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For 1,240 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 26% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 67% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 7.6 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 67
Highest review score: 100 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
Lowest review score: 20 Mugen Souls
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 413 out of 1240
  2. Mixed: 696 out of 1240
  3. Negative: 131 out of 1240
1245 game reviews
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    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For a Vast Future
    For a Vast Future has some interesting ideas in its combat system, but the balance of options just makes everything too easy. This ease and accessibility may be welcome for newcomers, but for veterans the main appeal ends up being the nostalgic views and sounds, while character development and overall plot are hindered by sparse words that leave little impact on their own. For a Vast Future feels like a fun walk down memory lane, albeit a breezy and brief one.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Inazuma Eleven 3: Bomb Blast
    Inazuma Eleven 3 feels like a fitting end for this set of always absurd but highly entertaining footballing adventures. There still lots of fun, but it's a second case of more of the same without the same level of amusing craziness that the story of the second game compensated with, and it's hard to see where the series can build any further without some substantial overhaul.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Torchlight
    Torchlight is an awkward game to assess. On one hand, the gameplay is a major disappointment in that it's worse than Diablo II in every way, but on the other hand it has no major flaws and, even for a hater of easy games like me, gets addicting once the Shadow Vault, an unending postgame dungeon whose enemies are tied to your level, becomes available.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
    It has its flaws and its entire premise will have more mileage with some than others, but fans of the genre will find something to like here.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Inazuma Eleven 3: Lightning Bolt
    Inazuma Eleven 3 feels like a fitting end for this set of always absurd but highly entertaining footballing adventures. There still lots of fun, but it's a second case of more of the same without the same level of amusing craziness that the story of the second game compensated with, and it's hard to see where the series can build any further without some substantial overhaul.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    I Am Setsuna
    In short bursts of play, I Am Setsuna ticks all the boxes one could want from a modern JRPG designed as a callback to the classics: a seemingly emotionally involving story, stirring music, pretty visuals, and a battle system that offers up nuggets of nostalgia like "ATB" and "tech combos".
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Masters of Anima
    The combat requires a combination of both strategy and real-time execution that will keep players at the edge of their seats in tougher encounters. Its simple approach to presentation is enjoyable and light-hearted, and will generally engage players throughout. Unfortunately, with frustrating combat controls, multiple underdeveloped combat encounters, and limited scope of the narrative, characters, and other facets of presentation, the game’s full potential is never realized.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Heroes of Ruin
    At the end of the day, Heroes of Ruin is a fun game with a slew of issues that prevent it from being great. A wealth of multiplayer options make it the closest to a console third-person looter you'll find on any portable system. While it can still be a fun single-player experience, the game is best played with a group of friends. Even so, with repetitive environments, monsters, music, and sound, it is not likely to be a memorable experience.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dragon Age II
    As is, it is a fun timesink for WRPG fans, but don't try it if you aren't enthralled by the genre or if you don't have the time or money to play every WRPG that comes out. This one isn't worth the full price.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Elemental Exiles
    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.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy
    Dissidia 012 is a frustrating game. The fundamental parts are quite solid, the graphics and music showcase Square Enix's usual excellent craftsmanship, and the fighting system remains fairly unique even if the game isn't exactly innovative compared to its predecessor. It bungles a lot of the ancillary features though, and some of the flaws seep back into the core of the gameplay.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    King's Bounty: Armored Princess
    Armored Princess cleans up and expands considerably on The Legend but manages to stumble over itself with a punishing difficulty curve and a few errors of its own that manage to pull the game down more than the improvements buoy it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Long Gone Days
    Long Gone Days is ultimately a case of tempered expectations. The combat and visuals have little details that show a lot of care has gone into everything. The scope of the story is where the snag comes in, as too many hard-hitting moments get lost in the brisk pace that it attempts to juggle everything, making many of them fall flat in execution. This can be disheartening as there’s a nearly constant feeling of wanting them to do more with what they’re providing. It can be a lot to get past but, taking the game at face value the story beats still flow well enough and tell a good story providing moments that players can reflect on. The adventure is quick and has fun gameplay moments, so it is a perfectly satisfactory way to experience a well-intentioned story.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest Heroes II
