Despite what its title may suggest, DOOM: The Dark Ages plays more like a brutal renaissance for DOOM, trading the aerial flair of DOOM (2016) and Eternal for a grittier, boots-on-the-ground combat loop. With a mech, a dragon, a darker story, and a crusade-sized campaign, it's everything you'd want to sink your chainsaw shield into.

Creature Keeper is a charming yet flawed adventure that struggles to fully deliver on its potential. While it offers a heartfelt story, colorful creature designs, and a robust creature management system, its enjoyment is frequently hampered by technical issues, clunky combat, and overall incomplete feel. There’s a genuinely fun experience here, but it’s one that’s constantly interrupted by bugs and unfinished features.

The Midnight Walk is a powerful statement representing the nearly-forgotten artform of claymation. It triumphantly provides a sensory experience that horrifies, chills, and warms your heart with all of its aspects in story, visuals, and sound. Though a bit basic with its gameplay, The Midnight Walk is a masterful work of art with an overflowing amount of love and care poured into the craft where even Henry Selick would be proud.

Empyreal is an ambitious game that struggles to turn its promise into a captivating experience. Its mysterious Monolith holds potential, but weak storytelling, repetitive combat, bland visuals, and frustrating exploration hinder the adventure. While creative character backgrounds and the apparition mechanic offer glimpses of originality, they can’t outshine the game’s flaws. Some may enjoy its setting, but Empyreal struggles to stay engaging beyond its initial intrigue.

Revenge of the Savage Planet is a fun action-adventure game with Metroidvania elements that features a variety of gameplay mechanics, all put together with a generous sprinkling of humor. While it still needs some polishing with control buttons and subtitles, Revenge of the Savage Planet still delivers an enjoyable space adventure out in the stars.

The LUNAR Remastered Collection may not break new ground, but it brings a polished, nostalgic experience with just the right modern touches. Although its age occasionally shows, the remaster does a great job of preserving what made these classics so loved. With a captivating story, lovable characters, and timeless gameplay, LUNAR remains a charming and enduring journey.

The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- feels like the love child of Kodaka's eccentric, character-driven storytelling from Danganronpa and Uchikoshi’s mind-bending twists from Zero Escape. The game pulls you in with its gripping narrative choices and fast-paced combat, all unfolding within a world brimming with mystery and high stakes. With 100 possible endings, it’s a game that rewards players for exploring every route with layers of story and character development. Whether you’re here for the twists or the characters, there’s no shortage of surprises at every turn.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a hybrid of tactical combat and real-time interaction that reinvents traditional turn-based systems with dodging, parrying, counters, and timed attacks. Through a highly stylized visual approach, dynamic storytelling, and a deeply flexible party system, Clair Obscur delivers a refreshing take on the genre, backed by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and surprisingly poignant character moments.

By the Nine Divines! Oblivion Remastered has descended upon us like a Daedric miracle—and it’s nothing short of divine. In a timeline where Bethesda can be a wild dice roll, this one’s a critical hit, thanks to the combined efforts of Bethesda and Virtuous. This isn’t just a visual upgrade—it’s a heartfelt tribute to Cyrodiil itself, lovingly reforged with modern-day sorcery.

Despite its modest score, Dolls Nest is a standout experience that goes far beyond what the numbers suggest. Its gameplay offers surprising depth beneath a straightforward surface, while the bold visual style and haunting atmosphere create a world that's as fascinating as it is unforgiving. It’s a game that refuses to follow a formula—and that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.

Post Trauma offers a nostalgic journey through classic survival horror, but doesn’t quite manage to recapture the magic of its inspirations. The atmosphere and sound design provide an immersive experience, but the gameplay often feels cumbersome, and the story leaves much to be desired. While it hits the right notes for horror enthusiasts, it occasionally stumbles in execution. It’s an enjoyable ride for those seeking a taste of PS2-era horror, but it’s far from perfect.

Commandos: Origins offers gameplay that hits the mark for real-time tactics fans, but everything surrounding it feels like it’s stuck in the past. The visuals and audio are functional at best, with little flair, and the story is exactly what you'd expect—and nothing more. With its $49.99 price tag, it's hard not to feel like you're paying a bit too much for something this straightforward.

