Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes may get flack from the hardcore D&D crowd for simply being a "Diablo" clone set in the D&D universe, but it's still hard to deny the simple joy in teaming up with three friends to kick the crap out a Beholder.

With the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, Capcom has finally run out of old Ace Attorney games to put into modern packages. And as a final hurrah, the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is a massive success. Not only do we get a polished remaster of the solid AA Investigations, but we also get a “brand-new” game that might offer the best-written story in the series. Despite some control issues, this collection is the best version of these games we’ll likely ever play. And after 14 years of Collection releases, including Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, I am delighted that the entire series is fully available on modern consoles (barring a crossover game with a certain top-hat-sporting puzzle solver).

For those willing to suffer through a couple hours of mediocrity, this ending justifies the investment.

An otherwise delightful and nostalgic JRPG, Octopath Traveler's lack of an integrated story leaves the experience feeling empty in the end.

Therefore, the bottom line is that if you could not get into the original Touch Detective, 2 1/2 will not change your mind. However, if you enjoyed the first game, you'll definitely want to pick this one up.

Yes, the graphical upscaling is certainly worth it, but unless you really dig the original plot of Sora and friends, or if you're interested in a new type of challenge involving real-time action-based battles and numeric-value cards, it's not worth playing.

Tales from the Borderlands' fourth episode shows much improvement over the previous chapter, but calls into question the substance of this series, though I smiled, laughed, and always kept at least one eye on the screen.

Deep Sleep nails its story, setting, and the unusual blend of turn-based combat with item-driven adventuring. But a few frustrations hold the experience back, mostly tied to level progression and controlling Amy’s.

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen isn't a flawless VN/SRPG hybrid, but it is an enjoyable one that starts off a grandiose tale I'm all the more ready to dive further into.

Tight, strategic combat and a good variety of mission objectives keep battles feeling fresh, while the story holds surprising depth and well-written characters. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time emerges from a bygone epoch no worse for the wear.

start;again is a puzzle-laden visual novel adventure with some wonderful mystery, suspense, found family, and romance themes that are deftly explored even in its shorter playtime. I enjoyed my time playing the game and felt like it was a solidly designed, well-written, and complete adventure. It’s impressive to know that the game was developed in just a month for the NaNoRenO 2022 event. I’d recommend start;again for any visual novel fans out there looking for a heartfelt and thought-provoking adventure that doesn’t take days and days to see to a satisfying conclusion.

Lover Pretend is a fun, enjoyable slice-of-life narrative for romance fans with some pleasant character-driven story moments throughout its run. It’s an overall solid visual novel if that’s the kind you’re in the mood for, and it put a smile on my face more often than not when I was playing it. I’d recommend it to otome fans for that reason alone, as it adds another great VN in the sub-genre to the Switch’s already extensive lineup.

Arcadia Fallen is an immensely enjoyable visual novel for those who enjoy fantasy tales with quite a bit of character growth sprinkled throughout them. It isn’t a completely perfect experience, but I fondly remember the time I spent playing the game and I loved how the decision-making was implemented. Those looking for a choice-heavy and ultimately satisfying visual novel would do well to look into Arcadia Fallen, as the outcome of its hero’s journey can be quite memorable indeed.

Ubisoft treated this game with the respect that a franchise like Mario deserves. So while control issues plague what might have been an absolutely amazing experience, this is still a game that Switch owners should really consider picking up. This is not the game we asked for, but a game that more than deserves to exist.

With Phantom Brave, NIS was still getting into its SRPG stride and took some chances with both story and gameplay elements rather than milking the success of Disgaea. The more serious, less goofy attempt at narrative falls short, but the unique gameplay elements make this a fun and addicting SRPG in its own right. The PC port of this little gem is worth checking out even if you're not a hardcore NIS fan, particularly if you're looking for an SRPG that offers something just a little different.

Some of the choices made in both the presentation and the design of the port are questionable and show some of Square Enix's disconcerting business ethics, but as a game, TWEWY is still very enjoyable and arguably a worthy purchase.

An incredibly fun, enjoyable game. I know, however, that GameArts is a much more capable developer than what they demonstrate through their latest release in the series. [JPN Import]

Wild Hearts is another great monster-hunting title that suffers the most from comparisons to the well-established Monster Hunter series. The developers have promised that DLC is on the way in the coming months with more kemono and karakuri, and it’s all going to be free with no paid updates in the plans (not yet, at least), so there’ll be more to bring you back to Azuma. Even after finishing the main game, there’s plenty left over in the endgame to challenge hunters hungry for more. It’s an impressive effort, with a world that continually beckons hunters to return. Gear up, for the hunt is on.

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.

I very much enjoyed my trip to the CrossWorlds, much more than I ever did my trips to the World of Warcraft. The game is jam-packed with content, giving you upwards of 50 to 60 hours of enjoyment in your first playthrough. There are secrets galore to find, items to trade, and combat skills to master. However, the game never quite drew me in as much as I hoped when I first started playing, primarily due to the story issues. In the end, CrossCode is a slightly flawed action RPG masterpiece and an absolute stunning achievement for indie games. I can’t wait to see where the developers take the game in the next “patch.”

Hanako’s Flower Shop is a VN that leans more into the simple side with its gameplay mechanics and overall presentation, but it has a lot of heart and a surprising amount of depth beneath the surface. Those looking for a more casual gaming experience that manages to bring a lot to the table in terms of thoughtful and universal narrative themes should give the title a chance. It communicates so much through what it says directly and what it has you inwardly think about, all in a language very much its own.

If you're looking for a different spin on the Soulsborne series, Bandai Namco offers up their take with gameplay that feels inviting rather than punishing.

If you like choose your own adventures, this is for you.

Lucy Dreaming represents an astounding achievement when you consider the size of the development team and the results they achieved. Playing feels like chancing upon long-forgotten memories of better days. Despite this, the game pushes forwards, making these narrative adventures no longer just abandoned nocturnes summoning dreams of the past, but hopes for what we might see again in the future.

It's hard to understand why Square Enix didn't put any effort into the story, which would have upped the greatness of this game significantly had it been good. Even after some disappointments, FFTA2 remains worth it for all the reasons that FFTA was: great presentation and solid gameplay.

An enjoyable romp that gets me interested in the past and future of this series.

OFF deserves a lot of credit for its creative accomplishments. I’m pleased that this remaster gives us the opportunity to pay it its dues while acknowledging the ways it has been artistically surpassed. It’s the type of creative project that lights a torch for others to carry into even more daring places. Still, with its arthouse stylings that resist easy interpretation, OFF retains its own identity enough to make it well worth recommending to this day. Whether you’re more interested in the game out of historical curiosity or to bask in the dread oozing from its presentation, OFF still has a lot to (don’t do it man, don’t do it)… offer.

I know it sounds like I've bagged on Alpha Kimori here and there, but it's got it where it counts, and every complaint I have can be remedied. I enjoyed the 5 hours I spent with this game and look forward to Episode 2, which should reportedly drop in early 2012.