    While I loved Dragon Quest Heroes back in 2015, Dragon Quest Heroes II is a very safe sequel that doesn't add much to a stale formula. While this is a good sequel, it definitely has its moments where it could have ended much earlier than it did. Musou and Dragon Quest enthusiasts, of which I am both, will be easily sold on this game. Still, part of me feels that if this game had been a tad shorter and more cohesive, I would have loved it as much as the first.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
    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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Osteoblasts
    Osteoblasts is a dungeon-crawler that certainly doesn’t lack in originality, but is held back by the execution of some of its ideas. Players can expect a combat system that is deep and allows for many options, but that may grow tiresome when realizing that not much deviation from a comfortable build is needed to progress. Characters can be slightly endearing at best and forgettable at worst, something that the obscure plot doesn’t help much with. Osteoblasts starts with the right ideas and manages to keep up a good pace for a while, but stumbles a bit before the finish line. A single playthrough of the game doesn’t last that long, clocking in at around 9 hours, but multiple runs may cause the journey’s bumps to stick out even more, making replays hard to recommend.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ariana and the Elder Codex
    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.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Summon Night 6: Lost Borders
    Summon Night 6 is an odd game. As the fifteenth anniversary project for the series, the creators produced an experience that resembles a crossover title rather than a typical mainline game. There is an expectation that players will be excited by each chapter's reveal of characters from an earlier Summon Night game, but can a person have nostalgia for something that wasn't available to experience in the first place? Because of the multitude of characters incorporated, the deep connection with characters and the cute asides that made Summon Night 5 stand out are lost. Ultimately, Summon Night 6 is a visually impressive, mechanically solid strategy RPG, but the repetitive story beats, weak voice acting, and overflowing number of characters keep the experience from shining.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Unchained Blades
    Unchained Blades isn't unenjoyable, and its subsystems are an inventive take on what less skilled hands would have turned into a bare slog. However, a game as long as this one needs something greater to keep the inevitable hours of filler at bay. Deeper, more nuanced characters would have been been one route. Alternately, a smoother difficulty curve would've limited the opportunities to switch on autopilot.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Xanadu Next
    This is not a revolutionary title that set the Japanese gaming world on fire and crossed the Pacific with spectacular expectations. Xanadu Next is instead a game that had to wait eleven years after its original release to cross the Pacific (unless the N-Gage release played by approximately seven people counts), but at least it's a solid title. Falcom tends to deliver worthy action RPGs, and this one is definitely worth experiencing for anyone interested in hacking and slashing to victory.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Weapon Shop de Omasse
    Weapon Shop de Omasse boasts a great premise and for the most part it succeeds at its JRPG sitcom goals.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX
    Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX are a good example of useful preservation of video games. Without these remasters, it would be very difficult for gamers to properly experience the CD-summoning gambit. Not only are these titles carefully ported over with a clever fix for the primary gimmick, but they also feature substantial quality-of-life improvements which streamline the experience and improves the general presentation for a new generation of monster lovers. While some may find the graphics and sound too outdated to enjoy, players looking for a trip to the farm will find their plates very full.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    MISTOVER
    Part of my muted reaction to Mistover is probably due to my inability to find a rogue-like that I actually enjoy. Borrowing so many mechanics from that type of game ensures Mistover isn’t going to capture my affections very well. Certain aspects are admirable and easy to appreciate without making me want to return to see what might await after the credits, which includes DLC for new foes and dungeons. Others in the potential audience will probably find it highly addictive.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Deiland: Pocket Planet Edition
    The final word to describe Deiland the game is one that has been used several times already in this review: charming. Chibig has captured some of the charm and emotion to be found in the work of Antoine de St.-Exupery, mixed it with a blend of RPG and cultivation elements, and given the world another, smaller world to enjoy. Could it have been bigger? Yes. Could it have had more to it? Indubitably. But for what it is, Deiland is a nice diversion from heavier experiences in the genre, and that may well have been what the developers were aiming for.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Star Ocean: The Divine Force
    There’s a solid narrative foundation that can be built upon in The Divine Force. D.U.M.A is an overall delight that provides the best aspects of the narrative as well as the most interesting features in combat and Bohld’or is an excellent antagonist that ties in perfectly to hammer home the intriguing themes. This foundation is weakened by the many gripes with the execution. For a game with the theme of evolution, many of the game’s systems are stuck in the past or never grew to be competent, creating an uneven experience that by the end makes it frustrating to finish.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Drakengard 3
