I couldn’t root for any of the characters, and I was bored for most of my time with it. This game is twice as long as its predecessor but has half the narrative depth. It may look and sound great, but that can only take you so far when the story does nothing for you. Still, I can’t say the experience was bad, just a letdown. I can only recommend The Weeping Swan to those who want an epilogue to The Hungry Lamb. Just know you’ll have to finish this disappointing story to get it.

Shinonome Abyss: The Maiden Exorcist is a diamond in the rough. It's full of clever ideas and dripping with plenty of spooky atmosphere, but it's hard to say that it ever truly achieves excellence. Despite that, players who like mystery dungeon RPGs will likely have fun here.

While Tides of Tomorrow hits a few rough patches with its stiff controls and some questionable music selection and voice work, the weight of its decisions left a lasting impact on me long after the credits rolled. Its Story-Link system turns the narrative into a fascinating social experiment, forcing you to confront the legacy you leave for other players.

While I initially found the story rich and compelling, I felt like it ended right as things were starting to get interesting. Further, the choice to emphasize an amorphous “dark presence” rather than two equally compelling villains was deeply disappointing. Overall, Regions of Ruin: Runegate is a lackluster experience to such an extent that, when the credits rolled, I felt more confused than anything else.

At the end of the day, despite my issues with REPLACED, I can confidently say that the five-year wait was worth it. If you’re a fan of cyberpunk games or 2.5D action platformers, then you absolutely need to play REPLACED. Even though I’m in no rush to replay the game, I can’t wait to give it another shot after a few post-launch adjustments. While this may not be a masterpiece, Sad Cat Studios has managed to make a seminal title in the genre that is hopefully remembered for a long, long time.

The SEGA Villains Stage DLC is a fun time, but it’s hard to recommend unless you’re already a big fan of the game and the IPs that are represented here. I loved all the boss fights, but the overall level design and length do hinder it. It also doesn’t help that the rewards for each level aren’t worth it, making the levels feel like a step down from the base game. While I still enjoyed it overall, I can’t blame anyone for waiting for a sale. The SEGA Villains Stage DLC has some great boss fights, and that’s the key takeaway from this experience. Now, if you excuse me, I want to go fight Majima again.

Tales of Berseria Remastered is a really solid action RPG at the end of the day. The core game is still there to enjoy, even if I still question what qualifies it as a remaster. While it took me a while to get into the story, once it got me, it wouldn’t let go. I genuinely loved all the characters and was satisfied with how their personal arcs played out. The combat was daunting at first, but it’s pretty fun, even if later boss fights are a chore. While the release confuses me, Tales of Berseria Remastered is still a solid way to play this game, especially on Xbox and Switch. Just know you can stick with the original if you have access to it.

The game delivers what dedicated otome fans want: beautiful character art, a quality voice cast, a moody historical setting, and branching routes steeped in Japanese legend. It doesn’t reinvent the genre or push any boundaries, nor does it try to captivate non-otome fans. The Switch port is functional but unambitious, and on Switch 2, the Vita DNA is plainly visible in the UI.

Last Man Sitting has the bones of a fantastic action roguelike, which cannot be understated. I lost track of time during my playthrough plenty of times, but unfortunately, boss encounters, weapon design, and certain mechanics fall short. I had a great time with many parts of Last Man Sitting, but when the clock struck zero and the final stage ended, I was left wanting much more.

Regardless, Rushing Beat X makes up for some of its issues with old-school charm and technical gameplay. Those who are willing to look past the jank may find something to enjoy here. It’s just too bad it couldn’t have been better.

Whether or not you will enjoy this game depends on how familiar you are with the games featured in the collection. If you’re like me and you grew up hearing about X-Men: The Arcade Game or Maximum Carnage, then this is the experience for you. However, if your response to the game’s announcement was sheer bafflement at the identity of the 6 games within, then you likely aren’t the intended audience for this experience. In the end, despite my frustrations with the experience, I can’t wait to go back and watch Magneto welcome me to die once again.

Rayman is an important game. It helped build the house that would bring us Assassin’s Creed; he joined the likes of Mario and Sonic in becoming an iconic face of gaming, and it puts into perspective how much Ubisoft has changed. With his 30th anniversary done and dusted, I hope that new eyes and appreciation will bring the limelight back to our limbless boy. Who knows, maybe the next time we’ll see him will be in Rayman 4?

