Dragon Quest III returns with it's first new remake in years, recapturing the spirit of what made the original so special.
Visions of Mana is the first mainline Mana game in nearly two decades and, despite some issues, is a great step forward for the series.
Unicorn Overlord seems allergic to risk-taking, and it makes for a safe and enjoyable product that fails to introduce anything new. So when I was given just a passable game, I couldn't help but be let down.
The Dragon Quest Monsters series makes a great return on Nintendo Switch, but in regards to its story it does very little to properly honor the legacy of the game it takes inspiration from.
Final Fantasy XVI is a confident game with amazing combat, an earnest narrative, and unbridled spectacle. Faults in pacing, RPG depth, quest design, and all those other nagging criticisms be damned - this game is special.
Loop8 is a game full of great ideas that never comes together.
Octopath Traveler II is the rare sequel that manages to improve on the original without changing too much, finding success by expanding and polishing.
Harvestella is Square Enix's endearing first attempt at a farming sim RPG, only slightly held back by its budget.
If you can look past this, you are rewarded with one of ATLUS’ most impactful works of art in the most accessible way possible. The art is not lost, even if I wish there was a version where we could have had the best of all worlds. Persona 3 Portable, as a game, is incredible and this revisit has made me realize how much it means to me. I get the disappointment, I do, but as a modern version, I think it holds up alright. This game deserves better, and I think if the backgrounds weren’t sticking out like a sore thumb this would be a glowing recommendation. As of now I can really just say that if you play this on Nintendo Switch you’re in for a good time.
Just like its predecessor, AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative is full of heart, hilariously self-aware, and reflective on the style of writing that built the foundation that built the Somnium Files series. Both AI games are deeply personal, subversive, and reflective works, some of my favorite games in the genre. Now that we have one miracle sequel that ended up great, I could go for another one in a few years.
The Radical Dreamers Edition brings back two classics for the first time since their debut, but the Switch version leaves a lot to be desired.
While the racing itself is solid enough, limitations on multiplayer and strange monetization gimmicks hold this cart racer back.
While its tactical combat is wonderful, issues with the branching narrative and morality systems hold Triangle Strategy back from true greatness.
Despite an interesting setting, tedious gameplay and poor performance makes The Good Life a disappointing outing for Swery.
Scarlet Nexus contains just about everything you'd want to see from a new game IP. Clear ambition, innovative gameplay, gorgeous visuals, and room to improve. A lot of room to improve, but it's still a commendable effort.
Its flaws are plain to see, and your mileage will vary depending on what you value in RPGs. But if you're willing to spend time looking for the best of Bravely Default II, you'll find a great, rewarding experience.
If you enjoyed Breath of the Wild's story and characters, and like musou games, this is a great combination of the two that's worth checking out.
Dragon Quest XI S is a near unrivaled masterpiece, one I wish I could erase my memory of and re-experience for the first time.
I think calling moon a “parody” of the RPG genre is both slightly fitting yet doesn’t give it enough credit. It’s rather impressive that a smaller budget game released over 20 years ago has aged as well as it has. In so many ways it feels incredibly ahead of its time, with a focus on minute details so extensive that most modern games can’t even match.
All in all, I had a fun time revisiting Trails of Cold Steel III on Switch. I still wonder who this release is even actually for, given how it's hard for me to recommend newcomers play this, and most fans who really wanted this would likely have bought it on PS4 last year. Even with the issues, due to my preferences, I find this to be my favorite way to play the game. I hope there are further balance patches released to iron out any of the issues I found, but given how rare the serious ones were, I still recommend this for those looking to play the latest English Trails release on the go. It’s such a big improvement on Ys VIII’s port, and I wish in hindsight that it could have gotten the same treatment. This port gives me a lot of hope for the upcoming switch releases of Cold Steel IV and Ys IX. Time will tell if Engine Software manages to improve on what they have here, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.