It may have been a five-year wait, but I am so happy Arcadia Fallen got a second game. The charm from the first game lives on, but elevated with new tricks, and honestly, it really scratched my itch for a fun and immersive VN. As I mentioned above, the story itself isn’t grandiose or crazy, but it is a fun read, and you’re bound to love the cast. If anything, the abundance of choices you have to make will keep you busier than most other visual novels out there. On top of that, you’ll have a few challenging puzzles to keep things spicy. I’m honestly so sad this game is over for me. I truly enjoyed myself with this one and can’t wait for what’s next from Galdra Studios. Hopefully, the wait isn’t another five years, though. I want more Elias NOW!

Project Songbird was a bit of a rollercoaster. I came in expecting great things, started to feel like I’d seen it all before, and then found something completely unexpected. It has its flaws, true, but I’d rather see something that strives and falls short of its ambition than something that doesn’t try at all. This feels like it was made for me. It’s on the shorter side but has enough to feel satisfying, comfortable but with a style that feels its own. Even without the more personal connection to the themes that elevated it for me, it’s still a solid survival horror experience.

Resident Evil Requiem will very likely be in the conversation for Game of the Year, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does it succeed as a great title in a legendary series, but it’s also a successful celebration of one of gaming’s horror staples. Not only will it satisfy longtime fans who have been there since day one, but the full experience will easily delight casual fans as well. I loved everything about Requiem, and I hope that those who decide to take the plunge will feel the same way. This easily rises to the level of love that RE4 has received over the years, and those taking the plunge might end up in the same boat. This is an absolutely phenomenal game in a beloved franchise, and it will likely be on the minds of many a gamer for years to come.

GRIDbeat! has all the components of an excellent rhythm game: A unique aesthetic, addictive gameplay, a respectable difficulty curve, and (of course) a positively bumpin’ soundtrack. All of these qualities make it a relatively easy recommendation for fans of this genre, but each of them also has a depreciating caveat that lessens the experience. Somewhat samey level designs can occasionally cause visuals to lose their luster, a lack of meaningful change in the core gameplay loop, and very predictable difficulty spikes in each level are all snags that will come and go in different points throughout GRIDbeat! Everything mostly works the way it’s intended to, but it’s hard to ignore the missed potential. There’s no caveat for how enjoyable the soundtrack is, though. It’s just damn good.

While it slightly suffers from a few odd decisions about its default control scheme and the direction of the voice acting (though the acting itself is top shelf), you’ll definitely find the adrenaline rush you might be craving in Screamer. It absolutely oozes quality in almost all aspects. If Mario Kart is too silly and Forza is too serious, this might just be the perfect in-between for you.

Scott Pilgrim EX is yet another fantastic effort from Tribute Games, and fans should breathe easy. It’s a worthy follow-up to a beloved brawler, retains the trappings fans loved about its predecessor, and suceeds at being an all around great game in its own right. This is an easy thumbs up for me, and those looking to fill their evening with a solid beat ’em up experience will surely find that here. Sometimes, it can be worth the wait.

Part of me kinda wanted for Romeo Is A Dead Man to let me in on a joke. There’s a sense throughout the game that I’m missing a comment or two, that if I just had the right combination I could get a sense of what Suda51 really wants to say, and it would make the whole product feel even better or more coherent. And I can’t quite get there. But that’s part of the fun, and it’s what makes the game not just unique but compelling in the way that a more coherent title probably couldn’t manage. Some people are going to give this game a shot and bounce off it hard, and I think that’s valid. But I think that if you enjoy the game it’s going to be something you keep coming back to, and it’s definitely a game I would encourage people to buy on Steam because if you decide it’s not for you, hey, you can figure that out within the refund window. It’s either going to be very much not for you or very much for you, and I think some people are going to realize that this is their game in a way they wouldn’t have if it hadn’t sort of swept in from nowhere. The moral of the story is that Romeo Is A Dead Man has something to say, but what it’s saying is more about a feeling than anything. That is the lesson.