    Overall, I enjoyed much of my time with Drakengard 3, but I couldn't help think that it could have been improved in many ways.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Toukiden: The Age of Demons
    For beast-slaying fans and non-fans alike, Toukiden should provide a decent amount of solid enjoyment, but likely won't stick in the memory for too long after.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    System Shock
    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.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Shin Megami Tensei IV
    The plot is full of holes, inconsistencies, and unbelievable character actions and reactions. There are some creative moments late in the game where SMTIV presents the alignments and philosophies in a fascinating, new way, but for the most part the plot, characters, and morals fail to come together as part of a coherent setting.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Elden Ring Nightreign
    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.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
    Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars is an entertaining and creative diversion while it lasts. It certainly sets itself apart with relative ease but it does suffer a bit from diminishing returns. It’s by no means lacking in merit and feels like much could be built around its robust framework in the future. But it is an experience limited by its own arbitrary boundaries, like the negligible challenge and the disproportionate amount of time one will needlessly spend in repetitive battles for few worthwhile rewards, particularly once all skills have been learned and levels are maxed out. Still, there are many lovely ideas at work here, and the package in which they’re presented is even lovelier, leaving me eagerly looking forward to further tales of this style that can be told down the road.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mind Zero
    It's the beginning of a potential series worth exploring further, but there is still plenty of work to be done to generate a property that deserves mention alongside the titles uninformed viewers have compared it to.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom
    Shiness teases us with an adventure that is pure fun. The developers bring back much of the style from the early 90s games that inspired them, while successfully infusing the game with modern gameplay elements and mechanics. The world is engaging and the story presentation is great, complimented by a competent soundtrack, vivid visuals, and stylish manga-like cutscenes. The ideas behind the battle system are carefully architected and work wonderfully together to offer variety of play, action, and battle planning. Unfortunately the game seems to be a case where the realities of the world caught up with the developers' fantasy too soon. As a result, it fails to follow through on both its story and the promises of its combat system, and is marred by a lack of technical polish and bugs, leaving players with a distinctly average experience.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo
    It provides a very enjoyable, if short, experience and offers the potential base for a good series if Arc System Works wants to take it to the next level.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Demon Gaze
    All in all, Demon Gaze is a decent experience. It streamlines Wizardry-likes and provides a much more palatable experience.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Cyberpunk 2077
    Cyberpunk 2077 is currently a strange one to judge and though there are definitely those out there who will still get lots of enjoyment from the game in its current state, the caveats are major, especially for anyone playing on consoles. CD Projekt RED’s management has absolutely rushed it out before it was properly ready, and at this stage it’s very much a case of buyer beware. It’s clear that lots of effort has been put into creating Night City and the well-linked major gameplay systems, but even when putting the technical issues aside, it still feels much like many open-world games that have come before.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Adventure Bar Story
    While Adventure Bar Story does have some rather large shortcomings, I cannot deny the amount of hours I sunk into the game, and the enjoyment it gave me.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy Type-0 HD
    While Final Fantasy Type-0 has a lot of problems, the game's focus on gameplay really works as that's its biggest strength.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tales of Aravorn: Seasons Of The Wolf
    If forced to choose between Seasons Of The Wolf and its predecessor, then Loren The Amazon Princess would get the nod purely for its more rewarding overall storyline and larger set of intriguing characters. However, Seasons Of The Wolf provides a decent follow-up, and those who have enjoyed Winter Wolves' previous excursions or other visual novels should find it well worth the fifteen to twenty hours it takes to get through.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lords of the Fallen
    Given the amount of time between Lords of the Fallen’s initial outing and its reboot, this new release feels far less like an attempt to right the ship and more like its own thing. This is a positive, as it certainly forges a strong identity of its own, and provides a robust amount of content to back it up. But much like its predecessor, it struggles to push past its self-imposed limitations, in this case revolving around its combat system and dual-world gimmick. With frustrating encounter designs and a need to fine-tune some aspects, the game veers from joyful to jarring and back again far too frequently to let a sense of fun be its main takeaway.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fantasy Life
