Lost Soul Aside isn’t soulless, but it truly is the definition of a mixed bag. Meant to be seen as the “Final Fantasy of China” and a potential new PlayStation flagship alongside games like Astro Bot and Stellar Blade, it ultimately falls short of those lofty ambitions, leaving behind a lingering sense of wasted potential.

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.

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.

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.

Tales of the Shire is a decent life-sim game with an engaging cooking mechanic, but that's the most stellar thing about it. Bywater, while picturesque in its own way, doesn't feel like home, and it doesn’t help that the game is also flawed by its technical and optimization issues, which only turns the experience more sour.

There’s some charm here in Calamity Angels: Special Delivery, and I can’t deny that I liked spending time with the cast, but its gameplay keeps getting in its own way. The game has a fun concept and a strong personality, yet the random combat and repetitive delivery loop make it harder to enjoy than it should be. It’s not terrible, but it never rises above being a mildly entertaining JRPG that feels stuck so down below its potential.

A clever control scheme and flashes of competitive brilliance can’t hide the fact that the rest of Drag x Drive is running on fumes. The basketball matches are fun, but they’re weighed down by awkward hardware ergonomics, lopsided AI, and a hub world that is just devoid of anything fun. There’s a potential here for something great, and I wish Nintendo explores this some more in the future. But right now, it plays too much like a really polished tech demo.

Hirogami is a 3D platformer that unfolds with the elegance of origami, layering its world with creativity, charm, and striking paper-crafted visuals. It may not be the most challenging game out there, but its inventive puzzles, playful mechanics, and imaginative design make for an adventure that feels fresh, memorable, and consistently delightful.

Painkiller could be considered the median of all co-op shooters. It offers mindless running and gunning but doesn't go any farther than that. With equal good points and bad points, it's simply a game that doesn't offer anything new to the table.

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.

Of Ash and Steel is a classic tale of a zero-to-hero journey that's willing to show off its flaws, intentionally and unintentionally. It's the type of game that's built for a particular audience, one that revels in relishing the masochistic nature of old-school RPGs.

Long-time fans of HUNTER x HUNTER have waited for a video game adaptation that does the franchise justice. Sadly, it seems they’ll have to wait a little longer, as this one is plagued by numerous modern fighting game pitfalls and its unjustifiable price.

Death Relives is the kind of game that makes you question your life choices because of the slow drain of wasted time. Its ambition is buried under poor execution, lifeless AI integration, and half-formed mechanics. Even its better ideas, like the puzzles, are let down by clunky design. There’s simply nothing here worth your time, money, or patience.

Captain Blood is a curious relic, a patchwork resurrection of an era long past, one that struggles to find relevance in the present. Its brute-force combat and nostalgic appeal might offer fleeting moments of blood-soaked joy, but the weight of its technical flaws and repetitive design quickly quashes any sense of lasting engagement. It’s a game that wants to be remembered for its swagger, but instead, it’s a reminder of how games like this were left behind for good reason.

Tokyo Scramble feels like a title scrambled together just to get a release up on the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite having some good ideas here and there, it’s overall very unpolished, messy, and full of wrinkles that shouldn’t have even left the QA stage.

Mindseye was supposed to be an ambitious entry from IO Interactive. What was delivered is a bug-filled, unoptimized, and less-than-desirable mess instead. Almost to no one’s surprise, MindsEye needed a lot more time to polish its core aspects and mechanics.

As the self-proclaimed torchbearer of one of the industry’s cult classics, Code Violet fails to meet the standards or even do a decent job of representing the action horror survival genre. Its weak gunplay, baffling art direction, rough animations, and even more confusing plot serve as a reminder that maybe some things should be left untouched.

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

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

Among Us 3D wears the mask of its 2D predecessor, stepping into first-person with big ambitions. There’s still chaos and charm beneath the surface, but clunky mechanics and odd design choices ruin the overall experience. In the end, it’s more impostor than upgrade—you’re better off sticking with the classic.

Labyrinth of the Demon King has its flaws, sure—but it’s got a certain charm that makes it hard to put down. Its combat system is fast and reflex-heavy, and while it’s definitely rewarding if you play it straight, it doesn’t take much to break once you know what you’re doing. Still, with its tight visuals, creepy enemies, and wonderfully distorted audio, it nails the retro horror vibe in all the right ways.

SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure is a wonderful and whimsical co-op title that blends together cooking mini-games with hack-n-slash combat elements to create a solid experience, whether you're playing with a player two or alone. While there are still some bugs and glitches, as well as some unclear mechanics that can leave you confused, SEDAP still delivers through its enjoyable gameplay and interesting story.

Crystal of Atlan is really fun to play, but only if the game allows you to progress through it. Its combat and class system are amazing and delivers an experience that feels both familiar and freshly refined. Yet, beneath it all lies a fracturedness much like its in-game world. Its stamina system halts your progression behind rather restrictive limits, and its narrative is poorly paced. It’s a free-to-play action MMORPG of undeniable potential, provided you’re ready to invest some time in it.

Etheria: Restart delivers a strong PvP-focused experience with deep mechanics and smart character design, making it a serious contender in the turn-based genre. However, its weak story mode holds it back from reaching its full potential. More concerning is the preferential treatment of a special class of heroes, which could easily disrupt game balance if left unchecked.

FNAF: Secret of the Mimic is carried by the franchise, not the gameplay—but it’s still more FNAF, and that’s more than enough for fans. Lore, world-building, creepy animatronics—it’s all here, and with great graphical and performance optimization to boot. Just don’t expect more than that, and you’re Golden Freddy.

SCUM is a solid immersive open-world survival game that definitely takes the survival up a notch with its complex systems and engaging gameplay. While a little intimidating for the average player, seasoned survival game enthusiasts will have a blast going through its world and challenging themselves to survive for as long as they can. There is a steep learning curve and bits of clunky combat gameplay, but it's definitely something to try out.

Unlike the original Shadowverse, which was known for its free-to-play generosity, Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond currently lacks that same accessibility. Players can still get a lot out of the game, but its monetization model and the new liquefy system are different and, frankly, less player-friendly. This is especially disheartening considering how much the original's accessibility contributed to its widespread appeal. Worlds Beyond retains the core Shadowverse experience fans love, with added mechanics and the more personalized Shadowverse Park, but it feels like it's lost some of its soul to the pursuit of profit.

Silver and Blood has a compelling story, strong characters, and fast, strategic autobattler gameplay, though everything outside combat feels sluggish and the simple 3D models and clunky UI detract from its stylish manhwa-inspired visuals. Plus, its seemingly generous 4% SSR rate loses appeal once you face the steep demands of duplicate pulls for stat and level caps to maximize performance.

Sofia in Exchange for Lies is a bold, character-driven mystery that plays with memory, trauma, and truth in refreshingly mature ways. While it stumbles in a few frustrating design decisions and occasionally vague progression mechanics, its emotional depth, replay structure, and respectful handling of difficult topics make it a uniquely worthwhile experience—provided you're the kind of player who likes to sit with a game rather than sprint through it.

While anthologies often struggle with inconsistent quality and clashing writing styles, Depersonalization largely avoids this. Its story arcs remain surprisingly consistent, offering a thought-provoking—if occasionally painful—narrative experience.

Terminull Brigade is one of those rare free games that makes you want to spend money—not because you have to, but because it’s that fun. The co-op shooting and build potential are a blast, even if bugs and performance issues drag things down. I’ve considered buying the battle pass just to support future updates. For what it costs, it’s hard to complain.

Mecharashi is a clear passion project with excellent turn-based combat and deep mech customization—but nearly everything else falls short. Clunky menus, forgettable audio, and weak visuals outside the mechs make it a mixed bag that ultimately depends on your tolerance for rough edges.

SUPERVIVE is a bold and electrifying fusion of MOBA and Battle Royale, bursting with style, energy, and a cast of fun characters that make every match a thrill. Its core gameplay loop is effortlessly addictive, pulling players into a whirlwind of fast-paced action. Yet, this brilliance is dimmed by the misstep of the Armory system—a clunky, imbalance-inducing mechanic that disrupts the game's natural rhythm. SUPERVIVE still shines, but with refinement, it could truly soar.

Where GUNTOUCHABLES falls short on thrills, it makes up for in charm and promise. Its wacky, chaotic fun is worth a try, but with so little content to go on, it’s more a quick fling than a roguelite obsession. It's free for now, cheap much later, but the value won't be there until it gets more content.

