

Overall, despite its age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is still an incredibly solid game and easily one of the best ports I’ve played on the Switch. If you’re like me and haven’t had the chance to play this title yet, I’d easily recommend doing so to any Star Wars fans who happen to enjoy RPGs, too. The Force is still quite strong with this one, and it gives Switch owners something to bide their time with while we wait for more news about Aspyr’s remake!

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.

The lack of ability to choose specific affection levels through the flowchart is a small price to pay for reaching the Salvation endings. Virche Evermore perfectly encapsulates feelings of despair and hope not only through its dark subject matter, but through its phenomenal foreshadowing and focus on bad endings before the good endings become available. While death reminds us of the life that preceded it, the endings of Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- always harken back to content in the routes, the many twists and turns required to reach its endings, and it makes the anguish felt along the way worth it.

Yaaargh! Subtlety ain’t be whatcher expectin’ out of a tale about pirates, but even though the surface might look cheap, the value is in finding the gems hidden within. If ye be seekin’ the experience of bein’ a real pirate, Rogue Waters is a time of swillin’ rum and chargin’ at them scurvy dogs. Drink up me hearties, yo ho!

I haven’t encountered writing anywhere near as good as this since Disco Elysium, yet that isn’t to say one is better than the other. Roadwarden is sort of dark fantasy, while Disco Elysium is an irreverent inspection of human psychology, society, and the Apocalypse. At about thirty hours, I cannot complain about my time with Roadwarden. A part of me is terribly sad to say goodbye to this world and its people, but it certainly didn’t overstay its welcome; that’s important. While I experienced amazing successes, I also made horrible mistakes and oversights that the game punished tastefully and forcefully. I don’t need or want a perfect adventure where everything ends with a neat little bow on top, and Roadwarden delivers just that. Some mysteries were left unsolved, while others were solved a little too well. Succeeding is sometimes a form of failure. So much to chew on, and I am thankful for the adventure.

Disgaea 7 is a mixed bag: while it addresses many of the issues present in its predecessor, it also fails to match the sereis’ best games it is trying to emulate. I enjoyed my time with the game, but I’m left wondering where the series can go from here. Disgaea 7 does what it needs to, but I feel the series has exhausted the concept and taken it about as far as possible without a significant shakeup.

A top-notch game bursting at the seams with Final Fantasy nostalgia.

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.

If Origins left you unsure about the series' new direction as an action RPG, Odyssey will make you a believer.

All in all, Valkyria Chronicles II will probably only appeal to a niche audience, due to its SRPG gameplay (and all the tiny little idiosyncrasies that come along with it), the anime-style production, and a reliance on preparation as opposed to being an FPS/3PS killfest or beat 'em up. However, for that niche audience, VCII provides all that you could want in terms of depth, and is a very polished outing for a portable device.

To sum up, never have I seen a game so visually pleasing. If you look past the heavy repetition, Odin Sphere is a fun game with solid concepts, along with a great musical score and interesting plot.

OFF deserves a lot of credit for its creative accomplishments. I’m pleased that this remaster gives us the opportunity to pay it its dues while acknowledging the ways it has been artistically surpassed. It’s the type of creative project that lights a torch for others to carry into even more daring places. Still, with its arthouse stylings that resist easy interpretation, OFF retains its own identity enough to make it well worth recommending to this day. Whether you’re more interested in the game out of historical curiosity or to bask in the dread oozing from its presentation, OFF still has a lot to (don’t do it man, don’t do it)… offer.

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.

An above-average action RPG, but not the best the Ys series has to offer.

The game is very well balanced.

It helps that Another Crab’s Treasure is also a Souls-like with a soul. The game will stick with me not only because of the finest moments from its levels or boss fights, but in how cleverly and effectively its environmental concerns are baked into the whole of the experience. By the end, I was looking into ways of reducing my waste output and microplastic exposure while reflecting on what individual human “goodness” looks like in a world ravaged by our collective impact. Not bad for a game about a crab.

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

The detective gameplay still needs some work, and the plot stumbles a bit from time to time, but I have never been happier to dive back into this world, nor sadder to leave it once the game is finished.

Child of Light does exactly what it wants to do: tell a beautiful story in the shell of a JRPG.

Combine the combat enmeshed with the story and the sense of place – this world feels like it exists in a history book somewhere – and Banner Saga 2 deftly carries on the sigil of the first title.

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.

With exceptional writing, beautiful art, a compelling environment, and a captivating central gameplay mechanic, Expelled! is a video game work of art. If you have any interest in visual novels, adventure games, whodunits, or time loops, I can’t recommend it enough. Believe me, you will want to play this one again and again!

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!

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.

Yakuza 5 was considered a high-water mark for the series, and it's easy to see why. I've rarely seen a game that packs in so much content, even compared to the other installments of the series which are bursting with side quests and mini games. Though the story loses some of its focus in the final part (a recurring issue with most Yakuza games), it still keeps you engaged from beginning to end. There are laughs, tears, broken faces, and a hell of a lot of dancing. In other words, it's a quintessential Yakuza game that makes for a super-satisfying conclusion to the Yakuza Remastered Collection!

As a conclusion to Kiryu’s story, The Song of Life hit a few sour notes for me. However, as an installment of the Yakuza series, Yakuza 6 reaches new heights. The upgrade to the Dragon Engine set the stage for triumphs yet to come (including Yakuza Kiwami 2, Judgment, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon), and the game is an overall joy to play. It may be bittersweet to be leaving the Dragon of Dojima’s shoes, but I have no doubts that there will be several return journeys to the streets of Kamurocho in the future!

I very much enjoyed my trip to the CrossWorlds, much more than I ever did my trips to the World of Warcraft. The game is jam-packed with content, giving you upwards of 50 to 60 hours of enjoyment in your first playthrough. There are secrets galore to find, items to trade, and combat skills to master. However, the game never quite drew me in as much as I hoped when I first started playing, primarily due to the story issues. In the end, CrossCode is a slightly flawed action RPG masterpiece and an absolute stunning achievement for indie games. I can’t wait to see where the developers take the game in the next “patch.”

Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a fantastic sequel and a game worthy of the Yakuza title. It improves on almost every aspect of the original, creating a much more immersive version of Kamurocho and deepening the already compelling relationships between the recurring characters. It also has a better villain and more engaging side quests. Yes, there are annoyances, bugs, and some pacing issues with the overall plot, but on the whole, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a wonderful addition to the Yakuza franchise. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Kamurocho!

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.

An enjoyable but extraordinarily safe follow-up that carries the torch for this beloved strategy RPG series into the next generation.