The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak sustains one of Nihon Falcom’s more underappreciated strengths: the scalability of its storytelling. Yes, the banter between members of a varied cast is expectedly lively and the inclusion of a morally ambiguous protagonist provides customary charms. But the game sinuously shifts to the scheming of the political elite and reveals a sordid underbelly that sharply contrasts with the technological distractions. Whether it’s the romantic ambitions of an NPC or biting societal critique, The Legend of Heroes franchise still has plenty to say, 35 years on.

Alan Wake II understands that horror should tap into our fear of uncertainty and a dislike for disorientation, rather than just providing jump scares. Remedy’s latest is at its best when it’s elusive, and you have little idea where the plotline is headed next. Occasionally, it can be a bit self-congratulatory. But if you overlook that quibble, you’re in for a harrowing time.

With a captivating storyline led by a splendid ensemble of characters and combat systems that remain involving throughout a 30+ hour playtime, Chained Echoes nails the tenets of any respectable RPG while rethinking many of the genre’s more creaky conceits.

The Making of Karateka demonstrates a deep-rooted respect of the source material. Most contemporary collections are driven by profits rather than an interest in historical preservation, establishing this as a shining benchmark for single-game curation. Capcom, Konami, it’s time to step it up.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter isn’t just a revival of a classic JRPG. It’s also a reminder of the power of patient storytelling and poignant character bonds. With refreshed combat, quality-of-life upgrades, and one of the genre’s most memorable casts, 1st Chapter is an essential experience for both returning players and newcomers.

In 2024, a seventy-dollar game with fifteen-dollar New Game+ option should be an accomplished experience. Determinedly, Infinite Wealth is, whether you’re bouncing foes like bowling pins, belting out Baka Mitai like it’s your last, or tackling Animal Crossing and Pokémon-inspired offshoots that are too big to be called mini-games. Then, there’s the duality of Kiryu and Ichiban, who each get fleshed out thoroughly across a protracted playtime.

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration offers a comprehensive interactive history that meticulously chronicles the company’s remarkable beginnings and eventual sell-off. But due to licensing issues, expect to see some series gaps in the package’s collection of playable games.

Simultaneously being a battlefield strategist and a spell-slinging sorceress on the frontline makes Timemelters feel distinctive. Sure, it’s not perfect and the occasional difficulty spike is poised to put a transitory hex on your enjoyment. But the concept of layering multiple versions of your actions helps make up for any blemishes.

Mullet Madjack is Otakuland’s signature thrill ride. Requiring players to kill in order to stay alive, gameplay channels the intensity of speedruns, the fire fights of a first-person shooter, and the visceral finishers of DOOM. But just like a roller coaster, this jaunt through 90’s anime and VHS static can be a fleeting experience.

Roboquest delivers thrilling, fast-paced roguelike FPS action with tight controls, a diverse and inventive arsenal, and exhilarating movement mechanics. While its environments could use more variety, the game’s relentless gunplay and rewarding progression make it a standout in the sub-genre.

The old adage about not swinging at the first pitch rings true for Granblue Versus: Rising. Like most sequels, you’ll find the requisite tweaks and additions. But returning players will witness a wealth of recycled fighters and some rehashed storytelling. As such, it’s newcomers that are best served, thanks to accessible control schemes, improved netcode, and diversions that make the Rising bountiful.

Like any competent sequel, Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines rectifies its predecessor’s wayward behaviors while showing off a few new tricks. But the most impressive feat is level design that doggedly challenges and captivates, as you chase down the game’s inventory of collectibles.

Angeline Era trades dodge rolls and parries for deliberate movement, turning every collision into a calculated risk. It’s a confident, old-school action RPG where exploration, controlling space, and target prioritization are just as important as reflexes.

While a multitude of titles have paid homage to SNES-era role-playing times, Sea of Stars is one of the few efforts that truly understands what makes the source material so beloved. Charmingly wholesome and aesthetically adept, Sabotage Studio’s follow-up to The Messenger will keep you beguiled through its blissful 30- (or so) hour campaign.

