It certainly isn’t a title that will gain universal appeal, but it very much finds its home in its niche and will offer those looking for an easy-to-jump-into yet strong narrative will find Arcadia Fallen II is adept at scratching that itch. While it may not be the most thrilling tale at the start and has limited ways to engage with it, there are plenty of fun moments to enjoy from the cast, and the story ultimately satisfies.

Rise of the Ronin is defined by that divide. Its combat system and historical setting give it a strong foundation, with occasional moments that genuinely stand out. At the same time, its formulaic open-world design and weak character development fail to build on those strengths. RPGamers should expect a game that offers rewarding combat and an engaging setting, weighed down by a predictable structure, pacing issues, and an incoherent story.

Adol Christin embodies adventure, and even with amnesia, there’s a fun cast of characters and enjoyable combat surrounding him to carry through its thirty-hour length. Pacing issues do slow things down at the beginning, but once the story starts hitting that next gear, everything ramps up to match that enjoyably brisk pace. There are nitpicks that drag it down from being something truly special, but there’s a perfectly serviceable action adventure in Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta. The story of Adol continues, and this outing will keep players interested in seeing where the winds take him next.

Aether & Iron is the sort of game I like to see exist. It populates a novel setting with an interesting cast of characters and uses them to build upon a solid gameplay structure, while trying out plenty of its own ideas. There are definitely flaws within, but despite these, it’s ultimately a very enjoyable game to play through, and I would be very happy to continue Gia Randazzo’s story in the future.

Etrange Overlord has a lot of qualities to enjoy. The narrative is fun if a bit nonsensical and predictable, the characters are a blast, and the musical numbers are a nice touch that distinguishes it from its contemporaries. Unfortunately, the lack of a great combat core combined with monotonous gameplay makes the game ultimately difficult to recommend.

I haven’t played an Obsidian game in a long while, and I have to say that in terms of characters, storytelling, and worldbuilding, I felt right at home with everything that was happening throughout Avowed‘s modest runtime. Even with the uninspired combat and the performance issues, I found myself constantly wanting to explore the Living Lands, make potentially life-altering decisions that could affect the world, and steal Marius’ snacks for good measure. Avowed does a fabulous job of keeping players on their toes while also weaving stories that make players want to see everything through to the end. While Avowed has some blemishes, there is a lot to love in this world, and I want to see more of it.

Thysiastery is a simple title at heart. The roguelike dungeon crawling always has a sense of random luck in mind that can cause a lingering frustration due to how easily a party can be defeated. This frustration can give way to a pleasant surprise when weak party members strive farther than expected, or when that next treasure chest or merchant visit changes everything for the better. The quick-paced combat is always fun to dive into, and the amount of skills gives plenty of viable variety to tinker with in party composition. Charging blindly is not a usual feeling for the typical first-person turn-based dungeon crawler, but the easy replayability found here makes it exciting to explore all the possibilities, and despite a decent amount of trial and error it is a worthwhile chance to take for fans of roguelikes and dungeon crawlers alike.

WiZman’s World premiered sixteen years ago as a mid-tier DS title with a simple plot and dense monster fusion system, and not much has changed in the interim. This remastered edition is an improvement in most metrics of graphics and sound, but the core of the game remains the same. It is crunchy and combat-driven, with narrative as an afterthought, and it makes no apologies about that. It is, was, and shall remain a mid-tier JRPG, but sometimes that’s just what an RPGamer needs. To anyone looking for a game that lets them tune out and wreck monsters without high drama attached, it’s certainly worth a look-see.

As a full tome, Ariana and the Elder Codex has quite a lot of potential, but among its genre and the RPG landscape as a whole, it doesn’t stand out too starkly on the shelf. While it has some charming visuals, lore, and some good voice acting, its gameplay and story are only ever serviceably engaging, and predictable twists and excessive endgame lore dumping dull the adventure. While I found myself thoroughly charmed by the characters and having a decent time, the uneven exploration and easy moment-to-moment combat left the game feeling devoid of the substance it’s obviously capable of. If players are looking for a short, fifteen-hour light adventure with some nice charm, Ariana is not a bad pickup at all, but it doesn’t do enough to warrant a top spot on RPGamer’s reading lists.

Compared to the original release, the Sandras now also boasts a faster travel speed while on the high seas. Apart from that and the new island of Öland, there is also the new post-game Muspelheim dungeon for players to tackle. All previously released cosmetic DLC, namely costumes for Adol and Karja and decorations for the Sandras, are included, as are some tweaks to specific game mechanics like naval combat and mini-games, and some graphical and performance upticks. All told, this package is certainly worthy of being deemed the game’s definitive edition. The Ys formula, while certainly evolved over time, has always been focused on more action-oriented mechanics, and there are enough bells and whistles here to keep it generally engaging, if a bit repetitive, while the storytelling has taken on a more and more prominent role over time. It may not be up the alley of those looking for deeply engrossing gameplay, but for players with a passing interest in the franchise who have not yet committed to this installment, now’s the perfect time to dive in and get their feet wet.

Under the Island does the job it sets out to do: provide players with an enjoyable adventure with plenty of puzzle-solving along the way. The puzzle-solving elements — including the boss fights — are easily where the game is its strongest, but it never really steps out from the traditional top-down adventure template, and the lack of any substantial narrative and mediocre overall combat prevent it from distinguishing itself from the crowd. While it certainly has enough to satisfy players who pick it up, it doesn’t quite take the next step to fully stand out.

