Some of the art, like the background scenery and the character portraits, is a sight to behold in Astral Ascent. Unfortunately, this is in stark contrast to how the actual characters look, which is distractingly bad. Anyone wanting a Hades-like experience will be happy. With the typical dopamine hits of new moves and upgrades, the complexities of the spell system distracts from some of the simple fun of its progenitor, so if you are looking for an anime-like platformer, this will fit the bill. Astral Ascent is worth checking out, but is not going to blow anyone away.

Ghost Mania is a strong product and a solid addition to your WiiWare library, especially if you're running a little thin on the ground when it comes to puzzlers.

The new dynamic camera, combined with more visually interesting environments, makes for some memorable locales, which are bolstered by the distinct level design. The new move-set abilities provide some freshness, and there's plenty of optional content to test your skills. It's a shame that said optional content is usually tedious to deal with, and as nice as the dynamic camera is, it can also sometimes lead to a few cheap deaths. Despite that, Runner3 is an addictive (albeit short) experience that platforming fans should look into, if they are up for the challenge.

Despite its cartoony graphics, this game is a surprisingly solid city builder. There is enough here that fans of the various genres this takes from will find it enjoyable as they craft their ever-growing city and automation empire. Programming the robots is oddly satisfying as is watching them roll around and taking care of the smaller tasks. A couple of small bugs and some pacing issues prevent it from being truly great, but those remotely interested in the genre will definitely have a lot of fun with this one.

It's got all the components you could ever ask for in a Dr. Mario game, and the inclusion of Wi-Fi and Wiimote modes gives players a few decent options when approaching it.

Syberia 2 is an all-round success, improving upon the port of the original adventure in many ways. The core story may take a different slant to the previous one, and some puzzles may not live up to the high bar set in the first outing, but this is still a highly enjoyable journey throughout, with everything perfectly adapted for the Nintendo Switch setup, looking great in docked mode, but working even better when played in portable form using the touch screen. Kate Walker's third escapade cannot come to Switch soon enough!

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse might put off a lot of its target audience with its bright and cartoony graphics, but devoted Metroidvania/platformer fans will not want to miss this excellently animated sprite game.

Despite its gameplay flaws, Red Dead Redemption is a classic on seventh gen consoles. Its well-crafted characters and script are among the era's best. It's a technological marvel with meticulous attention to detail. While the gameplay may require adaptation on the player's part, it's worth it because Red Dead Redemption's overall experience is greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Rabbids Rumble may not have turned into the Smash Bros. copycat some thought it might be, but it is a very enjoyable mini-game experience with some engaging Pokémon-esque battles included. Headstrong Games shows how versatile its developers are by from something as raucous as House of the Dead to this extremely light-hearted, slapstick-style affair that does Ubisoft's Rabbids brand proud.

ICEY has a lot going for it; the combat is fun, the story and writing smart, plus it has some great designs and animations. It's definitely an enjoyable little addition to the libraries of Switch players, but its flaws are evident to see. If only it was a little longer, or had a bit more of a replayability factor, and if only the voice acting was better... Still, more than just a good game, and well worth checking out.

If there is one problem with Caligula Effect 2 it is pacing. The beginning hits incredibly hard, with great characterization and drawing the player into the plot. The hours-long plodding dungeons and 'slice of life' sections kill what otherwise is actually a pretty cool story. Much like the first game, the core experience of fights and story is solid, but it is absolutely buried in detail which is unfortunate as it makes it far less accessible.

A Hat in Time is a delightful 3D platformer, with tight controls, some of the best humour seen in the genre to date and compelling scenarios driving the collectathon aspect of the game. It doesn't revolutionise anything in the presentation department, with rather low polygon models and scenery, but that doesn't take anything away from the enjoyment to be had on any platform it has been released on so far. On Switch, it is held back by some low-res textures and a resolution of only 720p in docked mode, but it does fare better overall in portable mode. Then, still specific to this Switch version is occasional stutter and long load times giving it a rough looking varnish that could perhaps still get ironed out through a patch.

At a meagre price, Surf 'n' Turf brings a lot more to the table than might be expected. It may only be a handful of stages, but they are well-crafted and provide a challenge that fans will salivate over. This sets very high standards for the future inbound DLC of Overcooked 2. Get your island gear on!

