A fun and unforgettable visual novel/SRPG that's an amalgamation of different genres, yet somehow works to form a sprawling narrative of epic proportions.
2037. Nakano, Tokyo. Pollon Takaoka is caught up in a tangle of plots as a result of his encounter with the mysterious girl Momo and faces major events that shake the world. Live the experience with Pollon, help him hack the myriad branches of reality and "load" the ending that saves the world! An exciting and suspenseful visual novel that maintains its momentum from beginning to end. It's a story that relies on its medium for a complete experience.
An emotional yet whimsical adventure that focuses on the themes of self-acceptance and the inter-generational immigrant trauma experience.
With its intriguing worldview, aesthetics, and puzzles, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a unique puzzle game that presents its story in an elevated and artistic way.
Tsukihime: A piece of blue glass moon is a beautiful game with an amazingly rich story, colorful cast of characters, and a smooth localization.
A great starting point for Fate fans, and a beautiful remaster for existing ones. Though it suffers from the wordiness that plagues Nasu's earlier work, it's a beautiful and compelling story of ideals, reality, and magic.
Mouthwashing is a harrowing game with a surreal method of delivery that transcends the whole experience into something more akin to an art form. Through unfolding delusions and self-soothing hallucinations, the story delves into humanity’s darkness in a setting that inspires a deep, primordial fear.
Tales of Graces f Remastered is a promising way for Bandai Namco to start its year, as well as a potential Tales renaissance.
The Roottrees Are Dead was a uniquely fascinating and frustrating experience, and it's definitely something I recommend to fellow genealogy or research nerds. The story, too, was an interesting one and I, for one, wouldn't oppose to a sequel focusing on Elias's or Gwyneth's siblings' family trees.
Like comedy, horror is subjective. Some people prefer the thrills that come with a jump scare, whereas others prefer a slower and more psychological horror. In that sense, Yomawari: Lost in the Dark can satisfy both camps. The majority of it is atmospheric, building up dread as you explore eerie locales. Then, right when the tension starts to reach a fever pitch, it throws you into fast-paced action sequences during which a second of hesitation can cost you your life.
Paranormasight is a well-crafted mystery-horror that leans more into the mystery while keeping things light with a snappy script.
A fresh breath of life for an old classic, Ghost Trick remains a quirky and strong narrative with lots of creative puzzles.
The Apollo Justice trilogy comprises of three excellent ports, but the compilation highlights existing issues with the games in a way that make it difficult to forget about.
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II is a gripping and gruesome read that leaves you wanting more.
A fantastical adventure full of themes that can apply to the real world. While its takes are hit or miss, the smooth battle system and charming characters more than make up for the story issues in this epic tale.
Matsuro Palette has a unique gameplay loop and provides some surprisingly difficult puzzles. However, what really makes it shine is its story and surprisingly endearing main lead.
A nostalgic re-release that'll sure to delight fans both new and old. Though I was lucky to avoid performance issues, newer machines may run the risk of them.
There are a few places where the game might softlock you, such as if you don't strategically melt away the ice in the ice apartment room. I highly recommend making multiple saves if you're not already in the habit of doing so.
Explore a supernatural RPG with stylish summoners and dark dangers lurking under the neon lights of a cyberpunk Japan. It is up to the agents of Aion to decrypt destiny and save the world from apocalypse! PS4 version reviewed. A dungeon crawler strung together by a flimsy story, but serves as a good entry point for SMT fans.
A pleasant and aesthetically pleasing way to pass the time, though it suffers from some pacing and quality-of-life issues that prevent it from being fully relaxing. Switch version reviewed.