In the end, Legacy of Ys made the transition to DS well, presenting an enjoyable experience even to those who have played the games to death.

Negatives aside, Devil Survivor is a great success.

Lux-Pain is a decent, and quite lengthy, visual novel for the DS, although it does come with some stipulations. If you prefer your stories completely spoon-fed to you and are averse to digging through database menus to read backstories about everything, then Lux-Pain may not be the right choice for you.

Animal Parade is not perfect, but it is by far one of my favorite Harvest Moon titles. This is the most fun I've had with the series in a long time, and it's great to see the story integrated so well with the gameplay.

The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is not a perfect game; however, it takes you on a fun enough journey that you'll most likely overlook any imperfections that you may find.

If you played the original, this installment will often feel like more of the same, but with the original MUA being so great, even those times are a lot of fun.

I worry that many RPG fans will pass over this game when, in actuality, they would really enjoy it if they gave it a chance.

The only way you'll be disappointed is if you go into the game expecting a brand new game. For all those looking to play an enhanced version of an old favorite, there's no better way to do it than Persona 3 Portable.

If you've never been impressed with Pokémon games the newest entries will likely not change your mind, but if you enjoy visiting the world time and again and wouldn't mind revisiting the land of Johto, you can't go wrong with Heart Gold and Soul Silver.

If you've never been impressed with Pokémon games the newest entries will likely not change your mind, but if you enjoy visiting the world time and again and wouldn't mind revisiting the land of Johto, you can't go wrong with Heart Gold and Soul Silver.

I know that while I definitely enjoyed this game, it was difficult to work within the time constraints. There was more I wanted to enjoy, but I wouldn't be able to; not without repeating a lot of the same stuff in a second or third play through the game.

There's not a part of Fallout: New Vegas that could be called a turd, and if you're a fan at all of western-styled RPGs, there is no doubt that this game is worth picking up.

Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a fun game, and it's worth the purchase for any Ys fan, if simply for the included soundtrack.

The game is very well balanced.

It's difficult to recommend this game, because it is aimed at a very specific niche. But I will say that if you dislike shooters or aren't very skilled at them, definitely try before you buy.

At this point, I don't think it's reasonable to recommend playing this particular version of the game, unless you absolutely loathe voice acting (and/or refined graphics, and/or the PSP as a platform).

Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes may get flack from the hardcore D&D crowd for simply being a "Diablo" clone set in the D&D universe, but it's still hard to deny the simple joy in teaming up with three friends to kick the crap out a Beholder.

Doesn't do much of anything RPG fans haven't seen countless times before-but it does everything we've seen time and again well.

RPG fans who liked the open-ended gameplay and freedom of the first game will want to take a return trip-the two expansions with over 100 hours of new adventures coupled with the $30 price tag make this game one of the steals of the year.

Overall, Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection is a solid package, especially with an MSRP of $29.99. Even though it isn't the definitive version of the game, it is a solid way into the franchise and the best way to experience The After Years.

So, in the end, what we have is an exceptional local-multiplayer action RPG with a good story and great combat and production values, fused with some of the best-loved trappings of the hack-and-slash loot-grab genre.

So, in the end, what we have is an exceptional local-multiplayer action RPG with a good story and great combat and production values, fused with some of the best-loved trappings of the hack-and-slash loot-grab genre.

The mature storyline featuring well-written character arcs, the deep and engaging gameplay, and the overall high quality in every aspect are all reasons that I can easily recommend this game to any gamer interested in turn-based PSP fun.

Despite lackluster music, Hakuoki is an enjoyable visual novel that could actually make gamers rethink their perception of Idea Factory.

Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance is everything gamers have come to expect from this series, for better or worse. I can't recommend it to newcomers in any way, but for those who have followed it this far, they'll find a flawed game that occasionally reaches some great highs.

With the new content included and a controller in the USB port, Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition is the best version of the game – just not by as much of a margin as some might've hoped for.

Chaos on Deponia is exactly what Deponia needed: another Deponia. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, because the trilogy is a mere one game shy of wrapping up. And while I honestly can't tell you where we'll go or if we'll get there, you can bet the skies will be paved with smoke.

A solid re-release of a classic plus some nice new frills, but not without its problems.