New Super Lucky's Tale is an excellent 3D platformer for kids who are getting to grips with right stick camera controls. Gamers seeking a challenging 3D adventure will be left wanting. The light visuals and professional-looking bouncy animation are very appealing, and it all manages to scale beautifully from the Xbox One to the Nintendo Switch. The gameplay is deeper, the playability made tighter, and the levels are re-worked to accommodate Lucky's new mobility. The visuals make the expected compromises that come with Switch conversions; lower resolution and a reduction of frame rate from 60 to 30. Yet, it is all worth it for a more finely crafted experience. Lucky himself might be unlucky to be such a boring character, but he is fun to play as, and gets to run around in charming worlds.

Hunting ghosts is taken to a new level as they copy the player upon being defeated, and the quick speed makes this a fun and frantic title, whether it is played alone or with friends. Between the arcade, challenge, and deathmatch modes, there is a lot to do for anyone looking for a simple and very enjoyable experience. The only drawbacks come from the lack of online play, but Extreme Exorcism is still great to play alone or with some friends.

A few niggling control issues and glitches aside, it is highly recommended to check out Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty before Soulstorm arrives this year. There is a lot to love about Abe's tough adventure, with stealth, puzzles, and plenty of other mechanics all at play in determining whether he saves his 299 Mudokon buddies or not. A one-of-a-kind side-scroller that still stands the test of time.

As usual, Picross S7 shows the amount of dedication and quality work developer Jupiter put into its Picross S titles. The new touch control function is much appreciated, but this could generally do with a few more features to spice it up a little. However, for anyone enjoying a relaxing day of puzzles, this title comes highly recommended.

Despite its somewhat pedestrian fundamentals, it manages to strike a good balance between plot and a strangely captivating class system.

Minor technical issues, wasted opportunities and dreadful voice acting bring Arc Rise Fantasia down, but there's still plenty of enjoyment to be found as long as you know what to expect.

Shinrai Broken Beyond Despair was a pleasant surprise given its comparison to far-better funded titles in the visual novel genre. While there are some obvious issues such as graphics that never go past being simplistic and bigger issues of pacing problems, the core tale is oddly intriguing. The mystery is fun to sit through, and perhaps the only real criticism is the core narrative should have taken longer, and the various 'side stories' take far too long and detract from the main story.

Code Vein is going to be divisive. Out of the box, it's not a very good game. The balance in difficulty is a mess, with certain classes and abilities feeling hugely overpowered; the partners making even the most challenging encounter easy, until the difficulty spikes massively towards the conclusion. It's in that conclusion that Code Vein shines at its best. For the players willing to invest the time to get there, and good enough to learn how to master the considerably complex system, there is a superb experience waiting. It's just a shame it takes so long to get there.

Brok the InvestiGator sets you up with frustrating questions and then leaves them hanging. It even throws in sequel bait just to tease. There are multiple endings, but it feels like they got dropped in without much thought, leaving a feeling of wanting more. The blend of genres is a beauty, hitting those noir thriller tropes while revelling in chaotic fun. Truth be told, it falls short of tying it all together in a way that satisfies.

If the original base game, Cities: Skylines piqued your fancy, then this new Snowfall DLC is a fairly small, yet robust, expansion that should bring gamers back for more. The new management and maps, as well as the new update to all users, reinforces the already solid main experience, making it a greater purchase. Overall, it's a thoroughly recommendable expansion pack.

Toziuha Night: Dracula's Revenge tried to be almost identical to its inspiration, and as a result it feels like playing Castlevania all over again, rather than a brand new game, and the fact that it has the same, archaic, super-stiff controls will annoy those who don't have the patience to go back to the distant '80s. Having said that, if willing to endure the high difficulty on offer, an if ok with something that's relatively simple, you'll discover one of the finest indie-crafted 2D action-platformers of the year.

Cat Quest is an ideal little RPG to introduce to youngsters, especially given the charming pun-filled script and plentiful kitties, but those jumps in difficulty can mean a helping hand may be required on more than a few occasions. Despite its looks, though, the older generation with a love for all things feline will find a lovely, if short, Zelda-like adventure worth giving a go.

The Wonderful One: After School Hero is a very fun diversion and was worth the wait. It is noticeably low budget, but PlatinumGames' ingenuity shines through in this lean, mean, but clean mini adventure. For its price, it largely delivers the thrills and is packed with enough variety to make replays enjoyable.

