The graphics in Astroneer are simple yet bright, beautiful and vivid. It makes exploring the world much more exciting and I feel like it doesn’t strain your eyes, either. It’s a wonderful game to add to your collection. It turns out, being able to play and explore new terrain and worlds with friends is a lot of fun! Though the lack of a narrative or any driving force forwards may not be the most appealing for some. Even with the stress-free gameplay, it’s sometimes nice knowing that there’s a common goal we are working towards. If you want to explore a vividly bright world, or if you just want a very chill time to just sit back and relax, then I would certainly recommend you pick up Astroneer. Alone or with friends, you can explore and build to your heart’s content.

Dragon Is Dead is a very good hack-and-slash game, but it’s a pretty poor Roguelite. I wish the game had more carefully crafted levels, with well-placed items. The game’s pixel art and dark fantasy world drove me to keep playing, but the Roguelite systems didn’t. There are also way too many systems and ideas that need streamlining. The game has enough good elements that 2D hack and slash and Roguelite fans should still check it out. Dragon Is Dead just isn’t a great example of the genres merging.

If there’s a sale or you’re really into these experiential games, then Planet of the Eyes is absolutely worth a shot. It’s a great way to kill a couple hours and relax during your time off, especially if you’re a much more casual gamer. Otherwise, you won’t be missing much if you pick up something that gives you a bit more bang for your buck.

Though Nascar Heat 3 is a solid racing sim overall, it could have raised to greater heights with more exciting content for those outside the niche market, and a few tweaks to the frame rate stability and cheesy voice acting. Despite the lack of replayability and expansive customization options as seen in other games in the genre and in sports games overall, there’s still a whole lot of fun to be had here, especially for those who love racing, Nascar, or both.

Despite the technical issues, my displeasure with the voice acting, and the addition of the hints in the conversation tree, underneath it’s still very much the Gabriel Knight I fell in love with back in 1993.

Blade Strangers is a competent 2D fighter comprised of characters from hit games like Code of Princess and Shovel Knight. While the game does absolutely nothing, beyond the diverse cast, to stand out from other fighters - it's still a game that might be worth your time if you're a huge fan of fighters. My biggest gripe with Blade Strangers was the visuals when presented on TV - they just lack the smooth look that many modern 2D fighters have. For the most part, I was happy with this fighter and I really hope we see some additional post-release content added, such as more characters from Nicalis published titles.

A fun romp in a B-movie sort of way. I like to compare it to a poor-man’s Indiana Jones movie that you might see late at night on cable.

Ultimately ReCore contains fun combat, an engaging lead character, cool customizable corebots, and a big world to explore filled with challenges.

The reality is Just Dance Disney Party for the Xbox 360 Kinect is pretty good entertainment for kids who love all that is Disney. While the games 25-song set list and overall experience may not be on par with other dance rhythm games on the Kinect, it is a nice little option for the little ones looking to have some fun with some Disney tunes.

A bump in the overall production value, akin to something like Ubisoft’s upcoming For Honor, and Chivalry: Medieval Warfare would be among my favorite games of the year.

Party Hard is a very simple and fun title, but it becomes quite repetitive after a while. The randomization of levels is supposed to help with that, but there’s simply not enough variety to keep it engaging for long periods of time.

I wish I could recommend this whole-heartily, but as it is now, this game is only for those looking for a short but serious challenge.

All in all, Touhou Spell Carnival is a bizarre mix that is far more than the sum of its parts. Touhou Project fans and anyone who wants to know how a bullet hell strategy RPG could work should definitely check it out. But maybe wait until it’s on sale, as this title isn’t really long enough to justify paying full price.

Most of these games translate well to the Switch, the improved graphics exploding with color. Playing in 4:3 suits some games better than others, so it’s not a perfect fit. The JoyCons are a great control tool, even if a few games struggle (I’m looking at you Sky Kid, you menace) on the Switch. This was a fun little jaunt down memory lane, but it’s really nothing more than another Namco collection in new digs.

All in all, The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero is a unique experience. If you love worldbuilding, modernizing fantasy worlds, and urban fantasy, you should check it out. If you’re allergic to long cutscenes and extraneous infodumps, you should avoid it. Love it or hate it, Trails from Zero clearly knows what it is and what it’s doing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy all of Trails of Cold Steel so I can find out what happens in Zemuria next.

At the end of the day ‘Pokéholics’ will enjoy this game, and that is the audience that counts here, but even though I consider myself one, I can’t help but think that this game could have been even more.

