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.

A Game About Digging a Hole is exactly what it promises: a simple, silly and unpretentious experience, but one that delivers honest fun for those looking for something different and without commitment. Its basic gameplay loop — digging, finding items, selling and improving equipment — may seem repetitive at first, but becomes more engaging as the player progresses. The game doesn't worry about guiding the player or teaching them how things in this little world work, which reinforces its casual and straightforward proposal.

Cataclismo is an RTS that combines resource management and tower defense elements very competently. The meticulous construction of walls and the need for constant planning make the game quite fun and addictive, in addition to providing the player with a good amount of freedom for customization. Although it has some caveats, it is a very welcome addition to the genre.

Wanderstop is a game that is simply worth it. May you be a lover of tranquility or someone who wants to die whenever you see all those "farm games" in a Nintendo Direct or some such, Alta's and Boro's teahouse is a must-play stop. Who knows if maybe you, just like the protagonist, end up learning something about yourself?

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.

In the end, Assassin’s Creed Shadows consolidates itself as an engaging experience that competently balances the best aspects of the saga — and this, let's face it, is a success amid an almost constant identity crisis.

Reignbreaker presents an exciting premise with its fast-paced combat and an intriguing world, but it fails to develop its ideas in a solid way. For those who like fast-paced action and challenges, it can be fun for a while, but if you are looking for something deeper and with more content, the game may not deliver enough.

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.

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.

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.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is another engaging entry in the franchise, featuring active combat that is a sensational evolution for the franchise and a vast world full of incentives for exploration. However, the less intuitive detail system and some quality of life details that deserve more end up hurting the experience in an unexpected way compared to the Ryza trilogy.

Rise of the Ronin is, from many perspectives, Koei Tecmo's most ambitious adventure and its arrival on PC should be celebrated for providing even more enthusiasts of the theme and fans of the studio with access to it.However, between mistakes and successes in the adaptation, here we have yet another proof that PC ports require a lot of attention during their creation.

Expelled! stands out as an engaging and challenging experience for fans of narrative and investigation games. With its looping mechanics, the game tests the player's patience and cunning, requiring attention to detail and strategic planning.

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.

Ninja Five-O does an unexpected and much-needed rescue of an excellent title from the early days of the Game Boy Advance, which ended up being overshadowed by other big names released around the same time. Fans of Joe Musashi and Ryu Hayabusa who give Joe Osugi a chance will definitely not be disappointed.

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.

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.

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.

MainFrames stands out for its creativity in transforming a digital environment into a charismatic platform and puzzle adventure. The mechanics of manipulating windows and icons are well explored, bringing varied challenges and keeping the experience dynamic. On the other hand, the irregular difficulty and moments of trial and error can make progression frustrating, especially in the more advanced stages. Still, for those looking for an enjoyable experience and willing to overcome some barriers, MainFrames delivers an original concept with very creative moments.

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.

Even though the quality of life features could have gone further, Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars brings two classic RPGs in great style. For those who haven't played yet and want to check out the two, it's a great opportunity to dive into the universe conceived by the late Yoshitaka Murayama.

Under Defeat brings together all versions of the game and even includes a new one, even if with few differences in fact, creating an aura of a full-bodied version of a title that can be considered a modern classic of the genre. If you are a fan and enthusiast of shoot 'em ups, you definitely need to add this one to your library.

With a modest production that adapts the 2019 series material well, Carmen Sandiego serves its young target audience well, alternating geography- and history-based investigation and simple minigames. For older audiences, however, the educational entertainment essence may have less appeal, as the simplicity in the mechanics and initial enigmas make the really good challenges show up only in the second half of the campaign.

Hazelight has nailed it once again with Split Fiction. I was hooked on the adventure from start to finish, full of fun, creative and impactful moments, all with impressive polish. Each new idea presented left me excited to continue and discover how far the game would go, always accompanied by impeccable graphics and sound. Split Fiction will stay with me for a long time, being one of those unique experiences that remind me why I love video games so much.

