Dynasty Warriors: Origins Visions of Four Heroes is a surprisingly well-done DLC pack that not only succeeds on a narrative level but also enhances its core gameplay. The additional routes exploring the would-be heroes are well-executed, if not a little short, and the new weapons and gameplay modes add even more enjoyment to the already addictive Musou combat.

Trails Beyond the Horizon ultimately feels like the course correction the series needed after the detour that was Daybreak 2. It successfully balances its massive cast and deep lore to deliver the major payoffs that fans have been anticipating since long before the Calvard arc even began. The pacing can be glacially slow as it builds toward these reveals, but the way it weaves years of plot threads together is incredibly satisfying and fills me with excitement for what lies beyond this horizon.

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.

Kotama and Academy Citadel stands out as a cheerful counterpoint to a genre that’s lately leaned hard into gloom and grit. It’s also my latest addiction; a consistently enjoyable trip whether you’re experiencing it at its highest highs or pushing through its most frustrating lows. As a bonus, it’s also shockingly affordable for just how much visual flair it brings to the table.

Quarantine Zone: The Last Check struggles with technical issues and inconsistent challenges. Glitches, visual drops, and clunky mechanics pull you out of the experience, and the game doesn’t always push you to adapt or think in surprising ways. Though it shines in giving players a real sense of authority, a reactive world, and satisfying systems that reward careful observation and decision-making, its current state is difficult to recommend. However, fans of puzzle-management simulations who enjoy moral ambiguity and quiet tension can still have a compelling and worthwhile experience despite its rough edges.

Pathologic 3 is a must-play for anyone invested in the franchise or intrigued by narrative-driven, mechanically rich experiences. Its strongest moments come from how seamlessly story and gameplay reinforce one another, creating a game that feels deliberate and purposeful in every system. While some roughness and minor hitches persist, the game’s focus, depth, and audacity make it an essential entry in the series.

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.

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.

Mega Dimension adds a lot of content for players who already enjoy Pokémon Legends: Z-A. There are more Pokémon to collect, new Mega Evolutions, and a boost in difficulty that keeps things challenging. Its story and setting don’t offer much that’s new, and many of the base game’s characters don’t get much time in the sun. For players who loved the original, there’s plenty here to enjoy and experiment with, but if the base game didn’t grab you, this DLC isn’t likely to change that.

Terminator 2D: NO FATE has stunning 16-bit visuals, a banger soundtrack, and simple yet fun gameplay that makes it one of the better games in the franchise in showcasing how good the franchise is. However, the extremely short runtime and conditional replayability make it an experience that doesn’t match the price it’s asking for.

Red Dead Redemption remains a landmark title. The Switch 2 port improves presentation and performance without changing the game’s core design, letting the world, story, and gameplay shine like they were always meant to. Minor signs of aging exist, but they don’t take away from the experience. This version stands as a definitive way to experience a classic, delivering everything that made the original great while running smoother and looking sharper than ever.

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.

Skate Story combines strong gameplay, visuals, and audio into a cohesive, memorable experience. Minor issues in the storytelling and small gaps in visual polish keep it from perfection, but overall it’s highly recommended.

UNBEATABLE is an unapologetically stylish and vibrant rhythm narrative-adventure game that combines engaging rhythm gameplay, stunning audio-visual presentation, and a colorful cast to meet. However, it's clearly unpolished with its number of technical and visual issues, unfortunately lending itself to a dampened gameplay experience, as well as a painfully slow paced narrative that can scare off other intrigued players. Nevertheless, with a bit more shine, it will become an UNBEATABLE gem in the rhythm scene in its own right.

ROUTINE is an immersive, tense first-person horror game that excels at atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and stealth-based tension. Its minimalist systems and basic gameplay loop may feel limiting, and the story never fully engages or surprises, but those willing to embrace the game’s focused design will find a highly rewarding experience. It perfectly conveys the sense of being utterly alone on a derelict lunar base, and despite its flaws, it’s a compelling journey for fans of atmospheric horror.

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.

It took Metroid Prime 4: Beyond eight years to crawl out of its 2017 announcement, but the wait didn’t strip away what makes the series work. Some of its new ideas feel a little undercooked, yet the critically-acclaimed formula of the original Prime game remains intact, now bolstered by fun additions to Samus’ arsenal. There are some fumbles that will get fans scratching their heads, but if you spend enough time with it, you will feel the old Prime magic humming again, steady and unmistakable.

MSFS 2024 on PS5 is a mixed bag. When everything works, it’s a near-perfect simulation playground with stunning visuals and complex flight mechanics. But technical issues and buggy career progression significantly temper the experience. For newcomers or casual pilots, patience is required. For enthusiasts, it’s still a compelling, if imperfect, flight simulator.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion isn’t quite the blockbuster-level beat 'em up game that rivals the likes of Street of Rage 4 and TMNT: Shredder's Revenge. It has clear flaws in its progression systems and stage design, but it's undeniable that it's presentation is top-notch, it has good variety in its characters, and is fun and simple enough for everyone to play.

Tower of Fantasy is, at this point, an anomaly among its peers. Beyond its perfectly average music, Hotta Studio keeps steering the game in such bizarre directions that it’s hard to tell whether it’s intentional design or the result of consulting a Magic 8 Ball. And even with the Warp Server, it’s still unmistakably Tower of Fantasy: a janky, charming, and fighting an uphill battle to reinvent itself after years of decline.

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.

Escape from Tarkov's world is unforgiving, and is definitely not for casual play. Yet, its the challenge and engaging gameplay that makes it all the better. It's still weighed down by bugs and glitches and connection issues here and there, as well as the disappointing lack of (free) PvE, but it's a solid FPS extraction game for those looking for an extra hard challenge.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition's Switch 2 port is great, especially since being able to play it on the go at 60 FPS and at a higher resolution is a dream come true. However, it could've been the perfect version had it used more of the Switch 2's capabilities.

Constance shines with its vibrant 2D art, crisp platforming, and some clever progression ideas, but ultimately plays second fiddle to one of the genre’s greats. It’s far from a bad game—quite the opposite—but its strengths don’t make it easier to choose over a top-tier rival at the same price. Still, it’s enjoyable in its own right and serves as a refreshing break when Silksong has you worn down.

You’ve got to give it to Masahiro Sakurai for taking a deceptively simple concept and turning it into something so engaging. Between the different game modes and the variety of challenges within each, there’s almost always something to figure out or experiment with. The gameplay can get hectic quickly, but that’s part of its appeal. With the new Road Trip mode adding a sense of progression, even if the story itself doesn’t quite grab you, Kirby Air Riders is a game where even a single race can leave you grinning and thinking about the next one.

Demonschool is a quirky tactics RPG that is sure to entertain players in many different aspects. From odd but lovable characters, stunning visuals, an interesting plot that transcends the human and the demon world, and engaging strategy gameplay with unique mechanics, there’s a lot to like about it. Its complex tactical mechanics may not be for everyone and may not be the best tactical RPG for a newbie, but it’s got charm.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is a refinement of what's already to be expected, crisp gunplay and fun multiplayer content. Outside of that, it loses its luster. The campaign alone singlehandedly sours the experience, with the narrative going so far off the rails that it unintentionally becomes a parody of a different game.

Where Winds Meet stands out as a beautifully crafted RPG with light MMO elements, offering deep character progression, engaging combat, and a living, immersive world. Its minor flaws, like early pacing issues in the story, occasional audio hiccups, and a few technical bugs, don’t overshadow the game’s many strengths.