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties isn’t a bad game, and at it’s core, it’s Yakuza 3, but it could be so much better. I certainly recommend newcomers play through the first Kiwami titles and the rest of the series before coming to Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on a sale, especially after experiencing Yakuza 3 to understand what the purest essence of that game is. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties does a lot of good to improve on what Yakuza 3 couldn’t, but it’s not at the high standard I expect from one of Japan’s most beloved developers. For better or worse, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the beginning of a new chapter for RGG Studio, and it’s up to them to recoup some of the good will that fans lost.

It’s a pretty short game that shows its age even in the remastered version. I also have trouble calling this City Hunter as it feels like it could be any series. It’s still a fun novelty to have, and it’s nice to see this get released. While I have issues with the game itself, I still have nothing but praise for the remaster. It has all the modern additions you want, multiple ways to play, and a great collection of bonuses to look through. While the core game has issues, I still played through it more than once and didn’t dislike my time with it. City Hunter is a fine but forgettable product of its time, but one with a strong modern release. Just one I would wait for a sale to try.

I can still recommend Maid Cafe of Electric Street. I enjoyed the slice-of-life nature of its story, even with the pacing issues. My disappointment with the actual cafe management gameplay was offset by the characters’ charm. While the game still feels too slow, the beautiful art keeps me playing. Outside of the one bug I encountered, I enjoyed my playthrough and can see myself doing another. Maid Cafe on Electric Street is still an easy recommendation, just know you’ll have to take this one slow.

I enjoyed my time with Homura Hime, but there were too many stumbles along the way for me to fully recommend it to everyone. The story is not very good, and no characters stand out as particularly interesting or memorable, but the combat saves it by offering a large array of fun combos and skills to slice through demons with. It also overstays its welcome by having you play through old levels without making it worthwhile at all. I really wanted to like this game more than I did, because you can tell there was a lot of heart and thought put into Homura Hime. Sadly, the fantastic combat and great art are let down by some questionable design choices and a lackluster story. I can only recommend Homura Hime to the diehard character action game fans out there who are looking for a decent game to blast through on a weekend.

If you are a fan of the series, even if you’ve only played the Soul Reaver remasters and haven’t yet played Defiance, then this is an essential purchase, regardless of the shortcomings. As for what this means for the future of the franchise, considering that we’re getting a new Legacy of Kain spin-off game very soon, I can only hope that we will get the long-awaited continuation of Raziel and Kain’s story sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, I have a very hard time recommending All’s Justice to anyone who is not a huge fan of My Hero Academia. The way this Story Mode is structured, you’re essentially throwing yourself into Season 7 and 8 of the anime with no context as to what came before it. It makes no sense for a newcomer to start here. For existing fans of the series, All’s Justice may be worth a pickup. There is fun to be had here, but it’s not without frustration. Many aspects of this game fall short, despite its ambitious nature. Every mode has a major drawback in one area or another, even if the experience ends up somewhat positive.

Horripilant is a solid, competent entry in the idle dungeon crawler space, but it doesn’t really bring a fresh twist that elevates it beyond the pack. If you love optimization-heavy idlers and you’re comfortable settling into a long grind, there’s a lot here to enjoy. If you’re looking for something that pushes the genre forward or stays consistently surprising, this one is more “good enough” than “must-play.” This is an okay game with a strong core loop, but not much that feels truly unique.

I enjoyed my time with The Disney Afternoon Collection. It’s a solid collection of games with modern quality-of-life additions, and it’s a look back to simpler times in the gaming industry. The time attack and boss rush modes are great, as are the art and music galleries—seriously, listen to the DuckTales soundtrack. Even if I spent most of my time with DuckTales, I can still recommend most of the games. The lag and slowdown are still annoying issues, but ones that never made me stop playing, and post-launch updates can fix such issues. I can recommend The Disney Afternoon Collection to anyone, even a little nostalgic for these games. If you come away with a favorite from this collection, it will likely be DuckTales.

At the end of the day, I’d say that Crisol: Theater of Idols is definitely a game worth playing if you’re a fan of titles like Bioshock and interested in the prospect of a great narrative inspired by Spanish mythology. However, I don’t think it’s worth replaying the game due to how prevalent those issues were. While this is an overall good showing from both Blumhouse Games and Vermila Studios, it’s definitely not without problems that prevent it from being truly great.

