Elithal

Strangely enough, my wishlist hasn't really been touched (outside of the Rune Factory 4 remake):
-Newer Etrian Odyssey games ported or new EO game (very sad that the old games were remade)
-Port of FF Explorers
-Port of Monster Tale (was coming but seemed to disappear)
-A new game a lot like Dark Cloud 2 (or just Dark Cloud 2 somehow)
-3DS Pokemon ports and Black/White and Gold/Silver remake
-Borderlands Tiny Tinas

@QuickSilver88 Ooo amazing point. Very true!

The actual "best year" is hard to nail down. Personally, I absolutely loved 2013. My favorite game of all time (Rune Factory 4) was released in my region, Bravely Default had come out late 2012 and I finally picked it up as well. Then Etrian Odyssey 4, Monster Hunter 3 ultimate, Pokemon Y and Deus Ex: Human Revolt also came out.

This year might be close behind so far. Octopath Traveler 2 was absolutely amazing, Theatrythm is awesome, Diablo 4 is looking to be great and both Rune Factory (3 to be specific) and Etrian Odyssey are coming back. Zelda, FF7 Rebirth, Disgaea 7, FF Remaster, Megaton Musashi and Fantasy Life are looking amazing. Hoping FF16 will be great too.

There's a disturbing lack of Etrian Odyssey in that list. Only wish they brought the Untold versions or even the Nexus and 5 games instead.

Super excited for this. I liked to challenge myself by trying to hit perfect scores on Expert using both control schemes on the 3DS. This may make it easier now that it's only one mode. Just a little sad that the 3DS version might lose a little meaning if this game will have all previous features and more (minus touchscreen, of course).

This has probably been the year I've played games the least. Not my favorite year for games as my most-anticipated ones were letdowns.
1. Rune Factory 5 - 139 hours
2. MH Rise - 101 hours
3. Splatoon 3 - 62 hours
4. Pokemon Violet - 59 hours
5. Pokemon Legends Arceus - 55 hours

@Switch_Pro Completely incorrect. Especially if it's teasing a new SERIES.

As one of the biggest Rune Factory fans (I made some very big Google Sheets for it that many people use to this day), this direct got me excited for RF3 and the mysterious Rune Factory project coming up. Just hoping it's not RF2 or 1, wasn't a huge fan of those.

Also, loved Theatrythm and Octopath 2. If this had anything from Etrian Odyssey it would probably be my top Direct.

@Ralizah I agree. If you grind up to lvl 50 and destroy the 8th gym first, the rest won't have anywhere near any challenge or even a point. Unless I'm missing something?

I got really lucky and was able to buy it in the 5 minutes that Nintendo accidentally put it on the eShop lol. It's an amazing experience but in its current state I am unable to play it beyond the final B league track.

@Kiz3000 Oh cool. Same here! Waiting for the review.

Might check this out. Art reminds me of Bravely Default.

@Ralizah Agreed. After how let down I was with 5, I'm hoping this will scratch that itch.

Redout 2 is showing as released even though this article says it's delayed. I'm playing it right now!

Good preview. From my checking into this it does look like it streamlined a few things like picking up rocks and wood without being chunks of 9. You can also have a bigger team while temporarily "charming" a monster and doing dual attacks with your buddies. The biggest gripes I've seen are related to its fps, less challenge, no shop where you get to sell items to townspeople and the flower shop not opening until later in the game.

Still very excited to play this game!

I've been following this game forever it seems like. Ready for it to come!

I have to stop and wonder what a new SSB would accomplish that hasn’t already been accomplished. Unless they all get a Mii Fighter-type mechanic with multiple selectable moves or something.
I honestly think they would make a killing with a SSB: Pokemon unless Pokken Tournament comes back around.

Loving it so far. I feel like it's a classic RPG like Bravely and I'm always a fan of a skill tree and good mini-games. The only thing that's stopped me is the mass amount of bugs I'm experiencing, even after yesterday's patch. Story isn't much to love either.

I personally love the hidden mechanics that make up monster stats (EV's a la Pokemon in a way plus permanent increases from good), equipment stats and item levels.

@GrailUK Can gladly share some info! This series is my all-time favorite. Basically, this game is a life-sim action RPG. You play as an amnesiac character that is dropped into a town full of interesting characters. In the main town hub, you can farm at your house, increase relationships with the townspeople and shop to buy seeds or items. Once you leave the town, you can fight or befriend monsters with a few people/monsters in tow and gather items to be used in farming or creating items.