Soul Sacrifice is what you'd get if you smashed Phantom Dust and Monster Hunter together and added a meaningful plot, and it does what it sets out to do with aplomb.

That said, if you like graphic adventures and poor controls are not generally a dealbreaker for you, don't let that one issue stop you from trying Gemini Rue. It's got logical puzzles that require thought but don't have a lot of red herrings to guide you away from the correct path, great voice acting that complements a worthwhile story from start to finish, and just the right atmosphere.

The Oracle has shown me that Phoenix Online is in it to win it, and is working to make this series something special. Therefore, I feel no compunction whatsoever in recommending it to any discerning adventure fan.

EverQuest II does not make a profound mark on MMORPG titles that its predecessor did. However, this doesn't mean it's by any means a bad MMORPG; it's just not innovative.

On one hand the game is lovingly crafted with a superb amount of customization and options available. On the other hand, the insurmountable quantity of tasks that can be performed are so incredibly daunting that the number of people who would actually enjoy the game is very limited.

This season's diamond-in-the-rough. Players with the skill and a great deal of patience will see the adventure through to the end and appreciate the creator's grand vision, despite the shortcomings.

An incredibly fun, enjoyable game. I know, however, that GameArts is a much more capable developer than what they demonstrate through their latest release in the series. [JPN Import]

From Software's older RPGs were barely playable, but this one was one of my favorite RPGs of the year. The eye candy is the game's defining feature, but it doesn't attempt to stand on that aspect alone.

A lot of people bashed on this game when it was released for 360, and it has seen similar mediocrity in sales performance on the PlayStation 3. However, I stand firm in my opinion that the game is a decent, semi-epic RPG that's worth playing, if only to have such a grandiose tale to play on a next-gen before Final Fantasy XIII.

Though plenty of fun is to be had in Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm, it's also short, slightly repetitive in scope, and lacking a compelling plot.

Therefore, the bottom line is that if you could not get into the original Touch Detective, 2 1/2 will not change your mind. However, if you enjoyed the first game, you'll definitely want to pick this one up.

Depths of Peril doesn't care to be a book, or a movie, or a soundtrack. It is simply a game, and it is a great game, so long as all you want is a solid, interactive experience with none of the frills of high-budget PC titles.

It's hard to understand why Square Enix didn't put any effort into the story, which would have upped the greatness of this game significantly had it been good. Even after some disappointments, FFTA2 remains worth it for all the reasons that FFTA was: great presentation and solid gameplay.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King is better than the sum of its parts. When you look at everything separately nothing sticks out as particularly fantastic, but its charm and addictive quality go a long way towards making it a great game.

It's not a great game, but Eternal Poison is a game that I have no major complaints about.

Yes, the graphical upscaling is certainly worth it, but unless you really dig the original plot of Sora and friends, or if you're interested in a new type of challenge involving real-time action-based battles and numeric-value cards, it's not worth playing.

A great RPG at a great price.

The humor, characters, mystery, and sense of magic are rarely combined as effectively as they are in TWW, drawn together by astounding artwork. Get past the surface flaws and delve into another world for a few days.

All in all, it's the best control I've seen in an action-RPG for a handheld game. I'm serious.

Disgaea 3 is a game that will last you a while, whether you just want to casually focus on the main story or go all out with post-game content. The fact that it's portable makes it well-suited to quickly pick up and play a level or two or spend a few minutes grinding away.

For better and worse, Gemini Rue might best be described as a "neat little game." For whatever reason, the game feels short of its potential, and every facet seems sullied by flaws both minor and moderate. Still, the cyberpunk tone, engaging story, and varied gameplay make more of an impression than those flaws.

I may have initially been disappointed by the focus on online play, but these fears quickly passed as I discovered what an enjoyable game Dungeon Defenders is. 13 maps with 15-20 hours of play is a considerable amount of initial content, but the extra challenges and loot-hunting are what will keep you coming back. Working out strategies and tower placement is a great fun, and finally succeeding in your strategy is immensely satisfying. Some of the online features are a little rough, but if you enjoy a good tower defence game, then you should not miss this one.

Tight, strategic combat and a good variety of mission objectives keep battles feeling fresh, while the story holds surprising depth and well-written characters. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time emerges from a bygone epoch no worse for the wear.

