Buried Stars is an enjoyable, thought-provoking visual novel that is only partially hindered by a stiff localization. If you’re a fan of the darker mysteries of that narrative-heavy game genre, I’d still wholeheartedly recommend at least giving this title a try. When all was said and done, I quite enjoyed unburying the truth with Do-yoon and company.

All in all, The Séance of Blake Manor is a great little detective game that is perfect for players who want to use their deductive skills in a creepy, but not necessarily frightening, environment. Of course, spooky season has passed by this point, but I would argue that it’s never too late for a spooky game, especially one that you can comfortably get through in just a few days. So whether it’s now or next Samhain, fans of horror games and mysteries alike will find something to enjoy at Blake Manor.

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

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.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is an enjoyable RPG experience, especially from a character stance. It isn’t the most substantial sequel within The Legend of Heroes: Trails series’ lineup, but it’s far from a terrible game. I enjoyed playing it and eagerly await the next adventure to hit the Zemurian continent. We should heed the lessons of the past, if only so that brand-new possibilities might emerge, and I feel The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II encapsulates that message well.

This is a game for the most hardcore of the hardcore. Though, on another level, it is a surprisingly casual game if you want it to be.

Still a great Zelda game even if aspects of it haven't aged as well as others.

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.

Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth is a beautiful conclusion to a 14-year long narrative. While it still has its flaws, it is a journey worth seeing through to the end.

While SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is a massive improvement over the original, and well worth playing, I remain cognizant of its flaws. The story is highly interesting and definitely fun to dive into, pondering to oneself, “What isn’t being told? What other dynamics are at play?” And yes, the new localization makes the plot far easier to comprehend. But there is a sparseness to the story’s presentation. Nearly 100 years pass and we’re just getting snapshots, vignettes for a handful of characters. That might be a little thin for players who prefer dialogue-heavy RPGs. This ain’t that.

Genso Manège is an otome that I, admittedly, had a preconceived notion of what it would be like given its “soft and sweet” appearance. Underneath its pastel visuals, I was pleasantly surprised to find a gripping and emotional story about overcoming hardships and loss populated by a memorable cast. Genso Manège certainly adheres to “don’t judge a book by its cover” due to its hidden narrative depth alongside finely-tuned traditional visual novel elements and a fun optional puzzle mechanic, providing fellow romantasy junkies a new game to adore.

Whatever the sentiment, it is clear that Etrian Odyssey is a niche game that is sure to find the hearts of some and draw the ire of others.

Batman: The Enemy Within is an excellent Telltale Games title in story and execution, but probably won't change the hearts or minds of players who want more choice efficacy in their adventure games.

All in all, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth holds up remarkably well in 2023. The game’s mix of 2D platforming and RPG mechanics wouldn’t be out of place in today’s indie scene, and ditto for its slightly opaque nature. Valkyrie Profile hails from a time when games weren’t afraid to have mysteries, and while you’ll have to do a little digging to see everything this title has to offer, the experience is well worth it. So if you’re looking to experience a classic RPG from the days of yore, look no further.

While I really disliked 428's mocking attitude towards women's bodily autonomy, I did like just about everything else. The nonlinear, vignette-based narrative is a perfect fit for the Sound Novel format, and few scenes are wasted. I frequently laughed out loud at 428's script, while at the same time I was hooked to find out what would happen next in its twisty, turny tale. 428: Shibuya Scramble may not be perfect, but it's a title that even the staunchest visual novel skeptic can get a lot of enjoyment out of.

A compelling narrative, wonderful soundtrack, and likable characters all overcome the many flaws that the game bears and makes it an incredibly memorable entry in the Suikoden saga.

Mistonia’s Hope -The Lost Delight- tells the tale of how one woman’s search for vengeance ultimately transforms into something else entirely, and it accomplishes this in a surprisingly thoughtful manner. The game’s strong-willed and complex protagonist, buoyed by a colorful and memorable cast of supporting characters, is a true standout in the otome genre. I enjoyed watching Aprose’s character growth throughout the various narrative routes. Maybe that’s where the once-lost delight found in the title truly comes from!

Thoughtful in execution, The Dream Machine avoids falling for clichéd pitfalls oft seen in point-and-clicks.

The game is certainly a worthwhile purchase; I recommend it to all PS3 owners, particularly those who have yet to experience the Disgaea series.

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.

Despite some minor control issues on consoles, Return of the Obra Dinn remains possibly the most successful detective game ever made.

Manafinder is a great game that reminds me of old favorites while rocking a style all its own. Except for the heroine’s lack of backstory, the game does little wrong. And, again, you can pet the dog. Come to think of it, we more commonly see wolf-like or Doberman-style dogs in video games, so Scar being akin to a Bullmastiff is quite refreshing. Representation matters, including canine representation. In the sea of retro-RPGs inspired by Japanese classics, Manafinder’s distinct charm stood out to me, and I encourage RPG fans to check it out.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is the result of two games' worth of experience on Raven Software's part, and it shows.

Long time fans will be pleased with this entry in the Ace Attorney series, and it's a quality game for newcomers as well, although it is not the best entry point for the series. It's definitely what I'd call fan service for those who have stuck by the series, and it's great that fan loyalty pays off for this game.

Xanadu Next is a strong experience from start to finish, and a humble little game that shouldn't be ignored.

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout is a surprisingly nuanced, enjoyable RPG with a bevy of content.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 shouldn’t be surprising. It builds on what made the original game a cult classic and doesn’t flinch away from different approaches than the critical darlings. And yet, I find myself constantly delighted and shocked with each play session, feelings that grew more common, not less, further into the game. I suspect despite finishing the main story, I have many more nights uncovering secrets and battling fierce beasts in the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 ahead of me, and I hope the same for you.

It feels like a bit of a shame that this is the case, because The Girl Who Stands Behind‘s visuals and full voice acting act as firm yet soft cushioning that can very well welcome onlookers and entice them to take those first steps into the genre. Nevertheless, It’s a solid enough game that makes it worth a try for those interested in the subject matter—remember to check out The Missing Heir first—but be prepared for a few rocky patches on the way up.