Rise of the Ronin has an excellent parrying system that makes its Soulslike gameplay feel challenging, yet fair compared to its contemporaries.
Unicorn Overlord is the strategy RPG fans of the genre have been waiting for.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden delivers both slick action and tough moral choices.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a succinct story, fantastic battle system, and fun multiplayer options that help it stand out.
Persona 3 Reload is a win-win of a remake for old and new Persona fans alike.
Another Code: Recollection left me with a lasting impression that's sure to keep my memory of the lost series alive.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is fun enough to give frustrated Pokémon fans a solid alternative.
Persona 5 Tactica is a fun time for someone who’s looking for a more casual strategy game. The Phantom Thieves are just as charming as ever, and the newly introduced characters mesh well with them. It’s not an essential experience in the same way that Persona 5 Strikers was, but fans who aren’t tired of Persona 5 yet will find plenty to like with Tactica.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R strikes a good balance of retro and modernity with its throwback visuals and new combat mechanics.
Despite some pacing issues, it has an emotional story and teases some exciting developments for future games. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is definitely one of the best games of 2023 and certainly a top-tier console exclusive for PS5.
The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a fun action RPG that takes elements of the wider series it's based on and crafts something unique. The minute-to-minute gameplay is also engaging, although with some minor platforming frustrations here and there. While the story may be simplistic and not as politically engrossing as the mainline Trails games, the heartfelt cast of characters and side quests help flesh out its world.
Lies of P makes it clear that developer Neowiz has a deep appreciation and understanding for FromSoftware;s games that goes beyond a surface-level copy.
Anonymous;Code managed to grab my attention in a way that other SciADV games weren't able to, due to its captivating story and excellent pacing.
Night School's spooky sequel tenderly captures the ambiguity of early adulthood
This neon-soaked mystery game is Kodaka's best work to date.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie has a great story with an engaging turn-based battle system. While it does have issues with a bloated cast of characters, impeccable pacing makes every interaction manageable.
While Loop8's story has the potential to be incredibly interesting, it never really lands and fails to leave an emotional impact towards the end. It's all presented beautifully and has a unique mix of gameplay styles and ideas, but their repetitive and frustrating nature makes the whole experience a chore. It's like toiling away at your summer job and going through the motions until it's time to leave.
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp feels like catching up with an old friend and finding out that their best qualities remained intact over the years.
'Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key' is another great entry in a criminally underrated series from an overlooked developer. It builds upon the previous games to deliver one of the year’s most satisfying RPG conclusions.
Trails to Azure is an engrossing political RPG with a fantastic story and engaging gameplay.