PSP owners who want a solid, fun, long-lasting, no-nonsense, traditional turn-based RPG will be served quite well with Crimson Gem Saga.

Cladun: This is an RPG certainly has novelty, but the novelty is not enough to overcome the game's shortcomings.

I could go on and on about all of the other bells and whistles, like the importance of spending multitools wisely at upgrade terminals, the incredible procedural generation of the levels and enemies, the more than a dozen modes to play, all of the in-game achievements to earn, and the plentiful secrets, but those are best discovered when you buy this game. If you’ve got a strategic bone in your body, you have to buy this. Go, buy it now. It’s $25 at full price, which might as well be an act of charity considering the quantity and quality of what you’re getting.

After a rocky start, Tales of the Abyss proved to be a truly enjoyable game; possibly the best in the series so far, and a contender in my book for game of the year.

There is primarily great content in Eastward for its low price, and it serves to scratch a lot of itches with its varied inspirations. It’s not without stumbles, but it is an easy recommendation for fans of not just Earthbound, Zelda, or Mario & Luigi, but RPGs in general. Pick it up, have a blast, maybe shed some tears, and spread the word: Eastward is something special.

An excellent opportunity for those who loved the original to play it again, but newbies will need the patience of a saint to survive the complexity of its gameplay.

If you like that neo-Gothic, dark Victorian setting, contrasting grays and sepia with rich, saturated color, you will likely adore this "psychedelic" game. But given the choice, I would recommend checking out Ashen Hawk before Black Butterfly, as the other title doesn't rely on amnesia to weave a tale.

Even though this is not the definitive strategy RPG of our time, like some have labeled games such as Shining Force, Final Fantasy Tactics, or Disgaea, it's pretty damn close.

Disgaea 3 is a game that will last you a while, whether you just want to casually focus on the main story or go all out with post-game content. The fact that it's portable makes it well-suited to quickly pick up and play a level or two or spend a few minutes grinding away.

I can't really fault Duodecim for being what it is: a title that's meant to be played by longtime Final Fantasy fans who really just want to see all their favorite characters together. However, it's undeniable that the game is broken in many ways – incredibly uneven difficulty, obtuse systems, and control issues both in and outside of battle.

Rest assured, fans of the series will love Episode 4 and the constant punishment Telltale doles out to Clem. However, work still needs to be done if those who tell tales want to close the curtains with the same grandeur of Season 1.

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

Rune Factory 4 is a game I did not expect to like as much as I did, proving that it's nice to be wrong about things from time to time. Its addictive blend of farming, fighting, and friend-ing makes for a fun, lighthearted experience that's easy to get lost in for hours at a time.

I am absolutely shocked that such a potentially award-winning game falls short in so many ways. The core is there. The gameplay is there. If Nexon cared a bit more about the quality of the experience, this game would have lasting power.

A technically inferior version of the original Atelier Shallie, but its narrative additions are worth seeking out for hardcore fans.

Overall, Sympathy Kiss is an enjoyable otome experience targeting a demographic not often focused on when it comes to video games: adult women immersed in the workforce. Despite having issues with one story route being potentially triggering, I truly enjoyed the rest of the time I spent playing this game. The other character routes have lovely development! Those looking for a game to provide them with their slice-of-life romance fix should give Sympathy Kiss a chance!

Devil Survivor: Overclocked is a great expansion on an awesome game that offers hours and hours of quality strategy-RPG gameplay.

All in all, Mount and Blade: Warband is a great game, even despite its flaws. The overall concept is satisfying, and with a more heavyweight publisher behind the team at TaleWorlds, this is one game that could be absolutely great.

Eastshade is an original masterpiece that needs to be experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition shows its age when compared to recent Warriors games, but for Zelda fans, there is no better way to experience a Zelda crossover with your favourite characters.

Bad Apple Wars' lean tale of passionate teenage love in purgatory is, in a word, fine. But fine doesn't leave a lasting impression.

The story is tragic and hopeless at times, only to turn around and become hopeful and positive seconds later. The combat is exciting, and I never thought I would be so engaged with the DRPG subgenre after years of not clicking with it. It’s a game that I’m certainly glad that I played, but I do find it difficult to recommend without a few caveats. If you decide to take the dive, be prepared for a notable time investment.

Although not a negative experience, the drop in quality from Episode 1 can't be ignored.

When I had heard about Crossworlds after sleuthing about on 1C's website, I couldn't wait for September. Now that I've played the game, I'm horrified. Was Armored Princess luck? I'd like not to think so, but if Crossworlds is any indication of the kind of work we can expect from future installments, I'll be dusting my Sega Genesis off for another go at nostalgia.

Date Everything! is more than the sum of its individual components. It may not have the best graphics, gameplay, control, or story, but the heart, soul, and addictiveness of Date Everything! cannot be codified into numerical scores and categories. Simply put, Date Everything! rocked my world more than I expected it to; I spent more time playing it than I care to admit. It’s not a game for everyone, but if it’s your cup of tea, you will drink it with gusto.

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.

Shadows of Adam is clearly inspired by the classics but falls short of being a classic itself. The lovely gameplay, with its exceptional balance and enjoyable exploration, kept me engaged, despite the flaccid story and characters.

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.