Here’s the games I have reviewed so far on the Nintendo Switch in each genre, from best to worst. Note: If multiple games have the same score, they will be sorted alphabetically.

1. RPG
2. Dungeon Crawler
3. Monster Collecting RPG
4. MMO

RPG

Game	Genre	Grade
Octopath Traveler + Octopath Traveler II Bundle	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	A+
tl;dr Octopath Traveler + Octopath Traveler II Bundle is a Compilation containing the two named games, both absolutely must-play Turn-Based JRPGs, and with the great value this bundle presents, it’s an even bigger no-brainer than either game on its own. If you enjoy JRPGs on Nintendo Switch and have yet to play the Octopath Traveler games, you should absolutely get this bundle.
Chained Echoes	Turn-Based JRPG	A
tl;dr Chained Echoes is a Turn-Based JRPG that takes inspiration from some of the great classics of the genre, but also innovates on its own in multiple ways, with an inventive character-swapping system, its strategic overdrive system, and its deep and complex character progression mechanics. On top of this, the game’s pixel art visuals look great, and it has some excellent characters and writing. Chained Echoes may be too complex for players new to the JRPG genre, but those who are already familiar with JRPGs should consider this game a must-have.
Octopath Traveler	Turn-Based JRPG	A
tl;dr Octopath Traveler is a JRPG that mixes old-school game design with refreshing new elements to make for something truly unique and distinctive. While it could have done more with its “eight stories” concept, what’s here is nevertheless an excellent game that fans of the genre should absolutely play.
Octopath Traveler II	Turn-Based JRPG	A
tl;dr Octopath Traveler II is a Turn-Based JRPG that follows a new cast of eight characters who each have their own (sadly mostly separate) stories. There are multiple gameplay improvements here, and while there are certainly some rough edges and flaws, overall this is still a must-play game for fans of the genre.
Super Mario RPG	Isometric Turn-Based JRPG	A
tl;dr Super Mario RPG is a remake of the 1996 classic SNES Isometric Turn-Based JRPG that’s extremely faithful to the original while adding completely modernized graphics and music, as well as new gameplay features. This is a great remake of a great game, and while it’s somewhat short and easy for a JRPG, it is so enjoyable throughout its 12-20 hour adventure that any fan of the genre should consider it a must-have, and players wanting to try their first RPG should consider this an excellent entry point. Either way, this game is outstanding.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout	JRPG	A-
tl;dr Atelier Ryza is the first game in the eighth series of Atelier games (the Secret series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Ryza is leaps and bounds beyond prior games in the series, both in terms of the quality of its gameplay, its wonderful characters and story, and in its absolutely gorgeous presentation. This is not just a great Atelier game, this is a great, must-play JRPG, full stop. It is only some frustrating graphical issues and a few confusing gameplay elements that keep this from being a contender for the title of best JRPG on Nintendo Switch.
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy	JRPG	A-
tl;dr Atelier Ryza 2 is the second game in the eighth series of Atelier games (the Secret series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Ryza 2 builds on the story and gameplay of the first Atelier Ryza game, weaving a more mature tale in which the first game’s characters have matured some, adding new elements to the ATB-infused combat system, and bringing back the larger, more open-areas the series hasn’t seen since Atelier Firis. However, these improvements are balanced out by the graphical issues this series had faced on the Nintendo Switch that in Ryza 2 have now become too distracting to ignore. While this is still a superb JRPG, these issues keep it from surpassing its predecessor.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key	JRPG	A-
tl;dr Atelier Ryza 3 is the third game in the eighth series of Atelier games (the Secret series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. The third and (apparently) final installment in the Ryza series is much bigger in scope and adds new gameplay elements on top of what was in the prior games, but at the same time it also seems somewhat less-polished, and doesn’t quite have the “wow factor” that the original Atelier Ryza did. This is still a solid addition to the series, and a must-play for those who enjoyed the prior two games.
Backpack Hero	Roguelike / Turn-Based RPG / Management Simulation	A-
tl;dr Backpack Hero is a game that combines Roguelike, Turn-Based RPG, and Management Simulation elements, with a strong emphasis on organizing equipment in your backpack for the most effective results in battle. The way this game takes a classic RPG mechanic and expands on it to make it such a major element of the gameplay here is absolutely inspired. There are a few areas where this game could do with a bit more work, but overall this game is an absolute delight, and one that is definitely worth a look for fans of RPGs and Roguelikes.
Balatro	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	A-
tl;dr Balatro is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike that starts with a standard deck of poker cards that players gradually trade out and upgrade, aiming to keep racking up increasingly high scores to get as far as they can. While this game has a few rough spots, overall this is a brilliant mix of accessibility and exquisitely-crafted gameplay that puts it on par with the likes of Slay the Spire as the best this genre has to offer. This is an absolute must-play for any fans of this genre.
Battle Suit Aces	Turn-Based Card RPG	A-
tl;dr Battle Suit Aces is a Turn-Based Card RPG where players deploy mechs and drones to fend off enemies in space. This game has a surprisingly compelling story and characters, with a great presentation and excellent voice acting. It also delivers with some well-crafted and deep gameplay with lots of customizability. This game could be better about presenting info to the player, and it might be tough for a newbie, but fans of Card RPGs will absolutely want to give this one a look.
Bravely Default II	Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Bravely Default II is a Turn-Based JRPG that’s technically the third game in the series, but features a completely original story, characters, and world. That story may be somewhat formulaic, but it is well-written, with excellent characters, wonderful voice acting, great music, and solid visuals (though the art style for the characters may not be for everyone). The brave/default combat mechanic and a great job class system keep the gameplay interesting, even if they don’t revolutionize the genre. All things considered, this is a must-have for RPG fans on Nintendo Switch.
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling	Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Bug Fables is a family-friendly Turn-Based RPG made in the style of the first two Paper Mario games, featuring similar gameplay and presentation. The RPG elements here are solid, and the game’s story is wonderful, with some truly memorable characters. However, I feel like the desire to make this game like Paper Mario kept it from striking out on its own, with elements like platforming that simply aren’t very good. This is still a superb RPG, though.
Child of Light: Ultimate Edition	Turn-Based RPG / Metroidvania	A-
tl;dr Child of Light is an outstanding RPG with Metroidvania elements. There’s a lot of inventive gameplay here, but it’s the game’s dreamy, somber audiovisual presentation that steals the show. And while the game’s story isn’t quite as strong as the rest of the package, this game is still an absolute treat for RPG fans.
Dandy Dungeon – Legend of Brave Yamada –	Puzzle / RPG	A-
tl;dr Dandy Dungeon combines an RPG with a Puzzle game in a really unique and original way that has you stepping on every tile of each dungeon floor and fighting enemies in your path in the game-within-a-game, all while Yamada prances around in his underwear, sings the game’s music, and constantly adds stuff into the game based on the zany events of his life. It’s wacky, fun, wildly original, and instantly endearing, only being marred by repetitive gameplay and grinding. Definitely worth a look.
Deltarune	Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Deltarune is a Turn-Based RPG (sorta’) that follows in the footsteps of Undertale but does a few things quite differently, yet is in many ways much the same wildly creative, bizarre, funny, thoughtful and original experience that Undertale was. If you enjoyed Undertale, this is a no-brainer, if you didn’t like it then this probably won’t be any different for you, and if you haven’t played Undertale, then play Undertale before playing this.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition	Top-Down Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a Turn-Based RPG that had to sacrifice couch co-op and a lot of graphical fidelity to fit onto the Switch, but the game retains its massive, deep, well-told campaign, excellent strategic gameplay, absolutely beautiful soundtrack and superb voice acting and writing, and superb co-op play in local wireless and online. Plus, the Switch version has exclusive cross-save support with the PC version on Steam. The result is a version of the game that is one of the best RPGs on the Switch, and a must-have for fans of the genre who don’t already own it on another platform.
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition	Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr Dragon Quest XI S is a graphical wonder on the Nintendo Switch, with calculated cuts to the graphics in the port from the PS4 have done little to reduce its jaw-dropping visual presentation, and the additions to the content are an embarrassment of riches. Unfortunately, the JRPG gameplay remains firmly-rooted in the past, and really feels long in the tooth. This game is still a must-play for JRPG fans, but don’t expect gameplay on par with the graphics.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is a compilation of every game in the Final Fantasy X saga, with improved graphics and an optional remastered soundtrack. Final Fantasy X alone is an absolute must-play game that makes this compilation worthwhile, although none of the other content here quite measures up to it. If you’re a fan of JRPGs, however, this collection is worth it for that one game alone, and the other content here ain’t too shabby either.
I Am Setsuna	Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr I Am Setsuna is a JRPG that looks to recreate the magic of old-school titles in the genre, specifically Chrono Trigger, and it largely succeeds. The presentation is beautiful, the story and characters are charming, and the gameplay seems like a natural extension of Chrono Trigger’s. While it doesn’t quite reach that game’s heights, it is nevertheless a wonderful game that fans of the genre really should try out.
Ironcast	Unlimited Pattern Puzzle / Turn-Based RPG / Roguelike	A-
tl;dr Ironcast is a combination of Puzzle, Turn-Based RPG, and Roguelike elements that puts players in the role of an upper-class mech operator in an alternate version of Victorian England at war with France. This is a game that requires players to be mindful of its various interconnected systems as they engage in battles, with some really excellent strategic elements that make the game extremely engaging. There is definitely room here for improvement, but overall this game is a blast to play, and well worth giving a try.
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door	Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a full remake of the classic family-friendly GameCube Turn-Based JRPG, one that series fans swear is still the best in the series, and they have a point – despite a slow start, this game is excellent, with some compelling but straightforward gameplay mechanics, likable characters, and a great story. What’s more, this release features a gorgeous graphical upgrade, a remade soundtrack, and some excellent minor quality-of-life gameplay additions. Overall, that makes this a must-play for RPG fans, and especially for fans of Mario RPGs.
Sea of Stars	Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr Sea of Stars is a Turn-Based JRPG inspired by classics of the genre like Chrono Trigger, featuring a beautiful soundtrack, gorgeous pixel art graphics, and endearing and wonderful characters. It’s not without its problems – the overall plot is nothing special, the combat is clever but also frequently tedious, and the progression is slow as molasses. However, while it’s not quite on par with the greats of the genre it’s designed to imitate, Sea of Stars is nevertheless an excellent JRPG that fans of the genre should consider a must-play game.
Slay the Spire	Turn-Based Card RPG /Roguelike	A-
tl;dr Slay the Spire is a game that combines a Card Battle RPG with Roguelike elements for an experience that’s extremely addictive. The game is not without its frustrations, in particular how much the element of luck plays into your success. However, the combination of excellent gameplay and a good amount of variety make this a game that more than makes up for its shortcomings.
South Park: The Stick of Truth	Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr South Park: The Stick of Truth is a Turn-Based RPG set in the universe of the irreverent TV show, perfectly mimicking its style and its excellent sense of humor. For fans of the show who somehow missed out on prior releases of this game, consider this a must-own. For those who haven’t seen the show, maybe a watch a few episodes first to see if South Park appeals to you. And for those who already got this game on other platforms, know that this is a good port, but not one that adds anything new.
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore	Turn-Based JRPG	A-
tl;dr Tokyo Mirage Sessions is a Turn-Based RPG that is a port of the Wii U game that is at least loosely tied to the Fire Emblem and Persona franchises, but is really its own thing. It’s a game that feels like its characters, setting and story were pulled straight from an anime, with a solid presentation that makes the game feel truly unique. The gameplay is also pretty good, despite a few frustrating elements popping up from time to time. JRPG fans should definitely give this game a look.
Undertale	Turn-Based RPG	A-
tl;dr Undertale is an RPG that does all sorts of wild, inventive things with the genre, from its bullet hell-esque battle system to its quirky story about a world of monsters that you can opt to talk to or befriend instead of fight. It’s not an RPG for everyone, but fans of the genre absolutely should give it a try.
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition	JRPG	A-
tl;dr Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition takes the epic, sprawling JRPG from 10 years ago and finally gives it the release it truly deserves, updating the visuals and music, adding in tons of great quality of life improvements, and adding a brand new 10 hour epilogue. The result is the best version of a spectacular JRPG. There are some areas that could have been improved even further, but overall this is a must-play entry in the genre.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3	JRPG	A-
tl;dr Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a JRPG that features a story about two teams of soldiers on opposite sides of a bitter war who find themselves forced to work together as they’re hunted by their former comrades and try to find the truth behind their endless struggle. While Xenoblade Chronicles 3 may not be quite as impressive as any of the prior games in the series, it features the series’ most well-rounded gameplay, and an outstanding cast of characters in an excellent story, making this my favorite game in the franchise. If you’re a JRPG fan on Nintendo Switch, this is definitely worth a look.
Atelier Shallie: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea DX	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Atelier Shallie is the third game in the sixth series of Atelier games (the Dusk series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Shallie is a strong entry in this series that improves on numerous elements of the franchise without having any glaring weak points compared to prior entries. The replacement of the series’ looming deadlines with the “Life Task System” is key among those improvements, but overall this game manages to hit all the right notes. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but if you’re looking for a great item-crafting Turn-Based JRPG, or searching for a good entry point to the Atelier series, Atelier Shallie is a fantastic choice.
Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings DX	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Atelier Lydie & Suelle is the third game in the seventh series of Atelier games (the Mysterious series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Lydie & Suelle is essentially a refinement of everything that came before it, with excellent crafting-focused gameplay, good graphics (albeit with a few performance issues), and a decent story. Having said that, this game is a fairly safe entry in the franchise, and nowhere near as ambitious as Atelier Firis was, even if it’s ultimately a better game. Players new to the Atelier franchise will find this a solid entry point for the series, but fans hoping for a true follow-up to Atelier Firis that builds on that game’s potential will be disappointed.
Atelier Lulua ~The Scion of Arland~	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Atelier Lulua is the fourth game in the fifth series of Atelier games (the Arland series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. A sequel to the original Arland trilogy, this follows the story of Rorona’s daughter Lulua, with some of the best writing and characterization in the series. There are other improvements here too, such as nice additions to the battle system, and the requirement to do some detective work to discover new recipes. Unfortunately, the crafting system isn’t as enjoyable as what we had in the Mysterious series, and the game still has the same performance issues that were in Atelier Lydie & Suelle. Also, for those new to the Atelier franchise, know that you can play this game without playing earlier entries in the series, but this is one of the more continuity-heavy installments in the series. Overall, one of the better entries in the Atelier franchise, but not without its flaws.
Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Atelier Sophie 2 is the fourth game in the seventh series of Atelier games (the Mysterious series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Sophie 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, with a more interesting story, some fun new gameplay mechanics, and the same great crafting system the original game did so well. Its characters are still a bit uninteresting, and it still largely plays things a bit too safe, but despite this Atelier Sophie 2 is a solid entry in the franchise, and a very good Turn-Based JRPG.
Cobalt Core	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	B+
tl;dr Cobalt Core is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike much like Slay the Spire, but it brings its own clever ideas to the genre, such as battling with spaceships consisting of different parts, and being able to build a deck using three different characters with their own specialties. All of this is within a really endearing presentation. I have my issues with the game’s progression, but overall this is a fantastic addition to this genre, and fans of games like this will definitely want to play it.
Crystal Project	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Crystal Project is a Turn-Based JRPG that definitely has its shortcomings – the graphics are extremely unimpressive, the story and characters are virtually nonexistent, and the lack of direction can leave you feeling lost and lead to massive difficulty spikes. However, despite all of these flaws, this is an immensely satisfying JRPG, thanks to its excellent job class system, great combat, liberating exploration, and gorgeous soundtrack. As long as you can overlook the bad stuff and focus on the good stuff, this game is absolutely worth playing.
Cthulhu Saves Christmas	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Cthulhu Saves Christmas is an absolutely fantastic JRPG full of fourth wall-breaking jokes, puns, lovable characters, great writing, tons of 16-bit nostalgia, and a whole slew of creative game systems. My biggest complaint here is that this game is a criminally short and linear experience. Still, at $10 for 6-7 hours of gameplay, this is a budget-priced RPG that fans of the genre should absolutely play, because it is truly brilliant while it lasts.
Dicefolk	Turn-Based RPG / Roguelike	B+
tl;dr Dicefolk is a Turn-Based RPG Roguelike game where players are managing a trio of monstrous “chimeras” as well as upgradeable dice that represent their potential moves in battle. There are some really clever game mechanics here, and while it’s not without its issues, overall this is an enjoyable and unique entry in the genre well worth playing.
Earthlock	Turn-Based RPG	B+
tl;dr Earthlock is a Turn-Based RPG that evokes PlayStation 1 & 2-era JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Grandia, with a polished presentation and some really inventive gameplay systems. It’s a little lacking in originality, and players who haven’t played many older JRPGs might find it to be a bit antiquated, but genre fans looking for a well-crafted old-school experience should find this game to be a delight.
Final Fantasy VI	Turn-Based RPG	B+
tl;dr Final Fantasy VI is a Turn-Based JRPG that is still to this day arguably one of the best games this genre has ever seen. However, while the remade music in this release is wonderful and some of the new added features are nice, they do not justify the bloated $18 price tag this game has, especially when this release is missing some content that was included in other versions of the game. If you’re a fan of classic JRPGs and don’t mind taking a hit to your wallet, you should consider this a must-have game… but at this price, I can’t give it the full recommendation I feel it deserves.
Final Fantasy IX	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Final Fantasy IX is a Turn-Based JRPG that’s not as iconic as the seventh game, and not as wildly inventive as the eighth, but of the three mainline Final Fantasy games originally released on the PlayStation, IX is probably the one that holds up the best. The visuals are still dated and the gameplay is mostly pretty traditional, but overall this is still a well-crafted entry in the genre, even by today’s standards.
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 follows in the footsteps of the first game, being a Turn-Based RPG where players control a group of children piloting a super-powerful tank, this time trying to stop the first game’s out-of-control tank and rescue their friends. This is very much “more of the same” of what we saw in the first game, but with multiple subtle improvements that make this an overall better experience. I do think you’ll want to play the first game before trying this, but if you did play the original I think you’ll find this to be an improved sequel.
Gems of War	Match-3 Puzzle / RPG	B+
tl;dr Gems of War is a free-to-play Puzzle/RPG hybrid much like its predecessor Puzzle Quest, but Gems streamlines the gameplay, gives it some nice nuances, and elevates the multiplayer by having players challenge each other indirectly, giving them the freedom to choose how tough an opponent they want to take on. The microtransactions here aren’t too bothersome, and the only complaints I have are a lack of local multiplayer and the terrible story. However, the Puzzle gameplay here is top-notch, and fans of Puzzle games should consider this one an absolute must-have on the Switch.
Jack Move	Turn-Based RPG	B+
tl;dr Jack Move is a Turn-Based RPG with a cyberpunk theme about a teenage girl trying to figure out who the evil corporation has targeted her father. The game features a well-written story with likable characters, an outstanding well-animated pixel art presentation, and solid gameplay. I just wish this game expanded its scope to be bigger, as its limited character customization, one-person player party, and 6-7 hour play time all feel too restrictive for a game that could have been even greater. Even so, this is a game RPG fans should still absolutely try.
Loop Hero	Roguelike / RPG / Management Simulation	B+
tl;dr Loop Hero is a game that combines elements of the Roguelike, RPG, and Management Simulation genres into unique gameplay that has players changing the terrain on an endless loop a hero walks along fighting monsters. There are areas where the game could have done with a few adjustments, but overall this is a highly compelling and wildly original game well worth playing.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a Turn-Based JRPG that once again has you controlling the titular brothers with gameplay that uses timing-based attacks in combat and has you controlling the brothers’ actions separately outside of combat… however, this time so much of what Luigi does has been automated that you can effectively ignore him most of the time, only to tap “L” when he has a “Luigi Logic” moment and does something on his own. Due to this and other flaws, this is my least-favorite game yet in the Mario & Luigi series, but still an enjoyable, polished RPG that’s well worth playing despite its flaws.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch	JRPG	B+
tl;dr Ni No Kuni is a port of the PlayStation 3 JRPG designed in part by Studio Ghibli, and the magic associated with their films absolutely shines through every facet of this game’s presentation, from its great story and memorable characters to its gorgeous visual presentation (which has mostly aged pretty well) and its beautiful soundtrack. it’s just a shame that the combat is so damn awful. However, if you can put up with the frustrating combat, everything else about this game is absolutely worth experiencing.
Puzzle Quest: The Legend Returns	Match-3 Puzzle / RPG	B+
tl;dr Puzzle Quest: The Legend Returns is an HD remaster of the classic Puzzle/RPG hybrid that adds in a slew of new content. This is a fantastic game with compelling gameplay that’s greater than the sum of its parts, and this is the absolute best version of the game, but it is also a game that definitely shows its age in some places.
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story	Turn-Based RPG	B+
tl;dr Ruined King is a Turn-Based RPG spin-off of the League of Legends franchise, and one with an excellent presentation and some really creative game mechanics. Those who are already familiar with the characters, world, and story of this franchise will probably get the most out of this game, but even if it’s all new to you, this is still a superb RPG well worth playing.
Shadows Over Loathing	Turn-Based RPG	B+
tl;dr Shadows Over Loathing is a Turn-Based RPG and Lovecraftian Horror-inspired follow up to West of Loathing. However, far from being a Horror game, this is once again a game that aims to make everything a joke, and largely succeeds. The deliberately primitive hand-drawn black-and-white presentation is whimsical even if it isn’t impressive, and the adaptive soundtrack is subtly brilliant, but perhaps the biggest surprise here are some solid RPG mechanics underneath what is nominally a game focused primarily on its humor. As a result, this is a game well worth trying out for any fans of the genre, so long as they’re not put off by the visuals and silliness.
SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters’ Clash	Turn-Based Collectable Card RPG	B+
tl;dr SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighters’ Clash is a Turn-Based Collectable Card RPG that is simple to pick up, but has a surprising amount of depth. This release includes both the SNK and Capcom versions of the game, and will even let players trade and battle between the two on the same system (though sadly not via online or local wireless multiplayer), and while the limited screen size means you’ll be shuffling through a fair amount of menus, this game has otherwise aged quite well, and fans of the genre should absolutely give it a try.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III	Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III is a JRPG in a long series with a lot of lore and backstory, and that may scare off some who haven’t played prior entries. But as long as newer players can take that in stride, and tolerate a few technical flaws, they should find this to be a wonderfully engaging JRPG with great story and characters and engaging combat. Well worth a look for fans of the genre.
This Way Madness Lies	Turn-Based RPG	B+
tl;dr This Way Madness Lies is a turn-based JRPG that is a delightfully silly mashup of magical girl tropes with some funny satire picking apart Shakespearean plays, along with a solid soundtrack and some genuinely good combat and RPG mechanics. The story is a bit too linear and episodic, but for only $10 this is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a fun and lighthearted RPG.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter	Action-RPG / Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a full remake of a 21 year-old classic that reworks the game from the ground up with massive improvements to gameplay and presentation. Some elements of the story and character customization still feel a tad dated, but overall this is a superb blend of Turn-Based JRPG and Action-RPG, and a great entry point for anyone curious about the Trails franchise.
Underhero	Platformer / RPG	B+
tl;dr Underhero is a game that combines RPG and Platformer elements with a story that casts you as a minion who manages to kill the story’s hero and must now scramble to secretly become the new hero. This game has a fun story, excellent characters, a great sense of humor and a good soundtrack, and the excellent RPG combat takes a few ideas from the Paper Mario games. Unfortunately, the platforming isn’t so great, but everything else here is so good I’d still highly recommend it to RPG fans.
Wildfrost	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	B+
tl;dr Wildfrost is a Turn-Based Roguelike Card RPG where players must help their chosen hero fend off enemies in a frozen wasteland. It doesn’t offer quite enough agency or variety to surpass the likes of Slay the Spire, but it’s a delightful entry in the genre all the same, and one absolutely worth playing.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2	JRPG	B+
tl;dr Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a JRPG that, much like its predecessor, is massive in its scope and ambitions. This game features a sprawling, beautiful world of countries built atop massive dragon-like titans floating in a sea of clouds, and an anime-esque story about a teenage boy who unwittingly finds himself forming a pact with the personification of a mythical sword. The world here is awe-inspiring and imaginative, the story and characters are compelling, and the gameplay is deep and rewarding… as long as you can get past the many, many flaws dragging down the experience, including a terrible opening and sorely lacking tutorials. This is not a game for everyone, but those who have the patience to put up with its flaws will find it to be an extremely rewarding experience.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition	Open-World RPG	B+
tl;dr Xenoblade Chronicles X is an Open-World RPG about the remnants of humanity trying to survive on a distant planet after fleeing an Earth destroyed by a massive battle between alien forces. This is a massive, ambitious game, one with a lot of complex systems at work, and thankfully the Nintendo Switch version of the game adds a wealth of improvements and additional content over the Wii U version. If you’re an RPG fan with a Nintendo Switch, this is definitely a game you should look into, although it is still far from flawless. Despite this, it remains a truly unique and enjoyable game, and one still very much worth playing.
Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack is a Compilation of upgraded versions of the three games in the Dusk series, the sixth series in the Atelier franchise of crafting-focused JRPGs. This package includes Atelier Ayesha DX, Atelier Escha & Logy DX, and Atelier Shallie DX. If you’re looking to get into the Atelier series but not sure what end of the “time limit” pool you want to hop into, or if you’re just looking for a trio of good crafting-focused Turn-Based JRPGs, Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack is a solid choice, and it’s a decent enough deal that it’s well worth taking the plunge, especially if you can get it on sale.
Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey DX	Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Atelier Firis is the second game in the seventh series of Atelier games (the Mysterious series), a franchise of Turn-Based JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Firis is a game of extremes, with really high highs, and really low lows. The opening few hours of the game are particularly bad, the writing and voice acting are both some of the worst in the series, and the game has some pretty terrible pop-in. However, the introduction of massive, open-ended areas is a huge addition to this franchise, and the gameplay is overall quite good here. If you’re a fan of this franchise who has the patience to push through this game’s frustrations, you’ll find it worth your while to give this game a try.
Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack is a Compilation of upgraded versions of the three games in the Dusk series, the seventh series in the Atelier franchise of crafting-focused JRPGs. This package includes Atelier Sophie DX, Atelier Firis DX, and Atelier Lydie & Suelle DX. Lydie & Suelle is probably the best game in this series so far, and Firis is unquestionably the most ambitious entry in the series so far. Sophie is also decent, but extremely bland compared to the others. These games are a bit uneven, but overall still some of the stronger games in the franchise, and this Compilation is a decent value. If you’re a fan of Turn-Based JRPGs, this package is well worth getting.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar	Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a solid RPG with a really great presentation, but those who aren’t fans of the franchise may be left feeling like they’re not getting the full story here. Those who enjoy the comic will likely love it, though.
Castle Morihisa	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	B
tl;dr Castle Morihisa is a deck-building Card-Based RPG Roguelike that is very clearly cribbing a lot of its notes directly from Slay the Spire, though it does change a few things and the mythological Japanese theme does help to set it apart. This game isn’t anywhere near as good as the game that so clearly inspired it, but it’s still an enjoyable entry in the genre worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for something as close as possible to Slay the Spire.
Fantasian: Neo Dimension	Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Fantasian is a Turn-Based JRPG that evokes the classic games in the Final Fantasy series while still presenting something unique in its own right. This game has a few issues with things like pacing and limited ability to guide your characters’ growth, but even with complaints like these, this is still a solid entry in the genre, and an especially worthwhile game to check out for players who pine for earlier generations of the genre.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered	Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Final Fantasy VIII is a Turn-Based JRPG that isn’t quite as iconic as its predecessor, but I’d argue that it has aged much, much better, and this version adds a good number of enhancements to the graphics and gameplay that are a marked improvement over the original. It’s a bit dated, and some of the experimental systems here don’t work out all that well (in particular, the Draw system makes for a lot of tedious grinding), but on the whole this is a solid JRPG worth playing.
Fuga: Melodies of Steel	Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a Turn-Based RPG where players control a group of children piloting a super-powerful tank to fight through an invading army to rescue their families. This game’s characters and story are great, if surprisingly dark, and there are some strong game mechanics here. However, the way information is organized and presented is confusing and at times unhelpful, meaning players will have to go through some tedium to make strategic choices. Despite this issue, this is a solid game well worth checking out for fans of RPGs.
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 1 & 2 – Double Pack	Compilation / Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr Fuga: Melodies of Steel 1 & 2 – Double Pack is a Compilation of the two named games, both Turn-Based RPGs with a dark but compelling story about children in wartime piloting a massive tank. The games are great, and the bundle is mostly a good deal too (with a minor caveat of one brief time when there was a better alternative). However, barring an opportunity like that, I would argue this bundle is still overall well worth getting, especially for fans of RPGs with a strong strategic component to combat.
Griftlands	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	B
tl;dr Griftlands is a Turn-Based Card RPG with Roguelike elements that bears a lot of similarities to Slay the Spire. By contrast, it offers a lot more nuance with its two-deck mechanic, variety of characters to befriend or oppose, and its focus on story. However, it suffers from doing a poor job conveying information to the player, and the controls are terrible. On balance, this is still a solid game that does multiple creative things with the genre, but it doesn’t come close to unseating the king.
Knights of Pen & Paper 2 Deluxiest Edition	Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr Knights of Pen & Paper 2, like its predecessor, is a Turn-Based RPG with a game-within-a-game gimmick, having players playing an adventuring party in a D&D-esque tabletop game, as well as the characters who are playing that game. However, while the original game was lacking in both the story and gameplay, the sequel makes numerous improvements throughout the game that make it a much better experience overall, with a fun fourth wall-breaking story and some compelling grind-heavy gameplay. If that sounds appealing to you, definitely give this game a look.
Letter Quest Remastered	Puzzle / Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr Letter Quest Remastered is a game that combines a Turn-Based RPG with a spelling-based Puzzle game like Boggle or Scrabble. It’s a decent pairing of the two, but it doesn’t really meet its full potential, with too much grind and not enough depth. Still worth playing for genre fans, but nothing truly great.
Lost Sphear	Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Lost Sphear, like its spiritual predecessor I Am Setsuna, is a Turn-Based JRPG inspired by the Super Nintendo-era classics of the genre. It’s a solid family-friendly entry in the genre that gets a lot right, but doesn’t do anything truly noteworthy like the games it seeks to imitate. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll likely find this to be a solid addition to your game library, but not a memorable one.
Lunar Remastered Collection	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Lunar Remastered Collection contains remastered releases of the PlayStation versions of two Turn-Based JRPG classics, Lunar: The Silver Star Story and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue. These releases contain updates and changes with some good and some bad, but mostly these are faithful to the PlayStation releases. And while the original games have aged poorly in some ways (like the simple gameplay), in other ways they’re as delightful as ever (such as the story and characters). If you’ve never played these wonderful classic RPGs, or are looking to get them on a modern platform, this is an overall good remaster.
Marenian Tavern Story: Patty and the Hungry God	Turn-Based JRPG / Management Sim	B
tl;dr Marenian Tavern Story mixes a traditional JRPG with tavern management elements for a compelling game that’s surprisingly fun to play, despite its poor localization, presentation, and limited features. If you’ve played through games like Stardew Valley and are looking for something similar, this game is well worth a look.
Paper Mario: The Origami King	RPG / Puzzle	B
tl;dr Paper Mario: The Origami King is a family-friendly game that mixes RPG and Puzzle elements. While it is decidedly not a “return to form” that series die-hards have been hoping for, and many of the experimental mechanics here are more trouble than they’re worth, these flaws are more than made up for by the game’s beautiful world, fun characters, compelling story, and some excellent exploration elements.
RPG Maker MV Player	Turn-Based RPG Application	B
tl;dr RPG Maker MV Player is a free Application to play games created by RPG Maker MV, allowing players to search through games that others have made and enjoy them at no cost. While it still suffers many of the same issues as RPG Maker MV, and there’s plenty of trash games to sort through, the occasional gem you’ll find will make that free price tag well worth it.
Shining Resonance Refrain	Action-RPG / JRPG	B
tl;dr Shining Resonance Refrain is an Action-RPG with JRPG elements. It features a beautiful presentation and gameplay similar to the Tales series. Its more interesting game systems aren’t well-explained, and the gameplay can get a bit basic and repetitive, but overall this is an enjoyable experience and a strong entry in the genre
South Park: The Fractured But Whole	Turn-Based RPG / Strategy-RPG	B
tl;dr South Park: The Fractured But Whole is a Turn-Based RPG with Strategy-RPG elements that is the sequel to South Park: The Stick of Truth. Like the first game, it is set in the universe of the irreverent TV show, perfectly mimicking its style and its excellent sense of humor. However, the sequel lacks much of the spark of the first game. Fans of Stick of Truth should still give it a try, but don’t expect anything quite as revolutionary as the first game.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic	RPG	B
tl;dr Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a solid port of the classic RPG. Both the graphics and the gameplay have aged poorly in some areas, but much of what made this game great nearly two decades ago still remains intact. While it’s far from perfect, this is still a superb RPG and a great exploration of the Star Wars universe.
Steamworld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech	Turn-Based Card RPG	B
tl;dr Steamworld Quest is a Turn-Based Card RPG set loosely in the Steamworld universe, taking the franchise into the realm of pseudo-medieval fantasy. It is a decent take on its genre that does a good job of incorporating the franchise’s charm, but it doesn’t really excel in any area or take full advantage of the potential the rich setting has to offer. However, it’s still a decent game fans of the genre should enjoy.
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery!	Role-Playing Game / Visual Novel	B
tl;dr Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! Is a game that combines RPG and Visual Novel elements in a unique and rewarding way that gives the player plenty of choice through the game’s well-written branching “choose your own adventure”-style narrative. The combat could do with more options and the magic system is unnecessarily complicated, but overall this is a superb narrative experience.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition	Action-RPG / JRPG	B
tl;dr Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is an Action-RPG that takes a standard JRPG and adds in battles that take place in real-time. It’s nothing game-changing, but it’s a good game that fans of the genre should enjoy.
West of Loathing	Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr West of Loathing is a turn-based RPG that is determined to deliver an absolutely hilarious experience with its ridiculous parody of the wild West, and it succeeds at this brilliantly. Don’t expect anything much in terms of gameplay or graphics, though – they’re not horrible, but they’re clearly an after-thought and mostly just here in service to the funny.
Wylde Flowers	Management Sim / RPG	B
tl;dr Wylde Flowers is a family-friendly “Farming RPG”-style Management Simulation with less of a focus on the farming and more of a focus on running errands for townsfolk and partaking in a story about a young woman helping her grandmother and becoming the newest member of the village’s secretive coven of witches. This game’s presentation is highly-polished and the gameplay is extremely easygoing and accessible, making it ideal for newcomers to the genre, though more experienced players may find it lacking in options and customizability. In either case, Wylde Flowers is a solid addition to this genre.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country	JRPG	B
tl;dr Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna, sold both as an expansion to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and as a separate, self-contained game, is a prequel to Xenoblade Chronicles 2 set hundreds of years before the events of that game. You probably shouldn’t play this game without playing Xenoblade Chronicles 2 first though – you won’t get as much of an impact from the plot of this game, and you’ll spoil the story of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. You also shouldn’t play this game if you hated Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – there are improvements here, but not enough to fix all the issues that game had. However, if you played and liked that game, Torna is a no-brainer for you, as it gives a wonderful insight into an eventful part of that game’s story, gives you more of that world to explore, and adds some good changes to the combat and quest mechanics.
Atelier Meruru ~The Apprentice of Arland~ DX	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Atelier Meruru is the third game in the fifth series of Atelier games (the Arland series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Meruru is a marked improvement over the prior two games in multiple ways – it features a much better pacing and feeling of progression, it brings back quality-of-life elements that were stripped out of Atelier Totori, it has a better soundtrack than either of the two prior games, and much better graphics. This still isn’t going to be a game for everyone – the overbearing deadlines on quests are still likely to frustrate more casual RPG players. But for those wanting a “traditional” Atelier game, this is the best one yet in the series.
Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky DX	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Atelier Escha & Logy is the second game in the sixth series of Atelier games (the Dusk series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Escha & Logy isn’t as visually impressive as Atelier Ayesha was, nor is its soundtrack all that memorable, but its relaxed approach to the series’ quest deadlines, more streamlined game design, and improved writing make this a better game overall, and a good entry point for players looking to try a “time limit”-era entry in the Atelier franchise.
Citizen Sleeper	Visual Novel / RPG	B-
tl;dr Citizen Sleeper is a game that combines elements of Visual Novels, Graphic Adventure games, and tabletop RPGs, telling a story set on a space station in a dystopian future and putting players in the role of a Sleeper, an artificial person trying to survive after running away from their corporate masters. This game’s presentation is cold and detached, and the majority of your interaction with its world will be through text (and through dice rolls). However, if you’re not turned off by these elements, you’ll find this game to have an interesting story with rich worldbuilding, and fairly unique gameplay. This is not a game for everyone, but I suspect those who like this game will really like it.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector	Visual Novel / RPG	B-
tl;dr Citizen Sleeper 2, like its predecessor, is a game that combines elements of Visual Novels, Graphic Adventure games, and tabletop RPGs, telling a story set in a dystopian future and putting players in the role of a Sleeper, an artificial person fleeing from someone seeking to control them. This game’s presentation is cold and detached, and the majority of your interaction with its world will be through text (and through dice rolls). If you’re not turned off by these elements, you’ll find this game to have an interesting story with rich worldbuilding, and fairly unique gameplay. This is not a game for everyone, but I suspect those who like this game will really like it.
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a new version of the classic 1988 Turn-Based JRPG that updates the game with a new HD-2D presentation, along with numerous quality-of-life improvements. The result is a gorgeous and much-improved version of a JRPG with dated gameplay, a dated story, and playable characters with zero personality. If you’re looking to play a polished-up version of a classic JRPG from nearly 40 years ago, this is absolutely the best way to play this fan-favorite entry of one of the genre’s biggest franchises. But just be aware that under the shining polish is a game that has not aged very well.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a Turn-Based JRPG created to be a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series, and as such it features a huge roster of 120 recruitable characters. There’s a lot to like here, with good combat, an interesting story, and a great presentation, but the game suffers from massive pacing issues, far too many characters that seem disconnected from the plot, and some really awful performance issues on Nintendo Switch that make even using the game’s menus a horrible slog. I do think the good outweighs the bad here, but this is definitely a far lesser game than it could have been, and it’s one you may be better off getting on another platform.
Final Fantasy V	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Final Fantasy V is a Turn-Based JRPG with a really enjoyable job class system and a decent (albeit not spectacular) story. And while the remade music in this release is wonderful and some of the new added features are nice, they do not justify the bloated $18 price tag this game has, especially when this release is missing some content that was included in other versions of the game. If you’re a fan of classic JRPGs and don’t mind taking a hit to your wallet, this game may be worth picking up, but at this price, I can’t give it the full recommendation I feel it deserves.
Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection contains remade versions of the first six mainline Final Fantasy games, all classic Turn-Based JRPGs. The first three games in this bundle have seen the most dramatic improvement, though it’s the final two games that have aged the best, and are still outstanding still to this day. The problem is that the $75 asking price for these games is absurdly high, even in this bundle. Add to that missing content from other re-releases of these games, and it’s hard to justify that price, even despite the high quality of some of the included games here. If you’re a fan of RPGs, this is definitely a collection of games worth getting, but wait until you can get it at a more reasonable price.
Final Fantasy VII	Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Final Fantasy VII is arguably the most famous and iconic Turn-Based JRPG ever made, and it’s presented here with slightly-improved graphics and QoL enhancements. However, many elements of this game have aged extremely poorly, and by today’s standards it can be frustrating and even outright archaic in its design. If you haven’t played it before, this game is a must-play history lesson, but be warned that it’s one that will require a lot of patience.
Galaxy of Pen and Paper +1 Edition	Turn-Based RPG	B-
tl;dr Galaxy of Pen and Paper takes the Pen & Paper series of Turn-Based RPGs into the realm of sci-fi while retaining its “game within a game” concept. Unfortunately, the gameplay elements that tied into that concept are weaker here, resulting in a game with a solid presentation but lacking the compelling gameplay of its predecessor. This is still a serviceable RPG with a fun story, but the lack of compelling gameplay ultimately makes this a misfire for the series.
Hero’s Hour	Strategy / RPG	B-
tl;dr Hero’s Hour is a game that combines Turn-Based Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, and RPG elements, with players guiding armies to gather resources and build up their kingdom to compete with other kingdoms. This game has a multitude of problems, from its progression and pacing issues, control and interface issues, and its odd hands-off battles, yet for all of its many frustrations, this is nevertheless a compelling and enjoyable experience, and Strategy fans with the patience for long game sessions will likely find this to be worth a look.
Kamibako	Turn-Based JRPG / Management Simulation	B-
tl;dr Kamibako is a Turn-Based JRPG with some Management Simulation elements, and there are some color-matching Puzzle Game elements as well, all in a story about a “Restorer” sent by a goddess to purify “fragmentation” spreading across a land. There are some ambitious gameplay elements here, and a lot of variety, but while this game is trying to do a lot, everything it’s doing seems to have problems. While it’s still unique enough to be worth a look, it’s a shame that we couldn’t see what this game would have been with all of its problems addressed.
Monster Slayers	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	B-
tl;dr Monster Slayers is a game that combines a Card Battle RPG with Roguelike elements. It does a good job balancing player utility and the Roguelike elements, but unfortunately it stumbles when it comes to the way it presents information to the player, and the presentation feels pretty generic.
Ninja Village	Management Simulation / RPG / Strategy	B-
tl;dr Ninja Village is a Management Simulation with RPG and Strategy elements where players manage the growth of a town expanding to become a kingdom. Each of its individual elements is underdeveloped, and the game has plenty of issues, yet despite this it’s an enjoyable experience overall with a lot of variety. Fans of Management Simulations may want to give this one a look.
Old School RPG Bundle	Compilation / Turn-Based RPG / Turn-Based Strategy-RPG	B-
tl;dr Old School RPG Bundle is a Compilation of Knights of Pen & Paper 1 & 2 and Chroma Squad, the first two being Turn-Based RPGs that have players playing an adventuring party in a D&D-esque tabletop game, as well as the characters who are playing that game, and the latter game in the collection being a Turn-Based Strategy RPG about a Power Rangers-esque sentai TV show. The value here is decent, and overall quality here is good, though not without a few caveats. Plus, the variety Chroma Squad brings to this bundle puts it ahead of other Pen and Paper bundles in my estimation. If you’re craving a collection of quirky fourth wall-breaking RPGs, the Old School RPG Bundle should satisfy that craving.
Pen and Paper Games Bundle	Compilation / Turn-Based RPG	B-
tl;dr Pen & Paper Games Bundle is a Compilation of Knights of Pen & Paper 1 & 2 and Galaxy of Pen & Paper, three Turn-Based RPGs that have players playing an adventuring party in a D&D-esque tabletop game, as well as the characters who are playing that game. Of the three games, Knights of Pen & Paper 2 is the superior one, but this is a good value overall if you’re wanting to get the entire series.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords	RPG	B-
tl;dr Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II is a decent port of the classic RPG. Both the graphics and the gameplay have aged poorly in some areas, but much of what made this game great nearly two decades ago still remains intact. This game isn’t quite as good as its predecessor, but it’s a solid follow-up, and one that fans of the first game should definitely play too.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Bundle	Compilation / RPG	B-
tl;dr Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Bundle includes the highly-lauded (but somewhat dated) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. These two RPGs are great, but the bundle they’re in isn’t a very good savings. You’ll definitely want to compare them against the price of the individual games before buying.
Super Battle Cards	Unlimited Pattern Puzzle / Card / RPG	B-
tl;dr Super Battle Cards is a family-friendly Puzzle game with simple but compelling gameplay that has you moving a hero card around on a grid of health, shield, and enemy cards. It’s a bit shallow and there are some presentation issues, but overall it’s a fun time-waster.
Volta-X	RPG / Real-Time Strategy / Roguelike	B-
tl;dr Volta-X is a game that has you managing a team controlling a mech in a one-on-one battle, with gameplay that combines elements of RPGs and Real-Time Strategy games, with base building and Roguelike elements as well. The gameplay is fast-paced and chaotic, and will not appeal to everyone. However, if you are good at multitasking and enjoy a challenge, you may find this game to be refreshingly original and well worth a look.
Aria Chronicle	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Aria Chronicle is a Turn-Based JRPG about a princess and her party who discover a dark plot while on a pilgrimage. This isn’t a bad entry in the genre, but it pushes grinding that frequently feels like you’re making two steps forward and one step back, resulting in somewhat unsatisfying progression. Fans of JRPGs may still want to check this out, but I feel like players have numerous better options on Nintendo Switch.
Atelier Arland Series Deluxe Pack	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Atelier Arland Series Deluxe Pack is a Compilation of upgraded versions of the first three games in the Arland series, the fifth series in the Atelier franchise of crafting-focused JRPGs. This package includes Atelier Rorona DX, Atelier Totori DX, and Atelier Meruru DX (not included here is Atelier Lulua, a later entry in the Arland series). The Arland series is not going to appeal to everyone due to its adherence to in-game deadlines for quests and objectives, and there’s a good argument to be made that players may want to just skip ahead to Atelier Meruru, by far the best in the trilogy. However, players wanting to partake in the entire trilogy will find this compilation to be an excellent deal on some charming Turn-Based JRPGs.
Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk DX	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Atelier Ayesha is the first game in the sixth series of Atelier games (the Dusk series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Even though Atelier Ayesha is the start of a new trilogy, it feels very similar to the prior game, Atelier Meruru. And while this game’s excellent soundtrack and improved visuals are a point in its favor, the terrible story, bad voice acting, and performance issues on Nintendo Switch pair with the series’ focus on deadlines to make for a game that’s not only niche in its appeal, but on balance a worse game than its predecessor. Fans of the Atelier series will likely enjoy this game, but most JRPG players are better off aiming for one of the better games in the franchise.
Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book DX	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Atelier Sophie is the first game in the seventh series of Atelier games (the Mysterious series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Sophie is at least on paper an improvement on the prior games in multiple respects, adding a few nice gameplay mechanics to the series like a day/night system and a Puzzle-style crafting system. Unfortunately, so much of this game is bland and unambitious, from its stale gameplay to its snooze-fest of a story. This is by no means a bad game, but it doesn’t seem to want to attempt to be a great one, either.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster	Compilation / Turn-Based Card JRPG	C+
tl;dr Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a pair of remastered remakes of GameCube Turn-Based Card JRPGs. I commend these games for trying something unique within the genre, and these remasters do a mostly good job of bringing the presentation up to more modern standards, but at their core these two games are very difficult to love, with overly-complex gameplay and stories that either feature an unlikeable protagonist or are just poorly-told. JRPG fans may still want to try these games out, but they are absolutely not something everyone will appreciate.
Card-en-Ciel	Turn-Based Card RPG / Roguelike	C+
tl;dr Card-en-Ciel is a Turn-Based Card RPG and Roguelike loosely inspired by Mega Man Battle Network. There is some fun and creative gameplay here, but there are also a lot of confusing gameplay mechanics, pacing problems, and a mishmash of presentation elements that don’t always work well together. The result is a game that fans of this style of game may still want to try out, but that most players are better off skipping in favor of better-designed entries in the genre.
Chinese Parents	Simulation / RPG / Puzzle / Misc.	C+
tl;dr Chinese Parents is an unusual Simulation game with a mishmesh of various elements that has you guiding the development of a child of Chinese parents. It’s a really original concept, and there are some interesting gameplay ideas here, but they’re marred by a poor localization and control interface issues. This game may still be worth a look, but only if you have the patience to look past its problems.
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG / Visual Novel	C+
tl;dr Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition is a Compilation of the Turn-Based JRPG Chrono Cross and the previously Japan-only Visual Novel Radical Dreamers. Chrono Cross was and remains a great JRPG, albeit one with some major flaws. On the other hand, Radical Dreamers is a deeply flawed Visual Novel. And this port of the two games has its ups and downs – the presentation is improved, but the performance for Chrono Cross is actually worse than the PlayStation original. As a result, this is still a modern release of a flawed classic that’s still worth playing, but one that has major flaws of its own.
Citizen Sleeper: Helion Collection	Compilation / Visual Novel / RPG	C+
tl;dr Citizen Sleeper: Helion Collection is a Compilation containing Citizen Sleeper 1 and 2, both games that blend RPG and Visual Novel elements set in a cold dystopian future. These aren’t games that everyone will enjoy, and I believe that the minimal savings present in this bundle aren’t worth taking the risk that you might not enjoy these games. You’re better off trying one first to see if this series is to your liking.
Cosmic Star Heroine	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Cosmic Star Heroine is a JRPG that looks and feels like an old-school 16-bit RPG from the SNES era. It has some good gameplay, but the characters and story seemed too simple and formulaic for my tastes.
Dex	Action-Platformer / RPG	C+
tl;dr Dex is an Action-Platformer with strong RPG elements set in a cyberpunk world. Be warned that the first few hours of this game are terrible, and even past that this game’s Action-Platformer elements remain pretty bad throughout. However, once the game’s RPG elements open up, this part of the game has some good content to offer, and players with the patience to see it will be rewarded with an interesting world to explore. If you think you can bear with the game’s flaws until it gets better, Dex might be worth a look.
Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Dragon Quest III is a JRPG originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988, and it is a marked improvement over its two predecessors, with better presentation and multiple added features that set it apart. Having said that, it’s still dated by today’s standards, with a lot of grinding and frustrating design choices. RPG fans looking to play something old-school may find this worthwhile, but others are best off leaving it in the past.
Dungeons & Dragons Bundle	Compilation / RPG	C+
tl;dr Dungeons & Dragons Bundle is a Compilation that includes Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions, Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Editions, and Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition. These are all legendary PC RPGs, that sadly just do not play well at all on a console using a controller. However, if you are determined to get these games on Nintendo Switch, this package will save you $50 compared to the cost of buying these games separately. I highly encourage you to play these games on PC instead, but if you absolutely need to play them on Nintendo Switch, this package is definitely the way to go.
Espacio Cosmic Light-Seeker	RPG / Misc.	C+
tl;dr Espacio Cosmic Light-Seeker is a strange game that has players moving through a grid of rooms in a dark void trying to track down the Light that serves as each level’s exit. The game has elements of Dungeon Crawlers, Board Games, and even elements of detective games, but more than anything it’s very weird. This game won’t appeal to everyone, in part due to how strong a part chance plays in the gameplay. However, those seeking something truly unique will likely find this game to be worth the $3.50 price tag.
Final Fantasy	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Final Fantasy is the Turn-Based JRPG that started the entire franchise, and this is an absolutely outstanding remake that gives the game a gorgeous new presentation with absolutely beautiful remastered music and some excellent new gameplay features that help to cut down on the original game’s flaws… but those flaws are still there, from the laughably quaint story to the shallow gameplay. JRPG fans and especially Final Fantasy fans wanting to see where this series started should find this to be a great way to do that, but definitely don’t expect anything especially great by modern standards.
Final Fantasy II	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Final Fantasy II is a Turn-Based JRPG with a storied history and innovations that shaped the franchise, and this is an absolutely outstanding remake that gives the game a gorgeous new presentation with absolutely beautiful remastered music and some excellent new gameplay features that help to cut down on the original game’s flaws… but those flaws are still there, from the laughably quaint story to the shallow gameplay. JRPG fans and especially Final Fantasy fans wanting to explore one of the franchise’s earliest games should find this to be a great way to do that, but definitely don’t expect anything especially great by modern standards.
