Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII Reunion is one of Square Enix’s better remaster offerings and is generally a pleasure to play. The responsiveness and tight controls, along with the new quality-of-life additions, make combat a thrill to take part in. The visuals breathe extra life into an already interesting world, and I never got sick of watching the redone summon attacks. The story of Zack, while tragic, is still filled with moments of some brevity and intrigue, thanks in new small part to Zack simply being a wonderful character. My gripes aside, I am thrilled that whole new generations of players can once again enjoy this prequel and see Zack’s story again after such a long time. Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII Reunion is a must-play for anyone that loves Final Fantasy VII.

With limited role-playing components, a so-so narrative, dialogue choices that don't seem to have significant impact, and a lack of replayability, Strays Gods: The Roleplaying Musical doesn't quite come together as well as it could. Still, this unique blend of styles will scratch those with an itch for an urban fantasy musical with entertaining songs.

Despite my misgivings, I still had a lovely time with this game. If you’ve stuck around with the series up until this point, I certainly recommend this version of Atelier Shallie. However, if you’re a newcomer, you will definitely want to start with Atelier Ayesha Plus.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition lives up to its moniker, and makes a compelling argument for both fans and newcomers of the game to pick it up. It's a welcome addition to the Switch's library, though anyone that already had their fill elsewhere shouldn't feel the need to upgrade.

Mary Skelter Finale provides a rather disappointing finale to the series. The previous games left off on a rather satisfying conclusion to the series, and Finale just feels like an overextended sequel. It's ultimately a really difficult game to recommend to players unless they're already heavily invested in the story of the first two games. Even veterans of this series will be a bit lost without giving its lore a reread to get a better grasp on it. Luckily the game provides one of the best recollection modes I have seen and if any players have never played the series, this can even be an option for those that just want to read any prior story of this title.

If there was a succinct way to sum up Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, it’d be a celebration of Kiryu’s legacy. There are subtle callbacks of his past adventures that don’t intrude on the central themes and internal struggles that he faces as the title connects the past to the present. While it may not be his grandest adventure, Like A Dragon Gaiden sets an important milestone for the Dragon of Dojima. We’ll meet him again in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, but Gaiden establishes an essential foundation and roadmap in what’s next for this legendary character.

Years ago, I said that Pokemon Legends: Arceus proved that there was room in the Pokemon world for more games like Pokemon Colosseum to exist, and to even thrive. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A wasn't quite what I had in mind, it feels like validation nonetheless. Pokemon is at its best when Gamefreak is allowed to experiment with what a Pokemon game can actually be, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A is an affirmation that the series isn't done evolving, much like the Pokemon themselves. If this is the future of the series - more experimental "Legends" titles which attempt to broaden the Pokemon world in ways that only they can, instead of merely retreading old ground with remakes - I couldn't be happier.

Anonymous;Code managed to grab my attention in a way that other SciADV games following Steins;Gate weren’t able to, due to how absolutely absurd but compelling the lore was, and how each situation escalates. Anonymous;Code does feel a tad bit shorter compared to other entries in the SciADV series, but the captivating story and excellent pacing kept me engaged through the true ending.

There are challenging moments in the game that only make it more aggravating. It really tests your patience especially near the end where you experience a number of trial-and-error moments. However, I can’t say it bothered me as much this time around only because I had already dealt with it previously. On the other hand, it was fascinating being able to observe the fate of two different girls and see the plight from their individual perspectives. The visual and audio design shine brightly in this bleak journey that never breaks from its ambiance and distressing frame of mind. This carries all the way through to the ending which sets a somber mood. So if you’re looking for a frightening adventure that subverts your assumptions, and if you can get around the checkpoint system, the unnerving atmosphere of Yomawari: Midnight Shadows may do you in.

During my time with Elden Ring Nightreign, I was waiting for something to jump out and amaze me like the original game and Erdtree had, but that sensation never came. Nightreign delivers glimpses of what I love about the previous games, but the jump to this new format just never quite landed as well as I had hoped. When I played with my friends or when I finally tackled that Nightlord I had been stuck on, it hit with that same exhilarating sense of accomplishment that I love, but so much else left me wanting. With so many reused enemies and guest bosses, Nightreign feels more like an impressive expansion than a whole new release, and perhaps that is a better way to look at it: an experiment in something new. This first drop into the roguelike genre with the Souls series is intriguing enough to make me consider exploring future explorations into it, but beyond that, I will happily stick with my exploration-heavy and deep character customization options instead.

If, like me, you found yourself interested in how things might evolve with the sequel I can give my endorsement for Kena: Bridge of Spirits on Switch 2. All in all, it's a solid port for a solid game.

For old fans of the series, this is still a fine remake, and the quality of life changes make the transition from GBA to the Switch worth it. I’d say even new fans of the series will have a good time while playing. The game is still fun to be in, and I’ll continue to play it as I progress through the years in-game, but it just misses the opportunity to be spectacular in any way.

Mario & Luigi Brothership is the biggest and boldest the series has ever been, with some novel battle mechanics and colorful presentation. However, an overstuffed runtime and exhausting pacing severely dilute the experience in both narrative and gameplay. Had Brothership been a snappier, more compact entry, it could have been one of the best in the series, but as it is, we're left with an enjoyable game that overstays its welcome once again.

The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind is a great nostalgia trip for those that experienced the original main series game. Other than that, though, what it has to offer is outclassed by better, more popular games. However, if you do want to experience the oft-talked about Morrowind setting in a more modern game engine with more modern gameplay mechanics, and are able to look past its flaws, this might be a good time-waster for you.

