KEMCO and Articnet deliver a well-balanced sport-RPG hybrid in RPGolf Legends. Having only two difficulties may bother more veteran players, and the need to grind late-game for some bosses and dungeons may cause a few to give up before the actual end, but for most it is a solid story with engaging quests and an ear-pleasing soundtrack, making it an enchanting tale on Nintendo Switch with high replayability due to its charm and story.

The opening of Xenoblade Chronicles X is really something. From the pure horror of watching Earth get wiped out, to the first exploration sequence in the dark and the rain, this game really takes players on a masterful rollercoaster of emotion. The only real knocks against it are the occasional oddly placed music track, and the generally boring city sections, with an additional comment that the systems are often so complicated that they get in the way of fighting and exploring. The story definitely comes in waves, so any player should be more interested in the exploration than purely a narrative experience.

Monster Hunter Wilds is a fantastic time through and through. It might not hit the right balance for all players due to the move to being more story-focused with pacing and things, but for those who like it, there is a ton of fun to be had here. A successful and innovative way to change up the typical Monster Hunter formula and a great stepping stone to finding the perfect balance. A heartily recommended action title where the monsters are the real stars of the show!

Mullet MadJack emerges as a striking and intense experience, rooted in the legacy of cyberpunk anime's creative and artistic zenith. Its narrative subtly critiques the perils of artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and the multifaceted nature of addiction, seamlessly integrating these themes into the gameplay. Far from a simplistic excuse for destruction, the premise carries substance, delivering its commentary with a sharp, knowing edge. Compounded by its wry wit, it's one of the most original, gripping, and addictive first-person shooters of all time.

The charm of Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is its story, but there is still the potential for more growth in this area, as well as its gameplay. Those that take the time to explore and get to know the characters will find more enjoyment than others. For the casual gamer, one may find Asterigos short and repetitive, but this is still a respectable debut title from developer Acme Gamestudio.

Shadow of the Orient is inoffensive and delivers exactly what it promises, which is, admittedly, not a lot. The gameplay is as classic as it gets and is priced appropriately for its content. It's a solid effort that doesn't do anything wrong apart from some dirty level design and leans on being a bit forgettable.

A solid but short VR horror experience, Afterlife VR is a confident and reasonably immersive game. The developer clearly had fun making it but the lack of replayability and shorter runtime stop this from being a full recommendation.

A shoot 'em up by genre veterans for genre veterans, the trip back to the past by the name of Lilac 0 will put your skills to the test, and make you feel good for every small victory you will achieve, and every cyber-foe the cyber-hero of this cool little indie shmup will slice in half with its dash 'n' slash ability. While a bit low on the variety front, there's actually lots of replay value hidden under the handful of available stages.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 aims to please Call of Duty fans of every kind, with three stacked modes — campaign, multiplayer and Zombies — that all have enough going for them to satisfy all Call of Duty fans. Omni-movement is a fantastic addition to the routine gameplay that feels like a natural evolution not just for CoD titles but FPS games in general. However, each mode isn't without its frustrations: the campaign stalls the action a little too often, the Zombies mode can get a tad repetitive and the multiplayer maps vary a little too drastically in quality. Still, this is Call of Duty as it's known and loved. Franchise enthusiasts will likely be satisfied.

It's hard to imagine anyone buying Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered because they like the games themselves, as no amount of visual polishing can save this trio of decent to mediocre, and mediocre to awful action-adventures. That being said, if you are into the collecting side of the hobby, and especially if a fan of all things Lara Croft, Aspyr's creation definitely has a place on your shelf.

It's hard to recommend Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated to anyone but fans of the 2010 original and maybe to a few of those diehard aficionados of super old-school JRPGS. Bad? No. It's actually a pretty good game, but it leans too much on comedy to be immersive, and its short length makes it feel more like a taste of something more epic in scale and scope.

Doctor Cat shows promise but ultimately fails at the execution. The puzzles themselves are fine, but unfortunately issues with controls ruin the experience completely. It is also unclear why a premise was set for Doctor Cat with what feels like little to no resolution.

Nekograms is absolutely adorable, with challenging puzzles, beautiful art and great sounds. However, it is a bit monotonous, in that it does not offer anything other than the base-type puzzle. Although puzzles are beautifully designed and offer a fun way to spend some time, some more content could really improve this title.

Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip almost feels like a proof of concept for a larger game pitch that's yet to be announced. But apart from suffering from some repetitive strain injury in the late game due to its small nature, it comes largely otherwise without fault. It does capture somewhat of that PS2 feeling with a mix of 90s Nickelodeon cartoon, with a game world and art style perfectly realised for what it tries to be. Although it would be somewhere you could happily spend more time in if it were expanded, it's also easy to advocate for more smaller, fun experiences, and in a time when glut is a real issue, Terry does exactly that. It's a great title to introduce youngsters to, who might be inspired by the quirky and unique style, as it doesn't really look like anything else on the market. Short and sweet, as they say.

