Microbird Games delivered a strong debut project with Dungeons of Hinterberg. While limitations to maneuverability may seem off-putting at first, its numerous dungeons have been carefully designed to utilize different magical spells’ environmental interactions to traverse them. There are some understandable design constraints, such as a lack of variety in its enemy designs, that help illustrate where Microbird Games’ priorities lie - and there’s a beauty in that. This is a development team that had a clear vision in what they wanted to achieve with Dungeons of Hinterberg and I think they succeeded brilliantly.

It's a massive blemish on an otherwise fascinating game, unlike anything else I've really played. Not one that makes Kunitsu-Gami a complete non-recommendation, but absolutely one that tempers my praise somewhat. Capcom has still delivered something special with this release, even if the rough edges are glaringly evident - the artstyle, the story delivered without any dialog, and the rest of the aesthetic in tow; even considering the problems with combat, level design always had something unique up its sleeve, forcing players to think on their feet to protect the one hope of containing the Seethe. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a game that feels like it mimics the equally thorny path set upon its protagonists; despite whatever stumbles along the way, it's a journey you won't soon forget.

All in all, if you like action platformers, you’ll love Gestalt: Steam and Cinder. It’s a shorter affair, to be sure, but it explodes with love for the genre, and the developers have put a lot of heart and soul into crafting a world and story that is both equal parts fun and tense to explore. My nitpicks with the game aside, Gestalt was an extremely enjoyable experience and is definitely on a list of games I’ll replay from time-to-time. I’m excited to see where Metamorphosis Games takes the series in the future, and hope for plenty more adventures of Aletheia to come.

I came away from Trails Through Daybreak with many unanswered questions and mysterious hints dropped in the game's last moments. Despite my issues with some of the characters, Almata, and the underlying Xipha system, I still enjoyed my time at Calvard, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and I am eager to return. The Trails series is one of my favorite long-form fictional works, and I look forward to the months and years' worth of discussions and seeing how all the new teases and hints end up paying off in Daybreak II, Kai no Kiseki, and beyond.

Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is simply a fantastic visual novel to read from beginning to end. It is single-handedly the closest example of what a modern AAA visual novel would entail; the amount of care put into its production values is incredible in the realm of visual novels. The English localization does a magnificent job matching the tone, spirit, and meaning of its source material as every character’s personality shines through their dialogue brilliantly in English. A few blemishes in the clumsy nature of its flowchart navigation hold it back slightly, but I couldn’t be happier with how the official English release of the Tsukihime remake has beautifully turned out.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape is a near-perfect conclusion to Destiny's first major story arc; here's hoping this can be an opportunity to open the floodgates for new players going forward.

Shadow of the Erdree is an excellent expansion to Elden Ring. Even when I was frustrated trying to find the hidden paths toward new zones, I was still exploring and discovering completely new things instead — there is almost no wasted space, and the game never feels like it was wasting my time. It's the perfect ending for a nearly perfect game.

Monster Hunter Stories is a decent RPG even for those unfamiliar with the series. If you're a Monster Hunter fan and you like traditional RPGs as well, Stories should be a must-have game. It's a charming title for those looking for some monster taming fun, and a simpler RPG to play in between some other big hitters. Consider checking it out the next time you're looking for a more relaxing RPG.

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes a litany of adjustments and additions to improve an RPG that I was already quite fond of. It doesn't fundamentally change what Shin Megami Tensei V is, and those disappointed in the direction Atlus took with the original game may not be swayed by this new version either, but Vengeance gives Shin Megami V the revamp it deserves.

Your enjoyment of Mahoyo will heavily rely on its narrative and characters. Despite lacking multiple routes found in later Nasu works, such as Tsukihime and Fate, Mahoyo's story remains highly engaging and is truly worth the long wait in English. If you're into the Nasuverse, do yourself a favor and give this game a read.

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.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a good re-release of a good game, and adjustments made only improve upon it in small but substantial ways. It's an easy recommendation for general audiences and RPG fans. Now, where's my Luigi in Waffle Kingdom RPG?

Dread Delusion succeeds where it counts, even if bits and pieces still have some polishing left to do. For a crowded year for RPGs, Dread Delusion can still stand out from the crowd.

Megaton Musashi W: Wired is unexpectedly, and surprisingly, one of the best action RPGs in 2024. It offers a lengthy main storyline filled with amusing characters, a plethora of rich in-depth customization mechanics to supplement its compelling gameplay, multiple modes that all serve to enhance what makes it fun, and a ton of smartly designed navigation functions that lead to a smooth experience in moving around its dozens upon dozens of menus. While the narrative stumbles at the finish line, it is undeniable that Megaton Musashi W: Wired is one of the most fully-featured video games in the modern era that is filled to the brim with stuff to do and it is all fun as hell.

