I could honestly spend a while explaining all the mechanics in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and probably not touch on everything. What is important is to understand what you're getting into. It's not a simple game or one that is overly combat driven like Disgaea. You can easily go hours without seeing a battlefield and then agonize about arguably tedious mechanics. This isn't to say it's a bad game, I'd say anything but, it's just important to understand it isn't meant for everyone and that is alright.
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is another hit for Square Enix's popular RPG. Base players have a remarkable narrative and story to explore, along with plenty of content to make the subscription fee worth it. Compared to previous expansions, Shadowbringers improves the game in a variety of ways. Whether it's the fresh story or just new experiences, there is something for everyone. So, if you're a newcomer or just a cautious fan, it's an experience that reminds us why Final Fantasy has remained so popular.
DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a rather interesting experience. Initially it feels like a poor man's Fate/Stay Night and eventually goes in a fascinating direction. This means you need to get past the slow start and invest in the characters, though it will pay off in the end. You're also getting three games for the price of one, plus plenty of extras, making it a fantastic value. So, if you're a fan of visual novels or just want something to do over the slow months, it's easy to see the value of DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation.
Riverbond is ultimately an extremely simple game meant to appeal to a younger or less experienced gamers. While the art style is cute and gameplay is fun, even if it is extremely simple, there really isn't much to see. After a level or two you realize nothing really matters and it becomes a quest to earn as many points for the sake of it or finish everything for an easy platinum. That said, if you could get it for a bit less, I could see it being a solid choice for anyone looking for something simple and easy to play with kids or introduce their significant other to gaming.
Long story short, Super Neptunia RPG is essentially a 2D version of the game fans love. The quirky humor is there, as are some of the beloved characters and enemies, making for a solid experience. Sure, it could have a faster or slightly more elaborate battle system but it works fine in actual practice. And, while the motion could be a lot better, it has enough mindless fun to more than make up for it.
Overall, Luna falls into the trap a lot of experience games do. It looks amazing and has some cool features, such as VR, there just isn't much beyond the gimmicks. When you figure the adventure is about an hour, most of the gameplay is clicking things and it follows the same pattern throughout, it just doesn't have anything else to attract players. This doesn't mean you won't enjoy Luna, the look and feel, combined with just tending a garden might be enough for some, it's just not a title that will have much for anyone beyond that small niche.
There is a lot to like about The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr. Returning players have a myriad of things to do, with existing players having just as much and a trial to look forward to. Even if the Necromancer class is not the straight pet class some players were hoping, it's fun in its own way and offers further variety during set up or push a more offensive line up. Toss in a fresh location and dragons to overcome and it's a nice step forward.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II manages to hit both the best and worst parts of JRPGs. Where gameplay and visuals feel dated, even when it was brand new, it's hard to argue with the story. It's deep, engrossing and all about giving players a reason to invest in an otherwise okay adventure. For some this won't be enough, but if you can put up with an average gameplay experience, you'll be rewarded with story that more than makes up for it.
It's quite possible Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth will be the final major release on the Nintendo 3DS and it's a solid send off. Fans of the franchise should be use to the exposition heavy dialogue sequences and the story takes a bit to get good, but once it gets there it's fun. Sure, making your own map isn't the best mechanic and dungeon crawlers are not the most fascinating experiences around, though Persona has more than enough charm to overcome these shortcomings. So, unless you want another bland and generic RPG, it's hard to say no to Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth.
To date, Resident Evil 4 remains one of the best titles in the franchise, with the Switch version being even better. Despite not being the best looking version of the game, the ability to play it on the go is a massive plus. Sure, the lack of gyro controls is a shame but it doesn't detract from an amazing series. That being said, returning fans really have no reason to return to it, as it's the same game as before.
Atelier Lulua ~The Scion of Arland~ is a delightful return to the Arland series. Even if it isn't terribly different from previous titles, the story is fun enough to keep players interested. Add in some delightful visuals, cute girls and wholesome fun, it's easy to see why the series has been around for so long. Plus, limiting the time mechanics might take away from one of the series core features, it allows players to take in the adventure, while still being aware of the time it takes them to complete this or that. So, if you want a cute RPG that has a nice message, you really can't go wrong with this one.
The long and short of Bubsy: Paws on Fire! Is that it's a running game that isn't particularly difficult, doesn't really stress scores and feels rather hollow. Sure, it's fun and if you like repetitive tasks that reward you for slight improvements, it will certainly shine, otherwise it's just a bland game that is as forgettable as any of the other sequels. Add in a lack of online play or even interesting costumes and it's ultimately a game that coasts on whatever fame Bubsy has and is only really redeemed by having a platinum/variety of achievements that are not particularly hard or engaging to obtain.
Despite technical limitations, including subpar frame rates, glitches that were present in the original, and weak performance while docked, Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package remains one of the best open-world games on Switch. This makes it, like always, a solid choice for newcomers or those who want to explore a world on the go, assuming you can overlook the shortcomings.
It's important to understand A Plague Tale: Innocence is more story driven than anything else. It doesn't matter if there are some rough patches here or there could be a little more polish there, as it's largely about Amicia and Hugo's journey. When you start to see, not just in words, but how the two interact between scenes, you can start to see how the two develop. It makes for a thrilling ride, even if the opposition can be quite terrifying. Combine that with puzzles and it's a solid adventure for fans of story driven or strategic titles.
The main appeal of Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is going to be for newcomers and Switch owners looking to play on the go. In addition to Zodiac Age being the definitive experience, one that includes several additions that improve the overall experience, it even results in a more satisfying experience. Unfortunately, despite some steps forward, it doesn't stop this remaster from having muddy visuals when on the go. That being said, it really is a must have for JRPG fans and worth the cost.
The best way to describe Days Gone is good but not great. There is arguably nothing that hits a point where you absolutely must see it, something Horizon, God of War and a few other exclusives have, leading to a mixed reaction. Even if I come off rather critical of a number of elements, it's the type of game where I might not tell people it's a can't miss experience, though it never hits the point where I'd actively discourage anyone from bothering. So, if you're okay with a good game that has hints of something better or simply enjoy the genre, give it a go.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen on Nintendo Switch shows the title has certainly aged. While the visuals are not on par with other titles, it still has plenty of moments that will appeal to hardcore RPG fans. Given the amount of time players can invest, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen retains its charm despite shortcomings. Though, if you don't care about the portable aspect, the Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4 versions will give you a better overall experience.
When it comes to Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain, a lot of things are set in, well, iron. It isn’t a good game, not by a long shot, though it also isn’t trying to be one either.
God's Trigger isn't perfect but it is a lot of fun. The silly story is charming enough to overlook some of the shortcomings, with gameplay having a nice balance between hardcore and casual. Ultimately, the ability to win or lose based off a single move works very well here, for the same reasons it worked well for games like Hotline Miami. So, if you want to see how quickly you can dispatch foes and enjoy a ridiculous story this is a can't miss.
If you haven't played Final Fantasy X by now, it's the perfect time, especially if you own the Switch. If you haven't played it by now, Switch is the perfect platform to try, given the portability and smooth experience. Unfortunately, those who played it recently or want something new might be disappointed, though it's hard to please everyone. Especially when PC and PlayStation 4 have been out for a while and are much cheaper.