Despite a plodding introductory hour, Minishoot' Adventures free-roaming, open-world shooter soon heats up. Before you know it, you’ll feel the singe of bullet-hell involvedness, as the playfield becomes flooded with dense patterns of projectiles. Fortunately, a leveling-up system provides the counter-offensive you’ll need to survive with variable difficulty settings serving as a contingency plan.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is an absorbing action-adventure that combines Game Boy Advance vibes with inventive yoyo-based combat and a supply of clever puzzles. Despite the sporadic difficulty spikes, the game’s heartfelt story and explorable city make this a gem that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Hermit and Pig is an offbeat RPG where conversation is just as consequential as combat. Here, empathy, listening, and connection is the focus, rather than conquest. Although it’s a rather linear tale, an inventive dialogue system, salient themes, and a heartfelt exploration of loneliness make it a moving experience that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lumines Arise revisits the series’ absorbing fusion of sight, sound, and strategy, pulling players into another round of trance of rhythm-driven puzzling. Even if its soundtrack doesn’t quite eclipse past highs, Enhance and Mizuguchi craft a mesmerizing revival that proves the franchise still hits as hard as any beat drop.

Currently in Early Access, Cross Blitz’s two modes deliver a lot of deckbuilding enjoyment, whether you are tackling the pair of plot lines or the game’s roguelike component. Yes, the sporadic difficulty spikes are vexing as you face foes equipped with commanding cards. Developer Tako Boy wanted to remind us that sporadically, the deck is stacked against us. [Early Access Provisional Score = 78]

Antonblast sporadically has moments where the platforming might not be as precise as you’d like. But save for the infrequent frustration of attempting to scale ascending collapsing steps, Summitsphere’s sophomore effort is one of the best platformers of the year. Fueled by a hyperactive energy that makes each stage feel frantic and feral, Antonblast is Wario Land for a generation who came out of the womb multitasking.

Peer past some forgivable anachronisms and Critical Games manages to capture the sanguine charms of early console role-playing games. Occasionally, attempts to capture retro appeal lack authenticity, becoming the equivalent of a mediocre ‘80s cover band. But here, Joshua Hallaran and the team hit almost all the right notes.

Apogee’s latest feels like a celebrative orgy of game violence. You’ll slide chainsaw-leg first through clusters of enemies, plunge down and destroy foes like a homicidal Spider-Man, or just reduce them to a pulp with a robust arsenal of firearms. It’s in Early Access, so there is still some uncertainty about the kinds of creative carnage the third act will bring. But there’s already more than enough hyperkinetic, over-the-top action to warrant a go as Johnny Turbo. [Early Access Score = 84]

Instead of prodding the property along, The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island brings Shiren back to his roots, stripping away some of the intricacies of The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate. While this is a great place to start if you've somehow shunned the series, know that imprudently advancing through the game's dungeons provides a proper punishment.

Like many of Vanillaware’s previous efforts, sight, sound, and story effortlessly intermingle in Unicorn Overlord. The result is a role-playing experience poised to fascinate with its well-developer recruitable characters and a battle system that will have you tenaciously tinkering with your troops and envisaging new strategies when you’re not playing. Despite a reliance of Western high-fantasy and a rather conventional lead, Overlord shouldn’t be missed.

OPUS: Prism Peak is a slow-burn adventure that uses photography and a surreal spirit world to explore regret, memory, and life’s overlooked moments. It stumbles a bit with pacing, but the game’s emotional honesty and poignant storytelling will linger long after the final frame.

Given the novel’s taut pacing, likable leads, and first-rate aesthetics, Anonymous;Code serves as one of the most approachable entry points into the Science Adventure games. It might not top the emotional crests of Steins;Gate, but it's every bit as wonderfully mind-bending.

Trails to Azure offers both closure to the Crossbell arc and an introduction to some of Cold Steel’s characters. But the game functions as more than just connective tissue for Nihon Falcom’s prolific property. Spending time with Lloyd and the rest of the Special Support Section exemplifies role-playing at its best, courtesy of compelling combat, a delightful cast of characters, and more geopolitical intrigue than a stack of history books.

Innovative and thoroughly polished, NeverAwake is ideal for shooter fans seeking a Burton-esque excursion through a young girl's psyche.