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.
Ib is an indie horror adventure darling that still holds up over a decade later thanks to its beautiful and unsettling aesthetic, unique world design, and breezy yet engaging puzzles.
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.
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.
Valkyrie Elysium's character action combat and usage of Valkyrie series themes and elements make it an above-average action RPG, but it sometimes lacks ambition.
A fun and charming monster collecting game with an eye-catching aesthetic and wonderful soundtrack that is dripping with style and personality.
A charming art style, modern UI, and many quality of life improvements make this the best way to experience the origin of the Atelier series.
Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess is a vastly improved sequel that is full of fun, charm, and whimsy while offering a much-needed challenge with its fresh take on a familiar battle system.
Crymachina serves as a visually striking and thematically intriguing action RPG that is dripping with style yet feels a bit too small for the story it wants to tell.
Despite being a mobile gacha, Atelier Resleriana is a solid entry in the Atelier series with flashy visuals, a darling cast, gorgeous soundtrack, and simplistic yet fun combat.
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.
While Lost Epic doesn't fully execute on its ambitious ideas, it's still an enjoyable ride.
La Pucelle: Ragnarok offers plenty of tactical depth and whimsical charm while serving as a great look back at Nippon Ichi Software's history before Disgaea.
Rhapsody III is a serviceable entry that manages to maintain its humor, whimsy, and charm while experimenting with a few new ideas with varying degrees of success.
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure is a charming and fun little game that looks and sounds great but lacks any challenge or mechanical depth whatsoever.
While Atelier Firis has a big heart and grand ambitions, it's held back by how 'stitched together' everything feels.
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.
Reynatis is a greatly flawed experience that is simultaneously scathing and vapid, gorgeous and murky, and fun and frustrating in practically every element.
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.