Some of the choices made in both the presentation and the design of the port are questionable and show some of Square Enix's disconcerting business ethics, but as a game, TWEWY is still very enjoyable and arguably a worthy purchase.

This intangible attribute of the game is difficult to put into words, but Geralt's personality, the mature humor, the bizarre characters, and the sex and drugs combine in odd ways to create a game better than the sum of its parts.

Though its aesthetic qualities are somewhere between poor and average, the game has excellent gameplay and control, and the game's plot and characters are decent enough to get excited about.

Much like the rest of tri-Ace's games, Radiata will certainly form a hardcore cult following, but it might not catch on in the mainstream. There are many unique touches to Radiata that the rest of the role playing genre, or even all games, could learn from, but not everything is executed perfectly.

My personal opinion is that this expansion was a much-needed breath of fresh air for the MMORPG. However, for Square Enix to continue to keep the game interesting, they will need to pull out a trump card, or else gamers could move on to bigger or better things.

My personal opinion is that this expansion was a much-needed breath of fresh air for the MMORPG. However, for Square Enix to continue to keep the game interesting, they will need to pull out a trump card, or else gamers could move on to bigger or better things.

Magical Starsign does an excellent job at taking the classic Turn-Based RPG formula and turning it into something fun for Nintendo's new handheld device.

A weak story and semi-clunky controls prevented the game from being a lot more enjoyable. Regardless, it's a good game that has some great style and music with very interesting concepts.

It's a fun game with a cute story and a difficulty level that will welcome casual players. It also offers enough variability and special features to make JRPG fiends rejoice.

The developers clearly put a lot of love into this game, and in my opinion, it paid off. I spent 40 to 50 very enjoyable hours with Alien Syndrome, and am several hours in with a second character.

New unique minigames and a gigantic island to explore makes Lost in Blue 2 an engaging purchase for anyone who can get past the daunting first few hours of extreme survival. However, the one-two combo of a companion who lacks any sort of survival competency and the required precise micromanagement of each character's vital stats can tempt even the most hardened survival buffs to snap their DS clean in half.

However, if you want a Phoenix Wright style visual novel that's set in a hospital where surgeries are there to accent the character interaction, then definitely check out Lifesigns: Surgical Unit.

The changes has its ups and downs, but NIS has produced another fine game. The game has a sluggish start, but it picked up the pace by the end.

With more than forty hours of gameplay, a "versus" mode for you to battle friends, and a difficulty that is stout, Valhalla Knights 2 is one of the best buys you're likely to find on the PSP for quite some time.

It was fun to play, had some great production values, and sported a contemporary anime vibe.

Although Avalon Code would be without a niche had it not included the Book of Prophecy, the package as a whole is one full of variety and enjoyment.

CotP is the worst game in the Valkyrie Profile series, but it is definitely my favorite SRPG on the DS.

Remake or not, this is the first time we've seen the original game in the series here in the US, and almost 20 years later it's still worth playing.

Awakening might feel rushed at times, but it tells an important story and allows the Commander of the Grey to kick tremendous ass, and there's little more satisfying than that.

Knights in the Nightmare is a hit or miss game, plain and simple.

Ghost Trick is worth a playthrough, if only to experience something completely unique in the graphic adventure genre.

It feels antiquated, but give it a chance, and you're likely to enjoy it. Plus, more support for the series means more likelihood that the rest will somehow, someday reach our Falcom-starved fingers.

It's not a must-have for those who already own the PC version, but it's absolutely worth a purchase for anyone who missed out the first time around.

Ultimately though, Gladius is an ambitious game that attempts to breathe new life into the genre. It's not entirely successful, but it is the best gladiator game I've played.

So while episode 2 is certainly an improvement, the series still has a little ways to go before I say, "Wow." Right now, I'm saying "not bad."

Retro games have been a popular niche market for a while now, and they exist in a whole spectrum from goofy parody to heart-attack serious. And yet Knights of Pen & Paper somehow manages to find a slot in that spectrum that hasn't been filled yet: the fairly humorous take on tabletop gaming.

Regardless of how the series pans out, as a stand-alone title .hack//G.U. Vol.1//Rebirth is a fun title to play, especially if you're stuck with a PS2 while everyone else spends big money on the next-gen consoles.

If you like comic books and action RPGs, I can easily recommend that you purchase this game.

