Adam Vitale's Reviews
This well deserved remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles X makes it easier than ever to appreciate one of the best open-world RPGs out there.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a dense numbers-driven RPG and a remarkable improvement from its predecessor, with an immersive 15th century setting, satisfying role-playing, and impressive cinematic chops.
Mario & Luigi Brothership is the biggest and boldest the series has ever been, with some novel battle mechanics and colorful presentation. However, an overstuffed runtime and exhausting pacing severely dilute the experience in both narrative and gameplay. Had Brothership been a snappier, more compact entry, it could have been one of the best in the series, but as it is, we're left with an enjoyable game that overstays its welcome once again.
I come away from Ys X: Nordics more than satisfied with its renewed battle mechanics, but unfulfilled with most of the rest of the game that surrounds it. Ship navigation and island exploration never manage to become compelling, and the narrative largely falls flat. If you come to the Ys series primarily for entertaining combat, you'll have a blast - I just wish it was a little less lopsided.
Reynatis is, unfortunately like many other titles in FuRyu's catalog, an underwhelming RPG. In fact, FuRyu has continued to provide a good case study on why we probably shouldn't solely deify individual creators without acknowledging the full ensembles required to make beloved games. But as it is, we're left with an RPG that is average at best, messy & forgettable at worst. I've played most of FuRyu's output, continuing to look for a game that I can easily recommend to fans of the genre. While some games have been better than others, Reynatis doesn't break through the mediocrity. Maybe next time.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an approachable action RPG with satisfying combat but a narrative that unfortunately left little impression on me. While combat itself is enjoyable, battle variety is somewhat lacking, quests feel typical, and the narrative is forgettable.
While the Vengeance re-release doesn't fundamentally change what Shin Megami Tensei V is, numerous adjustments and improvements allow SMTV to be the best version of itself.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a good re-release of a good game, and adjustments made only improve upon it in small but substantial ways. It's an easy recommendation for general audiences and RPG fans. Now, where's my Luigi in Waffle Kingdom RPG?
While there is room to improve and some blemishes throughout, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has excellent presentation & nostalgic charm, and I cannot overstate enough how glad I am that it exists.
Banishers: Ghost of New Eden's excellent characters and storytelling are diminished by its mundane world structure and repetitive combat.
While Wandering Sword may appear to be an imitation at first glance, this entertaining Wuxia-style adventure is one of the most unique RPGs I've ever played, despite stumbles in localization and polish.
Tales of Arise - Beyond The Dawn is conceptually an interesting epilogue, but stale questing and trite plotting leave me apathetic to this unexpected expansion.
While Dark Envoy has some interesting class and skill systems, this CRPG's tedious encounter design, forgettable characters, sluggish narrative, and bevy of performance issues make it a difficult game to recommend.
Despite the narrative not fully coming together in the end, as well as some repetitive gameplay structure, Crymachina manages to be a compelling RPG. Regardless of its uneven nature and short duration, I think it may leave a lasting impression on me - at least a little bit.
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails invokes a feeling of an earlier era of Falcom in some of the best ways. With a charming presentation and commendable gameplay, this is a satisfying game and an easy recommendation to anyone looking for a light-hearted action RPG romp.
Atlas Fallen is an average action RPG with some interesting Momentum combat mechanics, a passable open-world, subpar presentation, and a disappointing narrative.
Jagged Alliance 3 is an excellent game, merging squad-based tactics and classic computer-style roleplaying in an entertaining veneer of cheesy action movies.
While Miasma Chronicles' tactical combat stylings are compelling, an undercooked narrative riddled with cliches, weak characters, and some glitchy behaviors hold this tactical RPG from its potential.
Etrian Odyssey is a great dungeon RPG series, and its transition to PC & Switch is an admirable one, but some interface oddities and a hefty pricepoint raise eyebrows.
Serviceable action combat can't salvage a disappointing narrative and tedious open world.