Big Helmet Heroes offers a straightforward gameplay experience suitable for young players new to the genre. The game features a weapon system that allows players to experiment with different fighting styles and classes while maintaining their preferred character. The game's aesthetic is designed to appeal to children, and the visual gags offer mild amusement. Older gamers won't connect with this, but newcomers will welcome the presentation and simplicity, without getting bogged down in any grind.

Newcomers to the Neptunia series will be drawn in by the humorous tale which should lead them to explore other titles. Returning fans will eagerly lap up the already known personalities. The several issues of few levels, no multiplayer, and no actual outfits to change into outside the DLC partly impacts the enjoyment of Neptunia: Riders VS Dogoos, which is a shame because it is a cheerful, solid addition to the Neptunia universe.

Love Too Easily is a Korean romcom with its heart in the right place. Its various flaws, whether it is the low image quality at the beginning of scenes or the broken English, can somewhat be overlooked by the lighthearted story at play. A playful distraction for an hour or two if looking for a humorous FMV game, despite the lack of depth.

MySims: Cozy Bundle offers two solid titles for Nintendo Switch that promise relaxation and a tad of creativity. It is the ideal game for those that like to bundle up in a cosy blanket and enjoy non-threatening gameplay.

On one hand, BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a neat mix of FPS and rhythm gameplay. On the other one, it's a terribly unbalanced roguelike that is also in dire need of variety. Throw all these in a bowl, and the end result is a soup with a couple of ingredients that shouldn't be here… but, somehow the taste remains pretty darn good. After all, how can you go wrong with a game where you are in control of a Valkyrie that blasts monsters in Asgard with her shotgun, in sync with some fine heavy metal.

There are no answers in this short spooky story. None. You might think there are, but there aren't. Paratopic is all atmosphere, and zero plot. Things are happening, but it's hard and maybe even impossible to make sense of it all. The good news is that when the atmosphere isn't just good, but fantastic, and as a result the adventure is very immersive despite its lack of a coherent narrative. A solid recommendation whenever the price is low enough, and in the mood for something enjoyably unsettling and mysterious, yet without much meat on its bones.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins masterfully reinvigorates the musou genre by returning to its roots in some ways — and taking bold risks with established mechanics. It pays off at almost every juncture. While the large roster of playable characters is gone for now and it's certainly missed, by honing in on what truly matters for the genre Koei Tecmo has refreshed an experience that desperately needed it. The result is a more focused, more engaging and simply more fun action title that makes this reviewer very excited for the future of the genre.

Final Fantasy VII fans should already expect this to be a vastly different experience in more ways than one to the original classic game, and the sooner that is accepted, the better, because there is a huge, fun and memorable time to be had in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Despite the slower and drawn-out segments, the characters, combat, and doubling down on the optional content and lore means this is a role-playing game that will satisfy most genre enthusiasts.

Fantasian: Neo Dimension is an exciting turn-based RPG that cements the stylings of Mistwalker and Sakaguchi-san's directorial vision. A marked uptick in quality from Fantasian on Apple Arcade, this revamped version hits the classic highs of JRPGs as well as offers an experience that feels polished, complete and exciting. For lovers of older Final Fantasy games, this will scratch the itch, doubly so with the involvement of Uematsu-san, yet another auditory love letter from the master. All in all, this is THE game for JRPG fans.

Purists may lament that this isn't a true update of the original Ninja Gaiden II, as Ninja Gaiden II Black uses the Sigma 2 port as its base, but what has been put together here is still an incredibly fulfilling hack and slash action game that absolutely is one of the best in the genre. In a time where more and more franchises are going down the open and freer route, this is a reminder that a more linear and confined approach works wonders for this type of game.

Pick My Heart Chapter 2 continues a story that wasn't really in need of continuing, as the characters weren't exactly that memorable, and the "plot" of the original was romantic Visual Novel 101, with just a little bit of fantasy thrown in. As such, try it only if you were really in love with the first part.

Some parts of the game are undeniably charming, such as the story, the character art and the bright colours. However, reusing a dated system really shows a lot of its age. Along with design choices that are simply confusing, it drags down the experience along with the 3D models. While there is certainly a level of 'too much' going on, this also applies to battles in a good way if a player is ready for it. The craziness is part of the charm and many of the battles are surprisingly hard, short of power leveling.

Overall, Picross S: Records of the Shield Hero is a solid Picross title that looks as polished as can be. The theming is fantastic and on point, and while more could have been done in terms of soundtrack or video clips, the title provides a solid few hours of entertainment that shouldn't be missed.

This is a decent, entry-level horror adventure, one that will last for about an hour, and offer a nice mysterious story, and the general feeling that something is out to get you. Not exactly a gem in the world of lo-fi PS1-styled indies, but most are recommended to try it out if given the chance.

