For those who missed The World Ends with You originally, the Nintendo Switch version is a great way to see what all the fuss was about. Its gameplay, style, characters, and story are still perfectly fresh even ten years following its original release. Meanwhile, those wanting to try it again will find plenty to like about its adjusted gameplay and particularly some of the new ideas brought about in A New Day. The new conclusion doesn’t offer the answers to story questions that existing fans will have, but if Final Remix provides the success the game deserves, perhaps those answers will come.

While not perfect, especially when it comes to combat in Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect Legendary Edition is still a gem. Most of the changes were put into Mass Effect 1, and the effort made it far more replayable than the original. Mass Effect 3 holds up the best of the three, proving that regardless of the controversial ending, it is still one of the best gaming experiences BioWare has made to date. Mass Effect 2 could’ve done with some more tweaking to bring it up to 3’s combat. Legendary Edition gives hope for the future of the franchise.

Those looking for an easy-to-pick-up and entertaining RPG experience would have to work very hard to find a better option.

For those looking for an engaging historical RPG, Expeditions: Rome is an easy recommendation. The options for tailoring the difficulty allows players to focus on their preferred elements and make it challenging, welcoming, and rewarding depending on what players want. While the game’s interpretation of Rome may simplify the issues of the time, Expeditions: Rome successfully uses its setting to create a very enjoyable role-playing experience.

This year has already been a strong one for RPGs, and NEO: The World Ends with You just adds to that case. The opportunity to return to Square Enix’s take on Shibuya has been far too long coming, but now that it’s here, it’s immensely pleasing to say that NEO: The Worlds Ends with You does everything I was hoping. Despite some repetitive combat, the rest of the experience more than makes up for it, with the narrative, audio, and visuals combining excellently to make the game enthralling for the length of its forty-plus-hour runtime.

Borderlands 2 is a great game to play in bursts, and the handheld format lends itself to this type of game perfectly.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is about new beginnings and, speaking as a relative beginner to the franchise, it is a great adventure. The artwork and character designs are just a treat, and it’s always worth getting to the next island just to see what big bad resides there. The combat system is snappy, making it a fun way to fight to the next heartfelt story beat that runs the whole gamut of emotions. Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is an eye-catching and enjoyable appeal to wide audiences, and serves as a great example for the franchise.

All things considered, Dark Dawn is still the game series fans have been waiting seven years for.

The battles are addictively fun with deep tactics, challenging gameplay, and imaginative maps and objects. S.T.E.A.M. does lack somewhat with its story and characterization, but its strong combat makes up for it, and the game's aesthetics suit its decidedly absurd premise.

Astral Chain is a very welcome addition the Nintendo Switch’s library and PlatinumGames’ portfolio. Some areas are stronger than others; the combat and style are both excellent, but platforming sections are less engaging and the game’s doesn’t make full use of its interesting premise and setting by preferring to go into more straightforward anime melodrama. It’s one that’s well worth checking out for RPGamers and non-RPGamers alike.

For veteran Actraiser players, Renaissance brings to the table more of everything great about the original, and the new content creates an engaging gameplay cycle that, while not perfect, still recaptures the ephemeral fun of the original release in a way no other god-sim hybrid has done since. There’s a little something for everyone, including adjustable difficulty, improved RPG elements, a deeper storyline, and competent combat. It’s great to see a beloved classic recaptured with much-needed modern updates while ensuring the charm of the original never loses its place.

Class of Heroes is about the gameplay, though, not the story or visuals or sound, and it triumphs magnificently.

With its placement as a capstone on the titles that have come before, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is very much one for the fans. It’s largely a celebration of all that’s come before it, both narratively and in its combat, and ultimately successful for doing so. It’s nature means Trails into Reverie is lacking some of the fun investigative parts that have helped players inhabit the world, but being able to see all of the main characters interact again is a pleasure, and it once again pulls off an impressive emotional finale. With all that said and done, it’s definitely time the series headed for new pastures and hopefully western fans won’t have too long to wait before finding out where it goes in Kuro no Kiseki.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a wonderful remake where it is easy to see how much the team cares about the story and characters. Little touches in the revamped visuals and voice work add a vibrancy to the adventure that is much appreciated. This vibrancy loses some luster with an uneven pacing that highlights far too many meandering moments at the speed of everyday life, though it does build to just as many unforgettable crescendos of incredible storytelling. The hybrid action system, combined with the orbal arts system, adds a variety to combat that makes it enjoyable throughout. Altogether, the best and worst of deep worldbuilding are in full display and makes for a delightful re-entry into this long running franchise.