A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly what it claims to be, and nothing more. On Nintendo Switch, it works best as a low-effort, high-satisfaction time waster—something to fill small gaps in your day with meaningless progress and quiet amusement. It won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to embrace its absurd simplicity, there’s something oddly compelling about staring into the void and deciding to dig a bit deeper.

This is not an RPG, but it is a highly creative and imaginative adventure game that has some spotty controls and overly cryptic puzzles.

Let's Create! Pottery is quite a niche title that will appeal to pottery makers and creative types and it's something you can pick up and play at any time, whether it be for short or long periods.

There's nothing revolutionary here, but for anyone hankering for some classic 2D platforming action, it's undoubtedly worth the asking price.

An iffy camera system and questionable design decisions only slightly mar what is otherwise an enjoyable battle system and notably engaging narrative in Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon for Nintendo Switch. Veterans of the first game will find a snug fit, with new players quickly welcomed in.

Teslagrad is a fun puzzling experience from Rain Games and one that seems perfect for on-the-go play thanks to the numerous puzzles and the regular auto-saving checkpoints, meaning it's perfect for pick up and put down style play. The graphical style has transitioned fantastically to Switch, too, looking absolutely stunning in portable mode. This is definitely a pleasing addition to the Switch's extensive port library.

The only drawbacks of this enjoyable Action RPG are the times where it is not always too clear where to head next, and the unfortunate glitches/bugs that have crept in during the transition to the 3DS system from its home console origins.

A slick, approachable blend of classic Puzzle Bobble/Bust-A-Move gameplay and rhythm mechanics, QQQbeats!!! is tons of fun, and said fun is elevated by a very good soundtrack and charming presentation. Its simplicity makes it a title that’s easy to pick up and play, yet it’s surprisingly hard to master, so be prepared to lose 10 (or more) consecutive matches against a teenager from abroad. The somewhat low mechanical variety and limited number of modes curb its long-term appeal, however, so approach cautiously.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 tries its hardest to match the grandest of grand RPGs out there on the market, attempting to become Nintendo's own Final Fantasy. In doing so, though, whilst still wonderfully vast in its scale, and gripping in how things play out for the most part, it has lost its way slightly, becoming bogged down by an overly complex pre-battle system, marred by fights that mostly feel too hands-off/automated, and some terrible character visuals and voice work. There is indeed a lot to love about this, yet so much that makes you yearn for something more.

There are legitimate moments of fun and almost a harkening back to major JRPG classics in Tokyo Xanadu eX+, but all too often the pacing detracts from being truly great. The battle system is excellent, with a single but significant flaw of fighting with only one character, despite the large crew acquired. The entire game would be better served immensely by being about half its length, as nothing truly gets kicking before it burns out on itself.

Although an important piece of the story that sets up the true ending to Steins;Gate, it wouldn't be an absolute disaster for fans to brush over this one. The character writing is excellent, and the concepts and effects of AI in this world are intriguing, but the fact the story drags itself out for so long means it can be tough to get through this novel. Thankfully, quick saves and the very fact this is portable by nature help to make getting through much easier by picking it up for a bit before bed each night.

Sadly, there's the matter of performance with sluggish load times, especially before battles, and an inconsistent frame-rate rearing their ugly heads that make it hard to get sucked in by the, otherwise, interesting story and gameplay.

Fans of the original will need to pick this up, because, while it offers more of the same, it actually offers a much more extensive campaign. For those seeking an RPG on a budget, and one that tickles their 8-bit itch, then look no further than Fairune 2.

Conduit 2 is a massive step forward from the original, refined and improved after criticism from fans and the press; it's a worthy addition to your first person shooter collection, if only for the multiplayer.

Pokémon Legends Arceus is a successful attempt at making something new and fresh with the same concepts and ideas that have driven the franchise for thepast nigh on three decades. It is addictive, has charming characters and scenes, and has plenty of content to savour for fans of collectathons. It is a cohesive package on every front. This game is, however, embarrassingly clumsily put together from a graphical standpoint. This does not make it less enjoyable on a pure gameplay level, but during quiet times when little action is happening and players will want to take in what is presented on screen at face value, it is especially jarring. We loved the gameplay loop of Pokémon Legends Arceus, it has been one of the most engaging experiences to come out of Nintendo or Game Freak of the past few years, but it is well past time for either of those actors to finally take the right steps to solve this recurring lack of technical finesse from the series.