Bendy: Lone Wolf successfully upgrades its predecessor in visuals, atmosphere, and small quality-of-life tweaks, but it doesn’t reinvent itself. Short bursts of play keep its stealth and exploration sharp, while its modest runtime and price make it an easy pickup for returning fans. It won’t shake the formula enough to win over skeptics, but for those already drawn to Joey Drew’s world, it’s another satisfying trip into the dark.

Death End re;Quest: Code Z has some strong ideas on paper and a few redeeming qualities—namely, its voice acting and character art—but when the story is a mess and the game is almost unplayable, even longtime fans are going to have a hard time justifying sticking with it.

Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME is just another anime IP turned turn-based RPG that joins the genre full of decent but just average titles. It's interesting enough to keep you hooked for a time with okay gameplay and an alright story but as you progress, it gets grindy and stale. Fans of the series may find a bit more merit into staying with the game, but the general public may not be as willing, especially as it starts off deep into the main story.

Legacy of the Forge builds on the familiar open-world RPG foundation of KCD2—branching quests, immersive simulation, and gritty medieval survival—but layers in new systems that make the expansion stand out.

Arena Breakout: Infinite is a great entry point for those interested in dipping their toes into the extraction shooter genre, despite the lack of immersion and other flaws.

Seven Knights Re:Birth faithfully revives the original with sharper storytelling, deeper team-building, and a modern audiovisual overhaul that makes its characters and battles shine like it once did. Though it does have issues in its uneven pacing and a problematic gacha system, the latter is softened somewhat by good-value bundles and unlimited farming potential. Flawed as it may be, it’s still a worthy successor that both longtime fans and curious newcomers can enjoy.

Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is a good roguelite that brushes against greatness but doesn’t quite get there. Its imaginative premise, progression systems, and guardian dynamics give it a unique identity, while inconsistent mechanics and uneven storytelling hold it back. It’s enjoyable, satisfying in bursts, and worth the price for roguelite fans who want something fresh. Just don’t expect it to reach the heights of the genre’s best.

Blade and Soul Heroes has its moments. Its combat systems and world are easy enough to get into, but this doesn’t last long. The further you go, the more the game shows its true face as a gacha MMO built around grinding, spending, or falling behind. There’s still fun to be had in its gameplay and progression, but anyone planning to stick with it long-term will quickly feel the pressure. There’s enjoyment to be had here, but it comes with strings attached, and in the case of Blade and Soul Heroes, those strings are pretty hard to ignore.

Flick Shot Rogues is tougher and deeper than it first appears, but all the better for it. Its precision, physics-based, pool-inspired gameplay makes every run engaging, while its storybook charm and high synergy form an addictive loop—just don’t expect much variety in bosses, enemies, or endings.

Sushi Ben is a charming story-driven adventure game that is quirky, whimsical, and incredibly vibrant. From an intriguing slice-of-life-esque story told in vibrant, 3D manga panels, simple gameplay that everyone can enjoy, to a cast of colorful, unforgettable characters, it’s a fun journey to experience. However, its weakness lies in its plethora of bugs and glitches, the most common of all being ones that soft-lock players out of the game, which can be quite frustrating to replay.

Mai: Child of Ages has a great concept but multiple small flaws add up to a less than memorable experience. Despite the wonderful music and the great contrasting presentation, the repetitive puzzles, clunky combat, and technical issues just don't make for a good time.

Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is a decent mobile-PC MMORPG with pretty anime-style visuals and a standard plot that satisfies the MMORPG itch—for some time. Aside from being eye-candy and having an okay plot, it’s marred by other technical issues such as awkward animations, strange cutscene lapses, localization issues, and more. It’s just alright, meh—nothing amazing, but nothing terribly bad either.

Onirism is deceptive at first glance. Behind its cozy, colorful art style is a wild, unrelenting shooter that never runs out of new ideas. It’s playful, challenging, and bursting with charm in a way that makes the occasional frustration worth pushing through.