I didn't really know what to expect going into Zwei, but for me, the game quickly became the best surprise of 2017. Fun, quick gameplay, cute characters, and a charming story and world all come together to create a terrific experience that hides its nearly ten year old age surprisingly well. It's not a lengthy game, clocking in at a little over twenty hours, but optional dungeons and a new game plus mode can extend that significantly. While the series doesn't have the same history as Ys and Trails, after playing through Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection, I would happily welcome further adventures through Granvallen.

The First Berserker delivers an uncompromisingly tight combat experience that is further buoyed by an interesting, if somewhat unevenly paced, plot and a gorgeous presentation that is equal parts relentlessly grim and oppressive. The bosses are epic, enthralling, and even elegant at times, and even in easy mode, players are sure to get a tough but fair adventure. Its commitment to this identity is both impressive and formidable, and The First Berserker is sure to deliver thrills to players willing to meet its challenges.

Infinite Space's flaws are noticeable but do not detract overall from an expansive, addictive game.

During its six-hour runtime, not counting the New Game Plus mode that gives access to extra battles, secrets, and endings, Everhood manages to not only distinguish itself from its influences, but also to turn the expectations that come with them upside-down, all to provide an experience that can’t be found anywhere else. Whether or not the game will achieve a cult status remains to be seen, but players itching for something out of the ordinary better not let Everhood slip under their radar.

Half-Minute Hero is a terrific game, and PSP owners would be remiss to pass it up.

Eminently playable, even for RPGamers who missed the first installment in the series. While the bugs and slowdowns were constant companions, this reviewer was able to look past them for the personality underneath; others may not be as forgiving.

Yo-kai Watch 3 will offer most RPGamers plenty of hours of fun. The game makes good use of the 3DS’s dual-screen in its final entry on the system with Yo-kai Watch 4 already confirmed as a Switch title. There are some annoyances, mostly related to a bit of unnecessary padding and a few potential roadblocks, and there’s a bit of sense of quantity over quality in some of its side content, but its general upbeat attitude towards everything is very welcome and on the whole successful.

Like its predecessors, Fable III manages to improve upon the last title while simultaneously falling short on the new elements it brings to the table.

As it stands though, it is a fascinating strategy RPG that anyone who loves strategy RPGs needs to play.

Fans of tactical RPGs will enjoy the game's solid and original combat, which will also appeal to those that have grown tired of playing the same old thing. Even those RPGamers who are generally turned off by tactical RPGs might find this new hybrid combat system enough to offset the things that normally turn them off from the subgenre.

As a whole, CrossCode is a great game with a memorable story and great combat. It makes a great transition from the PC to the Switch aside from a few minor technicalities, and now players can enjoy this game on the go. The gameplay is a joy, taking the Zelda and Secret of Mana styles of gameplay and evolving it into something much better. However, the bombardment of puzzles throughout the game will turn off those who prefer more ‘action’ in their RPG formula. Nonetheless, this game provides a unique experience with plenty of the MMO-esque options and an incredible sense of world-building that will leave players with plenty to do and explore.

If you are into this series because of the story, The Banner Saga 2 is a much stronger offering than the first game, and it will keep you guessing from start to finish.

Fans of the Arland trilogy will surely adore their experience with Meruru, but for newcomers, this may not be the best place to start if you want to get a feel for the entire world. Still, Meruru is the silver lining at the end of this wonderful trilogy, and it will no doubt bring joy and closure to the long-time fans who stayed along for the journey.

