Unfortunately, Fighting Force Collection is less than the sum of its parts (which aren't amazing on their own). The first game is more appealing and easier to pick up, as its beat 'em up premise, despite being simple, works well, especially when played with a friend. The second title shifts to a secret agent-style adventure, with more weapons and missions that are more complex. Both are entertaining for a while, but their mechanics are practically outdated for current 3D games. That is where the collection could have improved things, with more technical enhancements, interesting materials about the games, and gameplay options. Considering the complete package, it is worth for nostalgia or curiosity reasons, but very little beyond that.

Although Taiwan has established itself as a relevant creative hub in the Asian gaming industry, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade seems to be failing to keep up with this evolution. With its repetitive structures, lack of gameplay diversity and abscence of difficulty, the game seems to be a product that corroborates the mistaken view that the most prejudiced players have of this market rather than actually doing justice to its current state of development. It's a superficial attempt to jump on the Hades bandwagon, as if the audience were not capable of discerning the quality of this derivative production in relation to that of the source material.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is a game with great narrative and atmosphere, but it fails as an RPG. It succeeds in dialogue, setting, and themes, but stumbles in game design, variety, and meaningful choices. For those looking for a dark and well-written story, it's worth the experience. However, those who expected a true spiritual successor to Bloodlines (2004) will be left thirsty for blood—and depth.

Shuffle Tactics is a solid strategy game, despite its shortcomings. The wide variety of cards and amulets provides engaging gameplay options that can entertain for several hours. However, the title lacks a truly distinctive feature that would allow it to stand out within the genre. Its core mechanics evolve very little throughout the campaign, and the experience tends to become repetitive due to slow progression and unbalanced difficulty.

TIEBREAK+'s plus may have been timid and even a bit lacking in terms of structure, but it made up for it with its content. It's a real treat for fans of the sport, and the historical game modes in which features Djokovic, Sharapova, and the rivalry between Federer and Nadal are a great way to introduce tennis to younger players who want to get to know the greats of the court a little better.

The expectations for Lost Soul Aside ended up being greater than the final product. On the one hand, we have fun and exciting combat, with a good variety of powers, items, and enemies. On the other, we have a confusing and poorly developed story, as well as its characters, who also lack charisma. Although the production's outcome is positive, it fell somewhat short, being recommended only for action-adventure fans (and those willing to bear a mediocre RPG).

With a style heavily influenced by the Burnout franchise, Wreckreation is a great racing game. Its races are always exciting thanks to the high sense of speed and the mechanics that encourage aggressive driving to go even faster. The game's map is vast and contains various types of environments, all with multiple challenges and other things to do. The remixing systems contribute to an engaging and varied experience, especially with the construction of loops and ramps. It's a shame that the technical production suffers from some issues, particularly regarding the draw distance of the scenery. Fortunately, this does not compromise the overall experience, which is a great choice for lovers of high speed and intense competitions.

Despite coming from a long line of games, Double Dragon Revive failed to reach the level of quality worthy of its golden age. It manages to be entertaining with its dynamic combat and good variety of scenarios, which offer interesting interactions. The problem is that, while the game is not exactly ugly, its style leaves something to be desired, as do some of its challenges. It is recommended for fans of the beat 'em up genre or anyone who wants to relive (even partially) the glories of the past.

Dead Dragons bases itself in classic RPG elements to offer a simple but entertaining experience. Though the title has considerable limitations in some aspects, for those who have already explored everything in the genre and are always looking for new adventures, there'll be enough content to have some good hours of fun.

Hirogami is a case that seems more interesting to watch than to actually play. The concept is captivating, the transformation mechanic is intriguing, and the exploration moments are at least engaging. Unfortunately, the clunky combat, hindered by the lack of enemy variety, along with environments that are thematically uncreative, undermine how interesting the overall experience is.

Hotel Barcelona is a complicated game in every imaginable way. While it offers an interesting challenge thanks to the high degree of unpredictability inherent in the roguelike genre, it's hard to ignore its performance issues and clunky gameplay. It's a stylish game that lovingly pays homage to horror cinema, but it nearly ruins everything with its clumsy and almost inconsequential execution. It takes effort to see its precariousness as its own charm, like a genuine low-budget trashy horror film with questionable intentions. Once this hurdle is overcome, it quickly carves out its niche, for which it can be seen as one of the best games in the world.

