Immortality is an experience you deserve to have. Yes, it won’t make sense to everyone. Some will be frustrated by the lack of traditional gameplay. Others might struggle to connect to these characters. But there’s so much to the game, at first glance and deep under the surface, that you owe it to yourself to see what camp you fall in. As for me, I’m going to dive back in and try to get the clips I’m missing. I know the broad strokes of what happened over the thirty-year span the game covers, but it always feels like there’s more to find.

Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved is a fantastic indie visual novel-mystery-adventure with a lot of depth and heart. Its polished presentation stands out, and its overall gameplay is solid and engaging. I honestly wished it had been a longer game, not because the title itself was too short or lacking in some way, but because I enjoyed my time with it so much that I would’ve been over the moon to have the opportunity to continue playing in the game’s universe. That’s a strong testament to how enjoyable Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved is. Overall, this is one detective train trip worth taking.

Longtime fans of the Atelier series will find a lot to love in Atelier Ryza 2. New fans who started with its predecessor also will be pleased to know that the sequel more than lives up to expectations. My initial impressions of the game were quite positive and full of hope, and I’m happy to say that Ryza 2 delivers on nearly every front. A wonderful art style, a touching story, a fantastic combat system, an intuitive alchemy system, a stunningly gorgeous soundtrack, and a bevy of new systems go a long way in making this not only one of the best Atelier games in the series, but one of Gust’s best games.

Cheers to you, System Shock 2, for living up to your own hype. And cheers to you especially, Nightdive Studios, for bringing it back in such a loving, passionate way so that others may experience such a titan of gaming once again, or for the first time.

Shin Megami Tensei V is a premiere JRPG that can’t be missed. Don’t let worries over difficulty (the game has four difficulty settings, one will work for you, I promise!), legacy (this is a whole new direction for the series), or performance (it can get a bit sluggish at times, but the developers have utilized a lot of tricks to make the game run smoothly most of the time) stop you from playing one of the best games of the generation.

A beautifully moving game that teaches a very important lesson. Not many games manage to weave all of their elements together to create something like If Found..., and while it stumbles along the way, it tells a hugely important story that, whether you identify as queer or not, you will be able to relate to.

Octopath Traveler 0 reminds us that what we chase often changes who we become. The game asks you to consider what it truly means to rebuild: whether it is a town, a life, or even yourself. I very much enjoyed this journey, particularly for its incredible story. However, I recognize it’s not a game for everyone, with its repetitive battles and remnants of its mobile origins. But for those who have the patience, this is an adventure well worth taking; just make sure you bring a comfortable chair and a strong cup of tea.

Still a great game, worth playing if you haven't played the series and enjoy the genre.

Broken Sword – Shadow of The Templars: Reforged takes a game that has always deserved its status as a treasure and polishes its jeweled facets, making it ready to go on display once more. In a developing medium, we need to take the time to revisit our most important titles, so we can better know how our history informs our future.

Trails beyond the Horizon is truly a massive game with an impressive amount of content and a thought-provoking storyline replete with memorable characters and powerful moments. It’s a true delight to play so long as you’re not a series newcomer.

Rakuen is the kind of game that makes me want to be a better person. It reminds us that we are all part of a community in some form, and each person in that community has their tale to tell, challenges they struggle to overcome, and a need for some form of companionship. Deeply human, Rakuen visits all sorts of worlds that give insight into what it means to be alive, face loss, and take advantage of the now. I won't soon forget the gift Shigihara has given us, and I have enough here to think about and reflect on for years to come. Thank you.

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.

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but Salt and Sanctuary is truly inspired.

Xenogears is a must for any RPG lover, regardless of your views toward Squaresoft. With its depth and creativity, Xenogears is my choice for RPG of the year.

Negatives aside, Devil Survivor is a great success.

Live A Live is a wonderful little gem from almost three decades ago. The remake accurately captures what a classic SNES RPG should look and feel like, and the modern additions make the game far easier to digest for newcomers. It’s highly experimental and oftentimes weird, yet it keeps that wondrous charm found in games like Terranigma, Secret of Mana, and Final Fantasy V. It’s whimsical when it wants to be and serious when it needs to be. While the pacing is a little off at times, and combat does grow a bit stale by the 15-hour mark, there is a lot to love about Live A Live, and any fan of SNES RPGs—or RPGs in general—should give the game a look. It’s a glimpse into the past with a modern touch, which is fitting for a game about living lives throughout time.

Not to be taken seriously, Telltale demonstrate the ability to shift between serious and comedic titles.

Steins;Gate 0 is a great game with one glaring flaw: gratuitous filler. It's tough to rate games like these because nuances aren't easily conveyed in a numerical score. The core components are good to great, but the overall package is bogged down by unnecessary content and the game feels longer than it should.

Mythic Ocean is a very cool game. I enjoyed my time with it, and people looking for an engaging visual novel with an open-world feel and relaxed pace will like this one. I wish I had more to say about Mythic Ocean, but I really don't, because it's a solid game that doesn't really do anything wrong.

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

Darkest Dungeon is fantastic for the first twenty or so hours.

Mage Gauntlet takes everything that was pure fun about the best 16 bit action RPGs of old and tosses it into a light hearted, easy to play, and most importantly, FUN package.

If you missed this treasure last time, now is the perfect time to don your travelling gear and let this game's prose take you on a global adventure.

I have such mixed feelings about Eliza. With regard to what it does well, it stands head and shoulders above the competition. In terms of the concepts explored, exemplifying how directionless adulthood can be, and its presentation, Eliza is exceptional. Regarding the actual narrative, pace, and flow of the writing, Eliza can be a slog to get through that frequently left me wondering, "Why am I doing this in the game right now?"

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is just as good as it was in 2009. It's still side-splittingly funny, clever, and genuinely a joy to play. Bowser Jr.'s Journey is a major slog, but that doesn't diminish my overall enjoyment one bit. If you're looking for a fun, active RPG that will keep a smile on your face throughout hours of playtime, look no further than Bowser's Inside Story (or honestly, any of the games in the Mario & Luigi series)!

The romance is decadent, the horror is seriously scary, it’s a richly immersive atmosphere and a fun tribute to classic anime, so what’s not to love about Little Goody Two Shoes? If you enjoy narrative games and have the nerve to overcome the fear, this is one to check out. Astral Shift is a wickedly creative group, and they’ve put a ton of love into this game. So, light the lantern and venture out into the dark.

Level-5 changed just enough in Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box to keep the sequel fresh while maintaining the highlights of The Curious Village: excellent puzzles, beautiful art, appropriate music, a fun story, and a sense of whimsy.

The issues the characters face outside the supernatural horrors bearing down upon them are the most relatable we’ve seen in the series yet. Teens struggle against their own troublesome pasts, adults are desperate not to repeat their worst mistakes, and authority figures with their authority breaking down as they’re drawn into intense, personal problems. Those are the moments that stand out long after playing, far more so than any crazy time portal or ghostly possession. OXENFREE II tells an extremely human story, and it tells it very well. If you have any interest in games as a vehicle for storytelling, OXENFREE II offers something you shouldn’t miss.