Perhaps the most affirming praise to offer Slay the Spire is that instead of writing about it, I would prefer to be playing it instead. The game has an addictive quality where all the little choices made can pay off in big ways down the road. The combat is straightforward enough for anyone to grasp while also offering incredible depth, and the simple act of deck-building is entertaining in and of itself. Where the game needs to exceed it does so by multiple degrees, more than enough to outweigh the minor quibbles it garners after hours of play. Any opportunity to even try the game should be greeted with enthusiastic expediency.

Zettai Hero Project: Unlosing Ranger Vs. Darkdeath Evilman is a lot of fun. It can be a mindless dungeon delve or the highly focused bout of number juggling and grinding that fans have come to expect from Nippon Ichi Software.

Short, thoughtful games — including Signs of the Sojourner — are necessary, so it’s easy to look at a call for more with suspicion. Do the mechanics and dev-hours support the variety that a call for more locations, more characters, more stories would entail? Where does the call for more feed into the call for excessive commodification of personal projects? Despite these concerns, more Signs of the Sojourner would glorify an already compelling game. By the time its rhythms fall into place, the game is already over. Teasing out its secrets enhances its replayability, but it’s exciting to think of a future with more opportunities to jam out in Aldhurst and be a catalyst for social change.

If the original Atelier Rorona's major drawbacks and barriers to entry were its difficulty and time-consuming crafting, then Rorona Plus fixed one and made the other less relevant.

For those who have bounced off of other at-home workout products, Ring Fit Adventure makes working out as entertaining as it is satisfying, avoiding the deadly monotony most other exercise programs eventually run into.

The Prince’s Edition is probably the best way to enjoy this content, as its staggered inclusion throughout the game gives it more utility to the player as a means of raising levels, materiel, and equipment, rather than leaving one with a feeling of “more of the same” well after the player has exhausted what the main game has to offer. Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is nothing like its predecessor in general playstyle, but it shares the same sense of whimsy and wonder, the same motifs of sadness and redemption, and is a well-built game overall.

Anyone who's interested in the strategic side of classic RPG combat and isn't afraid of the beat should give The Metronomicon a look.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is the perfect starting point for those who are new to the series. Many small quality-of-life changes help streamline the experience for players, additional content and costumes create more flavor to the story, and the addition of the orchestral soundtrack bolsters the experience. It’s a shame that the Switch port wasn’t re-rendered to give S the same graphic prowess as the original game, but even with its noticeable downgrades, Dragon Quest XI S is well worth the time.

Soul Hackers 2 is a great spin-off. It isn’t as long or ambitious as other Shin Megami Tensei titles, but it’s clearly made with the same quality. While the reduced number of demons and the simpler mechanics can be a negative for veterans, Soul Hackers 2 proves to be a much friendlier starting point for newcomers. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy this installment, even if it lacks the complexity of other titles in the series.

Despite a few hiccups, Pokémon Y is a terrific addition to the series, but it's hard to really call it better than generation five. While it has a number of great new features, it also has a number of significant flaws, and the dearth of new pokémon is disappointing, especially in light of the addition of a whole new type.

On the whole, Monster Crown: Sin Eater is a shining addition to the monster taming genre. With its diverse array of monsters at the forefront, it features a truly harrowing, cruelly immersive world full of violence and sin. While its scope and non-linear design can sometimes lead to some odd pacing and gameplay imbalance, it largely remains engaging due to its atmospheric, well-designed world, strong writing and lore, and excellent audiovisual experience. From Asur’s humble farm beginnings all the way to the heights of Meru Spire, Sin Eater provides a monstrously oppressive adventure, top-to-bottom.

While it isn't a revolution on the tried-and-true gameplay formula, it nevertheless takes the genre into a fresh direction, retaining what makes it work for fans while putting some unique touches on the combat system, setting, and overall flavor. It presents a bleak, dystopian future and is wracked with unrelenting difficulty, but if the cost of admission is a few prematurely grey hairs, it's absolutely worth it.

