Ayakashi: Romance Reborn Dawn Chapter & Twilight Chapter is a hard game to pin down for a review. On the one hand, it lacks content you can find in other versions of the game. On the other hand, it makes up for that by telling a concise story you don’t have to go through a ton of bells and whistles or gacha mechanics to see. The plot is enjoyable enough for what it is, and the characters are largely likable too, but it really doesn’t offer much player interactivity to speak of beyond your faction. Those who don’t mind a good story to read with some romantic undertones and pretty art will no doubt find something to enjoy, but those looking for more to do in even their VNs should probably look elsewhere. As it stands, Ayakashi: Romance Reborn is a solid kinetic otome visual novel for the Nintendo Switch.

It’s among the most thought-provoking mystery games I’ve ever played, and my only serious gripe is that Modern Storyteller hasn’t released DLC that would allow me to continue my adventure. The Forgotten City offers an unforgettable journey into an ancient town filled with a charming cast, a rich, sprawling narrative, and a world-class soundtrack. This is one city that I recommend everybody visit.

If you’re a fan of the genre and like cyberpunk tales, I think The Sundew is worth a go if you’re looking for a distraction, but expect a fleeting bit of entertainment with some confusing caveats. Considering that this title was obviously a labor of love from one person, at the end of the day, I enjoyed my time with The Sundew overall and am looking forward to seeing what future works may come from this promising developer.

Nobody Saves the World provides a large toybox and an enjoyable world in which to play with it. The Forms at the center of its gameplay feel significantly different from one another and are all exciting to use once you get a handle on them. Thanks to the shareable abilities, you can also experiment with endless combinations of moves. The main story makes for a satisfying and entertaining 20-ish hours with some challenges still left over to complete. At the end of the day, everybody is somebody, even if you’re Nobody.

A comic book-styled visual novel about the life of a disgruntled henchman is a nifty concept with tons of potential, and Henchman Story does an alright job with it. I liked its slick style, cool characters, and dramatic dialogue. I just wish there was deeper and more extensive storyline content to flesh out the world and its characters. DLC would definitely bolster this game because there is so much more to tell and more I need to know. Henchman Story is a good start for developer Silken Sail, but I want more from their next project.

Wrapping up a story is never easy, even in a single-player game. Wrapping up a near decade-long arc and meeting the high bar set by previous expansions is even more difficult, but Endwalker manages both with aplomb. Even with the promise of a new adventure on the horizon, I was still sad things were over when I reached the end credits and immediately wanted to start a replay. By my reckoning, this is the sign of an exceptional, unforgettable experience, and I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in FFXIV.

While it’s true that players who can pick up a PlayStation edition of V3 may be best off doing so to avoid the hiccups of the Switch (and PC) port, it’s also true that V3 is a phenomenal experience that shouldn’t be missed regardless of the system it’s played on. By bringing what Danganronpa does best to its natural apex, Danganronpa V3 allows fans to experience the systems and themes of the series in their purest form, with all the fluff and frills set aside as meaningful bonus content. The result is a magical cast, gripping story, mind-bending ideas, and outstanding gameplay and mystery-solving that leaves an unforgettable impression—and that’s no lie.

Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space can be quite playtime intensive given that there are so many chapters to complete and the game isn’t even finished yet, not to mention its numerous optional quests, episodes, and side content. Still, at least it is entertaining! I can’t say I’ll ever be someone who invests a lot of time and money into Another Eden, but I’d like to stick around with it for a little while longer to see where Aldo’s journey takes him next. That’s more than I can say about similar gacha games I’ve tried in the past. Plus, the obvious cat bias the game has doesn’t hurt either!

A hundred hours in, Rise does feel a little rote. The lack of quest variety and endgame options besides grinding for talismans has begun to wear on me somewhat. But the journey of getting to this point has been nothing short of an incredible experience. From zipping through the air to bludgeon monsters in the face to setting out on gathering runs with my trusty palamute, the minute-to-minute gameplay of Rise is impeccable. The only real issue with Rise is that there isn’t more of it, but with plenty of future updates and an entire expansion on the horizon, this is surely just the beginning of what this game has to offer.

