Tales of Arise: Beyond The Dawn plays it safe, extending its universe for devoted fans without breaking new ground. While it commendably develops characters and retains an engaging combat system, the expansion stretches a thin narrative over an extensive playtime, potentially leaving those craving a richer story unsatisfied.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince presents an innovative twist to the Dragon Quest spin-off series, focusing on monster collection and battling with a unique progression system, although it falls short in narrative depth and visual presentation. The game shines in its engaging monster synthesis and combat mechanics, offering depth for enthusiasts of strategy and monster recruitment, but is let down by subpar graphics and an underdeveloped story.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora by Ubisoft Massive is a visually stunning game with unique gameplay elements, distinct from the Far Cry series. It offers immersive exploration and narrative depth in the Avatar universe, despite some technical issues and narrative shortcomings.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown marks a significant shift from the series' traditional 3D action and platforming to a Metroidvania-style game with cell-shaded art and side-scrolling combat. Despite initial skepticism from fans, its exceptional platforming, engaging gameplay, and return to the series' roots have made it an unexpected hit, offering a fresh experience while maintaining the essence of the beloved franchise.
Lil' Guardsman is a standout indie game that combines humor, strategy, and point-and-click elements, presenting a compelling story of a girl guarding her town. Its gameplay is enriched with decision-making, gadgets, and a time-control feature, offering replayability and a diverse character cast set in a visually stunning world reminiscent of Disney's Gravity Rush, making it a memorable experience on portable platforms like the Steam Deck
All in all, Fae Farm is an excellent choice for those who enjoy farming simulation games with a touch of adventure. While it might not reach the heights of the genre, there is still plenty to offer here.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink transitions from mobile to console and PC, offering a balanced mix of action-oriented combat and deep storytelling that competes with top RPGs like Final Fantasy. Despite minor exploration and performance issues, its compelling narrative, striking visuals, and innovative blend of single-player and live-service elements make it a standout title in the RPG genre.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash falls significantly short, delivering an underwhelming and superficial gaming experience that fails to leverage the rich potential of its source material.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake impresses with its visual upgrades and co-op mode, yet its unchanged gameplay and performance issues question its necessity for those familiar with the original. Best suited for newcomers, this visually enhanced journey offers little new for returning players, making it a beautiful but non-essential revisit.
Unicorn Overlord blends Vanillaware's signature artistic flair with a complex combat system reminiscent of Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, set against the backdrop of a rich high fantasy narrative. The game not only provides a deep strategic experience with its innovative combat mechanics and expansive world exploration but also excels in storytelling, offering a compelling tale of liberation and the quest for justice, making it a standout addition to the genre.