Ghostwire: Tokyo is a fascinating and very worthwhile new title from Tango Gameworks. While there’s plenty of room for improvement in the main narrative and in establishing its antagonists, the content of the side missions ensures the game remains interesting throughout. Its ability to transport players into its supernatural Tokyo is not to be understated, and uncovering the different Japanese spirits while helping those unable to move on gives the game a thoroughly engaging loop that is hard to put down. In an already strong gaming year, Ghostwire: Tokyo is another title absolutely worth investing time into.

The remake does an amazing job of appealing to both newcomers and veterans by offering two versions of the game. Those who were bothered by the technical issues in the original version can enjoy the remake with all its new features, while those who want more of a challenge can still enjoy the no-frills Classic Mode.

Dragon Quest Builders manages to strike a great balance, combining a streamlined Minecraft-inspired building system with a goal-directed minimalist RPG series. The simple nature of each can lack depth when compared to standalone games in the corresponding genre, but as a combination it works, enabling players to delve into each system without overloading them. The game's somewhat repetitive nature, outdated graphics, and limited combat do somewhat detract, but with the added dash of nostalgia and a hefty dose of humorous charm, Square Enix has the beginnings of a successful formula on its hands with Dragon Quest Builders.

Trials of Mana is colorful, quirky, familiar, and a lot of fun. It is a blueprint for how an older RPG can be remade in a way that keeps the charm and working parts of the original but upgrades it so that it is graphically appealing to a modern audience. The game is unapologetically retro in its story and progression. This works as its best quality and greatest detriment. The handholding for the first eight-or-so hours makes for a less interesting experience, especially considering that makes for roughly a third of the entire game. However, even with that early dip in excitement, Trials of Mana is a thoroughly worthwhile game.

Devil Survivor was one of the DS's best games and Overclocked is a great title on the 3DS.

Despite having some areas that need improvement, Freedom Wars is very easy to sink many hours into and is a thoroughly engaging handheld experience all-round. Complaints that the Vita has very few great games of interest have rightfully been met with scorn, and Freedom Wars is a strong addition to the system's library.

The story may take awhile to get truly interesting, but the early portion is not unappealing, and the rest of the game is quite worthwhile.

The speedy combat is addictive and goes beyond mere button mashing, so while Ys Seven might not be a AAA release, it is a solid title that deserves a shot.

Despite being an all-around improvement over the original Borderlands, Borderlands 2's biggest flaw is that it plays it safe.

As far as The Legend of Zelda franchise is concerned, Cadence of Hyrule is a definite spin-off, and it has no designs to be anything but. However, the game is far more than just Crypt of the NecroDancer with a Zelda skin slapped on top. The addictive feel of classic Zelda is here in spades, just executed a little differently. To prepare for this review, I cleared normal mode, then started a new game to just try out the additional modes. What was meant as nothing more than a quick foray to test out all available options quickly turned into a second full playthrough. The music, the enemies, the world — it all feels unmistakably Zelda, even if Link now has a bit of added pep in his step.

Atelier Annie is a game that shouldn't be missed, especially if players are looking for a good laugh and some challenging tasks. Just be prepared to work hard, or else you might receive a beating from Pepe for slacking off!

All in all, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island provides a thoroughly enjoyable and constantly engaging adventure. It updates the presentation and online features of the series, while stubbornly sticking to the tried and true mechanics that have worked since the SNES era. The challenge can be quite high, but the game will constantly unlock new tools along with a wealth of information, making it feel like the game is rooting for the player to succeed without compromising on the game’s structure. It may not have the wow factor to recruit legions of new fans to the series, but for anyone not afraid to explore its depths, a massive and fun adventure awaits.

The combat continues to improve — it’s incredibly fun taking down huge groups of yakuza — and the story and characters really shine. However, at times the rough edges on the detective elements remind the player that this is the first crack at this sort of gameplay. So it’s not a unanimous decision in Judgment‘s favor, but it is still a ton of fun and the inclusion of English voice acting and lack of an intimidating back cannon makes it a great place for newcomers to see what a Yakuza game is all about.

