Once you get past the bug regarding saving your photos, Lushfoil Photography Sim can be a wonderful time. Exploring the locations and looking for the objective photospots was the best part I had. I feel that I have a new appreciation for photography overall, and I’m already starting to notice things in environments I might not have previously. So, you can throw on some music and start looking for your next photo shoot. After all, you may decide that the only way to express yourself is with a camera.

Directive 8020 is a step in the right direction for The Dark Pictures, giving its choices more weight, its cast stronger performances, and its horror more room to breathe. While the later episodes drag and a few clichés and visual issues hold it back, the journey aboard the Cassiopeia is still worthwhile.

To stand out from the crowd, Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree take a few risks. Some pay off immensely, while others fall a bit flat. This is definitely one worth checking out if you're looking for a fast-paced combat system with a Shinto mythology-inspired story. However, if you're keen on experiencing the game in co-op, it's best to err on the side of caution.

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.

From start to finish, Etrange Overlord only takes about 20 to 25 hours or so to complete, but you

The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a hard game to recommend. On the one hand, if you're extremely eager to experience the origin of the immersive sim genre or are looking for the definitive way to play System Shock 2 as a fan of the series, then this is the game for you. However, if you're coming fresh off the System Shock remake or are entering the series as a newcomer, you'll quickly be intimidated by the backtracking and dated gameplay design.

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.

Dark Auction is a clever game with a great message, a beautiful artstyle and aesthetic, and a memorable cast of characters. The game does falters at times with its portrayal of memories, since the images and artwork that were used clash with the Kohske’s established artstyle. Whether on purpose or unintentionally, this design choice can break immersion when it really matters, especially with an ADV title depends on consistency. I still thoroughly enjoy Dark Auction for what it brings, and for an ADV, it nails its story, character artwork, soundtrack, and general vibe quite well.

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.

Battle Train has a fun cast of characters, a solid story, and a lot of love put into it. The core gameplay is strong, but the lack of build variety leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, some future updates will add some more deck themes down the line, because I would gladly return to Battle Train if they play their cards right.

Romeo is a Dead Man isn’t without its flaws. Performance issues can disrupt gameplay, repetition can occasionally take you out of segments, and some gameplay sections can get incredibly tedious. But in the end, these stumbles give way to a wacky and confident vision that carried me through the credits with a smile on my face. The fact that I still can’t stop thinking about it says enough in itself, and I suspect fans will be raving about Romeo for years to come.

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?

Big Hops is an experience rife with frustrating flaws. While it has elements that work well, such as the gameplay mechanics and narrative premise, it is undermined by a lackluster presentation, worlds that feel barren and empty, and numerous technical glitches. Further, because of these problems, I never wanted to find any of the collectibles. At the end of the day, it pales in comparison to other 3D platformers, whether indie or AAA.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I’m hoping that Bandai Namco and Tamsoft continue to update Bleach Rebirth of Souls and make the online modes more engaging. I’m also curious to see the four DLC characters from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War bring to the table as well, but I’m not counting on any new TYBW-related story content coming to this game. If anything, a sequel with this content and more improvements could be the right move.

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.

Wheel World just doesn't deliver on the promises it presents in its opening hour. You'll quickly find the charm starts to wear off as you complete monotonous race after monotonous race. That boredom only turns to frustration as the later races in the game become increasingly hostile, with no way for the player to push back. Add on a story that goes nowhere, and you have a game that just feels like it never got past the initial brainstorming session.

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.

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.

The Gex Trilogy is a mostly great re-release of the 90s cult classic. The series has been lovingly preserved for modern audiences, maintaining the gameplay, humor, dialogue, and style of Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex: Deep Cover Gecko. However, while the new bonus features are a great touch, the lack of vital quality-of-life additions and certain features from the PAL version for instance, make it a hard game to justify purchasing for $40.

to a T is an extremely charming adventure from beginning to end. The story, visuals, sound design, and music is filled with so much heart and evokes the sort of cartoons you'd see on Nick Jr. or Disney Junior. While there are some issues here and there, namely with the repetition of the gameplay loop, the camera, and a few major glitches, if you're looking for an affordable family/child friendly game, then to a T is the title for you.

King of Meat might not redefine the action-platformer genre, but it carves out its own quirky niche with style, laughter, and a surprising amount of heart beneath all that carnage. With strong co-op play, a creative dungeon editor, and a wicked sense of humor, Glowmade’s game delivers a fun, messy spectacle that’s perfect for those who don’t mind getting their hands (and screens) a little bloody.