Knights in Tight Spaces offers a creative approach to combining tactical strategy and deckbuilding in dynamic and claustrophobic combat. Despite an engaging combat system, the lack of diversity in challenges can make the journey predictable over time. Still, for those who enjoy strategic battles and deckbuilding mechanics, the game offers rewarding moments, especially when mastering positioning and emerging unscathed from seemingly impossible situations.

Overall, though its slip-ups are easy to notice, we still have an interesting adventure worth checking out for fans of RPG who aren't afraid of diving into a musical world that's as eccentric as it's provocative.

The questionable camera, technical limitations and issues inherited from the original releases don't allow this collection to be a definitive remaster. Even so, for fans of the genre and those who want to know Lara Croft's darkest era, the collection is worth it.

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.

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.

For the creativity involved and the fun it provides, Two Point Museum certainly deserves to be in the pantheon of the best simulators of all time, crowning the Two Point trilogy with what can be considered its most ambitious game to date. Inventive, relaxed and challenging, this is a title recommended both for those who are just getting to know the franchise and for those who have been following it since its inception, a few good years ago in a certain very crazy hospital.

Warriors: Abyss is like a tasty fast food game — nothing extraordinary, but satisfying for a quick bite. The visuals are dated, the story is unexciting, and the production clearly sought the most economical path. Still, the game captivates with the pleasure of testing different characters and builds as we progress through the underworld.

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.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection is a historical recollection of the franchise's legacy in the Game Boy systems (original, Color and Advance). The game's quality can vary wildly and the first ones in the pack are very different from what the real life TCG would develop into. With such an ample history, the series has better games that also deserve such a "rescue", like the Tag Force line, and hopefully the team's efforts don't end with just this rerelease.

Monster Hunter Wilds represents an ambitious leap forward for the franchise, expanding its universe with a dynamic open world, innovative mechanics, and a level of immersion never before seen in the series. Despite the technical challenges, this is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable titles in the franchise, being both an excellent entry point for newcomers and a worthy experience for veteran hunters.

X-Out: Resurfaced is a great game in its own right, but considering that many players may not know its origins, the chance to include the original title was something that could not be missed. However, the idea of bringing in the original composer to create modern versions of his work and modernize the visuals without disrespecting his original characterization gives a retro charm to this remake that may have a certain appeal with fans of the genre.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII offers a fresh take on the franchise, introducing innovations that make the game more accessible while keeping gameplay dynamic for extended periods of time. While some elements, such as diplomatic relations, lack variation, the strategic depth that characterizes the series and the genre remains largely intact.

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.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 plants the seeds to yet another excellent teen drama and mystery by Don’t Nod: authentic, fun, intimate and intriguing, the title naturally navigates complex themes and teenage conversations, showing the studio's tremendous evolution. If things remain this way on Tape 2, we will definitely have a new classic of the adventure genre in our hands.

Rift of the NecroDancer stands out as an excellent addition to the series, offering an addictive gameplay and memorable soundtrack. Supporting community track creation, there's great potential for longevity and new experiences in the future.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a bizarrely unique experience. Addressing many of the main concerns players had about the previous Gaiden, Ryu Ga Gotoku did an excellent job of creating a soulful adventure for what is certainly one of the most beloved characters in the fan community.

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a solid entry into a series of text-based adventures. As a standalone, the game is competent, but its open-ended conclusion and minor details weaken its impact.

It takes a certain amount of creativity to make your management simulator stand out from the crowd in a genre that has been so badly misfired over the years. Blood Bar Tycoon even gets there in this conceptual aspect, but it proves that a cool idea alone is not enough. What was missing was a more solid execution of the proposal, which has difficulty developing amidst so many technical problems and creative decisions.

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.

METAL SUITS: Counterattack is a fun game for those looking for some casual entertainment. The armor system stands out, the dynamics of the levels are engaging in the first few hours, and the visuals are charming. The problem is that the pace doesn't keep up, with levels that drag on without bringing much new information. It's worth checking out on a good sale, especially for those who intend to play in short doses.

