Compile Heart has become increasingly proficient at producing titles with dark premises and Dragon Star Varnir is proof of that. And fortunately, unlike other Galapagos RPG titles, the focus on narrative doesn't leave the actual gameplay hanging by the wayside.

While Kay's emotional journey of self-discovery does not pull punches as she learns why she has become a lonely monster, Sea of Solitude struggles to stay afloat at times due to unimaginative gameplay that struggles to evolve beyond the opening moments of the game.

Shining Resonance Refrain might be outclassed by modern JRPGs, but if you judge it on it's own merits, you'll quickly find that there is a lot to enjoy.

Platinum Games' take on Transformers is an interesting and welcome change of pace for the property. The developer's brand of polished, fast-paced, flowing combat feels right at home in the Transformers universe. For fans of the original cartoon series, this is a can't miss title even if its beauty is only skin-deep.

NBA 2K24 offers an extremely polished experience, given its unrivaled on-court feel and a few welcome additions, but questionable decisions and an uncanny push toward microtransactions hurt what could otherwise be considered a natural step forward for the franchise.

Fans will certainly be happy that the Resident Evil 3 remake exists and will be excited for a potential Code Veronica follow-up, but unfortunately this adventure just wasn't as worthy of a revisit.

While Team Sonic Racing maintains the core kart racing gameplay you know and love intertwined with fun new team-based mechanics, a laundry list of the best race types are left entirely out of local play with friends, instead being only available in Team Adventure and online modes, which partially ruins what is still a good game off the track before the finish line.

Battlefield: Hardline is a lateral move for the series. Even with a more ambitious single player offering, multiplayer continues to steal the show, offering best in-class gameplay when it works.

While not a major step forward overall, Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson is still a lot of fun and definitely is worth checking out for any fans of this niche series.

Batman: The Telltale Series - Episode 3 "New World Order" is a weaker episode, but with a series this strong that isn't saying too much. Technical issues are still a problem, but the storytelling and acting more than make up for it. The episode could have used more punch and less of a cliffhanger ending, but it serves its purpose well in transitioning us from the explosive second episode and toward the apparent endgame of the final two entries.

Marvel's Avengers is not particularly great at any one thing. Instead, it's just okay at a lot of things, and that's all it really needs to be.

I was worried Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time would be a cheap cash grab, but I was wrong. There are some flaws, but the most important aspect — the franchise’s ethos — is fully intact and on full display, making this a game that’s sure to leave fans spellbound.

If you've never played Little King's Story before and don't have access to a Wii, then picking up this new remastered PC version is definitely recommended. However, not much has been added or altered to really entice owners of the Wii version to consider upgrading to this one.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 became pretty elusive after being delisted awhile back, so getting a chance to obtain and play the game with ease again is just the recipe to whet your appetite while you wait for the upcoming fourth entry in the series.

The Caligula Effect: Overdose has great ideas that are often marred by uneven execution. But with its unique combat system, as well as exemplary music and illustrations, the negatives are outweighed by the positives.

Samurai Warriors 5 scratches the musou itch but doesn’t do too much to mix up the formula.

Farpoint is an interesting game when taken on its own. It’s an OK shooter with some interesting VR mechanics that lift it out of mediocrity. When thought about in the entire VR gaming space it becomes more important, but doesn’t change the feeling that players will get from the game overall. It is not a tech demo, offering a full campaign of relatively short length. And the Aim Controller is really a fantastic new control scheme for VR shooters. It’s worth checking out for VR and shooter enthusiasts, but others might want to wait for a sale.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy absolutely nails the vibe and look, even if the middling story, technical issues, and repetition hold it back from being truly great.

It has its shortcomings, but Return To PoPoLoCrois is worth checking out for anyone craving an old-school RPG adventure.

Warriors All Stars brings some of Koei Tecmo’s most famous characters into the Dynasty Warriors format, including characters taken straight from the aforementioned series. While a few extra bells and whistles are added here and there, along with much improved character variety, it’s still a Dynasty Warriors game at its heart—and that’s not a bad thing. Fans of the series will still love this, despite an underwhelming narrative set in a cliché new world.

In many ways, Cities Skylines 2 is addictive, but the word 'addictive' should be taken subjectively. The game has good addictive potential, like the runner's high after intense exercise or a delicious cup of coffee. But it also has bad addictive potential, like a narcotic, as you grind through the performance issues because you know it'll get good again soon, and you know your rig can totally handle it, as you promise to your friends.

While the battle system could use some work, the charming world of Yo-Kai Watch features a solid blueprint for the future of this already ongoing franchise.

Now with much more precise controls than its original release on iOS, Exit the Gungeon is a solid spin-off to Dodge Roll's indie darling that can often be a little too frustrating for its own good.

Game of Thrones: Episode 6 is a fitting conclusion, but the series as a whole has faltered to the point that many will find it unsatisfying. If you were seeking redemption from this finale you will find a little, but not enough to put this into the usual realm of Telltale excellence.

Tons of content is available to play through, all fitting into the niche that TT Games has established for their LEGO franchise titles. Players will get a fun, lighthearted retelling of their favorite movies, all with a LEGO makeover layered on top.

Some pacing issues and a lack of memorable characters prevent Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls from attaining the lofty heights set by its predecessors, but it’s still an adventure that’s well worth taking.

Harmonix has brought the music genre back from the dead with a solid experience in Rock Band 4. All the fun you had with the series is back, with a few extra parts missing this time around. Nothing is particularly new here though, so if you haven't been yearning for the good old days, you might want to wait to see how this new platform develops.

The story doesn't have a lot to offer and is pretty standard as far as these kinds of games go, but the game's fun telekinetic combat and stellar time-shifting mechanics make the experience a worthwhile one.