The developers take a brutal and punishing game of survival and spin into an epic journey. Hilda won’t become a beaten and battered casualty of a brutal combat system, but rather a heroic figure that brings hope to a bleak land and its people, with personal stories that have a variety of endings for the Aphesians in this fully fleshed out world. A strong combat system that doesn’t punish players too harshly makes Asterigos: Curse of the Stars refreshing and approachable. Levelling too much can make bosses easy, and locations for quest items can be obtuse, but the game never feels unfair or unbalanced making Aphes a world worth exploring for the rich adventure that it tells.

Clocking in at over fifty-five hours of gameplay, Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a worthy remake. While there is not an insane amount of improvements compared to the PlayStation Portable version of Let Us Cling Together, this is by far the definitive edition, and it does a great job of welcoming new players while also offering an intense gameplay challenge for veterans. I knew Tactics Ogre was special the moment I had to make those tough decisions at the beginning, and I found myself thinking about it even when not playing. Every battle made me want to proceed to the next because I needed to know Denam’s story. That alone is a testament to how powerful the narrative is, how addictive the gameplay. If you love tactical RPGs and somehow missed this classic, you owe it to yourself to check out Tactics Ogre: Reborn and dive into what is arguably one of the best tactical RPGs ever made.

With such great writing, beautiful art direction, and a battle system with just the right amount of depth for its length, This Way Madness Lies’ lovely bite-sized package is still as fulfilling an RPG experience as they come.

For a first foray into a new type of action game, Steelrising is an okay attempt. The skeleton of a good game is there, but all of its aspects need various levels of tweaking to get the recipe just right. Some things like combat just need a fine tune to be more reactive and smoother. Others like the level design need a firmer foundation to allow for more engaging and palatable exploration. It’s far from the worst game and won’t eat up too much time, but it’s not the most solid entry into the genre.

In the end, No Place for Bravery lives or dies based on the strength of its combat system. Other aspects like its graphics, music, and storytelling are passable without being outright noteworthy, but an action RPG must nail its combat, and here the game falters. With multiple issues all undermining the core battle mechanics, the game’s overall lasting impression is easily soured. Just like its protagonist, No Place for Bravery attempts to swoop in for the kill but ends up getting routinely smacked in the face instead.

Sunday Gold has a story that is set in an interesting world, but its focus on a singular plot point, while entertaining, makes other content feel disjointed. As a point-and-click adventure the game lacks stakes as everything can be completed with enough attempts. As a turn-based RPG the characters don’t get a lot of customization, and the most interesting parts of combat are how to avoid spending too much time in it, or dealing with an inventive negative state. However, the balance between both of these average experiences combine into an enjoyable experience that fills its fifteen to twenty hour runtime, but likely only for those actively looking to see the results of such an experiment.

Despite the action trappings, Valkyrie Elysium shows deference to its spiritual ancestors in terms of aesthetic, tone, and emphasis on strategic use of allies in combat. Those looking for an expansive narrative will be disappointed as there is polish missing in the presentation and story, but that does not detract from an exhilarating combat system and enjoyable interactions between the Valkyrie and the Einherjar. Valkyrie Elysium may not be the game long-suffering fans have been asking for, but it represents an organic shift for the series that can appeal to fans and newcomers alike.

Luckily, a solid cast of characters keeps things interesting long enough to continue to enjoy the game’s addicting combat. There’s enough good in the battle system for fans of the genre to get plenty of enjoyment out of it, but the formulaic gameplay loop and bland story keep this from being a true gem.

With staff members in Mexico and Seattle, Manafinder is definitely a triumph for this small indie developer. This turn-based RPG incorporates varied mini-games in a satisfying way to keep the adventure refreshing and fun. The mix of features in its battle system work perfectly to make combat highly enjoyable and rewarding. Manafinder is recommendable to RPGamers who want a short and charming journey with cute visuals.

Potion Permit is the kind of game that could be fantastic, if it wasn’t currently plagued with numerous bugs. For those willing to commit the fifteen to twenty hours to enjoy the content despite the mountain of technical issues, or those willing to wait for a few patches to iron out the current issues, there’s a quaint title waiting to be explored. Underneath the teleportation issues, combat problems, dialog flubs, incorrect quest text, and soft locks is a game that has managed to capture the ephemeral fun factor of a slice-of-life game, with enough RPG mechanics to keep it interesting while not overstaying its welcome.

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.

Trails from Zero delivers exactly what it promises: a unique opportunity to visit a story arc most western The Legend of Heroes fans never got to experience. Those who are looking to fill in the notable gap in the series will delight in discovering a plentitude of characters getting their fifteen minutes of fame. As a potential place to start, the Crossbell duology sits in a curious place between Trails in the Sky and Trails of Cold Steel, such that players of either will be better attuned to the setting, with both working as better introductions. Even so, Trails from Zero is an easy, enthusiastic recommend for existing Trails fans.

Jack Move’s ten-hour campaign is sure to please many fans of cyberpunk RPGs. Its short adventure is not only a journey into a futuristic world but also a tribute to games and inventions of past decades. Jack Move is recommendable for those who want a short turn-based game and don’t mind a story full of commonplace twists.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a game of connections and using one’s heart, mind, and body to unlock their full potential. As the children follow their paths to adulthood, the heavy hitting narrative tugs at the emotional heartstrings in different ways with each new experience. The initial heartbreaks are met with investiture in subsequent playthroughs as regret and knowledge can prevent disasters that befell the colony on previous attempts. Its roguelite nature works excellently and is immensely pleasing to reach a satisfying ending. Add to the mix its simple yet addicting card mechanics and there’s a lot here to be excited for.