The most damning thing I can say about Sons of Sparta is that one day after rolling credits on it, I don’t feel anything. The game had made no lasting impressions on me, negative or positive. It is a complete nothingburger of a game and will sadly probably be remembered as nothing more than a small footnote in the history of the series.

WiZmans World Re;Try is a really good remaster of the 2010 Jaleco-developed RPG with quality of life changes and features for modern consoles and PC. The game's turn-based combat system and intriguing story are clear highlights, but the lack of voice acting and auto saves make the remaster feel just a cut below being great. Despite that, RPG fans will have a really fun time, thanks to the balance between fun turn-based gameplay and tough challenges with its daunting boss fights.

Dear me, I was… is a short experience that heavily relies on your ability to connect emotionally with the protagonist. The game does a great job with its storytelling, and while I wasn't able to connect with it as much as I would've liked, I do acknowledge how impactful this story could be for those who are able to connect with the protagonist.

Groove Coaster Future Performers is a very interesting entry in the Groove Coaster franchise, but while I had a great time learning each of the songs, the lack of online features was really disappointing. Further, what really bothers me is the fact the Story Mode is incomplete and left on a cliffhanger, making this game unfortunately difficult to recommend.

Code Vein II is a fantastic soulslike on paper, with the strong story and gameplay being where the game shines the most. Unfortunately, the game suffers from a terrible frame rate, very little to do outside of combat, and needless padding. When it was all over I was glad to put the game away, and left to wonder what could've been.

Menherarium is a deck-building roguelite based around the dice game Chinchiro, or Cee-lo. It has different systems at play that work together, but the dice game becomes forgettable and repetitive after a few runs. The unique setup feels underutilized, and while the game offers some personality with the leading girl, that too goes away after some time. However, it's can still be fun for players who like an anime aesthetic and dice games.

High On Life 2 sharpens numerous aspects of the series to much success, with great moment-to-moment gameplay and plenty of content to discover. Squanch Games nailed the balancing act between a serious plot and humorous adventures, finding a renewed purpose. However, the experience is undercut by inexcusable performance issues on PC that make it hard to fully recommend at this time.

Overall, I left my time with the Fighting Force Collection wondering why this series, out of all the other games still trapped on older consoles, was brought back. I’m not upset that it was. Game preservation is one of the most important movements in our industry currently. I just think there are other, much better games worthy of being ported onto modern consoles than Fighting Force. Regardless, there is a very niche subset of the gaming community that will be thrilled to hear that these games now exist on whatever platform they prefer to play on, and they have been preserved, warts and all, just as they were when they first came out. I’m just not one of them.

While I did have fun with my time in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, I felt myself saddened by just how much it strayed from the immersive sim formula. I really hope that the upcoming DLC packs emphasize the RPG features more than the action-focused gameplay, but as of right now, I don’t really have as much of a desire to replay Bloodlines 2 as I do other entries in the genre. For better or for worse, my greatest takeaway when the credits rolled was that I wish I had played the original game instead.

TR-49 is an intricately complex puzzle game, for better and for worse. On the one hand, the overabundance of dialogue that relies on exposition, plus obtuse puzzles that emphasize trial and error rather than the deductive reasoning said to be the game's core, is often really frustrating. On the other hand, the satisfaction you feel when you solve a puzzle all on your own, the multiple endings, and the affordable price make it a game that I'm excited to play again at some point down the line, in spite of my frustrations with it.

I have mixed thoughts on The Real Face of a VTuber. While I didn’t regret playing, I still got annoyed with parts of it. The narrative is one I found enjoyable for about two-thirds of its length, but I wanted it to end by the last one. I enjoy about half the characters but find the rest forgettable or annoying. The VTuber aspect is very well done, and I can’t help but applaud the devs for it. I also can’t help but feel that the actual murder-mystery part isn’t fully utilized. Still, The Real Face of VTuber isn’t a bad time, and one I can see others enjoying more than I did.

Even with most of these issues, I still had fun with the game. It’s charming and super addicting to just start a new run the second you fail. Without a doubt, a highlight of 2025 that I will continue to enjoy for quite a while.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack is exactly what longtime fans expect from a Koei Tecmo Power-Up Kit. The Turning Point system, Gems, and new commands add meaningful strategic layers without overcomplicating the formula, while the Chinese voice acting is a welcome addition for immersion. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but I do not feel it needed to. This is now the definitive way to experience ROTK8 Remake.