Whether you’re a hardened veteran of the genre or interested in trying it out for the first time, Mewgenics is a roguelike well worthy of your time. What starts out as a decent SRPG difficulty curve expands in lockstep with the complexity of the game expanding as more and more content becomes available and new challenges present themselves. It’s all about slowly learning the ins and outs of its systems as you play. Whether you’re sitting down for a single run or locking in for a longer session, optimizing your play style while uncovering new synergistic combos through passives is the special sauce that keeps you playing. And, y’know, it lets you be a hoarder and take care of a bunch of cats. What more could you want?

The game's sheer complexity and overwhelming mass of systems and stuff makes it a bit hard to recommend, and there were definitely times when I was pulling out my hair in frustration in the game or finding myself unclear on how I was supposed to proceed. I feel like a smaller and more balanced game would have likely been an overall better experience. But at the end of the day, Nioh 3 aims big. While I can't say if it's going to satisfy series fans perfectly, this one is definitely earning a thumbs up from me.

At its core, Woolhaven feels more fleshed out than the base game did when I initially played it, and we saw that get plenty of free content updates over the years. With similar postgame additions, I’d love to see where Woolhaven goes from here.

It takes a lot to be noticed in this sea of remakes and remasters, and Dragon Quest VII Reimagined mananages to stand out in the crowd with relative ease. This game easily stands above its original release and its 3DS remake, and gleefully succeeds at modernizing itself while also staying true to its roots. I doubt this will be the last we see of the modern takes on other classic entries, but this game and Square Enix’s prior efforts as of late give me confidence that this won’t be the last modern remake we’ll see from them. I just hope that if they do, they’re just as good as this. This remake is a triumph, and you shouldn’t think twice about buying it.

If you were hoping for a really deep and engaging horror ride, you will be somewhat disappointed, but if you want a solid roguelike with a horror flavor, I think The Spirit Lift is a charming opportunity. And so by giving the game a chance, I went from “cordial dislike” to “actually quite fond of this one.” That’s why you take chances sometimes, and I’m glad I took one here.

Arknights: Endfield is a unique beast. It is a very fun game that I found very hard to play. I do want to reiterate that I like this game. The best part about games as a service is if what I found frustrating proves to be a sticking point for others, then those issues can and will be addressed. I also think Endfield is a game that can give you as much back as you want to put in. Engaging with ALL of its systems isn’t strictly necessary. In that sense, free-to-play is a damn steal!

Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights is exactly what I was looking for in terms of a modern otome game. It’s a fantasy tale that has depth, and while the love aspect can get a little lost in the political plotline, it finds its way back and gives you an overall satisfying story. The characters are great both individually and together, and there is a good mix of seriousness, comedy, and banter. It was just enjoyable to watch them all interact, making it a title I feel comfortable recommending to others. The visuals do leave a little to be desired, and the gameplay is nothing crazy, but this is a solid game for fans of the genre. You will find what you’re looking for here, I promise.

UNBEATABLE is an excellent experience, and one that I’ll likely be playing far into the future through its included Arcade mode. The vibes are immaculate, and I’m pretty well satisfied with the overall package. But a bit more time expanding the story and fixing up some notable issues could easily have taken this game from “great” to “spectacular.”

This is a really fun, elegant, and well-observed game that I might feel is a bit slower to start than that title was, but it does feel like a lot of fun from start to finish. I had a fun time playing the game, and every time I fired it up again I found myself having fun all over again. If you have memories of old beat-em-ups or just want a new Marvel game in your life, this is going to be a fun title, and it can easily be an all-time winner for party games even with your friends who don’t play regular video games. Which means that it deserves the most Marvel-possible send-off for the whole affair. It’s a magnificent Marvel menagerie of superior, striking, and sensational super-heroes clashing on cosmic canvas against invading insects in insidious incidents. ‘Nuff said!

News Tower is a return to form. It feels made for fans of a genre that’s become lost in the Steam Early Access muck. It also feels like a great entry point for people looking to do more than stock virtual shelves.

