Ambition: A Minuet in Power is a highly interactive visual novel that details love and intrigue during a turbulent historical time not often covered in video games. It was a trip through time to an earlier Paris that proved memorable and engaging, even if the journey wasn’t without flaws. Visual novel fans looking for more romance with political machinations to maneuver through and a bit more interactivity than one usually expects from the genre should give this one a closer look.
Invincible Presents: Atom Eve is an entertaining-albeit-short licensed VN/RPG hybrid.
Chronotopia: Second Skin is a darker, mature fairytale VN worth playing if you're the audience for it.
Overall, despite some questionable design elements, Batora: Lost Haven is a solid action RPG once given time to properly gel.
Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden is a well-polished traditional JRPG experience with a creatively unique presentation and a thoughtful narrative.
Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is a solid addition to any visual novel fan's lineup!
Vengeful Heart is a stellar cyberpunk kinetic visual novel.
Maglam Lord is a entertaining, albeit simple, action RPG with a wonderful story and well-done VN elements.
GreedFall does nothing exceedingly harmful in terms of gameplay and its BioWare-esque elements had me enjoying the time I spent playing it. This title is certainly a step in the right direction for Spiders, and I hope that they continue to improve from here. Spiders is an RPG developer with a lot of potential that could very well take BioWare’s WRPG crown one day.
Langrisser I & II are solid SRPGs for those looking for a well-rounded, old-school challenge.
DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate - Definitive Edition is a compelling sci-fi graphic adventure for the Nintendo Switch.
Walk with the Living II is a challenging, enjoyable, thought-provoking SRPG.
Demonheart: The Ice Demon serves as an excellent romantic fantasy VN stepping stone into the Demonheart series.
Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space is an entertaining, albeit grind-heavy adventure.
Gamedec is an interesting and constantly evolving cyberpunk RPG.
Overall, I spent well over one hundred twenty hours playing the Switch port of Trails of Cold Steel IV. While I certainly felt that the game dragged at times, it was ultimately still a solid JRPG experience. At times, “the end of saga” might have felt like it was going out with more of a whimper than a roar, but the conclusion of the True Ending more than makes up for the game’s pacing struggles. I’m glad I got the opportunity to experience the ending of the Erebonian story arc, and even with some Switch-specific flaws, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV is yet another truly solid addition to the console’s JRPG lineup. If you picked up the Switch’s port of Trails of Cold Steel III, then the fourth game is certainly worth playing on that system as well.
Winter’s Wish: Spirits of Edo is a solid historical otome adventure.
Lover Pretend is another enjoyable otome VN on the Nintendo Switch.
WILL: A Wonderful World is a thought-provoking and creative VN for those who can appreciate it.
Vanaris Tactics is an all-around solid SRPG experience for those wanting a shorter game that provides a compelling plot.