Defender's Quest is a triumphant blending of RPG and tower defense and should provide plenty of entertainment for fans of both genres. Though the controls may not be ideally suited to the genre, Level Up Labs has done a nice job bringing players steadily to the game and offers an impressive level of control that will appeal to the hardcore and casual player alike. Addictive gameplay and entertaining writing makes for a great experience all around.

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes deserves to be thought of as one of the strongest Warriors crossovers so far. The game fully dives into the elements of its parent series and is all the better for it. Although the overall story is eminently forgettable, the opportunity to spend more time with the characters and see them interact with each other again is very welcome, and it’s backed up by strong gameplay that makes fine use of the depth available to it.

Rain-Slick 3 is a terrific little indie RPG, and hopefully the launching point for something much bigger from Zeboyd in the future.

The game isn't terribly long, likely lasting most players a bit more than twenty hours if they take their time, but there is room for a second playthrough if players want to try a different evil philosophy.

While South Park: The Fractured But Whole improves on Stick of Truth in a lot of ways, the whole experience feels somehow less grand. Although the game is slightly longer, probably lasting most players 20-30 hours, it doesn't push the boundaries nearly as far as Stick of Truth, and the poor pacing towards the end of the game definitely detracts from the overall experience. That said, there are a huge number of highly memorable moments peppered throughout the game, and it's an experience South Park fans won't want to miss.

At the end of the day, SaGa Emerald Beyond takes what worked in its predecessor and improves upon it, while bringing in touches of classic SaGa at the same time. The story provides a fun if surface-level romp through a variety of worlds. With many different main characters to choose from, there’s also a wealth of replayability. With one of the best and most engaging battle systems out there, even the most seasoned RPGamers will find their skills tested. SaGa Emerald Beyond is easily one of the best and most accessible SaGa games in series history.

Even with its technical shortcomings on last-generation hardware, it is hard to not call Assassin’s Creed Valhalla an amazing open-world RPG. It’s obvious that Ubisoft did its homework and learned from Origins and Odyssey. Valhalla’s story is one of the best not only in the franchise but in the open-world RPG genre. The world is vast but not laden with empty, pointless space. Combat is addicting, character customization is the best the franchise has ever seen, and the welcome return of composer Jesper Kyd makes for one of last year’s most immersive and satisfying experiences.

I do not care for sports games, and yet I adored Pyre. It's one of those games where in the hands of an amateur developer, the idea could have been flimsy and the execution awkward. Supergiant Games constantly shows passion and innovation with each of its titles, and doesn't seem to be afraid to go back to the drawing board when something isn't quite working. Pyre is essentially the high fantasy version of Space Jam, only the Reader is not Michael Jordan and no one from the NBA had their powers stolen, yet the team has heart, soul, and is made of a bunch of rag-tag misfits. It's easy to root for the little guys.

Ys: Memories of Celceta has a lot going for it. The game's battle system is fast and very engaging, the story really takes off in the latter half, and the soundtrack is engrossing and memorable.

For an RPG under two hours long, Kabuto Park offers an excellent balance of bug collecting and battling, keeping everything in its tight package simple. It’s one of those rare games that I restarted simply because I found myself wanting to go through all over again. Doot Tiny Games has offered RPGamers a cozy RPG that will take players back to simpler times when exploring the world around them was the way of life. Any RPGamer who loves a creature collector RPG or wishes to indulge in a short and sweet experience should absolutely spend five dollars to check out this gem of an indie game.

Ultimately, Birthright is an excellent tactical game with a lackluster story.

Regardless of what-ifs, Revelation does its job well as the game half-way between the two main campaigns that answers unexplored questions.

While Harvestella’s combat is certainly not the strongest, its supporting elements provide such a strong base and structure that the game still readily rises up above the large crowd of titles released this year. Harvestella somehow manages to pull off some highly ambitious storytelling, accompanying with it a highly satisfying gameplay loop that is hard to put down. The game has a much stronger and widespread appeal than many may have been lead to believe heading into its release, and is an easy recommendation.