An interesting approach to a standard RTS style game on the DSiWare makes Amoebattle something that's worth checking out.

Monster Sanctuary is a charming take on the monster raising formula, albeit not without its faults. The combat's ranking system betrays the gameplay's nuances - discouraging high concept strategies or support tactics in favour of brute force - and the Metroidvania level design is marred in being broken up by methodical puzzles and turn based battles. In spite of this, Monster Sanctuary is an addictive RPG that is hard to put down. Monster hatching is an incredibly simple process, every single monster has its own skill tree, and combat has been balanced enough so that just about any team can get through the main game in the hands of savvy players. Monster Sanctuary is a diamond in the rough if there ever was one.

Dungeon Encounters is a very difficult game to fault for its premise. It has very specific goals and it achieves them, much to the chagrin of the player and it achieves its goals thoroughly. This is definitely not something for the average Square Enix fan and caters more towards gamers who enjoy the likes of The Dark Spire or very old dungeon crawlers. Expect to have to rely on imagining the adventure and the battles, because of how nothing is ever realised in text or visuals. This is a hard title to recommend to general audiences, but for those who are truly hardcore RPG maniacs, Dungeon Encounters might be worth exploring.

Elden Ring is an experience that will not be forgotten in a hurry. It's a tremendous, hulking, massive achievement but because it is tremendous, hulking and massive, it is one that comes with many caveats. The shelves in CeX and conversations with people who stopped playing at Stormveil castle can certainly attest to some of those caveats. Much like any FromSoftware title, it's not going to be for everybody, but paradoxically it is one of their hardest and one of their most accessible to date. It offers huge value in one package, and perhaps is a little too much value, only becoming clearer when nearing the endgame. Don't be mistaken by the criticism, though. This is a phenomenal achievement with a moment-to-moment that is incredibly engaging and immersive. No doubt it will be deserving of the end-of-year accolades it will inevitably receive. One pushes through Elden Ring as one pushes through life, with all the highs and the lows that it brings.

A rough early game and poor first impression hide a true gem filled with clever level designs. It would be a true pity to judge Candy Rangers by its first hour of gameplay, but due to how brutal the first hour is with required hidden collectibles and a steep learning curve, anyone but a full-blooded masochist would not be blamed for putting it down before getting to the good part. However, if there is one message that should be remembered from this review, it is this: the good part is coming soon, and it is truly worth the rough journey there. Give Candy Rangers a try; it is one of the more innovative games in its genre, and once mastered, the foreign controls will become second nature.

Mercenaries Saga 2 is designed with fans of turn-based strategy games in mind. It doesn't push the genre to its limits or even offer anything particularly new, but it's a solid addition nonetheless.

Ken Follet's The Pillars of the Earth is a beautifully hand-drawn retelling of the original novel that visualises the story through the eyes of three different characters: Tom Builder, Philip, and Jack. They each play a role in the overall story that intertwines with each other, with the threat of a greater war over the kingship looming over everyone's heads. Uneasy alliances are formed, and major moves are made that cannot be undone, while Tom is focused only on building his grand cathedral, while Philip is trying his best to restore the Priory to its former glory, and young Jack is simply trying to find his place in the world of men. While the story can be slow-going due to the sluggish gameplay and technical limitations causes graphical headaches, this is a great way to introduce new people to the wonderful story.

Cities: Skylines - Snowfall is a rare expansion that manages to bring holiday cheer to a game that could have easily exposed it for a cheap cash-in if it wasn't done right. However, there is just enough added challenge and detail to the expansion that makes it a welcome addition to the core experience. It is by no means essential, but it adds some twinkle to the transport and some ho-ho-ho to the heating. Cities: Skylines - Snowfall is a perfect expansion to welcome in the Christmas season.

Tharsis is a time-waster. Nonetheless it is a time-waster that's thoroughly recommended wasting time on - particularly good for fans of strategy and decision-based titles. The difficulty will occasionally peak unfairly, as chance dice requirements can cripple a play-through, even on the lowest difficulty setting, often, though, and probably intentionally, requiring one to make a lose-lose decision to progress. Dice physics may also seem to be working against the player on re-rolls, though it's a small niggle. Whether it's despite or because of this, Tharsis kept this reviewer coming back for more. It is compelling attempting to make it to week 10 and the planet Mars - with just enough variance and those difficult choices that it doesn't get boring seeing the same story beats over and over. It's probable that this will stay loaded, on console, for return visits for quite some time to come.

