Starlight Legacy is a brief but charming throwback to the earliest years of Final Fantasy, with a competent story, familiar gameplay, and a visual style that reminds us why we can’t quit our love of pixelated games. At roughly ten hours of gameplay, it never has a chance to hit a long stride, but it’s a pleasant bite of game for someone looking for a wind-down after this year’s glut of long-play classic JRPGs. The game is also another great reminder that indie developers are out there doing their best for the love of the game. When it shines through, maybe it still can’t out-gleam the professional classics, but it’s proof that there’s still a lot to this nostalgic genre to love.
Devoted to a cozy, play at your pace style and supported by a well-planned and executed story featuring some great characters, Palia enters its first major expansion with the strength necessary to give it a long-term boost. The ever-expanding world is a joy to explore, and the new Elderwood region is large, intricate, and full of neat little nooks where one can find platforms for goodies and shortcuts, all to further the understanding of the world of Palia’s lost history. There are plenty of skills to master, but it never feels overwhelming. Improving your toolkit is up to you, naturally paced by how much you’re willing to putter around with the skill to do some other thing you decided you wanted. The social aspect is no afterthought, walking a careful line of interactivity that allows the world to feel alive without stressing the less social of us into situations that absolutely require us to be outgoing (aaaaaaaugh). Palia hits a blend of tone and style I didn’t realize I was looking for, adding the home customization of Animal Crossing and Disney Dreamlight Valley to a story I found both fresh and comfortingly familiar at regular intervals. In a time of heavy stress, it’s soft, it’s pleasant, and it offers nifty mysteries to think about. It’s a world that’s going to continue to earn regular visits from me as it continues to grow, and I truly hope I’ll see you there.
Maliki: Poison of the Past is a beautifully designed game with a loop that feels heavier on combat and exploration than it is on farming. The combat, while balanced and intriguing, may end up being a little tougher than you’d expect from games in this niche, and you may well feel like you’re missing some opportunities to simply pootle around your crops. But if you’re locked in and ready for a turn-based RPG with a little meat on it, you may well fall in love with Maliki. I found myself a little frustrated — but understanding — with being dropped back at the dungeon’s entrance in the early game, as my resources dwindle too fast from trying to hustle back to the checkpoint. It’s going to be a matter of heavy preference for gamers. Still, I solidly mark this as one for the RPGers looking for a slightly lighter adventure fare than, say, Lunar. Then, I would recommend it for farm sim fans looking for a little excitement in between harvests.
Medieval Legacy is a game that will feel dry to those unfamiliar with grand strategy and lineage games, with menus that may intimidate and a realistic unfairness to your struggle, even on the introductory Medium setting, which makes this not the best entry point for gamers intrigued by the premise. To you, I beg, try King of Dragon Pass, or the cozier Echoes of Plum Grove as a launching pad. Then come join us over here in numbers land. But for those of us that don’t mind being blasted with a whole lot of information and countless ways to flub your run (ask me about my hundreds of hours in Stellaris), Medieval Legacy is a pretty darn good legacy sim. The month-to-month turns give you plenty of time to putter through the menus, talk to neighboring families, and decide on your course of action. While it seems like there’s not much to do at first with your minimal resources, there’s much more lurking around to discover, making for a slightly clunky in places but earnest and enjoyable sim. I liked this game a surprising amount, and will continue to plug away at it until I get a family I can be proud of. But my score should be taken with caveats for the comfier gamer, and I wish the early access demo was still available. Still, at a budget price, I highly endorse giving this game a fair shot, so long as this kind of thing is your jam.
The Lunar Remastered Collection is a thoughtfully prepared revival of a truly classic JRPG series, bringing back two games that are nostalgia incarnate for the dedicated fan and an approachable bit of history for new players. With rebalanced difficulty, a modernized inventory, zippier combat, cleaned-up visuals, and the meat of these classic stories otherwise untouched, this is a brilliant example of how to bring back the biggest moments of gaming history without wrecking the shop. With the best two games in the Lunar saga now more accessible than ever, it’s a no-brainer of a choice for RPG fans who love the straightforward simplicity of our older turn-based games. For players used to the fancy options of modern RPGs like Avowed and Dragon Age, the Lunar Remastered Collection may feel too much like a step back. But if you love a good story, it’s still worth the time and investment to see why the genre still thrives, even in the shadow of glitzy triple-A action games.
The Electrifying Incident: A Monster-Mini Expedition may not be a full meal, but it’s a delicious snack of a game for fans of A Monster’s Expedition. Anyone who’s a fan of block puzzles, slidey or otherwise, or who can think spatially are going to get a kick out of this little charmer. Light on story but full of this adorable little goon with his grabby toy and his PPE-approved vest, it’s the video game equivalent of a short story you’ll be thinking about for days afterward.
