In the end, there's simply nothing interesting or worthwhile about Valhalla Knights 3.

It's a rough ride, but ultimately a fun one. FORCED is a twitchy thinker's punch-drunk romp that wears its scars with pride.

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.

To be honest, I have a difficult time even calling Hometown Story a game, as its gameplay mechanics have almost nothing to do with its progression. Without a massive overhaul of how progression in the game works, it would probably have been better served as a visual novel, and even then, it would have been a pretty poor one.

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 those that can stomach some frequently-used tropes and are patient with the way it mixes story and gameplay, The Guided Fate Paradox is likely to provide a wild ride the likes of which nothing else out there can really provide.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is probably the biggest surprise of the year.

If the game wasn't crippled by its glitches and save data wiping, there is an entertaining experience to be had.

Two Brothers will find most appeal with those who grew up in the earlier periods of adventure gaming, when players had to make their own way through the world.

The nostalgia present in the Disney worlds is a treat for all, and it's easy to get attached to the cast. However, there's very little about the gameplay that impresses, and those bits that do try and get away from the uninteresting battles are frequently interrupted or still have issues plaguing them.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is the complete package. With a well-written story, characters you care about, a flexible class system, lovely visuals, and a grand soundtrack, this game offers about everything you could want, especially for fans of the Final Fantasy 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.

It's a solid 3DS title with tons of content to explore, but while the refinements are minimal, it doesn't do enough to launch itself into greatness.

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.

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.

Even Disgaea fans who didn't enjoy the original game will find plenty to like here. It may not quite reach the lofty heights of Disgaea 4, but Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness still manages to be one of the brightest entries in the series.

It is a good game, though, especially if you have some friends around to share it with.

If you've never had an opportunity to experience The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, now is the best chance to do so.

For me, this is an ideal remake. It keeps all the hardcore mechanics I love, gets rid of the ones I find tiresome, overhauls what needs to be improved, and leaves the right things alone. Any EO fan who isn't burned out should enjoy this game, and even if you're burned out it might be worth a shot thanks to the reduced rote activities.

Dragon Fantasy Book II is still a lot of fun. Dungeons are highly enjoyable to explore and the new battle system is very strong despite its few flaws. However, it doesn't upgrade Book I as much as it might've done.

If you have a PS3 and have been waiting for a good console JRPG, look no further than Tales of Xillia.

Admittedly, Atelier Meruru lends itself well to a portable platform. While there's no touch controls, the game is great to play in episodic chunks on the go. For newcomers, this is a great way to experience the series, but for veterans this is ground that has already been tread, without any true improvements to speak of.

The best indicator of whether a given gamer will appreciate Black Rock Shooter is its visual style. The game offers moderately entertaining combat and sad girls in snow, but these can be obtained elsewhere at a fraction of the aggravation. At its core, the story is a familiar one that isn't able to justify its retelling with a new twist. There is something to be said for a game that embraces zoning out and rhythmically blowing things up, but it's not always a straight-up compliment. Look, but don't touch.

Dream Team is certainly not a bad game, and the positives it offers are considerable. It nevertheless feels like a missed opportunity for something even better, and veterans of the series will probably find it getting a little old before the conclusion is reached.

ArcaniA is just an altogether frustrating experience. Its few good points fail to shine through in any way thanks to the vast number of technical and design issues. Even a fun battle system can't do much for the game other than highlight even further the wasted potential.

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

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.

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.