Pathologic 2 is extremely unpleasant and crushing to play, but that is seemingly the entire point. The thought and effort poured into the balance of all the economies to make every action carry immense weight took courage from the developer. Haruspex are healers with a single purpose and live to save lives, but living does not come so easily in Pathologic 2. Those who are fascinated by the prospect of an immersive survival game where the fun is trying to make the best out of a losing situation will find this worth their time. Just keep an eye on your blood pressure while playing.

Zombie Incident is not without a couple of annoying factors at times, and some decisions in terms of game design do seem odd. Saying that, though, the feeling it provides coming out of playing it is a good one - a rewarding sense of accomplishment.

More difficult stages and a much better camera would have put the Pac in a better position to challenge Mario, but his resulting venture is a considerable option for new gamers.

Overall, Observer: System Redux is a great pickup for those looking to see just exactly how well their shiny new consoles can perform, as well as having an interesting experience to boot (you know, like a computer). Environments are beautiful in a truly depressing, atmospheric manner, and lead Rutger Hauer really makes the effort to portray a downtrodden detective tired of the new cybernetic world order. This is a clear pick up for fans of psychological horror drama, looking for a few jump scares and… uncomfortable-ness over a few hours. For the rest, however, it's an interesting experiment that perhaps could benefitted from less of the shocks and more of the Detective chops.

Looking lovely and colourful on the TV or portable Switch screen, Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive is a quality little chibi beat 'em up that deserves a chance by any genre fan. There are plenty of characters to choose from and make available through various difficulty modes, and the ability to level up, unlock moves and build stats, compete in leaderboards, and battle in multiplayer means there is huge scope for replayability that not many other brawlers have. It can take a little getting used to, but once the mechanics are down, the depth and uniqueness in terms of each fighter is second to none, and the outlandish and just plain weird enemy designs give it its distinct personality. The one major pitfall is keeping online play at bay until Nintendo launches its paid service, which hopefully won't backfire when the time comes.

For those who didn't make the Neo Geo leap with the excellent SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium (which is included here anyway), Neo Geo Pocket Colour Selection Vol.1 is where to start. With an excellent range of titles as well as the only way currently to play two superb Metal Slug titles outside of picking them and a handheld up, it's an easy decision to p-p-p-pick up a pack. It's always going to be a tough sale to take a leap if not familiar with the handheld and lacking that deep nostalgic love, but even with some strange additions outside the recognisable (honestly, Dark Arms is bonkers, fantastic fun), there really is a lot to make that purchase totally justifiable.

Bloo Kid 2 is a good old school platformer that offers replayability and well-designed stages and bosses.

And to be honest, the DS controls should work, but due to their hideous inaccuracy and twitchy nature, they don't. That's a real shame, as what you'll find beneath the frustration is a gem of a title that will really get your noodle working.

There's no doubt that European Conqueror 3D is a fun title that provides value for money, even if the lack of multiplayer is a surprising omission.

DOOM + DOOM II packaged id Software's classics, threw in a couple of additional settings, two OST remakes, a couple of minor improvements here and there, and some tasty, tasty mod support. All that kind of makes this the best port available right now, but it will be hard to convince anyone but diehard DOOM funs to spend any money if already in possession of this legendary FPS duo. Then again, if DOOM or DOOM II is in your library, then there's no price-tag attached.

Kung Fu Rabbit is a worthy contender to an afternoon of rabbit leaping, challenging platform action. It looks pretty and handles well but still feels very much like a mobile game at heart.

Worth the price of admission the Cities: Skylines - Natural Disasters DLC offers extra depth to a game that was already quite engulfing. It enhances the experience by upping the excitement factor and by offering players the ability to play God. This is easily recommended to those who already own the original base on Xbox One.

Bit Boy!! Arcade is a prime example of a game with a strong exterior held back by a rough interior; the core of the puzzling action becomes monotonous, but everything surrounding it is too full of charm and wonder that it makes the game difficult not to recommend.

It still manages to provide a lot of fun, but perhaps not as much as it would have done had it stuck more closely to what truly made the appeal of the original franchise: challenge, speed and fiendishly clever level-design that made the most of the physics engine.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 4: Below the Bedrock heightens the sense of urgency, thanks to Romeo's shape-shifting powers that have granted him complete control of Beacontown. Traversing the Underneath is an exciting but equally thrilling journey that grants inside access into the minds of each of the Admins. Learning more about Romeo, Xara, and Fred forces the group to look inward at times, adding yet another layer to what is becoming an intricate story. Since the "filler" portion of this episode can simply be skipped by just losing the trivia contest, it is a wonder why there was even a point in this sequence anyway.

