Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
The best re-release I played this year is also the best game I played this year, and that’s Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. I’ve long held that X is MonolithSoft’s magnum opus, and this new Definitive Edition makes that argument for me better than I ever could on my own. Gone are all the annoying progression gates that got in the way of the incredible feeling of exploration and scale you get from wandering around the world of Mira, leaving me with just awe and sheer joy as I ran across the winding branches of Noctilum or sailed high above Oblivia in my Skell.
The combat system is just as tight and strategic as before, with UI changes and a quick cooldown feature that make battles quicker and more engaging moment to moment. The narrative still shines in its sidequests and character interactions, but is no longer let down by a cliffhanger ending. The epilogue doesn’t answer everything, but it provides a satisfying conclusion to most of my lingering questions and leaves me hopeful that one day Tetsuya Takahashi and his team will return to this style of open-world RPG. It is truly special, and I’m so happy more people get the chance to experience the dangers and wonders of Mira.
Stray Children
moon: A Remix RPG Adventure is such a singular work, turning the genre on its head and using that subversion of RPG tropes to tell a deeply human story of connection and belonging. How could you possibly follow that up? Well, Yoshiro Kimura and Onion Games found a way with Stray Children. It’s equal parts a direct sequel to moon and a starkly different rumination on adulthood and the demands of modern life. Stray Children delves into the sacrifices we make for our family and the consequences those sacrifices have on those we love. It examines the loss of innocence as childhood fades, and how the escapes of our youth begin to lose their luster.
Stray Children does all this while being quirky and weird and funny in all the best ways, borrowing heavily from games like Undertale that were already influenced by moon, forming a delightful feedback loop of anti-RPG genius that any fan of Love-de-Lic, Punchline, or Toby Fox owes it to themselves to play.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
A new direction for the series paid off handsomely. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma‘s new town management mechanics are addictive without sacrificing the zen nature of daily farming tasks. Seeing your various seasonally themed towns grow and thrive is immensely satisfying, and it’s held together by a well-executed story of communion with nature and a colorful cast of townspeople with whom to bond. The combat is the best it’s ever been, fast and fluid with some interesting wrinkles made possible by the new dual-purpose artifacts.
Guardians of Azuma may scale back some of the in-depth RPG customization and progression of past titles, but it more than makes up for that with its expanded simulation elements. A joy to play, especially with how well it runs on Switch 2.
Tokyo Xtreme Racer
The caRPG is back and better than ever. Racing game gods Genki returned to their most beloved series with Tokyo Xtreme Racer, and I’ve never been more excited to speed down the Shuto Expressway at night, challenge other racers to one-on-one duels, gather up money and reputation, and kit out my car. There is a surprisingly substantial narrative here, and the poetic license taken with some of the narration has shades of Racing Lagoon in all the best ways. Add in a vast skill tree and endless customization options, and you’ve got the best RPG/arcade racing game crossover in decades.
Blade Chimera
Blade Chimera is Team Ladybug’s first original IP Metroidvania after cutting their teeth on licensed games, and it’s a sublime debut for a proven studio. The 2D visuals are masterful, and the background and foreground elements come alive with incredible detail, moody lighting, and some of the best animation work I’ve ever seen.
Blade Chimera‘s world is intriguing, leading you on with just enough mystery about this apocalyptic cyberpunk city of demons and exorcists that reminds me of Shin Megami Tensei. The combat is a frenetic dance, giving you some immensely powerful abilities with a spirit-infused sword, but those offensive capabilities are balanced with enemies that hit hard and fast so that you are never without risk. Rewarding exploration and a delightfully jazzy soundtrack round out the package, delivering a must-play Metroidvania for any fan of the subgenre. For my money, it’s better than Silksong!