Painkiller is an honest production about its intentions: it wants you to shoot, explode, and customize your arsenal until you find the perfect combination for destruction. In this goal, it succeeds. The combat is satisfying, the weapon customization is robust, and the cooperative sessions deliver the expected chaos. The problem is that, surrounding this solid core, there is little content to sustain the structure. Nine stages across three biomes, repetitive enemies, and predictable level design cause the experience to quickly exhaust its freshness. For those looking for a few hours of unpretentious fun with friends, Painkiller delivers. However, for those expecting a shooter with the legs to last, the game remains trapped in its own purgatory of repetition.

I Hate This Place is a good adaptation of the comics for the virtual world, bringing faithful visuals, onomatopoeia for every character action, and an introduction to the comic universe. However, the game stumbles with imprecise aiming, a low variety of enemies, and an unengaging protagonist

Dreams of Another stands out for its artistic confidence and poetic vision. Its inventive mechanics and hypnotic atmosphere make up for the lack of challenge and replayability, offering a brief yet memorable journey through Baiyon’s surreal world of dreams.

Slipping up on its premise, Project Motor Racing failed to deliver a competent and realistic racing experience. While it has qualities such as its selection of cars and tracks, as well as customization options, several things fell short. These include an uninteresting visual style and problems with gameplay and customization. In the end, the game is still a minimally interesting option for fans of the genre, but nothing more than that.

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game is a charming proposition at first glance, offering a fresh take on Middle-earth by focusing on the everyday lives of hobbits. Its welcoming aesthetic and respect for the spirit of Tolkien's work certainly appeal to fans of the universe. However, its lack of depth in mechanics, lack of innovation within the cozy genre itself, and excessively slow pace make the experience repetitive and dull.

Pizza Delivery has an interesting message that suffers from annoying problems. Some updates could fix the gameplay and translation issues, but even so, the narrative could have been richer with the many possibilities that could have been explored using its background elements.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact has potential in its gameplay, and it's possible to have fun with the freedom of its combo system and how distinct the characters are from one another. However, fighting games need an exciting presentation to keep players engaged. Add to that the technical issues, lack of content, limited character roster, problematic online, and the extremely high price, and we end up with one of the most disappointing fighting games of this generation.

Despite its bugs and a rocky beginning, Vessels of Decay manages to engage the player in a healthy mix of dynamic combat and melancholic exploration. Even if you choose to wait for updates before buying, it's certainly worth your attention.

Legacy of Kain: Ascendance arrives at a delicate moment for the franchise. After years of silence broken by the positive reception of the remasters, fans expected a high-quality return worthy of the series — but what they received was a title that seems to underestimate the very legacy it carries in its name.

Sonic Wings Reunion focused on reviving a past star, but without capitalizing on its glory or bringing anything new. Not even nostalgia can be a draw, given that many other franchises, such as Gradius, Darius, and X-Out, have dedicated themselves to releasing collections or remastering their main titles, adding achievements and memorabilia. The Aero Fighters' flight deserved more attention.

The RENNSPORT format could yield a good game in the future if further developed, as it currently appears to be in beta or early access. Proper attention to its content and some visual, sound, and AI improvements could make it a more appealing product for virtual racing fans.

Captain Blood would already be an average game if it had been released in its original era. The combat is unpolished, the level design is repetitive, there's constant reuse of enemies, and the ship battles aren't exciting. At the very least, the pirate aesthetic combined with the more cartoonish design gives it a charming and unique touch that still stands out even after all these years.

Beyond the Ice Castle 2 brings back a simple game from the 1980's in a new edition with much more substance. For better or worse, it goes back to the old elements of Castlevania with linear stages, a great dark fantasy atmosphere, slow and heavy movement, and high difficulty that's reinforced by the not so generous healing system and the long distances in between the save points. This makes death a stage repetition that can be frustrating and repel the public that isn't keen to facing this kind of retro punishing experience.

Dragon Takers is an RPG that doesn't stand out in any aspect. Its story is predictable, characters lack depth and the gameplay, despite being reasonably functional, is limited and hardly strategic. Though it may entertain fervorous fans of the genre looking for a quick adventure with no big challenges, it will hardly leave a lasting impression.

After the trauma of its police counterpart, I was skeptical about what Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator could offer. To my surprise, even with the repetitive mission structure, it was quite fun to learn the different types of first aid that paramedics can provide in the most unusual situations. A little more polish in the visuals and bug fixes would make this emergency response team ready for any situation.