Aragami: Shadow Edition is a good stealth-based assassin adventure that plays more like an arcade game, as opposed to a gritty, realistic experience. With thirteen main-story stages to sneak through, and the addition of four lengthy stages under the Nightfall story arc, there are plenty of thrills and harrowing experiences to be had here. While the story is minimal and simple, and there are the occasional graphical glitches that cause brief disruptions to the flow of the game, this is an adventure worth jumping into for those looking for a stealth-based adventure romp.

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption is an experiment that was inevitable. Somebody was going to eventually make a boss-rush anti-soulslike, and Darkstar Games did a great job realising the potential by perverting traditional RPG character building and betraying achievement conventions. It may wear the skin of a "soulslike," but in actuality there really is nothing quite like it. With an unbelievably high difficulty, and with a small pool of unique bosses, Sinner has cult gem written all over it, and only those who desire something totally different should even dare take this challenge.

Ittle Dew 2+ is more than the sum of its parts. It has many small great qualities that tie everything together to make it a worthy Zelda-style adventure. It is too bad that the combat is not one of those working parts. This adventure has a true spirit of exploration and a ton of puzzles and secrets to uncover. The legitimately funny character banter should manage to get a laugh out of even cold and dead inside cynical reviewers. The humour has a dryness to it that is unexpected for such a colourful and wacky looking videogame - most of which is derived from the flying fox, Tippsie (the best character in the game). The load times can be really lengthy at times, which is confusing since Ittle Dew 2+ is certainly not taxing the Nintendo Switch, but they are ultimately worth it in this quaint action-adventure game.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two - Episode 5: Above and Beyond reaches its epic conclusion as the great battle between Jesse and the evil Admin, Romeo, threatens to tear Beacontown apart. Featuring a shorter experience than previous episodes, this is also the most finely tuned one in terms of pacing, as the excitement ramps up from the opening credits right through to the eventual ending. While the decision-making in earlier episodes seems very watered down in retrospect, the final few choices mean that the next Minecraft season will need to answer plenty of questions, if Telltale does indeed go down that path.

Dear Me, I Was… is a great showcase for how to present narrative games in a hand-drawn watercolour style. After letting the emotions felt from its story settle down, the immediate thought is that it is hoped that there will be an actual video game in this style from Arc System Works in the future (a Hotel Dusk remake perhaps). Dear Me, I Was… is a story that can be enjoyed in bed like a book, or watched during a lunch break instead of a YouTube video essay or Netflix TV episode. It’s not a video game, it’s a beautiful short story, and if that sounds like a great time then put some headphones on and give it a watch.

Considering that this is entirely the work of one person, Disc Creatures is really impressive. The sheer variety of creatures and moves allows for innumerable party combinations. Thankfully, you don't need the rarest finds in order to stand a chance. Defeating the opposition is mostly a matter of having the right tactics and abilities. Still, you can't ignore the importance of experience. The constant grind for stats is not something that all players will be nostalgic for. There are ways to minimize it, but it's still work that has to be done. If you're willing to persevere in spite of this issue, then you'll surely appreciate the rich world, and the developer's attention to detail. For anyone who enjoys vintage gaming of this kind, this is a fine getaway.

It is hard to say this is a great Persona title. The combat is fun and punchy, the story cool and on point, and there are some attractive design sensibilities. Unfortunately, the overall experience doesn't feel as cohesive as it could. At its core there is a great Persona story and experience but the move to the new systems and Omega Force's take on the series highlights why it is that Persona needs its turn-based combat and carefully considered character narratives. This is an excellent title in its own right and probably Omega Force's best work yet. It's just lacking that special something that would make it a stellar Persona title. It might have worked better as an expansion to the original Persona 5 as the story is awesome.

Hitman: World of Assassination delivers easily some of the most entertaining gameplay of all titles released on Nintendo Switch 2 during its launch window. For all its ridiculously hilarious possibilities that go almost as far as imagination will allow for, this may well be the ideal recommendation for those after a solo game that will provide dozens of hours of enjoyment up until the next big release on the system. The one big caveat, however, is the online requirement that causes halts and crashes, and locks out a large chunk of content. It is a huge blemish on what is a cracker of a package.