    This game will not appeal to everyone, but those who wants a different take on a simulator game that strays into RPG territory may wish to start their own Life in Reveria.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line
    This re-release is simple, but it works. The gameplay is straightforward and that makes for an easy transition to iOS.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Artifact Adventure
    Regardless of which starting boon is selected, and which quests are solved differently the second time around, replaying Artifact Adventure doesn't address the repetitive combat or flatness of the characters.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Darksiders II
    Though this might seem like a gripe, Darksiders II is not a bad game. Its mechanics are tightly crafted and there are plenty of exciting battles and twisted puzzles to work through. But don't be surprised if everything feels very familiar, and don't feel ashamed if you're inclined to simply turn it off. After all, you've probably played this game a hundred times before.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mimana Iyar Chronicle
    Lazy. Generic. Simple. Nostalgic. A light-hearted throwback to 90s gaming. Depending on your viewpoint, Mimana Iyar Chronicle is any or all of those things.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars
    The overall feeling that endures throughout Conception II is that it's a game that is by no means bad, but also not great.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Project X Zone
    When Project X Zone arrived, I was eager and immediately threw it into my 3DS expecting a glorious time. When at last I finished it over seventy hours later, my stance had become a mixed bag.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    THYSIASTERY
    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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Nocked! True Tales of Robin Hood
    Having played Nocked! True Tales of Robin Hood for 42 hours across two playthroughs, I was engaged by the mixture of role-playing and resource management, along with the emphasis on the sense of community and cooperation needed to fight against a corrupt institution even when the odds felt overwhelming. The writing isn’t going to win too many awards, and I could’ve done without the unnecessary anachronisms, yet there was still some magic to be found in my journey through the Deepwood.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    SwapQuest
    For those looking for a game to engage their minds over a couple of days or evenings, SwapQuest fits the bill very nicely.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
    Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light delivers an RPG that has far more in common with early iterations of the Final Fantasy series than anything after V, and slips in a fair number of direct references to them.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gamedec
    Gamedec certainly doesn’t lack ambition. Its setting is well thought-out and provides a rich tapestry to fall back on when the player’s actual interactions with the world come up a little wanting. While its aesthetics are great, a bit more attention was needed in the audio department, as music is generally only adequate and there are entire sections devoid of music altogether. Voice-overs are likewise notably absent. The all-important investigations struggle to gel during the game’s first half, and while the narrative eventually picks up a bit more, it’s clear there were some missed opportunities here. Overall, Gamedec presents a rich world that would be worth revisiting again, though perhaps with an extra layer of polish needed for its narrative.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Little Town Hero
    Overall, Little Town Hero is a lot of great ideas mashed together with a solid story, but unpredictable combat, average graphics and forgettable music drag down and tend to overwhelm the best parts. Reducing the randomness of the largest battles or otherwise streamlining these encounters would have noticeably improved the game’s overall flow. As it stands, Little Town Hero is neither especially great nor particularly bad but harmlessly average; with ample patience in the face of bad luck, there’s the sparkle of an enjoyable gem hidden under the game’s false starts.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Yo-kai Watch
    Yo-Kai Watch's main story can easily be completed in under twenty hours, though there's quite the meaty postgame for those who are enamored with the gameplay.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Crystar
    Crystar ends up as a bit of a mixed bag. The interesting ideas, story elements, and audio are let down by generally mediocre gameplay, which is particularly exacerbated when its most repetitive portion is forced upon players for very little story benefit. There’s enough about it that many will find plenty to enjoy, particularly on the narrative side of things, but there may not be too many streams of joyful tears.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Technomancer
    The game certainly isn't at the level of the top-end western RPGs and a lot of its gameplay elements have been done in greater depth elsewhere. However, sometimes a lighter game is what's wanted, and for those looking for a less overwhelming experience that's easy to just pick up and play, The Technomancer is a solid and enjoyable experience for the twenty-five or so hours a playthrough lasts.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Legacy of Ys: Books I & II
    Legacy of Ys provides a peek at what might have been for JRPGs had Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy not run away with the genre. Ironically, the gameplay in Ys has aged better than these ultimately more successful series originals.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    LBX: Little Battlers eXperience