Find Pick My Heart Chapter 1 at about the same price as a coffee and it will offer you about two days of relaxing reading, involving some mild romance, some mild humour, and some mild mystery revolving around Greek Goddesses. It's not something special, though, so let it be said once more. Approach only if found really cheap…

Despite its age, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD maintains exceptional quality, offering engaging platforming sequences, visually impressive set-pieces, dazzling vistas, and a high level of difficulty. While the majority of collectibles offer limited in-game value beyond unlocking mirror mode, their inherent appeal, driven by ingrained desire, compels players to seek them out. It's highly replayable and highly addictive, leaving gamers eager to keep playing. It is disappointing that this remaster doesn't include anything new for veterans, but when the foundation is so enjoyable, it's hard to be dissatisfied.

In an age when it seems like bigger is always seen as better, Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is a lovely reminder of the fun in a restrained JRPG that simply focuses on telling an engaging story without all the added trimmings around it. While this remaster of the Windows and PSP games is not reinventing the wheel, with similar visuals and the same combat system, the core gameplay here is sure to win round a whole new set of fans who may not have played any of the original titles or even a previous Ys game. The characters are extremely likeable and the combat system - while definitely having its frustrating challenges - is hard not to get a ton of satisfaction from.

The biggest mistake in game design is making a player feel totally disinterested on what's going on in front of their eyes - twice as big of a mistake in the actionless genre of city-builders, because unless given a strong incentive to do what needs to be done, it all feels like tedious, boring work. In Aquatico no one will feel as if they are helping a group of people survive the end of the world. You are basically a project manager of the slowest, least demanding project, where almost everything is done without much input on your behalf.

If in search for the next best thing in adventures, A Vampyre Story isn't it. While it has some issues, and an obvious lack of polish at places, it definitely has its moments, and some of these moments are awesome. It's not perfect, but genre fans will enjoy the three or so evenings they'll spend on it, with its humour, likable protagonist, and beautiful vistas being the best things on offer… and the fact that this is basically a Part One of a Part Two that never came (and probably never will) ruining the experience.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure offers up some delightfully engrossing story beats and it's easy to get wrapped up in the mystery of the tale. There's a lot to like here with Max's character development feeling fulfilling and the potential for this arc to spawn an even wider tale if the twist at the end is anything to go by. Generally speaking, the performances of the cast are all of a high quality. Where Double Exposure somewhat loses its focus is during the final chapter or two, when the plot seems to fully lean into the supernatural beyond the interesting character development. Some general technical issues with dialogue and graphics also unfortunately result in a frustrating sense of being stripped out of the immersion. Overall, for fans of the series and those who just like a good adventure tale, Double Exposure is worth enjoying.

With the majority of first-person games being rubbish, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an incredible surprise. With the team behind Wolfenstein, it really shouldn't have been. An incredibly fun experience from start to finish with a fantastic story, beautiful environments, taxing puzzles and a fantastic score Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the definitive Indy experience in gaming and, dare I say, all media? (no).

5 minutes of Spellagis is fun… but it remains the same even after 5000 minutes. There simply is no variety to speak of. The arenas, the enemies, the abilities of your auto-shooting mage - they are all extremely unimaginative. In essence, this is entertaining enough to keep most playing it until they reach 100% completion rate… which is easy to do in one single day.

A poor addition in the "series," Pretty Girls Pop Match is an enjoyable Match-3 title, but it's so light in content (even when it comes to the pretty girls themselves) that most are advised to play any other of the dozens of free alternatives that are out there.

In spite of its technical issues, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy is still an engrossing and tense collection of some of the best twitch-based survival-horror action RPG that also happens to be set in a radioactive Russian wasteland. The atmosphere in these titles are some of the best executed and the gameplay is very deep when it works. It is fair to see why many prefer S.T.A.L.K.E.R. over Metro since it offers an immersive sim-like experience on an ambitious scale for its time, while also having just enough magical elements that keep the universe a little bit of a mystery.

By Mario RPG standards, this is not one of the better ones, particularly when it comes to the pacing, design, and story. What saves Mario & Luigi: Brothership from sinking completely is the strategically engaging and fun battle system, delightful animations that go hand-in-hand with the cartoony art style, and the excellent soundtrack. Other gameplay ideas miss their target, and things become a drag far too quickly.

Trepang2 is a very fun and surprisingly accomplished FPS that thrives on its physical and fast-paced action combat. Players who don't mind the simpler aesthetics will find a game that has a certain catharsis that up until now was pretty much only scratched by the original F.E.A.R.. It is more than worth a look and comes recommended on PlayStation 5.