Nif Nif is precisely the entry-level rogue-like deck builder the genre’s been needing to usher in new players and offer a cozy change-up for long-timers. Its aesthetic is consistent and adorable, its tone is light and cheeky, with dorky in-jokes that bring smiles, and it’s quick and easy to play. It’s easy to assume that means the game isn’t ambitious — and really, it isn’t — but what it does, it does with a simple charm that’ll keep you coming back. Until my partner passed over the giant brick of a fantasy novel we both wanted to read, and he’d finally finished, I was making this my just-before-bed game. It was a great choice, leaving me perfectly happy to roll over and go to bed, whether I’d won or not, and still feeling I was learning new things about deck builder tactics. Just a super little game, honestly, and I hope you’ll love it, too.
Trolls vs. Vikings: Reborn isn’t reinventing the tower defense genre, but for those who love the simple yet complex options of similar games like Plants vs. Zombies, this is going to be a welcome treat. With accessible difficulty and intuitive handling, it’s easy to drop a lot of time noodling around with your tactical options, feeling clever until you’re ready to up the heat on yourself. That makes Trolls vs. Vikings a good contender for your first tower defense-style game, too. For those who like tougher challenges, Trolls vs. Vikings has your back, too. The Valhalla difficulty challenges are exactly that: beat them, and you can rest knowing that Odin himself might admire your strategic wits. Me, I’ll be in the back playing Normal with the old dude’s ravens, Hugin and Munin. They cheat, but they’re good listeners.
Grimoire Groves has an active ad campaign that claims some of its early players are calling it a mix of Hades and Animal Crossing. It is neither of those things. The NPCs aren’t dynamic, they aren’t your neighbors, and they will become the source of your headaches. The combat isn’t Hades, because it quickly becomes onerous and grindy, and I felt zero joy when I beat the first boss. The combat isn’t smooth, either; aiming your spells is inexact, and only the lack of enemy damage keeps that from being a gamekiller itself. This is a game I desperately looked forward to, and I work hard to be gentle in my reviews, because I can admire the effort. I wanted to be gentle this time, but my partner put his hand on my arm and pointed out that I literally screamed at my Steam Deck in frustration. Grimoire Groves is polished and pretty, put together by people who clearly know what they’re doing, and yet somehow forgot to make the game loop fun to repeat. I cannot recommend it. It made me angry and unhappy to continue, and nothing was satisfying about the loop or its characters. I hope it will improve, but it’s going to take a lot to bring me around for another try.
If you’re already a Trails fan, The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak II is a no-brainer of a purchase, kicking off a fast-paced story on all fours and ready for you to catch up to what’s going on. If you’re new to the franchise, at the very least, I recommend you start with the first Daybreak, but the game does what it can to bring you into a new episode of Van Arkride’s weighty life with the information you need to understand why he cares deeply about some people you’re meeting for the first time. The only major question is what format you want to play in, and if you prefer to make the Switch your JRPG machine, you won’t be disappointed with Daybreak II’s performance. It’s a cozy way to play a convoluted (affectionate) story in a world that’s already weathered countless trials, and is up for weathering a few more. Another solid entry for a grande dame franchise.
Defender’s Quest 2: Mists of Ruin is going to offer up some happy times to people who’ve been wanting more of this particular franchise’s jaunty style and accessible RPG/defense gameplay. I also believe this game is a good option for new players, with some familiar bits from other genres — I really like the skill trees, for some reason — and a pause function that also allows you to catch your breath, move tactically, and even aim your ship’s weapons. That removes a lot of stress from real time gaming. While my review copy did have some issues, they were disclosed up front and I’m confident in this developer’s ability to go after any big problems swiftly enough that most people aren’t going to know they were ever present. And with an interesting story featuring some genuinely great characters, there’s more than enough reason to give Defender’s Quest 2: Mists of Ruin a good, solid try even if you’re not normally a tower defense fan. A pleasant surprise, and a great way to zone out from the world for a little while.
My final thumb score is not a reflection of negativity or confusion in this case, but a combined assessment as a reviewer and a big cheer as a fan of both the JRPG genre and new creators showing off what they’ve already learned to do. Keep at it, Kevin Musto. I think you’ve got the will to work up your skills.
Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrected updates and smoothes over a number of its original issues, but several still remain. Still, it’s a passionate game telling a story of two women in love. It’s terrific that this is no longer as original or rare as it was at the time, but like explaining the Barbie movie to friends who felt we didn’t need more basic introductions to feminism, there is always room for more gentle introductions and reminders that the love we have to share with each other matters. No matter who they are. Because it is desperately easy to find ourselves in shadowed worlds that want us to forget that. The result of the remaster is still an imperfect game, but there’s something about it that keeps you going in spite of its flaws. It’s a great time for a reintroduction, and I hope it’s welcomed by the audience it needs. It didn’t click all the way with me, gameplay wise, but I love the monster designs and the story hit the right notes. Take my final verdict with plenty of wiggle room — this one is going to be highly subjective per player, but worth visiting.
Threefold Recital is a delightful surprise, a friendly trip through a fantastical vision of China. Its science fiction and spiritual elements intertwine in ways I never would have thought of, creating a world I genuinely haven’t seen represented before. Its world of animal and human characters come together in neat ways, and as someone who is a big fan of Blacksad (a fantastic, Eisner-winning European noir graphic novel series that’s for mature audiences), this feels closer to the video game that series deserved. Each main character is unique and charming, making it easy to care about the story they’ve gotten themselves mixed up in. It’s a rich enough world that I hope someday we get to learn even more about it. Initially and quickly charmed, I’ve sat with it just long enough to realize I genuinely love this game, and though I didn’t beat it before the deadline, I’ll be keeping at it until I find out what really happened to the tenth dragon emperor. A delight worth a chance.