Final Fantasy IV	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Final Fantasy IV is a Turn-Based JRPG that made some major innovations that shaped the franchise, but this game has not aged well at all. And while the remade music in this release is wonderful and some of the new added features are nice, they do not justify the bloated $18 price tag this game has, especially when this release is missing some pretty significant content that was included in other versions of the game. Unless you’re a big Final Fantasy fan or have major nostalgia for this game, skip it.
Grandia HD Collection	Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Grandia HD Collection is a Compilation of two Turn-Based JRPGs, Grandia and Grandia II, with improved resolution and framerates. However, even those improvements do little to hide how outdated these games are, and the price tag for these old games is too high for a package so lacking in features. Fans of the genre may still want to pick up these classics, but those who don’t have nostalgia for the original games will probably want to skip them.
Haven	RPG / Misc.	C+
tl;dr Haven is a game that combines multiple different elements, including RPGs, exploration-focused audiovisual experiences, Visual Novels, and Survival Adventure games. And while the presentation, visuals, writing, voice acting, and music here are all fantastic, the disparate needs of each of the game’s multitude of genres end up getting in the way of each other rather than complementing one another. It’s an unfortunate irony that a game about a beautiful relationship can’t find a harmony within its various components. Still, if you have an interest in the variety of genres incorporated in this game, you may find something worthwhile here.
Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf	Turn-Based RPG / Interactive Story-Driven Adventure	C+
tl;dr Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf is a Turn-Based RPG with a strong Interactive Narrative component. The “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style story here is absolutely superb, which makes it really frustrating that the RPG elements in the game are so lacking and the control interface is so terrible. If you can put up with the game’s flaws though, you’ll find the story to be compelling enough to keep you playing through it.
Knights of Pen and Paper +1 Deluxier Edition	Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Knights of Pen and Paper is a Turn-Based RPG with a game-within-a-game gimmick, having players playing an adventuring party in a D&D-esque tabletop game, as well as the characters who are playing that game. It’s a clever concept, but the gameplay itself gives players far too few options, and the story isn’t compelling enough to draw you in. As a grind-heavy game, it’s decent, but not on par with some of the great grindy RPGs on the Nintendo Switch. Not bad, but you have better options.
Knights of Pen and Paper Bundle	Compilation / Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Knights of Pen & Paper Bundle is a Compilation of Knights of Pen & Paper 1 & 2, two Turn-Based RPGs that have players playing an adventuring party in a D&D-esque tabletop game, as well as the characters who are playing that game. Of the two games, Knights of Pen & Paper 2 is the superior one, and there doesn’t seem much reason to even bother with the first one if you can just get the second one separately. Or at the very least, you could get one of the other bundles that include more games from the series. In either case, it’s hard to recommend this bundle, as you have better options to play these games.
Miitopia	Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Miitopia is a family-friendly Turn-Based RPG that lets players put the user-created Mii characters into various roles in a simplified, streamlined experience with some light Dating Sim elements. Unfortunately, this streamlining takes away a lot of player choice and leaves the game a really shallow experience. Younger and inexperienced players looking to try their first RPG may find this to be well-suited to them, but more experienced fans of the genre will likely be frustrated with how limiting this game is.
Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition	RPG	C+
tl;dr Neverwinter Nights is a remastered port of a 2002 Western RPG originally released on PC, and while this game made the transition to console better than the other games in this series, it is still extremely dated in its graphics and controls, and the story feels lacking compared to the prior games. There’s a lot of quality RPG content here if you’re willing to overlook the many, many ways this game has aged poorly, but most would be better off sticking to more modern games.
Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition	RPG	C+
tl;dr Pillars of Eternity is an RPG designed to be a spiritual successor to classic Black Isle games like Baldur’s Gate. The controls work well enough once you get used to them, and the game’s biggest issues have now finally been patched, but the tiny and unreadable text and absurdly massive file size still make it clear this game was never intended to be played on the Nintendo Switch, and it shouldn’t be.
Rogue Lords	Roguelike / Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Rogue Lords is a Roguelike and Turn-Based RPG where players take the role of The Devil, sending out minions to spread fear and chaos in the human world. This game has some really clever mechanics and some outstanding character art, but slow pacing and some absolutely horrible performance issues mean that this game falls short of what it could have been, and even as-is this is a game that’s better on other platforms.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is the second time a remake of this 1992 Turn-Based JRPG has come to Nintendo Switch, but this remake is far more extensive, giving an overhaul to the graphics and soundtrack, as well as brushing up the localization and making the game more user-friendly. The result is a much better, much more well-rounded game… but one that’s still pretty dated. Fans of the SaGa series will definitely want to give this a look, but I think most players are better off playing other JRPGs.
Romancing SaGa 3	Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Romancing SaGa 3 is a JRPG originally released only on Super Famicom in Japan, and this game brushes up the visuals while leaving the original game otherwise largely intact. Thankfully, this game improves on the flaws of the previous game in the series somewhat, and there’s some good old-school JRPG fun to be had here… but once again, the price tag is just way too high. It’s worth a look if you can catch a really good sale on it though.
Wolfstride	Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Wolfstride is an RPG where players follow a team of people who own and operate a mech in fighting competitions. The story, characters, and presentation are all strong here, and the combat is unique and interesting. Unfortunately, the pacing is an absolute disaster, and this game seems to be designed to waste players’ time. If you’re an extremely patient player you may find a lot to like here, but everyone else should skip this.
WrestleQuest	Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr WrestleQuest is a Turn-Based RPG that combines the gameplay and tropes of the RPG genre with a theme based around pro wrestling. This game’s premise is excellent, its adoration of the legends of real-life pro wrestlers is infectious, and the soundtrack is absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately, the constant loading times, pacing issues, poor menu design, and uninteresting story leave this game down for the count.
Atelier Rorona ~The Alchemist of Arland~ DX	Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr Atelier Rorona is the first game in the fifth series of Atelier games (the Arland series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Rorona has a lot of charm, but its plot isn’t very compelling, and this low-stakes plot doesn’t match the need to constantly track progress of tasks against impending deadlines on a calendar. While not a terrible Turn-Based JRPG, I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re already a fan of the series.
Cavern Adventurers	Management Simulation / RPG	C
tl;dr Cavern Adventurers is a Management Simulation with RPG elements where players manage the construction of cave facilities and building up the town above, alternating to managing heroes scouting the cave for monsters at night. It’s a promising concept that’s sadly ruined by Kairosoft’s tendency to do a poor job explaining how any of it works. Unless you’re a huge fan of Kairosoft, skip this one.
Dragon Quest	Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr Dragon Quest is the game that codified the JRPG genre in Japan all the way back in 1986, and this release seeks to polish it a bit for modern audiences. In some areas, like the wonderful soundtrack, this game still shines. However, in numerous others, it definitely shows its age, from the graphics to the story, to the grind-heavy gameplay. It still has a classic charm to it, but by today’s standards it is definitely lacking some basic features we’ve come to expect from the genre.
Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line	Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr Dragon Quest II is a JRPG that may have been a notable improvement over the first game when it was originally released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, but those improvements have largely been rendered moot by the remake treatment these games have all gotten, and without that to its credit, all that’s left is pretty much a game that’s extremely outdated and archaic by today’s standards. Fans of the genre looking to revisit a classic may find this game worth their while, but most would do well to skip it.
For a Vast Future	Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr For a Vast Future is a Turn-Based JRPG following an orphan girl and a cyborg in a war-torn dystopian future. This game’s Game Boy-style retro graphics are nostalgic but ugly, and while this game does some interesting things, it’s still not particularly compelling. Add in some disgusting eShop shenanigans and I really cannot recommend this game of the countless other great JRPGs on the eShop.
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption	Isometric Turn-Based RPG	C
tl;dr Hero-U is an Isometric Turn-Based RPG and spiritual successor to the Quest for Glory series, with much less a focus on combat and more on “point and click”-style Graphic Adventure elements, relationship-building, and maintaining a schedule. There’s a lot of potential here, but this potential is spoiled by numerous problems – extremely poor pacing, frustrating camera, poor controls, and tiny text in handheld mode all make this a game that’s often too frustrating to enjoy its better qualities.
Kairobotica	Management Simulation / Turn-Based RPG	C
tl;dr Kairobotica is a Management Simulation with Turn-Based RPG elements, and while there are some interesting ideas here, neither side of that formula ends up being very compelling. The result isn’t a bad game, but it’s far from a particularly good one.
Legends of Heropolis DX	Management Simulation / RPG	C
tl;dr Legends of Heropolis DX is a Management Simulation with Turn-Based RPG elements that’s a take on the “Super Sentai” genre, and while there are some interesting ideas here, neither side of that formula ends up being very compelling. The result isn’t a bad game, but it’s far from a particularly good one.
Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists ~Ateliers of the New World~	Management Simulation / Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr Nelke and the Legendary Alchemists is a Spin-Off game within the Atelier universe, but not a part of the mainline series, and unlike other games in the series, this is a Management Simulation with only light Turn-Based JRPG elements. It’s a promising idea, but this game is both too over-complicated and too limiting and simple, a bad combination for Management Simulations. In addition, much of the series’ charm is lost due to a poor presentation. Fans of this franchise may thrill at the opportunity to see all their favorite characters again in a different setting, but most players are better off skipping this one.
Planescape Torment and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Editions	Compilation / RPG	C
tl;dr Planescape Torment and Icewind Dale: Enhanced Editions are two classic Western RPGs from 1999 and 2000 that are finally playable on a console for the first time in this release. Unfortunately, the awkward controls in this release make it seem like the game was a poor fit for consoles in the first place, and this problem is made worse by horribly dated graphics. On top of that, the basic game design here is very user-unfriendly, even for those who can get used to the odd controls. The story and voice acting in both of these games is still excellent, but only the most patient players will find it worth suffering through this archaic mess to enjoy that story.
SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions	Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions brings the PlayStation Vita JRPG to the Nintendo Switch with more content and voiced characters. However, this is still a game with the focus aimed squarely at combat that is both too simple and overly complicated, and it simply wasn’t very fun to play. Fans of the genre might find something interesting here, but most would do well to skip it.
Saturday Morning RPG	Turn-Based RPG	C
tl;dr Saturday Morning RPG is a Turn-Based RPG with a barrage of jokes and references to 1980s pop culture, and gameplay seemingly inspired by the Paper Mario series, and an absolutely outstanding 80s-esque soundtrack. It’s wildly creative, but often that creativity goes too far, resulting in tedious game mechanics shoved down players’ throats and severe problems with the game’s difficulty level. On top of that, players who didn’t live through the 80s won’t understand much of what’s going on in this game. The result is a game that has a lot of good qualities and a lot of bad qualities, and is just as likely to frustrate players as it is to thrill them.
Sega Ages Phantasy Star	Turn-Based RPG	C
tl;dr Sega Ages Phantasy Star takes the old Turn-Based RPG and adds a number of improvements to make it less of an ordeal, but it’s still an archaic game that doesn’t hold much appeal for modern gamers.
Star Story: The Horizon Escape	Turn-Based RPG / Interactive Story-Driven Adventure	C
tl;dr Star Story: The Horizon Escape is a Turn-Based RPG with some heavy “Choose Your Own Adventure”-style elements that doesn’t take itself too seriously. However, it doesn’t do anything especially exciting or interesting. It’s okay.
WitchSpring R	Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr WitchSpring R is a remake of the first game in the WishSpring series of Turn-Based JRPGs, and it looks visually delightful. Unfortunately, tedious grindy gameplay and poorly-explained mechanics make for a game that’s a slog to play, and just isn’t a match for the game’s upbeat presentation. Really patient RPG players may enjoy this game, but most are better off getting something else instead.
Touhou Shoujo Tale of Beautiful Memories	Turn-Based RPG	C
tl;dr Touhou Shoujo Tale of Beautiful Memories is a fairly unique game in the Touhou Project franchise as it is a Turn-Based JRPG, with a plot about a shrine maiden investigating and stopping an attack on the local village. If you’re familiar with this franchise, you may be amused to see its world and characters in a JRPG, but if not you’ll be left feeling lost, and the gameplay copies elements from Super Mario RPG without adding anything interesting to the mix, only repetitive environments and tedious battles. Unless you’re a major series fan, skip this.
Alvastia Chronicles	Turn-Based JRPG	C-
tl;dr Alvastia Chronicles is a Turn-Based JRPG with a 16-bit style. There are some interesting game systems here, such as a collectable roster of helper characters. However, the presentation is so generic and just plain bad that only the most dedicated fans of the genre are likely to find this game of much interest.
Atelier Totori ~The Adventurer of Arland~ DX	Turn-Based JRPG	C-
tl;dr Atelier Totori is the second game in the fifth series of Atelier games (the Arland series), a franchise of JRPGs with a focus on crafting. Totori may be a sequel set in the same world as Atelier Rorona, but in many ways this game feels like a step backwards, removing some of Rorona’s better features and replacing them with elements seemingly designed to frustrate. There are still some good elements here, but the only ones who are likely to enjoy them are players who absolutely loved Atelier Rorona and want another game set in that world, even if it’s a worse game.
Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions	Compilation / RPG	C-
tl;dr Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions are two classic Western RPGs from 1998 and 2000 that are finally playable on a console for the first time in this release. Unfortunately, the awkward controls in this release make it seem like the game was a poor fit for consoles in the first place, and this problem is made worse by horribly dated graphics that make the game an eyesore. On top of that, the basic game design here is very user-unfriendly, even for those who can get used to the odd controls. The story and voice acting in both of these games is still excellent, but only the most patient players will find it worth suffering through this archaic mess to enjoy that story.
Bonds of the Skies	Turn-Based JRPG	C-
tl;dr Bonds of the Skies is a completely generic JRPG that does nothing especially interesting or unique for the genre, and while it doesn’t do anything outright terrible either, its $13 price tag is absolutely absurd – put that money towards one of the countless other better JRPGs on the Nintendo Switch instead.
Darkest Dungeon	Turn-Based RPG	C-
tl;dr Darkest Dungeon is an RPG where the game’s visuals, sound, themes, and gameplay are, as the name indicates, pretty dark, where insanity abounds and heroes are expendable. Just be warned that the game’s slew of stats and menus are a nightmare to try to sort through in docked mode – if you’re playing this game, you should be playing it using the touchscreen.
Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition	Turn-Based Card RPG	C-
tl;dr Deep Sky Derelicts is a Turn-Based Card RPG where players take the role of a team of scavengers fighting enemies and searching for salvage on derelict spacecraft. While the game clearly has some intricate gameplay mechanics, the way it refuses to explain those mechanics and hides important information all while hitting you over the head with time limits and a high difficulty level makes this game extremely frustrating, and something that only those dedicated to studying how to play it will be able to enjoy.
Doraemon Story of Seasons	Top-Down Management Sim / RPG	C-
tl;dr Doraemon Story of Seasons marries the long-running Story of Season franchise of Farming RPG-style games with the even longer-running Doraemon manga and anime franchise. Unfortunately, this feels like a marriage that was on the rocks from day one, as the goofy and childlike characters clash with the placid tone of the rest of the game. This is made worse by finicky controls, atrocious pacing issues, and unreliable shopkeepers that make the work of running a farm feel less like fun and more like… well, work. If you want a game in this genre, you have better options on the Nintendo Switch.
Final Fantasy III	Turn-Based JRPG	C-
tl;dr Final Fantasy III is a Turn-Based JRPG that introduced a few important elements to the franchise, and this is an absolutely outstanding remake that gives the game a gorgeous new presentation with absolutely beautiful remastered music and some excellent new gameplay features that help to cut down on the original game’s flaws… but those flaws are still there, from the terrible story to the shallow gameplay that was much greatly improved upon in later games in the series. This game may be one of the more obscure titles in the mainline Final Fantasy franchise, but it is simply not worth the absurd $18 price tag.
H1.Jack	RPG	C-
tl;dr H1.Jack is an RPG where players take the role of a young hacker fighting virtual enemies representing the challenge of hacking into computer systems and viruses. The core premise here has potential, but this game does absolutely nothing with that potential, instead making for a dull, monotonous experience that you’ll quickly tire of. Skip this one.
Indie Gems Bundle – JRPG Edition	Compilation / RPG	C-
tl;dr Indie Gems Bundle – JRPG Edition is a compilation of two RPGs, Dungeon Rushers and Robothorium, neither of which is actually a JRPG. Unfortunately, neither of them is very good, either. Because of this, while this bundle has a good price comparatively, I cannot recommend anyone to get it.
RPG Maker MV	Content Creation Application / Turn-Based RPG	C-
tl;dr RPG Maker MV is a Content Creation Application in the long-running series where users can create their own RPG and share it. Unfortunately, this software does a terrible job explaining its functions, is unnecessarily confusing, does a poor job conveying information to the player, and has an unintuitive and frustrating interface. For those willing to dedicate themselves to reading through countless wikis and spending a significant portion of their life solving this game’s problems on online message boards, this game still holds an immense potential to create something special… but most will find this software’s flaws too steep a hill to climb to reach that potential.
Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Special Edition	Top-Down Management Sim / RPG	D+
tl;dr Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Special Edition is the latest game in the long-running “Farming RPG” series, but it plays like a cheap knockoff of itself, doing nothing to push the genre forward, offering nothing unique or noteworthy to set it apart, and demanding a full $40 for what amounts to a game that should have been a budget-priced release. There is no reason to buy this game when Stardew Valley is better in virtually every way and roughly a third the price.
Jin Conception	JRPG	D+
tl;dr Jin Conception is a game that aims to combine the social deduction of a game like Among Us with the gameplay and presentation of a classic JRPG like Chrono Trigger. This game is not short on ideas and charm, but it absolutely fails in execution in every possible way – the world and its characters are not properly introduced, the writing is poor, the map design is convoluted and repetitive, the combat mechanics are not properly explained, the challenge level is absurdly high right from the start. While on the surface this game shines bright, everything under that surface is a horrible pile of failures.
Robothorium	Turn-Based RPG	D+
tl;dr Robothorium is a Turn-Based RPG where players direct a robotic uprising, and while this game’s topic matter and ethical dilemmas are ripe with potential, that potential is spoiled by horribly excessive loading screens, terrible interface issues, and poorly-conveyed information vital to effectively playing an RPG. This game is far too frustrating to be enjoyable.
Biomotor Unitron	Turn-Based RPG	D
tl;dr Biomotor Unitron is a Turn-Based RPG first released on the NEOGEO Pocket Color, where players must build the ultimate fighting robot, something that seems like it would be a lot more fun than it actually is. This slog of an RPG offers very little reason to keep playing it, and no reason for me to recommend it over countless better games in the genre on Nintendo Switch.
Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp	Party Game / Turn-Based JRPG	D
tl;dr Danganronpa S is a spin-off game within the Danganronpa franchise that has the characters from throughout the series in a lighthearted romp that mixes Party Game and Turn-Based JRPG elements based on minigames from Danganronpa V3. Unfortunately, all of the gameplay elements here are poorly-designed and boring, the visuals are largely recycled, and the appeal of seeing your favorite character interact with others is ruined by a gross gacha system that’s clearly trying to push you to spend money to unlock them in the eShop. Do not waste your money on this rip-off of a game.
Romancing SaGa 2	Turn-Based JRPG	D
tl;dr Romancing SaGa 2 is a JRPG originally released only on Super Famicom in Japan, and this game brushes up the visuals while leaving the original game otherwise largely intact. Unfortunately, this is a game plagued with problems, including a terrible localization, bad menus, and slow and repetitive combat, all with an absolutely absurd $25 price tag. Do not buy this game.
Game of Dragons	RPG	F
tl;dr Game of Dragons is a free-to-play RPG with unique gameplay and some really gorgeous artwork. Unfortunately, these elements are overwhelmed by issues with an inconsistent presentation that’s mangled by horrendous performance issues, and poor overall menu and game design that makes the gameplay incomprehensible. I suppose there may be some players out there who can wring some enjoyment out of this game, but for me it was a torturous experience I couldn’t get away from quickly enough.
S.U.M. – Slay Uncool Monsters	RPG / Educational	F
tl;dr Slay Uncool Monsters appears broken, with its opening menus glitching and the game freezing within a minute or so of trying to play. It seems that not everyone has these issues, but I do, and as such this game appears to be completely unplayable and I can only recommend that everyone avoid it.
Titanigods	Turn-Based JRPG	F
tl;dr Titanigods is a Turn-Based JRPG that has players controlling a group of characters inspired by Greek Gods. And it has… absolutely nothing to offer you. It’s uninspired, visually ugly, audibly irritating, bland, poorly-written, lacking personality, devoid of any noteworthy game mechanics… there’s just nothing here to be worth your time and money when there are so many other better alternatives on Nintendo Switch, and Titanigods doesn’t even have one selling point that makes it deserving of your attention. Don’t bother with this one.
Wander Hero	Card RPG / Arcade	N/A (F)
tl;dr Wander Hero is a game that combines Card RPG gameplay with a game mechanic that has you flicking discs representing your character to ricochet off enemies to attack them. It’s a really clever gameplay concept, but unfortunately, this game requires players to use the touchscreen for combat, but then makes most of the game’s text so tiny on the screen that it’s unplayable whether you play it docked or in handheld mode. There may be a great game hidden under this issue, but if there is I cannot play it.

Dungeon Crawler

Game	Genre	Grade
Etrian Odyssey III HD	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Etrian Odyssey III HD is a remake of the 2010 Nintendo DS Dungeon-Crawling JRPG with a heavy focus on players mapping out the dungeons within the game. This is the first time this game has seen any sort of port or re-release, and while the HD-polished presentation here is still dated, this is nevertheless a strong step forward for this series that’s still great to this day. If you only get one game in the original Etrian Odyssey trilogy on Nintendo Switch, this is the one to get.
Moero Crystal H	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Monster Collecting Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Moero Crystal H is a game that combines an Etrian Odyssey-style Dungeon Crawler and a Pokemon-style Monster-collecting game with a huge amount of shameless perversion and a healthy helping of Japanese weirdness. The highly sexual tone of the game and its bizarre eccentricities may frighten away some players, but if you can bear with them, the gameplay here is surprisingly deep and multi-layered with numerous elements to dig into. If you can stomach the presentation, this is a game that’s a huge improvement over its predecessor, and absolutely worth playing.
Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden	Top-Down Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden is a Top-Down Dungeon Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG with a gimmick that everything in the game is represented by cards, dice rolls, and narration. This game is extremely similar to the first one, and in some ways not quite as charming, though overall this is still a solid entry in its respective genres and well worth playing.
Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden	Top-Down Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden is a Top-Down Dungeon Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG with a gimmick that everything in the game is represented by cards, dice rolls, and some wonderful narration. While it still bears a lot of similarities to the first two games, this game’s excellent story and delightful new monster-capturing mechanic make this the best game yet in the franchise. RPG fans not put off by this series’ simple visual style should absolutely give this one a look.
Voice of Cards Trilogy	Compilation / Top-Down Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Voice of Cards Trilogy is a Compilation containing Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars, Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden, and Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden, all games that combine Top-Down Dungeon Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG elements, with a simple card-based presentation narrated by one voice. Each of these games is a solid RPG, and this bundle is a superb value. I absolutely recommend it.
Crown Trick	Top-Down Dungeon-Crawler / Turn-Based RPG / Roguelike	B
tl;dr Crown Trick is a Top-Down Dungeon-Crawler that has players venturing into a world of nightmares with a talking crown. This is an all-around good entry in the genre, albeit one that’s not without its flaws and frustrations. If you like this sort of game, Crown Trick is well worth checking out.
Etrian Odyssey HD	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Etrian Odyssey HD is a remake of the 2007 Nintendo DS Dungeon-Crawling JRPG with a heavy focus on players mapping out the dungeons within the game. It’s still a great game, and the controls on Nintendo Switch work surprisingly well, but this release is pretty pathetic when you hold it up to the 2013 Nintendo 3DS remake, Etrian Odyssey Untold. If you’re a fan of Dungeon Crawler JRPGs, this is still a superb entry in the genre, but this is sadly nowhere near the best version of this game.
Etrian Odyssey II HD	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Etrian Odyssey II HD is a remake of the 2008 Nintendo DS Dungeon-Crawling JRPG with a heavy focus on players mapping out the dungeons within the game. It’s still a great game, and the controls on Nintendo Switch work surprisingly well, but this release is pretty pathetic when you hold it up to the 2015 Nintendo 3DS remake, Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold. If you’re a fan of Dungeon Crawler JRPGs, this is still a superb entry in the genre, but this is sadly nowhere near the best version of this game.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection	Compilation / First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection is a Compilation that includes Etrian Odyssey HD, Etrian Odyssey II HD, and Etrian Odyssey III HD, all games that are remasters of Nintendo DS First-Person Dungeon Crawler Turn-Based JRPGs. The games themselves are excellent, but even remastered their presentation is terribly dated, and they compare pretty poorly with the remakes of two of these games that the Nintendo 3DS got. What’s more, while this bundle costs less than buying the games separately, the price is still a bit high for what’s on offer here. If you’re a fan of this genre, these games are still well worth getting, but it’s far from the triumphant return this franchise deserves.
Operencia: The Stolen Sun	First-Person Dungeon-Crawler / Turn-Based RPG	B
tl;dr Operencia is a First-Person Dungeon Crawler with a good presentation and some interesting gameplay elements sprinkled throughout. It’s not as well-optimized for portable play as I’d like, and the story is a tad generic, but overall this is a solid entry in the genre.
Tangledeep	Top-Down Dungeon-Crawler / Turn-Based RPG / Roguelike	B
tl;dr Tangledeep is a Top-Down Roguelike Dungeon Crawler that is a solid entry in the genre with a good amount of variety and an absolutely fantastic soundtrack, but the inability to directly compare equipment is needlessly frustrating. Still, this game is well worth a look for fans of the genre.