Almost every single one of the so-called "boomer shooters" tends to focus almost entirely on fast, high-octane action. WRATH: Aeon of Ruin fools you by thinking it's the same as them but it isn't. Oh, sure, it has plenty combat to satiate your need for killing evil things with cool weapons, but you are also meant to soak into its strong dark fantasy atmosphere, and spend hours exploring its beautiful, vast realms. While it has its flaws, with chief among them its needlessly large maps, it's safe to call this trip back to the magic of the past a modern classic of the genre.

No matter which way players choose to experience Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged, it's still a very compelling point-and-click adventure game with awesome art and animation. The compressed sound is unfortunate and the additions from the Director's Cut are sadly excluded. As it stands, there is no definitive version of Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars and Reforged missed the opportunity to have it all.

Deceptively sweet graphics bely a terrifying tale full of extremely dark-humour-plot-twists in this mind-bending adventure. Before the Night certainly leaves a lot of questions unanswered and doubts of reality in this pet ownership tale, with few imperfections in the Nintendo Switch version. Playing after dark requires extra courage for those more easily frightened, horror veterans should be delighted by the experience.

Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 Remake is an interesting game. It successfully freshens up the presentation of the original story while tastefully expanding the gameplay through a modern gaming frame. Their handling of boss fights, monster behaviours and puzzles makes this title a fun time through and through, despite the depressing nature of the atmosphere and story. The new takes on characters offer increased depth through new facial capture and the voice actors successfully revise some of the more complex, awkward dialogue exchanges in a manner befitting of the original title. Akira Yamoaka slays with a fantastic remix of the soundtrack and Ito does some masterful redesigning of the horrific creatures. If there was a way to remake Silent Hill 2 this was it.

Days of Doom had a lot of potential, but an utterly unforgiveable amount of hard crashes 'doom' much of its hope for a decent experience. Even when it is not crashing, there were just too many things that really should have been different. Classes are far too boring, plenty of missed opportunities for more weapons, any skills, or any sort of depth. For people looking for a game that had good potential, but blew it so badly, this is a good example to study.

As a relaxing life sim Rune Factory 5 certainly has a cozy home on Nintendo Switch. The dozens of hours of gameplay extend beyond finishing the main story, with levels to be maxed out, new equipment forged and even a new dungeon to explore, making the occasional lack of clarity of next steps a minor issue in the deservedly popular farming title.

To its credit, Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case Files offers a lot of value since it is three adventures games plus new DLC scenarios that were created for the iOS versions. These are milquetoast and boring adventure games where the humour probably landed better in Japanese. The hand-drawn backgrounds and character designs are appealing, but get used to seeing them be recycled across all three titles. The wait for the third Touch Detective does not seem like it was something gamers were begging for. Anyone who enjoyed the first two will likely be happy the with third entry since it is more of the same, but fans of the point-and-click adventure genre will probably find these to be uneventful and dull.

Ys X: Nordics isn't a bad game, but it's not great either. The graphics don't look any better than when Ys VIII came out years ago on older systems. The story and characters are passable, but in a crowded field of games, this isn't enough anymore. The time spent on this game felt more like a reminder of what it could have been rather than an entertaining adventure. One's enjoyment of this is going to be directly proportional to if someone wants 'more of the same' of the recent Falcom formula. It is clearly selling, so the trend is likely to continue for better or worse, but there is a lot here that is tough to recommend except for diehard series fans.

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town takes what made the previous Shin-chan game good and adds a twist of intrigue that is much stronger than the latter's plot. There is a lot of fun to be had in Shin-chan's new adventure in Coal Town and a good relaxing holiday story to boot. The dedication to matching the visual and writing style of the Shin-chan universe makes this a joy to experience and a fantastic pickup for those who pine for summer during the cold seasons! It's a satisfying little adventure story with a ton of very odd humour and a really unique design.

Bloomtown: A Different Story wanted to be a lot of things. A relaxing summer vacation, an adventure filled with mysteries to solve, a real-life sim, and an RPG with neat combat mechanics plus a creature capture system. It's not bad (far from it), but by trying to juggle too many balls in the air, it fails at remaining engaging for more than a couple of hours, as it becomes obvious that there's not much depth underneath the beautiful pixel art wrapping.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is a continued return to form for the Mario Party series, blending the core formula with colourful splashes of the new and inventive. Nintendo has elevated what made the series special through a wide selection of fun mini-games, expansive boards and a mix of additional modes/challenges.

At its core, Little Goody Two Shoes is a survival management game that incorporates dating sim elements and Wario Ware-style micro-games. The micro-games can be obnoxious at times and the story won't be everyone's cup of tea considering the target audience this game caters to, but it is hard to not be swept up in the artistry poured into the presentation.

