The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak’s new cast of characters, revamped battle system, and engaging story is exactly what the series needed to reach new heights.
Shadow of the Erdtree is so packed with new content that it almost feels like a sequel to Elden Ring.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance makes one of the best open-world RPGs around even better.
As a Suikoden successor, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is faithful to a fault.
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.
Persona 3 Reload is a win-win of a remake for old and new Persona fans alike.
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.
Despite some pacing issues, it has an emotional story and teases some exciting developments for future games. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is definitely one of the best games of 2023 and certainly a top-tier console exclusive for PS5.
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.
Lies of P makes it clear that developer Neowiz has a deep appreciation and understanding for FromSoftware;s games that goes beyond a surface-level copy.
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.
Night School's spooky sequel tenderly captures the ambiguity of early adulthood
This neon-soaked mystery game is Kodaka's best work to date.
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.