Choose your hero and go on an epic adventure. (Photo: Supergiant / Nintendo / Atlus)(Supergiant / Nintendo / Atlus)
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Games don't always have to be fast-twitch extravaganzas of blinking lights. Lots of games are slower-paced and feature emotional storylines that will make you laugh and cry — and it's so much easier to get involved in a character's life when you're making all the decisions for them. This winter, get cozy on your couch with one of these stellar, stunning role-playing games that put you in the driver's seat of an epic storyline.
Get started on your journey even sooner with an Amazon Prime account — you'll get two-day shipping, access to lots of great streaming content, and even free games. Wow! Sign up here for a free trial. Most of the games below are on sale for Cyber Monday — some for epic discounts. Grab them before they're gone!
If you like school and relationship drama, then Three Houses is the game for you. The tactical game features swords and magic, and it puts you in control of the story. You can't help but be invested in the characters' fates, as this player explains: "This game is wholesome and gets you EXTREMELY involved with the characters of the house you choose. It’s delightful. At the same time, the stakes are higher than ever, as you form a real attachment to your characters. The game is also heartbreaking." Better buy some tissues!
This indie title scored a whopping 4.9 out of 5 stars with Amazon reviewers — no wonder it’s won so many awards! This game places you into the shoes of Zagreus, son of the Greek god Hades. Zagreus just wants to get the heck out of the Underworld, and it’s up to you to guide him through randomly generated levels with his trusty sword to hack and slash anyone who gets in his way. You’ll die a lot, but that’s okay, as this player notes: “Each run you get just that bit more powerful and are able to progress a bit further each time. [...] What's even more astounding is that the characters react to your failures and successes. It all feels incredibly organic and unscripted which is impressive.” And one shopper calls it a “masterpiece” that “deserves every single award it has won” because it’s “the best game to exist in the last decade, bar none.”
If you like Mario but want something a bit different, The Origami King is a game that will give you just that. It's a blend of role-playing, puzzle-solving and action-adventure. This player was incredibly happy, calling it "simple but it's very fun. Going around exploring the world and saving toads is surprisingly fun, as almost every character has some fun or witty commentary. Finding the best sequence of moves in the boss battles is fun, and normal battles can get tricky to line up the enemies at times as well, but combat is definitely not the highlight or main focus of this game."
This game might not be as well known as some of the other titles on this list, but it's a must-have nonetheless. Sci-fi anime fans love the dystopian hack-and-slash adventure, while gamers enjoy the "great visuals and fast-paced action" with this player complimenting its "very fun fighting mechanics." Another shopper dubs it "a reason to own the Switch if you love action games."
This game just came out but it’s sure to be hot this holiday season — the Shin Megami Tensei series is beloved among hardcore role-players, and the teens in your life will love the anime stylings and dark supernatural storyline. The early reviews are promising. One player says, "great story and very addictive" and adds, "this one kept me glued." It's "definitely a solid masterpiece."
The newest addition to the Pokémon universe is actually a remake of two games that came out back in 2007; now they're back and cuter than ever, with a new art style. Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon: Shining Pearl are basically the same game, only with slight differences like the Pokémon available to catch, so gamers will have to trade with friends or online to catch them all. A fan who remembers playing them when he was a kid says, "The visuals look great, seeing all these old scenes remade is amazing...this whole game was a great trip down memory lane. If you liked playing the originals then this is a MUST, so buy it now!"
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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