After cooking up extremely original ideas with the latest 3D entries in the series, it is great to see Nintendo apply this lust for originality to top-down Legend of Zelda, too. There isn't a lot to be said for difficulty, and, like Tears of the Kingdom before it, certain gameplay features can be abused to make the quest easier, but the key thing about Echoes of Wisdom is that it is so much fun to play. The 3D games got their much-needed shake-up, and now the top-down format has received it for the better, as well. It was far too long of a wait for Princess Zelda to get her playable role in the series that bears her name, but this is an excellent start to hopefully bigger things to come.

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.

There are worse soulslikes out there than Skautfold: Shrouded in Sanity, but there are far better ones as well. There's a somewhat good 2D Bloodborne experience somewhere here, hidden under repetitive, unimpressive, and unpolished combat, and a decent-to-forgettable atmosphere and plot. Enter its gothic world only if really starving for this type of game, and only if the price is right.

Epic Mickey: Rebrushed will be a fun time for any 3D platformer and Disney fan, with all sorts of references to the past. It is a fascinating game that brings people deeper into the characters and worlds that Walt Disney created in his early days, and will be worth exploring Wasteland again for those that played the original Wii version thanks to the improvements made mechanically and visually. This is still a rather basic platformer that treads the line of tedium due to outdated fetch quests, and voice acting could have really benefitted the story scenes, but there is a great charm to this game, despite the darker tone, that will appeal to many.

One more by-the-numbers anime-flavoured RPG, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles turns out to be a title whose most exciting feature is its name. With its boring story, repetitive gameplay, and general lack of challenge and incentive, it's impossible to recommend this to anyone but the most die-hard of fans… and even they can find better alternatives.

From the stunning, emotion-filled prologue to when the credits roll, Visions of Mana is a spectacular journey that is more than just a visual delight. Understanding the magic system and switching mana elements once obtained is not hard for newcomers to the series to understand. The captivating story is elevated with the memorable soundtrack, and all the characters were likeable. It has its flaws, especially post-game, but overall it is a great introduction to the legendary series and without doubt will lead newer fans to explore older titles, and hope for a new one in the future.

Capcom has delivered another terrific collection of fighting games with all the bells and whistles, packed with music, promotional art and development images that every fan of these still-great arcade titles will appreciate. Care has been given to ensure gameplay options are there for all types of players, with solid training and online modes that will introduce a new generation to some of Marvel and Capcom's best collaborative work.

Although not without its faults in due part to the trial-and-error situations that require exhausting all options in conversations, Emio - The Smiling Man is a game that will keep fans glued to the end, topped off with a very appealing art style and fair 10+ hour storyline that doesn't overstay its welcome. There isn't much else to see and do once the full story is done, but it is one worth experiencing.

Does a blend of boxing workouts and Hatsune Miku work well? Oddly, it does. There's a joyful, energetic tracklist to prop up the workouts and a sweet medley of routines to try. Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku can certainly make players sweat. There is a good variation of songs to choose from, though the game could have benefited from a larger selection in line with the Project Diva series. If you're into the Vocaloid pop and crave an intense workout, this take on Fitness Boxing may well be worth a go!

The remastered version of Monster Hunter Stories definitely opens up the world of the original game to new players. It does seem a bit odd why this was released after Monster Hunter Stories 2 given the plot similarity, however it was probably the second's success that enabled this remaster to happen. It is absolutely worth a place in the Nintendo Switch library because of the sheer amount of fun had collecting monsties and helping NPCs out with their wide-ranging problems. Not everyone will care about the extras, but the fully voiced dialogue adds to the immersion level. Let's hope the Switch successor leads to a third Monster Hunter Stories title, this time with significantly changed story and new areas to explore.

Fundamentally, Earth Defence Force 6 is 'more of the same' as 5, with an improved story and some very slight changes. The darker story is much more welcome, and the new enemies and weapons give players more variety. Gameplay wise it is going to be nearly the same as the last main entry, with the pretty cool narrative style of the opening levels. It's not going to blow anyone away, but it's very much in the vein of fun that will suck the hours away.

Minds Beneath Us is a truly interesting and cerebral adventure told with heart and, at times, prosaic writing. It is full of intimate character moments that make the people feel alive and fully rounded. It can be a little slow at times and sometimes quick time events come from nowhere but it's so satisfying and the story has some very well executed moments that really let it shine. If narrative adventure sounds like a delightful time then this game is the one, in a word; Recommended.

This is a lengthy action platformer geared towards kids that will get mileage out of those that previously enjoyed Goemon titles back in the day. There are many similarities between Konami's sidelined franchise and BAKERU, but Good-Feel's latest release suffers from repetitive gameplay and a poor frame rate that hinders enjoyment. There is a strong appeal to the Japanese themes and setting, along with a cartoon style, child-friendly story and low difficulty that means all age groups can appreciate it. Just don't expect something quite reaching the qualities of Nintendo's top platformers.