It's a shame that Boti: Byteland Overclocked's problems compromise the player's enjoyment. It has a great idea and a very well-crafted environment for the theme it proposes. However, it is more than necessary that corrections be made so that the little messenger robot gains the prominence it deserves.

For those looking for a fast-paced experience that goes beyond the AAA genre, Project Tower is a great option. If you want to test your reflexes and see if you can dodge all those colorful balls, you've found the right game.

Die by Anything misses the chance to be a creative comedy visual novel due to the lack of care in its graphics and sound. The idea of having a crazy premise, which goes from normal everyday life to a zombie holocaust, suffers because it has to rely solely on the narrative and has no aesthetic support, which is something vital for the genre.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is an unpretentious fable about the practical and emotional value of work done for the good of a community. The message is distilled into a simple but effective form, scattered throughout every corner of the fetch quests and dialogues that form the essence of the game. There is no significant challenge, but those who want a lovely broomstick ride while exploring the small and pleasant open world of the Windy Island will have a few hours to relax and find the purpose of the little delivery witch.

It's always nice to see characters from a franchise in a different idea from the mainline and Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos definitely offers this. However, maybe the Hyperdimension Neptunia universe had more to offer for this title's content, at least to make it a little longer or more varied for its replay value.

Like a dream come true from the 1990s, Gimmick! 2 has beautiful, lively visuals, clever and challenging platforming, and plenty of charisma, although it doesn't try to expand the game's identity beyond the cute design of Yumetaro and his adversaries. Even though it can be frustrating due to the many instant deaths on spikes, the simple and straightforward campaign will please 2D platformers admirers.

Basureroes: Invasion is an excellent 2D action platformer. It doesn't deny for a moment that it was inspired by the classics of the genre, but it doesn't shy away from it and manages to show a unique personality, full of creativity, good humor and with enough challenge to please beginners and veterans alike.

NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD invites us to reflect about the pressure and the trappings of the digital world. The story doesn't romantize or oversimplify Ame's experiences but presents them in an honest and raw fashion. For some people, this may be cathartic; for others, unsettling — but, more than anything, it's a reminder that searching for online validation may have a high toll on our mental health.

Overall, NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD: Typing of The Net suffers an identity crisis. The spin-off does try to capture the original essence while introducing new gameplay elements, but fails in balancing out those two sides. As a result, we get a game that doesn't manage to please NEED STREAMER OVERLOAD fans nor typing games enthusiasts. The concept had the chance to exude charisma and potential, but, thanks to an extremely poor execution, this title doesn't hold water as a standalone experience.

Slay the Alice is a simple and curious text adventure that plays with Alice in Wonderland elements. Due to its length, little content, and some poorly explained elements of the plot, the concept of narrative roguelike ends up with a feeling that there was more to be explored. However, for those who enjoy the genre and would like a curious and quick experience, this work would be worth checking out all the same.

Waiting in the Lime Forest is a stylish text adventure, but it ends up developing the plot poorly in its short duration. For those who love the format, I believe it's worth to explore the game and see what it does, but I hope future games from the developer manage to be more captivating and fleshed out.

The Alchemist & His Battle-Scarred Homunculus is a visual novel that stands out for the quality of its writing and the development of its characters. It is a game that deals with serious themes in a respectful and well-executed manner, without resorting to excessive drama.Despite some technical issues, such as the lack of variety in the scenarios and a rather unmemorable soundtrack, the relationship between Rakels and Mel is worth knowing for those who enjoy slice-of-life romances with a touch of fantasy.

Recall: Empty Wishes is a high-quality narrative adventure that delivers an engaging mystery and, in an assertive way, offers simplified gameplay that adds variation to navigation moments without interrupting the rhythm of the plot. With great mastery in the presentation of visual and sound elements, the title delivers an immersive experience that deserves to be experienced.

The idea of Accolade Sports Collection focusing only on sports games is cool in theory, but in practice it has proven to be very weak. The idea is to emulate the games as they were at the time they were released, it is not vital to improve gameplay, but the titles chosen fall far short of several other collections, including those released by QUBYte itself. All in all, this is perhaps a compilation to leave in the background, even if you are a big nostalgic for gems from the past.

Chibi Ninja Shino-Kun: Treasure of Demon Tower makes no secret of the fact that it was made to be straight-to-the-point fun, especially for those who enjoy challenges that escalate quickly. Of course, some gameplay improvements would be welcome, but even so, the dwarf shinobi walks right in step with the big guys.

