Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key adjusts the JRPG series' gameplay formula in numerous ways-some subtle and some dramatic. Not all of the changes work, but the end result is still a very fun and satisfying conclusion to Ryza's summer adventures.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is a great turn-based JRPG that holds up exceptionally well against its modern competitors. The story and combat system are equally deep, allowing the game's bigger moments to carry players through a fair amount of combat repetition and prolonged narrative dumps.
The Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse remaster is a constantly creepy, often infuriating survival horror game that has the misfortune of following the superior Maiden of Black Water on the Switch. Fans of the series and Japanese horror in general should be glad they finally get to play it, but those with low patience thresholds will do better to not step foot on Rogetsu Isle.
Mosaic Chronicles Deluxe uses virtual puzzles to serve two fables by fantasy author Olga Gromyko. The puzzle gameplay is not as tight as in competing games on the Switch, but the stories provide enough incentive to compel players through the game's 50 levels.
Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society is a complex and confusing dungeon crawler that provides numerous rewards for those willing to brave its mission. There's always a new combat mechanic to learn, a new plot element to unravel, and a new level to explore, and the process of working through it all is incredibly addictive.
Fire Emblem: Engage will be welcomed by longtime fans who've felt disenfranchised by the direction of recent Fire Emblem games. The battlefields are clever and challenging, the visuals are outstanding, and the social stuff-although mostly unnecessary-isn't so invasive as to bog down gameplay. The story may be perfunctory, but it's hard to care when you're having so much fun unleashing Twin Strike on your enemies.
Wonderland Nights: White Rabbit's Diary is a beautifully illustrated but poorly voiced and structured visual novel that centers around the politics of Wonderland. As the White Rabbit, it's your job to match up characters to shape these politics, but it's not quite a job worth taking.
Terror of Hemasaurus is a fantastic time, a wild homage to Rampage that tops its predecessor in nearly every way. It's definitely meant to be played in multiplayer couch co-op. And maybe it'll help you understand that if our planet can't be destroyed by daikaiju, then maybe we just shouldn't destroy it at all.
The platforming action of Onion Assault is betrayed by its imprecise controls, but there's more than enough action and fun to help players get around them. The upbeat vibe and general wackiness of combat and characters make this a good (albeit frustrating) way to kill an evening or weekend.
Children of Silentown is yet another story centered around a mysterious town with a disturbing past (and present), but it's handled with a sense of tenderness and youthful optimism that's often missing from modern games. It's one of the most cohesive and engaging puzzle adventures I've played in quite a while, and it's well worth your time.
Don't look at Chained Echoes as a throwback to the 16-bit JRPGs of yesteryear, just look at it as an amazing game with an engaging battle system and wonderfully paced story. You can also look at it as one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022.
Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered offers a trip back to when JRPGs didn't just offer multiple playthroughs, they counted on them. This game expects you to miss numerous events and items, and to want to try again. Because of its complexity and general aimlessness, however, I'm not sure many will want to.
Samurai Maiden gives players a goofy mix of hack-and-slash action, light platforming, and yuri fan service. Surprisingly, it also gives us some pretty fun combat when it's not being overly frustrating. The game will appeal more to achievement completionists than those seeking a good (or even coherent) story, so consider that when looking at this game at full price.
In lesser hands, Harvestella's balance of JRPG and farming sim could've ended up as a bland mishmash. Instead, Live Wire and Square Enix have created a solid blend. Its effective gameplay loop and engaging story push you down surprising paths that are fun to travel.
McPixel 3 is a gag-heavy mashup of microgames and '90s adventure puzzles. It works when relying on speed and insanity, but its repetition and heavy reliance on trial-and-error solutions and gross-out humor will turn all but a few players away before completion.
Fans of classic arcade games should love Donut Dodo, mainly because it gives them something new. It's not a port; it's a new game that looks, sounds, and plays like it should've been released in 1982. It's a clever, low-cost addition to your digital arcade.
When it's firing on all cylinders, Bayonetta 3 serves as a confident reminder of why we've been looking forward to its release for so long. Unfortunately, the number of misfires can't be overlooked, making this easily the least enjoyable game in the series.
Yomawari: Lost In the Dark uses every resource it has to create an unsettling and involving horror puzzle experience. It provides plenty of scares and a surprisingly effective story that should be enough to compel players forward even after the game starts to lose its impact.
As far as KEMCO JRPGs go, Fairy Elements does its job-no more, no less. It's fine as a light adventure you can return to from time to time, but you won't be clearing room in your calendar to find that time.
Atari Mania's mash-up of microgames presents a chaotic blast of nostalgia, but the general repetition and some frustrating difficulty dampen the mood pretty quickly. Its unique approach to retro gaming is, therefore, best enjoyed by those with fond memories of playing all these games back in the day.