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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Given most powers seemed more like a hinderance than an advantage, it lacks the same making due with what you got element, if only for the fact anyone who can make some of these worthless skills work are the same people who can beat the game without the worthless skill to begin with. For some this might be great and it’s perfectly fine if you enjoy it, I just think RAD is one balance patch away from being a solid experience.
Friday the 13th: The Game Ultimate Slasher Edition comes down to what you find important. If you want to play offline with bots or just casually play as Jason, odds are you'll get bored in an hour or two. However, if you have friends or have a love of mind games, there is plenty of things to do. Every match is less about finishing whatever task you decide to complete and more figuring out how to best your opponent(s). The gameplay style is a bit limited, as is variety but there is enough to see the value.
If you want a different RPG story with familiar elements, Oninaki is a fine choice but if you want the next big thing, well, this simply isn’t it.
Two decades following its original release, playing Final Fantasy VIII again in its remastered visuals and gameplay enhancements bring all the nostalgia and made me remember once again why it's considered as one of the best Final Fantasy titles to date. Sure, it is dated, especially with the battle system and gameplay, but what holds up until now is the story and the characters that made this game a classic masterpiece.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy is pretty much all you could hope for in a remake. It feels like a modern version of the originals, at least as best that they could be, without too many dated elements to hold it back. While I would argue it didn't age as flawlessly as one could hope, you get an absurd amount of bang for your buck and the ability to take it on the go is hard to argue with. So, if you want to have a blast from the past, look no further than Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
After 13 years of the same thing, Gears 5 finally manages to change things for the better. With some much-added flair and long-overdue tweaks, it's a refreshing and easily the best the series has ever been. The Coalition did a phenomenal job with the campaign, co-op elements and the newly added Escape mode is an absolute delight. So, if you're expecting business as usual, you'll be pleasantly surprised by Gears 5.
Despite its age, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch remains a charming adventure. Since it's a straight port, there is nothing for returning fans besides the ability to play on the go. Even if you opt for the PS4 version, the only difference is performance and visual fidelity. Of course, newcomers should not sleep on this title and see why so many people enjoyed the original.
It's hard to put into words all the issues Contra: Rogue Corps has, largely because it isn't objectively awful, it's just painfully unimaginative. It seems to think the name and a couple of jokes are enough to sell it and honestly, it's probably enough to garner interesting, though there really isn't anything special about it. Everything is so plain, boring and simple that no amount of charm or quirks will make shooting some pink blob that flies at you interesting. Though, if you love top-down shooters and just want to see what it's like, maybe check it out during a sale.
Code Vein is an interesting game that falls short of what it is trying to be. The intriguing storyline can't overcome the bland combat and lack of challenge. To buy into the idea of Code Vein, you really need a love of anime and an understanding it just isn't as challenging or fascinating as those games. But, if you can come to that understanding, it manages to shine in its own ways.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of Elusive Age is without question the definitive experience. The new content gives returning players something to do, with an overwhelming amount of things to do that just makes sense on a portable platform. Similar to the original release, this is a must-have for any JRPG fan and easily one of the best games currently available on the Nintendo Switch.
If you can look past the flaws, it can be a fun title that evokes a similar reaction as Wildlands.
Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers feels like an experiment that doesn't quite hit all the marks. There are good elements and certainly things that will not appeal to certain people but for the most part it works.