Minor quibbles aside, System Shock is a bonafide classic any way you play it, especially if you play it on consoles for the first time through this remake. If you are looking for compelling horror, a good first-person shooter, or science fiction RPG goodness, look no further. If you want a retro-fitted videogame that retains its original’s mazey philosophies, with keycards, corridors, and zero tutorials, you’re in for a treat. If you want to support game preservation through abandonware resuscitation projects like Nightdive’s, there are certainly worse ways to spend your money. After all, without the historical context of important works such as System Shock, without even simple access to it, we might be doomed to wander the maze of modern videogames blindly.

Atelier Resleriana is a solid game through and through and proves itself to be more than one of the cynical cash grabs that we’ve seen time and time again. It has the heart and charm of the series and serves as a love letter to longtime fans. The biggest problem with Atelier Resleriana being a gacha game, however, is that it will ultimately go end of service one day and become permanently inaccessible. Such is the nature of live service games, yet it feels counter to Gust’s recent efforts to remake and localize previous games. However, there is hope that all the effort in creating new 3D models for such a wide array of characters is an indication that fully-fledged remakes may be around the corner. While Atelier Resleriana isn’t exactly what I wanted out of the next mainline Atelier title, it serves as a celebration of all things Atelier and the best crossover game in the series by a country mile.

Despite my stance on how ATLUS chooses to sell their games, I’m glad that this version exists. I’m a big fan of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth turn-based game. The game’s atmosphere and themes are unlike anything anyone else is doing, and its brand of post-apocalyptic melancholy juxtaposes masterfully with its serene catharsis.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is a creative, choice-heavy game focusing on interactive music at the root of a murder mystery involving ancient myths in the modern day. Stray Gods: Orpheus is a genuinely compelling DLC addition to that mythos centered around one person’s quest for self-discovery long after they thought their story was over. Ultimately, I love the hopeful possibility inherent in the plot as this DLC proves to be a welcome return to an enjoyable game.

Overall, I’m thoroughly impressed by Trails through Daybreak. I love the Trails series, but I did not expect to enjoy the start of this new story arc nearly as much as I did. The more mature and complex storyline, handled with surprising thoughtfulness and filled with believable characters, really drew me in. Given how enjoyable previous games were, most gameplay aspects are polished to a shine I wouldn’t have thought possible. Trails through Daybreak is easily one of the most robust starter games of the series and an almost perfect entry point for newcomers if they don’t want to start with Trails in the Sky FC. It might even be my new favorite game from the series, at least until Trails through Daybreak II comes out! I can even easily say without a shadow of a doubt that it’s by far the best game I’ve personally played this year. Fans should pick up Trails through Daybreak, as should anyone simply craving an excellently made and wonderfully written JRPG experience!

I’ve often marveled at an idea as familiar as “books transport you to other worlds” transforming into narrative game experiences where you rarely encounter another soul, but a rich tapestry of actions, consequences, and interactions unfolds through your exploration. Yet, Riven has always accomplished this. I’ve been fortunate to replay most of the series with a newcomer, and that sense of wonder absolutely survives as the games age; this new version is worthwhile and definitely the most beautiful way to experience it.

Wizardry: PGotMO is one of those games where every step could be your last, but you’ll be entertained making those steps. Despite being a foundation of the genre, it does not provide an easy entry point for new players. It requires a high degree of patience, and this slow approach won’t be to everyone’s tastes. The graphics, sounds, and overall user experience are detailed and well thought out, with some lovely homages to the original in both setting and the number of OG player options. For a game that laid the blueprint for so much videogame history that followed it, taking a step back into the Proving Grounds felt like entering hallowed ground, like remembering a dream in vivid, modern detail. Just know that such a dream can become a quivering nightmare without warning. Be prepared to possibly lose everything in a single run, or a single combat, or even a single fudged combat round, and it’s a grand old time.

I came away from Adore extremely disappointed. While I still believe that combining monster-collecting mechanics in an action roguelike framework could be effective, this title has too many missteps that prevent it from being enjoyable after a couple hours. Furthermore, the control and presentation issues on Nintendo Switch exacerbate these core design flaws, making for an overall frustrating gameplay experience.

Little-Known Galaxy is like the neglected spaceship you’re given command of. It has a ton of potential and a crew with heart but is a fixer-upper requiring time and patience. The developers are very responsive to user feedback; even as we speak, they’re in the process of making quality-of-life adjustments. As it stands now, the graphics, sound, and character interactions are my favorite parts of Little Known Galaxy. On the other hand, I dislike the excessive grinding and being unable to save whenever I want. Little-Known Galaxy is a game that its target demographic will enjoy, but it won’t win over those uninterested in cozy games like Stardew Valley.