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.

The puzzles may be obtuse at times, and even the help that we do get might not be what we expect. However, that makes everything more true to life. Many times, I felt like I was Debbie in her predicament, getting frustrated over a puzzle I was close to solving. Despite that, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Your House and Debbie will stick with me for a long time.

Shuten Order is a well-written game that incorporates gameplay elements from multiple genres, including visual novels and adventure games, across multiple routes. The narrative, led by Danganronpa creator and writer Kazutaka Kodaka, is engaging from the very start. Shuten Order's immersive art style and Japanese voice-overs also make it a game that will be hard to put down once you get started.

Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion is a worthy sequel to the original Daemon X Machina, as it improves on its predecessor in nearly every regard. From a turbulent and action-packed main story to a comprehensive weapon and gear system, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion ensures players feel the weight of their Arsenals. Although online content could be better, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion still offers streamlined ways to play with friends on top of the main dozens of hours of content that are already packed in.

While the game isn't perfect, it settles into the themes of consequences and emotion that surpass both Life is Strange and Bloom.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake delivers on one aspect but sadly falters on the other. While I enjoyed the poker aspect, the other half of the game holds it back. A shallow narrative and the roster of forgettable characters leave something to be desired. I have trouble recommending All in Abyss for this reason, which is a shame because there is a good poker game here. I just wish I could play it on its own.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I went into DAMON and BABY with almost no experience in twin-stick shooters, but it ended up being a genuinely fun and charming surprise that kept me coming back. While the story and some mechanics feel undercooked, and losing progress can be frustrating, the combat, customization, and overall journey easily carry the experience. It’s not perfect, but it left me smiling by the end and excited to see where Arc System Works goes next.

The Cosmic Abyss suffers from an overly long and exhausting plot, a forgettable and frankly unnecessary villain, a stamina system that felt tacked on more than anything else, and an empty, boring world. I wanted to like this game, but the negatives heavily outweigh the good. It’s a shame, because this is a game that does have potential, but it’s never able to realize it at all. In the end, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a mystery best left unsolved.

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.

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.

Killing Floor 3 is an impressively fun time that may very well be the best zombie game since Left 4 Dead 2. With great gunplay, unique classes, and the impressive M.E.A.T. 2 system, this is a game you can count on being a great time. However, the lack of randomization and story elements prevents it from reaching the heights it could in the genre. Still, Killing Floor 3 is an easy recommendation, as the core experience is just that good.

Gear.Club Unlimited 3 is a great racing game that takes advantage of the Switch 2 hardware to deliver a compelling, immersive, and satisfying experience with smooth gameplay. With a roster of more than 40 car models with 50 tracks across France and Japan, racing game fans have a lot to play with in this content-rich story mode. Although there are a few graphical issues and some missing fan-favorite cars, the game is a great foundation for developer Eden Games to build on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FBC: Firebreak is a game that lacks a proper identity. It’s really hard to recommend this title if you’re a fan of Remedy’s previous games or the multiplayer co-op genre, let alone if you happen to like both. This is, unfortunately, one of the rare instances where Remedy’s desire to experiment with new genres has not paid off. Maybe the game’s quality will improve as more updates are released, but as it is now, I can confidently say that this is probably my least favorite game from Remedy Entertainment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Finding Frankie has plenty of good ideas and charm, but it falls flat on execution in areas. Regardless, if you're interested in a new game to speedrun, look no further.

It has a slow start, but soon after, it picks up. The world can feel hollow and monotonous, but it can also be a delight to explore. The visual identity starts to fade away, but it’s able to give love to the game it’s based on. When the difficulty spikes, it can be annoying, but also extremely rewarding. I died a lot, I got lost a lot, I got stuck a lot, but I also couldn’t stop playing. Shadow Labyrinth may be rough around the edges, but it is also one of the most interesting Metroidvanias I have played in a while—one I know I will keep playing for quite a while.

Konami's video game adaptation of Edens Zero is a fun action RPG that follows the events of the original story. The combat is a bit slow at first, but once you unlock more moves and playable characters, the action becomes far more palatable. However, the outdated graphics and presentation may be a barrier for some fans.

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.

Super Technos World is a collection of 12 games from the arcade and SNES era of gaming. While the actual emulation and settings of the games elevates this as a collection, the choice of games feel lacking. Along with inconsistent translations that turns this from a must-buy into a mixed bag.

