Heading Out is one of those games that will either grip you from the outset or show all of its hand in the first hour, never to be looked at again. If invested in the character and the story, a really interesting tale will be laid out with lots of opportunity to review and revise the outcomes. If it’s a fully realised driving experience that is being wished for however, this may get left on the side of the road.

In anime-styled puzzle horror adventure High School Dirty Secrets, a student wakes trapped in a dark school where a killer and plenty of girly panties can be found, and while said school has a very good, oppressive atmosphere, the almost goofy use of fanservice, the repetitive walking-simulator gameplay and the not-that-well-handled story make this fail both as a scary ride, as well as an engrossing quest filled with mystery and riddles.

Nioh 3 modifies the series formula, producing mixed results. The game features a more varied action combat system for fights and challenges. As far as action goes, it still features some of the best mechanics in the genre, even if it's on the easier side, and regular enemies are exploitable. Storytelling and worldbuilding lack depth, but the headliner has always been getting lost and fighting for survival in these types of games. At worst, this is just another decent soulslike action RPG that doesn't break the mould. The big open world is welcome, but it does not deliver on its full potential due to uninspired level design.

Dark Auction falls into a rare spot that the plot and writing is actually pretty interesting but the story is still tough to recommend. The characters feel real, and the tension and mystery is very good, but it goes nowhere fast. There are certainly some other problems such as the auction puzzle parts being a big letdown, and the main mystery not being as big as it first seems, but mostly it is just that more needs to happen. The overall plot meanders, and it really grinds down what should have been a brisk and interesting story that could have been told in half the time or less.

Boulder Dash 40th Anniversary Edition is not everything that fans could have hoped for. What should have been a wonderful celebration of a classic series turns out to be a middling package marred by a lack of control options and default controls that don’t offer the best experience. Getting rid of the classic game progression system and failing to include a proper leaderboard system really limit the potential of what could be otherwise one of the most comprehensive collection of caves for a decent introduction to the franchise for newcomers. Thankfully, the classic Boulder Dash formula remains as addictive as ever and is executed competently here.

Attempting to channel that special The Goonies magic, indie metroidvania The Good Old Days borrows its premise and aesthetics (kind of) but stumbles in execution. The muddy level design, punishing backtracking and the especially poor controls are hard to stomach, and despite being made with multiple runs in mind, this ultimately isn’t fun or worth finishing even once.

While the audio and visual elements of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined are top-notch, those familiar with the depth of the original might not be entirely on board with the drastic changes. Although some are legitimate improvements, there is always a nagging feeling that there could have been a definitive Dragon Quest VII, and not just a "reimagined" iteration. Despite some misgivings from a long-time Dragon Warrior VII fan, this is still a righteous JRPG that delivers on most fronts. It’s easier than ever now, but thankfully not so easy that failure is impossible, and no one is likely to be stuck for long.

This is a series that has far more iterations and versions that anyone could possibly imagine. While a huge contributor to the 'grand strategy' genre, Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8, even remade and expanded, is too dense with too little payoff to highly recommend to anyone except series fans. General strategy gamers will be put off by the death-by-menu gameplay and lack of interesting things happening for what amounts to playing small hands of poker and shuffling Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

Within about two hours one can see almost everything Super Box Delivery: Beyond the Horizon has to offer, which is a shame as, even with its severe lack of content, it manages to be quite the tasty snack - one that could easily turn into a big meal with a little more time in the oven. A wasted opportunity, really.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade arrives on Switch 2 with a confidence that immediately sets it apart from the competition, delivering an experience that feels both ambitious and assured from the moment the journey begins. The heart of the remake beats strongly throughout, with Midgar’s drama, intimacy, and spectacle preserved in a form that feels remarkably complete on hybrid hardware. The adaptation shows clear intent, shaping its presentation with care so the emotional weight of every scene lands exactly as it should. The world retains its grandeur, the characters retain their depth, and the adventure retains its power to sweep players into something far larger than the sum of its parts. The result is a version that feels consistently engaging, impressively cohesive, and far more polished than many would expect from such a lavish production running on a portable system. Intergrade’s additional content enriches the experience further, offering moments of charm, energy, and narrative texture that round out an already substantial adventure. This release stands as a testament to what a thoughtful adaptation can achieve, proving that scale and spectacle need not be sacrificed for accessibility. A beloved classic has been reimagined once more, and the hard work gone into it ensures that its magic remains undeniable on Switch 2.

Offering a refreshing, polished experience, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise is an excellent DLC package to sit alongside the core Animal Crossing: New Horizons base game. Refined, flexible decorating options with a large catalogue of unlimited items mixes up the pace for creative freedom without the hording slog of the regular island. Happy Home Paradise is, quite simply, a playground of cosy fun.

A fairly by-the-book platformer where gameplay never goes to any great heights or depths. Certain small aspects regarding platforming and combat can occasionally become annoying, but these negatives aside, the art and general charm of the game is quiet compelling. The story hints at some dark sci-fi plots, and exploration is satisfying, if sometimes annoyingly difficult. The characters are especially attractive with their highly animated visual novel portraits, which gives a sense of life this genre often doesn't have. Overall, though, Kotama and Academy Citadel feels like it needed more cohesion to really come together.

Despite its occasionally tedious mechanics and uneven pacing, Atlas Wept succeeds where it matters most: in its heart. Its melancholic tone, thoughtful themes, and simple-yet-endearing cast linger long after the credits roll, elevating it above its mechanical shortcomings. Fans of narrative-driven indie RPGs, especially those drawn to EarthBound/Mother-inspired experiences, will find much to admire here. It stumbles in terms of gameplay, but its emotional resonance ensures it will be remembered fondly.

