There is a lot of content to experience, but it is all riddled with flaws, making it an unsuitable replacement for Vita fans disappointed in the lack of Persona 5.
The world of Magalan is intriguing with its blend of technology and magic, but it's unfortunate that the game tucked inside of it is only fun to play half of the time.
Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai offers frenetic and surprisingly action RPG gameplay that is weighed down by mobile-style progression and a pointless story format.
Assassin's Creed Mirage digs deep to return to its roots, but loses what made it so great in the process with messy climbing and an unnecessary story.
Eternights relies a bit too much on taking inspiration from other games like Persona 5 to carve out its own identity.
In the end, Modern Warfare 3 begs the question of whether this annual cycle should continue or not. Almost half the game feels shoehorned in, such as the forgettable campaign. Meanwhile, the other half has mixed results in the case of the multiplayer maps. But if players engage with the truly special parts of MW3, such as its exceptional improvements to gameplay and spectacular alternative modes like Zombies and Ground War, they’ll find there is a worthy experience in there somewhere.
While it is certainly one of the most accessible RTS games I've ever played, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition does feel too outdated for newcomers. Unintelligent AI, monotony, and unbalanced gameplay hold it back from competing with modern strategy games out right now. That isn't to say there isn't fun to be had for fans, as the extensive map editors and online multiplayer are its saving graces.
Here's hoping that Tokyo RPG Factory's next project takes that gameplay design and applies it to a heartfelt story that doesn't feel like it was assembled on a conveyor belt.
Despite the overwhelming difficulty found at the start, it is certainly worth pushing through it to enjoy the unique experience that Warriors All-Stars is. Koei Tecmo has found its own Smash Bros. mash-up game that brings together a brilliant ensemble cast of characters like Ryu, William from Nioh, and Dynasty Warriors' Zhao Yun for classic Musou hack-and-slash gameplay.
Longtime players won't find much to enjoy in this barely changed version of last year's entry.
SaGa: Emerald Beyond fascinates (for better and for worse) from start to finish. The multiple protagonists, bizarre presentation, and straightforward mechanics make for a rather easy but wholly unique JRPG.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising certainly looks like one of the most gorgeous fighting games out there and it plays well, even if the actual content feels a bit bland.
Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is a charming package of two remastered musical PS1 JRPGs.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie is a fascinating culmination of most main characters' stories while paving the way for the future.
For those that have never tried this fourth Ace Attorney game, there is no reason not to pick up Apollo Justice. The riveting story is much more serious and emotional, the cases will shock and surprise you, and the soundtrack and cast of characters new and old are absolutely unforgettable.
Resident Evil Revelations Collection brings two survival horror games to Switch with a host of problems, including some absolutely terrifying loading times. It's a shame because both games work so well in handheld mode. Whether it's running for your life on a desolated cruise ship or island, this Collection offers some of the best moments from the entire Resident Evil series if you're willing to sacrifice the technical quality.
I couldn't help but find myself feeling like a kid again while playing Ni no Kuni 2. The switch from turn-based to real-time action is a smart move, keeping gameplay consistently fresh and exciting.
It's disappointing how many issues Guild War 2's second expansion Path of Fire has. Whether it's the lack of content, numerous bugs (some fixed, others that still exist), or rushed plot, there's a lot that hinders what is otherwise a surprisingly great expansion.
Monster Hunter Stories is a decent spin-off, perfect for introducing anyone to the Monster Hunter franchise. The battles may allow for too much gambling and the environments can be unappealing for the eye, but it still features an interesting story that will keep you hooked for dozens of hours.
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.