Never 7 - The End of Infinity is a complicated and uncomfortable reading that's only worth it for those who love visual novels (or Kotaro Uchikoshi's works) and has an interest in the genre's history: there are good things in the end of the horribly tiring line, but up to then, it's necessary to be very patient. The mistreatment of the remasterization and localization also doesn't do any favors to the material, which is already weak at many points from the start.

Care Bears: To The Rescue is a great platformer with enough charisma to please kids and adults. The veterans on the controller may feel the challenge is too mild, but it still delivers a good dose of adventure and magic for those who want to show the genre to younger players or even enjoy a sincere dose of nostalgia.

With its vampire story focused more on relationships than horror, Cabernet achieves its goal of being an engaging narrative RPG. Both in its well-written plot and in its choice mechanics, the unlife of a doctor who has just become a creature of the night is competent in addressing several human themes and allowing us, if we so wish, to face them with optimism and empathy, always so necessary for humanity.

Lilac 0 is an intense and challenging experience, tailor-made for bullet hell fans who enjoy mastering attack patterns and chasing ever-increasing scores. With its stylized retro aesthetic and streamlined mechanics, the game delivers frenetic action and moments of pure tension, demanding precision and perseverance. However, its structural simplicity and limited content can make it repetitive in the long run, especially for those who don't engage with the ranking-focused replayability dynamics. Still, for those seeking a true test of reflexes and endurance, Lilac 0 is a great option.

Century of Anticipation is another one of those simple projects that few will talk about, but that many will love within the context of Brazilian games. This one is not full of explosions or grand cathartic moments, and it is precisely in the absence of these that the free poetic creativity, which is so lacking in many forms of art today, flourishes.

Alter Age is a competent RPG and it manages to entertain with a functional combat system and an age change mechanic that adds a touch of originality to the gameplay. Beyond that, though the plot isn't so interesting, the interactions of the three main characters are fun and end up balancing this weak point.

For lovers of virtual walks, The Lies We Tell Ourselves is an interesting experience. It may not be the best of its kind or have revolutionized anything, but it will be a game that you will remember at the end of the year, when you look back and think about everything you played.

In addition to having its own identity built by inspiration from the Korean imaginary of the afterlife and the peculiar aesthetics of few colors, 8Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure manages to be a traditional metroidvania that doesn’t fall below the average of the genre, but neither does it manage to surpass it. In several aspects, the execution doesn’t reach its true potential, but, overall, it is worth it as a sufficiently cohesive, fun and well-presented experience.

Destino Indomable is a visual novel with an incredible idea of exploring the Latin telenovela context. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired, with a shallow and poorly directed story and the shame to embrace the silliness of the genre in a non-ironic way. Along with subpar technical aspects, the result is a work that, while it may please some readers, doesn't manage to actually show the beauty of a good telenovela.

KinnikuNeko: SUPER MUSCLE CAT managed to have a glow up, turning itself into an interesting platformer for those looking for something far from seriousness, with jokes and an artstyle that manages to hook the player, besides a mild dose of challenge.

Rogue Loops stands out with a creative approach and well-structured mechanics. The cycle system with improvements accompanied by curses adds an interesting strategic touch, and the agile combat keeps the experience engaging. However, repetition ends up being a problem in the long run, since the structure of the challenges changes little between attempts. Even so, Rogue Loops delivers a fun and challenging game, which has the potential to become even better with future updates.

Kemono Heroes walks a tightrope by delivering a campaign that is as fun as it is short. It's the arcade action experience in its immediate simplicity, made to get people together and go out and beat up creatures from Japanese folklore in beautiful pixelated visuals. The amount of content offered, however, is more appropriate for retro experiences and may be unsatisfying for those expecting modern versatility that deepens things.

The Phantom may have its flaws, but it's hard not to be happy to see the Phantom again after all this time. The game's art is gorgeous, and longtime fans will certainly be tempted to at least give the game a try, but be warned that this adventure deserves a new chapter, and with the necessary fixes, otherwise it will be just another melancholy end for the Phantom.

Go Fight Fantastic doesn't try to reinvent the genre, but it delivers exactly what it sets out to do: a light, visually charming adventure full of cooperative action. On the other hand, if you're planning on playing alone, the game might lose some of its shine.