The biggest draw for most people is the relationships with the townspeople (shown with heart levels), the loop of getting better equipment or food by gathering better items and plants, and eventually fighting in harder dungeons with cooler equipment, skills and allies. Possibly get a wife/husband and child later in the game as well.

Can't wait! Another awesome game. Japanese footage looked great.

Yessss, Rune Factory! Been having fun watching people play it. Hoping the frame rate gets smoothed out. Very glad they kept it pretty similar to 4.

Cool to know you get something. I've been practicing taking down all 3 Intermediate monsters with all weapons of my choice. Keeps me busy

If anyone wants to learn some of the basics, I'm willing to teach and hunt while we still have the demo for a few days. Should be fun to get a few hunts going.

Heyyy, love this game. Hope they fix the issues with evolution.

Awesome. Hoping that 11/8 demo leak remains true (or false if it comes out 11/7 instead)

I don't think there is much of an issue keeping up with new games, since game sites like this keep game information centralized. I do miss the communication from Nintendo though.

I agree with a few others where I feel Nintendo may not have had much to begin with for this year. It seems like they wanted to break the habit of new consoles not having much for their first few years (which I think they broke that habit successfully) then they got caught in this simultaneous lull where Nintendo studios are developing games to come out 2021 and beyond. They may have hoped other studios like Platinum, Atlus and Capcom would pick up the 3rd to 4th year while they developed but that didn't quite happen.

Don't know what you're talking about. That game was great, the characters were endearing and the jobs were FANTASTIC.

An amazing game. I will say the lacking visuals sort of give the game a watercolor theme to it. Plus, the music can change to music from other games of the series. Worth a try.

If I'm not mistaken this announcement only applies to Europe and Australia so far? Correct me if I'm wrong...

Yesss, about time. Over 400 hours om 3DS and dipping back in for more!

RUNE FACTORYYYYYYYY

I'm probably in a very very small minority but I would love to see them put in a Bravely Default or Monster Hunter character.

I'm happy with this. Much bigger chance for Waluigi and others to join. Wonder if this means no more Smash games for a very long time outside of a remastered version of this on new console with even more fighters?

I'm in the minority I suppose. I'm not excited about it being yet again ANOTHER Fire Emblem character but I do love the idea of someome using multiple weapons with different advantages. Might be my favorite addition just because of the kit.

I personally think it is not the fault of the developers. The platform's responsibility is to increase visibility. It just so happens the developers are smart and found a way to increase their own visibility.

For me:
Outer Worlds
Bravely Default 2
Rune Factory
Re:Legend

Admittedly I was pretty pro-dexit and still am, but I played Shield because I'm happy to have my mind changed and I want to support the Pokemon company despite making what I believe to be a bad choice. Unfortunately I did not like Sword/Shield very much and found playing UltraMoon right after a much, MUCH more enjoyable experience.

Playing SwSh made me realize I will be happy to skip in the future and I should have here. I don't think anyone should have been worried about sales for SwSh, but it's the game AFTER this that will be impacted most. I will be keeping a very, very close eye on mechanics and Pokemon coming into future games and will happily stop paying for anything less.

Actually glad that people seemed pretty honest about Pokemon.

A few unique choices (Fire Emblem not top 10?) But surprisingly I agree with this list quite a bit. Astral Chain ROCKED.

Awesome series. It rivals Final Fantasy to me. Super excited!

Probably more time-twisty stuff is the reason for the title. Awesome news!

Oh c'mon this is perfect!

Not sure I like this even as a joke. We already hear about how he thinks video games destroy minds and turns people into Doomguy.

Pokemon Sun Metacritic: 87
Pokemon Sword Metacritic: 81
Doesn't mean anything crazy, but still interesting.

@Sabruka I have to agree 100%. If other games had empty, uninspired areas, lack of series evolution and a few performance issues they would get a 7 tops. Not saying the review was manipulated but the score doesn't quite fit the review.

@Thwomp_Stomper True. The internet is relentless and will hate anyway lol. My point is, no need to apologize - People will do what they're going to do, no need for every article to point out the inevitable.

I like how you must always say "Some people are gonna hate anyway, but..." Seems a little defensive.

...HEY!

Nintendo has already proved they are more than fine with butts.

Actually glad for the leaks. Lets me know what I'm getting into.

@Xansies That is so true. Delphox is a horror. Haha.