Fantasian Neo Dimension is a masterfully crafted JRPG that successfully bridges classic turn-based mechanics with modern conveniences and a visually stunning diorama-style world. From its deeply engaging narrative and rich character development to its innovative Dimengeon system and captivating soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, the game is a love letter to JRPG fans. While its origins as a mobile game might raise eyebrows, Fantasian proves to be a fully fleshed-out experience, offering hours of compelling gameplay with a perfect blend of exploration, strategy, and storytelling. The added polish in this console and PC release, including enhanced voice acting and improved accessibility, makes it an even more enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Mistwalker or new to their work, Fantasian is a must-play that stands tall among its genre.
While I wouldn't say Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream breaks the mold, it does a lot of cool things that are worth experiencing. The wide range of characters, coupled with a plethora of stats create an experience that encourages players to give it their all. This, coupled with thrilling modes like co-op quests makes it an experience that might not reinvent the wheel, but it is a lot of fun with plenty of room to grow.
What made Dead Rising a classic was the ability to grab outlandish items, and use said item to defeat seemingly endless waves of enemies. Nearly 20 years later this still holds true. In fact, given how much the world has changed since 2006 there is arguably even more novelty in things like a CD store, or even the mall setting itself. It's a shame other areas highlight Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster age, but anyone looking to reexperience the delight that comes from putting a Servbot helmet on a zombie, and then killing it with a 2×4 will certainly walk away with a smile on their face.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a heartfelt homage to the Suikoden games, seamlessly blending nostalgia with fresh experiences. While it effectively captures the essence of Suikoden, offering familiar storytelling and visuals that resonate deeply with fans, the presence of bugs and occasional performance issues may detract from the overall enjoyment. Nevertheless, these minor setbacks do not overshadow the game's true strength—its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia while delivering a new and captivating adventure. With its rich narrative and familiar gameplay elements, Eiyuden Chronicle feels like a true Suikoden game with a new title, making it a must-play for fans of the beloved series.
Grandia HD Collection is in a rather rough place. While the original experiences are classics, this collection is essentially the same games with a slightly fresher coat of paint. For some this will be enough, as the amazing narratives persist, though I fear the choice will limit its appeal. Even some of the more basic expected quality of life choices, such as save anywhere, are not present, and for this reason it's one of those experiences that will either blow you away, or leave you underwhelmed.
Despite Alone in the Dark's promising premise, and legacy, it ultimately disappoints. The game offers a mediocre experience, hindered by lackluster combat mechanics, a narrative that fails to fully utilize its potential by not offering multiple perspectives, and a wide variety of technical issues. Although it provides occasional moments of intrigue, particularly through its puzzles, and atmospheric setting, these are outweighed by its flaws. Consequently, Alone in the Dark may leave players feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
At its core I think Unicorn Overlord is a great experience. Between the amazing visuals, gripping narrative, and depth there is a lot to experience. It's unfortunate it makes some annoying choices like overbearing tutorials, but these are quickly forgotten long term. In the end enjoyment comes down to whether you like the gameplay loop or not. Some will love the quasi-RTS battles, whereas other people will find the lack of control annoying. Where you fall on this range will likely dictate how much you enjoy Unicorn Overlord.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth shines as a standout game of 2024, offering players an expansive and immersive experience that keeps them engaged from beginning to end. With a perfect mix of nostalgia and fresh innovations, Rebirth surpasses its predecessor in every way. From its stunning open-world exploration to its polished combat system and fun side activities, Rebirth sets a new benchmark for JRPGs. All these things combine to cement Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s status as a must-play game that will likely remain one of the year’s best titles.
Perhaps the optimal approach to grasping Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is to view it as a high-investment endeavor. Initially, progress may feel sluggish, and the narrative might seem disjointed. However, with increased time and effort, the experience undergoes a marked improvement. Admittedly, transitioning from a lackluster encounter to a satisfactory expertise may not represent the most favorable exchange. Nevertheless, enthusiasts of ghosts, the occult, or dialogue-rich adventures are likely to discover it worthwhile.