If there is any love for the original, pick this up immediately. A fine job has been done creating a really playable title for 2021, without losing any of the charm of the original. The camera change is a stroke of genius and makes life so much easier leading to a more enjoyable experience all round. The issue isn't with the remaster, but the source material. Zool Redimensioned is sadly a bit of a product of its time, and isn't going to draw any new fans with its difficulty and confusing design choices. Sadly, for most this Ninja isn't going to resonate with younger players looking for the next plumber killer. For the rest, though, you have a greater remaster than you could ever have hoped for, let alone what the star of the Amiga may deserve.

Although undeniably on the short side, it's hard to ignore just how much solid content FRACTER packs into its short length. With only lines of poetry to guide the way, the title's dark aesthetic, and ethereal soundtrack, offers audiences a puzzle experience that's genuinely unique. The difficulty curve gradually increases, offering minor challenges before throwing some pretty intimidating puzzles in the last few levels. With some well-incorporated stealth elements, it all makes for a well paced experience that never outstays its welcome. That FRACTER pulls everything off with so much style and substance is just a bonus.

Simple to play, difficult to master, and oozing with late '90s charm, Constructor Plus offers a fairly strategic take on the management sim genre. The title's at times dystopian levels of capitalism not only help lend the overall experience a humorous edge, but that also ties into the cutthroat gameplay loop nicely. Money begets money, a philosophy the gameplay rewards wholeheartedly, whether building property on Earth, or in the reaches of outer space. The main game even features active opposition, keeping scenarios tense, exciting, and engaging all throughout. Constructor Plus is quite the well-constructed sim.

Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp brings back two classic tactics games with mixed results. While the various COs and their animations are exceptional, accompanied with welcomed voice acting, the 3D artwork for the environments, troops and vehicles clashes with the 2D drawings. The missions themselves hold up incredibly well twenty years later with vast unit variety and choice for most battles. Bare bones online modes don't offer quite enough opportunity for replayability, but the package still stands tall with a map editor and missions with additional maps.

While it's not going to convert anybody that isn't already a fan to the band's cause - not helped by the disappointing career mode, which could have been used to tell the story of the band in more depth fashion - those who are already fans will have a blast with this game and its decently-sized tracklist that hits many of the high points of their career.

A flashy, fast and cool experience Exoprimal has players blasting away at the dinosaur hordes in their thousands. At its core the game is a lot of fun, but it suffers from the usual live service game downsides. How long will it be supported? How will the balancing change? These and other questions can really temper the otherwise fun shooty dinosaur filled experience.

Ultimately, however, a somewhat frustrating difficulty curve, and an overall lack of originality, ensures that there is little reason to recommend this over Geometry Wars: Galaxies, despite its comparable competence.

The story doesn’t deliver a whole lot of entertainment outside of a couple of characters, and it ends up a shame that more curveballs aren’t thrown in that regard, but Tears of the Kingdom fans will get some satisfaction from events that play out in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Flashy moves and superficial depth don’t really change the simplicity of gameplay, but it is still fun, coming alive in co-op and catering greatly to franchise regulars that appreciate mindlessly wailing on hundreds of foes using characters from their favourite Hyrulean races.

Overall, it's not a bad remaster, it's mediocre. The game itself, however, is great. Pick it up.

Earth Defense Force 5 is a blast through and through. Blowing away insects and spaceships with a shotgun or energy blaster never gets old, and the various classes are diverse and worth trying out to see which one best fits your play style. Admittedly, 110 missions of non-stop shooting does get a bit tiresome, but just when you think you've seen it all, the game introduces a new enemy type or throws in a big set-piece level to shake things up. Even with the added improvements and changes, though, this is still a typical Earth Defense Force. Besides, who needs plot when you have giant mechs fighting giant monsters?

There is everything here to make a great game. The only thing it really needed was a few more months testing things out. Notably, the graphics need some upgrading, and combat devolves into repetition very soon. Smoothing some of these problems out would easily push this into a very high recommendation. As it stands now it acts as a novel throwback if nothing else.

Bash Party may become repetitive for some over time, but it does prove to be a far better package overall, offering a wealth of gameplay for those that get hooked by the formula.