I enjoyed my time in Rainy Woods, but I wish The Good Life would have given me more reasons to stick around longer. It’s a refreshing experience that encourages you to slow down for a minute and take the time to smell whatever it is that grows out there. And for SWERY fans, The Good Life feels like his most polished effort to date and probably a greater realization of what he had attempted to do with Deadly Premonition, at least in terms of free, exploratory gameplay.

Archvale’s big claim to fame is the meshing of RPG (items/loot) and bullet hell mechanics. Aside from that, this is an average title at best. We had fun with this one, but probably only because it is cooperative. As a single-player experience, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much. With little substance in the writing, awkward design decisions (crafting is largely pointless aside from armor and weapon drops are rarely tempting), and a cache of bugs, I would only recommend this title to bullet hell enthusiasts or those hungry for a decent cooperative jaunt.

Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani doesn’t take each opportunity it gives itself for unique worldbuilding based on rich Japanese folklore, but it’s at its best when presenting feel-good resolutions, which it does on every route. It’s not lore-heavy like Olympia Soirée nor is it a grand spectacle like Code: Realize; rather, it’s a simple but charming palate cleanser of an otome game, and that makes it unique enough to add its own kind of variety to the genre’s lineup.

Ultimately, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi is fine for what it is. Though exploration and combat primarily define dungeon crawlers, the fighting in this game isn’t interesting enough to justify the grinding necessary to progress. While I was curious to see the conclusion, both story and combat would have been more effective in a game about 40-50 hours shorter. Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi buries its treasures in deep depths, and some won’t find them worth digging for.

I loved every second I spent with this game and am grateful that the opportunity to play it presented itself. Whenever I was at work, all I could think about was coming home to play it. I even contemplated burning a sick day or two so I could stay home and play it all day. Despite its flaws, Super Robot Wars 30 most certainly cast the spell on me that it’s been casting on fans for the past 30 years, and I look forward to 30 more.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a game you don’t want to miss if you’re a fan of RPGs. If you don’t have a PlayStation 5, this port is an excellent way to experience the game.

Flawed but engrossing, I could have definitely played Ruined King: A League of Legends Story for several more hours. The characters, their relationships, and their combat prowess are addictive both in their simplicity and crisp design. Appreciating Ruined King for what it is is important: this isn’t The Witcher, but it knows its identity and leans into it with finesse. Those not into the League of Legends world will enjoy the experience if turn-based RPGs are their thing, but fans of the universe will definitely get something extra out of it.

Overall, despite its age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is still an incredibly solid game and easily one of the best ports I’ve played on the Switch. If you’re like me and haven’t had the chance to play this title yet, I’d easily recommend doing so to any Star Wars fans who happen to enjoy RPGs, too. The Force is still quite strong with this one, and it gives Switch owners something to bide their time with while we wait for more news about Aspyr’s remake!

The thing is, routine will always get disrupted, and it’s often difficult to come back from that in real life, too, for some people. Perhaps that’s what Loop Hero‘s endless apocalypse is all about. Learning to try again, try something different, or approach something in a different way to get back on track and re-experience the familiar. It’s easy to get lost going in circles, but once you find something you’re comfortable with, it’s easy to slip in, forget about your problems, and focus—even if the world’s secrets are enshrouded by an apocalypse.

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX polishes and modernizes two classic RPGs that are somehow more fun and engaging now than they were 20-odd years ago. Monster Rancher 2 is this collection’s crown jewel, but both games’ core gameplay loops of monster raising and collecting hold up remarkably well today and make up for some mediocre combat. Fans of Pokémon or other monster-collecting games: don’t sleep on Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX! It offers you dozens of hours of heartwarming entertainment that’ll leave you mourning the premature death of this cult-classic series.