If anything, I’m most interested in seeing what’s next for Room410. As the developer’s first project, there are several strong ideas here that can be built upon in a future game, alongside clear areas for improvement.

If you’re a fan of the roguelite genre, the Armored Core games, or mechs as a whole, then Vital Shell is absolutely worth it, especially when you consider the price. It’s a great time for those who are fond of the games and genres that inspired it. It’s just a shame that, at the end of the day, it comes up short compared to a lot of the best roguelite games of the last few years.

MOCHI-O is a cute but short tower defense game. The art is great, and I was honestly impressed at how much I enjoyed the story. However, its core gameplay gets old really quickly. After a while, you stop playing the game and just sit back while your screen becomes full of visual noise. It can still be fun in short bursts, but I won't be coming back to it for quite a while.

Solitary in the Library is an indie horror game with immense passion behind it. Its impressive psychological elements and fully dubbed Japanese voiceover are excellent, offering an atmosphere that will keep you captivated til the end. Some animations and narrative elements could be improved, but in the end, this experimental horror game is worth your time.

Arknights: Endfield is undeniably a visual masterclass with an easy to learn but fun to master combat system and world to explore. However, it struggles with pacing by throwing tutorial after tutorial at you with its overly complicated base-building and factory mechanics.

BrokenLore: Unfollow is a short and sweet horror title all about the ills of social media and parasocial relationships. While it doesn't exactly introduce any bold new ideas and the frequency of jumpscares are a bit infuriating, the great portrayal of a theme that has been done to death, unique concepts in the narrative and gameplay, fun exploration, and replayability make it a great time for any fans of the horror genre.

Despelote is a great autobiographical narrative that will likely strike a chord with you if you grew up watching events such as the World Cup. While the repetitive gameplay and strange controls are frustrating, the presentation, story premise, and charming moments are more than enough to immerse you in a specific and unique era in history. Plus, with the short runtime and small price, if you like short and sweet games and have a passion for football/soccer, then this is a must-buy.

NeverAwake FLASHBACK expands on the original game with an arcade-style roguelike structure and route-based difficulty system, but struggles to build on its foundation in a meaningful way. Heavy repetition, reused encounters, and unclear progression undermine its attempt to stand as a full sequel rather than a DLC expansion. While it introduces interesting ideas, the lack of substantial innovation and payoff makes FLASHBACK a confusing and ultimately underwhelming experience.

If you are looking for your next survivors-like addiction that will eat up all your free time, it will unlikely be Reverie in the Moonlight, because there is not enough variety in the gameplay or level designs to draw you in the long term. It’s really fun to play in short sessions, and I could imagine booting this up occasionally for a 30-minute or so run, but that would be it. Because of this, I would only recommend this one to hardcore fans of the genre who like its distinctively cute aesthetics.

The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike is an interesting game. Its core gameplay is a fun mix of strategy, deckbuilding, puzzle, and roguelike game elements. Battle mode could be fleshed out more, but it’s still a good time even if it is short. The core fights are fun, but they get paired with uninteresting minigames and subpar rewards. As an adaptation, established fans will probably be happy, but I don’t see it making new ones. While I have some problems after all that, this is still a fun time that feels very satisfying at times. I would recommend giving The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike a shot, just for how it nails the feeling of reading a manga you like. You might not play it much longer after that, however.

If Activision and the numerous studios working on Call of Duty wish to make a game worth buying each year, the answer is innovation. It’s time to be bold and try something new. You have a problem as an annual franchise when players are constantly asking what’s new in this year’s entry. The market is not going anywhere—that much is clear with EA propelling its Battlefield franchise to bigger heights than ever. However, if Call of Duty cannot find a pathway to be creative, I fear the franchise will only continue to stagnate, becoming only a memory of what once was.

Retailing at just $14.99, there is more than enough here to make it worthwhile. Device 6 and Year Walk are easily worth the price of admission alone. Additionally, Simogo has included prototypes of earlier versions of its games, an audio drama, a short story collection, and a ton of concept art to peruse at your leisure. There is more than enough here for those interested in the history of Simogo.