Tempest Rising blends old-school RTS brilliance with the power of modern technology, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for everyone. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it looks great, plays even better, and hits all the right notes—gameplay, troop variety, quality-of-life, and sound. The multiplayer mode’s still catching up to the campaign, but with more content on the way, this game could easily surpass the classics it pays homage to.

There’s already a surprising amount of depth in this game, and I can’t wait to see what else the devs are cooking up for the full release. [Early Access Impressions]

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Tape 2) delivers a moving and carefully crafted continuation of its story, building on the emotional groundwork of Tape 1 while refining its mechanics. Though the unanswered mysteries may leave some players wanting more, the character growth, visual callbacks, and emotional weight offer a satisfying, immersive journey. It’s a must-play for anyone who loves character-driven storytelling, rich atmosphere, and narrative games that aren’t afraid to challenge your expectations.

Once again, SNK has consistently shown their improvement in audiovisual presentation while creating an amazing and engaging sequel that was highly anticipated for more than two decades.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark suffers from classic sequelitis—trying to go bigger, it loses what made the original special. The art and combat still shine, but messy structure and design choices ultimately drag it down.

Forever Skies stuns with its visuals, score, and storytelling—but its true magic lies in the freedom to build and pilot your own airship through a post-apocalyptic sky. It’s thrilling, thoughtful, and wrapped in a tight gameplay loop with real emotional weight. The launch had a few bumps, but with updates on the horizon, this game’s future is nothing but skyward.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate doesn’t just improve the original—it cranks it up to 11. With a vibrant new look and smoother combat, it’s easy to pick up but hard to put down.

All in Abyss: Judge the Fake deals with a wild hand that’s hard not to admire—even if it’s a little flawed. The boss battles and Danganronpa-style executions steal the show with thematic gimmicks that keep each match feeling unique, even when the game’s balance falters. Its visual novel elements are surface-level and the post-game content is thin, but the journey up the gambling ladder is just absurd enough to be worth the ride. It’s not the most honest game at the table, but it sure knows how to put on a show.

Star Overdrive feels like a seamless fusion of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, offering a fresh and exhilarating take on the action adventure genre.

Blue Prince is a subtle yet deeply satisfying puzzle game that invites you to slow down, think carefully, and unravel its mysteries one thoughtful step at a time, guiding you through a beautiful, tangled labyrinth of your own creation.

Battlefield Waltz blends together love and war to create a compelling tale, supported by charming and well-written characters as well as great character design and sounds that make for an engaging experience. However, its weakness lies in its slow pace in some areas, lack of innovative gameplay, as well as a steep price tag that may intimidate some.

HASTE: Broken Worlds is exactly what 3D Sonic games should strive for—blazing speed, pinpoint precision, and the rush of mastering a deceptively brutal parkour system. Gotta go fast? More like gotta go HASTE.

South of Midnight is a creative triumph trapped in the wrong medium. Its gorgeous animation, heartfelt voicework, and rich world-building shine—but a dull, vestigial combat system drags it down. It’s not just missed potential; this should’ve been a movie, not a middling action-adventure game.

KARMA: The Dark World builds fear through disorientation, uncertainty, and mental manipulation. It’s a game that forces you to piece together a reality that refuses to stay still, all while questioning whether you are uncovering the truth, or simply losing your mind. KARMA delivers gripping psychological horror through mind-dives, oppressive world-building, and a haunting soundscape. While occasional technical hiccups detract slightly, they don’t overshadow the game’s unsettling atmosphere and strong narrative ambition.

Venus Vacation PRISM arrives just in time for spring break! It offers a getaway filled with sun, sand, and a strikingly polished charm. It delivers exactly what it sets out to, but beneath the glossy presentation, its lack of depth might leave some players wanting more. Still, for those willing to overlook its shortcomings, there’s enjoyment to be found here—but for everyone else, it might not be the paradise it claims to be.

With its immersive visuals, fantastic audio, and surprisingly low price, AI LIMIT is an easy recommendation despite a few rough spots. It throws you into a bleak, tragic world where the struggles of its inhabitants take center stage long before your own story unfolds. Its stamina-free combat adds a fresh twist to the souls-like formula, though some mechanics—stealth in particular—could use serious improvement.

Choosing to venture into new territory and try their hand at a new genre, Rebellion has succeeded in delivering an engaging-yet-flawed experience in their most ambitious project yet.