Escape From Ever After is a gem of a game, offering clever layers that are engaging throughout its playtime, as the narrative and the game’s combat truly carry the experience. While I wish the puzzles and platforming were more refined, I can also see the follow-through and how others may not have had the same issues as I did. What I won’t deny is that Sleep Castle Studio has created a genuinely fun game that has brought new life into fairy-tale properties and given them an original spin. Escape from Ever After offers so much joy in such a small package, and those who love stories will find much to adore here.

I am struggling to fully reconcile my feelings about Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. I have nostalgia for the original game, even if it’s not rated highly within the series. However, while I enjoyed some of the changes made, such as the side content with the Morning Glory Orphans and the silly Okinawa Girl Gang, those rose coloured glasses come off when I realized that the story feels quite messy, content from the original has been removed for questionable reasons, and everything in the game feels bloated. Coupled with following some of the worst characters in the series, it’s hard for me to say with confidence that this is the definitive version of the game, because it’s honestly a substantial step backwards.

While Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass has its share of problems, I cannot deny how intrigued I was by the game’s characters, story, and world. Kasey Ozymy has crafted such an intriguing, yet sinister world that makes you want to follow the game’s mysteries to the very end. While the combat is serviceable and the puzzles are passable, these are not the elements that will attract players to pick up the game; rather, it is the absurdity, humour, and sharp writing that will keep them exploring. While the PlayStation 5 port has a few crashes, Starseed has done a decent job of porting the game to modern consoles. While Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is an imaginative experience filled with nightmares, its combat and grindiness hold it back from being a truly exceptional experience.

Nioh 3 feels weighed down by its own scope. There’s a lot of space, and not quite enough content to fill it all adequately. If Nioh as a series was going to move towards an open world, there definitely could have been a better balance between scope and content. This is a game that could have benefited had it traded at least one of the time periods for more unique yokai and more missions. If it had to be this big, the performance issues and eventual repetition indicate it needed a bit more heat and time in the crucible. That said, it does maintain ferocious, ruthless, fast-paced action combat, punctuated by blood-pumping compositions, and it has a generally competent story and world built around it. Just don’t expect it to excel in every dimension.

For RPGamers who like cuteness and low-stakes adventure, there is much to enjoy here. Each of the main areas of the game provides its own puzzles and mysteries to figure out, and discovering how best to approach the various creatures provides for fun adventures. The characters and story are strong points, and the decoration aspect is not to be ignored. Little Witch in the Woods is a game that knows its niche and fills it well.

While it wasn’t the game I had thought to spend much of my winter holiday pursuing, Pokémon Legends Z-A turned out to be a pleasant romp, a delightful return to a part of the game world I hadn’t seen in over a decade, and the chance to learn many new and interesting words in French. I shan’t be delving too deep into the post-game or DLC, so others may touch on those as they wish. All I may say is that this was, in the end, a very welcome Christmas present.

While it wasn’t the game I had thought to spend much of my winter holiday pursuing, Pokémon Legends Z-A turned out to be a pleasant romp, a delightful return to a part of the game world I hadn’t seen in over a decade, and the chance to learn many new and interesting words in French. I shan’t be delving too deep into the post-game or DLC, so others may touch on those as they wish. All I may say is that this was, in the end, a very welcome Christmas present.

Kingdoms of the Dump displays plenty of effort and ideas stemming from a unique premise. Combat tries something new, but ultimately feels like a complicated way of doing something routine, and the platforming bugs can irritate quickly. However, the heartwarming and remarkably designed party members and its world, with something new to see around every corner, make that irritation disappear quickly. Tone shifts between jokes that don’t always land and serious stakes of world altering proportions make the story feel too disjointed to be a win, but the passion is clear and there is still enough quaint charm to give this quirky title a worthwhile look.

It’s very pleasing to see Inazuma Eleven make its return in strong form. Level-5 has translated its gameplay onto PC and consoles well, while keeping the series’ nature and enduring charm intact, as well as ensuring that fans will have plenty to keep them occupied ahead of any potential sequel. There are still plenty of areas for improvement: the non-story modes struggle to find a gameplay loop that is particularly engaging, and there are times where more of a challenge would be welcomed. However, with a solid revival to build upon, here’s hoping it’s a much shorter wait before the next entry.

Tales of Xillia Remastered is another successful feather in the cap of the series’ 30th anniversary Remastered Project. While the game itself has some wrinkles in the story department, and visually the game shows its age, it is still filled with fun combat, wonderful characters, and one of the best antagonists in the whole series.

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a very solid first foray into the Metroidvania/action RPG space for developer Primal Game Studio. Combat is enjoyable and provides many options to tailor the experience to one’s personal taste, even offering some replayability for those wanting to try a wholly different character build. Combat is generally challenging, with a noticeable increase in difficulty coming from some late-game bosses, so this one is not for the casual crowd. A handful of drawbacks must be taken into account, such as a tendency for too many bosses to make palette-swapped repeat appearances, and the Switch port did exhibit some occasional lagginess when transitioning into menus as well as lengthy loading times between areas. But the quality of the gameplay, in addition to a considerable layer of polish in its presentation, easily make up for the occasional technical hiccup, producing a fine overall package that is well worthy of a place in its crowded niche.

Cairn: Mathair’s Curse is a game that’s well worth the time invested in it. While its gameplay might not push the boat out very far, it provides a solid foundation for an engaging storyline and entertaining setting. Heartfelt events, a good balance of zaniness and challenge, and a strong soundtrack ensure that those looking for another strong retro-styled RPG, or even just a fun RPG in general, are well catered for.

