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.

Sure, the music is infectious to the point where I'd find myself humming it days later. Yes, the dialogue is stunningly well-written. Meeting and experiencing the varied cast is a delight, since you never know what will come next. And okay, yeah, there are countless little touches and fleeting moments that would make me stop and appreciate what was happening. And that's the real secret about Undertale. There isn't one thing that makes it special, because everything makes it special. It has a heart, a soul.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has cemented itself as one of my favorite DA games and is easily the best BioWare outing we’ve had in a while. It has heart and plenty of emotion alongside a found family cast with some of the best personal character questlines I’ve experienced in a game. It’s evident that there’s a deep respect for the DA lore and titles that came before, and I love how The Veilguard takes vital points of so many BioWare games and builds upon them. Rook’s journey contains several devastating choices, but opting to give Dragon Age: The Veilguard a chance should be a surprisingly easy choice for RPG fans.

In my eyes, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is the ideal RPG remake. The game makes great use of the expanded scope and presentation afforded by more powerful hardware. However, the core tenets of the game and systems design remain largely unaltered, preserving the unique experience of guiding Gerard and his descendants across centuries of conflict against an imposing, interdimensional force. Square Enix has successfully delivered the definitive way to experience one of the best games the SaGa franchise has to offer, and in the process provided the best introduction for new players curious about the 35-year-old franchise. I know there are so many other RPGs releasing this October competing for player’s time, but Revenge of the Seven is a triumph, and I urge any fan of RPGs to give it a shot.

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.

Valkyria Chronicles shatters all strategy RPG conventions.

I started Bloodborne scared and unsure, quaking in my boots every time a new enemy showed its ugly face. I was horrified, timid and alone. But now, I have a confidence and strong sense of self. I am a hunter in Yharnam. I'm confident in my abilities, I know my weaknesses, and I trust my instincts. There's a real bloodlust that builds up in you once things start to click. You'll want to hunt, you'll want to kill, and you'll thirst for blood to make you more powerful. I find Bloodborne intoxicating, and I trust you'll find the same should you let it get into your system.

Goodbye Volcano High doesn’t feel like it’s treading on new territory, but rather refining a genre that already exists. With every song played, character met, and story beat processed, I felt Goodbye Volcano High managed to exceed my expectations. I laughed and I cried, and that makes it hard not to recommend the game. I’ll leave a quote from Reed to end off on: “Meh, dunno. Hard to think of a good ending right now.”

Pure RPG magic.

Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii deemed DQXI the culmination of the series' thirty years of tradition. I'm more than inclined to agree with him, as it embraces and enhances almost all of the virtues that make DQ such a beloved franchise. It remains unabashedly true to its roots as a JRPG fan's JRPG, and fans of the series are in for a treat at a scale of epic proportions. The best DQ games embody the spirit of grand adventure. In Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, Square Enix has delivered to us the grandest Dragon Quest of them all.

An experience I advise no one to miss.

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

The Witcher 3 presents a realistic, engaging, and dark fantasy world. With fast-paced combat, deep character customisation, and massive locations to explore, it's a game not to be missed.

The best RPG Obsidian has ever made. Just be ready to read.

The Witcher 2 is everything that a good sequel should be. A continued story, yet one told differently and one that touches difference spheres of meaning. Restrained and realistic references to the original. Riskier, grittier, more confident presentation and design.

Dragon Age: Origins is a rare game, one reminiscent of the PC RPGs of the past, and those who enjoyed those games will undoubtedly enjoy this one.

Final Fantasy VI is easily the “crown jewel” of the pixel remaster releases given how much effort Square Enix put into it comparatively, and is certainly now the definitive version of the game to play. I honestly wish it hadn’t taken me as long as I had to play FFVI because I think it stands as one of my all-time favorite Final Fantasy games! I wholeheartedly recommend playing it if you haven’t yet, as fellow newcomers to the title can’t go wrong with giving this version a try. Final Fantasy VI is a true classic with all the positive connotations of the word.

Disco Elysium is a landmark title in gaming that will hopefully set a new standard for quality game design and writing.

Akin to nights in the basement, with a party gathered around a friend brooding behind the DM's screen, Battle Chasers: Nightwar feels like a classic romp in a dungeon with some dragons. Though the adventure is new, it still feels familiar. Airship Syndicate has impressively refreshed some staple conventions with modern concepts, maintaining a comfortable level of nostalgia that exemplifies the best qualities from RPGs of yore. It's just fun to load up and be enchanted by.

Chrono Cross is not just a personal favourite, but also a deeply personal game, and I have many emotional ties to it. Having the opportunity to play it on modern consoles, even in a flawed form, is a tremendous boon. I hope this remaster will satisfy other fans and bring in new fans that might not have had the chance to play it before.

Mass Effect 2 is as engaging as it was a year ago. Despite lacking some of the content found in the 360 and PC versions thanks to the lack of the first game, the overall story of the game is left intact and gameplay is still as excellent as it ever was.

The game is sure to be a classic with many Suikoden fans, especially those like myself who felt disappointment with how III and IV turned out.

Pokopia is a rare example of a game that takes inspiration from as many genre juggernauts as possible, yet ultimately exceeds them all. The building mechanics may not be quite as expansive as Minecraft, and not all of the 1000+ Pokémon creatures feature here (though weekly events are scheduled to add more). Yet, by combining the strongest core elements of city builders, social simulations, and creature-raising RPGs, Pokopia emerges from the rubble as a monumentally addictive achievement in game design that millions of players will enjoy for years to come.

I had high hopes for Sea of Stars from the moment I first laid eyes on it, and I’m pleased to report that it has lived up to just about all of my expectations. It’s gorgeous, fun to play, has a great cast and story, and the music is a joy to listen to. Whether you are looking for a nostalgic experience inspired by classic RPGs or simply a great RPG in its own right, look no further than Sea of Stars.

If Breath of the Wild is one of the greatest games of all time, and Tears of the Kingdom improves on it in every way, does that also make TotK one of the greatest games of all time? That’s a question to ask in a few years when we have more perspective. But right now, I can confidently say The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will be one of the best games released in 2023, and will stay with me as one of my favorite video game experiences ever.

The Banner Saga 2 is a superb tactical RPG, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best that the genre has to offer.

If you've played the visual novel, this might be worth a pass, but the animation might be enough to make this a new experience for you. If you've never experienced Steins;Gate before, or you're new to visual novels, the vibrant characters, compelling story, and beautiful animation make this a perfect entry point.

Every concern I felt when playing The Man Who Erased His Name was cast off within an hour of starting Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. It’s not only a perfect sequel to LaD but also an excellent example of a modern JRPG. Most importantly, it finally provides us with a natural conclusion to the story of Kazuma Kiryu that doesn’t feel forced or contrived. With an engaging, complex storyline, incredibly charming characters, and a truly shocking amount of side content, Infinite Wealth effortlessly continues the Yakuza legacy. I can’t wait to see what RGG decides to do next (but maybe give us a bit of a break, as we’ve had THREE Like a Dragon games released within the last year)!