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars	Top-Down Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B
tl;dr Voice of Cards is a Top-Down Dungeon Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG with a gimmick that everything in the game is represented by cards, dice rolls, and some quite excellent narration. This is not a game that’s going to impress anyone, but what it lacks in spectacle and clever game mechanics, it makes up for in charm. If you’re a fan of the genres this game represents, there’s a good chance you’ll find this game well worth your time.
Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society	First-Person Dungeon-Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Labyrinth of Galleria is a First-Person Dungeon-Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG, and a sequel to Labyrinth of Refrain, though this game follows a completely different set of characters in an entirely different story. In fact, while this game has many of the same elements as Labyrinth of Refrain, this is overall a much better experience thanks to numerous small improvements throughout the game. The flaws of the prior game are still mostly present here, but they’re less bothersome this time around, and it’s much easier for this series’ better qualities to shine through. If you’re a fan of this genre, this is definitely worth checking out.
Mary Skelter 2	Compilation / First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	B-
tl;dr Mary Skelter 2 is a First-Person Dungeon-Crawler that’s similar to Etrian Odyssey, and it’s a great value because the first game has generously been included here as a bonus. However, this game isn’t for everyone – its complex systems, poor pacing, lacking map, odd story, and its clashing and potentially off-putting themes will all add up to an experience that will frustrate or disgust many players. However, those who have the stomach to get through this game’s rough edges will find that it’s deep and rewarding, and at least some of its odd mechanics are inventive. On balance, it’s worth a look, but know what you’re getting into.
Shujinkou	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG / Educational	B-
tl;dr Shujinkou is a First-Person Dungeon Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG that also aspires to be an Educational game teaching the Japanese language. While I think it’s not a bad game, I do think the educational and gameplay elements don’t interact very well, resulting in a game with pacing and consistency issues. Plus, I just think there are other games in the genre that offer richer variety in their gameplay. However, if you’re a fan of JRPGs who is already trying to learn Japanese, this game may provide a decent supplement to that education, with enjoyable gameplay.
Legends of Amberland: The Forgotten Crown	First-Person Dungeon-Crawler / Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Legends of Amberland is a First-Person Dungeon Crawler that straddles the line between decidedly old-school gameplay and more modern improvements the genre has made, doing a great job of streamlining the genre’s core gameplay. However, there are definitely areas where more could have been done to improve on what’s here, and overall the game suffers from feeling extremely generic. Fans of the genre will likely enjoy this game, but may not have strong memories of it after they’ve finished it.
Moero Chronicle Hyper	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Monster Collecting Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Moero Chronicle H is a game that combines an Etrian Odyssey-style Dungeon Crawler and a Pokemon-style Monster-collecting game with a lot of perversion Japanese weirdness. The highly sexual tone of the game clashes with its otherwise mundane story elements, and while its gameplay definitely makes an attempt at doing something interesting, its disparate elements don’t come together cohesively. All in all, this is a decent game with some positive qualities, but it’s not a great one, and its presentation will be a non-starter with some players.
Rimelands: Hammer of Thor	Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Rimelands is a Turn-Based Dungeon Crawler combining elements of medieval fantasy and steampunk with Norse themes. The core gameplay here is solid, but there’s just not enough depth or variety to make the game truly compelling, and the presentation and story are too lacking as well. This is by no means a bad game, but you have better options within the genre.
A Magical High School Girl	Dungeon-Crawler / RPG	C
tl;dr A Magical High School Girl is a Dungeon Crawler RPG that has players generating the spells they use against enemies when they name the spell. It’s a clever system, but it could have used a bit more work, and the game’s simple, repetitive environments and music can be a bit tedious. The game still has some charm, but it doesn’t quite meet its full potential.
Darkest Hunters	Match-3 Puzzle / Top-Down Dungeon-Crawler / RPG	C
tl;dr Darkest Hunters is a game that combines Match-3-style Puzzle gameplay with Dungeon Crawler-style RPG gameplay in a way that’s inspired, original, and ultimately crippled by horrible interface issues and a terrible tutorial. Fans of these genres looking to play something fairly unique may want to give it a try, but be warned that you’ll probably only want to play this in portable mode due to the terrible interface problems this game has with a controller.
Dungeon Encounters	Top-Down Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr Dungeon Encounters is a Top-Down Dungeon Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG that takes a very simple approach to the genre that’s both refreshing, but also ultimately the game’s worst flaw. Featuring a dull and largely featureless presentation, Dungeon Encounters is streamlined in a way that makes dungeon exploration and grinding through enemies a lot of fun… until the game’s more demanding elements come to the forefront, demanding that players chart out the dungeons to remember where everything is. Due to this and a few other elements, a fun and simple game becomes an extremely tedious one, and only a very niche target audience will appreciate its charms through its frustrations.
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk	First-Person Dungeon-Crawler / Turn-Based JRPG	C
tl;dr Labyrinth of Refrain is a First-Person Dungeon-Crawler and Turn-Based JRPG where players follow the story of a witch who has been summoned to explore a labyrinth underneath a town well. This game brings some clever ideas to the genre, with some good party customization options and fun exploration elements. Unfortunately, it’s hard to enjoy these when the game is filled with elements that will unexpectedly demolish your party, and the game’s characters are all horribly unlikeable. Fans of the genre may be able to look past this game’s flaws to enjoy its better qualities, but most are better off sticking with other Dungeon-Crawlers.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX	Dungeon-Crawler / RPG	C
tl;dr Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of the first game in the series, originally released on Game Boy Advance, upgrading the graphics (although they’re still not all that impressive), and rehashing the same mix of Dungeon Crawler gameplay and Pokemon mechanics. It’s fine, but doesn’t really do anything noteworthy or compelling. This one is just for the most die-hard of Pokemon fans.
Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat	Compilation / Top-Down Dungeon Crawler / Turn Based RPG	C-
tl;dr Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story: Combat pairs the simple but surprisingly compelling Dungeon Crawler, Brave Dungeon, with the terrible self-playing RPG with a card aesthetic, Dark Witch Story: Combat. As much as I enjoy Brave Dungeon, I feel like the $9 price of this package is bloated due to the inclusion of an additional, terrible game. And at that point, you might as well spend another $11 to get one of the multiple other, much better, Top-Down Dungeon Crawlers on Nintendo Switch.
Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon: EVERY BUDDY!	Dungeon-Crawler / RPG	C-
tl;dr Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy! is a Dungeon-Crawler RPG that follows the tradition of this series, but doesn’t really offer anything significant for anyone but the most die-hard fans of the franchise. Unless you’re absolutely desperate for a new RPG, skip this one.
Dungeon Rushers	Turn-Based RPG / Top-Down Dungeon Crawler	C-
tl;dr Dungeon Rushers is a Turn-Based RPG with Dungeon Crawler elements. It does neither of these things in an especially good or memorable way. There are plenty of other RPGs more worthy of your attention on the Nintendo Switch, don’t bother with this one.
Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited	Compilation / First-Person Dungeon Crawler	C-
tl;dr Saviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited is a Compilation of the two titular First-Person Dungeon Crawlers. Unfortunately, Sapphire Wings is hopelessly bland, Stranger of Sword City Revisited suffers from an overly-high difficulty and poorly-presented information, and both games have issues with painfully-slow progression. I do not recommend this bundle.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Turn-Based RPG	C-
tl;dr Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a remake of the highly-influential 1981 Turn-Based RPG and Dungeon Crawler by the same name, updating the presentation and some gameplay elements. Unfortunately, far too much of the game relies on randomness that is not only punishing, but apparently impossible to mitigate or avoid. Because of this, and despite the clear amount of love and reverence this remake has for the original, I do not recommend this game. The parts of it that have been carried over from the original have aged exceptionally poorly.
Greedroid	Dungeon-Crawler	D+
tl;dr Greedroid is a Turn-Based Dungeon Crawler with a voxel-like aesthetic where players play as a robot searching for a “greed gear” that can supposedly make all their dreams come true. This game’s mechanic that allows you to throw any part of the environment as a weapon is a clever one, and the soundtrack is surprisingly solid, but everything else about this game is a shallow, poorly-constructed mess. You have much better options within the genre on Nintendo Switch.
Drawngeon: Dungeons of Ink and Paper	First-Person Dungeon-Crawler	D
tl;dr Drawngeon is a First-Person Dungeon Crawler with a faux hand-drawn look. It looks bad, sounds bad, plays terribly, and doesn’t have any compelling elements to compete with the numerous better games the genre has to offer on Nintendo Switch. Even for this game’s low price tag, it’s not worth buying.
Dungeon Arsenal	Roguelike / RPG	D
tl;dr Dungeon Arsenal is a Roguelike RPG that uses a Card Game aesthetic, but the presentation is dull and the gameplay has far too little player agency. Don’t waste your time or money with this one.
Castle of No Escape	Top-Down Dungeon-Crawler	D-
tl;dr Castle of No Escape is a Dungeon Crawler with an ugly old-fashioned presentation and gameplay that is entirely reliant on random chance. It is pure dumb luck whether you die in the first ten seconds or beat the game in under twenty minutes. In either case, there’s no fun to be had here. Don’t bother.
Dark Tower: RPG Dungeon Puzzle	Top-Down Dungeon-Crawler / RPG	D-
tl;dr Dark Tower is a Top-Down Dungeon Crawler RPG that feels broken and incomplete in multiple areas, with silent battles, enemies that don’t move, and game menus that arbitrarily work with only the D-Pad or only the control stick. This game needed more time in development, and it shouldn’t be selling in its current state.

Monster Collecting RPG

Game	Genre	Grade
Persona 5 Royal	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A
tl;dr Persona 5 Royal is a Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG, and a game that is rightly praised as one of the greatest RPGs of all time. The game has an amazing visual style that is unforgettable, a wonderful jazzy soundtrack, a gripping story with memorable characters, a fun and engaging combat system, and tons of things to do outside of combat. The Nintendo Switch version unfortunately takes a hit in its graphics, but this is a small flaw in an otherwise absolutely must-have game.
Monster Sanctuary	Turn-Based Monster Collecting RPG / Metroidvania	A-
tl;dr Monster Sanctuary takes Turn-Based Monster-Collecting RPG gameplay and places it in a side-scrolling Metroidvania. I wish the game went farther to incorporate its Metroidvania elements into the game, but overall it’s hard to complain when this is a top-notch Monster Collecting RPG, and one with a lot of depth to its gameplay. Fans of the genre will find it well worth playing.
Persona 4 Golden	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A-
tl;dr Persona 4 Golden on Nintendo Switch is a remaster of the PlayStation Vita remake of the original PlayStation 2 release of Persona 4, and this is still one of the best games in this series and the genre as a whole, even if it has aged somewhat. It’s not as flashy as Persona 5, but Persona 4 features a wonderful story with great characters, excellent gameplay, and this is overall a great port of the definitive version of the game. If you’re a JRPG fan with a Nintendo Switch, this game is a must!
Pokemon Legends Arceus	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A-
tl;dr Pokemon Legends Arceus is a game that takes the Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG gameplay of Nintendo’s long-running Pokemon series and brings it into large, open areas (though not quite Open-World). The change in world design and gameplay here is significant, making this game not only highly enjoyable, but also truly unique in the series. However, this game is also deeply flawed and feels outright rushed – it is lacking a ton of gameplay features, there are multiple poorly-conceived gameplay elements, and the graphics have some major issues. It still manages to be a delight to play despite these issues, but these flaws keep this game from being the absolute triumph it could have been if it got more polish.
Pokemon Scarlet	Open-World Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A-
tl;dr Pokemon Scarlet (as well as its counterpart, Pokemon Violet) is the first true Open-World game in the Pokemon series, and in addition to this, it also introduces multiple new elements to streamline the gameplay, as well as the wealth of strategic opportunities added by the new “tera type” feature. Unfortunately, all of these great qualities are marred by some nasty graphical and performance issues, as well as some gameplay frustrations. This is still one of the best games in the Pokemon franchise, but it’s a great game that is damaged severely by its significant flaws.
Pokemon Violet	Open-World Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A-
tl;dr Pokemon Violet (as well as its counterpart, Pokemon Scarlet) is the first true Open-World game in the Pokemon series, and in addition to this, it also introduces multiple new elements to streamline the gameplay, as well as the wealth of strategic opportunities added by the new “tera type” feature. Unfortunately, all of these great qualities are marred by some nasty graphical and performance issues, as well as some gameplay frustrations. This is still one of the best games in the Pokemon franchise, but it’s a great game that is damaged severely by its significant flaws.
Shin Megami Tensei V	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A-
tl;dr Shin Megami Tensei V is a Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG where players build up a team of demonic creatures to fight their way through a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. No prior experience with the series is needed, but do know that this is a very tough game with a somewhat off-putting presentation, and as such it isn’t going to be for everyone. However, the amount of freedom players are given here to explore and build their own team of monsters is absolutely wonderful, with some deep combat mechanics as well. And series fans will be delighted at how this game streamlines elements of prior games while adding additional depth. While this is a somewhat niche game, it fills that niche extraordinarily well, and if you like complexity and challenge in your RPGs, you should absolutely get this game.