If you’re searching for a mobile game to enjoy with friends, Duet Night Abyss is absolutely worth your time. While it occasionally tempts you for a “donation” or two, its real demand lies in your time and dedication. Fortunately, that investment pays off handsomely thanks to its rich content, striking audiovisuals, and the remarkable freedom it gives players to express themselves.

If what you’re after isn’t the bone-chilling horror its trailers might’ve promised but rather a well-crafted roguelike deckbuilder, Chaos Zero Nightmare is absolutely worth diving into. Its mechanics are strong, though sometimes unclear and mildly exasperating, and its audiovisual presentation is nothing short of captivating. Sure, it’s still a gacha game, but in a genre like this, the constant influx of new characters and content keeps things exciting, no matter how you get them.

Resonance Solstice is a decent trading and management simulator with trains and deckbuilding card combat, made better by a colorful cast of characters and a pretty engaging story. While it shines most in its real-time trading system and train gameplay, everything all ties together well for a fun gameplay experience. Unfortunately, it’s still marred by several bugs and frequent crashes which can make or break the overall feel.

Sonic Rumble is a fun way to waste time, if you look past the borderline criminal microtransaction costs and annoying monetization practices. The game doesn't offer any depth and is more of a bastardized version of what a Sonic game is to turn it into a party battle royale.

The DX edition having every DLC and a handful of unique content, regardless of how lean they are, makes it an absolute steal for newcomers, though. Unfortunately, for those who’ve already played the base game and its expansions, the value proposition drops off rather sharply.

Despite the original Ryza 2 being a strict upgrade over its predecessor in almost every way, the new DX version delivers only minor overall improvements to the base game itself. In particular, the character reintroductions and accompanying story are rather disappointing compared to the added utility of the more controversial mascot character.

Vivid World is an enjoyable auto-battler strategy game with roguelike elements, wrapped in one fun package. It's got it all, from fun gameplay, to cute, whimsical visuals, and a gripping story, coming together for a solid gameplay experience that will have you entertained for hours.

FEROCIOUS is what I'd call a perfect example of getting the vibe right. While the gameplay leave a lot to be desired, the compelling slow-burn, decent gunplay, and cheap price point makes it a very surprising game to sink your teeth in.

Viewed as a companion piece to the mainline entries, Utawarerumono ZAN can be a worthwhile pickup for visual novel fans with a taste for action games. Outside of that narrow context, though, its price is hard to justify.

Dragon Traveler is another casual waifu collector game that delivers what it promises. It's decent, and that's okay. It's just painfully average for what it is. There are a few annoying issues, but overall, it's a good time-waster if you have the luxury of that.

Essentially a free-to-play Animal Crossing-Palia-Infinity Nikki cross, Heartopia is a free-to-play life-simulation game that’s simple, accessible, and cozy for all. It offers casual, engaging gameplay and bright audio-visual presentation, bringing together familiar cozy game elements for a fun experience. While it does have optimization problems from being a direct mobile port that can deter from the experience, it’s still worth its content.

It’s hard to make magic feel monotonous, but YAPYAP manages it. Despite a strong, well-executed premise, issues with map variety, economy balance, and progression hold it back from becoming the next big friendslop hit.

If you're looking for a cheap action roguelike with outstanding build variety, look no further than SealChain: Call of Blood. While its audio is forgettable and its mob behavior can border on exasperating, when it comes to player expression, it stands comfortably above much of its competition.

Effectively a demo for 13 dollars, Welcome to Doll Town is a short novelty where the humor barely has time to land. There’s simply not enough here to justify the price, but it commits to its bit well enough to be worth considering on a deep sale.

NeverGrave: The Witch and the Curse has highs and lows of its own, but Dead Cells is unmistakably in its DNA. From the parasitic true protagonist inhabiting bodies to the dramatic door slams after each clear, fans of one will recognize the appeal of the other. Still, NeverGrave falls short in audio and storytelling, even as its original ideas help keep things feeling fresh, but a mere copy, it is not.

Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime delivers a fun, whimsical adventure with a charming blend of quirky comedy alongside relatable heartfelt moments. It also comes packaged with cute visuals, a unique music score, and engaging gameplay, wrapped up in a lovely cozy game that’s sure to entertain. There are a few minor issues here and there, but they don’t sour the gameplay experience to a fault.