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.

Shuffle Tactics fails its art style and interesting game mechanics with an unpolished UI and a multitude of bugs. There is an interesting game to be found here, but asking players to trudge through the horrible camera, visual and mechanical bugs, and poor UI decisions to get to it is inexcusable. Hopefully, after a few patches and a camera overhaul, Shuffle Tactics will be worth the time and effort, but as it stands now, there are too many other strong roguelike/deckbuilders on the market that your time would be better spent playing.

Creature Keeper is a promising attempt and the monster collecting genre. Unfortunately, combat and rather shallow collection mechanics keep this game from reaching the true potential promised by the premise.

For me, there was little here to keep my attention, and holding onto the life-sim genre felt more like an excuse only to have a few ways to interact with the world. Maybe this is a game that can be redeemed through updates, as Bywater itself is enjoyable to explore. However, I feel that so much of this experience needs retooling that one or two updates won’t fix what’s broken here. If you are a fan of life-sims, you likely already have your favorites picked out, and, unfortunately, I feel Tales of the Shire does very little to justify pulling even the biggest fans of LOTR away, let alone newcomers to the series.

I’m not sure if this will be the final nail in the coffin for the Double Dragon series, but I see no clear path forward for this franchise unless it drastically shakes things up in future titles. If it doesn’t, it is in danger of being completely left behind and forgotten like so many other games of its ilk.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Perhaps if you like games that combine platforming with a retro run-and-gun loop, you may enjoy it. Unfortunately, all of Snow Bros. 2 Special‘s negative attributes, combined with the fact that it is only three hours long at a price of $30, make it an experience that I cannot recommend.

Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons carries the tried-and-true Bubble Bobble gameplay that fans are familiar with, but the lackluster dungeons and repetitive nature of the game will certainly turn players off. The game lacks a compelling hook with its progression system, and by the time you get to the post-game, you'll likely be exhausted. At the very least, the pack-in Bubble Symphony game is nostalgic and offers a fun arcade experience that lessens the blow of the brutally repetitive main game.

STARBITES is a new sci-fi turn-based RPG that puts players in the shoes of Lukida, a young salvager wanting to make her dream of exploring the cosmos a reality. Players are treated to a fun turn-based combat system with some unique twists, a compelling story with an emotive cast of characters, and worldbuilding that makes players want to learn more about the setting of Bitter. The performance drawbacks on Switch and the repetitive overworld exploration hold STARBITES back from its full potential, however.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a promising free-to-play open-world action RPG that still needs more work before its potential is fully realized. The game has a fun and satisfying combat system and an interesting story, but Game of Thrones: Kingsroad's monetization practices and progression-slowing Momentum walls hold back what could be one of 2025's hidden gems.

Lost Soul Aside is an action-adventure RPG that had a troubled development. That becomes obvious when you start playing. It's an upoptimized mess, with a story that actively annoyed me, and gameplay that got boring and repetitive. The game just takes from others in the genre that inspire it, with no idea how to make it work. The end result is a disappointing game I can't recommend to even the most curious of players.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is packed with practically everything you would ever need to know about the ins and outs of the Nintendo Switch 2. The tech demos are a fun novelty, but they don’t go beyond that — a novelty. The minigames aren’t great, and the quizzes get old quickly, leading to a repetitive experience that is hard to recommend to anyone outside of die-hard Nintendo fans or tech enthusiasts.

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance unfortunately falls flat in continuing such a cult classic franchise. While some of the writing and visuals still match the quality of its predecessors, the narrative feels forced and the gameplay is often deeply frustrating and rife with issues. Overall, if this is indicative of the direction that the Legacy of Kain series could go in, then perhaps the series is better off being forgotten.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact is the series' first globally released game and brings fun 3v3 gameplay with strong presentation and solid training tools. However, it's held back by questionable design choices like awkward offline modes, a lack of motion inputs, an 8-button control scheme not friendly to arcade stick/hitbox users, and no cross-play. It's completely out of step with modern fighting game standards, and while the game does have potential, it needs major updates to fully satisfy both casual fans and competitive players.

VARLET feels like a hollow, disappointing waste of time. While it has just a few redeeming qualities, such as the charming cast, this is not enough to save it. The narrative is boring, the combat system is dull and uninspired, and as a result, I honestly don’t think it’s worth spending your time on. I greatly appreciate the effort from FuRyu to make this a worldwide release, but I hope the company’s next game is of higher quality.