Cladun X3 has so many customization options that it is easy to get lost and difficult to find ways to get the full extent of their capabilities. This creates a lack of balance between dungeons, as players are forced to either flee to survive or too overpowered to matter. There’s more strategy and balance in the exciting boss fights, but they are too infrequent to save the fluctuating difficulty. As it is, loot hounds will be happy with the constantly evolving magic circles and equipment, but the unbalanced progression and uneven presentation will not do this quirky dungeon crawler any favours in finding more than a niche audience.

I found myself truly struggling with how I felt overall while playing The Lonesome Guild. On one hand, it’s a game with adorable characters who build their own bonds to push back a very real threat in the form of loneliness. It wears its heart on its sleeve, and while a lot of what happens in the story is fairly cliché, there’s also a warmth and kindness that cannot be understated and is truly the focal point of the game. On the other hand, the combat is uninspired, the dodge mechanic is fussy, the puzzles are often so poorly explained, and the rewards offered to the player have no real value in the grand scheme of things. The Lonesome Guild is a game that will find its audience through its visual appeal, but those wanting much deeper gameplay and story may be disappointed.

If there is anything that should be praised, it’s that Wander Stars is a great reminder that episodic RPGs are a fantastic, if rare, thing. At no point does the game outstay its welcome across its ten episodes, and the writing and characters do a wonderful job of bringing players back. The battle system is interesting, though it ultimately plays a bit too safe, which is a shame given how playful the idea of using one’s words is. There is a lot to enjoy in this tiny package, but the Switch’s performance issues hold it back from being excellent. That being said, Wander Stars is a very joyful game that, if a sequel were made and its issues ironed out, I would be on board to play in an instant.

Ultimately, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is a mixed bag. An excellent Digimon raising and customization system is held back by a shaky combat core, and the game’s interesting yet linear plotline is severely hampered by awkward voice acting and dialogue. There’s parts of the game that are enjoyable, but its flaws hold it back from being truly memorable.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily can be rough going at times, and especially in the final act of the “Happy Ever After” path, but it’s also an entertaining adventure with plenty of strategic twists all the way through. It’s colorful in more than one sense, as well as modern in its themes and mechanics, and the overall package is cuter than the wrapping on a birthday pipe-bomb. It’s still just as explosive, though. RPGamers interested in giving more strategy-oriented titles a try will have some fun with this one.

Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is an easy way to get into the franchise. Sadly, this version has few noteworthy new features and several bugs, making it not as good as one could have wished for. Nonetheless, it is great news that an iconic PC franchise is getting an enhanced version to reach more RPGamers. Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is a recommendation for those who love D&D, but they should expect some bumps along the ride.

Ultimately, Daemon X Machina: Titantic Scion is difficult to recommend. While the bones of combat and customization are well executed, the open world element feels tacked on to an abysmal main narrative, and technical issues hold the game back even further. While these things are forgivable on their own, the full launch price tag feels extremely steep for such an underbaked game that has paid DLC customization options on top of it. Those who enjoy the mech-fighting genre will certainly find something to enjoy here, but others will find a game that feels incredibly undercooked.

Elohim Eternal II: Son of Man has some good elements, but it is constantly at odds with itself. The combat tries to make the most of what it has and can be climactic, but is entirely optional. The story is too often telegraphed and cookie cutter, with any interesting uses of its setting and building connections to the first game coming far too late to be of any worth. Elohim Eternal II: Son of Man is unfortunately left bereft of any engaging sparks, and while perhaps future titles will provide some payoff, it is stuck in a dull routine that it never quite escapes.

So how does this remaster of a vaunted classic stack up in the end? It’s a strange beast, where each step taken by Nightdive to inject some modern convenience is countered by an outdated design decision, though fans of the original will be happy the developers decided to hew closely to what they remember so fondly. It’s all very much a case of “one step forward, one step back,” resulting in a game that absolutely honors its source material, for better or worse. For new audiences, however, that same approach leaves a lot less to latch on to. A classic it may be, though it never quite manages to be as memorable as its equally punishing predecessor despite coming close. Between its crass difficulty, clashing gameplay systems, and at-times-puzzling implementation, System Shock 2 is a game that aims to take the player’s breath away but winds up running dangerously low on oxygen instead.

Megaton Musashi W: Wired offers plenty in terms of a dumb, fun giant robot game. While story issues and performance issues on Switch hold it back from reaching greater heights, the depth of the mecha customization and combat is entertaining overall. The entire package is a bit of a mixed bag, but it’s one with just enough not to feel disappointed.

Elden Ring Nightreign is not the most unusual game FromSoftware has released in its modern era, but it might be the most dense in terms of experimentation. In the spots where the team got to push at the boundaries of what its games are capable of, it’s easy to spot the new, exciting ideas at play. As a roguelike, it can’t quite support the variety expected of the genre. And yet, the core of FromSoftware’s combat is still strong enough that the game is still a blast with friends and so is still somewhat successful at what it sets out to achieve — just don’t expect it to be a big RPG.

There’s an undertone of frustration within Mado Monogatori: Fia and the Wondrous Academy. It is a colourful, magical world, with a charismatic cast of characters who have some of the best comedic situations in an RPG. Unfortunately, combat is just so basic and quick that it feels better to avoid it to just experience more of the world. Luckily, this group of colourful comedians’ antics are funny and charming enough that there’s still a fun adventure to be had.

