Plasma still has a ways to go in terms of core game content, but given that it is releasing in early access that will be coming down the road. For now, the main focus is on developing the systems that allow players to be creative and they have truly nailed that from the start. I can’t wait to see what wild creations the community comes up with. [Early Access Review]

Adding a challenge mode to Sifu is a no-brainer, and Sifu Arenas absolutely delivers. There is enough variance in challenge types, modifiers, enemies, and locations to keep things feeling fresh throughout.

Terra Nil is one of the most beautiful and peaceful games I’ve played in quite some time. Turning the procedurally generated wastelands into paradises has been really therapeutic. Free Lives not only did a great job of creating a reverse city builder but showed us why we need to give back to nature. Even with some frustrating elements, Terra Nil is worth your time.

Ultimately, much like one of Ryza’s alchemical recipes, there are a lot of great ingredients that went into creating Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key. The game may not look perfect, but there’s a lot of heart and fun to be found, and the ability to finetune new weapons, armor, and combat items to your exact needs is unmatched.

Storyteller is full of charm, laughs, and head-scratching puzzles. All are made in a way that lets you create the story you want to tell to fit the prompt. With standouts like its hands-off instructions to subtle butterfly effect interactions, this is a can’t-miss game for anyone looking for a new puzzle game to sink their teeth into.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon brings with it a mixed bag of elements. While I enjoyed my time with the game overall, it does have some sizable shortcomings. Any player more interested in gameplay than the story should probably think twice about picking it up. At the same time, those who wish to experience a well-executed tale about friendship and overcoming one’s fear set in a unique, dark fairytale world may want to pick it up, as long as they can accept a few bumps in the road.

While Anno 1800 Console Edition struggles to shine under its clunky controls and poor optimization, it manages to preserve the deep and addictive systems that define its identity. Serious Anno fans are better off sticking to the PC version of the game, especially since it won’t be receiving any of its post-launch content. However, strategy fans that don’t have that option should be more than satisfied with the new console port.

Tchia was a grand adventure that I couldn’t put down. Exploring these islands renewed my love of deep and well-realized open-world exploration games, all thanks to Soul-Jumping. Exploring the numerous land, sky, and sea creatures made what could be a long hike a joyous adventure.

While Resident Evil 4 is a remake, it stays true to the core of the original. The revamped gameplay, additional and expanded plot beats, and optional activities only add more depth and ease of play to an already fantastic game that already knew how to scare its players.

Have a Nice Death smartly utilizes a corporate setting that pairs so well with the roguelike genre.

Overall, WWE 2K23 serves its purpose. Anybody looking to play a fighting game with characters they recognize from WWE’s brand will get precisely what they want. Unfortunately, people looking for a unique fighting game and anyone feeling nostalgic for the great pro wrestling games of the past will be disappointed.

Octopath Traveler 2 not only iterated or refined, but it also made the Octopath Traveler series a highly anticipated series in my eyes.

Romancelvania is a sharp combination of two disparate genres, but it falls short in some of its execution. Worthwhile for folks who enjoy a witty story-driven romance, especially where sexy monsters are involved, but not necessarily worth it for the average Metroidvania-goer.

Zapling Bygone is not a memorable experience compared to some of the more well-known Metroidvania titles…However, even if it is somewhat derivative and unpolished, the story has enough charm and 16-bit art to make it a worthwhile experience.

It is no exaggeration to say that Company of Heroes 3 is a triumph of the RTS genre…It offers an amazingly deep strategic experience, fantastic onboarding for newcomers, and plenty of content to keep fans playing for dozens of hours.

While I wish there were more to the story and a few puzzles don’t quite hit the mark, Papetura absolutely achieves what it was made to be: an atmospheric experience.

Tiny Troopers: Global Ops is a classic twin-stick third-person shooter that, while not offering anything unique, does offer plenty of entertainment for executing its genre completely spot on.

Figment 2: Creed Valley dives into the human mind and perfectly balances the story, gameplay, and visual design to present a complete package worth checking out.

Sumida and its urban legends come to life in PARANORMASIGHT in a way I didn’t expect from a 2D visual novel. I expected something artistic, yes, but I got something that engaged me, sent a shiver down my spine, and that I ultimately couldn’t put down.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar is a remaster that does an excellent job supporting its great features but is severely held back by its several dated elements.

The roguelike genre feels saturated with games that provide endless variety but with very little substance, and DIG – Deep in Galaxies feels like another unfortunate addition to the list. It gives a few highs, but they get lost somewhere after the fifth repetitive objective on the fifth identical-looking planet.

If you’re one of the many gamers who hasn’t played The Outer Worlds before, then now is the time. Given that I’ve scored the base game and its DLCs highly in the past, coupled with the gameplay improvements and a reasonable 60-dollar price point makes, this is the best way to experience all this game has to offer.

Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth is an excellent story set in 12th-century England that brings players an incredibly authentic tale full of intrigue.

Lightfall certainly doesn’t stand up to the fantastic story of “The Witch Queen,” and Strand doesn’t quite meet expectations. But, Neomuna and its inhabitants are fascinating, and the way “Lightfall” handles some of its characters adds a lot of lore and depth to their stories.

I have never died so many times and still been excited to jump back in and die again. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty may be my first completed souls-like, but it won't be my last. If your game can launch someone into a new genre they used to avoid, it's safe to say you've done something extraordinary—and Team Ninja has.

Scars Above has its ups and downs but offers fun gameplay with interesting mechanics in an alien world that is equal parts beautiful and dangerous. There’s a good mystery to be solved, even if it’s a bit too straightforward. And while there are a few snags regarding the script, I very much appreciate the scientific approach with Kate.

Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe is top-shelf 2D Kirby platforming. It’s visually as good as non-stylized Kirby gets, rife with every copy ability you can dream of, and as nice and fulfilling a platformer as any Nintendo game should ever be expected to be.

Tales of Symphonia Remastered does what it set out to do—allow a classic JRPG to be playable on modern hardware. However, even then, this remaster falls short.