ReSetna presents an interesting proposal with its dynamic combat, exploration in a science fiction world and mechanics inspired by metroidvania, but its quality ends up being hampered by technical flaws that compromise the gaming experience.

Rendering Ranger: R² [Rewind] is part of a constellation of stars never before seen by the general public that finally gets its due spotlight. Even with a release three decades ago, the combination of mechanics and precise gameplay make it very attractive for those who would like to have a taste of the 90's in its natural state.

Even though the task was not easy, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition could have delivered something better than a simplistic and limited port. Not only does it have optimization and gameplay problems, but it also doesn't bring any new features, not even a mediocre localization into Portuguese. This is a tip for long-time fans of the franchise or those who really enjoyed the idea of ​​managing their own amusement park.

Peppered: an existential platformer is a pleasant surprise in the independent gaming scene. What starts out as a simple platformer with a retro look soon reveals itself to be a profound, critical and absurdly creative experience. It is a game that knows how to play with the language of video games without giving up its message. For those looking for something that goes beyond entertainment and provokes thought — even through the absurd —, Peppered is a sure choice.

Shadow of the Orient is nothing we haven't seen before, and its main idea is actually good, but the conversion to consoles ends up stumbling on some important points that end up discouraging players who enjoy adventures of this type. Add this to the visual issues in the HUD and we have a prospect of what could be a great adventure, but one that urgently needs fixing.

Soulslinger: Envoy of Death stands out with a striking visual identity and a bold narrative proposal, creatively blending western and dark fantasy. However, this potential is partially compromised by performance issues, an unbalanced progression pace, and steep difficulty, which may put off less patient players or those unfamiliar with the roguelike genre, which may lead to eventual disinterest in the game.

The Flayed Man is a unique journey into introspective horror, where narrative and aesthetic qualities rise above its technical flaws. While the clunky gameplay demands a "pact of tolerance", the experience is justified by its powerful allegory about pain and redemption. I recommend it to psychological horror fans who prioritize atmosphere over fluidity: it’s a flawed yet haunting title – like a scar that heals but never fades. For those seeking more than cheap scares, this is a work to be experienced, even if not traditionally "played".

Ambidextro is one of those experiences that seems simple at first glance, but quickly reveals its depth. With a creative concept, precise execution and a challenging learning curve, the game offers a unique proposition that tests not only our motor coordination, but also our patience and persistence.

With a simple and pleasant audiovisual presentation and an interesting and well-developed story, Wings of Endless convinces as a retro action RPG. Although the combat suffers from long fights against unbalanced bosses and the trio of playable characters does not balance the individual relevance very well, exploration is fun and has a good atmosphere of a satisfying adventure in a fantasy world.

Rift Riff reinvents the tower defense genre with its inventive approach. The ability to influence enemy paths creates multiple strategic options, and the wide variety of towers, monsters, and resources encourages creativity and experimentation. This freedom sometimes leads to trial-and-error situations, but fortunately, the fast-paced action minimizes the impact of this issue. These qualities, combined with the captivating setting and interesting content to explore, make Rift Riff an immersive and memorable experience.

Him, the Smile & Bloom is a competent otome game in its concept of exploring adult romantic relationships through four very different couples. The result is a great pick for fans of the genre and those who still don't know it but are interested in exploring a little of what it has to offer.

Even though it works without major problems, Undivine has design limitations that almost compromise the overall experience. What makes up for this situation is the retro approach to exploring a cohesive and well-structured metroidvania world, which leaves the intuitive discoveries up to the player, without guidance or hand-holding.

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is the kind of game that keeps you hooked from start to finish and has everything in the right measure: humor, challenge and charisma. It's just a shame that it ends quickly and is not localized into Brazilian Portuguese, but it's still very worthwhile to solve this mystery through the lens of Eugene McQuacklin.

Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping brings all the good things from the first game, with another great story, but decides to play it safe and not dare to create new things. So, we have another short game that leaves the feeling that it could have yielded a little more, despite its undeniable quality.

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo is a compelling journey through an afterlife world where people are stuck in a cycle caused by their regrets. Charismatic and vibrant, Galla's work is an experience worth playing.

Scar-Lead Salvation falters with something that could have been great and delivers a very weak experience. Although it is a game with quite competent controls, the whole thing is compromised by the lack of creativity with enemies, story and levels, which are based on an eternal loop that leaves even the protagonist tired.

