Monster Crown: Sin Eater's lack of direction and often demanding difficulty won't be for everyone. But if you can embrace the grind, there are some deeply addictive RPG systems at work here, backed by a shockingly mature and engaging story.
Monster Hunter Stories 3 is the pinnacle of the series in so many ways - especially from a storytelling perspective. At its core, it's a ridiculously addictive monster taming RPG, boasting in-depth progression systems and satisfying combat mechanics - but it does take quite a long time for everything to truly click.
Avowed is arguably Obsidian's strongest modern release, and it's not for the reasons that you may think. While the game's writing and storytelling often lack bite and excitement, its gameplay saves the day with a cracking combat system, meaningful player choice, and the enjoyable exploration of some truly stunning locales.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is one hell of a package. Taken purely as an expanded remake, it's an absolute blast for fans both old and new - but questionable changes to the story and its cast will inevitably stain the experience for plenty of people.It's such a shame that these unforced errors muddy the waters, because we think Kiwami 3 is probably RGG Studio's best remake to date - and one of the strongest titles in the series with regards to gameplay.
Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined is a very high quality remake and a potent reminder of just how endlessly charming the longstanding series can be. While the story does still drag its feet at times, sweeping gameplay improvements and some welcome streamlining make Reimagined a must for anyone with a hankering for old school JRPGs.
Trails beyond the Horizon is one of the most impactful games in Falcom's series to date, dealing in world-altering revelations and truly dramatic story developments. For Trails fans who have come this far, Horizon has the potential to blow you away - but you need to be ready for hours of character recaps and exposition before things really start to ramp up.