Salal Awan
The Alliance Alive has been given a second chance with this HD remaster. It is another great addition to the existing JRPG library of the Nintendo Switch. It offers multiple characters with colorful personalities and a battle system that feels like a spiritual successor to the SaGa series.
Super Monkey Ball series is back and while it is not a new game, and it is certainly not the best game to remaster in the series, this is still an upgrade over the original solely based on the choice of better analog controls.
SRPG fans have limited choice on Nintendo Switch and this is where the Disgaea series truly shines. Disgaea 4 Complete Plus might not be a new game, but it doesn't need to be one. It has the perfect blend of everything from the likable cast, addicting gameplay, to a deep customization and combat system.
Yu Suzuki might not have delivered a perfect continuation of Ryo Hazuki's journey but the work he has done in making Shenmue III is admirable. It is a good game once you dig underneath it, warts and all, especially considering the expectations of making this sequel after all these years.
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot is a solid action game with an enjoyable customization system and fun battles. It lacks in innovation with the story repeating events from the popular anime, but this is merely a design decision and has no bearing on the overall quality of the product.
The Last of Us Part 2 is a brutal tale that is not easy to digest, but the result is an experience that will stay with us for a long time to come.
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is an exceptional attempt for a licensed Samura Jack game. It does suffer from some repetitive gameplay but for the most part, this is a solid action game.
As a remake of one of the most iconic games, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 offers heaps of fun and it is worth the bang for your bucks.
Paper Mario: The Origami King is a fun-filled adventure that manages to keep things fresh, however, the puzzle-based battles tend to feel repetitive. Despite the repetitive combat, the boss battles are easily some of the best seen in the series.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a flawed port but includes an exceptional collection of games. It offers a good stopgap between the next 3D Mario and should be a delight for fans of the Italian plumber.
Kirby Fighters 2 is a simple fighting game that is designed to be fun without being overwhelming or complex. The grinding nature of its unlockables somewhat holds it back but the game is solid fun in multiplayer with up to four players.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is a wonderful platformer that offers the same wacky but difficult gameplay of its predecessors, but with a modern twist added to them.
Pokémon Sword and Shield: The Crown Tundra is a solid expansion that culminates the expansion pass on a highly positive note with a slew of new features and improvements.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a good remaster if you haven't played this classic WRPG, but it also shows how far the genre has advanced since 2012.
Crysis Remastered is a missed opportunity for a cult-classic to rejuvenate on modern platforms. There are too many issues to consider this remaster worthy of its name.
Atelier Ryza 2 is a fun game with a crafting system that easily ranks as one of the best among the series. It doesn't offer any major leap for a sequel and the story is rather lukewarm, but the engaging cast and addictive gameplay loop makes it easy to recommend to others.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection has a brutal difficulty curve but offers a wealth of options to tweak the difficulty of the game. For newcomers, the easy difficulty gives them a chance to be better at the game, while for veterans, they still have plenty of challenges to overcome.
Ys IX Monstrum Nox is one of the most ambitious games in the series. It is laser-focused on crafting a better narrative but also innovates the gameplay with new concepts.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is an ambitious game that suffers from some technical shortcomings but has no shortage of content.
While not a traditional JRPG, SaGa Frontier Remastered is the perfect game to play if you prefer narrative over gameplay with complex character development.