Grim Grimoire is not a deep RTS, but it is a fun one.

Since the RPG library on the PlayStation 3 is currently lacking, RPG fans would do well to at least try this game out. The game isn't epic, given its relatively short length, but it is everything RPG fans would want from a short title: fun, challenge, mystery, and an incredible story.

It's one of the more groundbreaking games to come out this year, especially considering many of the uninspired titles making their way to the Wii.

Star Ocean: First Departure is not for everyone. Newcomers to the RPG genre should find their fix elsewhere first, though veterans will find themselves right at home with this tri-Ace title.

If you're a series fan, there's no question that you need to play this game. For newcomers, I only offer this one warning: be ready for a challenge.

If you've got a PSP, this is a quality game, something the system hasn't seen much of lately.

Disgaea Infinite is one of those rare games. It plays like a visual novel, but it will also appeal to fans of the Disgaea RPG series.

Flawed? Sure. Is Arc Rise Fantasia the best RPG I've played? Far from it. However, Arc Rise Fantasia captures the heart and soul of the JRPG so wonderfully that it will be easy enough to overlook the flaws.

Admittedly, Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is not the same as the classics from two decades ago, but nothing ever will be. This is as close as we're getting for now, so take advantage of this opportunity.

If you're a rabid Fire Emblem fan, you'll love this game. It's more of the same style with a new plot with new characters for you to match up, and the added bonus of extra dungeons to try to complete as fast as possible.

The satisfying combat will appeal to the casual gamer while the Devil raising and rare drops will keep perfectionists entertained.

At $5.00, Serious Sam: The Random Encounter is a steal.

When it all works, it sings. It IS Star Wars and you are living in it. But when it doesn't, it frustrates, perhaps because the best moments are so good that you wonder why it all can't be that good.

Despite a few fumbles, The Walking Dead: Episode 1 is a resounding success. I can't wait for the next installment, and I have found myself reflecting on my choices, pondering at how events could have unfolded differently. This two-and-a-half hour game is most certainly a love letter to fans of TWD and zombies in general, but those who've yet to be bitten by the zombie bug may enjoy the experience as well.

Simply, if you enjoyed the first game and haven't pre-ordered the rest of the episodes, then this is a must-buy. The game has only gotten better, though the true lack of choice is a little more evident.

If you know what you're getting into, Unchained Blades is an enjoyable game that doles out pain and pleasure in equal capacity.

Ten minutes of novelty can turn into ten hours of monotony, and, while An Elysian Tail has many merits, repetition and simplicity prevent it from ranking among the best.

If you have shunned Idea Factory RPGs in the past and/or found the previous Agarest War titles a chore to play, this one's marked improvement may sway you slightly. I recommend at least giving Record of Agarest War 2 a rental because it shows that Idea Factory has the potential to create good stuff.

As stated earlier, Episode 3 keeps pace with the other two installments, which speaks highly of its developers – the episodes truly feel like chapters of one long story, and not parts that jaggedly fit together. Unfortunately, the gameplay staggers wantonly while simultaneously stagnating in long adventure-style fetch quests.

In the final analysis, Sticker Star is no Thousand Year Door, but don't let that turn you off – it's still a really good game, even if its RPG elements have been toned down.

Clearly, I enjoyed The Silent Age: Episode One, and I think there's a lot to admire here. It's free, and there are no in-app purchases, although you can donate to the developers' efforts to fund and finish Episode Two (of two, if I understand their blog correctly). I'd love to see Joe deliver that message and learn the answers to the mysteries raised in this episode, and I think that if you play it, you'll feel the same way.

Although it's certainly not genre busting in any way, it provides Action-RPG fans something better to play than the subpar "Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel." Anyone who is a fan of either the X-Men or Action-RPGs will find a fun, 15-hour game with X-Men Legends.

It is a nostalgia trip, a salute to the Silver and Golden ages, and a wonderful piece of whimsy. It is at the same time humorous and heart-warming to see all these familiar and old concepts.

A fun, but dated and unoriginal flight through the land of Hyrule. The main quest may be longer than most, and the sidequests may be in abundance, but that doesn't help Twilight Princess from feeling like the same thing we all played nearly ten years ago.

As an RPG, it is an excellent experience that provides a beautifully crafted world and engaging battle system. However, as a Final Fantasy game, it falls short of expectations somewhat.