World of Final Fantasy Maxima	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	A-
tl;dr World of Final Fantasy Maxima is a fanservice-filled love letter to fans of the Final Fantasy games, with gameplay similar to the Pokemon games, although with plenty enough originality to set it apart. The game has a great presentation with excellent music, and there’s some good depth to the game’s battle systems. Fans of the Final Fantasy series, fans of Monster collecting games, and fans of traditional JRPGs should definitely give this game a look.
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition	Compilation / Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	B+
tl;dr Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition is a collection of two Pokemon-style Monster-Collecting JRPGs set in a slightly-futuristic Tokyo where players dive into a virtual reality/internet to fight with monsters and get to the bottom of the game’s mysteries. This is a solid alternative to Pokemon, and different enough from those games to distinguish itself, although it’s not without its flaws.
Moero Crystal H	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Monster Collecting Turn-Based JRPG	B+
tl;dr Moero Crystal H is a game that combines an Etrian Odyssey-style Dungeon Crawler and a Pokemon-style Monster-collecting game with a huge amount of shameless perversion and a healthy helping of Japanese weirdness. The highly sexual tone of the game and its bizarre eccentricities may frighten away some players, but if you can bear with them, the gameplay here is surprisingly deep and multi-layered with numerous elements to dig into. If you can stomach the presentation, this is a game that’s a huge improvement over its predecessor, and absolutely worth playing.
Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Bundle	Compilation / Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG	B+
tl;dr Persona 3 Portable & Persona 4 Golden Bundle is a Compilation of the two named games, both modern remasters of excellent Monster-Collecting Turn-Based JRPGs. Persona 4 Golden is the real star here, though both games are excellent, if a bit dated. Don’t expect to get a big discount buying both together though – the savings you’ll be getting is likely to be counted in cents rather than dollars. However, even with that being the case, this is still a bundle well-worth getting (unless you also want Persona 5 Royal, in which case you should look up the Persona Collection).
Persona Collection	Compilation / Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG	B+
tl;dr Persona Collection is a Compilation of Persona 3 portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal, all three being excellent Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPGs, with the series only getting better as it progresses. These are must-play JRPGs, but it’s hard to say if this bundle is a good deal compared to the individual releases – it depends what’s on sale right now. Keep that in mind when buying, but regardless of how you get them, you should absolutely get these games.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince	Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG	B
tl;dr Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG starring Psaro, the antagonist from Dragon Quest IV, with this game acting as a prequel to that classic following Psaro’s growing power as a monster wrangler as he seeks to challenge his demonic father and undo a curse. This is a pretty typical entry in the genre, and while it doesn’t do anything groundbreaking, it’s still well worth a look for fans of this genre, especially those who are Dragon Quest fans.
Persona 3 Portable	Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG	B
tl;dr Persona 3 Portable on Nintendo Switch is a remaster of the PlayStation Portable remake of the original PlayStation 2 release of Persona 3, and this is a fine Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG, but it has aged somewhat, features some tedious grinding, and lacks content from earlier versions of Persona 3. This is a decent port of a solid game, but it is neither the best game in this series nor is it definitively the best version of Persona 3.
Cassette Beasts	Open-World Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG	B-
tl;dr Cassette Beasts is a Open-World Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG where players use cassette tapes to collect and transform into monsters. This game has some fun and unique combat mechanics, an interesting world to explore, a good story, and an absolutely phenomenal soundtrack. Unfortunately, it’s really hurt by multiple gameplay elements that slow the game’s pacing to a crawl and a difficulty level that makes it hard to enjoy all the other great elements this game has. It’s still worth checking out for fans of the genre, but it could have been so much better.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	B-
tl;dr Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a more family-friendly take on the Monster Hunter franchise that takes the series into the realm of Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPGs. It’s a solid game in many respects, but as a Monster Hunter game it’s overshadowed by Monster Hunter Rise, and as a Monster Collecting RPG it can’t quite compete with Pokemon. However, if you’re a fan of both franchises looking for an interesting take on the Monster Hunter universe, or want to try your hand at a Monster Hunter game that doesn’t require cat-like reflexes, this game may be one you’ll want to look into.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet Double Pack	Compilation / Open-World Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	B-
tl;dr Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet Double Pack pairs up both versions of the first true Open-World game in the Pokemon series, which it also introduces multiple new elements to streamline the gameplay, as well as the wealth of strategic opportunities added by the new “tera type” feature. Unfortunately, all of these great qualities are marred by some nasty graphical and performance issues, as well as some gameplay frustrations. This is still one of the best games in the Pokemon franchise, but it’s a great game that is damaged severely by its significant flaws. As for this package, this is a bundle with two copies of the same game, there’s little reason to get it, and it actually costs a tiny bit more than buying the games separately.
Pokemon Sword	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	B-
tl;dr Pokemon Sword (like Pokemon Shield), the series’ first mainline entry on a console, is a solid Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG in much the same way previous entries in the series were solid Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPGs. However, the lack of significant new features or improvements and the removal of some beloved series features make this game a massive disappointment, even if the core game still remains… well, solid.
Pokemon Shield	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	B-
tl;dr Pokemon Shield (like Pokemon Sword), the series’ first mainline entry on a console, is a solid Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG in much the same way previous entries in the series were solid Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPGs. However, the lack of significant new features or improvements and the removal of some beloved series features make this game a massive disappointment, even if the core game still remains… well, solid.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	B-
tl;dr Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne is a Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG set in a post-apocalyptic demon-infested Japan. This game’s setting and mechanics are still fun and original after all these years, even if some of the elements of the presentation and old-school game design haven’t aged as gracefully. Still, if you’re a fan of the genre looking for something out of the ordinary, you’d do well to try this game out.
Temtem	Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG / MMO	B-
tl;dr Temtem is a Monster-Collecting Turn-Based JRPG that is very clearly trying to copy the Pokemon formula, though it changes it in a few key ways, most notably by being an MMO. Unfortunately, the MMO elements are more trouble than they’re worth, the game’s graphics are unimpressive, and the performance on Nintendo Switch is pretty poor. This is still a decent alternative to Pokemon, but it’s not a better alternative, and even if you want to play it you’re better off getting it on another platform.
Beastie Bay DX	Management Simulation / Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG	C+
tl;dr Beastie Bay DX is a Management Simulation with Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG elements, which is a really inspired mix of genres that ultimately doesn’t live up to its potential because both of those two halves are under-developed. This is still an enjoyable game, but it could have been so much better.
Moero Chronicle Hyper	First-Person Dungeon Crawler / Monster Collecting Turn-Based JRPG	C+
tl;dr Moero Chronicle H is a game that combines an Etrian Odyssey-style Dungeon Crawler and a Pokemon-style Monster-collecting game with a lot of perversion Japanese weirdness. The highly sexual tone of the game clashes with its otherwise mundane story elements, and while its gameplay definitely makes an attempt at doing something interesting, its disparate elements don’t come together cohesively. All in all, this is a decent game with some positive qualities, but it’s not a great one, and its presentation will be a non-starter with some players.
Monster Harvest	Management Simulation / Monster Collecting Turn-Based RPG	C+
tl;dr Monster Harvest is a game that combines a Stardew Valley-style Management Sim and a Pokemon-style Monster Collecting Turn-Based RPG. While each of these two halves pales in comparison to what inspired it, the pairing produces something unique and worthwhile. Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch version suffers from numerous small issues that make the experience more frustrating than it needs to be. This is a decent game, but the port to Nintendo Switch feels rushed.
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	C+
tl;dr Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! (and its partner game, Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!) is a Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG that combines a remake of the original Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow with gameplay elements of the mobile game Pokemon Go. While it’s still enjoyable, I feel like splitting the difference between the two styles of gameplay ultimately leaves this game feeling weaker than it would have if it simply focused on one of the two exclusively. It’s still a fun experiment, but not nearly as satisfying as its inspirations.
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	C+
tl;dr Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! (and its partner game, Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!) is a Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG that combines a remake of the original Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow with gameplay elements of the mobile game Pokemon Go. While it’s still enjoyable, I feel like splitting the difference between the two styles of gameplay ultimately leaves this game feeling weaker than it would have if it simply focused on one of the two exclusively. It’s still a fun experiment, but not nearly as satisfying as its inspirations.
The New Denpa Men	Top-Down Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	C+
tl;dr The New Denpa Men is an odd Turn-Based Monster-Collecting RPG, where the “monsters” you’re collecting are little floating multicolored bodysuit-wearing men hanging out around real-world Wi-Fi hotspots. This entry takes the series to free-to-play, and in some ways it’s the best entry yet in the franchise, but it’s really dragged down by the requitement to always be online while playing, and the addition of microtransactions in an otherwise family-friendly game is pretty disgusting too.
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield Double Pack	Compilation / Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	C-
tl;dr Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield Double Pack is a Bundle containing the two named Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPGs without any sort of discount (in fact, it’s a penny more than buying them separately). Both games are virtually identical, the game in question being simultaneously a solid and enjoyable entry in the genre… and a massive disappointment that strips out features just as much as it adds them. However, there is very little reason to buy this game twice unless you’re getting the game for two different players… in which case just buy two separate copies rather than this pointless bundle.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	C-
tl;dr Pokemon Brilliant Diamond (like Pokemon Shining Pearl), is the first requisite “remake” entry in its super-popular Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG series for the Nintendo Switch. However, this is a woefully underwhelming and sorely lacking entry in the series, both by the low standards set by Pokemon Sword and Shield, and by the standards set by previous remakes. While the core gameplay here is still excellent, you could get that exact same core gameplay in countless other Pokemon games, many which look better, have more features, and will cost the same price (or less). Do not waste your money on this disgusting, cynical cash grab.
Pokemon Shining Pearl	Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	C-
tl;dr Pokemon Shining Pearl (like Pokemon Brilliant Diamond), is the first requisite “remake” entry in its super-popular Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG series for the Nintendo Switch. However, this is a woefully underwhelming and sorely lacking entry in the series, both by the low standards set by Pokemon Sword and Shield, and by the standards set by previous remakes. While the core gameplay here is still excellent, you could get that exact same core gameplay in countless other Pokemon games, many which look better, have more features, and will cost the same price (or less). Do not waste your money on this disgusting, cynical cash grab.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl Double Pack	Compilation / Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPG	D-
tl;dr Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl Double Pack is a Bundle containing the two named Turn-Based Monster Collecting JRPGs without any sort of discount (in fact, it’s a penny more than buying them separately). Both games are virtually identical, the game in question being a game with good core gameplay, but gameplay that is largely unchanged from virtually every other recent game in the franchise, all of which are better than this one in a multitude of ways. You have better options for Pokemon games if you want a Pokemon game, but even if you want both Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl for some reason, there is still no reason to get this bundle when you can buy the individual games separately for less.

MMO

Game	Genre	Grade
Palia	Action-RPG / Management Simulation / MMO	B-
tl;dr Palia is a free-to-play game that combines Stardew Valley-style “Farming Sim” gameplay with an MMO-style world and multiplayer. Overall, this works quite well, and although the pacing is a bit slow, there’s plenty to do and a big world to explore. Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch version of the game has some pretty bad graphical issues and buggy gameplay problems that drag down what is otherwise a pretty pleasant experience. Since it’s free, Nintendo Switch owners may still find this game worth playing, though I do think the PC version is likely to be a better alternative.
Temtem	Turn-Based Monster-Collecting JRPG / MMO	B-
tl;dr Temtem is a Monster-Collecting Turn-Based JRPG that is very clearly trying to copy the Pokemon formula, though it changes it in a few key ways, most notably by being an MMO. Unfortunately, the MMO elements are more trouble than they’re worth, the game’s graphics are unimpressive, and the performance on Nintendo Switch is pretty poor. This is still a decent alternative to Pokemon, but it’s not a better alternative, and even if you want to play it you’re better off getting it on another platform.
DC Universe Online	MMO / Action-RPG	C
tl;dr DC Universe Online is a Free-To-Play MMO that was a solid entry into the genre back in the day, but it’s 8 years later and the game really shows its age. Plus, the Nintendo Switch isn’t really the ideal place to play the game – if you really want to play this old clunker, you’re probably better off just doing so on the PC.
Elemental Knights R	MMO / RPG	F
tl;dr Elemental Knights R is an MMORPG that’s free to play on mobile devices, but costs $20+ on the Switch, yet is still loaded with microtransactions. On top of this, it’s a lazy port of a terrible game, that only has a duct-taped-together control scheme for players who want to play this on a controller instead of a touchscreen. Oh, also, this game has what is possibly the worst localization I have ever encountered, and damn near every sentence is filled with unintelligible broken English. Do not buy this game.
Growtopia	MMO / Platformer / Sandbox	F
tl;dr Growtopia is a MMO Platforming Sandbox. It’s also a terrible mess, and the game puts you at the mercy of horrible other players before you’ve even made it through the full tutorial, and then demands your money to stop it, like some sort of digital protection racket. Do not download this game.
Onigiri	MMO / Action-RPG	F
tl;dr Onigiri is a MMO Action-RPG that is Free-To-Play. However, the game is broken in multiple ways, with horrendous lag, terrible interface problems, and an overall look and feel that screams that this is an unfinished product that probably needed years more time in development. Even for a free game, you can get better on the Switch.

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