Reviews by Josh Torres
Atlus' seven year journey to releasing Project Re Fantasy was worth the wait as it combines some of the very best ideas from their previous games into a lovely fantasy setting with a compelling cast of characters and a deeply intricate, well-designed job class system.
review by Josh Torres on 07 October, 2024
This new installment in the gunpla action RPG series is like watching an old friend rebound from tough times; it may not be as great as its mainline predecessors in some regards, but it is a solid course correction from the last few dire entries.
review by Josh Torres on 27 August, 2024
This debut project from Austrian developer Microbird Games presents a charming title with creative, tightly designed dungeons that brilliantly utilize region-exclusive magical spells to interact with the environment in clever ways.
review by Josh Torres on 18 July, 2024
Something once thought unthinkable, the official English release of one of Type-Moon's most revered works is simply incredible and is the closest example of what a modern AAA visual novel would entail.
review by Josh Torres on 26 June, 2024
Level-5's giant robot action RPG is one of the most fully-featured games in the modern era with a compelling story, fun gameplay, and loads of in-depth customization systems that makes this hidden gem, unexpectedly, one of the best games of the year so far.
review by Josh Torres on 05 May, 2024
Team Ninja's ambitious open-world action RPG is one of the best games about the Bakumatsu era ever, but its repetitive, uninspired open-world activities bog down what is an otherwise captivating experience.
review by Josh Torres on 21 March, 2024
Developer Fool's Theory has crafted a solid RPG set in 1905 Warsaw that, at times, can feel like as much of an awesome documentary as it is a video game.
review by Josh Torres on 04 March, 2024
With a fantastic premise that earns its dual protagonist direction in Ichiban & Kiryu, major combat system refinements, plethora of engaging side activities in its new beautiful Hawaii locale, and developments that enrich the Yakuza-era legacy, Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the best games RGG Studio has ever made.
review by Josh Torres on 23 January, 2024
Although a solid entry, this title serves as an intermediary of Kiryu's actions between Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like A Dragon so its endpoint is inherently predictable and as enjoyable as it is, the narrative is relatively thin in exchange for a wealth of side content to pad it out.
review by Josh Torres on 06 November, 2023
This turn-based horror RPG took its sweet time to full release, but it was well worth it with an addictive gameplay loop, a compelling battle system, and a stunningly beautiful visual aesthetic.
review by Josh Torres on 18 October, 2023
A disappointing game adaptation for one of the best Dragon Quest spin-off series that possesses major structural and gameplay shortcomings.
review by Josh Torres on 27 September, 2023
While there are admirable aspects about Arcadian Atlas on a conceptual level, several usability issues and an imbalanced gameplay experience merely makes it mediocre.
review by Josh Torres on 27 July, 2023
There have been a good chunk of high profile action RPGs recently and Remnant II triumphs them when it comes to providing a fulfilling RPG experience.
review by Josh Torres on 25 July, 2023
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a surprisingly excellent horror mystery-adventure game that's tricky to talk about, and is an easy recommendation to anyone that's the slightest bit interested in it.
review by Josh Torres on 08 March, 2023
Like a Dragon: Ishin turns back the clock to the Bakumatsu period in Japan and its new remake is an excellent revitalization of an already solid entry in the Like a Dragon / Yakuza series as it finally launches in the west for the first time at last.
review by Josh Torres on 17 February, 2023
Despite a troubled road to release, Marvel's Midnight Suns is an excellent tactical RPG that delivers an awesome roster of heroes with a compelling battle system throughout its lengthy campaign.
review by Josh Torres on 30 November, 2022
While Reborn is largely an excellent re-release of Tactics Ogre (again), many of its gameplay alterations give it new flaws that will have me making caveats in recommending it (again).
review by Josh Torres on 14 November, 2022
While the combat to this Valkyrie Profile action RPG spin-off is top notch, the rest of the game ranges from mediocre to merely serviceable.
review by Josh Torres on 28 September, 2022
Although it has some interesting ideas as a survival action RPG, Binary Star Falling into Darkness will primarily appeal to hardcore Made in Abyss fans and offer very little to newcomers.
review by Josh Torres on 07 September, 2022
Artdink's first Gundam game in a decade is surprisingly a challenge as a purely solo experience, and playing with others may make this action RPG shine despite its handful of flaws.
review by Josh Torres on 24 August, 2022
Between an exceptionally well-written cast, a deeply satisfying combat system, and an amazing adventure that remarkably earns its very long run time, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a JRPG masterpiece.
review by Josh Torres on 26 July, 2022
This high-budget FMV Japanese mystery adventure is an exceptional game in almost every way, but its tedious "gameplay" sections are its largest Achilles' heel.
review by Josh Torres on 14 May, 2022
Kaito's solo adventure is a thrilling side story to Lost Judgment and explores a new side to Yagami's sidekick with a new, compelling storyline.
review by Josh Torres on 31 March, 2022
With a compelling ensemble and intriguing world to build off of, Relayer has the building blocks of a promising new IP, but too many key flaws hold it back from being truly great.
review by Josh Torres on 21 March, 2022
It only took 30 years, but a brand-new mainline SRW with a nice handful of recognizable anime IPs got an official worldwide simultaneous release and, it's pretty damn good.
review by Josh Torres on 21 December, 2021