While Revenant Wings may be little more than a handheld equivalent to Final Fantasy X-2, it does what it was meant to do quite well.

If you're looking for a short, fun, single-player romp through magical realms on your PC, this game is a great choice to satisfy that urge.

Don't hesitate to try this one!

It's a game that most RPG fans will find to be a worthy purchase, but don't expect a world-class game out of it.

Overall, Infinite Space is a tough game to pin a clear-cut review on. Some of its elements like its story and modification system are expansive and enjoyable, whereas the lack of a tutorial is troublesome.

Good game, great music, bad localization.

For the amount of fun, hilarity, and challenge it provides, I would say it's well worth it. But don't get this game if you're unwilling to do plenty of reading. To play this game, you need a computer with a mouse, and a fairly ranged knowledge of English vocabulary.

If you've never liked Kingdom Hearts before, 358/2 Days will not sway your opinion, as it's basically the same action RPG seen on the Playstation 2 with a different (and one may argue, more interesting) customization system. However, if you like Kingdom Hearts or even action RPGs in general, 358/2 Days is a worthy game for you to spend time on.

As long as players are willing to find that mute button on their remote - or can palate the Japanese dub - and can stand up to an overly-sappy story, there's no reason not to pick up Star Ocean: The Last Hope.

Gust fans should definitely check it out, and I also recommend it to players looking for something a little different than your average boilerplate JRPG.

Although it's certainly not genre busting in any way, it provides Action-RPG fans something better to play than the subpar "Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel." Anyone who is a fan of either the X-Men or Action-RPGs will find a fun, 15-hour game with X-Men Legends.

Mage Gauntlet takes everything that was pure fun about the best 16 bit action RPGs of old and tosses it into a light hearted, easy to play, and most importantly, FUN package.

With an awful plot, some shoddy controls and poor dialogue working against it, you might expect that Rogue Galaxy would receive a poor overall score from me... and you'd be right if it weren't for everything else. The gameplay, in particular, was a saving grace but the music and graphics also pulled this game from the depths of despair into something fun.

While players won't be choosing skill points in trees or devoting time to selecting whether +5 intellect or +3 wisdom is better, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime is simply some good, clean fun for all ages.

Given a little time to handle the learning curve, I found the greatest enjoyment in actually playing the game instead of pondering the prose, and isn’t that the point of a handheld title?

A unique little adventure game with loads of style, fun characters, and plenty of charm.

It doesn't have an incredibly lengthy quest or a massive skill system for hardcore RPG fans to dig their teeth into, but Gurumin is the type of game that will snag the attention not only of a core gamer, but also of the younger sibling or sometimes-gamer significant other.

Rune Factory is a great portable action RPG/sim with a vast array of activities and a great addictive vibe.

It isn't remarkably better than the first game, but it is a slight improvement.

Infinite Undiscovery isn't the epic JRPG for the X360 we have been waiting for, but it's a great stop gap for the expected ones (Final Fantasy XIII and Star Ocean: The Last Hope) and certainly the most fun I have had in a JRPG on the X360 yet.

If you are into both RPGs and rhythm games, you'll definitely enjoy Patapon longer than just enough to get your money's worth out of it.

If you've never played Lost in Blue 3 or any game like it, you ought to give it a try.

With the basic layout of the game's universe out of the way, the developers were able to refine and revise to their heart's content and make a respectable sequel.

It's unlikely to make it to the top of anyone's game of the year list, but it's still worth a look if you're between AAA titles.

I had some skepticism on how this RPG/board game hybrid would work out, but it turned out to be better than the sum of its parts.

An odd and unique fusion of Eastern and Western RPG conventions, Sonic Chronicles is a difficult game to qualify. On one hand, it's weak when compared to other Bioware titles, and even some other RPGS, such as the easily comparable Mario RPG. On the other hand, though, it must be evaluated based upon what it really is: a handheld Sonic RPG.

Most RPG fans will be relatively happy with Star Ocean: Second Evolution as a purchase, especially if they are fans of tri-Ace titles.

It's not a game for everyone, but those who are fans of "grindfest" games like Diablo will have a blast with this game, especially considering you can play it while waiting in the line at the DMV.