Metal Max Xeno: Reborn is allegedly a refined experience of the initial game, but there are simply too many under-baked mechanics thrown in for anything to stick. At the end of the day, Reborn feels more like a tank management simulator with occasional forays into combat and exploration of an empty, generic-looking wasteland. Players are simply dropped into Dystokyo and left to their own devices. While some gamers will find themselves engrossed with monster hunting, others will find themselves frustrated by how Metal Max Xeno: Reborn is still unable to get things right, even after being fully reconstructed. A campy sense of humor can only carry a game so far. Unfortunately, this second chance at life is inexplicably held back by the same quality issues that plagued its progenitor.

Salt and Sacrifice is, by and large, a faithful continuation in the niche Ska Studios carved out for itself with Salt and Sanctuary. Nearly every element will be immediately familiar to those who’ve played its predecessor, with gameplay that sees all the common action RPG staples carried out admirably. However, it’s in its one novel concept, mage hunts, that it misses the mark a bit, as these add some frustrating pieces to the puzzle without really bringing anything worthwhile and unique to the formula. While it may clock in a bit below its predecessor in terms of overall package, main gameplay staples like combat and exploration continue to be of enjoyably high quality, and make this series’ second outing a worthwhile entry.

Already one of the prime RPG properties out there, Nintendo and Monolith Soft have somehow contrived to take Xenoblade Chronicles even higher. It’s clear that the studio has taken on board what has worked and what hasn’t from the previous titles, while still looking to inject fresh ideas. The great ambition of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is backed up with superb execution across the board as all of the elements work together to put players at the centre of another stunning experience.

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.

One thing is clear, Dusk Diver 2 knows what it wants to be and does it pretty well. The hack and slash action combat is easy to learn and master, and side content is addictive to complete. Its anime inspiration lends to a vibrant world, great character design, and soundtrack fitting for any occasion. However, the most important parts of the game don’t pack enough of a punch. Combat doesn’t have enough variety, and the story meanders for too long before it gets interesting. What keeps the game moving is the many things for Yumo to do outside of battle, whether that be helping people or indulging in a nice meal. Dusk Diver 2 ultimately isn’t an indulgence, but something one might pick up when they want something comfortable and familiar.

Live A Live takes the systems it has and finds new and innovative ways to tell various adventures through a simple framework. Its unique highlighting of different genres, time periods, or homages is masterfully executed. The combat is deeper than it looks and finds ways to keep things varied and interesting, while melding excellently with its sublime storytelling. Each scenario is a treat to the senses in a different way, making any of them capable of being a favourite. This game is an experience that needs to be played to be believed. Square Enix has done the world a great service by updating this hidden gem and making it available to a wider and modern audience.

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 some of the game’s flaws, Bear and Breakfast is a game I didn’t know I needed in my life. It’s charming, funny, and an addictive experience. I struggled to pry myself away from it because I kept wanting to up the values of my properties and work through the quests. While some of the drawbacks are disappointing, there’s a lot to love about this game, as there are great rewards that will keep the player coming back. Bear and Breakfast is a wholesome game that will give you all the cozy vibes from start to finish.

Overall, Citizen Sleeper is the kind of game one has to be in the right mood for. The setting is cold and alienating, while the overall mood for much of the game is a desperate struggle for survival against stacked odds. Once the stress of this abates, however, there are some genuinely lovely moments of characterization and storytelling that are absolutely worth it to experience. The challenging dice-based tabletop gaming experience is stressful at first, but loses some of its challenge as situations are dealt with, giving way to lovely and thought-provoking story interludes. With the developer supporting the game further with several pieces of free DLC, there’s a good amount of worthwhile sci-fi to experience here.

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.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak does an excellent job of taking RPGamer’s 2021 Game of the Year and elevating it further. Some may lament the lack of a new game system similar to the Guiding Lands in Monster Hunter World. However, Sunbreak focuses on improving nearly every aspect of its base game. Hunting monsters continues to provide immense satisfaction years after the release of the original Monster Hunter titles. For those who enjoyed the base title, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak provides a compelling list of reasons to return back to the hunt.

Where you fall on Souldiers probably depends on whether you were an early adopter. Technical issues appearing at launch were considerable, but have now largely been addressed. Those just coming to the game now, or those willing to return for a second attempt, will find a title as superbly high-quality as it is challenging. However, with great challenge comes great satisfaction, and the journey along the way is just so memorable; there were times I could literally not put the controller down, even after hours of playing. The ending does promise a sequel, and I, for one, am extremely excited about what this talented team can provide in a sophomore outing with the lessons learned here.

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.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin attempts to fuse the original’s sensibility into a fast-paced action RPG. For the most part, it is successful with intense action gameplay and beautiful music. Adjustable difficulty options and online co-op make the game accessible to a myriad of gamers without diminishing challenge or sacrificing replayability. It’s somewhat fitting that in this topsy-turvy action spin-off, the only thing that’s truly upside-down is the presentation of the original game’s story. Even as the narrative stumbles, the core gameplay is strong enough to motivate to see this story through to completion, no matter how chaotic.