Pirates VR: Jolly Roger offers a colorful and charming slice of pirate fantasy with lush environments, light puzzle-solving, and rewarding exploration, but its shallow combat, technical inconsistencies, and short runtime keep it from fully delivering on its potential; while enjoyable for a brief escape into a swashbuckling world, the lack of mechanical depth and polish makes it feel more like a playful VR detour than a truly immersive adventure built for the medium.

Even though it's not a revolutionary game, Islands & Trains has many strengths that can attract casual players. Its simple gameplay and cozy atmosphere offer a sense of relief and fun after a long, tiring day. Many of its limitations could be addressed through updates, and I hope they happen so the game doesn't quickly fade into obscurity.

Blacksmith Master has significant potential and, for an early access title, enough content and quality to be recommended. After hours of gameplay, I hope to see additions like magic, diverse races, and even a minimal narrative implemented. As for the mechanics, adjustments are needed — such as rebalancing the quality coins system or revising the progression. Overall, the core works very well, and with further refinement, I believe the game could become a polished gem in the future. [Early Access Score = 75]

Despite some mistakes, Chessarama hits perfect spot by combining traditional piece movement with specific and thematic challenges, managing to appeal to both chess fans and those who enjoy complex puzzles. And it's worth mentioning that there are several tutorials and explanations so that no one is left out, even those who have never touched one of those square tables with the checkered pattern in the center. It's a title recommended for those who want to lose track of time with one challenge after another.

Awita: Journey of Hope is visually beautiful and delivers responsive controls and fluid animations. In other words, it has the solid skeleton of a good metroidvania, but it lacks substance to cover those thin bones. The lack of content in terms of systems, level design and items is further mitigated by its short length, as the game ends before the player gets tired of it. Without something to compensate for its shortcomings, there is nothing to make it reach the average of the genre.

Perennial Dusk -Kinsenka- is an aesthetically pleasant visual novel and offers an interesting premise. However, the plot is handled poorly in rhythm and quality, making it easier to recommend other games in the genre.

Consolidating its success in the market, the DLC Stellar Blade x Goddess of Victory: Nikke adds even more quality to the base game. The new shooting missions are a lot of fun, fitting perfectly into Eve's arsenal. The same goes for the new cosmetics, which are among the most beautiful in her closet. Even though it takes a while for us to be able to access such attractions, we have here a collaboration that is practically mandatory for fans of these two games.

Klaus Lee: Thunderballs isn't the kind of game that offers bold proposals, but it does a great job of delivering a competent challenge with a more retro feel. However, it may not be as easy to digest for younger players, who weren't forged with the punishing adventures of an older era of video games.

Juufuutei Raden's Guide for Pixel Museum adjusts the classic nonogram presentation as a museum exhibition, exploring cultural aspects from the West and Japan alike besides presenting some of the VTuber's personal tastes. Though the Picross S line offers more variety, the package here is very elegant and manages to use its details to elevate the experience beyond the basics.

Outrider Mako presents a striking visual proposal and an atmosphere inspired by Japanese mythology, which grabs attention right from the start. The delivery of items to gods and the use of Red Nectar in combat introduce creative ideas, but the shallow execution falls short. Additionally, the repetition of maps and mechanics makes the experience tiresome over time, despite offering some fun moments here and there. Still, it may appeal to those who enjoy a more laid-back adventure, with plenty of style and a unique atmosphere.

"Raw" is the word that best describes Music Drive: Chase the Beat. The game's idea is great, as it showcases a product rooted in the realities of many communities while also shining a spotlight on a Brazilian artist. The only thing missing is better polish and more functionality—especially when it comes to exploring the songs, which become the main part of the adventure.

No More Heroes 2 is more than just a 3D version of the previous games. The variety of weapons and scenario conditions deepen the strategic aspect of the gameplay, and the freedom to choose any level to play from the beginning provides a very welcome openness, ranging from accessible to challenging. The presentation is quite generic, lacks any story and has some UI elements with positioning issues, but what matters most really works: the cooperative fun for up to four people to coordinate amidst the good old chaos of playing as a team.

As a shoot 'em up fan, it's frustrating to see a game like Akinakes, which could have been so much more than it ended up being. The sound and visuals are excellent, and the gameplay is decent, even if simple. However, the lack of a more challenging difficulty curve and the short length ultimately undermine everything the game could have offered.

