Cattails is surprisingly fun and full of depth despite suffering from some design and mechanical setbacks.
Game Freak and Nintendo have made it clear that Pokémon: Let’s Go is not a replacement for the core RPG experience coming in 2019, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t appeal to series veterans at the same time. It is true that the exclusion of random encounters and wild Pokémon battles (among other things) is weird and makes the game a whole lot easier. However, Let’s Go still manages to exude that Pokémon essence we all know and love despite the changes. Being able to experience the wilderness of Kanto on a TV for the first time is wonderful, and the option to play with even the least experienced player out there definitely has its perks. Pokémon: Let’s Go has the potential to scratch that catch-em-all itch for a while, although hardcore challenge seekers will really have to get creative with self-limitations in order to maintain any true level of difficulty before reaching post-game. But if we’re being honest, isn’t the most difficult part of any Generation I-esque game getting Mew out from under that blasted truck near the S.S. Anne?
CHASM is the perfect Metroidvania for those that desire a heavier emphasis on RPG systems at the expense of less flair on the action side of things. If you like the more RPG-centric Castlevania games from the PS1 and DS eras, there’s a lot to love here. Lore nuts and audiophiles may not have a lot to get excited about, and it isn’t as infinitely replayable as the procedural generation system would have you believe, but CHASM still proves to be a solid experience.
Diablo III: Eternal Collection proves to be a shining example of a console port done right.
My barrier to entry with any traditional JRPG is low, and I am not ashamed of it. I have played some amazing games over the years that have entertained me that might have not for your average RPG fan. Because of that, I’ve come to appreciate several of the KEMCO RPGs because they scratch that nostalgic itch for me, despite having issues here and there. But I just can’t give Revenant Dogma a pass. It is a mess in the truest sense, and is built in a way that might feel like a cash grab to you even after paying the $12.99USD entry fee. While I’m not writing off future KEMCO RPGs as a whole just yet, I sincerely hope that the next title is catered more towards the console audience, at the very least.
Disgaea 5 Complete is the type of game that can easily provide hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of playtime, so there’s no reason to rush it. There is a near infinite amount of freedom in customization and gameplay tweaks that should satisfy RPG fans of any caliber. While I still prefer the thematical grittiness that Final Fantasy Tactics offers, there is simply no comparison to Disgaea 5 from a mechanics perspective. Seriously, if you find yourself enjoying the first few hours of the game, don’t be surprised when those single digit playtimes roll into double and triple digits before you know it.
Ultimately, Little Dragon’s Cafe is worth pushing through its overly-lengthy tutorial because once it completely opens up to you, it is genuinely a joy to play. Is it for everyone? Maybe not, especially when you consider the performance issues and the price. Little Dragon’s Cafe is a $60 game, and may not be worth the cost of admission to those that are simply “interested” in it. A game like Stardew Valley can scratch a similar simulation experience itch for a much lower entry fee, albeit in a different way (2D farming and combat vs 3D dragons and cooking). It’s really going to boil down to what you favor gameplay/aesthetic-wise as to whether the game should be a “buy now” or “wait for sale” kind of thing.
Octopath Traveler is an absolute delight, and is a must-have for anyone fond of retro-infused JRPGs in particular. Its lack of linearity in both a narrative and gameplay perspective may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but should be fantastic for those wanting something a bit different than the norm.
Let me be clear: Tanzia is not a bad game. In fact, it is a good game in many ways. The storytelling is on point, with the supporting cutscenes and voice acting doing a wonderful job of portraying the scenario at hand. While the graphics may not sit well with all parties, it was right down my alley and had me reminiscing of the early days of World of Warcraft. Regardless, any RPG, especially if labeled as an action RPG, must have properly structured combat in order for the package as a whole to stand on its own. While there may be those who can look past the points I’ve made throughout my review, I simply cannot do so. I hate to be so critical of a $16USD title because there is value to be had here. And if it weren’t the combat holding it back, we would have a much different situation on our hands.
