Game Reviews7.7/10
Sakura Wars Review: Sega’s Soft Reboot Saves Tokyo Twice
Sakura Wars on PS4 blends dating sim, visual novel and hack-and-slash in steampunk Tokyo — a soft reboot that trusts its cast more than its combat. 7.7/10.
CLAY TRIBUNE / THE ARCHIVE
Tag: JRPG
Game Reviews8.6/10
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies Review — A Generous Handheld Epic
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies review — LEVEL-5's 2009 Nintendo DS RPG scored 8.6/10 for its turn-based battles and co-op play.
Game Reviews8.2/10
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Review — Four Races, Ten Classes, One Long Climb
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth review: four races, 10 classes, and a streamlined skill tree make Atlus's 3DS dungeon crawler the most customizable entry yet.
Game Reviews8.5/10
Shin Megami Tensei IV Still Holds Up 13 Years Later
Shin Megami Tensei IV review: Atlus' 3DS RPG, from Mikado Castle to demon-run Tokyo, Press Turn battles, and the macca death economy. Score: 8.5/10.
Game Reviews8.7/10
Bandai Namco’s RPG about a subjugated planet returns after 5 years
Tales of Arise review: Alphen and Shionne's rebellion across Dahna's five realms, the Crown Contest, Law's betrayal, and an 8.7 score.
Game Reviews8.2/10
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy Review — A Sequel That Trusts Its Lead
Atelier Ryza 2 review: Gust's 2020 sequel returns Ryza, refines alchemy and combat, and hides a dark cost behind its ruins and mana crystals.
Game Reviews8.4/10
NEO: The World Ends with You Review — A Sequel That Earns Its Length
NEO: The World Ends with You review: Square Enix's 2021 action RPG sequel brings back Shibuya, pins, and the Reapers' Game with 300+ ways to fight.
Game Reviews8.2/10
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan Review — The Map Is the Point
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan (2012, Nintendo 3DS) makes you draw your own map. Atlus built a handheld RPG that trusts the player.
Game Reviews8.1/10
Etrian Odyssey Nexus Review: Atlus’s 3DS Victory Lap
Etrian Odyssey Nexus review: Atlus's final 3DS dungeon crawler packs 19 classes, subclassing, four difficulties, and Yuzo Koshiro's return. Score: 8.1/10.
Game Reviews9.4/10
Shin Megami Tensei V Makes the Case for Playing as a Demon-Summoning Neutral Party
Shin Megami Tensei V review: Atlus's demon-fusing RPG on Switch nails the Press Turn battle system and Da'at's open world, but its story slips.
Game Reviews8.1/10
Final Fantasy XIII’s reputation has flipped since 2009
Final Fantasy XIII review: Square Enix's 2010 RPG pairs a slow, corridor-heavy opening with the Paradigm battle system and a striking world. Score: 8.1.
Game Reviews8.5/10
Octopath Traveler Review: Eight Travelers, One Commitment
Octopath Traveler's eight travelers, Path Actions, HD-2D art and long reissue history explained, plus why the 2018 RPG still holds up.