I encourage Bandai Namco and the development team to make even more optimizations over time. The Switch 2 version can be even better, even if that 60 FPS target doesn’t get hit in the future. The rollout of Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO DLC is also vital, and I hope Switch and Switch 2 users won’t be far behind the other consoles in terms of content. Everyone benefits from the hype of new DLC releasing at the same time on all platforms, after all.

Kingdoms of the Dump is a wonderful RPG held back by some glaring technical issues. Despite this, it still stands tall among other indie RPG throwbacks over the last decade, deserving the attention of anyone looking for a cozy game to envelop themselves in this Winter.

MotionRec is a game that lives and dies on its gameplay mechanics. The concept of being able to record and replay your movements never gets old, partly thanks to the introduction of new gimmicks you encounter throughout your journey. While the game lacks a recognizable soundtrack, memorable levels, and an intriguing narrative, the charming visual style and exciting gameplay more than make up for it. If you're looking for a charming and short puzzle platformer, then MotionRec is definitely worth your time.

The problem is that Titans of the Tide is pretty good if you’re only looking at it from a family-friendly perspective. If you’re looking at it compared to other 3D platformers on the market, though, it comes up lacking. As such, I would recommend this game to younger audiences and people who are diehard fans of the SpongeBob series, or if you’re someone looking for simple, mindless fun. If you’re looking for something more elaborate as a fan of The Cosmic Shake or other 3D platformers, though, you may be better off looking elsewhere for your Spongebob fix.

Atelier Ryza is an amazing trilogy within Gust’s Atelier series. Even still, this repackaging isn’t something you should rush to get unless you’re a fan or newcomer, as the new content, much like previous DX versions of Atelier games, doesn’t bring much that’s new to the table. There are just some nice extras that I wouldn’t consider integral to the overall experience.

Natsume is trying to position Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition as a beginner-friendly farming simulator, which isn’t a bad idea on paper. However, Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition should have been bigger, bolder, and braver when trying to establish a presence in the genre. Instead, it ends up as an unpasteurized version of itself, which is hard to recommend when other juggernauts occupy the space.

For fans, this remaster is a welcome return. It respects the original without rewriting it, and gives players a reason to look back on it fondly. For newcomers, it offers a chance for those who may have missed Tales of Xillia at its initial launch to experience it in the best possible light. No surprises are waiting in its familiar paths, but perhaps that is the point. Tales of Xillia Remastered is less about discovery and more about remembering how the journey used to feel.

On the surface, PowerWash Simulator 2 isn’t a bad game. If you played a lot of PowerWash Simulator and you want more, then this is a must-buy for you. However, considering that the sequel is more of a re-do of the first game rather than a brand new experience, and seeing as more updates will be released down the line, you may be better off waiting till a discount or a major DLC is released.

Painkiller reimagines the cult classic as a three-player co-op raid shooter, blending its breakneck gunplay with modern progression and a fresh take on heaven and hell’s eternal war. It doesn’t quite reach its full potential due to a short length, awkward mechanics, and limited content, but when the action hits, the promise of a great game is here.

I feel torn about Bounty Star. It attempts to amalgamate two genres that, on paper, feel like they shouldn’t work, but it strangely does. The problem is that the execution is disappointing as it fails to make the farming elements integral to the experience. I would still recommend Bounty Star to mech-heads as the combat and controls are superb, but it’s hard to ignore what could have been.

Full Metal Schoolgirl is a chaotic and fun game that puts its gameplay, anime tropes, and aesthetic above other qualities, for better or worse. The story isn't spectacular or particularly memorable, but it does make fun of black companies and detrimental work culture, so that's a plus. If you're a fan of Lollipop Chainsaw, Earth Defense Force, and other action games of a similar vein, then Full Metal Schoolgirl can be a great time.

The Outer Worlds 2 is a fantastic modern RPG. The emphasis on player choice and customization, the great dialogue and characters, exceptional worldbuilding, and fun gameplay mechanics make it one of Obsidian's best games in years. However, that excitement is hindered by frustrating navigation mechanics, constant glitches, and characters that lack depth due to the absence of romances and natural speech options. While this is a great return to form for the genre, you may be better off waiting for all of the issues to be fixed in a post-launch update before buying.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a solid return for the series that mostly does right by the original. The core gameplay still holds up, the added modes are fun, but inconsistent visuals, missing dynamic music, and a few technical hiccups keep it from being excellent.