Yeah, it’s a small release and it is unlikely to take all of the air out of the room in a year that has already seen some incredibly strong RPG releases, but if you love this genre? Get yourself in to Demonschool. I give it full marks and a fair helping of extra credit, but I still want it to see me after class because it impressed me.

I’d say with confidence that Mizuguchi and the Enhance team have once again knocked it out of the park here. If you’re looking for a way to drop some blocks whilst wringing emotion from your heart, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Digital Eclipse once again hits the mark with Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection, and I’m happy that their porting skills remain as strong as ever. The sheer number of games included in tandem with their now trademark storytelling approach makes this an easy recommend for me. While not every game here is a winner, the documentary portion once again steals the show. I hope this isn’t the last we see of this Gold Master format, because there are plenty more of gaming’s icons that would benefit from its unique brand of storytelling. I’ll happily take more gaming history lessons from a developer that clearly cares about the story of whatever gaming giant they choose to cover next.

Persona 3 Reload remains one of the best JRPGs out there, and what I encountered here does little to deter me from that sentiment. Switch 2 owners might not be getting the best version performance-wise, but they’re still getting a version that’s worthy enough to play on the go. Those who care about smooth framerates will be better served playing it on more powerful platforms. But if you’re looking for a solid enough port on Nintendo’s shiny new Switch, you can certainly do a lot worse than this.

I think Skygard Arena is fun, and you might too. At the absolute minimum, it may well cultivate an interest in the Tactics RPG genre for you, and explore a world of gaming I’ve fondly enjoyed for a long time.

Absolum is a game that I welcome with open arms. It’s further proof that there’s still room for fun and original experiences in gaming, and is a lovely example of showing what you can do when you let your experience speak for itself. The level of polish and reverence for what Guard Crush and the gang have here is well worth a look. Which also maintains an iron grip on what makes a roguelike and a beat ’em up compelling in the first place. If you’re looking for a good time at a reasonable price, you can’t really beat what’s cooked up here. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Even after spending close to 30 hours already, there are oodles of secrets to find, upgrades to unlock, and further optimizations I can make to my ranch setup. I think I’ll be vacationing here for a while.

It may have taken me a long time to get here, but I have to admit that I’m so happy I did. Falcom did an amazing job with this game. The characters felt authentic, the story was engaging, and the battle system was a lot of fun. Repackaging something older in a way that appeals to newer audiences but manages to retain its original charm is harder than it sounds, so hats off to them for the success of this remake! If, like me, this is your first time playing a Trails game, or if you’re an old fan and just want to re-live a good gaming experience in an updated way, please pick up this title. It will not disappoint you. In fact, the only thing disappointing me right now is that the remake for the sequel isn’t out right now! Hurry up, Falcom, thank you!!

Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles knocks the rust off the original, shines it up like new, and makes lots of subtle changes that only enhance the classic. And if you want a version without any changes, that's here too, just as grainy as you remember. I couldn't have hoped for more.

It’s a fun time if you’re a fan of farming simulators. Its beautiful visuals will draw you in, and its wonderful cast will keep you there. Not only that, but this game does a great job of giving you a goal and providing you with the tools to get there. I can’t think of a single time when I felt like I wanted to put my switch down from playing this because I was bored. I will be honest and say that it can feel repetitive in some bits and a little bit easy/simple in others, but that is more so a byproduct of the genre than any fault of this specific title. All in all, if you’re itching for a good farming simulator to sink your teeth into this fall, I recommend you pick this up. I promise you won’t regret it!

The fact that this is from a small team is itself amazing, and if you enjoy anything from the gorgeous art to the description of the mechanics to even just the feel of being the family head trying to whip your clan into a fighting force? I think you’ll find something to love in Dice Gambit. I sure as heck did. I took a chance I didn’t expect to, and I feel it was well worth it.