Tamagotchi Plaza is a charming game with characters that are cute enough to hold their own. However, the mini-games leave much to be desired due to repetition, and the time it takes to complete shop upgrades can leave you drained. Unfortunately, this is a disappointing title for the beloved Tamagotchi series.

Code Violet is the worst game I've ever played. The narrative lacks any substance, and all of the characters are devoid of any personality. Further, all of the female characters are written to be mere objects designed for nothing more than sex appeal, which goes double for the protagonist. The gameplay and presentation are also extremely lifeless and boring, with neither having any redeeming qualities. Considering the game is $50, all I can say is this: do not buy this game.

Madoka Magica Magia Exedra is a gacha game that retells the story from the two anime series based in the world of Madoka. However, a disappointing story presentation, fully automated gameplay, and lack of reasons to gain new characters make this title just another anime-to-game adaptation among a sea of them.

Bad End Theater is a uniquely dark and clever visual novel where every decision changes the outcome. With over 40 tragic endings and a cast of layered characters, it rewards curiosity and challenges your assumptions.

Return to Ash is a visual novel about being dead and being alone. It has a strong premise, but one I don't think it lives up to. My biggest issue stems from how short it is as when it finally starts to get interesting, the story is over. Still, it's a fine time, and there is one strong story route in here that shows it could be done with a little more time. I still think it's worth a try, just know you'll do everything in an afternoon.

Nearly three decades later, the gameplay of Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World still holds up. And perhaps more importantly, it reminds us that there’s something timeless about a hero or heroine who never wavers in the face of danger.

Star Soraight Fantasy: Magic to Reach the Sky is a Metroidvania staring Tokino Sora. Fans of the Vtuber will find much to love but others not so much. On the other side it is a serviceable Metroidvania that doesn't excel in the elements. The game doesn't overstay it's welcome and the short runtime makes it so it never really falters. Still I can say the game is fine and the passion on display was at least nice to see.

Ao Oni The Horror of Blueberry Onsen is a horror game I have trouble recommending. While I have nostalgia for it I don't know if someone without a connection to the series will get much out of it. It's very short and has frustrating monster spawn rates. But even after all that I still had fun thanks to some clever puzzles and even played it more than once thanks to the new leaderboard. My issues with the original are still here but strangely endearing. Worth a play for fans of the series but your mileage may vary.

Cash Cleaner Simulator is an attempt at the simulator genre that revolves around money and packing it. However, there is so much in this genre that it's hard to stick out, and Cash Cleaner doesn't do anything different to stick out in an already dominated landscape.

With many new additions and full voice-over, this is the best version of Noctuary. If you're into something of a unique genre-mix with fast fights and visual novel storytelling, this might be for you.

Time Flies is a short, whimsical monochrome adventure toward death. Like life itself, it’s what you do with the time you’re given that defines you. This fleeting, fly-sized exploration of mortality is not for everyone, but it's likely to at least charm and bring a few laughs to players.

Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- is a great way to play Tetris. It helped me rediscover a love for Tetris I once had and for the first time I'm trying different control schemes and modes. Sadly the game is still in a buggy state and needs some work. The dev team is listening and communicating with the player, and I do have faith these issues will get fixed even if it might take a while. Even after all that I can still recommend it and this will be the version I continue to play.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Blue Archive stands out as a gacha that respects both time and intelligence. Blending mature storytelling with accessible tactical combat, while its resource systems keep F2P viable despite the steep pity. Region locks and limited variety hurt it, but in a very problematic genre, its player-first design makes it easy to recommend.

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.

DRAGON BALL GEKISHIN SQUADRA is a fun and addictive free-to-play 4v4 team battle game that combines the rich history of Dragon Ball with MOBA elements. Players can take advantage of a respectable roster of characters from across the Dragon Ball universe to battle it out online, and there are also plenty of features that let friends play each other with a variety of options and features at their disposal. Despite some of the roster omissions at launch, there's a solid foundation for a game that could keep Dragon Ball fans entertained for years to come.

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.

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.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage upgrades Virtua Fighter 5's single-player offers with the fun and rewarding World Stage mode and implements cross-play to keep players engaged in one large player pool. Despite some matchmaking issues, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage brings a compelling suite of online features, including Ranked matches, to keep players engaged with another avenue of fighting game content.

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.

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.