Star Ocean: The Divine Force has a terrific battle system, a variety of unique exploration possibilities with a lot of vertical mobility, and a solid cast of characters, but the game's pacing can be a problem, and the writing is somewhat weak.
The Diofield Chronicle has all of the components for an intriguing game, but it lacks a few key ingredients that may help it stand out.
Far Cry 6 is more of the same, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you've loved the previous games in the series. However, the series must reinvent itself to remain relevant.
In terms of Metroidvania aspects, F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch shines, but the gameplay is clumsy and the plot is hard to take seriously.
No More Heroes 1 and 2 have aged like a fine wine. These cult-classics have found a new life with the definitive way to experience them on the Nintendo Switch.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has its fair share of flaws with a slow story mode. It might not measure up to a game that is internally developed by Nintendo. Despite this, the quality of minigames has never been better in the series and the different control methods make it much easier to enjoy them without any artificial hurdles in the way.
Hunt: Showdown takes the concept of survival horror into a new dimension by adding multiplayer. On paper, this idea seems hard to execute but the developers have managed to successfully transition it into a video game that is satisfying to play, especially with a group of friends.
As far as remasters go, this one is an incredible jump over the original game in terms of visuals, however, it comes with its baggage on the virtue of being an old game that suffers from outdated design.
Destroy All Humans! is a refreshing remake that harkens back to the classic times when developers were more concerned with experimenting with gameplay and story instead of creating the next cinematic masterpiece.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Disgaea 7 marks a successful revival of the franchise's core strengths, blending its signature over-the-top gameplay mechanics with a fresh Samurai-themed narrative. While staying true to its roots, the game introduces new character classes and innovative features like "Jumbification," offering both long-time fans and newcomers a rich, strategically demanding experience that feels both nostalgic and novel.
Assassin's Creed Mirage revitalizes the franchise by refocusing on stealth and assassination, set against the richly detailed backdrop of 9th-century Baghdad. While it modernizes the series' core mechanics and offers a compelling narrative, it retains some gameplay elements from its predecessor, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which may not appeal to those seeking a completely new experience.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie delivers an impressive finale to the Crossbell/Erebonia saga, offering a sophisticated narrative skillfully spread across three distinct story arcs and an ample cast. Its refined combat system, coupled with a wealth of replayable content, makes it an essential pick for JRPG enthusiasts, despite needing context from preceding installments for the full experience.
We Love Katamari REROLL + Reverie is a remastered version of the original game that offers enhanced visuals, improved performance, and new content, providing a unique and enjoyable gaming experience with its innovative control scheme and engaging challenges. However, the game's replay value is somewhat hampered by the repetitive humor and chatter from the King of All Cosmos, and the new content, while enriching the backstory, introduces a significant difficulty spike that may frustrate players who haven't mastered the controls.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails To Azure offers a rich narrative and engaging characters, with commendable English localization. Despite an outdated combat system, the game remains engaging due to varied attack options. It improves on its predecessor with a fast travel system and diverse side missions. However, dated visuals and a high entry barrier for newcomers are minor drawbacks. Overall, it's a solid RPG that will satisfy fans of the series and narrative-driven games.
Planet of Lana is a visually captivating side-scrolling platformer with a narrative delivered through environment and character actions. Despite minor control issues and simple puzzles, the game's stunning art style and compelling story make it a worthwhile experience.