The First Berserker: Khazan may be the best non-FromSoftware soulslike yet. Its anime-inspired visuals, soaring orchestration, and frenetic combat make for an unforgettable experience. With a brutal, personal story and rich world-building, every battle carries weight. The skill floor and price may be steep for newbies, but greatness comes at a cost—and this one’s worth every blood drop and penny.

Bao Bao's Cozy Laundromat is an idle game that revolves around upgrading washing machines, managing resources, and expanding the laundromat. There are some unique touches that set it apart from other idle games, like the Twitch integration, allowing streamers to let their audience interact directly with the laundromat in charming ways. There’s also a built-in focus timer, making it a great companion for study or work sessions. While it’s a solid choice for idle game enthusiasts, its slow pace and passive nature might not appeal to everyone.

Xenoblade Chronicles X already proved its mettle when it was considered by many to be one of the standout titles on the Wii U, and its arrival on the Nintendo Switch only solidifies its place among the console’s best. While the pacing can feel glacial at times, the game’s rich world and new content make it an inviting experience for newcomers and a rewarding return for veterans.

KAISERPUNK ambitiously blends city-building and grand strategy but falters in execution. While it nails the fundamentals, clunky mechanics and missing QoL features hold it back. With a sleeker UI, better optimization, and improved visuals for some of its map elements, maybe it could shine—but right now, this lack of synergy makes it worth less than the sum of its parts.

SONOKUNI’s fast-paced combat collides with the raw energy of a hip-hop soundtrack crafted by the DON YASA CREW. Its visuals can sometimes be overwhelming, but the intense action will keep you coming back for more—to take on the same enemies that once bested you, even when your fingers ache. It challenges you, frustrates you, and yet, somehow, always pulls you back in.

It’s no surprise this game has been eagerly awaited for its full release. After years as a standout early-access title, it has matured into an RTS experience worth celebrating. With its polished mechanics, diverse playstyles, challenging yet fair difficulty, and a generous dose of stellar art direction and production value, it’s everything an early-access game aspires to become. If you’re ready to rise to the challenge, this game promises one unforgettable ride from start to finish.

Blade Chimera is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation. It channels the spirit of IGA’s legendary works while carving out its own identity with fluid combat, seamless exploration, and a striking cyberpunk Osaka brought to life in vivid pixel art. More than a love letter to the genre, it’s a bold new chapter that stands tall on its own.

Polaris was marketed as an extraction shooter with fully destructible environments, and while that promise holds true, it, unfortunately, extends to the overall gameplay experience as well. While there are moments of fun to be had, the game suffers from game-breaking bugs, unpolished mechanics, and a lack of key features that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The foundation has promise, but Polaris needs significant improvements before it can deliver on its ambitious vision.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter offers a solid action RPG experience with its focus on combat and world-building. The game excels in making you feel connected to the world and its inhabitants, particularly with its challenging combat and the promise of growth and rebuilding. However, the repetitiveness of the gameplay loop and the lack of a truly compelling story keep it from reaching its full potential. While it delivers on many fronts, it doesn’t fully break new ground, which may leave some players feeling like they’ve seen it before. It’s a great value for its price but may not be groundbreaking some might have hoped for.

With its final balance patch and the addition of rollback netcode, SEGA is making a clear statement—Virtua Fighter is back, and it’s here to stay.

Freedom Wars Remastered is a faithful but imperfect revival of a cult classic PlayStation Vita game. While it retains the compelling dystopian premise and addictive combat that made the original standout back in 2014, it also carries over some of its shortcomings. The narrative brims with potential, yet falls short in its execution. The visual design is imaginative, but can’t break free of its Vita-era origins. For returning fans, it’s a nostalgic trip worth taking, with the same-old addictive gameplay and just enough improvements to feel fresh. For newcomers, it’s a more challenging sell; its dated structure and design may not resonate with players as strongly today. But in spite of its flaws, Freedom Wars Remastered is a welcome effort to keep its unique world alive, and it leaves hope for a future that will fully realize the potential of its setting.