This is definitely not a game for the impatient or easily frustrated, and if you can look at the game's foibles as endearing "retro-chic" quirks, then there is joy to be found in Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled.

It takes a while for things to start up, but once it gets going, it becomes quite addicting.

It might not be the longest RPG out there at around 10-15 hours, but Half-Minute Hero is a game that's worth experiencing, and most importantly, you'll have fun doing it.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks brings little new to the franchise, and that would be fine if what it did introduce wasn't tedious and clumsy. The train is an abomination. And, while there are good puzzles and fun dungeons, everything seems a little tired, brief, and empty.

Fortunately, the game never overstays its welcome, and that alone makes it worth a recommendation to anyone who enjoyed The Legend of Zelda or other NES classics.

All in all, Mount and Blade: Warband is a great game, even despite its flaws. The overall concept is satisfying, and with a more heavyweight publisher behind the team at TaleWorlds, this is one game that could be absolutely great.

If you enjoy a game that's easy to pick up but has challenging battles and allows you to customize your character with plenty of new duds, then Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow will be worth your while.

Unfortunately, the truth remains that because of its lack of remarkable or memorable gameplay and aesthetics, combined with mostly lukewarm humor, there are many more games that players will spend $15 on before even considering Deathspank.

Unfortunately, the truth remains that because of its lack of remarkable or memorable gameplay and aesthetics, combined with mostly lukewarm humor, there are many more games that players will spend $15 on before even considering Deathspank.

If you're looking for fun, lighthearted RPG-ing with some laughs along the way, DeathSpank won't do you wrong.

Simple, old school fun. Neither game is horribly complex, nor are they the epitome of handheld roleplaying. What this compilation is, however, is what gamers wanted back in 2003: Final Fantasy Origins to be portable.

You can get through a single town in one sitting, making it one of those perfect games to play when you've got a half hour or so handy. Many times, that "half hour" turns into far longer, which is really the best compliment I can give a game.

The long answer is that Chantelise is a fun indie RPG that just needs a good polish.

You just can't charge this kind of money for an iOS port of a PSOne game, especially one that's not graphically optimized for the iPad. What's worse, if I didn't already own this game on the PSP, I could buy it new right now for $10 at Amazon.com and have a better overall experience.

Lord of the Rings: War in the North is far from perfect, but it's an incredibly well-balanced beat-em-up.

The gameplay hasn't really changed, but it's more than serviceable and will keep you entertained as you make your way from punchline to punchline. If you're in the market for some cheap laughs, this game is an easy recommendation.

I find myself oddly pleased with my playtime of Final Fantasy XIII-2. The game isn't long for those who want to just take down the story - perhaps 25 hours at most - but it was a mostly enjoyable experience.

Reckoning provides many hours of good, solid fun based around character development and skill progression. Those looking for a deeply immersive experience should probably look elsewhere, but don't be surprised if your Civic runs nice and smooth while the other guy is busy patching the crap out of his Ferrari.

It's not perfect and certainly has its share of hiccups, but if you go in expecting to tear up some mean guys and rock out to some great music, you'll definitely be happy. And with a $20 price tag, you really can't go wrong.

If you can look past the so-so music, retro visuals and somewhat sluggish interface, Resonance is a good graphic adventure.

All in all, Pokémon Conquest is solid across the board, but it is lacking in a few key areas that are likely to turn away non-Pokémon fans and hardcore strategy players. However, if you don't go in expecting the next Final Fantasy Tactics or Tactics Ogre, then there's plenty to enjoy.

Despite some unfortunate pacing hiccups and esoteric puzzling, what we're left with is a joyous little journey for the dumpster-diving faithful. Back-of-the-box quote right here: It's solid.

Questionable price tag aside, if you're looking for a lengthy, retro-style RPG on your iOS device, Final Fantasy Dimensions is your best bet. Just be aware that some of yesterday's frustration slipped into the package alongside its felicity.

Rainbow Moon is a game that I couldn't help but come away from with pleasant feelings. It's not revolutionary, but it's well-executed and knows exactly what it wants to be. There is a certain type of player out there who is going to absolutely love this game, and get hours upon hours of enjoyment out of it. The only question you have to ask yourself is if you are that kind of player. If not, at least try it out for the sweet music!

Ultimately, Cognition is a good start, and at its core, a quality adventure game.