    LBX: Little Battlers eXperience is generally a fun game, but has a fair share of missed potential.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition
    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.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Cladun X3
    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.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden
    Overall, Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden is a similar experience to previous titles. The great artwork and music offer strong groundwork and there are signs of revision taking place, with new mechanics doing some work to differentiate the experience, but they are under-baked and the straightforward gameplay doesn’t offer much excitement. Ultimately, the game works best taken as a chill switching-off experience, but doesn’t do enough to stick long in the memory.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Pokemon Alpha Sapphire
    Aside from dropping the popular Friend Safari, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire bring all the improvements and features from X/Y to the world of Ruby/Sapphire as expected. The presentation has minor issues, mechanics retained from Ruby/Sapphire are still not fun, and the diminished difficulty and lack of any draw for newcomers make this a less appealing game than X/Y for those who are picky about which Pokémon titles they play.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming
    Fans of the original Half-Minute Hero will undoubtedly be excited to experience more of the unique franchise, but at the same time, the new additions have a tendency to drag it down a bit.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Masquerada: Songs and Shadows
    Those hoping for a solid all-around RPG experience will find Masquerada lacking. However, as a relatively quick narratively-focused experience — clocking in at a bit over ten hours, or more depending on how players approach the combat — the game does an entertaining job.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City Revisited
    Saviors of Sapphire Wings is an accessible foray into dungeon-crawling that emphasizes gameplay over stat or party management while mostly avoiding the usual pitfalls of difficulty spikes. The overall presentation is somewhat marred by inconsistencies in graphical style and uneven sound design. However, well-developed characters elevate an otherwise ordinary high-fantasy narrative about a group of heroes who are the world’s second chance at salvation…even if these Wings never truly get off the ground.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII
    Playing through Final Fantasy VII, it’s easy to see why it was the game in the series selected to be remade. There are some fundamental issues in its overall story and it certainly hasn’t stood the test of time as well as many other titles have, but it still provides a strong base with its engaging cast and it’s easy to see how its steampunk designs would look much better with today’s technology. Final Fantasy VII is worth checking out and offers plenty of entertaining moments, but it’s going to be appreciated by those looking at it with rose-tinted nostalgia far more than anyone picking it up for the first time.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Sword of the Necromancer
    Sword of the Necromancer includes a love story with queer characters who can revive monsters to fight alongside, a good variety of items, randomized senarios, and options to customize difficulty, with the promise of adding more content in the near future. Although it doesn’t shine brightly in any aspect, it does a fair job in all departments and proves that crowdfunded campaigns can work.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Warriors of the Nile 2
    Warriors of the Nile 2 is a game built for challenging the battle system. The ways one can break the combat builds are myriad, and a record is kept of every time through, with times, skills, and other stats all kept for posterity. Like any good roguelike, the journey is as important as the destination, and far more relevant to the plot. This is just a fun game to mess around with on occasion, regardless of the lack of story. This doesn’t keep me from wishing there was a story to care about, however. If this studio ever decides to produce a third game of the series with a plot, I would happily game like an Egyptian once again.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~
    Undead Darlings: ~no cure for love~ tries to keep a lot of severed limbs in the air. The battle system shows promise but is compromised by balancing issues. The story indulges in tropes without necessarily elevating them. Fans of visual novels and zombie-anime moe comedies will be satisfied, while stricter dungeon-crawling enthusiasts may find much more satisfying treasure elsewhere.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Serpent in the Staglands
    If you crave an exploration-heavy, open-ended, lore driven game Serpent in the Staglands will satisfy that craving like few other games today. But take care to brace yourself for the jarring impact that will bring it all crashing down in the end.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Dwarf Run
    The Dwarf Run had several frustrating spots that did not make me happy, but it also displayed some entertaining scenarios and went into an unexpected place at the conclusion. Alexander Mirdzveli has fashioned a title that does a good job of appealing to veterans of PC RPGs. It is unlikely to appeal to those without fond memories of those titles though.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation
    Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation proves to be a solid port on the Vita, one that may even be technically superior to the PS3 rendition.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission
