Sea of Stars is both a nostalgic callback to classic RPGs and an instant classic in its own right.
Though the main story is slow to ramp up in intensity, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion in patch 6.5 — and you’ll have plenty of side content to keep you busy in the meantime.
Burning Shores feels more like a side story than an epilogue, but it’s still a fun adventure with a wonderful new ally and some memorable moments.
Trails to Azure is quite possibly the best entry in the Trails series and a must-have for fans.
While the main story is a little anticlimactic for a middle patch, there’s still plenty to do in this latest Final Fantasy XIV update.
Cuteness is about all Aka has going for it.
Chained Echoes is a must-play for fans of classic SNES, PS1, and PS2 RPGs.
This long-awaited chapter of the Trails series is absolutely worth your time.
Buried Memory ups the challenge and introduces some new distractions to keep players busy as the suspense in the main story builds.
We Are OFK is a wonderful debut in both the video game and pop music scenes.
Take a trip down memory lane, but be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride.
It’s a little rough around the edges, but Swansong can still satisfy your craving for a vampire narrative RPG set in the World of Darkness.
Starting a new story arc in an MMO is no easy feat, but Final Fantasy XIV does a fantastic job setting the stage for a new adventure in patch 6.1.
A perfectly sized, engaging mystery that fans of the Judgment series will love.
This is one of those sequels where the developers have really upped their game in just about every way, and even though I’ve now finished the main campaign, I still can’t wait to play more of it!
Endwalker easily meets — and arguably surpasses — the bar set by Shadowbringers.
Lost Judgment proves that, not just because it’s a sequel, but because it’s a damn good game that feels like it contains all the elements that have made the Yakuza series great while maintaining its own identity. The detective gameplay still needs some work, and the plot stumbles a bit from time to time, but I have never been happier to dive back into this world, nor sadder to leave it once the game is finished.
I don’t regret my stay in Providence Oaks, but like most vacations, I wish I had gotten to do more in the short time I had with the game. If you’re looking for a slice-of-life experience in a peaceful lake town and you don’t mind some bumps along the road, Lake might just be up your alley. If you want a narrative game with replay value where your choices affect the story, this vacation might leave you a little wanting.
Despite a few quibbles and an endgame that doesn’t hit quite as hard as I hoped, I enjoyed Chicken Police – Paint it RED! The characters are kind of the star of the show, and the fantastic writing and voice acting compliment the noir-style visuals. If you’re looking for a classic detective story with a unique twist, then you might be interested in the adventures of the legendary Chicken Police. Overall, it’s a clucking good time!
I walked away from Backbone puzzled about the ending, and in truth, I was a little disappointed. The game kind of squandered the excellent setup it spent hours developing, but because the setup is so good, I don’t feel totally let down. I still enjoyed my time in this dystopian Vancouver populated by animals, and I would almost certainly play a sequel if one were ever developed. But there’s the rub. Backbone feels like it needs a sequel. The story just doesn’t feel complete right now, and given that the game is pretty short (you can probably beat it in about 5-7 hours), it’s hard for me to enthusiastically recommend it. If you’re still interested despite the issues I’ve outlined, make sure you’re prepared for an abrupt conclusion. If you’re on the fence, well… maybe wait for a sale.