George Yang
It’s refreshing to see how much care was put into the development and localization of Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society. It’s in a niche genre, but the game has a staggering amount of content that’ll keep its players entertained for hours on end. Despite the immense potential runtime, the game's progression and overall pacing always feel just right. And between the charming art style and characters, you'll never get bored.
A Space for the Unbound is a brisk 15-hour story that is full of surprises and potent emotional beats. While it doesn’t offer much in the way of replayability, it’s a hugely memorable experience nonetheless.
Tales of Arise is a triumph in almost every way, delivering a strong narrative, well-developed characters, and combat that feels snappier than ever.
Tell Me Why is another interesting and captivating episodic adventure, albeit a familiar one, from one of the studios that does it the best.
Trails to Azure is an engrossing political RPG with a fantastic story and engaging gameplay.
The Centennial Case: A Shijima Story is an engaging mystery that involves murders that span over a period of 100 years.
Atelier Sophie 2: Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream is an improvement on all aspects of its predecessor.
Blue Reflection: Second Light is an improvement upon the first game, following a group of schoolgirls looking for a way back home while fighting evil monsters.
NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139 is an upgraded version of the original NieR, and it improves on almost all aspects to offer something for both newcomers and veterans alike.
Robotics;Notes ELITE & DaSH give fans lighthearted adventures with the Robot Research Club in the Science Adventure universe.
If taking a trip back in time with an old-fashioned platforming game sounds like a good time to you, Panzer Paladin won’t disappoint.
It's usual to be wary of games based on licensed properties, as historically they tend to be subpar quality churned out for a quick buck. However, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is unexpectedly a fun time.
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.
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.
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.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a thoughtfully constructed Soulslike that makes thoughtful use of its Chinese setting.
Octopath Traveler 2 builds on its predecessor's strengths to create another charming retro RPG.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero puts together a politically engaging story, fun gameplay, and likable heroes into one epic RPG.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is a strong entry in the series and is an improvement on the previous game. It introduces new mechanics that fit well within the context of the story without feeling like they were forcibly implemented just for the sake of it, while also refining existing core gameplay elements. While I’m not entirely satisfied with a change, or lack thereof, here and there, this game is certainly worth your time, especially if you enjoyed Ryza’s first adventure.