Occlude stands out for transforming a traditional card game into an experience shrouded in mystery and based on constant experimentation. By posing puzzles that require reasoning and observation, the title breaks away from the ordinary and invites players to rethink their strategies amidst a thought-provoking atmosphere, immersive soundtrack, and mechanics that, while challenging, reward persistence.

Speedway Legends: Racing Overdrive only put in the basics, which were to ensure decent driving and polished visuals, but completely failed in everything else, neglecting the equally important menus, interface, ambient music, and variety of objectives. This game is yet another one that embarrassingly wastes something that could have been great.

Word Play doesn’t need much to entertain — and it does masterfully, proving that all the hours its developer spent researching game design did not go to waste. A solid basis and a good ear for fan suggestions are ingredients that will, for sure, make this one of the great casual roguelikes of the decade.

Toni Island Adventure takes us back to the 1990s in a nostalgic and charming journey. With a lighthearted and humorous story, charismatic characters, and functional combat, Toni’s adventure across Salamino Island is an excellent way to relive the experience of classic games. More than just drawing inspiration from the past, it fully embraces the limitations and charm of the Game Boy, delivering an authentic experience that faithfully rekindles the memories of those who grew up in that era.

Two Point Museum: Fantasy Finds is a very welcome addition to Two Point Studios' latest simulator. Despite the considerable increase in difficulty, the new approach to expeditions adds significant value to the experience, going beyond a simple visual content pack. A better balance between the cost of expeditions and museum maintenance would be appreciated, but with some planning and patience, any player can enjoy the best this expansion has to offer.

Arashi Gaiden isn't just a new addition to the Pocket Bravery universe. It offers a unique experience that blends action, strategy, and precision in a fast-paced and challenging turn-based system. With stylized pixel art, an immersive setting, and creative mechanics, the game stands out for rewarding tactical thinking and perfect execution, turning each level into a bloody and thrilling puzzle. Even with a difficulty curve that can frustrate the less patient, the title rewards those who dedicate themselves, delivering an intense and fun ninja journey.

Monument Valley 3 captivates with its stunning art direction, dreamlike settings, and an accessible design that invites contemplation. Noor's journey is engaging and filled with creative puzzles, though simpler and more predictable compared to previous titles. While it introduces new ideas, such as boat navigation, the game doesn't take many risks in terms of innovation and variety. With a brief campaign and linear solutions, the experience is welcoming, but it leaves the impression that it could have gone further in terms of depth and challenge.

Much shorter than most metroidvanias, Trash Quest manages to take advantage on every moment of its brevity and minimalism to deliver a polished, fun, and aesthetically pleasing experience. The platforming action wastes no time and challenges us with its efficient cyclical structure, resulting in a game that feels like a draft of something greater, but that is in itself well worth a good afternoon's play.

KANADE is a visual novel that manages to reach its goal masterfully. It's a simple romance work, but it explores the concept of first love with honesty in a curious setting that could be considered post-apocalyptic.

Viewed only as a puzzler, Mind Over Magnet is casual, fun, enjoyable, and polished — but don't expect it to be memorable, surprising or even long. Those qualities will only be appreciated by those interested in seeing the game from the perspective of a solo developer's project tracing winding paths of learning, and problem-solving. This is the audience that will benefit most from exploring the game along with the creator's commentary contained in it, and the videos that portrayed the three-year development process.

Boxville 2 is a charismatic, relaxing, 3 hours point-and-click adventure to fire up your brain and have fun for an afternoon. The beautiful, hand-crafted visuals and variety of puzzles are the highlights of the experience, but it fails in some quality-of-life aspects, especially the lack of chapter selection and hint system.

It's curious how many games are nothing more than deluxe remasters, yet they sell themselves as remakes, while Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is almost a brand new game from scratch, yet still has the humilty to renounce the terminology. Considering it's the most solid game in the franchise in years, it's great that Marvelous is finally getting its IP right, something that helps us build anticipation for the next new title in the franchise. In the meantime, the effort spent helping the Zephyr Town bazaar regain its glory days will be well spent.

With varied gameplay in its minigames and alternating perspectives, Makis Adventure is a pleasant and entertaining first game from a solo developer, but it doesn't reach its potential and ends just when it could have deepened its good ideas. The three-hour running time is worth it for those curious and enthusiasts of compact adventures with metroidvania elements.

Debtor is a short, inexpensive game that's bound to go unnoticed if you don't look closely. It's clear that it's far from being a shovelware game, as it has its own distinct qualities, but it certainly could have delivered much more than it did in the final product.