It's hard to imagine anything else Paper Trail could offer. It's a tidy little cosy puzzle package with enough oomph to satisfy puzzle game veterans and newbies alike. The charming story and visuals make it stand out and the level of love and care for the title is evident in the gameplay feel, making this a game to recommend.

Sexy low-poly girl beats zombies in a mall for about an hour, and the biggest challenge, besides the unpolished controls, will be to stay awake, as you'll pretty get what this can give in less than 10 minutes, and then be required to keep on with the monotonous gameplay just to reach the finishing line. Hot Blood is not recommended at all. Not even to lovers of low-budget, silly titles.

SteamWorld Heist II is impressively epic and offers gamers a lot of bang for their buck. It's a bigger, better, and more varied strategy game than its predecessor. While the story is mostly fluff to support the deep combat systems and character building, most people won't notice because they'll be too focused on the heat of a battle which unfolds like a tense story in its own right.

Despite some shortcomings with the supporting cast and some slightly buggy AA technical hiccups, RoboCop: Rogue City is the ultimate RoboCop experience. Fans will get a lot of bang for their buck here since it is a shockingly lengthy game, clocking in over thirty hours. It is very authentic to the films and captures their essence, but lacks the courage to introduce fresh ideas. The developers have been very active in patching some of the glitches, so it stands to become a better experience as time goes on. Hopefully, they will implement a new game plus one day too.

Beyond Good & Evil's characters and story still have something to offer in the current age, and its small world is a refreshing change to the huge, open expanses seen in every other adventure today. Although it lacks quality in a multitude of areas, including combat, stealth sections, and camera controls, Jade's adventure attempts to tell a compelling narrative that will have players eager to reach its conclusion. It seems quite clear after playing that Beyond Good & Evil was supposed to be something much more than what it is, and it remains to be seen where things go from here, but this adventure harks back to a fun era in video games and holds up just about well enough that it deserves a playthrough today - just maybe have a guide at the ready to figure a few things out.

After Us stands as a thought-provoking testament to human responsibility, but it leaves untouched the broader canvas of nature's relentless force. Recognizing both sides of this environmental equation would have offered a more comprehensive perspective on the intricate dance between humanity and the natural world, underscoring the urgent need for responsible stewardship of our planet. The gameplay is serviceable and the game's length won't leave anyone asking for more, but the real showstopper is its gorgeous visuals and ambiance.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess proves that Capcom's golden period is long lasting. This unique title not only provides a fun and engaging experience, it does so with such ease it's kind of mesmerising. A fun gameplay loop, polished presentation and entertaining story make this a game to remember, as with other works from the same director! If action and strategy combined sounds like a good time then Kunitsu-Gami is a no-brainer; get it now and throw down some sick dance moves in the name of Yoshiro!

Picross S+ is yet another great title that holds up the quality of standard developer Jupiter is known for. It is a bit sad that the base game does not come with any Color Picross puzzles, but overall, these can be unlocked with DLC purchases and even the base game by itself provides hours of fun!

With the fantastic theming, all the options and fantastically challenging puzzles, Picross S Namco Legendary Edition is a must-have for puzzle fans and Namco fans alike. A great way to relax while still keeping those little brain cells occupied for a bit, this title is a great little addition to play for relaxing or while travelling.

Overall, there is plenty to devour in the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition package - a history trip through Nintendo's original hits in bite-sized, repayable chunks. As a speed-running package, it very much ticks all those boxes. The lack of remixed content and visual tweaks does hinder its potential, however. There is opportunity there, though, for Nintendo to expand the package if they decide to going forward. All in all, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition is a nostalgic treat for competitive players that's well worth a go or two or three!

For fans of this type of game and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves, Splintered Fate does the job admirably and doesn't skimp on development of the characters, providing a faithful love letter to the franchise. Stay calm, take it step by step, and have a quick bash whenever the mood takes you to ensure a fun and long-lasting experience. Bossa Nova!

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD still has the feeling of a portable game that was tailored to the system it was built for, but for the most part, things have been ported over extremely well. The mission-based structure that pulls players out of the game on a frequent basis, constant interruptions from E. Gadd, and a lack of saving until stages are completed detract from what is otherwise a light-hearted and fun little adventure rife with plenty of secrets to discover and puzzles galore, albeit one that isn't on par with the first and third entries in the series. The improved visuals and controls are a boon that make Luigi's Mansion 2 a better game than it was before, but with a lack of much else that's new, the high price tag is a big ask.

Pepper Grinder is a short little platformer that delivers a satisfying gameplay concept, but it can take time to grasp the full mechanics due to the fast speed and slight unpredictability of where Pepper will move during and after the drilling process. The slower speed option can help alleviate the issues, but those that take the time to master it will be rewarded with a fast-paced adventure with plenty of secrets to discover. Speedrunners will get a lot of purchase out of this one, but it isn't without its problems when dealing with frustrating combat and bosses. Thankfully, the short length balances things out, ensuring Pepper Grinder ends before it gets too tedious.

