AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative gets almost everything right. It builds on the original in just about every way and remains a more accessible entry thanks to new quality of life features and difficulty options. The narrative is more over-the-top than the original with its humor turned up even more, and it excels with its excellent characters. If you enjoy mystery adventure games, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't buy AI: The Somnium Files nirvanA Initiative. It is an easy game of the year contender.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is another fantastic game from Square Enix, and an essential for fans of mystery, horror, and adventure games. It feels great to play on both Switch and Steam Deck. I want to see more releases like Paranormasight and The Centennial Case from the publisher.

Final Fantasy 16 is one of the most impressive games Square Enix has ever made even with its few issues. The brilliant combat, superlative voice acting, amazing music, and gorgeous world come together to make the best single-player Final Fantasy since the PS2 era. This one’s an all-timer.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is not only the best and most accessible Ace Attorney yet, but an absolute essential for fans of adventure games with its brilliant characters, amazing soundtrack, and great presentation.

NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition is a port that I never expected would happen, let alone one that would deliver a competent NieR: Automata experience on a portable. If you've wanted to play NieR: Automata on the go, this is a great way to do so. Square Enix and Virtuous went above and beyond here with support for motion controls, touchscreen, and also exclusive DLC. It isn't as good as playing on other platforms, but delivers in a proper NieR: Automata portable experience retaining everything that made the original game one of the greatest of all time.

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is easily one of the best games in a decade and an absolute must play on Nintendo Switch despite the technical issues in some battle situations. I was skeptical of how it would run in parts given the performance issues on PS4, but the port is very well done and it looks fantastic on the Nintendo Switfch OLED screen. If you skipped this on PS4, you absolute have to buy it on Switch.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero on PC gives one of Falcom's best games the superlative PC conversion it deserves. PH3 has outdone itself once again with this release that plays like a dream across the board and shines on Steam Deck.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the best Xenoblade game and an essential for any Switch owner despite its few flaws. With Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy is Nintendo Switch's crown jewel.

Over the last few weeks, there hasn't been a single waking hour I haven't thought about Shin Megami Tensei V. The combat, music, and design are all amazing and the only area it falters is in the technical aspects. Despite that, this is one of the best JRPGs in years and everything I wanted from a new Shin Megami Tensei game.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective's remaster is a cleaner and smoother version of the DS classic which is one of Capcom's best games. If you've not played it before, you're in for a treat. This month is very busy with major releases, but Ghost Trick with its excellent revival is a trick you don't want to miss.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is not only the definitive way to experience Final Fantasy VII Remake but the complete package with a massively improved and visually enhanced main game and a brilliant DLC episode that exceeded all my expectations.

Despite some annoying performance issues, Elden Ring is a masterpiece. The combat, enemy variety, exploration, music, and open world are top notch. I’ve been playing it daily across all platforms alongside other games all month, and look forward to doing that all year as I try new builds, help friends, and try to do everything I want in this triumph of a video game.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a fantastic metroidvania with gorgeous animation and great gameplay. The PS5 version even makes use of the console's activity cards and haptic feedback making it a great version to consider. If you've been wanting a game to scratch your Castlevania: Symphony of the Night itch, this is it.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA remains one of Falcom's best games, and the new PS5 version is a great entry point into the series thanks to its enhancements. If you already own the PS4 version, it isn't worth grabbing, but this is the best console version of Ys VIII, and the low asking price makes it an easy recommendation for newcomers.

Ib is an unsettling, creepy, and incredible experience on Nintendo Switch. It has excellent music, great art, and an amazing narrative through its multiple endings. If you enjoy exploration, horror, and 2D adventure games, you need to play this.

The original Fire Emblem Warriors was my favorite musou game. I say was, because Three Hopes has finally dethroned it with its amazing blend of Three Houses characters and Omega Forces' tried and tested formula. This isn't just a great musou experience, but a great Fire Emblem game.

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix+ on Steam Deck is the best portable Project Diva experience ever with its huge song list, gorgeous visuals, excellent performance, and features from both Nintendo Switch and PS4 games. If you've never played a Miku game yet, this is a fantastic entry point and an essential for rhythm game and Hatsune Miku fans.

Judgment on PS5 is easily the definitive way to experience one of Sega's best games and while there isn't much incentive for people who played it already to double dip, newcomers have a fantastic experience waiting for them with this remaster.

Monster Hunter Rise on PS5 is brilliant with its excellent performance, visual options, PS5 features like Activity Cards, gyro support, and the inclusion of new feature updates and event quests available from the start. The only disappointment is Sunbreak not being available until this spring.

Bayonetta 3 excels in its combat, music, voice acting, and scale making it essential for fans of the series, but it has a few technical issues holding it back. This is definitely PlatinumGames' most ambitious game yet, and an excellent exclusive for Nintendo Switch.

Like a Dragon: Ishin sees the historical adventure spin-off from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio finally released in the West, and the wait has been worth it despite some technical issues. The story, characters, and superlative voice acting make this an easy recommendation if you're a fan of the series.

The World Ends With You on PC is a bare-bones conversion, but one that runs great. This is easily the definitive version of one of Square Enix's best games in years.

Gotta Protectors: Cart of Darkness is an essential for Nintendo Switch owners with its humor, fun gameplay, appreciation of older video games, and brilliant music. The blend of strategy and action never gets old, and the online play works surprisingly well. This is one of the best value packages available on the eShop with DLC that is an absolute must buy for fans of Yuzo Koshiro’s music.

If you've never played an Atelier game before, Atelier Sophie 2 on PC is a great way to get into the series and a fantastic game in its own right thanks to all the quality of life improvements. This is a must play for fans of the series and anyone looking for a relaxing and laid-back JRPG.

While Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade itself is a bare-bones PC conversion, it is an absolute joy to play on Steam Deck. If you skipped the console version and own a Steam Deck, it is definitely worth grabbing. I just hope it gets patched to fix some issues that still linger from the original PC launch back in December last year.

Mon Amour is a deceptively simple Flappy Bird-like game that oozes Onion Games’ signature charm. If you enjoyed the developer's other releases like Million Onion Hotel or Black Bird, you should already be playing this. It is a gem.

Persona 3 Portable on Nintendo Switch is an excellent conversion of one of Atlus' best PSP games. While it still has the flaws present in the original Persona 3 Portable release, I'm glad to see Atlus make this more accessible, and it is an easy recommendation thanks to the low asking price on Nintendo Switch. Hopefully Atlus does a physical release for Persona 3 Portable on Switch in the future.

While Square Enix should've released them on consoles from the start, the new features and options definitely make the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series on PS5 worth grabbing as a bundle. It isn't perfect thanks to the scrolling issues, but everything else is excellent.