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.
Fate/stay night Remastered is an excellent official English debut for visual novel and Type-Moon fans worldwide after a two-decade limbo of existence. The well-implemented script, gorgeous 16:9 visuals, and in-depth customization options make this debut of the Fate series its best iteration yet.
I had no idea what to expect from Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, but it will undeniably be another hit under Capcom's growing catalog of critically acclaimed successes. On a personal level, this title echoes some portion of the developer's past that I've missed dearly, and sincerely hope it sticks around and grows. The gameplay shortcomings here may fail at encourgaing the incentivized repaly value enough, but they don't detract from the quality present here.
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a must-play 2D platformer that shines with its sublime movement mechanics and excellent level design. Despite a few narrative and comedic missteps, the game offers fulfilling exploration, captivating combat, and stunning visuals, making it one of the standout titles of 2024.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak brings a fresh start to the Trails series with its new Calvard arc. Featuring an ambitious narrative, innovative gameplay systems, and a compelling new protagonist, Van Arkride, this entry captivates both new and returning players. Despite some issues with difficulty and the LGC alignment system, Daybreak stands out as a remarkable and modern addition to Falcom's storied catalog.
Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon is a stellar remake of Type-Moon's classic visual novel. This partial reimagining brings modern graphics and expanded storylines for Arcueid and Ciel, providing an engaging and immersive experience. With captivating characters, a well-woven narrative, and enhanced presentation, this visual novel is a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
Atlus re-releases can be a hard sell for those who experienced the original launches. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance definitley fits into that category for narrative reasons, with the new Canon of Vengeance route not executing its captivating premise strongly due to mishandled opportunities and rushed pacing.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an exceptional sequel that surpasses expectations in nearly every aspect. It combines compelling storytelling, innovative combat, and a wealth of engaging content to deliver an unforgettable adventure. As a bold continuation of the saga, it sets the stage for the final installment, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what comes next. Square Enix has truly outdone itself, showcasing the depth and potential of the Final Fantasy VII universe.
Persona 3 Reload is a highly-anticipated remake that doesn't deliver on all fronts. Still, it tries to do so with plenty of meticulous care. The added character scenes and new activities make the experience even more compelling, while the modernized visuals and new English voice cast live up to this classic's legacy. However, some of the new gameplay features make the experience too easy and forgiving. Additionally, the exclusion of some elements, like The Answer from Persona 3 FES, makes this launch less definitive than it could have been.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is an ambitious mainline outing that doesn't quite check all the right boxes, but definitley attempts to do so with a ton of heart. The gameplay variety, improved combat system, and excellent character dynamics make this an adventure for the ages with standout setting distinction. However, the poor narrative pacing, questionable ending scenes, and noticeably lacking difficulty stand out in an otherwise addictive experience.