A lot of Front Mission 2: Remake's shortcomings lie in a mixture of a sloppy transition to becoming a more modern game, including low budget and some of the old design choices from its source material. Many of the best aspects of the original still shine through and the remake's staff did make some legitimate improvements like the options to speed up gameplay aspects of the gamepla. With a bit more time, perhaps a better translation will get patched in and maybe a port for the more powerful consoles will iron out its technical shortcomings. Anyone who desires a demanding and complex strategy mecha game with political intrigue and a plot that predicts the dangers of globalism will get their money's worth with Front Mission 2: Remake.

The focus on online elements positions Megaton Musashi W: Wired as a potential favourite for mobile gamers accustomed to online interaction. While solo and offline play are available, the core experience lies in the extensive online grind alongside other players who prioritise efficiency and rapid mission completion for loot acquisition. The narrative in Megaton Musashi W: Wired may not resonate with all audiences, lacking complexity and English language voice acting. However, it compensates with a focus on bombastic action and over-the-top brawls, reminiscent of the live-action Transformers films. This emphasis on explosive spectacle may hold appeal for players seeking a purely action-oriented experience. Megaton Musashi W: Wired offers a flashy combat experience hampered by a repetitive structure, excessive grinding, and a weak localisation effort. While the frenetic action and customisation may appeal to some, the lack of depth and focus on loot acquisition limit the game's overall appeal.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling lures in new fans to the adorable Lynette's love life through balanced backstory telling in this full-length sequel, each route taking a few hours of play depending on reading speed. Returning fans will be ecstatic to see what happens during the happy ever after version of the original tale. The sole difficulty of the game lies in choosing which bachelor story to start with as they are all so interesting. The eye-catching colour palette pairs perfectly with easy-to-use menus and wildly different plot routes. Lynette's married life is not perfect but addresses relatable issues that get solved with humour and make a perfect bedtime read on Nintendo Switch.

Everything that Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door entails is everything that is desired in this series - turn-based timed button battles, completely original characters in familiar and new species, witty dialogue, and an emphasis on story and greater lore. This is a unique adventure full of fun and clever gameplay ideas, offering a medium-length RPG that will satisfy Mario fans eager to see more than stomping on koopas and - in the case of the more recent Paper Mario titles - repetitive battle systems and generic characters. If all goes well, fingers crossed that the success of this game can pave the way for a brand-new entry in the same vein as this one - ideally without a paper joke in sight.

Come for the almost Body Horror-esque visual style, stay for the fun and adrenaline pumping shooting action! Angel at Dusk might be a bit too simple for most people, as well as too easy for Bullet Hell veterans and too hard for greenhorns, yet it manages to offer quite the enjoyable ride. It mostly suffers in the replayability department, but if found at a good discount, it's solid recommendation for genre fans and not only.

It's clear from the very first hour into the dark fantasy world of GRAVEN that this retro-flavoured FPS was not a victim of an incompetent developer, but one more example of internal problems that didn't let the team behind it complete its homage to titles like HeXen. The end result remains fun despite its many issues, like its unnecessary long length and unbalanced mechanics. Sadly, it's also very likely that players might stumble upon a game-breaking bug that will ruin hours upon hours of gameplay.

There is no doubt that that the mostly strong level design, amusing character interactions and intriguing story make Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution a solid entry on Nintendo Switch, especially when having both new and returning music that help with the nostalgic feel for returning fans. It is a shame that there are some unbalanced areas in both design and gameplay that could impact enjoyment for some less skilled players, as overall it is a captivating addition to the well-known and beloved Neptunia series.

Men of War II is a solid RTS marred by clunky controls and complicated gameplay, but its worst offense is requiring an internet connection, even for single-player modes. Without that requirement (which, again, is currently meant to change sometime post-launch) and with just a little polish to the controls, UI, or both, this could be a must-have for RTS/WW2 buffs. Fans of the series will probably have an easier time diving in, while new players are likely to find themselves completely lost without going through the tutorials. On the whole, the game feels solid, looks good, sounds good, and has a lot of potential, and its flaws aren't so bad they can't be polished out.

Biomutant is very far from a bad game and getting something of this scope ported to the Nintendo Switch in a very playable state - as seen from other ports over the years - is credit to the technical knowhow and adaptiveness of the development team at Experiment 101. There are a lot of interesting mechanics going on, from the focus on an entirely customisable character and the crafting and loot system, to the exploration in this unique setting. While performance is generally acceptable however, the graphics are undoubtedly rough round the edges and things like shadows, pop-in and inconsistent textures spoil what is otherwise a decent enough presentation. Adding to this, while the world is varied in its locales, the emptiness of the setting does much to break immersion and despite the illusion of choice many of the quests ultimately boil down to the mundane.