If you would have told me a few weeks ago that I’d now be invested in helping a pack of squids of varying shapes and sizes thwart an oozy corruption hellbent on destroying their homeland, I would have thought that you were crazy. Heck, I still think I’m crazy for what I’m about to say about this game.
The Lost Child has the ability to take you on a roller coaster ride, complete with highs and lows, when glossing over the structure and execution of its systems. On one hand, it does well with its dungeon diving system, though possibly playing it safe when viewed by those who eat these kind of games for breakfast. The combat itself is engaging enough, backed by a decent crafting and loot progression system.
In my opinion, Ys VIII falls just short of being a masterpiece, but is still an amazing game despite its shortcomings. I found the island of Seiren to be an absolute blast to explore, as it is chocked full of action, adventures, wonders to explore and mysteries to uncover. Ys VIII is my favorite Switch RPG to date, and has made me a fan of the series to boot. While it may not have the same performance quality as its PS4 counterpart, it is still an excellent version all around. Be right back while I install Ys Seven on Steam.
Knights of Pen and Paper is a game oozing with tabletop RPG-inspired nostalgia. Those that love customizing and building their own teams while blasting through a ton of turn-based battles will immediately fall in love with this game. You will gravely disappointed if you’re looking for anything beyond that though (ie. a story with depth, or varied forms of content). All in all, it does a pretty good job simulating a night around a game table with friends, minus the pile of Cheeto crumbs and half-consumed mountain dew cans.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar does turn-based combat with a level of finesse that isn’t seen enough anymore.
FHUL is not a good game, but I don’t have regrets about trying it. Sometimes you can find hidden gems regardless of what mainstream reviewers say. This time, however, it amounted to nothing but a shiny turd. I’m more disappointed than anything because FHUL does have some interesting mechanics. But the logic behind those systems must make sense in order for them to come to fruition, and thus, make you as a player actually desire to play it. I can easily recommend a “skip” here, even if you like action RPGs.
Coming into Asdivine Hearts, I was cautiously optimistic due to my experiences with Antiquia Lost and Revenant Saga. I can honestly say that this game trumps both of them in all aspects, and is certainly worth the time of those individuals looking for an old-school JRPG that won’t take 50 hours to complete. It won’t be as memorable of a ride as the classic RPG titles we all know and love, but is a good enough experience to recommend at the price given you temper your expectations a bit.
Despite its flaws, I actually found Devious Dungeon to, for the most part, be enjoyable. Its mechanics and overarching gameplay loop are nothing special, but it is a nice enough package that complements the pick-up-and-go style of the Switch well. Devious Dungeon currently sits at $6.79USD until April 9th, when it will go up to an undisclosed price (I’m guessing $9.99). Either price may be hard to digest given the mobile version is only $1.99 on Android and $2.99 on iOS, but both of those versions had in-game purchases as well (I don’t think they exist in the Switch version). Devious Dungeon isn’t going to offer a ton of content and definitely not any of the truly engaging nature, but it is a fun enough title to pick up on a sale and play for a short while. If it wasn’t for the slight input lag while docked and the short gameplay lifespan, I would have considered rating it a little higher. Given its current iteration, however, I feel like it may be expecting just a little too much from your wallet.
Amnesia is among the most common RPG tropes today. In that aspect alone, The Longest Five Minutes is highly successful, putting a fresh spin on an otherwise overused plot point.
Earthlock does, for the most part, succeed in going beyond its nostalgically-inspired roots.
I realize that I have been very (and maybe a bit overly) critical of Mercenaries Saga Chronicles, and I do stand by my statements. However, it’s hard to deny the fact that series does offer a lot of content for the price. While many of the systems were too flawed to be of long-term enjoyment for myself, others may be able to overlook them and get hours upon hours of enjoyment. Are the games worth the price tag? Absolutely. Are they worth your time? If you are okay with a trio of tactical RPGs at a bargain price that are almost identical, have solid combat but lack the visual flair and storytelling of bigger tactical RPGs, then this game may be for you. Otherwise, you may want to stick to Disgaea until more games in this genre show up on the platform. Here’s to hoping Final Fantasy Tactics comes to the Switch sooner rather than later. Hey, I can dream, right?