Fantasian Neo Dimension is a tale of two halves. Its first half feels like an homage to the older parts of the legendary catalogue of its creators. The second half, meanwhile, feels like that homage got to flex its muscles and pummel players into submission as they endeavor against boss fights until the adventure reaches its conclusion. Those able to adapt to the shifting changes between halves will find a love letter to turn-based RPGs that could only come from lifelong experts. The pacing shifts cause a juxtaposition between a restrictive feeling start and thematically minimal end, which just goes to show that even experts can find ways to grow in a given field. Where passion, creativity, and talent co-exist in such a lovely harmony always means there’s new avenues to explore and this wonderful game is worth undertaking the journey.

The bottom line is that Super Robot Wars Y is a high-octane ride from start to finish. There’s so much to love here in terms of the game’s robust combat system, the excellent mixture of franchises that are both new and old, and a soundtrack that absolutely slaps. Having never previously played a Super Robot Wars game, I can confidently say that while there are a lot of systems and franchises to understand, once everything clicks, it becomes an addictive experience, making it great for newcomers. While not every franchise feels equal in its inclusion, I have been begging my husband to find ways for us to watch some of the shows I am less familiar with, thanks to their appearance in Y. Despite some flaws, Super Robot Wars Y is a complete joy to play, and it definitely has me wanting to explore more games in this long-running franchise.

Perhaps one day gamers outside Japan will be able to appreciate the full scope of this series, which takes time to develop pieces of its world in detail. Until then, at least the two Trails in the Sky games show how rewarding the series can be, and the upcoming Cold Steel shows that more is on the way for non-Japanese speakers.

Rain-Slick 4 feels like a good place to end the series, and anything further would only cause things to stagnate. The game never feels like time wasted, which is a rarer statement these days. Those who have enjoyed Zeboyd's previous efforts will not be disappointed here and will find a game that offers great appeal to RPGamers of all generations. Zeboyd Games continues to show improved mastery of turn-based battle systems, and it will be interesting to see which direction its next game takes things.

Ys Origin is a very tightly crafted experience. Considering that a single playthrough with one character will only take about six to seven hours, it's amazing how much story is packed into that amount of time.

Dissidia's greatest strength easily lies in its longevity.

Presenting players with a beefy, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience, Shin Megami Tensei V is a game that pulls newcomers into a polarizing experience. It is common to feel motivated to play the game for multiple hours, only to have that motivation knocked out once the current party lineup can’t stand against the next boss fight. However, it is also common to return to the game after a break and feel a strong sense of achievement after beating a particularly difficult foe. It’s an excellent entry point for those unfamiliar with SMT, should provide great joy for returning players, and should not be missed.

Overall, Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope does a fantastic job building on the original’s success while retaining its laid-back and humorous approach to RPGs. Smart design choices bolster the game in terms of accessibility, graphical presentation, and characterization. Outside of a few flaws, fans of strategic turn-based RPGs or just Mario games, in general, will find a lot to love here.

Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption couldn’t get everything absolutely perfect, but no game ever really does. Instead, it got a whole lot of things just right, which was enough to counterbalance most issues. I am looking forward to seeing what the Coles do with their next endeavor into this world.

I think Final Fantasy IX proves that the middle road between a complete remake and simple emulation may be the best path to take to revive older games. Welcome features like autosave and optional cheats let players old and new experience the game on their terms. Final Fantasy IX is an amazing experience, with a fantastic cast and story — it’s truly a masterpiece of the PlayStation era. This upgrade means that fans don’t have to wait years to experience it again without all the pitfalls of the original.

Bravely Default is a triumphant blending of a classic template with some fresh ideas and modern user-friendliness, albeit with a few areas that could still be refined before going on to the next level.

Mankind Divided is a solid follow up to Human Revolution, but it does come at a price. While it definitely has the weaker overall storyline, and it left more questions than it did answer, it's hard to deny that the game will have its appeal for fans who love to explore environments to the fullest while also kicking ass and taking names.

While Esoteric Ebb certainly doesn’t try to avoid the direct comparisons to Disco Elysium’s style, it manages to stand out through its original setting and entertaining set of mysteries. The ingrained usage of skill checks to help guide conversations and what the game reveals to players helps keep them engaged, with plenty of highly enjoyable quests and interactions to be had all the way through. There’s lots to enjoy here, particularly for those who like seeing how their choices affect the presented mysteries and obstacles.