The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince succeeds as a visually appealing and emotionally resonant fable, but it often struggles to function as an engaging video game. The storybook presentation is memorable, but the shallow puzzles and clunky platforming make the actual journey underwhelming. It is a beautiful piece of storytelling that unfortunately lacks the polish to match its artistic ambition.

Ghost of Yotei: Legends is a must-try DLC for owners of the base game, as they’re quite literally just improving on what was offered before. With top-notch presentation and the same engaging gameplay loop, it’s one of the more underrated multiplayer experiences out right now.

Etrange Overlord is a classic case of a game hiding its true value between its surface level qualities. It has the developers’ trademark humor and audiovisuals, coupled with some very basic controls. It’s dragged down by some very rough camerawork and first impressions, though. But beyond that, it offers an incredibly diverse experience and a memorable story; easily another gem for Nippon Ichi’s already star-studded lineup.

Warframe's Switch 2 port looks and runs just as Digital Extremes has promised. The visual upgrades, fast load times, and overall stability showcase the hardware's strengths and make it one of the best ports for the long-standing MMO looter-shooter hybrid. Not to mention its longevity. While there are some issues with the Joy-Con 2's mouse mode and some bugs, it's still a port worth trying, especially since it's free.

Star Savior is a veritable Frankenstein’s Monster of a gacha game, taking multiple elements of previous successful mobile titles and stitching them together as a product that somehow works. But although it has impeccable visual appeal, insane replayability, and an amazing cast of characters, it’s heavily compromised by its progression system that seems more interested in charging you for the experience than letting you have a great time.

If the base game wasn’t already one of the best soulslikes during its year, AI LIMIT’s DLC seeks to further its already jaw-dropping value proposition by being a completely free update to an already cheap title. What’s more, the content is enough to keep any soulslike enthusiast for a dozen-odd hours! Truly, it’s one of 2026’s most pleasant updates yet.

Subliminal isn’t perfect, but it knows how to get under your skin. Some rough edges and unforgiving segments prevent it from being flawless, yet the story, atmosphere, and psychological tension pull you in and keep you thinking even after completing an ending. While it may not appeal to everyone, for those willing to dive into its eerie corridors and confront Caleb’s fracturing mind, it delivers a sharp, immediate sense of horror that keeps your heart racing while you’re playing.

Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is Cooking Simulator 1’s seemingly more put together younger sibling—less chaotic, more structured, but still entertaining to a point. However, it suffers from its plethora of bugs that range from mildly annoying to actually game-breaking and soft-locking, as well as a clunky UI, that dampen the experience. Nonetheless, it’s still a decent game—maybe just wait for a couple more patches.

Despite my gripes and the moments of frustration during my first ten hours, I still find the game fun to play. I want to see how this map expands and how my settlements might look once these systems are finally humming in sync. [Early Access Impressions]

Darkswitch is another case of a game that should have been released on early access being unleashed to the world at large as version 1.0. It feels thoroughly incomplete and untested thanks to its myriad of bugs, glitches, and questionable design choices. While there is a solid understanding of core mechanics buried here, it is unfortunately overshadowed by every other detail of the execution.

Lay of the Land is a decent game at its core, with almost all the basic sandbox game mechanics ready in one package—sprawling land, intricate building mechanics, decent crafting gameplay, and basic combat—but ultimately, it feels like an Early Access title that hasn’t had enough time to cook in the oven yet. It’s got a solid foundation of its basic gameplay mechanics, but it could definitely benefit from a lot more improvements in the long run.

In terms of comfort in gameplay, holoVillage sits snugly where most of its peers rest. There’s no urgency to anything, allowing you to tackle its content at any pace you like. Unfortunately, it’s not very memorable, which is a quality that many of the genre’s greats have despite their inherent lack of climactic events, and it’s not very replayable either. It thankfully has a lot of content to devour, though, so it manages to salvage itself from obscurity.

Gamble With Your Friends is exactly what the title describes and what it sounds like. While it can be brutal in its progression, its charming visuals, variety of mini-games, and immersive gameplay elements make it one of the more enjoyable multiplayer games for short play sessions with friends to laugh and occasionally crash out about. It’s a game that lets you enjoy the thrill of gambling without the real-world consequences—unless you don’t meet the quota and have to lose a body part or two.