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.

Afterlove EP is a text adventure that manages to present the drama of mourning in an impactful and honest manner and the difficulties of recomposing oneself after such a giant loss. Emotional and visceral, this is a great recommendation for those who enjoy works of this nature, though the rhythm side ends up under-explored.

Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip is an interesting, funny and charismatic adventure, but it lacks in key points of exploration, and is also very short. It’s a great option for those who want something more to laugh and relax with instead of doing more intense searches.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 disappoints in its long-awaited debut on PC, delivering an adventure that falls short of the expectations created since its launch on PS5. As fun as the sequel to the saga of Peter Parker and Miles Morales is, the poor work of adaptation to the new platform prevents a broader recommendation until its most basic problems are resolved and the performance delivered is within expectations for different hardware configurations.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is a modest but worthy farewell to a series that has always been humble. The concise campaign focuses on what works and gets straight to the point, with a good pace of exploration and progression, but its basic metroidvania mechanics fail to impress, both in the simplistic traversal abilities and in the merely satisfactory combat. Fortunately, the aesthetics refine the visuals with good effects, making this a game that, despite being unpretentious, is fun, enjoyable and very beautiful.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector enhances and expands on the concepts of the first game, delivering an even more compelling experience for fans of interactive narratives and tabletop RPGs. With strategic mechanics well-integrated into the gameplay, a richly-detailed universe and an immersive soundtrack, the game stands out as a sequel that respects its roots and at the same time adds new elements to make the experience deeper.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter makes up for it with its impressive combat, detailed visuals, interesting medieval fantasy with animals and a narrative that heightens the atmosphere. However, the game fails to build on the achievements of its predecessor and suffers from superficial systems, bland level design, unnecessary backtracking and repetitive and unbalanced fights. The new epic of the rat kingdom may please with what it has good, but it will not impress those who played the first one.

More than the meme-game it seems to be, MiSide convinces you with its waifus, but enchants you with the masterful execution of a surreally well-optimized product signed by a team that clearly knows what it is doing without aiming and getting lost in pretentious delusions, but still managing to achieve them with a lot of work, competence and passion.

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.

Trails through Daybreak II is a good continuation and a consistent step up in Calvard's saga. Despite some slip ups and how it feels like the events are more limited when taking into account the general series setting, this is yet another quality work and an easy recommendation for RPG fans.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black remake achieved its main goals: to bring back the classic hack and slash genre to the spotlight through one of its biggest success franchises; to allow the developers to "train" in the use of Unreal Engine 5, which will be used for the fourth title; finally, to create an opening to the main attraction that will be Ninja Gaiden 4.

MACROSS -Shooting Insight- has good ideas and execution flaws, but the fact that it carries the name of a classic franchise ended up becoming a burden, even with the Gallery full of cool collectibles, the main one, which was to emphasize combat with the different forms of the mecha, ended up lacking and the constant change of perspectives is an example of something good that was used in a bad way.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a complex and extensive game with countless systems that require dedication to be properly used. Fortunately, this quasi-simulator of life in the medieval period manages to deliver a fun and competent experience, which justifies such a level of dedication to becoming a true knight.

Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a text adventure that's definitely worth playing, especially for fans of the genre. With a solid macabre atmosphere, great plot twists, and an excellent Portuguese translation, we have an immersive mystery solving experience in our hands.

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.

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.

Though ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist plays it safe by being too similar to its predecessor, it also surpasses it in every aspect. It's a challenging, beautiful and melancholic metroidvania, but also heartwarming in its emphatic narrative tone and quality of life upgrades — especially the excellent mapping —, along with the difficulty management.

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.

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.

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.

Scars Above is an ambitious game that tries to balance action, exploration, and storytelling into a cohesive experience. While it’s not perfect, it manages to deliver an engaging adventure that stands out for its intelligent protagonist and creative use of scientific elements.