Dragon's Crown is completely worth your attention, and if you have friends to play it with, it'll be worth the crazy ride.

World of Final Fantasy is an easily misleading game. It appears to be nothing more than a Final Fantasy-flavored monster-collecting knock-off, but turns out to be much more than that. Beyond the appeal of collecting familiar monsters and creatures, the world features enough series characters, locations, and music to satisfy the most ardent nostalgic. There is a ton of content, and it is all wrapped up in a package that is as beautiful to look at as it is to listen to. Still, not everything is perfect. The combat system is skewed towards grinding, menus are unwieldy, and the main story takes an awfully long time to ramp up. However, there is very little reason for gamers to not give World of Final Fantasy a serious look. While it may resemble Final Fantasy Jr., it offers more than enough for veterans of the series to sink their teeth into.

Its combat stays consistently interesting and most other aspects are on par with Awakening, which is plenty to make it a fine tactical title worthy of investigation by anyone intrigued. When the rest of the game is considered, it feels as if Intelligent Systems tossed in just about every notion to cross the development team's mind, which makes applauding its ambition easier than considering everything a rousing success.

Dragon Quest hasn't been about top-notch production values in recent years, but having them for this game certainly doesn't hurt. VIII has been a constant pleasure for me to experience in depth at last, and is now my favorite in the series. Anyone who didn't experience it on PS2 and has even the tiniest iota of interest should check it out immediately, and the additional content serves as a good inducement to get veterans interested in a revisit. This won't convert anyone who despises the stereotypical JRPG, but it shows just how well such a thing can be done.

The game has a high degree of armor customization. The player could have a giant fish weapon, or even have a pair of devil horns and a bright red suit. Being able to fly and attack at the same time is unique and very entertaining in Aion. Those who do not like PvP should steer clear since a large part of the story is protecting your land from the opposing faction, but PvP lovers owe it to themselves to check this game out.

Trails of Cold Steel II on the PlayStation 4 is definitely recommended for those who haven’t played it, and also works well for those who are looking to get back into the series ahead of Trails of Cold Steel III. The extra voice acting, the high definition graphics, and the turbo speed option make this version much more appealing to replay than the previous ones. Trails of Cold Steel II is an easy recommendation for any JRPG buff, but it’s always worth noting that patience is a virtue with this series. Those who stick with it leave with a feeling of satisfaction and catharsis, but it takes a while to get there.

I didn't love this game with every fiber of my being, but I certainly had a good time throughout, which is more than I can say for some titles.

Rune Factory 4 Special is an easy recommendation to any RPGamer who enjoys farming and life sim games, as well as for those casual Stardew Valley fans that wished for more variety in the combat aspects. It’s been long enough since the 3DS release that this game can be enjoyed fresh again, and for those who missed it the first time around, now’s the perfect time to give it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed my time back in the land of Selphia, and seeing everything that made Rune Factory one of my favorite portable game series work so well on the Switch has me even more excited to see what’s ahead for the series now that we’ve sadly left the dual-screen period of gaming behind.

On the whole, Hades II delivers a truly great action roguelike experience, buoyed by strong, exciting combat. It remains addictive across multiple runs, even with poor Boon balance, keeping combat artificially elongated. This is achieved through engaging combat and a compelling story that motivates players to learn more about the characters and world. Its outstanding visuals and fun, immersive audio also make it a treat for the eyes and ears. Trudging through the depths of hell has never been more exciting, and as someone fairly new to roguelikes, I found myself pleasantly surprised at just how engaging Hades II can be.

NieR: Automata is an odd case where the game feels worse than the sum of its parts. Each individual element is high quality on its own, but there are enough flaws to bring down the overall experience. The story goes in very interesting directions but fails to land the ending, and the combat has a lot of depth but fails to encourage the player to explore it, which combine to make the whole thing feel just a bit hollower than it should be. Anyone who liked NieR or Drakengard will love this game just for how it presents itself and the ideas it explores, but fans of action games or slightly thoughtful sci-fi stories will find a lot to appreciate too.

