Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age takes everything to love about classic JRPGs and refines them to their utmost. The result? Absolute brilliance. If you had to pick just one JRPG to own on a modern platform, then let it this be the one.
Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age is the shining example of how remasters should be -- improving the game in multiple aspects while keeping the core gameplay intact.
Sonic Mania doesn't necessarily mark Sonic's return to his glory days, but there is still much to love about this game and it can easily serve as a foundation for the future of the series if the Sonic Team chooses to continue in this direction.
Yakuza Kiwami represents the pinnacle of the series, with Sega bringing everything it has learned over the years and refining it into a single neat package. The result is a unique and unforgettable experience that far outstrips what was presented in the original entry.
Monster Hunter: World is a revelation, taking a series that was once reserved for all but the most hardcore of fans and tweaking it enough to make it appeal to a new generation of gamers while still keeping its core perfectly intact.
The lack of new content in Dragon's Crown Pro may be disappointing, but when a game plays — and looks — as good as this, it's hard to hold such complaints against it. Returning players, welcome back; new players, enjoy your stay.
With its intricately woven story and memorable characters, Yakuza 2 was already viewed as one of the best in the series. And now with improved graphics and a refined Dragon Engine, it's remake, Yakuza Kiwami 2, could be the best of them all.
SoulCalibur 6 is a brilliant return to form for the series, combining a robust single-player campaign and intense, dynamic combat to bring the franchise to a level it hasn't been at in years. It's time to leave your mark on history once again.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition shows its age in some areas, but with its enjoyable characters, interesting story, beautiful aesthetic and fun combat, this is one game from 2008 that definitely still holds up in 2019.
If Monster Hunter: World is a revelation, then Iceborne is something more. It takes everything I loved about the original title, while improving the things that I didn't. Truly, even with some minor shortcomings, if the ideal form of Monster Hunter were to be given shape then this is just about as close as you could get.
Despite some shortcomings, Samurai Shodown doesn't disappoint. Its slow pace belies a depth that rivals any fighting game, while still providing an experience unlike almost any other. If the stunning visuals don't leave you breathless, then the unrelenting tension felt during combat certainly will.
It might not be a perfect package, but its old age certainly hasn't harmed Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen in the slightest.
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite may have some flaws with its visuals and roster, but its gameplay is so strong that its not too hard to overlook them.
Mary Skelter: Nightmares is strong enough as a whole to offer the most unique experience Compile Heart has ever created.
Blue Reflection is lacking in a few areas, but it still has enough going for it to offer an overall enjoyable experience that fans of the magical girl sub genre will enjoy.
Though Nights of Azure 2 feels more like a sidegrade than a definitive step-up at times, some of its new and revised features still allow it to feel like a genuinely new experience that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.
Though dungeon crawlers usually aren't for everyone, Demon Gaze II manages to cater to all audiences by offering a low access point for newcomers and a fairly high skill cap for veterans.
Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings has allowed me to rediscover why I fell in love with the series in the first place. And though I did find the lack of characters and inconsistent translation frustrating, just about everything else blew me away.
Don't let the odd marketing fool you — there is far more to Megadimension Neptunia VIIR than just its VR. Between its quality of life updates, reworked mechanics and enhanced combat, this game represents the series at its best.
With fast and fluid combat, endearing characters and a grounded story that isn't afraid to crack a few jokes, Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal represents the series at it's finest. That said, if you take issue with the sexualization of its characters, then this game is not for you.