This is a great example of a remake done right. Not only were there plenty of reasons to revisit this classic, the improvements were quite welcome. It's unfortunate it still occasionally shows its age, plus the lack of FES, but the overall experience really shows why later titles had so much momentum. So if you loved the original, or just want to see what the hype is about, I think you'll more than love Persona 3 Reload.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth surpasses expectations with its seamless integration of compelling narrative, diverse gameplay mechanics, and innovative features such as tag team attacks, or Sujimon Battles. The meticulously crafted landscapes of Yokohama, and Hawaii, complemented by the return of beloved characters elevate the narrative, captivating both series veterans and newcomers alike. Positioned as a must-play, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth offers an unforgettable journey through vibrant worlds that firmly establishes it as an early standout among the best games of 2024.
There is really only so much to say about Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. It's fun, designs remain fantastic, though at its core it isn't particularly deep. Those into the Dragon Quest brand will undoubtedly enjoy it, as will those looking for a good pick up and play adventure. It would be nice if there was a bit more depth, but even in its current form it isn't hard to get your money's worth.
I'd describe Ghostrunner 2 as a safe sequel. Those who love the original will almost certainly feel the same about this, just like those who hate it will probably find their opinion unchanged. If nothing else, it's a fun adventure that has a fair amount of replay value, even if some of that is simply figuring out the best way to cut down those who stand against you.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s a lot of fun. The gameplay might be more straightforward, though creative solutions more than make up for it. This, combined with an engaging narrative that doesn’t take itself too seriously, makes for adventure fans of Ace Attorney, or story-driven puzzle games will surely enjoy.
Final Fantasy XVI is a well-crafted experience and a strong Game of the Year contender. Not only does it have a gripping narrative that restored my faith in Square Enix’s ability to tell a gripping story, but it also features several improvements that fans and newcomers alike will enjoy. This isn’t just improved visuals that scream Final Fantasy and a combat system balanced with players of various skill levels in mind. Hardcore players have a robust system to explore that expands on higher difficulties, with less skilled individuals having various paths to experience all that Final Fantasy XVI has to offer.
At its core Etrian Odyssey, Origins Collection are enjoyable games in this genre. Some will find the simplistic and mostly menu-driven adventure unappealing, though fans of it will likely be engrossed in the world. This, coupled with a different look than the overly detailed designs typically found here, helps Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection stand out. So if you’re looking for a new dungeon crawler, you’ll likely be happy.
At its core, Layers of Fear is a rather generic survival horror experience. Most of your adventure will be exploring locations for clues or solving rather basic puzzles. Eventually, you meet hostile forces; they’re more annoying than scary. For these reasons, it’s probably worth it if you love the genre, but you might want to look into something else for everyone else.
I wouldn’t say Diablo IV reinvents the wheel, but I wouldn’t say it needs to. The core experience is quite fun that is just a pleasurable experience. Add in the endless amounts of content, the ability to play as multiple different classes, and upcoming changes, and it should be a safe choice for anyone looking for their looter fix. Especially if they love everything, Diablo has to offer. So if you’re on the fence, there is no better time to join than now.
It’s great to see Square Enix reach into their past and allow a new generation to experience some of its best titles. While there are some negatives to Live A Live, such as weak combat and bite-size adventures, these quirks work in portable versions favors. This version loads slightly faster, so many performance quirks are part of the software. Since this isn’t quite a complete remake, the differences are marginal at best.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a reasonably safe AAA experience. Combat can be fun, especially if you’re good at it. For those who need more help or want to slice down foes, there is also a difficulty for you. Locations might have some derivative mechanics, yet that doesn’t stop me from wanting to explore them. Add in what fans love about Star Wars, and it might not be revolutionary, but it is an experience fans of the franchise or sci-fi itself will almost certainly enjoy.