Despite some early mistrust due to the game’s agricultural aspects, I ended up enjoying my time with Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin — at least the first two-thirds of it. It wasn’t breaking any new ground gameplay-wise, with combat that was just enjoyable enough to make up for its repetitive nature. The narrative was decent, though those looking for a deep storytelling may dislike the aimless self-motivation the game requires of its players. The farming aspects are so simply integrated that they only added to the overall experience, never detracted. What did take away from my enjoyment in the end, however, was the sudden and severe prolonging of the game, just when the credit roll started to feel inevitable. It’s a solid and certainly unique game that can be quite enjoyable when approached with the right expectations.

I'd wager that while I had fun with the game overall, part of what I'd hoped the game offered at the beginning was a mechanically-dense resource management sim where I have to carefully plan out my actions step-by-step, and while that's certainly how it looks like things will head at the start, in the end the game's actual gameplay mechanics feel like set dressing. It's essentially an excuse to get you out and about driving a Kei truck through a fictional Japanese town. There's nothing wrong with that, and we do cover games that veer towards narrative experiences, but I can't shake the feeling that Promise Mascot Agency wasn't quite what I'd signed up for - even if the end result was an enjoyable romp about reviving a town in its twilight years.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is a wild ride from start to finish. There were some twists in the mystery I wasn’t expecting and some that I saw coming. Despite a short lull in the middle section of the game, it still results in an excellent story told with a colorful cast of characters. Kanai Ward itself is such a beautiful place too. Like how the rain never lets up in the city, the suspense never lets up in Rain Code.

Dodgeball Academia is simply lovely with all the little touches it puts forth to celebrate both RPGs and the sport of dodgeball. Many clever mechanics make the marriage between the two a natural fit in this game. Some unsatisfying character progression, late-game repetitive battles, and a needlessly prolonged final stretch do set it back, but I think it is still a solid attempt at such a novel concept.

The Baten Kaitos games deserve better than this remaster gives them, but for new and returning players alike, it is still a great addition to any RPG fan’s Switch library. Hopefully, this collection isn’t the last we see of the Magnus-slinging series and is instead the beginning of a bright future ahead for the series.

Much of this review probably sounds negative, and that's a shame because World Of Final Fantasy is a fantastic throwback to earlier entries in the series and a damn good RPG in its own right. If you are ok with a 30 FPS cap and an experience that's the same as the PS4 version, then this PC port is perfectly playable. I've yet to encounter any technical bugs in my time with it and the art style makes up for the lack of graphical options in my opinion, just know going in that the port is lacking in several ways. If you are a fan of the franchise and didn't play it when it came out last year on other platforms, you probably won't be disappointed jumping in with this version.

World of Final Fantasy isn’t going to break the mold, and that’s okay. It’s a game for the fans and one I certainly think they’ll appreciate.

Cryptmaster was a game I had hoped I would enjoy more. In the end, it's a solid proof of concept with a few hints of what it could be in the future. Cryptmaster is a game with a lot to say, but much like with the game's undead protagonists - it feels like its a bit confused on how to say it.

Fae Tactics is not really like other tactical RPGs that I've played, despite sharing a lot of foundational DNA as some of the greats. While other similar games have ended up feeling a fair bit more derivative, Fae Tactics's manages to stand out on pure inventiveness and imaginative structure. A unique narrative framework, distinct focus on summoning mechanics, high level of variety, and smartly-designed challenge makes Fae Tactics a near must-play for fans of tactical RPGs.

Yakuza Kiwami isn't my favorite Yakuza game, but it is still an excellent entry in the series, and a very good entry point for newcomers. Revisiting it in 2024 on Nintendo Switch played handheld has been a fun experience that makes me hope SEGA brings Yakuza 0 to the system next. This conversion bringing in some quality of life features like auto-save and licensed music including Receive You [Reborn] is also great to see. While there are noticeable cutbacks to visuals and performance, Yakuza Kiwami is an easy recommendation to play on the go on Nintendo Switch with its low asking price.

While there are a few small missteps with the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection, they ultimately pale when compared to the broad, useful features added. The fact that not only can fans and first-timers enjoy the Star Force series, but can also tailor their experiences to their liking without the need for emulators is wonderful, and Capcom's efforts to release much older games in bundles on modern platforms really should be commended. If you're a newcomer interested in quirky action RPGs or a long-time fan looking to re-experience the magic, the Star Force Legacy Collection is an easy recommend from me.

Darksiders Genesis, assuming some of the technical limitations are ironed out, could be a fun co-op romp for ardent fans of the franchise. For those looking to try out something new, there are better co-op games, and better Darksiders games.

When Zeboyd Games initially took the idea of Cosmic Star Heroine to kickstarter, they knew they were in it for the long haul. About 4 years have passed since then and a lot about the games industry has changed. Retro throwbacks are even less novel now than they were in 2013, but all the same, I think the studio has succeeded in all that they set out to do. The game has a fantastic combat system, feels distinct from its peers, and never leans on nostalgia too much. If you’re looking for a fun space adventure that’ll remind you of the JRPGs of the 16-bit era, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more fitting experience than Cosmic Star Heroine.

Signs of the Sojourner feels like life. It gets hard when you least expect it, sometimes returning home is a blessing and other times it feels like a burden. People change, life moves on and you just have to try to keep up. It takes something as impersonal as cards and creates an entire world full of personality.