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.

If it isn’t already clear enough by this point, Atelier Resleria is an excellent RPG. From battle system to alchemy to multiple other subsystems, everything seemed superbly planned and polished. No previous experience with the Atelier series is necessary to enjoy all this game has to offer, but returning fans will receive plenty of nostalgic dopamine hits. This is a game that shows how a familiar series can be both welcoming to newcomers and deeply rewarding for long-time fans. The developers have successfully crafted a title that honors its legacy while forging a new, promising path forward.

If it isn’t already clear enough by this point, Atelier Resleria is an excellent RPG. From battle system to alchemy to multiple other subsystems, everything seemed superbly planned and polished. No previous experience with the Atelier series is necessary to enjoy all this game has to offer, but returning fans will receive plenty of nostalgic dopamine hits. This is a game that shows how a familiar series can be both welcoming to newcomers and deeply rewarding for long-time fans. The developers have successfully crafted a title that honors its legacy while forging a new, promising path forward.

Ultimately, The Ivalice Chronicles brings a classic masterpiece to modern systems in a manner that is both highly reverent to the original, while also adding some modern gameplay concessions and other additions. The Classic version of the game offered is also sure to please traditionalists or RPGamers looking for a more nostalgic experience. The gameplay is a bit rough around the edges, particularly in difficulty and class balancing, but everything holds up remarkably well. More importantly, the story and themes of Final Fantasy Tactics have aged like fine wine, and the voice acting does wonders at fully fleshing out and finally bringing this classic tale to modern audiences.

I have reviewed a ton of life-sim titles here at RPGamer, but I can say with certainty that Consume Me is a unique one. I found myself both completely invested in Jenny’s story, wanting to help her find success, and yelling at myself whenever I failed her goals. While the gameplay has some blemishes, the overall experience is as stressful as it is fun, especially in its short runtime of six hours to complete. Consume Me is a heartfelt look at personal struggles, finding courage, and finding compassion in a world obsessed with physical appearance. Consume Me is a difficult, hopeful experience worth playing, reminding anyone going through these motions that they are not alone.

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.

Something Classic Games has done a great job identifying what it is that has made classic RPGs so beloved and not only emulating it, but also in adding enough of its own touches to make Quartet a memorable title. The game’s finely-paced and deep narrative, great soundtrack, and well-executed gameplay ensure that it easily keeps the player’s attention. It all amounts to a highly rewarding experience that is easily recommended to any RPGamer.

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.

OFF is an unnerving dream that steeps one foot into a fever-soaked nightmare. This surrealist approach makes it a truly trendsetting experience with how the characters, story, and visual presentation meld into a highly artistic personal journey that is not like anything else. Combat is always serviceable and the new balanced approach to buffs and debuffs allows extra time for deciphering puzzle clues, making them less frustrating to deal with. The nuanced layers added from the original soundtrack are definitely missed, but the muted melancholy the new soundtrack provides is still a trip to experience. If surrealism mixed with an uncanny sense of wrongness sounds enticing, then OFF will not disappoint.

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.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remasteris exactly what it claims to be: a no-frills, touched-up rerelease of a beloved RPG. The mini-games are not enough on their own to warrant double-dipping, and some of its changes will take getting used to for fans, but both fans and newcomers can walk away satisfied with the updated visuals and features. Flaws of the original remain, as do its strengths, but a great game remastered is a great game made better, leading this to be the definitive way to play Bravely Default.

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.

I do not enjoy being harsh on any game, but I can’t recommend Nova Hearts. It’s a game with no spark or excitement. While I don’t mind some chaos and messiness in my stories, and prefer that, the story, characters, combat, and music all suffer from a level of disjointedness that is too noticeable to overlook. This is one of those games where more time in the oven and a less-is-more approach truly could have helped it hit its full potential. Unfortunately, as it stands, Nova Hearts is a half-baked game that tries to do too much, and does none of it well.

All in Abyss might be that title that caters to the most specific of niches of what is already a subset of gamers. The narrative lacks any redeeming characters, the poker gameplay tends to get old fast, and the gameplay is reductive. Most offensive, however, are the perverse torture scenes that are treated as collectible trophies but will turn the stomachs of many. The gratuitous cruelty simply isn’t enough to sustain a worthwhile game experience, and it quickly plummets from “going overboard” to “growing overly bored”. Those who feel intrigued by this concept may still find a good time here, but all others would do well to steer clear.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma stands as a triumphant evolution for the beloved franchise. By boldly venturing into a new, culturally rich Eastern setting, it breathes fresh air into its established formula while retaining the core elements that fans adore. The cohesive integration of its various gameplay elements—from the strategic depths of village management and the relaxed rhythm of farming to the engaging action of its combat and the heartwarming intricacies of its relationships—creates a truly satisfying experience. The game’s strengths lie in its innovative approach to community building, its refined combat system, and its deeply endearing cast of characters, all presented with captivating visuals.

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.

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.

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.