After spending fifty hours with GW2, I have a lot of praise for ArenaNet's work and the way it changes up some of the typical trappings of the MMO. And yet, I find myself thinking less and less about it each day. It's not a declaration against the product, mind you, but simply a fact that this game still is very much an MMO, and your enjoyment will directly relate to how much you enjoy the genre. For many who were hoping for a clean break from MMO design philosophy, Guild Wars 2 will probably come across as a slight disappointment. It pushes the genre slightly forward, however, and could lead to even further development in the future.

Although having a sidekick like Crispin corrodes Primordia's otherwise beautiful presentation, there are nevertheless fun puzzles, memorable conversations, and new thoughts to be had.

Drox Operative is something entirely different from its peers among whom I'd count Diablo, Torchlight, Path of Exile, and Titan Quest. It's something familiar and it's something bewilderingly new.

Richard & Alice may have a generic name, but it is anything but generic.

Fans of comic fantasy and action RPGs will be comforted by Driftmoon's cheerful atmosphere and delightful exploration.

Dead Island Riptide is essentially what the original should have been. It's lighter on bugs, it's more playable, and it's got prettier graphics. If you were a fan of the original game, have at the sequel, but know that it's not much more than "more Dead Island."

Much like Elena in the throes of disfiguration, Pandora's Tower is imperfect, but begging to be loved.

The worst thing you can say about Sorcery! is that this first book feels short. But when you are enjoying a thing, that often tends to be the case. The best thing is that if it stays true to the books, it is only going to get better.

The fact that its target demographic is undeniably the players of the first game, coupled with the slower pace of the gameplay, and Musashi winds up in the exact same boat as it's predecessor.

In the end, if you're a fan of RPGs, the kind of person Square Enix wants to pick up this game, you're going to like Final Fantasy III.

If this game ran smoother, it would have been something special. Instead it's just a solid, worthwhile trip that will be remembered more for its shortcomings than it will its triumphs, and what a shame that is.

It may sound like Rune Factory 2 is a worthless game, but that's only my tendency to focus on the negative, and it is especially frustrating because the developers made so many avoidable mistakes.

Overall, Dokapon Journey is a refreshing game.

I am absolutely shocked that such a potentially award-winning game falls short in so many ways. The core is there. The gameplay is there. If Nexon cared a bit more about the quality of the experience, this game would have lasting power.

Of Orcs and Men feels like a missed opportunity. Action RPGs tend to be gameplay-driven rather than story-driven, and this game is no exception.

Generation of Chaos: Pandora's Reflection is a perfectly serviceable game that didn't give me the headache I feared, but it never got my blood pumping, either.

Dreamfall is relatively short, about ten hours, but chances are you'll play through it a second time to get some of the references you missed. Quite simply, if you like an excellent story in your games, go out and pick up a copy of Dreamfall for the PC or Xbox.

Players new to the series, or looking for a more cerebral RPG, should stay away from WA:ACF. The battle system is rather simplistic and the plot rather too cliché to derive much fun from if you're not looking for something quite that barebones.

The difference from the first game to the second, in my experience, is like the difference between cheap pan-Asian food sold in a mall and an expensive Japanese sushi restaurant. No more greasy egg rolls: it's time for some blue-fin tuna...except, it's from Europe.

Some hardcore D&D fans will be disappointed by the things left out of the 3.5 ruleset, but any tactical RPG fan who doesn't know about what's been left out or doesn't care will enjoy Dungeons & Dragons Tactics.

If you're into RPGs for that rush of fun and adventure, avoid this game. Heck, avoid the whole Legend of Heroes series. But, if you've stuck it out so far and have enjoyed the storyline created by Falcom, a company respected by many a J-RPG fan, know that this game has a plot that enriches the others even as it proves its own value to the gamers' imagination.

The gameplay can be cheap, but it does have a good degree of challenge. Technical aspects are weak, but there is some style going for it.

The gameplay can be cheap, but it does have a good degree of challenge. Technical aspects are weak, but there is some style going for it.

Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, and the Path of the Ninja series as a whole, is proof that an RPG based on a popular license can be good.

It's not flawless, it's not too hard, and the genre change may put off fans of the original game, but it gets a lot of little things right, and the whole ends up being greater than the sum of its parts.