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.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a cozy game that stands out for its welcoming atmosphere and the richness of the interactions with Sanrio characters. The simple gameplay combined with vibrant visuals and a relaxing soundtrack create a charming experience for players of all ages.

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.

Cuisineer is an interesting suggestion that manages to combine the dungeon crawling and business management genres. More than that, the game brings a competent and accessible mix, with very good production – except when it comes to loading screens – and enjoyable gameplay. Unfortunately, those who enjoy more complete experiences will find little motivation in the story and mechanics to advance.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. not only expands the reach of Sega's iconic franchise, but also attempts to present the definitive experience for the online competitive scene, despite stumbling in matchmaking.

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.

Eternal Strands is a good game with good ideas, but it doesn't have the right structure to make the most of them, stretching its use until it becomes completely repetitive and compromising the strength of its dynamic action proposal with magic and physics.

Marona's, Ash's and Apricot's adventure is yet another worthy entry in Nippon Ichi Software's catalogue and a memorable experience for fans of the company or those who like a borderline experimental touch to the tactical RPG genre.

Mark of the Deep is a title that knows how to take advantage of the best of the metroidvania and soulslike genres to create an engaging and challenging adventure. With accessible mechanics and a friendly learning curve, the game manages to balance exploration, intense combat and captivating narrative, resulting in a memorable experience. The mysterious setting, combined with the well-developed mythology, makes Rookie's journey immersive and rewarding. Despite some inconsistencies, especially in the dubbing, the game stands out as an excellent example of the potential of the Brazilian industry and can already be considered one of the best games ever developed in Brazil.

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.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth stands out as a significant reinvention of a classic, ambitiously expanding and reimagining its narrative, characters, and setting. The PC port elevates the experience with technical improvements and tweakable options, though there are still minor issues, such as a lack of support for certain technologies. Still, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a remarkable title that celebrates the legacy of the original while charting new paths. It’s an imperfect journey, but one filled with memorable moments that reaffirm the impact and relevance of this universe for fans new and old.

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.

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.

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.

Tales of Graces f Remastered is a new opportunity for a great game in the franchise to reach a new audience and allows old fans to relive this jewel on current systems. Though it doesn't stand out as a remaster, with many other projects that are more competent in the market, this complete pack of the action RPG is an easy recommendation for fans of the genre.

Despite its intriguing setting and some promising ideas, Blade Chimera fails to stand out as a memorable experience. The fusion of cyberpunk and Japanese mythology creates a visually rich universe, but the repetitive combat, uninspired level design, and linear progression limit the game's potential. With a short campaign and a limited interpretation of the metroidvania genre, Blade Chimera is a reasonable platformer, but far from achieving the brilliance needed to stand out among other games of the genre.

I believe Dynasty Warriors: Origins was designed to appeal to a wider audience for the musou genre, adding an extra layer of variety to the traditional formula. For my personal taste as a fan of this style of game, I was quite pleased. The combat has more depth, the narrative is more linear and the diverse structure gives this reboot a fresh feel, moving it away from feeling like just "more of the same".

Threefold Recital is an interesting narrative experience, featuring an engaging universe inspired by Chinese mythologies. Although the repetitiveness and lack of inspiration in the interactive sessions end up hurting the pace of the adventure, it is a game worth checking out for its story.

Clearly inspired by VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action and Emily is Away, S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH manages to stand out by working its gameplay almost entirely in first person in its own way, offering a solid and charming adventure. Its greatest merit, however, is the sensitivity with which it manages to work its own narrative and foster a very important feeling for the maintenance of relationships between human beings: empathy.

Freedom Wars REMASTERED is a good example of how a good game on a handheld 11 years ago was a technological marvel with addictive gameplay, but nowadays, with the few improvements it has received, it becomes something passable. The game itself is not bad, but in this niche of group arena battles against giant enemies that demand strategy and patience, there are other better examples everywhere. In the meantime, Freedom Wars remains as an option if you are really enthusiastic about the genre.