Despite some hiccups, the Switch port of The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is an overall solid version of a wonderful RPG experience. The more people who get the opportunity to try the Cold Steel series out as a result of this Nintendo Switch port, the better!

When I finally beat the superboss, when I finally finished doing everything I wanted to in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, I hesitated to turn it off. I walked around. I grinded. I tried to picture my grandparents playing through it, tried to replicate how they’d play it. I couldn’t, of course. They are gone. But what a treasure it is to remember them with this lovingly crafted, faithful, and pure remake of a game in a series we cherish so much. Square Enix got it right, and I’m excited for the families who get to share this experience for the first time.

Though the game can be completed in under ten hours, Gerda: A Flame in Winter contains multitudes beneath its exterior. I was held in suspense even when I had to shut the game down to go about my life. The choose-your-own-adventure gameplay style made me feel responsible for Gerda’s well-being and the people around her, even as her life was spinning out of control. Though not everything works and the narrative feels slightly too short, it’s also a wild ride that should satisfy those who enjoy the twists and turns of a hearty spy story. The world was a cold and cruel place during the Second Great War, and Gerda: A Flame in Winter provides an intense glimpse of how it felt to live back then.

Final Fantasy XVI is phenomenal if you enjoy action RPGs, especially if you appreciate well-written stories that build upon themselves, teeming with memorable characters and poignantly emotional moments. I’m glad I finally got to play it in its entirety, even if it wasn’t remotely close to its recommended specs. The final boss fight and ending scenes left me with so many feelings, and those on the fence about Final Fantasy XVI for any reason should at least give the game a chance. Like me, they might find a hidden gem underneath.

I have very mixed feelings about Fuga: Melodies of Steel. On the one hand, I’m glad to see that the Little Tail Bronx series still has life in it. On the other hand, this latest entry is largely unimpressive and doesn’t hold a candle to the rollicking good times that Tail Concerto and Solatorobo were. If you are already a Little Tail Bronx die-hard, then you’ve already decided to buy Fuga: Melodies of Steel. If you’re a newcomer, I think you’d have a more enjoyable time with Tail Concerto or Solatorobo.

Anyone who enjoys a good challenge or likes tooling with character creation and party set ups owes it to themselves to play this game, as it offers an experience that can be matched by few others.

Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed by Trails through Daybreak. I love the Trails series, but I did not expect to enjoy the start of this new story arc nearly as much as I did. The more mature and complex storyline, handled with surprising thoughtfulness and filled with believable characters, really drew me in. Given how enjoyable previous games were, most gameplay aspects are polished to a shine I wouldn’t have thought possible. Trails through Daybreak is easily one of the most robust starter games of the series and an almost perfect entry point for newcomers if they don’t want to start with Trails in the Sky FC. It might even be my new favorite game from the series, at least until Trails through Daybreak II comes out! I can even easily say without a shadow of a doubt that it’s by far the best game I’ve personally played this year. Fans should pick up Trails through Daybreak, as should anyone simply craving an excellently made and wonderfully written JRPG experience!

There's not a part of Fallout: New Vegas that could be called a turd, and if you're a fan at all of western-styled RPGs, there is no doubt that this game is worth picking up.

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.

The balancing act RGG plays with its titles is a tricky tightrope to walk, and they usually knock it out of the park. That they failed to do so here is just disappointing. Nonetheless, the fact that this game came to Steam might—might—mean we can see more titles in the future, and there’s a lot of potential here. If they can build a more compelling mystery, be more thoughtful about the serious issues they want to address, and fix the detective elements, they might be onto something special here. Most people seem to think they already are. Maybe next time, I can too.

A content-rich sci-fi adventure that diverges from its predecessor in unexpected but delightful ways.

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.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster provides a definitive way to experience an excellent JRPG from yesteryear. Flawed though it is, I would still recommend it as a truly unique experiment, blending classic vibes with an innovative spirit that earns it the right to be revisited in this more polished form over a decade after its original release.