Hero of Leaf Valley is by far the best offering on the PSP to date. It's too bad it is marred by some awful load times and another cookie cutter story without any novel ideas to keep even that afloat. Interestingly enough, the gameplay is tweaked in just enough ways to warrant this game an overall winner.

Overall, Resonance of Fate is a good game that took many risks in order to bring some new ideas to the JRPG market, while maintaining some traditional gameplay mechanics.

I can't really fault Duodecim for being what it is: a title that's meant to be played by longtime Final Fantasy fans who really just want to see all their favorite characters together. However, it's undeniable that the game is broken in many ways – incredibly uneven difficulty, obtuse systems, and control issues both in and outside of battle.

If you like the turn-based strategy RPG genre (such as Fire Emblem), you're almost guaranteed to enjoy this game. Be prepared to do a lot of reading, a lot of thinking, and a lot of losing. With that mindset, you can really enjoy this entry in Banpresto's long line of mecha SRPGs.

Dreamfall is relatively short, about ten hours, but chances are you'll play through it a second time to get some of the references you missed. Quite simply, if you like an excellent story in your games, go out and pick up a copy of Dreamfall for the PC or Xbox.

It's very unfortunate that everything in Baten Kaitos did not come together to create a truly great gaming experience. The shallow battle system becomes boring quickly, and the voice acting's poor quality drops the game to a simply average level.

As it stands, Innocent Sin is worthwhile for Shin Megami Tensei fans and those who are pining for the RPG days of yore, but those looking for the comforts of modern RPGs should look elsewhere.

Lag was an acceptable issue in games up until five or so years ago. At this point, most high-quality online experiences are relatively lag free. That's why I have to say that RMG is not a high-quality experience, but not just because of lag; Realm of the Mad God suffers in its simplicity.

They're still good games, but there's nothing overtly special about them that makes them stand out from the rest of the series or, more importantly, Black and White 1.

They're still good games, but there's nothing overtly special about them that makes them stand out from the rest of the series or, more importantly, Black and White 1.

The gameplay has been innovated in certain areas but falls short in others, but fans of "Disgaea's" goofy story and "Phantom Brave's" more complex experience system will both find something to enjoy in Makai Kingdom.

Lord of the Rings: Tactics is a solid, albeit totally ordinary strategy RPG released in the first six months of the PSP life cycle.

Overall, Blue Dragon offers an above average, traditional RPG, though only the superb gameplay puts it over the mark of the uninspired and average.

Regardless of version, I think Riviera: The Promised Land is a decent JRPG, and it marked a great comeback for Sting.

Even though Luminous Arc 2 is a pretty extensive handheld title (40 hours, multiple endings) with a bonus OST, I cannot recommend it to you. If it was March or April and you were dying for a new game, I would say to buy it cautiously. But we're in the middle of the Christmas season and there are so many games out there.

Since the in-game graphics are weak, and the music is bland, the only chance this game has to win fans is its gameplay.

In short, Magnacarta 2 is a competent, if forgettable, RPG.

Grand Bazaar is by far the best game in the series to hit the DS. The problem? It just doesn't do enough new.

Excellent game, subpar port.

While it was nice to see some new things for the Harvest Moon series, Innocent Life just didn't give me the thrill I was hoping for. There were some good ideas, but they were poorly executed.

There isn't much here that has not already been done in Japanese RPGs before and if you keep up with the Naruto manga or anime, there is nothing you haven't already read or watched before.

Innocent Life would be more of a game for a casual gamer or, because of the ease of difficulty, maybe someone just starting out in the series.

While Summon Night: Twin Age does not push the envelopes in any area, it has a certain charm to it that can't be denied.

Echoes of Time is the most robust game in the Crystal Chronicles series and has more longevity than many RPGs on the system.

Sure, it's nice to have, but it's also pointless and limp, and you can't cook pancakes with it. But hey, if you missed the party back in 2005, it's definitely a worthy pick up.

It is a good RPG for the casual gamer and maybe for the Lord of the Rings modern-media fan, but anyone who seriously enjoyed, say, "Xenogears" will have an incredibly difficult time enjoying this little scrap of meat. It's pretty, it sounds nice, and it has all the trappings of a Lord of the Rings product, but it ultimately lacks substance.