Irwyn Diaz
Despite its heavy use of aleatory mechanics, Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon: Every Buddy offers a strategic and challenging adventure that's paired with a delightful dose of Final Fantasy nostalgia.
Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force is a deceptively simple game housing some deep customization options. It's easy to get into if you're new to the series, while veterans will no doubt enjoy all of the new content that's been padded on. While it no doubt caters to a certain audience, Fairy Fencer F Advent Dark Force does show both promise and potential in the niche market.
My Time at Portia cultivates hard work and pays it off with a sense of progression and achievement. When you aren't searching for materials or crafting a new gadget, you're off cavorting at festivals or bonding with the friendly townsfolk. There's always something waiting for you at Portia, and it pulls you back in every time.
For all it has to offer, The Last Remnant Remastered is still the same adventure longtime fans still know and love. Its visual upgrades and other changes make it the best version to play, but its lackluster plot and complex combat system might turn others away.
Despite its visual shortcomings, World of Final Fantasy Maxima still brings back the charm we all fell in love with two years ago. This crossover still feels like an excellent celebration for the series, spoiling long-time supporters with classic gameplay and a fanciful tale filled with Final Fantasy fervor.
Depending on your taste, Disgaea 1 Complete can offer hours upon hours of gameplay filled with team building and grinding. With its gorgeous graphics and updated animations, this is hands down the best and "complete" version of the first game. And while the game does lack plenty of add-ons from later titles, hardcore Disgaea fans will still find a lot to love with this remastered classic.
Despite my initial confusion, Arena of Valor is probably one of the best MOBAs to get into if you're new to the series. With its beginner-friendly features and plenty of heroes to choose from, it's fairly easy to learn your way around and start competing against other players.
Donut County offers a bite-sized adventure that's crammed with some good ideas and funny exchanges. The adventure manages to expand as fast as your sinkhole, throwing in different concepts and mechanics to keep things fresh on your rambunctious city rampage; but for everything it brings to the table, it still left me wanting just a bit more.
From exploring different areas to serving customers, there's always something to do in Little Dragons Cafe. The Nintendo Switch is also the perfect platform for the game, letting you pick up and play after a long day. While it definitely isn't Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley, Little Dragons Cafe manages to stand on its own and offer a simple, charming experience that's easy to love in spite of the technical issues.
I always found myself constantly moving and exploring everything that Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana had to offer, and whenever I needed to take a quick break from all the tight action, I found myself appreciating the company of my fellow castaways and the natural wonders of Seiren Island. With its streamlined combat system and compelling narrative, the latest entry in the Ys series is another solid addition to the Switch's growing library and should definitely be on every JRPG lover's list..
Dillon's Dead-Heat Breakers follows a strict schedule of working, saving settlements, and enlisting in races. It may end up feeling a bit repetitive in the long run, but the game aims to mix it up with various jobs, different race track designs, and enemy variations.
Strangely enough, the game manages to convey a wealth of emotions through its wordless narrative and faceless cast. After the credits rolled, I couldn't help but think about how far we would personally go to save someone who was important in our life. With its simplistic puzzles, captivating narrative, and amazing art style, Last Day of June is definitely a game you'd want to pick up.
Overall, Tokyo Xanadu has a few quirks here and there, but I still had a fun time battling Greeds and bonding with my in-game friends. Despite the obvious flaws in its plot, Tokyo Xanadu more than makes up for it with its fast-paced action and combat system. If you want to dust off your Vita and play a new action RPG, I would recommend picking up the game.
Overall, Perception felt more like the horror edition of Gone Home rather than other titles like Outlast, Amnesia, or Resident Evil 7 as it leaned more towards exploration and the underlying plot rather than survival horror. Regrettably, I found that using echolocation in a narrative-driven game only limited my experience of trying to discover more about the house.