It’s remarkable that Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector was primarily created by just three developers, with Gareth Damien Martin at the helm. Despite its indie roots, the game outshines many AAA titles. The narrative and world-building are strong, but what makes the game truly special is how its themes are integrated into the gameplay itself. Every decision you make feels important, the consequences of those choices stick with you, and its mechanics reflect the anxieties of living in a system that commodifies individuals. It becomes a deeply personal experience that constantly makes you consider, and sometimes overthink, your actions. Admittedly, the heavy reliance on text may deter some players, and the minimalist presentation occasionally dulls the impact of its more harrowing moments. Yet, beneath its understated surface lies a novel (pun intended) experience—one that digs into your skin and demands introspection.

Threefold Recital is an adventure-visual novel type of game with a compelling storyline, likeable characters, and engaging gameplay that will keep you on the edge of your seat for more. It has the power to get you laughing at one point from the humorous interactions between characters, while also having that strong shock factor from twists and turns that slowly unfold as you progress through the individual chapters. It’s easy to get lost in the world of Threefold Recital and the city of Bluescales along with its characters—but its weakness lies in its slow pacing, and small translation errors that momentarily take you out from the fantasy.

While Hello Kitty Island Adventure excels in creating a lively, cheerful world filled with Sanrio charm, it struggles to offer long-term engagement. The exploration and character interactions are its strongest aspects, but technical hiccups and a lack of meaningful progression detract from the experience. Despite its flaws, it’s a fun game for Sanrio fans and casual players who value a relaxing gaming experience.

Eternal Strands is a love letter to fantasy epics, blending the creativity of Breath of the Wild, the grand battles of Shadow of the Colossus, and the fluid combat of Dragon’s Dogma. Its magic system is the real star—woven into combat, exploration, and puzzles, making the Enclave feel alive with mystical energy. While the visuals sometimes falter and the story lacks depth, the sheer wonder of its world and spellbinding mechanics make it a journey worth taking.

Super Puzzled Cat is a challenging puzzle-platformer behind its bright, pastel-colored aesthetic, and provides hours upon hours of platforming fun coupled with smooth gameplay mechanics and a unique infinite save state feature that elevates the experience into more than just your run-of-the-mill indie platformer. The lack of a solid narrative doesn’t detract from the overall experience as well, but in order to delve deeper into the game, it may require an above average platforming skillset to grab the bits of lore hidden away in secret areas. Puzzle-platforming veterans will feel right at home with Super Puzzled Cat, but the high difficulty ceiling may prove a bit much for more casual gamers.

Undeniably fun and appealing to all ages, Big Helmet Heroes follows in the footsteps of great co-op beat 'em ups that isn't afraid to be fun for the sake of it.

Strinova is a truly excellent shooter with innovative mechanics like stringification and diverse character designs, delivering a fresh and tactical experience. While its visuals and audio are top-notch, the game is held back slightly by its limited content and gameplay variety, reflective of its early stage. Generous monetization policies and free-to-play accessibility make it a standout value for players.

Keep Driving is a road trip themed adventure-RPG with resource management elements that takes you on a cross-country journey in the warm confines of your car. With familiar RPG elements, stunning pixel art, tons of content to discover, this road trip fantasy will surely be a great addition to any cozy RPG fan’s library.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana revives a classic with smart updates, keeping its fast-paced action and challenge intact. While some elements show their age, the core adventure remains timeless, making it a must-play for both veterans and newcomers alike.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap feels like the result of expanding in every direction except forward. While it throws plenty of new elements into the mix, none of them stand out as true innovations over Orcs Must Die! 3. That said, it does have its strengths: a few great ideas, an enjoyable soundtrack, wide-open maps, a skill tree, and even and genuinely engaging gameplay. Just don’t even think about playing solo—you’ll end up suffering twice as much for the effort.

SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada is an extraction shooter where players mine AO Crystals, engage in battles, and try to survive in a hostile environment. The core gameplay loop is engaging, offering strong customization options for both mechs and Magus companions, as well as a world full of environmental hazards that add tactical depth. The game’s replayability is bolstered by the progression system, encouraging players to return for more sorties. However, the narrative is lackluster, with no compelling plot to drive the player forward, and the PvP aspect suffers from unbalanced gameplay where new players are often thrown into the same map as fully equipped veterans, leading to frustration.