When I walked away from my preview of Ra Ra Boom I was thinking that if the game cleaned up some of the preview-build jank, refined a couple of elements, and didn’t muck with the fun parts, it’d be a winner. And that’s exactly what happened.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a wonderful game that’s sure to stand out for fans of the series and beyond. It reinforces what longtime followers love about the series, and is one of the best examples of a “tough but fair” game. It could possibly be overshadowed by its 3D counterparts, but be sure not to overlook this gem of a game. It stands out well enough on its own that it would be foolish to miss out on this well-crafted experience.

Overall, Date Everything is a charming little package that staves off its inherent repetitiveness with some great writing and an excellent cast of voice performers. The sheer variety of characters here nearly guarantees that there will be at least a handful that connect with everyone. Some of the character design is a bit too busy, though, and tracking down every Dateable can become a lesson in frustration if you have difficulty thinking outside the box. If you’re a VA geek, Date Everything is an absolute must-play; I don’t think we’ll ever see another game with this many high-profile performers together in one package. Recognizing the voices of the Dateables you find is a core part of the fun here, in my opinion. But even if you’re not well versed in modern voice performers, this game is still a fun and often hilarious romp.

Brushes With Death may not be as big and sophisticated as the main scenario, but for being a post-launch DLC, it packs a lot of fun and value for its price point. Add to that the other extra content its patch brought alongside it, and there could hardly be a better time to get into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, except maybe after the remaining story DLCs come later in the year. If you enjoyed the game but hadn’t given thought to the game’s DLC pass or even just this specific one, this content is most definitely worth the price of admission. You may even find yourself re-loading previous saves to explore the different ways you can approach it.

Out of Sight is a very decent, horror-tinged puzzle game. Its most enticing offering—a second-person perspective that sees you controlling the protagonist through the eyes of her teddy bear—is also its most thoroughly realized. The way its puzzles interact with the more restrictive perspective is very engaging and easily kept me wanting to see the rest of what it had to offer. Which unfortunately makes the more unexciting mechanical execution of the puzzles themselves stand out all the more. It’s still fun to guide Sophie to safety through puzzle and pursuer alike thanks to a decent mystery and neat camera angles, but a more challenging level of difficulty and a more thorough aversion of many tried-and-true puzzle mechanics would have elevated Out of Sight into something truly special.

If you’re not really a fan of deckbuilders, this game is not going to change your mind. But if you like them but often find them kind of disappointing, I think Monster Train 2 is going to be a real winner. It doesn’t do anything I’ve never seen before, but all the things it does that I have seen before are things it does really well. And that’s worthy of praise.

If there’s anything wrong with Drop Duchy as a game, it’s really just the timing of its release. The gaming world has a lot of stuff to play right now, a lot of big titles that demand you sink a lot of time and energy into them. I’ve been playing some of them myself. It would be easy to overlook this particular one because it is a slight thing, a lunch break sort of game. But when you consider the asking price and the fun of the game, that slightness works in its favor. Maybe you don’t have a couple of hours to make serious progress on the big RPGs that are out right now. Maybe what you have is 30 minutes to play some Tetris and also build yourself a merry little kingdom. And Drop Duchy is positioned perfectly for that. Lean in, enjoy some dropping and some management, and give the screen a thumbs-up in celebration of your latest acquisitions of land. So yeah, this is just mashing together existing pieces, but that mashing really works. Exquisite!

Despite an overly lean narrative and an overlong middle section, Bionic Bay’s particular blend of fluid platforming, physics-focused puzzles, and gorgeously surreal aesthetic results in a highly engaging experience. More than that, it’s tight pacing and interest in surprising the player keeps things feeling fresh throughout. If you’re on the lookout for a new puzzle-platformer, it’s well worth your time to run and jump your way through it.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened is a great chance for people like me who skipped out on the original to get a look at the game for the first time, and for fans of the original to have a good reason to re-explore the game along with seeking out new mysteries. It is a calm, serene experience of puzzle-solving that will also twist your brain along the way. And I quite enjoyed it, and just like the original? Yeah, it’s an excellent game almost everyone will enjoy.