    Not being a fan of card games myself, I approached this game with low expectations. I found myself pleasantly surprised by the game’s addicting nature, compounded by the robust content and fan service. I spent many hours trying to unlock more character cards and scenarios. Super Saiyan 3 Vegito. Various non-canon transformations of Broly. I even got a character card of Bulma, which I immediately added to my main deck. Despite the immense fun factor and extra features, the card game itself isn’t compelling enough to entice those who are unfamiliar with the anime series. However, devout fans of the Dragon Ball series should find plenty of content to feast on here.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Touhou Genso Wanderer
    Overall, Touhou Genso Wanderer is a solid game with no interest in appealing to anyone beyond its niche audience. Devoted fans of Touhou will enjoy seeing some lesser-used characters in action, while fans of roguelikes can easily ignore the story and focus on the challenge of the gameplay. But if you're neither one of those things, it's probably not worth the full price.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale
    Simplicity is great, but if there had been more variety and a challenge, I do think Return to PopoloCrois could have been a real winner.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Chernobylite
    It’s difficult to say if Chernobylite is worth someone’s time or not. At about twenty hours, the game never overstays its welcome and none of its composite elements are major detractors. There’s a pleasing amount of fun to be had executing the heist at the end and in interacting with the cast. However, it is a game that sets out to do a lot of little things, none of them deep or meaningful. As an RPG it’s a fairly light endeavor, but the workmanlike quality and some cool decisions will do enough to keep plenty interested throughout its whole runtime.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Minoria
    With challenging battles and obscure environments, Minoria invites players to overcome their fear of deep, dark places, lethal traps, and horrifying enemies, even if the journey is short. While the game may not always stack up to its peers in production value, those interested in delving into an action RPG crafted with equal amounts of love and nightmares could do worse than giving this one a chance.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Warsaw
    The game tries to walk a fine line between frustration and being coherent with the story of loss, sorrow, and resistance at all costs that it wants to tell, but the former seems to take over most of the time since the narrative doesn’t have many chances to shine, exacerbating the sting of recurring bugs. As it stands, this port has visible kinks that need to be ironed out, and a few patches could do wonders for making the experience less punishing than it already is.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Dark Spire
    Ultimately, the appeal of The Dark Spire will be limited to those looking for a trip down memory lane or those looking for a challenge.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Battle Hunters
    Having 28 different characters with very distinctive visual traits, Battle Hunters offers many ways to join forces and defeat enemies. If story isn’t an important consideration, this game is definitely a good choice with its fun battle system. Those seeking battles and recruiting allies should gather their favorite warriors to face a vast collection of foes.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Digimon Survive
    Digimon Survive is billed as a visual novel with strategic battles and delivers exactly what it promises. While the story is excellent and the art is pretty good, the gameplay doesn’t do justice to the game. Nevertheless, Digimon Survive is still recommended to fans of the franchise and those who enjoy a good story, with the warning that there’s scarce engagment with exploration and a repetitive battle system that tempers enjoyment.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Darksiders III
    It’s a good game on its own merits, but pales just a bit when compared to its forebears; the added Dark Souls combat mechanics aren’t a problem, but what feels like slight moves away from the Zelda-esque puzzle solving and Metroidvania-style exploration are noticeable.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Skellboy
    Players shouldn’t expect too much from Skellboy, but it does what it sets out to do and provides some good sessions of entertainment. Its length hits a good balance for what the gameplay has to offer and the steps of progress come along frequently enough that even when some annoyance does occur, players can be confident it won’t last very long. The game offers enough humourous charm and strong enough gameplay to make it an enjoyable experience.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Redemption Reapers
    Redemption Reapers took the relentless pessimism as its core tenet and pushed it as far it would go. Many stories would have heroes rise from the ashes like a Phoenix, in here The Ashen Hawks have a saying “Burn away your fear…and survive among the ashes” which easily alludes to they’re what remains after hope has left. This murky defeatist outlook at survival provides consistent entertainment with its harrowing combat and great soundtrack, but ultimately leaves players with a grave taste in their mouths due to the bleak subject matter. Taking something this dark and not taking it far enough to have truly invested characters or plot is a shame. It is fun to see the lengths a dark theme like this will go, but there’s little light to be found beyond the thrills of surviving to fight another day.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tales of Graces f Remastered
    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.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder
    Evoland 2 came up with a good way of integrating its graphical changes into the narrative, and succeeds at being a full-fledged game that shifts between the eras of RPGs.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Battle Brothers