I had a blast with Dungeon Encounters. The character and monster art is gorgeous, the minimalism is refreshing, and filling out the maps is a real dopamine rush. Still, it is definitely not for everyone. Dungeon Encounters is a very relaxing game most of the time, and the kind of excitement it offers is not comparable to the bombastic action and cinematic scenes of many popular games. And despite how mellow it may seem and how much of a rhythm it tends to lull you into, Dungeon Encounters punishes mistakes harshly, so you always have to be paying attention. I also found some of the later sections of the labyrinth were visually difficult to parse and that the developers had used up their best ideas within the first sixty floors.

Arcadia Fallen is an immensely enjoyable visual novel for those who enjoy fantasy tales with quite a bit of character growth sprinkled throughout them. It isn’t a completely perfect experience, but I fondly remember the time I spent playing the game and I loved how the decision-making was implemented. Those looking for a choice-heavy and ultimately satisfying visual novel would do well to look into Arcadia Fallen, as the outcome of its hero’s journey can be quite memorable indeed.

Ultimately, everything about Danganronpa is highly elevated: the story’s stakes, the characters’ tropes, and even the unique factors of its gameplay. While these sometimes won’t stick their landing, such as some rather exaggerated character stereotypes, the game’s foundation is very strong. It’s no surprise that Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition is joined by three other titles, because the sacrifices made for this first entry in the series pave the way for improvements down the line while remaining an unforgettable experience in its own right.

All in all, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl provide a great way to experience the Sinnoh region for first-timers, complete with quality of life features that keep the game from feeling dated. For long-time fans, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl provide an accessible, no-frills version of the original Diamond & Pearl with a few minor feature updates and a lovely fresh coat of paint. For me, the improved presentation was enough to make for an enjoyable playthrough, but players looking for the definitive version of fourth generation Pokémon, a content-rich postgame, or a well-balanced experience, may just want to dust off their old copy of Platinum.

All in all, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl provide a great way to experience the Sinnoh region for first-timers, complete with quality of life features that keep the game from feeling dated. For long-time fans, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl provide an accessible, no-frills version of the original Diamond & Pearl with a few minor feature updates and a lovely fresh coat of paint. For me, the improved presentation was enough to make for an enjoyable playthrough, but players looking for the definitive version of fourth generation Pokémon, a content-rich postgame, or a well-balanced experience, may just want to dust off their old copy of Platinum.

I can’t say I was compelled to explore the board with every single character, nor was I enamoured with the story or the writing. If anything, I felt a bit weird playing this after V3. And while the main games are rarely longer than 30 hours, I can see people grinding forever just to get something satisfying out of Danganronpa S. Unless you’re a hardcore fan, I don’t think it’s worth it. But if you’re picking up Danganronpa Decadence, it might be worth a peek.

Overall, Pokémon UNITE is a MOBA with a lot of potential. It’s already great as a casual game with friends, but I believe with some tweaking to Zapdos and removal of the “pay for held item upgrades” option, a strong competitive MOBA lives in Pokémon UNITE. Until then, it’s hard to call it much more than an above-average entry in the crowded MOBA space.

Still, I hesitate to recommend Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars to anyone other than Yoko Taro enthusiasts or players looking for a streamlined introduction to turn-based RPGs. The game is far too short, simple, and easy to maintain your attention for long, and its plot remains unmoving well beyond the point at which you’re likely to lose interest. Nonetheless, its compelling late-game narrative, charming graphical style, and superb score leave me cautiously optimistic about what a sequel can bring to the table. I just hope that the next time this dragon lands, it has learned lessons from its first, flawed foray.

I would’ve deemed Epic Seven nothing short of a perfect mobile game if it had come out a couple of years earlier while I was grinding legendary drops in Borderlands 2. In many respects, it’s the cream of the crop in the mobile market — especially when it comes to its aesthetics, combat, and fair monetization. But its design choices, such as the excessive grinding it puts you through late game, take away from the shine. Super Creative doesn’t alleviate this particular shortcoming by dancing around it with nearly every update. Though Epic Seven is worth a download, you’re going to have to try it for yourself to see if it’s worth the space on your phone.