After years of mere cameos and remasters, Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero finally gives the series the attention it deserves: a true sequel that expands on its mechanics. It takes the series into new waters with a brighter tone and streamlined storytelling, but in doing so, it drifts away from the emotional depth that made its predecessor so resonant. Yet, the very fact that this sequel exists signals something greater for the series—if this is just the beginning, then the future of Phantom Brave is brighter than ever.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a story-driven, open-world RPG set in 15th-century Bohemia, offering deep historical immersion, realistic combat, and a richly detailed world. Playing as Henry, a blacksmith’s son turned warrior, players navigate a land torn by war and political intrigue, making choices that shape their journey. With a vast open world, meaningful side quests, and an evolving narrative, the game delivers an experience that is both rewarding and demanding.

Rift of the NecroDancer is a rhythm game that just refuses to play by the genre's rules. It constantly keeps you on your toes while giving you just enough room to revel in the thrill of every successful combo. Before you know it, you'll find yourself hitting replay before the song even ends—because of both its infectious soundtrack and the sheer challenge it presents.

Tales of Graces f Remastered proves that the “power of friendship” can still hit home when done right. While it may stumble with its well-worn plot, its characters and their interactions elevate the experience beyond typical JRPG tropes. Combine this with a combat that’s deeply satisfying and quality-of-life features that breathe new life into each playthrough, and you’ve got a remaster that’s genuinely enjoyable in its own right.

Valkyrie Squad: Siege Breakers is the unfortunate product of a good idea pulled down by terrible execution. It's inundated with baffling design choices that serve to overshadow its otherwise bright gimmick of swappable characters. But despite the mixed bag of experience, the game is still decently fun to play.

Trails Through Daybreak 2 had all the right ingredients—engaging combat, deep customization, and a gorgeous presentation—but somewhere along the way, it forgot to justify its own existence. What should have been a meaningful continuation of the story instead felt like a low-stakes detour, lacking the weight and player agency needed to make its twists truly land. I wanted to believe in it, to see past the early criticisms, but in the end, it only proved them right.

Despite its flaws, DreadOut: Remastered Collection provides an engaging experience for fans of supernatural horror. The blend of folklore, innovative mechanics, and atmospheric storytelling makes it a standout title in the indie horror genre. However, its rough edges, such as unpolished combat and repetitive exploration, hold it back from greatness. With its unique narrative and clever mechanics, this collection manages to offer an enjoyable, albeit imperfect, horror experience.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is an amazing and much-needed reboot that the franchise needed while keeping its whole identity and foundation intact.

As much as I’d love to give it a perfect 100, Civilization VII isn’t quite the full evolution of the Civ formula it was hyped up to be. Don’t get me wrong—it’s still a fantastic game, just not as refined or complete as it ought to have been, with some oddly incomplete systems and uneven pacing. But if you can look past that? Then, sure—this might just be the perfect 4X experience you’ve been waiting for.

Aspyr did great in enhancing Lara Croft’s second trilogy, but there’s only so many things you can fix until the past comes back to haunt you.

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog channels the charm of the PC-98 era, not just in its appearance, but also in its spirit. It may be a brief experience, but don’t let that fool you—this Gun-Dog has plenty of bite. With echoes of classic mecha anime and space-age adventures, this game shoots for the stars and hits its mark.

Set across two timelines—1995 and 2022—Lost Records: Bloom and Rage follows a group of friends as they navigate one unforgettable summer and the unresolved secrets that come back to haunt them decades later. With a unique recording mechanic, emotionally driven dialogue choices, and a nostalgic and sometimes eerie atmosphere, the game immerses players in a deeply personal story about memory, friendship, and the consequences of the past.

Fans can breathe a sigh of relief—GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on the Switch isn’t a Heaven or Hell gamble. This port delivers a rocking experience that will have fans shouting, “Let’s Rock!” as they finally take GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on the go. Arc System Works has done an impressive job of bringing the game to the handheld hybrid, nailing the essence of the original with sharp visuals, smooth 60 fps gameplay, and all the content from the base game along with Seasons 1-3. However, the port isn’t without its flaws. The visuals occasionally take a noticeable hit, and the absence of crossplay is a significant drawback, especially for competitive players. Fingers crossed that crossplay support arrives in a future update.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is like DanDaDan meets The X-Files—a spine-tingling blend of supernatural thrills and mysteries that will have you hooked from start to finish. With its episodic structure, each twist keeps you guessing, sending chills down your spine as you unravel paranormal secrets... while also wondering if you should sleep with the lights on.