Phantom Breaker is an interesting fighter that finds a niche in a somewhat crowded genre. The use of character styles and chain-based combat gives the game its own identity and provides an additional layer of strategy in fights. The omission of a tutorial and move list is baffling and is a barrier to mastering mechanics. Characters are well crafted and their personalities are shared in the game’s story, however, the roster itself lacks variety. Despite its originality on the stage, some design issues halt Phantom Breaker: Omnia from competing with its competition.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac is a fun platformer that recalls the many great titles of its era. The introduction of new mechanics helps each region feel distinct, even if the overall design remains conventional. This remake adds thoughtful quality-of-life features that enhance the experience, though not enough to warrant its price point. Still, it’s a charming adventure that offers plenty for both newcomers and returning fans, and a nostalgic reminder of a time when the genre truly thrived.

Yes, I rage quit a few times but it drew me back in. Yes, sound effects and controls needed more work but I could look past that because it was fun. I really want to love this game more but something deep down says I shouldn’t.

Although I found a few cracks in the facade, I still had some decent fun with this game. The Sonic aesthetic is plastered over every surface, the songs kick you out of your chair, and teamwork system adds a lot of mileage. Some of the campaign stages landed with more grace than others, but the races themselves feel great. I’m even ready to go back and scoop up some of the completion markers I missed the first time around. I might not have the patience for any more Mod Pod shopping, however. In spite of its flaws, Team Sonic Racing is a fine and fast-paced chapter in the annals of Sonic gaming. If you’re looking for a fun romp with the Blue Blur and his pals, definitely check this one out.

Overall, Total Tank Simulator is a decent package for simulation fans who want to sit back and watch the magic happen. For those who would rather be on the front lines, you can do that here as well, just don’t expect the same experience as you would from a dedicated FPS. While deceptively simple at the outset, Total Tank Simulator is much deeper than what you might expect.

Even with its faults, Ryse is a game that one should experience as it does offer a glimpse of what next-gen can be on the Xbox One.

Contagion presents a tense survival based horror game, and if you can see past its rough exterior and occasionally shoddy technical performance, there is some fun to be had here.

I’m always almost in love with Mana games. There’s just some minor thing that won’t click into place. Visions of Mana is no exception. I’m hooked by the story and the characters are gorgeous. I have a lot of fun exploring this world and meeting all these fascinating people. But the combat still feels a little stiff and sluggish. Battle customization is a mile wide and an inch deep. The plot dragged me by the collar, and the boss fights were a pleasant highlight. I wish the regular combat had some similar hooks to deploy, however. If you’ve been waiting for the next great Mana game, I honestly don’t know if this is the one. But Visions is pretty great for a Mana game.

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a fun, over-the-top co-operative shooter. The use of Saber’s Horde Engine creates thrilling moments where you face off against hundreds of bloodthirsty zombies at once. Although the game bears Carpenter’s name, it doesn’t fully capture his signature style and instead blends in with the many zombie shooters currently available. If you’re looking to scratch that Left 4 Dead itch, this will suffice; however, it ultimately blends into the horde it’s trying to outgun.

While I didn’t think there was quite enough that was new about Star-Crossed World, I still had a lot of fun. The new stages are well-crafted and full of optional goals. The new enemy designs are cool and clever. And I ended up getting sucked back into the base game. On the other hand, the Switch 2 of it all is lost on me. The game looks and performs just as it did back in 2022. I hesitate to recommend something so expensive, but the game is still a lot of fun. Returning fans won’t want to miss this one, however. Star-Crossed World is a delightful addition to an already excellent Kirby game.

In the end, Grip has all the prerequisite gameplay and technical elements. Yet the randomness of the environments and the clunky air handling left little to be desired. It almost feels like a game of chance instead one involving skill. I’ll give it solid marks for the technical aspects but the randomness of the gameplay left me cold. It’s worth a try as you may feel differently.

At a runtime of just around forty-five minutes, Dear me, I was… respects your time while demanding your full emotional attention. It is “show, don’t tell” in a nutshell. It might not offer hundreds of hours of replayability, but the beauty of its silent world and the introspective journey it prompts are well worth it. For anybody looking to cleanse their palate with a deeply artistic, evocative, and conceptually daring title. I can safely say Dear Me, I was… is a highly recommended play. Or maybe you just want to witness an artistic flex on your console. It serves as a beautiful reminder of why we engage with this medium in the first place. To feel, to reflect, and to experience something truly unique through the power of interactive art.