I loved the game’s characters, and the music and aesthetic of the game is excellent. Once more, Fantasy Maiden Wars – DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER – started out strong, and I was having a good time until second half wore out its welcome. The love and passion are evident, but there needs to be more polish and less tedium in combat and the overall game. I wanted to enjoy Fantasy Maiden Wars – DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER – more, despite the sigh of relief I let out when the credits rolled.

Keeper is an imaginative and beautiful bore of a game. I won’t say it’s bad, as Double Fine is too talented a studio to make a truly bad game, but the team misses the mark with Keeper. I find it to be a project that should have either been expanded on or reworked into something that takes advantage of its beautiful world and the creative minds behind it.

CARIMARA is a creepy horror mystery based on Normandy folklore. The atmosphere encapsulates an eerie yet beautiful tone, which is mesmerising to play. However, the experience is very short, and the central mystery falls flat because some of the answers are unsatisfying.

Dreams of Another is destined to be a polarizing title, but those who gel with its bizarre storytelling and gameplay will find an experience like no other. Q-Games continues to carve its own niche in the gaming landscape, and fans of the studio's previous titles will find much to love here.

Little Nightmares III marks a bold shift for the series, with Supermassive Games taking over from Tarsier Studios and introducing co-op. While the game’s atmosphere, art direction, and world-building are hauntingly beautiful, its lack of true scares and overly simple puzzles hold it back. The co-op mechanics feel underutilized, and solo play suffers due to overly helpful AI. Despite its flaws, the game’s strong visuals and collectibles make it a worthwhile yet uneven experience for fans of the series.

Eclipsium is an intriguing horror game that relies on surreal and horror imagery to convey a story open to the player's interpretation. This abstract form of storytelling may not be for everyone, but if it piques your curiosity, it might be worth picking up.

The first few hours of Slime Rancher 2 are a delightful experience, and it’s super relaxing to traverse the environments, capture slimes, and build your conservatory. It’s a great game to play if you’ve had a stressful day and you’re looking to unwind. However, after a while, you will likely find the slimes that you prefer using, discover the majority of the locations, and unlock the last remaining upgrades. In the end, it requires you to find your own meaning and discover a grand ambition that drives your pursuit. Just like the original, I couldn’t find it. But I definitely enjoyed my experience more than last time.

Despite what PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC lacks, it’s still a really fun and solid game that’s well worth the $29.99 launch price. There’s a lot of fun content to play through that has the charm that late 90s and early 2000s platformers were known for. I just think PAC-MAN is meant for much more now, and Bandai Namco has the opportunity to strike and create a really memorable platformer with PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC as a foundation or example for the future. That’s after a potential PAC-MAN WORLD 3 remake, of course.

Gloomy Eyes isn’t about innovation; it’s about immersion. Its strength lies in mood, not mechanics. The story of Gloomy and Nena unfolds like a gothic bedtime tale, carried by expressive narration and a striking audiovisual style. Gameplay remains simple, occasionally clunky due to camera issues, unclear level design, and technical blemishes, but it holds together just enough to support the narrative journey. This is a game for a very particular audience. If you love Tim Burton’s blend of macabre and romantic, if you enjoy dark fairy tales where atmosphere outweighs challenge, Gloomy Eyes is worth experiencing. It may not shine as brightly in gameplay, but in the dim light of its eternal night, it casts a charm all its own.

Super Robot Wars Y didn’t blow me away, but it was able to keep me interested. As an entry point into this almost two-decade-old series, I think this game does just enough to pass. If the next game in the series is able to up the quality and try to engage the player more than I think it would go a long way towards increasing my excitement to try it out. But as it is now, I would say that only the most hardcore of mecha fans will get the most enjoyment out of Super Robot Wars Y.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Order of Giants is another Indiana Jones adventure, at a cost. While the new exploration and puzzles are fun to go through, plus the narrative and central mystery of the titular order of giants is deeply compelling, the overall package lacks any meaningful substance. The DLC lasts only four hours, there are no new shake-ups to combat, and once you complete the quest, you get nothing for your efforts. Considering the $20 price point, it's hard to justify purchasing the DLC unless you're truly desperate for more Indiana Jones action.

Maybe if you’re extremely desperate to play more Donkey Kong Bananza and really enjoy the roguelite genre, you may have some fun with DK Island & Emerald Rush. Otherwise, you’d probably be better off just replaying Donkey Kong Bananza or buying a true roguelite game, which costs $20 and features twice the content.