Avowed is a deeply immersive RPG that excels in storytelling, world-building, and meaningful player choices. Its rich narrative, flexible character progression, and strategic combat create an engaging experience that keeps players invested. While the mana system and quest structure can feel restrictive at times, the game’s strong writing, vibrant world, and rewarding gameplay more than make up for it. Obsidian delivers a compelling adventure that stands as one of the best narrative-driven RPGs in recent years.

The masterminds behind Danganronpa have knocked it out of the park once again with TRIBE NINE, an action RPG that takes their signature style and cranks it up to the extreme.

Ahoy, me hearties! All aboard the hype ship, for RGG be chartin’ a course to pure treasure with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza! This be a tale as grand as the seven seas, tellin’ the legend of an ex-Yakuza turned swashbucklin’ scallywag! With a story and adventure ye won’t soon forget, this be a voyage filled with plunderin’, brawlin’, and enough high-seas hijinks to make even the saltiest sea dog grin! Yo-ho!

Longvinter strikes a delicate balance between relaxation and unpredictability. At its best, it offers a charming, open-ended survival experience where players can shape their own journey—whether that’s peacefully fishing by the shore, running a small trading outpost, or risking it all for high-value loot in contested bunkers. However, this freedom comes with its frustrations. While the game's cozy aesthetic and sandbox mechanics are inviting, its grind-heavy progression, energy restrictions, and PvP balance issues can disrupt the experience. Those looking for a laid-back multiplayer survival game will find enjoyment, especially in PvE servers, but players seeking deep progression or fair competitive play may leave disappointed.

Reality Break is a game of extremes. The combat is fantastic, the loot system is top-tier, and the in-run mechanics are engaging across the board (except, perhaps, the story). On the other hand, the metagame progression and accessibility options are about as barebones as they can get. If you can’t fully appreciate one or forgive the other, you’re going to feel these extremes. For all its sci-fi pedigree, Reality Break comes with an equal share of issues that need fixing. Its breakneck combat is something truly special, but everything else might be too sluggish to let it truly take off.

Blood Typers is a wildly creative idea executed with impressive finesse—though not without a few stumbles. Its bonkers premise and unique gameplay make it worth checking out, even if sparse save points and stubborn bugs cause frustration. Still, the aesthetics and sound design nail the vibe, and at just ten bucks, it’s a steal. Not bad for a game where you type random words to cave in skulls.

Afterlove EP hits deep, like a song that lingers after the last note. Its heartfelt story and striking visuals resonate, but the barebones gameplay feels like a missed beat. Still, branching choices keep it engaging, and its manga-inspired art and soulful soundtrack ensure the experience stays with you.

Monster Hunter Wilds improves on everything that the predecessors have to offer and then some; it's everything you want out of a sequel and surpasses the high standard set by the likes of World and Rise.

Wizardry Variants Daphne is a surprisingly addictive mobile gacha game, despite its many measures that make it as unwelcoming to casual players as possible. In many ways, it delivers a very real and harrowing experience of diving into an evil den full of hostile monsters and wicked magic. Of course, it’s not perfect or designed for everybody, but its rough, almost animalistic brutality makes it a very special game that everybody should at least give a chance.

I summon Pot of Mid to draw 14 mediocre games from Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! library! Sure, it’s fun to revisit some of these classic titles, even if some of them don’t quite live up to the hype. Maybe next time Konami will summon a more exciting lineup, but for now, we’re left with a handful of cards that, while decent, don’t offer much beyond a trip down memory lane.

Two Point Museum retains the classic Two Point magic while adding more to the mix. Each map has a distinct motif and mechanics, making it difficult to move to another without creating yet another exhibit.

BLEACH: Rebirth of Souls is a true love letter to fans, letting them step into the shoes of their favorite characters with exhilarating and distinct playstyles. The combat is deep and rewarding, but the absence of ranked mode, crossplay, and a lackluster story keep it from reaching its full potential. Even so, it stands as the number one BLEACH game, shining bright for everyone.

Border Pioneer is a city-builder game that combines tower defense and deck-building elements. Though the narrative aspect of the game is quite weak, Border Pioneer makes up for it with a fun and engaging gameplay loop, offering various ways to strategize by acquiring a random set of cards. Moreover, the aide-de-camp and Talents features provide high replay value by adding tactical depth to the game.