Once again, would-be designers should take note of what the developers have accomplished here, especially in terms of world and map design. To sleep on Shadow of the Erdtree is akin to depriving oneself a potential Game of the Year contender. Can DLC be Game of the Year? If it has the size, quality, and feeling of independence the way this DLC does, I say “Why not?”

I enjoyed playing the first Monster Hunter Stories on the Nintendo 3DS and found it a cute diversion. I expected similar from its successor, but Wings of Ruin‘s narrative surprised me with its hidden depth. It’s easy to lose yourself in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin‘s monster-collecting world, and you can become invested in the plot more than you might initially expect. I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to play it! To channel my inner Navirou, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin is pawsitively clawdacious!

As a follow-up to Monster Hunter: Generations and a precursor to Monster Hunter: World, Monster Hunter Stories keeps the essence of Monster Hunter‘s older style while also forging ahead, mainly in streamlining inventory management and revamping something as fundamental as travel. Ironically, the only way MHS falters is by, much like Monster Hunter, producing a game that’s all about its dynamic gameplay, deviating from the pack with fantastic combat that’s turn-based but failing to do so with a meaningful story. Still, if Monster Hunter Stories was overshadowed by Monster Hunter because of its parent’s reputation and its deviation from the well-established series, then it’s deserving of a second life. In this JRPG resurgence, it’s a reminder that there’s still plenty of room to reinvent the classic style. Ride on!

From showtime ‘til curtain call, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is an unpredictable adventure that kept me hooked. If you’ve been interested in trying this game like I was, you’re probably not going to be disappointed. Wrinkles like the excessive backtracking and restrictive partner swapping in combat hold back the game from its true potential, but its witty writing and arresting art direction make this a singular entry in Nintendo’s RPG lineup. Hopefully, Nintendo’s taking note and course corrects for their next Paper Mario entry.

SKALD is one of those games that brings a smile to your face when you’re playing it despite the dark and mature content. The design evokes fond memories but also adds enough modern sensibilities and systems to make playing comfortable and approachable. The graphics and sound take root in your psyche and you are drawn to the title in much the same way the main character is drawn into the island’s mysteries. It’s not perfect; the frustrations with the combat and technical bugs preclude that, but it’s still a wonderful reminder that sometimes the old ways are best. Just like the Great Old Ones promise.

Geneforge 2 – Infestation brings to life comfortable RPG memories of clustering around your CRT monitor in the small hours, deciding to investigate one further map area for that clue or NPC you are looking for. The game provides an engaging world with a unique setting and outlook despite its graphical and UI foibles. Slipping back into this level of retro comfort will be easy for a core part of the game’s audience. For the rest, the frayed edges and old holes might just be enough to put you off committing to this particular brand.

Capes offers a fresh theme in the TRPG market, with a story of flawed superheroes fighting for justice in an oppressed city. The turn-based combat is sleek and well-balanced and the unique Team-Ups offer a bevy of approaches to address mission challenges. The UI is clear and concise, and the game does a great job of presenting key information to make effective tactical choices. It’s a pity that a few hindrances, both graphically and in the repetitive combat, hold the game back from being truly epic, but if you want a little bish, bash, and boff with your tactical, turn-based RPG, you could do a lot worse than playing superhero with Capes.

Horizon Forbidden West is the complete package across all aspects any player will care about. Stunningly beautiful, audibly beatific, challenging yet accessible, and frequently cinematic, I adored my time with Forbidden West the way I rarely do in any other game. Often, a game will excel in one area in particular and falter in others—and that’s okay. Here, I struggled to find criticisms to make, and the ones I did, while real, did not meaningfully impact the whole. If more AAA titles conducted themselves as such, I could see myself one day converting.

Few games have left me feeling as uncertain as Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER has. I liked the game and think it’s good, but it left me noticeably unsatisfied. The characters ES88 meets are pretty cool, but their development stopped before their storylines gained any traction. Once the credits rolled, my reaction was, “Huh? That’s it?” I completed the game multiple times, doing everything there was to do, but still felt like something was missing. I hope there is more content in the future to flesh out what Read Only Memories: NEURODIVER started.

I also wager that ten years from now, Sand Land will be a slam dunk video game in “hidden gems” lists and “underrated games” essays. Once its price crawls below $25 and its bafflingly pointless “Deluxe Edition” content is packed in (or, better yet, deleted altogether), the game will be value caviar for hungry backloggers. Partially in honor of you future value seekers (hello from 2024, if so), I don’t want to outright pan the game for being an inconsistent and unnecessarily SaaS-ified jumble as it is now. It has plenty going for it, especially in its visuals and its vehicles. Just don’t give Bandai Namco your hard-earned ten extra dollars for shit they probably forced ILCA to shovel (the Deluxe Edition content) right as they were wrapping up development. Better yet, wait until Sand Land is on sale. That is, unless the 8 to 16-year-old in your life asks for it, in which case I guarantee they’d get sixty bucks worth out of the game.

