Heidi Kemps
The non-linear storytelling, freeform exploration, and strategic combat of Octopath Traveler II makes for a challenging and satisfying RPG adventure.
A wealth of new content and gameplay additions make a modern role-playing classic better than ever in Persona 4 Golden.
One Piece Odyssey captures the visual style and whimsy of the original material but stumbles at turning it into an engaging RPG.
Despite weak combat and dated visuals, the central gameplay loop of Dragon Quest Treasures is strong enough to keep you coming back.
Tactics Ogre Reborn is a superb revamp of an all-time strategy game masterpiece--though this revival is not without some small issues.
Valkyrie Elysium's mediocre action-RPG gameplay and threadbare story and characters wear out their welcome long before the game wraps up.
Soul Hackers 2 is a stylish, engaging JRPG with great characters, but dull dungeon design dampens the experience.
Live A Live is a beautiful remake of an overlooked classic that should not be missed by JRPG fans.
The games remain timeless classics, but the Sonic Origins wrapper leaves something to be desired.
While Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is nothing novel, it is a charming and enjoyable experience.
Gotta Protectors is a sleeper hit that offers a delightful mix of retro aesthetics and action/strategy gameplay unlike anything else.
King of Fighters XV isn't revolutionary, but it's a solid, feature-laden package with personality and style.
Windjammers 2 offers fast-paced and intensely fun online and offline versus play, but there's little to keep your interest if you're flying solo.
Shin Megami Tensei V may be slow-paced, but its strategic turn-based combat and dark, foreboding atmosphere deliver a challenging and rewarding RPG experience.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl offers a smashing competitive experience… but that's about all the substance it has.
There isn't much new in this best-of compilation, but when the core package is this well-made and feature-packed, that's easy to overlook.
Tales of Arise is a lengthy, beautiful RPG adventure, but has messy combat and uneven pacing on occasion.
The story of Scarlet Nexus might be a mess, but fun action and great character moments make it worth your time.
Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown delivers a deep, satisfying fighting game experience--provided you're okay with barebones single-player and inconsistent online play.
Miitopia's great character creation is wasted on a shallow, repetitive RPG experience.