Cladun X3 is an action-adventure RPG that has a lot going for it. The systems are overwhelming at first but are quite fun when you get used to them. You can customize everything in the game from you character, to the weapons, to even the music. There is plenty to do from randomized dungeons to even online elements. But the last couple hours of the game are a chore that show how much the rest of the game needs some serious balance adjustments. I still had fun with the rest of it, but I don't see myself going near the last couple dungeons ever again.

Henry Halfhead is exactly the kind of indie project that deserves attention. It is imaginative, it is quirky, and it stands apart from the crowded puzzle genre. However, imagination alone cannot carry a full game. The game runs out of steam long before the credits roll. The repetition, the camera issues, and the lack of variety hold it back from being great. It is still worth playing if you enjoy quirky puzzle experiences. You will smile, laugh, and appreciate how creative this experience is. At the same time, though, if you’re like me, you will likely wish it had gone further. Half a head is enough to build a fun foundation, but not enough to deliver a lasting experience.

Troleu will make you reconsider any life ambition of becoming a trolleybus conductor, as you deal with passengers in unconventional and comedic ways. But there's not enough replayability to keep your attention long-term.

LEGO Voyagers is a creative co-op adventure that is fun for all ages. The visuals and atmosphere are a real treat, and the gameplay has a lot to offer. A relatively short runtime leaves much to be desired, but this is still a good co-op game that is worth your time.

Everybody's Golf Hot Shots offers an addictive gameplay loop with its simple three-button press system, which allows players of all skill levels to pick up and play. However, its lackluster graphics and course designs leave a lot to be desired.

Space Adventure Cobra - The Awakening is a 2D action platformer and an adaptation of the classic series Cobra. The game excels at adapting the anime, all the cutscenes are beautiful and the music is superb too. Sadly that doesn't transfer over to the gameplay and you end up with a basic platformer. It's still an okay time, but one that made me want to check out the source material over going back to the game.

In the end, what remains with The Knightling is the impression of a lively, believable world that you enjoy exploring. The combination of dynamic movement, fun combat, and organic side quests makes The Knightling a title with great potential.

In the end, Grit & Valor – 1949 proves to be a good example of what you would want from a modern roguelike with a dieselpunk flair: fast-paced, challenging runs for in between, but enough depth for hours of gameplay. It’s a game that proves sometimes it’s enough to combine familiar mechanics with a clear aesthetic concept and a lot of playful subtlety to create something enjoyable.

Gears of War makes its PlayStation debut with a new remaster of the first game in the series, Gears of War: Reloaded. I'll admit, there is something surreal about seeing Marcus Fenix and Cole Train chainsawing through locusts on a Sony console. However, once the novelty of playing a Gears game on PlayStation wears off, it quickly becomes apparent that you are playing a nearly two-decade-old game with very few visual updates or new upgrades. I was left wanting much more, especially considering this is the second remaster we've seen for Gears of War.

The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a fun strategy game at its core, despite lacking some features or elements that really make it stand out. Either route you pick will be a fun time, but I did prefer one over the other. While combat was fun, it was rarely a challenge, and I wanted it to do more. That being said, The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily is a solid strategy game that I believe both veterans and newcomers to the genre will enjoy.

I feel very similar about this release as I did with Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour—and that is not in a good way. With so many incredible games releasing on Switch 2 over the next few months, I think almost all players are better off saving the $20 to put toward another release. Maybe there is something to be said for those planning to squad up with three friends, but solo players can find better experiences out there. Not every game needs to have dozens of modes and content offerings, but Nintendo—of all developers—can do better than this.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown pays homage to the early cartoon origins of the four brothers and crafts a mediocre game around them. The fast pace of the story and lack of thematic depth are disappointing, and a few long levels can make gameplay feel tedious at times. Fans of the series will find some enjoyment inside this world, but I recommend new fans steer away from this one.

9 Years of Shadows is a beatiful game that shines with its atmosphere, but it is held back by some lacking combat, shallow exploration, and tiring backtracking. Still, there is a solid experience here for those willing to look past the flaws.

Viewfinder is a brilliantly creative puzzle game that constantly forces you to think outside the box through level design that never fails to impress, and a gameplay loop that is fun from start to finish. However, the lackluster narrative, irritating dialogue, and major softlocking glitch prevent it from being truly great.