Cryptmaster does what it sets out to do capably. Monotony never strikes in this nearly fifteen hour jaunt since the gameplay always changes, though always vocabulary-based. If words are your thing, I cannot think of a single game that does what this game does better. This isn’t a type-as-fast-as-you-can first-person-shooter. Thoughtful, patient play drives success, so sate that frenetic itch you have elsewhere.

While I think The Rising Tide has a lot to offer, my statement for the previous DLC applies: if you didn’t like Final Fantasy XVI, this isn’t going to change your mind. But this time, I think anyone who enjoyed Final Fantasy XVI even a little should give The Rising Tide a shot. It offers an excellent fight, new Eikonic abilities, and side quests that lean into the strengths of the best ones in the base game. Granted, nothing is going to match up to the base game for me, but it comes closer than I dared hope, and, for me, that’s the best I could ask for.

I was quite pleasantly surprised by the fun I had with Terra Memoria. I found it thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, mostly based on how snappy the game felt to play and how joyful it was to look at and listen to. As a fan of RPGs, it’s put the development studio, La Moutarde, on the map for me, and I will eagerly anticipate any future projects of theirs. I could tell that the game’s director, Francois Bertrand, had a clear vision for what he wanted the game to be. I can excuse that this title isn’t a romping deep epic because it never tries to be. It is the studio’s own take on classic JRPGs, and it’s surprisingly rare to see such a successful attempt. They’ve avoided creating a stale rehash by designing a modern game that neither wears the clothes of an old game nor stumbles over the mistakes of its senior games. Terra Memoria is a taste of something great and wraps things up before it loses momentum.

Opening the time capsule that is Baten Kaitos reveals a hodgepodge of gameplay ideas, story beats, and even visual styles from island to island that reaches for the stars but doesn’t land among the clouds. Instead, it crashes back into the earth with the rest of the mortals. Although it is more fallen angel than god, there are definitely parts that shine, such as Mizuti meeting with her family—but they would have shone even brighter if they weren’t lost amidst the game’s weaknesses.

SaGa Emerald Beyond isn’t what I expected. The initial trailers made me think it would be SaGa Scarlet Grace with more of a budget and the return of many beloved series elements. I thought it might even end up being the most SaGa game to ever SaGa. Instead, it feels more like SaGa Scarlet Grace done differently. I am happy to see many of the wackier elements of SaGa make a return, but I still very much miss being able to traverse dungeons, go to shops, and talk to the townsfolk. Despite the ways SaGa Emerald Beyond doesn’t click for me, it is impossible to deny the sheer genius of its addicting combat system or the creativity of its developers. I don’t think SaGa Emerald Beyond will convince anyone who didn’t like the series to give it another go, but it is worth playing for fans and potential fans alike.

Indeed, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a JRPG through and through. But does it live up to its most obvious inspirations? Absolutely not. It lacks the heart and soul of the series that most obviously inspired it, and it’s messy around the edges. But it’s not all bad. The base building, character recruitment, and vibes, as the kids say, are right on. So, while Hundred Heroes might not have lived up to my admittedly sky-high expectations, if you’re looking for an old-school JRPG experience with some modern conveniences, this is the place to go. Just don’t expect greatness like I did. You’ll just be disappointed.

Rhapsody III is a fun and breezy musical RPG that is both cute, simplistic, and amusing. While it’s not the best of the trilogy, it serves as a solid capstone to the Marl Kingdom trilogy. It gives a peek at the often unnecessary and over-the-top mechanical insanity that Nippon Ichi Software later became synonymous with. I can only hope the recent remasters are a teaser for a new entry in the Rhapsody series.

Love and Deepspace is a surprisingly solid and enjoyable mobile game if you like action RPGs and have a soft spot for sci-fi and otome titles. I wish there were a way to have a full-length single-player experience without the interrupting gacha elements, but that’s the unfortunate nature of free-to-play titles. Despite that, I feel Love and Deepspace is an experience well worth trying if it seems intriguing to you regardless of those weak points. This is not something I can say for similar games I’ve played of this ilk before, save perhaps Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space and Genshin Impact. That’s a testament that what works well in Love and Deepspace ultimately surpasses what doesn’t.

Overall, the ways Broken Roads challenged me were fascinating and frustrating, sometimes simultaneously. It definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, though I suspect some will adore it. If you’re the reflective type, it’s sure to get the gears turning. If nothing else, it’s much cheaper than taking Philosophy 101 at a university.