Grid Legends achieves a great deal at nailing down the fundamentals of a modern racer, but not much else. While the roster of cars is fine, the upgrade system and process of obtaining new vehicles leaves something to be desired. Codemasters provides handling of most vehicles on the track and stable performance and visuals on PC to make up for the awkward feeling story mode and lacklustre AI in offline modes. In the end, Grid Legends doesn't quite match up to the competition but may be worth a look as a more straightforward title.

Endless Ocean Luminous caught a lot of attention amongst fans of the series when announced. Those who enjoy long, peaceful diving sessions may well feel at home with Endless Ocean Luminous. It's a formula that, on paper, had a lot of potential to have opened up the flood-gates (pun intended) for a comprehensive diving experience - especially with the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch. Initially it's a bright and intriguing but drifts off into the mundane fairly quickly.

Stasis: Bone Totem's challenging puzzles may cause a headache and bring progression to a halt on more than one occasion, so it is best to be prepared for critical thinking and a little trial and error. The excellently written characters and superb voice acting really drive the desire to progress, and the sci-fi horror plot is backed up by immaculate prerendered backgrounds that sadly take a dip in quality on Switch, especially on the puzzle screens. Although not without its faults and the odd bug here and there, this point-and-click adventure has still transitioned greatly to console, and the effort to bring such a title to Switch is hugely appreciated.

The transition from single-screen pre-rendered backgrounds to fully realized 3D environments has breathed new life into level design of Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition. Stages wrap around each other, utilizing added depth creatively. The expansive vistas of Oddworld's alien landscape look incredibly realistic, showcasing the capabilities of the Unity engine, which has evolved from a budget choice for hobbyists to a platform capable of rendering imagery on par with AAA Unreal Engine 4 titles. The clashing tones with the storytelling and gameplay are regrettable. The developers should have leaned more into the silliness of the premise instead of take itself so seriously. Being able to fart on command was a crucial pillar of Oddworld and seeing it gutted is utterly depressing.

Marvelous have absolutely succeeded in making Rune Factory 3 Special endearing to newer fans despite some obvious differences compared with the newer Rune Factory titles. It remains a great blend of RPG farming and fighting, the latter can be focused on for farming aficionados, holding off main story progression until it is desired. The comprehensive post-game content that is not conditional on various requirements only adds to the experience. Let's hope Rune Factory 1 and 2 receive similar treatments in the future!

Forza: Motorsport 2023 is both a fantastic racing experience and an example of everything wrong in the genre at the moment. the driving is better than ever and the visual design is fantastic but the soundtrack, lack of local play and the small number of bugs did detract from the overall experience. It's got a ton of amazing content that makes up for the issues, however, so it is a hearty recommendation to all motor nuts.

Dementium: The Ward runs pretty short and has very little replay value. The puzzle solutions and bosses are identical to the prior versions, and the overall campaign takes place in only one location. Its value is a tad overstated, this is a recommended classic that does come highly polished and has some legit creepiness to it, thanks to the gritty and foreboding atmosphere. The controls feel very tight and it's incredibly responsive, though it could use more features like gyro or a weapon wheel. A survival mode or a randomiser would also add value and more of a reason to return to Redmoor. These are the kinds of additions Dementium: The Ward needed, not a 'retro' filter.

Persona 3 Reload does much to bring it up to modern sensibilities with a well optimized PC port in most cases, but more could have be done to shake off more of the baggage from the original release. The new menu systems and battle features carried over from more recent titles elevates the game the most and the new voice cast does an admirable job with largely the same script. The pacing still feels held back by the original story design and the main concept of Tartarus, but as a remake of what many consider a PlayStation 2 classic, it is a recommendation for JRPG fans.

Quantum: Recharged feels like a singular entry within a larger anthology or collection of retro arcade games harkening back to the early 80s. The game is highly responsive, and its polished, dazzling appearance indicates meticulous attention was paid to pay homage to the original Quantum. While it's commendable that the classic Atari game is receiving due respect, the extent of its acclaim appears to be overstated, primarily due to its excessively simplistic nature.

Princess Peach Showtime! is full of wonderful bits and pieces, all showcasing a staggering variety of extremely well implemented gameplay styles, which come together as a very fun full game. It stumbles a little in terms of performance (perhaps some irony there in relation to theatre) but pulls itself back up. A Stella(r) second outing for Nintendo's leading lady and one that comes recommended regardless of age or any other features people use to create target audiences.

The somewhat random nature of the AI in combat, along with the linear story and the short gameplay might sound like turn-offs. However, the feline-heavy adventure is oddly fun despite these issues. Seeking upgrades and winning levels makes this low price sci-fi release more enjoyable than some longer AAA titles, proving how strong the indie scene can be. You don't have to be infected with toxoplasmosis to enjoy Space Cats Tactics.