It is an excellent sign when the range of negative points of a game are so few that they are of an almost insignificant nature. Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights meets that criteria. The issues discovered are minor, and the strength of narrative and difference in each romance route are genius and plentiful, making it a top-class addition to the visual novel library on Nintendo Switch. A minority might be put off by how long each romance route takes, but for VN fans the longer the better! A sequel would be very well received too, such is the desire for more adventures from the not-so-cursed royal lady.

Some gamers enjoy experiences that gamify mundane work activities. The fun is how accurately it can capture the experience of the profession. The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition not only cheapens the effort put into making cadavers presentable for funerals, but it also turns into a major hassle with Paimon constantly pestering Rebecca, thinking it’s amusing to remind her of her past heroin use. This could have worked if more thought had been put into the embalming process and if the presentation had been more polished.

Syberia Remastered is an uneven revival. Its redesigned environments successfully capture the spirit and atmosphere of the original, but a couple of issues (visual and otherwise) prevent it from becoming the definitive version. For the uninitiated it’s a mostly accessible entry point into a classic story; for long-time fans, it’s an…okay reinterpretation. It's sadly one more reminder that preserving magic is sometimes harder than creating it in the first place.

Charon’s Staircase unfortunately feels like it is caught between strong ideas and weak execution. Its thematic ambition, atmospheric sound design, and willingness to explore uncomfortable subject matter make it stand out, and it feels pretty memorable even if it isn’t great. At the same time, a variety of technical shortcomings, repetitive gameplay, and puzzles that tend to vary between mindlessly boring and frustratingly esoteric hold the overall game back. Horror is a crowded genre and this feels like one most people can skip without missing out on much. For players drawn to slow, narrative-driven psychological horror, there is some value to be found. For most others, the only thing frightening about this is how much money they’ll waste.

It is easy to want to like Simon the Sorcerer Origins at first glance. The artwork is beautiful, and the puzzles are clever and creative. However, Simon sadly comes off as a murder-hobo rather than a charming rogue. Also, while the game's comedy is quite fun in itself, it needs more palate cleansers. As is, this feels like a six-hour-long slapstick show, a genre best served in 30-minute portions.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a fantastic multiplayer survival game. The mining is fun, the fighting is serviceable, and the progression feels really nice. The fact that it brought back Gimli and is set in the Fourth Age is really cool, especially since the player has a custom character in the story. Best experienced with friends, but totally fine to play alone. This title really deserves more attention than it got! Highly recommended to all fans of Middle-earth.

When Kaku: Ancient Seal is at its best, it shows the potential of a great sandbox adventure. Many of the design choices are spot on. Great examples are the choices to focus more on horizontal progression than vertical, and to fill the world with rewarding respawning items. However, at its worst, it is filled with some of the genre's worst design choices. The main offenders are cruel invisible walls and non-existent enemy progression. In between, Kaku: Ancient Seal is depressingly textbook good. Sure, the game works, but nothing stands out, and the polish to make it memorable is lacking. However, it does leave curiosity about what future titles Bingobell will deliver with more experience under its belt.

In the end, Schildmaid MX is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be—and a little more. It’s a tightly focused, mechanically sound shooter that caters to players who enjoy precision, repetition, and self-imposed challenges. At the same time, its limited presentation, uneven difficulty spikes, and lack of variety prevent it from standing out in an increasingly crowded indie scene. For those seeking a quick-hit arcade experience to play between larger titles, Schildmaid MX offers moments of genuine satisfaction. Just don’t expect it to linger in your memory long after the final stage is cleared.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimension offers a challenge for experienced trainers wanting to push those battle skills to the limits. Beyond level 100 critters for the first time? Check. It's tough and requires a fair bit of grind to get through the new Mega Evolution battles. Returning faces from the Pokédex and new forms are a joy to catch, too. Mega Dimension is ideal for battle enthusiasts and competitionists, but can fast become repetitive with little payoff to really keep pushing through once the favourites have been caught.

System Shock is an amazing remake that irons out a lot of the original's more impenetrable qualities. The original isn’t exactly user-friendly, so the remake’s smoother, more responsive design makes it the go-to way to play. This is especially true for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which may have occasional frame rate drops but still offers the definitive console experience for anyone looking to play, thanks to its intuitive Joy-Con 2 mouse mode.

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.

The Bug Butcher is a fun, finely-polished, Pang-inspired shooter that modernises the classic formula with sharp controls, frantic pacing and charming presentation. Its short campaign and limited modes hold it back, making it a title that’s great for short bursts but not for extended play. Think of it as a small snack between the bigger meals. A snack made out of vibrantly colourful alien insects, that is. If the price is right, it’s a solid recommendation for arcade afficionados and not only.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is a masterpiece of roguelike gaming. Impossible to put down, stellar soundtrack and visual design, as well as just being a load of fun. While some games have taken this formula and recontextualised it, the original does it best. Hop in and play as a vampire-killing badass. Highly recommended for Castlevania fans and anyone looking for a fun time. Perfect winter season gaming!

The title may not be that imaginative, but everything else about Cat Slide Tiles is high on the creative front. The 'just one more level' mentality makes it addictive, and the Switch's portability means it's simple to play a level while waiting for an appointment or as a form of relaxation before bed. The cat-themed puzzles are not always easy, but they are certainly enjoyable, and definitely deserve a sequel.

The cheerful design and well written humour of Alter Age make it a solid good versus evil RPG. The winning formula includes amusing team member personalities, a well-paced story and a melodious soundtrack, plus the Soul Alter age-switching skill, which remains centre stage - and for good reason. It is exciting to see what new features KEMCO will come up with next.