All in all, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers successfully distinguishes itself as worthy of attention for multiple reasons. Beyond its riveting gameplay and exceptional character customization, Wuchang crafts a vibrant, mystical, and interesting world deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Sadly, the game’s awful quest progression, storytelling mishaps, and occasionally overbearing level design keep the promising concepts, plot premise, and beautiful world from shining like they should. Nevertheless, Wuchang’s sheer excitement is too attractive and makes for a gameplay experience that fans of action RPGs and especially Soulslikes will not want to miss.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a very well executed roguelite action RPG that brings players back to the fascinating world of Random. While the foremost focus this time isn’t the narrative, the combat system has received such a shot of adrenaline that it more than makes up for it. Combat flows fast and frantic, with a wealth of offensive options mixing melee combat with dice- and card-based attacks. Though there is some necessary repetition that sets in due to the roguelike nature of the gameplay, the many synergies possible between various moving parts of the battle and upgrade systems make for a wealth of build flexibility. Anyone with any interest in roguelikes like Hades will want to give it a whirl, while the dark fairy tale atmosphere will be appealing to others. The game wants to present a polished, not revolutionary, experience and manages to deliver on this in spades.

Dragon Is Dead has a solid foundation with incredibly fun combat and an addictive loot grind. Unfortunately, the game fails to implement systems that successfully utilize the repetitiveness inherent to its genre, and without a satisfying narrative, it becomes simply another action roguelite in a long list. RPGamers that enjoy loot systems and roguelites in general will certainly find something to appreciate here, but the game is unlikely to sway those who don’t already enjoy the genre.

Raidou Remastered is an interesting look back at Atlus’s first foray into action RPGs, and, luckily, Atlus has drastically improved the gameplay from the original to make for a significantly more fun and riveting combat experience. While it’s a bit on the shorter side, the distinctive setting and endearing story make for a fun, decently sized adventure, even if the game is still a bit rough around the edges in other regards. For RPGamers looking for a good action RPG, or especially for SMT fans interested in something different from the series’ typical elements, Raidou Remastered is an experience worth picking up.

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny fits an interesting place in gaming history. There’s a weightiness to the visuals and combat that place it more in the past, but the new life given from the analog controls cannot be understated. What results is a comedically charming story that is coupled with methodical action combat. The lack of reliable healing adds a layer of difficulty that makes taking hits problematic and gives added weight to the powerful boss encounters. This particular style of quirky nostalgic charm hasn’t been replicated since the original’s release and the modern improvements make this a treat that is enjoyable to experience firsthand.

Although Maliki: Poison of the Past offers strong storytelling, great art direction, and a stellar soundtrack, it’s still a game, and games need to be fun to play. I want to stress that the strongest elements in Maliki are amazing, and I found myself absolutely loving the characters and their world, but the translation to being a video game wasn’t as smooth as it perhaps could have been. Maliki: Poison of the Past is an ambitious title that can’t overcome its gameplay issues, making it difficult to recommend, but if you’re interested in this series, there are thousands of comic strips to enjoy.

While Toward Dawn certainly tempers some of its ambitions, it is nonetheless an impressive debut title from a solo developer. It displays a fine understanding of what makes RPG tick, and its efforts to showcase and raise interest in its Welsh mythological inspirations are effective. The game is a fun and worthwhile spending of time, and I look forward to seeing what Devi Serene has in store next.

Ultimately, Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon succeeds at a lot of what it’s going for, and it cannot be overstated how successful the adaptation of the Arthurian legend is. Not everyone is going to resonate with the creepier, darker tone, and the game’s technical state leaves much to be desired. However, those that do resonate with it will find an interesting, complex, intelligent narrative with the player being used both as a framing device and a driving force.

All in all, Blades of Fire is a remarkable action RPG, and it executes its themes, combat, and presentation in a balanced, synergistic manner. While it hammers out its best aspects with force and confidence, it unfortunately suffers from pacing issues that hold back its endearing, attractive plot. Despite its stunning presentation and sophisticated location design, the adventure’s scale feels a bit too long for its own good sometimes. Nevertheless, if RPGamers seek fiery and engaging combat, well-designed progression systems, and an exquisitely crafted world, Blades of Fire offers an experience players will want to brush up their smithing skills for.

Creature Keeper demonstrates a promising foundation, but it requires considerable refinement to truly realize its potential and become a consistently enjoyable adventure.

For those looking for an enjoyable retro adventure, Geo Mythica should fit the bill well. The combat ultimately won’t be for everyone, especially as it gets more chaotic to weave around towards the latter portions of the game, but there’s always a fun journey lying underneath it. While the story is fairly predictable, a solid sense of charm permeates everything it does, helped by pacing that ensures it doesn’t outstay its welcome, making for a solid if unspectacular title.

There are two schools of thought for Dark Deity 2. The game will feel very familiar to tactical RPG fans, and it plays things quite safe. However, there’s poise and polish to everything, and a single playthrough is easily enjoyed through its gameplay options alone. Despite the lack of bells of whistles to make it feel unique, the game deserves reward for how it utilizes its strengths. Dark Deity 2 is like picking up comfort food in that it’s perfectly enjoyable as something easy to digest for tactical fans.

On the whole, AI LIMIT hits the target it aims for. It is a solid, if somewhat thin, Soulslike with a pleasing anime aesthetic. The combat is fun with a few decent innovations, the narrative is compelling, and the presentation manages to toe the line of being unique while also feeling familiar to its contemporaries. Unfortunately, a few missteps in the enemy design, voice acting, and technical departments hold it back from true greatness. Those that don’t enjoy the genre are unlikely to find that AI LIMIT solves any problem they might have, but those that do will find a fun addition to their collection.

When Ender Lilies came out, it was a game that captured that side-scrolling feeling perfectly. Ender Magnolia hits all the notes as well, but it follows a game that was more original with a more engaging story. When crafting a sequel, one would hope that a new title would retain some of the spirit of the original work, but for Ender Magnolia, it feels more like a DLC than its own experience. Still, fans of Ender Lilies who want a new world to explore should check out Ender Magnolia.

