If it could be said that I have a single favorite genre, it would be what I like to call atmospheric adventures. Close to half the games on my top 20 list could be described as falling into that category in a loose interpretation thereof. I do enjoy puzzles, but as you can see from the games appearing at the very top of my list, they're not per se the most important thing to me. I actually kind of get tired of atmospheric adventures using puzzle-based gameplay so much of the time.

Also, Sword & Sworcery EP has significant elements borrowed from the Legend of Zelda franchise too. ;) Much as I've criticized the Legend of Zelda franchise, I have always enjoyed it a lot in reality. I just get tired of the endlessly recycled, patriarchal themes and set-ups and that's what makes some of the thematically-divergent clones superior in my mind.

Also also, lesbians rule! There's probably a reason why my top two faves so happen to be about lesbians. ;) (Oops, spoiled a five-year-old surprise about Gone Home just there; sorry to anyone who cares!)

I do actually play a fair share of JRPGs and enjoy a number of them. :D Final Fantasy VI and Tales of Berseria have been my favorites in the genre to date, though Western games in the general mold of classic JRPGs, such as Undertale and Cosmic Star Heroine, I have also found especially wonderful. :)

Anyway, I haven't played Thimbleweed Park yet, but have repeatedly heard good things about it. This might be a good time to break down and give it a try!

I already has (and love!) both of those. :D

Oh, I forgot about Iconoclasts! I read the VG Chartz review of it and wanted to try it, but have gotten distracted and forgot all about it. Yeah, I think that one is defs next on my list to check out.

Other than that, I have Alone With You already (also because of the VG Chartz recommendation from last year ;) ), but am unfamiliar with the other two.

Hmmm, looking at a trailer, I see what you mean about the similarities! May be of interest!

Its an amazing game. Made by 1 person. Just incredibly impressive.

I have NieR: Automata and absolutely love it! I believe I ranked it like my 36th or 37th favorite game of all time or something on my top 50 faves list from last year, as memory serves. It was definitely something special indeed! I would go as far as to say semi-revolutionary even, narratively-speaking, if you've gotten to the game's proper conclusion. I don't mean just in the sense that it's got something to say about our level of humanity in general, but also that it's got something smart to say about why we play these sorts of games and from whence their redeeming value can come.

If you got a Wii U, I recommend Fatal Frame 5. Two female leads, one male. Retro graphics if you consider PS3 and Xbox 360 retro, lol. Great atmosphere and story (or stories as you follow 3 people tied to 3 different rituals). It's absolutely criminally underrated IMO. It's not a 2018 game, but a game to check out none the less

Psychonauts

Kamiko!

Try Tetris. Has great story.

Well, Golden Sun is classic JRPG meets The Legend of Zelda pretty much. So... adventure, puzzles... he might actually like that one xD

Also Undertale could hardly be classified as an RPG

Also also... I would recommend LIMBO and INSIDE to Jaicee. Platforming, puzzles, very unique atmosphere, mysterious... I think you'll love them.

Persona 5 !

If you like incredibly well done environmental puzzles with a bit of a story:

- The Talos Principle + DLC (don't miss the incredible DLC !)

This is one of my favorite game.