Vaporum is very much a thinking game, despite being labeled as a real-time dungeon crawler. If you actually want to use your mind a bit – or have no shame in using a guide at times – Vaporum has much to offer.
I've accepted that these kind of games will have an in-game shop, and perhaps multiple premium currencies, but don't make those systems mandatory for progression even if you don't have to come out of pocket for it during a normal difficulty playthrough.
While not perfect by any means, The friends of Ringo Ishikawa is an excellent visual and storytelling piece thats journey – and conclusion – might very well stick with you for a long time to come.
If you can get past its graphical and technical shortcomings, My Time At Portia is a lot of fun. There are many things to do, sights to see, products to craft, and relationships to cultivate – really, there are hours upon hours of content for those that enjoy multi-layered, but easygoing grinds. You have to be in it for the long haul though – nothing in Portia comes without an equal amount of effort put in first.
The amalgamation of RPG mechanics and deck building is sound, although neither component achieves the depth likely to be found in products dedicated completely to one or the other.
Fans of 16-bit era JRPGs itching for their next meaningful experience need look no further than Shadows of Adam.
The blend of rogue-like/lite mechanics, RPG elements, and Zelda-esque dungeon diving makes The Swords of Ditto: Mormo's Curse a delight, but only if you are willing to embrace its zaniness first.
The focus on masquerades and pushing it to a legitimate political centerpiece, as well as infusing it with otherworldly magical properties, is both refreshing and interesting take on the "detective's tale". That is why it is all too unfortunate that Masquerada's potential is marred by poor, repetitive combat and meaningless character progression – which would not be an issue at all if it weren't billed as an RPG in the first place.
Darkest Hunters is not a bad game, especially given its price point. But the content itself quickly feels just like you're "going through the motions", save for some of the more thrilling scenarios against bosses.
Quest of Dungeons might be one of the oldest rogue-likes on Switch, but it is easily one of the most entertaining for the price.
Undead Horde achieves some of its aspirations, but not in a way that is likely to leave a lasting impression on you.
While not a perfect game, nor will it be for everyone, Atelier Rorona can easily provide hours of entertainment for those that dig time management, intricate crafting mechanics, and especially multiple endings/playthroughs. Resource management is a must in order to get the most out of the experience, and your familiarity with the franchise may end up affecting the overall opinion you form of the title when it stands on its own. As I’ve come to experience first hand, growing pains might detract some from fully appreciating the game, especially if you aren’t interesting in playing through it more than once. That said, the core mechanics have certainly piqued my interest, and I’m genuinely looking forward to my next outing in Arland, and there will be another soon!
The Atelier Arland series continues to amaze me in ways I never expected from the outset. Atelier Totori, like Rorona before it, features deep, engaging gameplay systems which demand thinking and strategy despite people frolicking around in what is to be considered the alchemical equivalent of “tutus.” The story isn’t going to be the driving force of the whole experience, but it does have the potential to wrap up neatly enough in the end. The pacing here is so much smoother than that of Rorona, to the point that I wish that this would have been my first foray into Arland. Alas, you really should play Rorona before diving into this one, unless you don’t care about the story and characters whatsoever. That said, if you enjoyed Rorona, definitely give this one a go. It won’t blow your socks off, but it is still worth your time.
The Arland series thus far – especially Meruru – has taught me that going out of my comfort zone with RPGs can be quite a rewarding endeavor.
The enhancements fitted to Atelier Lulua easily make it the most approachable game in the subseries, despite it not being completely free of faults.
Does this sequel to the lovable builder/JRPG hybrid – Dragon Quest Builders – go above the accolades of its predecessor, or does it fall just short of that feat? Let’s find out!
A wonderful throwback to the Igarashi-directed Castlevania titles that is only held back by questionable performance.
The black sheep of the Final Fantasy franchise has finally arrived on Switch! Even with a fresh coat of paint, and some nifty features, is it worth a visit in 2019?
Ni No Kuni embodies every child’s dream of becoming the hero – or heroine – of their own fantasy tale, but spins it in such a way that is inviting to even the most seasoned of adventurers.
River City Girls feels like a genuine return to an experience that, three decades prior, played an integral role in kick-starting my love for the RPG genre.