A Fumble in the Dark may have lost sight of what made the first iteration great in some respects, but for those who want more of the charismatic duo and excellent observational humor, this is an admirable sequel. More is on the way, as well, so for those who worry we’ll be waiting another three or four years for Francis and Dooley to return, fear not. As for me, I’m okay with the break if it means an assurance of quality in the future.

In short, Borderlands is a top-quality shooter and grind-fest.

It might not be the longest RPG out there at around 10-15 hours, but Half-Minute Hero is a game that's worth experiencing, and most importantly, you'll have fun doing it.

For many, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a chance to experience a game (and franchise) that was tragically shortlived. The DS original has made an effortless transition to modern consoles, and the core experience is every bit as good as it was 12 years ago. Not all puzzles carry their weight, and the game doesn’t exactly stick the landing, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a mystery with the wry wit and subtle charms of Ghost Trick. If you’re a mystery buff, don’t miss this caper.

Spiritfarer is a perfect example of a game where one has to keep their expectations in check. I honestly feel the trailers have misrepresented what the majority of the game is, and I wish the developers had actually cut the content in half or found a way to speed up the entire process. What’s here hints at the depth of quality that could have been, but the designers seemed more concerned with giving their audience their money’s worth rather than packing ten hours with high-quality content. Or maybe I should have engaged in more meditation over the 25-hour experience. Regardless, Spiritfarer has moments of beauty that will resonate with many players, while others, like myself, will be left wondering what could have been.

Thimbleweed Park isn't perfect, but it hits all the right nostalgic chords. Though, at times, the humor can be crude and a little too fourth wall breaking for my taste, the game achieves everything it set out to do and more. Filled with plenty of jokes and more references than I can wrap my head around, Thimbleweed Park is an enjoyable trip to the past that I've been looking for. It's not a short romp either, as you're probably looking at 10 or more hours of play. I hope Mr. Gilbert and company don't stop here, and continue to bring us more adventures in the future.

ENDER MAGNOLIA is one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve played in many years—rivaled only by its predecessor—and it’ll easily land itself upon my 2025 game of the year list.

If you want a short, fun, quirky, and sometimes sentimental Strategy RPG that knows its market and takes jabs at it with impeccable humor, you should get Disgaea 2. If you'd prefer a game that allows you to play for hours on end (like, over 200 hours) with new events to keep your interest now and then, but you don't want it to be an MMORPG, then get Disgaea 2.

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.

So long as those flaws don’t seem like deal breakers, Dynasty Warriors Origin is the easiest recommendation I’ve had in the mainline series. It’s got a more substantial format, more potent storytelling, and more engaging combat than the series has seen before. While individual elements of other games may stand out, Origins is the most complete package currently, even though it’s not the full Romance of the Three Kingdoms story. It’s the starting point for a direction we’ll almost certainly be seeing more of, and it’s a direction we’re lucky to have sitting ahead of us. As it stands, Dynasty Warriors Origins is the top of the mountain. It’s not to be missed.

Its sharp wit, cleverness, and enigmatic plot provide not only a top-tier visual novel experience, but some of the best entertainment I've had gaming.

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with This Way Madness Lies, so much so that I could cry, “good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Fans of William Shakespeare, Sailor Moon, or Zeboyd’s other titles will have an absolutely delightful time with this one, as will those who enjoy tinkering with skill systems in their RPGs. If you’re in the mood for a short JRPG with a great sense of humor, look no further.

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

Clearly, I enjoyed The Silent Age: Episode One, and I think there's a lot to admire here. It's free, and there are no in-app purchases, although you can donate to the developers' efforts to fund and finish Episode Two (of two, if I understand their blog correctly). I'd love to see Joe deliver that message and learn the answers to the mysteries raised in this episode, and I think that if you play it, you'll feel the same way.

To The Moon absolutely lives up to the hype, but it's approachable as well. Despite its reputation, it has a surprisingly simple narrative, filled with amusing and relatable characters. Don't let that fool you, though: it's an incredible game that caused me to rethink different moments of my own life and (more than a few times) almost moved me to tears. The problems with the Switch port, even the glitchy controls, only dull an otherwise overwhelming emotional experience, rather than mar it.