Soul Covenant is one of those games that is frustratingly close to delivering what I wanted it to. RPG progression, while basic, would be engaging if the game had enough content outside of the main story to compliment it through its runtime; the story could've been so much more with more scenes to sell it. Despite it all, Soul Covenant managed to recapture at least some of the feelings I remembered from Soul Sacrifice - but in a way that makes the whole package all the more disappointing. I believe the team had the capabilities to deliver something truly special here. It's just a shame that what they ultimately released is such a mixed bag.

I was excited to see my country represented properly in a video game, and that did happen. Sadly the game itself isn’t worth a damn, it’s a classic style RPG but none of my choices matter and I can hardly make any of them. Many systems and choices are just odd and make it unfun to play. They have a roadmap to change some issues I had, and some minor odd design decisions have already been fixed, but we’ll have to wait and see if that really fixes the poor story. The only real redeeming quality this game has is the art.

Narrative nitpicks and shortfalls aside, Stellar Blade is an action RPG that excels where it matters most: Looking gorgeous and facilitating supremely satisfying combat interactions. Bolstered by the capable fusion of its inspirations, its weaknesses keep it from transcending them. But those willing to make their peace with those disappointments will find a nearly stellar experience.

I feel that's a tough ask for the average RPG fan; and it makes recommending Emerald Beyond to those unversed in Kawazu's picture of the RPG a difficult proposition. For anyone that's already a fan of SaGa, however, it was never really a question if Emerald Beyond would be for you. This is a SaGa for SaGa fans, and in truth I couldn't be happier any other way.

I cannot overstate how glad I am that Eiyuden Chronicle exists, and I adore its excellent presentation & nostalgic charm. Not everything landed for me as well as I hoped it would, but there's room to grow, and I truly hope Rabbit & Bear Studios gets the opportunity to continue with these characters in this world.

If you're looking to take Neptunia Sisters vs Sisters on the go with you, this isn't a bad port. Compromises have been made to the game from its original versions on PlayStation 4 and 5, but the game itself still functions adequately. I'm not sure if the next Neptunia game will happen to run any better on Switch after the lessons learned here, but one can hope that the games will improve for the remainder of the Switch's lifecycle.

In the end I’m not really sure how to feel about The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered. There were points where I enjoyed myself, but I’m also not sure I’d beat it if I didn’t have to for this review. I don’t really mind the game's minimalist approach to narrative, but the dungeon design, repetitive battles, and difficulty walls I hit made it hard to press on. If the skill progression system sounds fun to you, The Alliance Alive HD Remastered is a much better option if you have yet to play it. But, if you’re looking for a game that gives you turn-based combat without much fluff, this would be still a fine choice.

Rise of the Ronin is a solid action RPG that provides a thorough look into the Bakumatsu era of Japan. I enjoy stories about that historical period, so I think a lot of my enjoyment of this game’s narrative stems from that foundation. It is relatively much more grounded than Team Ninja’s previous action RPGs as it contains no mythical, supernatural, or fantastical elements; Rise of the Ronin is a story about humans all the way through. While this title retains the awesome action combat that Team Ninja is known for, its open-world activities lack variety, and much of what it has to offer in that regard has been done before, and even better, in other open-world titles.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is an absolute triumph in nearly every sense of the word. It's a bold and brave leap forward for RPGs, inviting you to come along for an unforgettable journey that will be uniquely yours.

Developer Fool’s Theory has crafted a pretty solid turn-based RPG with The Thaumaturge. Its setting in 1905 Warsaw is fairly novel in games and at times, can feel like an intriguing, immersive documentary that educates its players on the harsh conditions during this time in history. The supernatural powers at protagonist Wiktor Szulski’s disposal pave the way to a satisfying battle system that carves out its own identity, despite looking like something out of Shin Megami Tensei or Persona upon first glance. There are technical rough edges here and there, but I firmly believe that RPG fans should definitely check out The Thaumaturge whenever they find time in this busy year of RPGs in 2024.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island accomplished the impossible. It's a strong contender for the best in the series, and I don't say that lightly. If you've ever been interested in giving the series a try - I can't think of a better place to start. Shiren the Wanderer is back, and better than ever.

Nitpicks and minor annoyances aside, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a grand expansion of the sense of possibility birthed by Final Fantasy VII Remake. Not only does it builds on that earlier promise of Remake as a narrative grappling with Final Fantasy VII's greater impact, but as a game it is a singular, lovingly-crafted synthesis of design philosophies both past and present, augmenting modern scale with a deep and long-lived appreciation for its characters.

At first, my time with Bandle Tale felt like a slow drudge, especially as I got blockaded by skill requirements and hit many “I can’t do anything with this yet” spots. Once I could zoom through the Bandle City center and knew how to best unlock skills, I enjoyed my time a bit more but I’m not entirely sure if that’s just because I knew I was reaching the end, or if progression was actually enjoyable. Bandle Tale: A League of Legends gameplay and story can feel pretty mediocre, reminding me of childhood favorites but never as entertaining.

I come away from Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden endeared to its characters and storytelling, but disappointed in the game's world structure and combat. Antea and Red are captivating characters, and I applaud the game's narrative style & direction, but mundane world exploration, tedious combat, and average questing pull down a game that I had higher hopes for.