I hope Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana can help open the floodgates for more Ys Memoire-like remasters or even remakes. Specifically, a remaster or remake of Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand, which happens right after Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana. Only time will tell if this is coming or not, but I’d hope this release can bring us one step closer to that possibility.

Don’t get me wrong. This sequel truly experiments a lot, with many elements you’d not usually see in a typical SRPG. Still, perhaps because I was looking for an exciting story with twists and turns, and what I got was a Sunday morning cartoon full of villains I’m unable to take seriously, then it’s very hard for me to recommend this game to the average person.

I’m not ready to write off SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada yet. The developers want to continue working on this game, and there’s already been emergency maintenance with updates from the producers in response to the players. Post-raid payouts have already been adjusted at the time of writing this, and I expect many more updates to come. I will continue to check in on the game during its first season to see what other changes are made. Although it is repetitive, the untapped potential of SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada makes me come back for more.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a basic remaster that's just enough to bring the game to Nintendo Switch for new players. With its intricate and creative level design, fun soundtrack, and solid replayability, this is an excellent platformer that fits right in with many others on Nintendo Switch. However, if you aim to experience the game in co-op, a frustrating bug makes the experience nothing like the original game, leaving Donkey Kong Country Returns HD in desperate need of a patch.

Turbo Overkill, despite its great visuals and gameplay loop, is constantly stuck in the shadow of the media that inspired it. The story is unremarkable, the references to other entries in the genre become distracting after a bit, and there are several issues with the sound, pacing, and visuals, alongside frequent crashes. As a result, you may find yourself asking why you aren't playing another boomer shooter instead, despite the game's few exciting moments.

Freedom Wars Remastered doesn't bring many surprises to the table, but it's great to see a Vita cult classic find its way to current platforms. While it is beginning to show its age, this still holds up as an enjoyable title to play in 2025.

If you’re a fan of the Warriors series and rougelite genre, and you want to try out Omega Force’s own rendition of both, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here. After all, Warriors: Abyss only costs $24.99, which isn’t as expensive as many would expect. Personally, though, I feel your time could be better spent playing other, much more fleshed-out rougelites that exist in this day and age.

Never 7: The End of Infinity still has some charm all these years later, but perhaps it hasn't aged so gracefully. Messy pacing makes what would be a relaxing experience an often tedious one. Fans of classic visual novels and anime who don't mind the older aesthetic and simplistic story could have a great time, however.

Overall, Everhood 2 is just okay. If more visual options are added in an update, alongside fixes for the input delay, then this will absolutely be a worthwhile game if you’re a fan of rhythm games, the original Everhood, or you’re feeling like broadening your indie RPG horizons. At the end of the day though, going back to the question posed at the beginning of this review, Everhood 2 doesn’t do enough with either its style or its substance to truly distinguish itself from similar titles.

Rise of the Ronin is far from a perfect game, but it proves that Team Ninja still knows how to craft a thrilling action experience. If you’re looking for an engaging story or beautiful graphics, you won’t find those here. However, if you need an action RPG to keep you occupied for the next few weeks, Rise of the Ronin should do the trick.

I have mixed thoughts on ORDER 13. On one hand, it falls short of its premise and sometimes feels repetitive. But I also enjoyed exploring the warehouse and even had tense moments. Having the cat is nice, but they need to do more with it. The game is short but the right length, and I enjoyed playing it. After everything, I can still call this an enjoyable experience, even if it falls short. ORDER 13 is a fun time, even if I wish it did more, and I’ll keep an eye on whatever the developer decides to do next.

The Hungry Lamb is not a long visual novel, and I was able to finish it in close to 10 hours. The game has some issues, but it’s still a satisfying read worth experiencing. If you aren’t sensitive to the subject matter, you will be greeted with a compelling narrative about survival and redemption. The art is a treat, even if I wish there were more. It’s not perfect; the story has some serious pacing issues, and it made me take a couple of breaks. With all that, I’m glad I finished The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty and can still recommend it, faults and all.

Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute emulates the game well enough but doesn’t add anything extra as other similar remasters provide. If you are a fan of the Assault Suit series, this will be an instant buy. However, newer fans may find that this release isn’t what they would expect, especially from a re-release.