The First Berserker: Khazan is a masterclass in action combat, delivering thrilling boss fights, diverse level design, and tight mechanics that rival the genre’s best. While the narrative and side characters falter in depth, the fluid progression, customizable skill trees, and satisfying difficulty curve make this a standout soul-like experience—even for players unfamiliar with the Dungeon Fighter Online universe.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land takes the beloved RPG series in a bold new direction, blending emotional storytelling with expansive open-world exploration. While its narrative depth and revamped synthesis system shine, underwhelming villains and uneven gameplay balance hold it back from greatness.
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster revives two beloved JRPG classics with enhanced visuals and quality-of-life improvements. While Suikoden I offers a solid, if rushed, introduction, Suikoden II stands out as a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. With strategic combat, 108 recruitable characters, and new difficulty options, this remaster reintroduces a long-lost gem to a modern audience—flaws and all.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II is an ambitious sequel that builds on its predecessor with deeper worldbuilding, refined combat mechanics, and engaging character dynamics. However, inconsistent writing, a rushed third act, and underwhelming new features prevent it from reaching its full potential. While longtime fans will appreciate the expanded lore and combat improvements, the uneven storytelling may leave some players frustrated.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an Unreal Engine 5 revival of Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma that arrives unexpectedly yet brings back the series’ legendary fast-paced action. While some missing features from the original Ninja Gaiden 2 and random performance stumbles keep it from being the perfect return, its wildly satisfying combat and varied arsenal make it a worthwhile visit for fans craving that classic Ninja Gaiden rush.
Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos attempts to deliver a Katamari-like gameplay experience with a comedic premise, starring fan-favorite Uzume Tennouboshi. However, the game falls flat with its rushed narrative, shallow mechanics, and lack of meaningful content, making it feel more like a cash grab than a worthy entry in the Neptunia series.
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist builds upon its predecessor with a stronger narrative focus, improved exploration, and satisfying combat mechanics. While it reuses some familiar ideas, the game’s seamless movement, customizable playstyles, and stunning presentation make it a standout metroidvania for both newcomers and veterans.
Tales of Graces f Remastered delivers an exemplary action RPG experience, blending heartfelt storytelling, a masterfully crafted combat system, and deep customization mechanics. With its timeless characters, meaningful progression, and modernized quality-of-life updates, this is a must-play for fans of the Tales of series and JRPG enthusiasts alike.
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a meticulously crafted action RPG that showcases Falcom’s hallmark boss design, timeless soundtrack, and streamlined gameplay. With new artwork, a voiced Adol, and Turbo Mode for convenience, this definitive release highlights what makes Ys so enduringly captivating—despite minimal character development.
Antonblast is a chaotic and challenging 2D platformer that combines tight controls, masterful level design, and a unique sense of humor. With its relentless pacing, creative mechanics like the Happy Hour feature, and vibrant audiovisual presentation, it delivers an exhilarating experience for platforming veterans. While some unlockables and gimmicks fall short, the game's charm and intensity make it a standout indie gem and one of the year's best platformers.
Fantasian Neo Dimension breathes new life into the original Apple Arcade release with an engrossing narrative, intuitive turn-based combat, and a stellar English dub. While its innovative Dimengion mechanic and character-driven storytelling shine, minor performance hiccups on the Switch and lackluster sidequests hold it back. This is a must-play for RPG fans seeking a modern classic.
Symphonia is a visually stunning 2D platformer where music and gameplay intertwine in a harmonious adventure. With its unique momentum-based mechanics, orchestral soundtrack, and challenging optional areas, the game delivers a short yet satisfying experience for fans of the genre. However, minor bugs, an underdeveloped story, and some confusing mechanics hold it back from reaching its full potential. A must-play for platforming enthusiasts seeking something fresh.
SINce Memories: Off The Starry Sky is a heartfelt visual novel blending emotional character dynamics with an intriguing mystery. While its standalone accessibility and nostalgic presentation shine, inconsistent heroine routes, localization errors, and awkward voice acting hold it back from true greatness. A solid entry point for newcomers to the Memories Off series.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership brings a nostalgic return to the beloved RPG series with engaging combat, charming presentation, and heartfelt sibling dynamics. However, its lackluster story, forgettable characters, and technical hiccups hold it back from being a true masterpiece. While it has moments of fun and familiarity, it struggles to stand out in a year brimming with excellent Mario RPG releases.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake gives this classic a fresh coat of paint with a gorgeous HD-2D look and smart gameplay tweaks that make revisiting it feel worthwhile. With quality-of-life improvements and a flexible job system, it sticks close to its roots but doesn’t shy away from modern touches. While the high encounter rate and straightforward story might feel like holdovers from the past, it’s a satisfying trip back to a genre staple for those who don’t mind a little grind along the way.
Farmagia is an experience that has revealed itself as 2024’s most pleasant video game surprise. Between the strong cast, gratifying combat, and approachable yet fulfilling farming and raising mechanics, all of my boxes were checked. Of course, I have no idea how this title performs on Switch, so it may not match the relative smoothness of the PC version’s framerate, and the narrative writing has its fair share of noticeable stumbles. I also may be in the vast minority upon this release’s reception, seeing as I’m a fan of less-than-liked recent outings such as Soul Hackers 2.
Great Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is the fittingly excellent final collection for this franchise, bringing over two spinoffs, including one that was never officially localized. That alone deserves celebration, but this sequel is at the franchise's heights, while its predecessor doesn't particularly stand out by comparison.
Following in the footsteps of the Castlevania Advance Collection, the Castlevania Dominus Collection continues the precedent of being a must-play, masterful collection. The three main DS games included here are all exceptional action RPG experiences with lite metroidvania components that make progression and exploration increasingly fulfilling. Moreover, the inclusion of Haunted Castle and its impressive remake, alongside the numerous customizable options, extra features, and strong handheld and docked performance, only add to the positives this package boasts.
Visions of Mana marks a triumphant return for the Mana series, offering a richly detailed world with deep lore, an intricate combat system, and robust customization options. While the early pacing may deter some players, those who persist will find a rewarding RPG experience filled with compelling characters, challenging gameplay, and a wealth of content, including a post-game chapter and a New Game Plus mode. Visions of Mana successfully blends classic RPG elements with modern innovations, making it a standout title in Square Enix's lineup.
Bakeru is a delightful modern 3D platformer that captures the essence of classic titles like Goemon. With its vibrant world, challenging combat, and engaging exploration, Bakeru stands out as a must-play for genre fans. Despite some minor shortcomings in its combat mechanics, the game’s overall execution and nostalgic appeal make it an unforgettable experience.