Reviews by Josh Torres
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
Detective Yagami's second adventure in RGG Studio's Yakuza spin-off series is a fantastic improvement over its predecessor in nearly every single way, positioning itself as one of the strongest games from them yet.
review by Josh Torres on 16 September, 2021
Brazilian indie studio Pocket Trap captures the creative spirit of 90's cartoons in this odd marriage between the sport of dodgeball and traditional RPGs.
review by Josh Torres on 19 August, 2021
Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is a fantastic RPG, but its remaster does the bare minimum to get a passing grade compared to other modern remasters of classics.
review by Josh Torres on 18 May, 2021
Vastly enhanced visuals, a slicker battle system, new content, better performance, and other smart additions makes this the definitive version of what once was a diamond in the rough.
review by Josh Torres on 22 April, 2021
Petit Depotto's unconventional, social deduction RPG is outstanding; it encapsulates the best features of what time travel stories can offer by letting players fully experience the burden of a time traveler themselves.
review by Josh Torres on 13 March, 2021