Shujinkou is a great cover letter in the history of Rice Games, putting the developer on the radar of RPGamers. The game pays a fair homage to several of its influences such as some Atlus entries and also brings some good new ideas to the table. Learning Japanese is optional, but even for casual players vaguely interested in learning, some words will linger on their minds, and the didactic approach is a great idea. Shujinkou has some flaws that can dismay some players, but the overall experience is great and makes one look forward to the next release of Rice Games.

While it may not be the most meorable entry in the series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II still has plenty that series fans thoroughly enjoy. Spending more time with the memorable and delightful cast is never a bad thing, and even though there are elements that don’t quite hit the same or feel a bit superfluous, there’s never any point where the game is in danger of becoming grating. Fans may well come to appreciate its role in simply holding the fort before Kai no Kiseki comes to shake Zemuria up.

Tails of Iron 2 is the poster child for a game that’s going to have a hard time winning over anyone who wasn’t already sold on its predecessor, not due to any lack of quality but because it essentially is its predecessor. It looks and sounds identical, and has nearly the same narrative, despite its new protagonist and setting. It also plays much the same, though the introduction of elemental magic is a welcome bonus source of dishable punishment. Returning players will know to expect a considerable challenge, as the game’s default settings don’t extend a helping paw (though both easier and harder modes are available and can be switched to at any time). All of these elements are what made the first game such a treat, so getting more of them is great, even if it means the game isn’t moving forward in any noticeable way. Unfortunately, some of this excitement is undercut by the new beast hunts, which feel like rather uninspired ways to pad a few extra hours into the game’s runtime. A retread of a fun game isn’t a bad thing by any means, but returning players should be aware that they’ve seen what’s on offer here before.

Ultimately, Tales of Graces f Remastered is a game of peaks and valleys. For some, the combat alone will be enough to carry the experience while they ignore the narrative. For others, the characters will carry an otherwise average and unsatisfying plot. Thankfully, the game gives players as many tools as possible to make their playthrough as accessible as can be, making this an easy starting point for those who haven’t played a Tales game and potentially a fun retread for those who played the PS3 release.

Fans of the first Phantom Brave know just what to expect with the sequel, and it delivers on those grounds. Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero brings the best gameplay mechanics from the first title and lightly refreshes them for a new era, with crisp graphical updates and slight improvements that are sure to delight fans of the genre or developer. While the story lacks the narrative depth of its predecessor, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is a sequel that knows what it is good at, and leans into it, delivering a sharper and more refined experience.

While Keep Driving has its flaws, I can’t deny how addicted I was to the game overall. With short playthroughs that clock anywhere between an hour or two, I became obsessed with obtaining all of the endings, trying different hitchhiker skills, and just enjoying the ride through pixilated backgrounds with my Swedish indie pop in the CD player. While the game’s story is minimal, it’s a point in its favour as it allows the player to create their own road trip adventure. Even though elements struggle — the writing needs another editing pass and the awkward UI made for some sticky situations — there is a lot to love that kept me coming back for more.

While the Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition has plenty of positives in its column, this is primarily due to the original release already representing an impressive effort that is largely unchanged here. Frenetic combat and acrobatic exploration are still satisfying, with some optional collectible-hunting and a handful of other sidequests. The game’s lengthy dungeons and impressive graphics and audio have all been well-preserved, and the inclusion of all three DLC spells even more value for money. As positive as that sounds, there’s also a distinct sense of the game resting on its laurels. There’s a dearth of new features, from quality-of-life options to performance improvements — it’s worth noting that the game crashed a few times during the review playthrough. It seems there just wasn’t a whole lot of tinkering under the hood. Even story recaps, soundtrack samples, or cinematic galleries would have been welcome, but are all conspicuously absent, making for a barebones-effort remaster of an otherwise exciting game.

River City Girls 2 is mostly a refinement of the first game, and there’s honestly nothing wrong with that. While there are new characters and stories to enjoy, the core combat and gameplay remain relatively identical. However, some of the quest glitches and the game’s high price point hurt it at launch, making it a tough sell to purchase at full price for what amounts to a ten-hour experience. Even so, River City Girls 2 is a fun game to knock out over a weekend, especially with a good friend, and I hope Wayforward Technologies considers giving Misako, Kyoko, and friends another whacky adventure in the future.

HeistGeist is deserving of more attention. Those looking for an engaging title to get sucked into for a dozen or so hours will do very well to check it out. It’s not a particularly deep title; a lot of the choices feel like they have very little impact and there’s not a huge amount of ways for players to properly customise their deck, but there’s also a powerful argument that increasing the scope could very easily have caused more problems than benefits and diluted where the game does stand out. However, the tight implementation and focus on the narrative works in HeistGeist’s favour, and its storytelling and gameplay do more than enough to make me interested should Alex ever return for more.

Despite the issues, River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next will appeal to and satisfy the right people. Its chaotic take on The Romance of Three Kingdoms offers some good amusement as its larger-than-life cast threatens to push it off the rails, and there is some small satisfaction in being able to just blow away all comers at times. However, those looking for some more finely-tuned combat and challenge, or any real in-depth gameplay, will need to search elsewhere.

Fairy Tail 2 has a core problem that it fails to solve. Its identity as an adaptation pits it up against both the original manga and the anime, which concluded far before this game’s release, putting the onus on the game to do something to provide an extra spark. While the gameplay systems are solid, they aren’t enough of a positive to overcome that fans would likely receive a more complete narrative elsewhere. Add to that the game’s technical issues, and Fairy Tail 2 ends up being hard to recommend.

