Kirk Hiner
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.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero takes us back to the formation of the SSS, an organization Switch gamers will know from the Trails of Cold Steel games. It also takes us back to a relatively simpler system that's perfectly sized for JRPG adventuring on the go.
A former Apple Arcade exclusive, Little Orpheus successfully brings its cinematic platformer action to Nintendo Switch. This throwback to pulp movie serials works well on the TV screen, and the gameplay is better suited to Joy-Con controls than a touchscreen. The sense of wonder does slowly wear off, but it's a quick, casual adventure worth completing.
Avenging Spirit is a lesser-known '90s arcade game with a unique "possession" angle that helps distinguish it from the excess of retro platformers available on the Switch. It's worth a playthrough, especially if you're unfamiliar with its charms.
The massive world and intricate real-time battle system of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may seem daunting even by JRPG standards, but both are easy to get into. It's not my favorite Xenoblade Chronicles game, but I can say with certainty I enjoyed nearly every battle, plot twist, and Nopon I encountered in the 140+ hours I've put into it (so far).
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II will provide a mana-blast of nostalgic glee for those who played the original Dark Alliance hack-and-slash RPG on their GameCube, but it doesn't offer enough excitement or variety to otherwise hold your attention.
Running on Magic is a runner platformer that puts players in a challenging but light-hearted race against the Grim Reaper himself. Its whimsical presentation and procedurally generated levels keep things interesting for its somewhat short lifespan, just don't expect it to be more than it claims to be.
Krut: The Mythic Wings is a very pretty but brutally difficult action platformer based on Thai mythology. The game can be completed in under 10 hours, but the bulk of that time will be spent tediously grinding for better gear to advance past even the common enemies. For the hard-core gamers only.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes carries enough of Three Houses to appeal to that game's fans even if they're not into the hack-and-slash of Musou games. Warriors fans should like it, too. If your Fire Emblem fandom reaches further back than the 3DS, however, you'll once again have to grin and bear all the fluff.
Yurukill: The Calumniation Games combines puzzle solving with bullet hell action to create a unique gaming experience. Its dark premise is handled with humor and an engrossing mystery that'll push you quickly to a rewarding end, and various difficulty settings will make sure fans of both genres can get there.
The action adventure game Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising manages to carve out its own identity while serving as an introduction to the lore of the forthcoming Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes JRPG. Basic combat, tedious fetch-quests and linear town-building may put off those seeking a solid challenge, but the game's sprightly action, jovial spirit, and spunky characters will carry casual platformer fans through its relatively short play time.
Touken Ranbu Warriors is a purposeful regression of the Warriors franchise, focusing on the characters and story instead of the Musou-style combat. It works as a lark, especially for fans of the Touken Ranbu franchise. But at the asking price, there are much better options available (and forthcoming) for those who enjoy the 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay mechanics and strategies.
Legend of Ixtona is a by-the-numbers JRPG with turn-based battles fought on an isometric grid. The ability to hire customizable characters and invest in your village adds some unique elements, but not enough to fully overcome the generic gameplay, graphics, and story.