George Yang

“Rise of the Ronin has an excellent parrying system that makes its Soulslike gameplay feel challenging, yet fair compared to its contemporaries.”

“Unicorn Overlord is the strategy RPG fans of the genre have been waiting for.”

“Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden delivers both slick action and tough moral choices.”

“Granblue Fantasy: Relink has a succinct story, fantastic battle system, and fun multiplayer options that help it stand out.”

“Another Code: Recollection left me with a lasting impression that's sure to keep my memory of the lost series alive.”

“Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is fun enough to give frustrated Pokémon fans a solid alternative.”

“Persona 5 Tactica is a fun time for someone who’s looking for a more casual strategy game. The Phantom Thieves are just as charming as ever, and the newly introduced characters mesh well with them. It’s not an essential experience in the same way that Persona 5 Strikers was, but fans who aren’t tired of Persona 5 yet will find plenty to like with Tactica.”

“Star Ocean: The Second Story R strikes a good balance of retro and modernity with its throwback visuals and new combat mechanics.”

“The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a fun action RPG that takes elements of the wider series it's based on and crafts something unique. The minute-to-minute gameplay is also engaging, although with some minor platforming frustrations here and there. While the story may be simplistic and not as politically engrossing as the mainline Trails games, the heartfelt cast of characters and side quests help flesh out its world.”

“Anonymous;Code managed to grab my attention in a way that other SciADV games weren't able to, due to its captivating story and excellent pacing.”

“The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie has a great story with an engaging turn-based battle system. While it does have issues with a bloated cast of characters, impeccable pacing makes every interaction manageable.”

“While Loop8's story has the potential to be incredibly interesting, it never really lands and fails to leave an emotional impact towards the end. It's all presented beautifully and has a unique mix of gameplay styles and ideas, but their repetitive and frustrating nature makes the whole experience a chore. It's like toiling away at your summer job and going through the motions until it's time to leave.”

“Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp feels like catching up with an old friend and finding out that their best qualities remained intact over the years.”

“'Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key' is another great entry in a criminally underrated series from an overlooked developer. It builds upon the previous games to deliver one of the year’s most satisfying RPG conclusions.”

“It’s refreshing to see how much care was put into the development and localization of Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society. It’s in a niche genre, but the game has a staggering amount of content that’ll keep its players entertained for hours on end. Despite the immense potential runtime, the game's progression and overall pacing always feel just right. And between the charming art style and characters, you'll never get bored.”

“A Space for the Unbound is a brisk 15-hour story that is full of surprises and potent emotional beats. While it doesn’t offer much in the way of replayability, it’s a hugely memorable experience nonetheless.”

“Star Ocean: The Divine Force isn’t the best in the series, but a revamped battle system and a charming cast of characters at least make it feel like a return to form.”

“The DioField Chronicle includes a lot of setup for potential sequels, but it does a solid job of laying down the proper foundation to make that work long-term.”

“The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero puts together a politically engaging story, fun gameplay, and likable heroes into one epic RPG.”

“Temtem is a fun monster-catching game that offers plenty of twists on the well-worn Pokémon formula.”