Playing Like a Dragon: Ishin! took me back to the feeling I had when I first played Yakuza 0, which is not a bad thing! Though it isn’t the pinnacle of the series, Ishin delivers a pure Yakuza experience that will delight both long-time and new fans. It’s an expertly told melodrama punctuated with moments of genuinely breathtaking absurdity. In other words, it’s a Yakuza game. And frankly, if this actually were a historical drama in the running for Best Picture at the Oscars, it would absolutely get my vote.

Newbies to soulslikes may want to look elsewhere, as boss fights can feel extremely punishing, and even with all of the experience I have with these games, I found a few bosses absolutely brutal and ridiculous in their attack patterns. Another way of looking at Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is this: if a Souls game never existed and this hit store shelves, we’d all be clamoring about what a marvel and game-changer this is. Although extremely paint-by-numbers, fun is fun.

At this point, I don't think it's reasonable to recommend playing this particular version of the game, unless you absolutely loathe voice acting (and/or refined graphics, and/or the PSP as a platform).

Renting won't do justice to the amount of content the games provide and the inclusion of online (though limiting) boosts ups the replay value tremendously. It's simple and engaging for newcomers while catering to long time players. Buy it and go catch 'em all!

Prey is satisfying for anyone looking for a deeply immersive gaming experience, and it might just make you think a bit more than the surface-level tension would lead you to believe. Prey is not only smart enough to let you figure out how to get into a locked room, but it also lets you decide what the point of that locked room is. That may frustrate some, but Prey is a very special game with guts to treat you like an intelligent human being.

While it feels like Third Spirit Games may have played it a little safe with their first foray into the industry, Arietta of Spirits has put the developer on solid ground. We can only hope that there are more untold tales to share of the Bound, their Spirit Guides, and of the souls they save along the way.

Whether you prefer your RPGing in single-player, multiplayer, or both, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Grand Kingdom.

Star Ocean: First Departure R is the quintessential version of an enjoyable old-school sci-fi fantasy JRPG.

The 2025 remake of Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is a worthwhile journey whether you’re returning to its familiar rivers and jungles, or if it’s your first time strapping into a Hydrafloat. You will best enjoy it if you take your time and let it sweep you into the well-thought-out pace retained from the original game’s designer, the late Benoît Sokal, who passed away in 2021. From intro to credits, it is an unabashedly classic adventure.

With a lengthy adventure full of memorable story moments, Dragon Quest VII deserves a spot in every 3DS owner's library.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew is undeniably engrossing, with a strong cast of characters and a story that twists and turns. Armchair tacticians, get your leaning ready, because there’s booty afoot, and the only ones who can claim it are a bunch of dead bodies. You got this!

Lamplight City is an intriguing mystery and an enjoyable graphic adventure experience. I appreciate how choice-heavy the narrative is, and I also really like how the game adapts to your actions throughout. The alternate history steampunk setting is intriguing, and I appreciate the game’s commentary on complex subjects like poverty and prejudice. Fans of mystery and graphics adventures who haven’t yet played Lamplight City might want to check out the game’s Nintendo Switch port.

RPG fans who liked the open-ended gameplay and freedom of the first game will want to take a return trip-the two expansions with over 100 hours of new adventures coupled with the $30 price tag make this game one of the steals of the year.

Equal parts guesswork and context-driven logic, piecing together the meanings of these [Ancient] messages creates a rewarding loop.

A fantastic dungeon crawler that provides an interesting story and allows you to focus on the aspects you enjoy the most.

Overall, between the game’s story and gameplay, nothing sticks out as individually exceptional. Still, Final Fantasy comes together as an experience that is better than the sum of its parts. The Pixel Remaster does an excellent job of keeping the surprisingly well-aged gameplay that started the series intact while updating it with more modern pixel art and a beautiful soundtrack. Outside of a few confusing moments and poorly balanced bosses, Final Fantasy is a game I would readily recommend to modern RPG fans, and it’s a great introduction to the genre’s classics.

I’m still crying. I think I needed to play this one. It is telling that I, a therapist by day, still find something healing and therapeutic in the best narrative-based games. Just a To the Moon Series Beach Episode, through its title alone, undersells the promise of having one’s heartstrings pulled. This isn’t “Just” anything. Though it is short (approximately 2-3 hours to experience everything the game has to offer), this game is well worth the time.

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.

Thank Goodness You’re Here isn’t for the faint of heart. At this point, you probably know if this game is for you or not; it really comes down to your sense of humor, and if you’re not into this sort of potty humor, then this isn’t for you. If it sounds entertaining, though, then there’s absolutely no doubt the game is worth a purchase. For sheer quality reasons alone, this is an experience worth having, and I enjoyed nearly every second of it.

Experience a nightmare and then have some of your own. "Inspired" by mental illness.

Dusk Diver 2 isn’t a flawless game, nor the most original. However, it wears its heart on its sleeve and provides a lot of enjoyment if you’re willing to give it a chance. It feels like a homecoming in many respects, even if it’s a series you’re only just now experiencing for the first time. That’s rather special in a way. For action RPG fans looking for a colorfully fun time, Dusk Diver 2 might be worth a look.

A solid re-release of a classic plus some nice new frills, but not without its problems.

It takes about two hours to beat Takeshi and Hiroshi, but players will likely think back on its charming story and return to its leisurely levels quite a bit. From its straightforward yet engaging gameplay to its lovable characters and delightful story, Takeshi and Hiroshi proves that a little can go a really long way.

The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is not a perfect game; however, it takes you on a fun enough journey that you'll most likely overlook any imperfections that you may find.

If you’ve enjoyed the Disgaea series in the past, you’ll like Disgaea 6. If you’ve never played it, you can jump in at any entry, and this is a good one to go with. Either way, you’ll get more enjoyment out of the game if you are judicious in using the new auto-play feature. After all, why let the game alone have all the fun?

Piofiore: Fated Memories deserves to be up there with the other otome greats such as Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom and Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~. I would even dare to say, with the unique storytelling structure, nature of its subject matter, and mechanic-related plot twist near the end, it begins encroaching upon Zero Escape territory. Sadly, the comparative lack of quality control holds it back. The fact that the game is fantastic despite these glaring issues is a testament to how strong it is, but it would be wrong to turn a blind eye to these errors all the same. Just as peace in the city of Burlone is tragically built upon mafia-inflicted violence, Piofiore’s errors are a bloody stain on an otherwise pristine experience.

Nobody Saves the World provides a large toybox and an enjoyable world in which to play with it. The Forms at the center of its gameplay feel significantly different from one another and are all exciting to use once you get a handle on them. Thanks to the shareable abilities, you can also experiment with endless combinations of moves. The main story makes for a satisfying and entertaining 20-ish hours with some challenges still left over to complete. At the end of the day, everybody is somebody, even if you’re Nobody.

I know that while I definitely enjoyed this game, it was difficult to work within the time constraints. There was more I wanted to enjoy, but I wouldn't be able to; not without repeating a lot of the same stuff in a second or third play through the game.