GFL2 is an impressive blend of gripping storytelling, tactical gameplay, and stunning visuals. Its story delves deep into the emotional bonds between humans and T-Dolls, bringing its grim, immersive world to life with realistic, relatable characters. The gameplay offers tactical battles that reward careful planning, even if the enemy AI could use improvement. Topping it off, the game’s visuals and audio are absolutely top-notch, making it one of the most polished mobile games out there.

If Chef RPG’s early access were a real restaurant, it’d be considered a successful soft opening. Like any startup, there’s room for improvement, with a few features still needing more time to cook. But after simmering for four years, it’s clear the game was made with immense love and passion, showing more polish than many higher-budget titles. A little more seasoning—some salt, pepper, and extra spice—and it’s well on its way to earning a 3-star Michelin rating. [Early Access Score = 84]

WWE 2K25 offers the best MyGM we've had to date. It's a shame that 2K's microtransactions plague its online modes.

FragPunk is solid—mostly. Ditching ultimates was a bold (read: questionable) move, but Shard Cards bring enough chaos to keep things interesting. What really sells it is the swagger. In a sea of same-y shooters, FragPunk kicks the door down with something fresh and flashy. It won’t dethrone the genre’s giants, but it’s no flop either.

On Your Tail is a lovely indie detective-life sim title with a charming cast, intriguing plot, and bright graphics that has hours upon hours of content for players to explore...if you can get past its technical issues and sluggish loading, that is. What is essentially a great indie game is bogged down by its performance issues that take away from the gameplay experience.

Him: the Smile & bloom is a purely narrative-driven experience with occasional dialogue choices that determine the outcome of each storyline. Players can experience four romance archetypes each with multiple endings. The game features anime-inspired visuals, a beautifully crafted opening sequence, and an OST that enhances key emotional moments. However, its limited interactivity and frustrating character writing may not appeal to everyone.

Carmen Sandiego’s 2025 rendition is a charming new title that adds on to the beloved series. Full of puzzles, minigames, and fun facts about countries and landmarks all at the palm of your hand in one stunning modern style. Sleuthing has never been this fun and educational—and Carmen Sandiego knows just how to do it. However, its steep price tag, PC optimization issues, and forgettable soundtrack might dampen the experience a bit.

Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't awful, but it’s not the game fans deserve. Clunky combat, awkward animations, and a departure from the series' standard make it a mixed bag. Still, its expansive world, production value, and new mechanics might justify giving it a try when its on sale, if you aren't an AC purist, that is.

A decent remaster of two great JRPGs that is undoubtedly the best way to play both beloved cult classics if you can look past the cracks.

If there’s one word that perfectly describes Split Fiction, it’s “fun.” The levels are amazing, the story is entertaining enough, and there’s no shortage of joy in exploring with friends what is essentially a virtual playground. It’s such a blast that I can’t help but hope Split Fiction, fingers crossed, will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, It TakesTwo, and rake in the same well-deserved accolades.

Sugardew Island is another entry into the ever-popular farming simulator genre that aims to deliver a cozy, no pressure gameplay experience. However, the experience quickly turns from cozy to frustrating given the game's bugs and glitches, unintuitive control scheme, and limiting energy bar.

Rogue: Genesia is a hypnotic bullet hell roguelite that’ll have you saying, “Just one more run…” for hours. While the challenge fades as you grow stronger, the thrill never does.

Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is the sequel no one expected—35 years frozen in time, now reborn with nostalgia and a heart of ice. Its stiff controls feel straight out of the ‘80s, but beneath the frost lies gothic charm, slick chain combat, and rewarding exploration.

An uninteresting standalone game that highlights the weakest aspects of the original game.

Wanderstop’s structure is divided into five chapters, with each chapter bringing in new visitors, shifting the environment, and subtly altering the tea shop’s surroundings. Through a mix of simple yet engaging mechanics—tea crafting, gardening, and shopkeeping—players uncover Alta’s past, interact with a diverse cast of NPCs, and gradually piece together the unspoken rules of the world around them. While it embraces a cozy aesthetic, Wanderstop isn’t afraid to dive into emotionally heavy territory, balancing moments of warmth with introspection and melancholy. It’s a game that asks players to slow down, reflect, and immerse themselves in the quiet beauty of everyday rituals.