RPGamer's Reviews
It may not immediately aspire to the same household-name status as some of its sources of inspiration, but fans of the [action RPG] genre would be hard-pressed to not find plenty to enjoy here.
Although its story and presentation elements wear a little thin after a promising start, there is nonetheless plenty to enjoy thanks to a decently deep battle system that offers plenty of challenge for those who want it. It’s a strong debut that offers plenty of optimism for the developer’s future projects.
Tactics Ogre’s story is a spectacle of chaos in all the best ways possible. It’s a story of the horrors of war, what happens to displaced people, and the power of rebellion.
A strong combat system that doesn’t punish players too harshly makes Asterigos: Curse of the Stars refreshing and approachable.
Packed into a pleasingly tight seven-hour experience, This Way Madness Lies is an excellent blend of disparate genres, solid gameplay, and humorous writing.
While Circus Electrique attempts to provide its own unique twist to various elements, it finds varying levels of success.
Fans of the Adventure Science series will get some enjoyment out of seeing its origins, and the mystery does eventually come together in a satisfying way. However, it’s hard to suggest it as an entry point for new potential fans when there are much better options available.
For its first foray into this style of game, Spiders falls into some bad habits that never quite allow for the game to rise to its ambitions, settling into a groove that is at times competent but often uninspiring.
Amnesia: Later x Crowd is a highly enjoyable game for otome fans, especially those who adore the cast of Amnesia: Memories.
In the end, No Place for Bravery lives or dies based on the strength of its combat system. Other aspects like its graphics, music, and storytelling are passable without being outright noteworthy, but an action RPG must nail its combat, and here the game falters.
Sunday Gold has a story that is set in an interesting world, but its focus on a singular plot point, while entertaining, makes other content feel disjointed.
The DioField Chronicle’s real time tactical battles are a refreshing addition to an ever-growing genre of tactical RPGs. Battles are addicting and compact, and although it’s not difficult, the many choices and upgrades keeps it engaging throughout its 25–30-hour playtime.
Indie developer Wolfsden managed to incorporate several entertaining mini-games to create a charming fifteen-hour adventure. Manafinder is a cute pixel-art turn-based RPG that will appeal to many players with its sidequests and interesting battle system/
For those willing to commit the fifteen to twenty hours to enjoy the content despite the mountain of technical issues, or those willing to wait for a few patches to iron out the current issues, there’s a quaint title waiting to be explored.
Airoheart should find its fans among veterans willing to stay patient and deal with its challenges in order to enjoy its explorative element. However, it’s difficult to see much widespread appeal with basics that are very derivative of past games, plus a general lack of polish and quality-of-life features compared to its contemporaries.
Ultimately, the game works best taken as a chill switching-off experience, but doesn’t do enough to stick long in the memory.
In the end, Trails from Zero delivers exactly what it promises: a unique opportunity to visit a story arc most western The Legend of Heroes fans never got to experience. Those who are looking to fill in the notable gap in the series will delight in discovering a plenitude of characters getting their fifteen minutes of fame.
The nearly ten-hour adventure is fun and enoyable, with attractive artwork, but the game doesn’t reach that next level as it ultimately brings very little new to the table.
Kaichu is a sweet experience that is well worth its time, but it’s also a game where players must temper their expectations, as it stays committed to its premise without any deviations.
It’s a game that delightfully demonstrates the importance of connections, with each other or one’s surroundings, and of reaching out.