VED is a very ambitious title. It takes a lot of hand-drawn intricacies and combines them with strong, thought-provoking character building and interesting storytelling. The first playthrough is rather quick at around six hours and subsequent ones finding new information are even quicker. The lower caliber of its voice acting and lack of depth to combat prevent it from becoming a full indie darling, but seeing how industrial and magical ideologies mix with the lawful and chaotic mindset in a fun fantasy world is consistently exciting. The game will do well with those who appreciate its visual novel tendencies, and the gameplay holds up well enough overall to encourage others to explore the mysteries of Micropolis.

While not all the game’s references have aged well, I applaud Shadow Layer Games for bringing Breath of Death VII: The Beginning back into the RPG universe, adding a needed polish to the original and allowing newcomers to experience the game that launched Zeboyd Games into becoming the indie darlings that our community fell in love with.

Overall, Flowstone Saga is a game that isn’t quite like any other, mainly due to its unique gameplay trappings. The infusion of a Tetris system is a natural fit and even lends itself well to the non-combat parts of the game. Despite being a good match on paper, the system’s robustness is directly proportional to the player’s tolerance for Tetris, with plentiful combat encounters that will wear thin for some in the long run. However, the game’s other elements more than make up for any shortcomings here, with beautiful visuals, a jumping soundtrack, and a lengthy and well-written story full of characters that are a joy to get to know over the course of 20 or so hours. It’s a package worth experiencing, with lots to love and enjoy.

Bloomtown: A Different Story combines familiar aspects of popular Stranger Things and Persona franchises and twists them to create something different. The narrative does a solid job of blending horror and comedy with colourful visuals and catchy music. However, the gameplay loop just doesn’t quite have the tightness to make things properly tick. Demon fusing, bonding, and time limits are at times refreshingly straightforward, yet also frustrating in their lack of depth. There’s definitely something to be gained from taking a hike in and around Bloomtown, though its quirks prevent it from being a must stay locale.

Metal Slug Tactics is a title built on discovery and then repetition. Running and gunning in a tactical sense is evoked wonderfully in the presentation found here. Unfortunately, the short gameplay loop brings things down as limited boss variety and minimal incentive to try something new means that this presentation gets lost in the monotony. A bit more variety or difficulty in recreating overpowered party members would lead to something great here. What is here makes for a worthy addition to the Metal Slug franchise, that luckily does not need quarters to play through time-after-time.

It should be said that for all of the criticism to be made about Dragon Age: The Veilguard, there’s nothing it outright does poorly. It is absolutely lots of fun in the moment, and the cast is worthy of note. However, when all is said and done, there’s little that sticks in the memory. Combat is heavily diluted by a lack of variation and strategy in its encounters, while the locations have little that draws them to life outside of their general premise. The quest to emulate Mass Effect 2 is all well and good, but there’s very little that The Veilguard does that it makes its own. The game will certainly garner plenty of highly satisfied fans, but in a time of much greater competition it’s far from a must-play recommendation.

Overall, Black Myth: Wukong is a good game. Developer Game Science delivered on its promise of high-quality graphics, though some of its greatness was lost on the PlayStation 5. The action gameplay is entertaining and easy to learn, but despite its clever attempts to innovate, it still feels repetitive after dozens of hours. Crafty players can alternate builds to modulate and refresh their battle experience, but it’s only a temporary solution.

For a game that takes under ten hours to beat, Necro Story provides some entertaining moments while respecting the time of its players; it’s paced well for the scope of the game and the story it’s telling. The battle system and second-half humor are definite highlights and made me glad that I gave the game a try. However, a pretty bland first half, a bevy of little bugs, and a conclusion that is more likely than not going to end badly hold the game back from being a whole-hearted recommendation.

It is often said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. This seems to have been Inti Creates’ modus operandi for the better part of the last decade, and Card-en-Ciel is no exception. While a card-battling, rogue-lite RPG in the style of Mega Man Battle Network is not a wholly original idea, this game’s spin on the concept brings more than enough originality in its mechanics to stand on its own. Couple that with an impressive level of polish and stellar presentation, and it’s easy to recommend Card-en-Ciel to anybody.

Keylocker has a lot of things going for it, and is a genuinely good experience with the right expectations. The narrative is lacking polish, but inside it are some genuinely exciting and interesting moments. The gameplay is in a similar state, but when the combat is good it’s really good and offers a satisfying take on traditional turn-based combat. Keylocker hits the wrong note a few times, but boy is there a lot to like in its performance.

Beyond Galaxyland is a welcome addition to the RPG cosmos. Its audiovisual mixture is both distinctive and effective, while the gameplay and narrative keeps everything moving along nicely. The combat may get a bit rote towards the end, and there are some frustratingly unanswered story questions when all is said and done, but there’s no denying it’s a positive experience all the way through. It’s a game that’s easy to recommend in general, but for those whom a speedily-paced RPG that offers enjoyable exploration, some engaging sci-fi mystery, and a solid turn-based system sounds appealling, Beyond Galaxyland should be right up their alley.

Fairy Tail: Dungeons is no Slay the Spire, but in some ways that’s a good thing. It provides an easier to grasp experience that provides a fun dungeon romp for fans and non fans alike. It has enough variety in the form of a good roster of playable characters and other secrets to unlock, but does lack the depth to make the game the kind of long-running obsession other roguelikes have become. The story adds nothing to the long running lore of Fairy Tail, but provides enough fun character interactions to make it worth it for fans. Even non-fans looking for a pixel-art infused card battler will find a fun game to enjoy here.

While not without its weaknesses, Arco is thoroughly welcome addition to this year’s slate of releases. The game’s setting does a fine job bringing in an underutilised inspiration and putting its own stamp on it, while the gameplay offers something refreshingly different. As an enjoyably condensed package, it’s well worth the time.