Anyone interested in a title that is charming and rewarding to spend huge quantities of time exploring should most assuredly check it out, and while the narrative won’t blow people away, it’s also not constantly forcing itself into the forefront. This may not be for everyone, but it most assuredly clicked with me.

If you enjoyed DeathSpank's first adventure, the second one will be right up your alley.

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a great title that proves bouncing back from a low point in the series isn’t an impossible task. While not the perfect Paper Mario title, it certainly enshrines itself as one of the best. While the lack of traditional leveling may turn off some players, those who are willing to dive in and see what the game offers will be rewarded with a largely satisfying 30-hour experience with plenty to do. If nothing else, The Origami King does show there’s an identity to be had between the core RPG experience of the Mario & Luigi series and the platforming experience of the mainline Mario titles.

XCOM 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel, which is a good thing. It takes the lion's share of the gameplay from the last game and embeds it into the new game's foundation, shifting around some pieces to support the new gameplay fixtures without really altering the heart of the experience. With new soldier classes, enemy types, mission objectives, an all-new base, and a story built on losing the invasion the last time around, the new game provides the same intense combat experience and resource management series veterans expect. It ups the ante in terms of difficulty, and the result is a nail-biting game of close calls and narrow victories. While this may turn off some, it provides an amazing feeling of victory when one finds the sweet spot between keeping troops alive and advancing the long-term narrative-driving projects.

For those who enjoyed Trails in the Sky, Trails from Zero or the Trails of Cold Steel titles, diving into Trails to Azure now that an official release has arrived is an absolute no-brainer. Despite the game’s aging presentation, an excellent story, quality localisation, and multiple quality-of-life improvements will overcome any qualms players may have about minor issues and fills in a critical narrative gap in the overall series. While it isn’t recommended as the first Trails title for newcomers, for established fans of the series, The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is an absolute must-play.

I usually like more meat in my RPGs, but everything that Cthulhu Saves Christmas tries, it succeeds at. The game constantly put a smile on my face, and it felt like it was Christmas as I played and giggled at the Christmas puns or hummed along with the familiar jingles. It was a jolly time from start to finish, though like Christmas, I wish the experience lasted a tad longer.

While I was expecting to turn tail and run during my experience with World of Horror, I am happy to report that I couldn’t put the game down. I adore the dark elements in the game’s presentation and storytelling, but the experience forced me to confront some of my personal thresholds, reminding me that pushing boundaries is what I signed up for. Although I wasn’t incredibly keen on the game’s combat and UI, I cannot deny how often I kept crawling back to my computer to play just one more round. World of Horror is a compelling game that begs the player’s attention, providing an addictive experience that one cannot easily run away from.

Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling does an excellent job capturing the Paper Mario spirit while still being its own game and having its own identity, and the journey onto the Switch is essentially flawless. Though some of the platforming sections can be a little frustrating at times, the effort is all worth it to indulge in the fast-paced, well written tale of a trio of bugs.

SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions is an ambitious game that hides a lot of content beneath its surface whilst offering one of the best combat systems and strongest replay values for an RPG. Its main problem lies in its accessibility to the average RPGamer. The game’s difficulty can be unforgiving at times, and it’s definitely not a game for everyone. But those who like endless party customisation, good battle strategies, rich world-building, and choosing how the adventure plays out will find a very rewarding title here. The SaGa series has always been about going against the grain and innovation, and this one outdoes all its predecessors in that regard and raises the bar for any new entries to come.

Its combination of inspirations means Tokyo Xanadu may sit in an odd place for RPGamers. The deliberate pacing of the story more in line with The Legend of Heroes focus may frustrate those who want a pure action RPG. However, coming from the other direction, I very much appreciated how the game divided its time between the great charm that one expects from Nihon Falcom's narrative and quick but highly enjoyable dungeon experiences. The game is another excellent showcase of the PlayStation Vita, and the latest strong offering from a developer whose reputation is deservedly at its peak.