LOK Digital is a remarkable translation of a pen and pencil puzzle game into something that can easily be picked up and played as a video game, and some of that is due in part to publishers Draknek & Friends, who’ve brought equally delightful games like A Monsters Expedition to Steam. The new dimension allows the world of the LOKs to come to life in even more vibrant ways — despite their monochrome world — and even the puzzles themselves go through some neat changes to suit the environment. It’s a delight to enter a new section of the game and see what the little blobs are up to now, and the game’s thoughtful pacing reduces frustration when new words are introduced. Instead, it’s a little jolt of delight to figure out something new, and it’s a great motivation to keep growing in this strange little world. With some 90-odd puzzles (and dailies), it’s a game you’ll be sad to wrap up. A pleasant treat and a great wintertime relaxer.
Reindeer Story is the sort of game meant for people who enjoy very old-school RPGs and who want to support new developers who put a lot of very visible effort into something they genuinely care about doing. It’s far from a perfect game; its deliberate archaicness is going to make it feel sluggish and even difficult for some newer gamers, and there are occasional minor errors like misspelt or badly wrapped text. In the game’s defence, I remember professionally distributed NES and SNES games having these issues, too, so I don’t consider these big flaws. The game’s biggest draw is its charming story, which starts from some familiar but copyright-safe origins and then begins to spread into the sillier mythos of Christmas. Fans of the equally cornball Zeboyd games (Cthulhu Saves the World, etc.) are probably the best base from which to support developer Azzie in whatever project they’re ready to tackle next. And I do hope they keep going. Available at a budget price on Steam and filled with plenty to do, it’s not a game I can easily recommend to a casual cozy gamer. But for those willing to share some Christmas spirit and slice off a whack of some actually pretty tasty fruitcake, I hope you give it a visit. It’s a little funky, but I can’t help but admire its charm.
Touhou Genso Wanderer – FORESIGHT – is a lovely jump-in point for both the Touhou Project and the roguelike genre, both of which are great things for the long-term prosperity of any franchise. While it’s not as in-depth as other Mystery Dungeon games, and though its anime plot of mikos and mystics versus the world may be pretty alien to anyone unfamiliar with the home franchise, it does well with what it has and keeps its focus on those new arrivals who don’t know all the decades-long interactions between these characters. While the price point is, in my opinion, a little steep for what you’re getting in terms of complexity and potential gameplay hours, I will say that’s not unusual for Mystery Dungeon-style games, either. A sale price and some curiosity about the genre make it a must-buy; a regular price means doing some research and thinking if you’ll enjoy a gently-paced introduction to a world that rarely welcomes outsiders. On the whole, I’m charmed with this game. For veterans annoyed with its comparative simplicity, it’s also succeeded at the most important duty of all: it made me curious about other games in the franchise. Now, that’s how you win.
The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey is the kind of puzzle game that’s going to seem intimately familiar at first, but a depth of puzzle craft and detail makes it into something all its own. At first glance, it’s easy to see a little of Fire Emblem inside the game, with its variety of unique pixel art units and movements. After a little fussing, you’ll probably also think of Into the Breach, where the order of operations as you start your turn makes the difference between victory and defeat. But Cebba quickly takes over its own niche, and it does so well enough that it can become something fresh for dedicated puzzle fans to chew on. The only ‘quibble’ is that, wow, these puzzles begin to escalate in a way that hyper-focused minds might start to feel genuinely overwhelmed by midgame. But the game is also untimed and chill about letting you figure it out at your own speed, mitigating the issue well. I’ll also say that I didn’t fuss with the make-your-own puzzle portion of the game, as it’s purely optional, and I am Bad At Such Things. I will say that the same controls work well there, and wiser minds than mine might enjoy the option!
Cricket: Jae’s Really Peculiar Game has a lot of style and a lot of heart, and the people who grew up on both Earthbound and Super Mario RPG are going to find something here that scratches a hard-to-reach itch. But like its predecessors, it’s going to be a little sturdier of an opponent than you think, and mastery of combat and awareness of its quirks is going to be key as to whether or not this game is going to be for you in the long term.
WitchSpring R isn’t just a solid JRPG for fans looking for a new title; it’s a great choice for someone’s first foray into the genre. With a well-paced series of tutorials and new options fed at a pace easy enough for anyone to comprehend, it’s also a game that’s not looking to make itself difficult for you. The plot may be simple, but it’s also adorably presented, bracketed by flourishes that are intriguing and inventive without simply being dark. In fact, it’s a game that feels like it’s saying that the past, while hard to forget, can be overcome by kindness and understanding. Pieberry is a good kid, and while she does have choices ahead of her, it’s easy to want to nurture her innocence and charm. It’s a game that’s a great fit for the Switch and a definite no-brainer for anyone looking for a classic turn-based joy ride.