Elemental Exiles tries to put a spin on the traditional deckbuilder. It is somewhat novel to see an identical map in use for each playthrough, as it makes the easiest routes more obvious. The biggest additions are the durability system and how elemental damage affects shielding. Despite being simple, these ideas create a whole new way of deckbuilding to dig into. However, there’s minimal story, encounters repeat after a few quick runs, and there’s nothing enticing about the presentation. This leads to a pedestrian execution of an otherwise solid concept. It is enjoyable in short bursts due to the variety, but the interest quickly drops off when things start to repeat.

From beginning to end, Stellar Blade remains consistently wonderful from a presentation perspective, uneven but perfectly well from a gameplay perspective, and lifeless and poorly executed from a narrative perspective. Stellar Blade consistently shines in many areas, but any recommendation must come with a heave “your mileage may vary.”

Despite these technical flaws, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate stands out amongst the sea of TMNT games. Sure, it might at times seem like a Turtles-skinned Hades clone, but the roguelike aspect gels quite well with the franchise. The game doesn’t reinvent things, and its appeal may be limited to fans of the series or roguelikes. Yet for those who are drawn to the gameplay loop, there is an addictive experience here. The turtles might be stuck in a time loop, but Splintered Fate’s smooth combat, availability of multiple playstyles, and snappy presentation make sure it’s an entertaining, if somewhat bumpy, ride.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an enjoyable experience, but may struggle to stick in the memory. There are some interesting ideas at play, but the execution just always leaves a little bit to be desired. While it never perhaps hits the same heights as other titles, it maintains a solid baseline that successfully holds interest for its playtime.

It’s impossible to miss the overall sense of fun that permeates every aspect of Echo Generation. From its coming-of-age concept to its silly, sometimes irreverent narrative turns, to its memorable presentation, it’s clear this is a pure passion project for its developers. The narrative may not be the hardest-hitting stuff, and combat eventually becomes more of a chore than its payoff is worth due to spongy late-game enemies. But anybody who enjoys a sci-fi yarn that blends Stand by Me with The X-Files, or grew up in the ’90s, will still find plenty to enjoy here.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I booted up Sand Land, but I was surprised by my experience. While I had no familiarity with the property, I found myself loving the quirky characters, the charming narrative, and the wide world to explore. On the other hand, the combat and the game’s side content leave a lot to be desired. At no point is Sand Land a bad game, it’s a quick, charming romp full of humour, but definitely has room to improve should a sequel be made.

Capcom has definitely found its footing in terms of creating a kid-friendly Monster Hunter spinoff series, as Monster Hunter Stories 2 has a lot to offer for newcomers and veterans of the series alike. While the battle system is fantastic for a younger audience, it does lack depth and can feel like quite the slog, especially late game. While the story won’t wow anyone, it is sincere in its approach that it’s hard to be disappointed in it. Monster Hunter Stories 2 is great for monster-taming fans, and those who don’t mind a slow-paced game in a gorgeous and inviting world.

The addition of extra layers and modernity to a classic old-school dungeon crawler makes Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord‘s remake an enjoyable accomplishment. The gameplay is still punishing, but it’s more manageable with added layers of strategic planning to make bad luck easier to swallow, while the presentation’s overhaul adds enough to make everything feel exciting to be a part of. The biggest detriment is that it is perhaps too faithful to the original as the punishing difficulty is sure to turn some away even as it brings turn-based thrill-seekers ever closer to see just how hard these games can really be. So, with that in mind, there’s still a lot to enjoy in this faithful remake of a true classic.

The stars never fully aligned for Dread Delusion but it’s still an admirable effort. The world is intriguing, the dialogue surprisingly funny, and the sights something to behold. It’s also an adventurers dream, as the best parts of the game are seeing something new and bee-lining for it only to stumble across something else in the process. The game may end up a little too soft and mushy to wholly come together, but its ease can allow for a wider audience to come check out just how zany everything else is.

The remaster of Monster Hunter Stories brings what was already a great turn-based RPG to even more RPGamers, inviting newcomers to dive into the series. Its big, colorful world is worth exploring. Monster Hunter Stories may be a spin-off but it is an adorable game that will please both fans of the franchise and fans of RPGs.

Capes starts off with an interesting superhero premise of a dystopian city that is controlled by the villains. At the start, the gameplay can be rewarding and engaging, while the characters are well voice-acted, and the game has some nice tactical gameplay until the mid-game. However, things don’t manage to carry through and the latter parts of the game leave much to be desired. Those looking for a new superhero strategy game will get some enjoyment out of Capes, but could easily find themselves hoping there was more to it.

Another Crab’s Treasure doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike wheel by any means. Rather than adding its own twists to the well-established formula, it instead doubles down on what has already been established, adopting a parry-heavy combat formula and pairing it with tried-and-true environmental exploration. It does, however, establish some unique ideas. Not only does the shell system tie in well with the game’s unique aquatic setting, but it also adds a good amount of flexibility for players to overcome obstacles. Allowing players to tweak many of the settings inherent to the genre further makes its otherwise fairly challenging campaign accessible to gamers of all skill levels. Coupled with a charming presentation and cast of characters, this could very well be the game that will bring new RPGamers into the Soulslike fold, making it a game that is well worthy of checking out for anyone with even a passing interest in the genre.

