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.