While by no means revolutionary or necessary, the Fun Pack is a strong enough foundation to start a season pass on. Two new tracks and eight new vehicles add a hefty amount of freshness to the experience, and the Rallycross focus is a nice way of giving the pack a central theme. The new cars may not be a big enough grab for casual drivers, but more hardcore fans will certainly find themselves pleased with the additions. Time will tell if Project CARS 2's season pass will be a worthwhile investment, but the Fun Pack sets the stage quite nicely with plenty of content and focus to go around.

Titles like this are very rare, and are becoming less and less likely to be made with every passing year, as publishers are opting for more homogeneously designed releases. When Clover was around, it strove for interesting and eclectic action games, like God Hand and Viewtiful Joe. The team lives on in the form of Platinum Games, but even now it is a developer that plays it much safer than it used to. As far as conversions go, Okami HD is solid. Some aspects should be better when considering today's standards for remasters, but when the core experience is still able to hold up for over 10 years, it's hard to complain.

It might not capture the essence of the games it was originally inspired by, but by challenging those very genres and adding ideas of its own, it may well become a focal point in indie development, inspiring developers to create games in a similar vein.

At times, River City Melee Mach!! struggles under the weight of its own ambition. Attempting to balance a competitive brawler that features over 180 playable characters is a herculean task. It seems that the developer realized this, and focused its attention on making sure this is simply a joy to play. There will be times where nothing goes the way a player likes. Wins and losses aren't decided by chance, but random occurrences are bound to crop up. Nevertheless, Kunio-Kun fans will find a lot to like here. Even when matches devolve into complete disarray, they're still quite enjoyable. For best results, try and find a few friends to fight with.

For the fun gameplay alone, Iron Combat: War in the Air comes highly recommended. The learning curve is not too steep and it's a joy to play. However, it's not without a few flaws, so it is unlikely to appeal to everybody.

RPG maniacs who missed out on Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered due to the language barrier can finally check it out. International is the same remaster with identical QOL features, but now with additional language options to make it easier than ever for any Western gamer to enjoy this grossly overlooked, open-ended PlayStation 2 RPG.

It is a throwback and shows that gamers have not forgotten how fun it is to play games in the same room as others.

One Piece: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition is that rare licensed game with enough lasting power to please both fans and newcomers alike. Prior knowledge of the series certainly bolsters the experience, but the core mechanics are strong enough on their own where newcomers can hop in and enjoy themselves. The gameplay itself can feel repetitive during longer play sessions, but the mechanics aren't so simple to the point where they aren't at least somewhat engaging. At its core, One Piece: Unlimited World Red's MO is to be an easy to play adventure game set in the One Piece universe and, at that, it succeeds rather well.

Episode 3: Ripples provides the most harrowing story yet, as it greatly lifts the stakes in terms of life and death. While this started off as a meeting amongst political world leaders, it is clearly becoming apparent that there is a lot more in play than what it seems, and Louis does not know who he should trust, or even who is telling the truth. Unfortunately, the episode is plagued with glitches - one that can't be solved except for reloading the game - coupled with the choppy graphics and popping audio portions of the game that ruins what is otherwise the best story-driven episode of The Council yet.

Unfortunately, it does feel like a small step backwards after Marvel Super Heroes, with the missing open world being the biggest loss - this is LEGO Batman 3 and not LEGO DC Comics or LEGO Justice League, so there's still hope that an open world will come later, as this most certainly won't be the last in this franchise.

Robotics;Notes Elite is a great story and visual novel. It wraps everything in a very neat and slick package with little systems to keep the players brain from wandering, like the phones and encyclopaedia. This title moves visual novels as a medium forward with its CG and interactive scenes. If visual novels are of interest it would be a disservice to miss this Sci-Fi themed gem.

The old adage of less is more cannot be applied in this scenario as Nintendo Switch users are emphatically getting less bang for their buck. EA promised that the FIFA series on Switch would be the "Most immersive, social and authentic sports game ever created for Nintendo players," which is true, but it pales in comparison to its counterparts on rival consoles. If handheld gaming is the preference here, or Switch is the only option, then FIFA 19 will deliver strongly but, otherwise, it is best to pick this up on the Xbox One or PS4.

Soul Hackers is not a bad game, by any means. Shin Megami Tensei fans are going to find a lot here to enjoy. Dungeon crawler fanatics may enjoy themselves, as well. However, those unused to the genre or the series may find it an intimidating, difficult experience, and a dated one at that.