RPGamer

Seeing the list of titles and the basic synopses, the direction of this game makes even more sense, as it appears to take the status quo from the end of the tenth book of the series, Starlight, and makes of it an open setting for fans to enjoy their own personal adventure. In doing so, it provides most of what fans of the series would want and expect of it, while keeping things reasonably accessible to players such as myself, who are in it for the kitty-cats. There are elements that could have been done better, but for the larger part it’s been satisfying ear skritches and wonderful belly rubs for all.

Phantom Blade Zero is staggeringly impressive in so many ways. Its kungfupunk identity is thoroughly fleshed out by an innovative, exceptionally designed combat system that is a gorgeous love letter to wuxia tradition. Full of clear love and effort, the game’s combat — especially its ingenious bosses — ranks among the best in an action RPG or in any game, period. Although its progression systems and Remnant Dust economy unravel in the second half, the combat’s mechanical footing remains firm throughout, even as the game gradually opens up its exploration and makes combat against regular enemies trivial. With its generationally marvelous presentation, Phantom Blade Zero is ultimately a must-play experience that RPGamers shouldn’t miss.

Offering a fascinating blend of coziness and horror, the game combines pleasantly deep farming sim gameplay with some great supernatural atmospheric spookiness to form a fantastic cohesive experience. It’s a ready recommendation to all those who have an even just a passing interesting in either genre, and maybe even wider.

Final Fantasy Resonance does an outstanding job of recreating what made the classic Final Fantasy games so beloved. It captures the feeling of starting a new Final Fantasy game and wanting to see where it leads, with some of the best pacing in any RPG. Square Enix has been refining HD-2D for years, and Resonance is its strongest showcase yet. Most importantly, it is a reminder of just how timeless the foundation of Final Fantasy really is. The series has changed enormously over the decades, but Resonance shows that Square Enix can bring the best of the classic and modern eras together. This is truly a Final Fantasy for RPGamers.

Sequels are supposed to do everything bigger and better. Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter definitely finds a way to continuously up the ante, with compelling story arcs for every character that keep the player glued to the screen. Combat has a consistently enjoyable set of systems that that encourage variety, keeping it enjoyable and pleasant throughout. It will take a long time to experience everything, but exploring this wonderful setting is a constant joy. With every aspect improved on, the title accomplishes everything a sequel should, including leaving players begging the question of when the next one is on its way.

While pop punk has certainly waned from its heyday, Stupid Never Dies refreshingly carries the torch and reminds us how fun the aesthetic is. Its well-written humor stands out, balancing well against the game’s overarching lore and more serious elements, and its breakneck progression and razzle-dazzle combat are too enjoyable to miss. Could it segue a few plotlines together better? Sure. Is it a tad too easy to juice up Davy to be a bit too powerful late in the game? Absolutely. But when it comes to fun, Stupid Never Dies simply doesn’t miss, and like Davy, it has wholly chomped at the core of my heart and won me over.

After four full playthroughs of The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian, I can say with confidence that it’s a decent sequel, and taking on the role of royalty has its appeal. The story is excellent; the political intrigue does a phenomenal job of pulling the player in and reminding them that trying to appease everyone in one’s kingdom is a grave mistake. The new gameplay mechanics add a great layer to the game’s choice system, though the downside is that it removes a bit of the organic roleplaying that this series is now known for. The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian offers a worthy challenge for fans of difficult decision-making, though those expecting the cruelty of Sir Brante may leave this sequel a little disappointed.

I was initially hesitant to step back into the progenitor of the cozy farming genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Teradea. The open-world setting was a clear highlight, and finding exploration to be as deep and rewarding as the farming and relationship-building mechanics kept me far more invested than I expected from a game without combat. Echoes of Teradea provides a compelling gameplay loop with multiple goals always just a couple of in-game days away, constantly tempting me to play “just one more day.” For fans of the cozy farming genre—and anyone seeking a massive, content-rich world to explore—Harvest Moon: Echoes of Teradea delivers an excellent blend of both.

Ultimately, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is an absolute winner. Despite some clear evidence that somehow even more than what is currently in the game was planned, the game still feels complete, and the story is more than satisfying. The gameplay is some of the most refined it’s ever been, and the visuals are a massive step up from its predecessors, and the incredible soundtrack elevates the game even further.

In spite of the discrepancies between what the developers appeared to want this game to be and what actually made it to store shelves, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a pretty good time. The vision is present throughout the game and the obvious shortcomings often feel far more like a material consideration than outright mistakes. In a game fascinated with the concept of time and what it means to use the little we have, it’s nice to say that The Blood of Dawnwalker is a worthy exploration of that, one that makes it easier to be excited for a future title that has more of its systems intact, RPG mechanics tightened up, and combat expanded to be a bit more open-ended than what’s there. And if the repetitive portions of the game can be tolerated, then there’s an enjoyable game underneath, too.