    The combat mechanics, customization, and replayability make this a great option for those looking for a challenging tactical RPG. It’s an immersive mercenary sim that will have lovers of the genre hooked immediately with it’s low-power, medieval fantasy setting. Just know that this is not a casual gaming experience and newcomers will have a steep learning curve to contend with to really enjoy the game. Additionally, the game works much better on PC by design. Battle Brothers can be a great game, but only if the player is willing to push through its high barrier of entry.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Necro Story
    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.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Echoes Of Aetheria
    Those looking to play a title reminiscent of classic JRPGs could certainly do a lot worse.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tales of Symphonia Remastered
    Tales of Symphonia deserves to be available to the widest audience, yet the lack of attention or care demonstrated here is troubling. Remastered feels like a cheap and lazy port, and that alone makes this version disappointing, despite the strengths of the game itself. Why should gamers reward these tactics when there are remasters of PSP games and more recently, other GameCube games, that are truly modernized? There was an opportunity here to release the definitive version of Symphonia on modern consoles for fans and first-timers. Instead, Bandai Namco has doled out an inferior port of a decade old re-release at double the price it is sold elsewhere. If the math doesn’t add up to you either, don’t worry: the PC version is still available.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones
    If a steep difficulty curve, the promise of learning and juggling deep gameplay systems, and keeping a close eye trained on stats at all times sound right up your alley, or if you just want to be immersed in a well-made, atmospheric world, then Stygian is well worth checking out.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    DRAGON: A Game About a Dragon
    Gamers who appreciate DRAGON: A Game about a Dragon's visuals will probably appreciate its humorous writing and gentle exploration while forgiving its brevity and roughness.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Moco Moco Friends
    Moco Moco Friends shines in a way that many games do not with its completely genuine approach to storytelling, and I loved it for that alone. While it may not be the most complex RPG I've played, it has a ton of heart, and sometimes that can go a long way.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fallen Angel
    Although Fallen Angel suffers from some annoying performance issues and long load times when reloading after death, it also does some things right. Its archangels are infused with lots of detail, such as their character designs, fighting styles, and musical themes. The enjoyable challenge of boss fights is underscored by fast-paced combat and the joys of fully exploring each realm, and the brisk-paced runtime of less than ten hours makes this version of Lucifer’s rebellion a game that’s worth trying out.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Romancing SaGa 3
    Romancing SaGa 3 looks and sounds just like the very best RPGs the 16-bit era had to offer, particularly with its rerelease facelift. But its approach is far different from what many RPGamers of that time are used to, and it takes quite a bit of adjustment, research, and grinding to make the jump. Changing gears mid-race is made more frustrating than it needed to be, particularly since the game itself is built around tinkering with party builds, and then scrapping it all and going the route of New Game Plus if it doesn’t work out. Underneath it all, however, lies an engaging combat system, though it’s a shame the story and writing under-serve what could have been an interesting world and cast of characters. Romancing SaGa 3 is certainly worth a shot, but it’s best enjoyed by those who come prepared.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Last Remnant
    Although it is riddled with annoyances and oversights throughout, The Last Remnant is an addictive game.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception
    My experience of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception went through some distinct phases, starting with interest, then devolving into boredom as nothing significant happens for a long while, before finally sucking me back in once things finally got moving. Those coming in expecting a deep tactical RPG simply won't find one. However, as a visual novel, and ignoring the problems of the first half, its second half did exactly what it needed to do to suck me in. Thankfully, the ending at least implies that the missteps of the first half should not be repeated in Mask of Truth, so taken as a package the two games could end up being a very worthwhile experience overall.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Glory of Heracles
    All things considered, Glory of Heracles isn't an amazing game, but it has enough charm to satisfy RPGamers looking for a simple, story-driven JRPG.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Forspoken
    Forspoken has plenty of other glaring issues like its occasionally janky platforming that results in Frey falling off buildings or its less than memorable soundtrack. It also has a number of additional points to praise like the scale of its cities and the cast of cute cat chimeras that Frey can lay down and cuddle with. This duality of fantastic ideas with less-than-stellar execution places Forspoken in a place where very few games end up — smack dab in the middle. It’s not so bad that it should be burned by fire, but not nearly good enough to make anyone’s game of the year list.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster
    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.
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