Jen Glennon
Despite it's flaws, Final Fantasy XV is a milestone achievement: not just for being completed, but for being completed with polish, aplomb and love.
Persona 5 isn't just the best game I've played this year, it's the best game I've played in years. And I can't wait to do it all again.
Endearing characters, twisty-turny plot and generous sprinkling of anime-inspired humor will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Mask of Truth ramps up the stakes and excitement of combat and delivera loads of meaty plot twists and character development.
If you're a fan of visual novels -- and you have a strong stomach and a reliable night-light -- Chaos;Child needs to be on your must-play list.
With fast-paced action, a gripping story, and some truly startling revelations that reshape perceptions of the overall story, Episode Ignis is a must-play for FFXV fans.
Lost Sphear is a mixed bag that will appeal to some RPG fans more than others. Combat is challenging and fun, but the story feels lacking and derivative for much of the game.
While it retains some of the annoying quirks of the SNES original (and brings a few new ones to the table), the Secret of Mana remake is still a rollicking good time for old-school RPG fans.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is Nintendo’s answer to the unfussy greatness of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. Is there fancier stuff on the menu? Sure. But you will keep coming back, and you’ll be satisfied every damn time.
The remake of Resident Evil 3 struggles to get out from under its older sibling's formidable shadow, with clumsier gunplay, diminished replay value, and excessive reliance on quick-time events to move the story forward.
For the most part, Square Enix's ambitious project is an enormous success, with achingly beautiful aesthetics, a mesmerizing story, and snappy combat. Uneven pacing and the repetitive nature of dungeons keep it just shy of perfection, but overall, FF7 Remake is a game to cherish for fans and first-timers.
Endearing visuals and storytelling can't rescue Paper Mario: The Origami King from a tedious combat system that slows the action to a crawl.
A consistently intriguing story, varied yet approachable gameplay, and surprisingly nuanced characters set this detective story apart from the pack.
Vanillaware's latest is a true masterclass in galaxy-brain sci-fi storytelling that will keep you up well past your bedtime. 13 Sentinels thumbs its nose at your expectations about familiar sci-fi tropes to take you somewhere completely unexpected.
With a massive, gorgeous world and wildly satisfying combat, Genshin Impact can rival the fun-factor of any AAA game released this year, and it’s completely possible to enjoy without spending a dime.
Like a Dragon is right up there with Yakuza 0 in terms of sheer fun-factor and an almost dizzying abundance of stuff to see and do.
Experiencing Monster Hunter for the first time on Switch is an awkward reminder of the limitations of Nintendo’s hybrid console, particularly a few months after the launches of Series X and PS5. Rise often feels like a throwback — and not in a good way.
Bandai Namco’s latest action RPG delivers a crackling sci-fi story with electrifying and innovative combat.
Shin Megami Tensei V isn’t a casual romp for RPG dabblers, but if you love intricate, strategic combat, you’ve come to the right place. Atlus’ latest is a grueling but gratifying RPG experience where your mastery of its mechanics truly feels earned.
I wouldn’t place Chrono Cross in the rare tier of games I’d recommend to positively anyone, but if you’re someone with a deep affinity for the RPG genre, it’s a risk-taking riff on a classic that’s still got surprises to spare.