Dream Tactics makes decent use of its pixel graphics. It never tries to do too much with them, but the colours and design keeps things appealling and feels at home with the game’s general sense of humour. Much the same can largely be said of the music, while not being especially memorable after the fact, it provides an enjoyable backing to the exploration and combat that keeps up engagement. While it might not be a title that especially stands out in any singular aspect, Dream Tactics is nonetheless a highly enjoyable romp. An appreciably speedy yet deep combat system combines with some entertaining character interactions and a fun gameplay loop. All of its parts work nicely in tandem and many players will find the game to be a fine way to unwind.

On one hand, I am happy I finally got the chance to play System Shock, but the experience I had was mixed overall. While the storytelling, world-building, and environments were interesting and engaging, its gunplay, awkward UI, and unbalanced difficulty make the game hard to recommend outside of those who have already experienced it before. This remake retains a lot of old-school design choices but dresses them up in a new 3D outer shell, meaning it’s still the same game from 1994, for better or worse. Those who love challenging gameplay and don’t mind some stiff gunplay will find a lot to like here, but for first-timers, this game is not newcomer-friendly, and you’re better off tracking down a copy of Prey or BioShock which do a better job of being more inviting story-driven shooter experiences.

Withering Rooms tells an unhinged story of various descents into insanity. Nightingale Williams is an interesting focal point for these crazed inhabitants that all dwell inside an ancient idol’s dream world. This great hook is partnered with a robust roguelite inventory to make things a harrowing survival with every step. Mostyn House is not for the faint of heart, those braving the corridors of this nightmare will find a fun yet disturbing time, just be prepared to swap between difficulties in some situations.

Despite some gripes, Born of Bread feels like a team of creative and talented designers were given free rein to design a world the way they wanted, even infusing it with genuinely hilarious comedic writing throughout. However, the limitations enacted by the combat system upon itself, i.e. being beholden to ally and enemy affinities without any way of adjusting them to fit the situation at hand, actively hamstring the game’s positive aspects. The QTE-style attacks make the whole thing a needlessly repetitive chore that undermines the joy found in the game’s world design and writing. Those with a love for all things Paper Mario surely won’t mind it, but everyone else will want to go into the experience prepared for what’s to come.

Pixel Noir is a wonderful concept that I felt so much excitement towards. What the game gets right, it does incredibly well, but what the game gets wrong falls flat on its face. The game is clearly a labour of love by SWDTech and that is apparent in all facets of the gameplay, story, and presentation. Unfortunately, the game is so riddled with game-breaking bugs that it can’t be recommended in its current state.

There’s a lot of little pieces that work in Blade Prince Academy, mostly on the combat side. Characters have snappy designs, but the fast-forward plot makes their personalities feel stilted. The game is ultimately a passable, but not fully realized, experience with the novel gameplay the only element that stands out. It is likely worth a look for those with whom the style resonates, just be prepared for fast thinking or copious use of the pause button.

There’s a lot to appreciate about The Thaumaturge and that’s the stuff that will stick around. The weaknesses in the combat prevent some cool ideas from ever fully taking off. The rushed ending, whether the result of running out of time during development or an awkward playthrough, means the plot trips at the finishing line. But the uniqueness of the setting goes a long way toward making the game an interesting sell and the characters are fun to spend time with. So while far from perfect, there’s enough care in this project to make it a worthwhile visit.

Banishers is not quite the unqualified win I wanted it to be, but it’s easy to appreciate on its merits. While the combat overstays its welcome and the exploration leaves a lot to be desired, there’s enough here to like for those who like strong narratives with great characters. For all its faults, the game is entirely confident in what it’s attempting to do. What’s more, with the foundation laid there’s plenty of potential for its faults to be addressed in future works. And it will be interesting to see what this team does next.

There’s a lot of love in the story presentation of Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader. It is a blast to see how dark and depraved the world can get and how each of the companions build their journey. There’s just a ton to do, with an exhausting 100+ hour experience made longer with glitches and ridiculous loading times. These issues are constantly undercutting the core experience and making even the joyous parts feel like a chore. Maybe there’s a day where the chores are only a distant memory. That time isn’t now though.

Although it might be hard for Atlas Wept to stand out among the flood of games currently available, it offers strong bang for its buck. The dozen-hour playtime is perfectly judged and fits in nicely with the depth of gameplay and breadth of its story. It’s a worthwhile experience, offering a touching tale that examines humanity with a vital spark of hope at the end.

Crymachina is continually plagued by its imbalance. The emotion can be impactful, especially with the relationships forged between the characters, but it is bogged down by a convoluted story. Combat is snappy and fast, but slowed down by an excessive upgrade system and grueling grind. Lighting and effects are gorgeous and colorful, while areas remain repetitive and bland. It takes too much work to get to the good of Crymachina and only those desperately itching for a sci-fi action RPG will enjoy completing it. It’s a shame because the concept it uses to explore humanity is an interesting one, but too many issues dampen its emotional punch.

I wish that I could call Atlas Fallen an overlooked gem from an overstuffed year of games, but it doesn’t quite reach that bar. It’s not an unsalvageable project and with some refinement in the gameplay, a stronger script, and some better performances this could be a solid action RPG. I didn’t even have a chance to try out the game’s co-op, which could potentially go some ways to opening up the game’s RPG elements. That doesn’t change that what is there is a fine attempt at something new but one that never fully rises to the occasion.

My Time at Sandrock certainly doesn’t skimp on the content, with players able to expect at least a hundred hours before they hit the credits. It uses those hours well enough, with an absorbing gameplay loop that always gives players the feeling that they are progressing in one manner or another, even when it might be categorisable as busywork. Despite a weaker presentation than contemporary titles and a last third that meanders without the urgency of what came before, the game is a pleasing experience and one that those with even just a passing interest in the life and crafting sim genre are likely to enjoy their time with.