Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is a charming and fun little game that looks and sounds great but lacks any challenge or mechanical depth whatsoever.
A wonderfully dark visual novel that handles madness and psychosis in grim yet humanizing way.
Sunbreak adds a much needed challenge to Monster Hunter Rise, introduces great new mechanics, and brings with it a whole new world of build and playstyle variety.
Great writing and endearing characters are the highlight of this charming, dark horror RPG, though the poor performance of the Switch port makes this the worst version of the game by far.
A great cast and a deep job system make Relayer an endearing strategy RPG that is sure to delight mecha fans.
Atelier Sophie 2 is an incredibly high quality and wonderfully crafted follow-up to the original, and one of the best Atelier games to date.
The Caligula Effect 2 is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor in every single way and punches well above its weight.
A fantastic game overall and one of Gust's best games to date.
Mary Skelter Finale is an incredibly dense game. Dozens of unique gameplay mechanics, intriguing characters, and gigantic dungeons make up just a small portion of this gigantic dungeon crawler.
With improved performance, previously-paid DLC included, photo mode, and new content exclusive to the DX version, this is easily the best way to play Atelier Lydie & Suelle.
While Atelier Firis has a big heart and grand ambitions, it's held back by how 'stitched together' everything feels.
Samurai Warriors 5 is a breath of fresh air that breathes new life into the long-running series. The new coat of paint and new mechanics make the game fun to play and pleasant to look at.
My time with Osteoblasts was a mixture of confusion, frustration, intrigue, challenge, and laughing at the absurdity of what was going on or what I was battling with. While I had fun in some instances, I spent much of my time sighing as I missed yet another attack that would extend battle for another minute or so. There is a lot to like in the game, but it feels like it’s laser-targeted at the crowd who enjoys wandering around dungeons in a masochistic rage. As someone who isn’t the biggest fan of dungeon RPGs, Osteoblasts didn’t quite click with me. That said, despite being a game about skeletons, it certainly has a lot of heart.
A gorgeous dark horse of a game with stellar art, writing, and gameplay that allow it to cut a path through the impossibly large mountain of Metroidvanias.
Overall, Atelier Sophie is a pleasant and comforting experience that Atelier fans will know well. Newcomers to the series will find a cozy and welcoming endeavor that highlights the hidden wonders of the mundane. The story, light yet still having purpose, is strengthened by the DX version’s additional scenes surrounding Sophie’s grandmother and her importance to the community. There is a theme of growth and self-improvement while emerging from the shadows cast by those before. Sophie is an upbeat, positive, and wholesome protagonist surrounded by a grand cast of colorful characters, each with their own ambitions. By the time the game is over, Kirchen Bell will feel like a home away from home. It’s small, but it has a lot of heart, much like the game itself.
Not only is this one of the best games in the series, it's one of the best games on the Nintendo Switch, period. It's the perfect place for newcomers and veterans to hunt together.
This entry honed in on the things its predecessor did well, while stripping out some of the less-than-great fluff. That said, there are still some awkward parts to the game which may put some people off. The visual novel presentation can lead to some light pacing issues, while the anime archetypes may be a bit too much for others. The “Glitch Mode” costumes, while considerably tame compared to the first game, are definitely fanservice. Despite a few faults here and there, its numerous strengths make the game worth a look. Stellar writing, endearing characters, phenomenal voicework, eye-catching artwork, a catchy yet haunting soundtrack, and a delightfully dark atmosphere all stand as Death end re;Quest 2‘s strongest points.