Combining RPG elements with other styles of gameplay isn't a unique idea; but not all of these hybrid titles do so with such panache or attention to detail. Curtain Call jams in over 200 of fans' favorite Final Fantasy songs along with an addictive leveling system and un-put-downable Quest mode in what is easily one of the tightest rhythm games around. It's the rare sequel that completely negates its predecessor, and it continues to get bigger and better as Square Enix continues to release DLC from all manner of games, Final Fantasy and beyond. If you're looking for a fun way to relive your favorite musical moments from SE's catalog, there's currently no better way to do so than with RPGFan's Hybrid RPG of the Year.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax's greatest strength is its balance of accessibility and depth. With 4-button combat, quarter-circle motions for 90% of special moves, and a detailed training mode, P4AU is the easiest-to-learn game that Arc System Works has ever made, and its cast of more than 20 characters is diverse and beautifully animated. Ultimax also boasts a huge number of gameplay modes, with a single-player structured similar to a visual novel and an RPG mode that has the fighters leveling up and learning new passive abilities. I won't pay many compliments to the game's story (Red mist! Persona fragments! BONDS!), but it's fun seeing the much-beloved casts of Persona 3 and Persona 4 interacting and starring in one of the best fighting games of the year.