Look Outside is a unique and dense experience. It leverages its relatively short runtime by being fit to bursting with interesting mysteries, meaningful gameplay decisions, characters both eerie and endearing, and a horror aesthetic that knows when to depict its grotesqueness outright and when to leave things up to the player’s imagination. Its mashup of survival horror resource gathering and turn-based combat is less successful for the way the former garners more satisfying engagement than the latter, but even still, Look Outside is an easy recommendation for anyone—but horror fans in particular—on the lookout for something new.

And that's really the ultimate takeaway. It has a load of really fun parts, a fun gameplay loop, an engaging story, and an earnest effort to split the difference between the various elements of the franchise history. It's a good game! Take these reservations not as a subversion of that fact, but for what they are: Acknowledgement of its limitations.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves to fans and newcomers alike that you can step out of your comfort zone in more ways than one as a player or developer. Not only does a fan favorite finally get the spotlight he righteously deserves, he shines in a way that only Goro Majima can. I had a blast being a right scallywag with the Goro Pirates, and I’m confident that anyone that picks this up will likely feel the same about their high seas shenanigans. If Secret Agent Majima somehow becomes a thing, you better believe I’ll be there enjoying every second of it. Turns out you can teach a Mad Dog new tricks.

Whether you’re a retro-head with a weird interest in the PC-98 like myself, a fan of old-school graphic adventures, a visual novel fan poking their head into something similar, or just into 80s mecha, Stories from Sol is a tale that is worth your time.

Wow. Just... Wow. That was my feeling when I hit the credits roll after just over 150 hours. I really lost myself in the game world (which is actually relatively accurate to the real world with its locations and layout, as was the first game) at times. More so than any other game I've played in many years, I found myself committed to finally seeing to the main objective the first game left unfinished. It was hard for me to even pull myself away for other things when I needed to. I was thinking about little else from start to finish.

Ultimately, it’d be wrong to say that Defender’s Quest II feels like more of the same; in visuals it’s very different and everything else feels like a distinct evolution from its original form. But it does feel like it has been made with the same sort of attention to detail and care as the first one. It carries all of the charm and memorability, and it also has that same addictive feeling of inspiring you to take on just one more round. In other words, basically everything I liked about the first game has been either preserved or expanded, and there’s just not much to criticize. This is an amazing package, every bit as good as its predecessor, and if you never heard of that game that means you have two great games to play. Go try it out, because if the idea of a tower defense RPG sounds like a great concept, I assure you that this one nails it just as well as the first game.

The Stone of Madness isn’t perfect by any means, but its successes readily outweigh its missteps. Its emphasis on real-time stealth and simultaneous control over three distinct characters at a time work to create some very hectic gameplay situations, naturally encouraging the player to learn and improve. Infusing this rewarding gameplay with a striking art style and a tinge of dark humor makes for a unique experience worth looking into, even if the controls can be clunky and the guards can be a little too good at catching up with you when you make a mistake.

I absolutely had a blast, even as a fan of the genre who wishes that things had been done differently in a number of areas. Whether you’re a long time fan or new to the series, I have to recommend checking this out.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a beloved tribute to a cherished franchise in video game form. It easily stands alongside some of the more standout titles that have emerged in the genre as of late, and everyone involved shows their reverence for MMPR in every frame. Anyone worried about the quality of this game can rest easy, as this is something I can happily point to as a great example of a good beat-em-up. I had a morphenomenal time with Rita’s Rewind, and I’m sure anyone fires this up will feel the same way. This game is far from a headache, so go-go give this one a shot.

While the slate of classic content here might not be as dense as other compilations in Digital Eclipse’s Gold Master Series, everything included in Tetris Forever easily justifies its more than reasonable asking price. This compilation is easily one of the best I’ve played and experienced in quite a while. Which makes for an easy reccommendation for anyone interested in doing a deep dive into one of the premier lynchpins of the industry. It’s not a perfect compilation, but it’s damned close.

For fans of the franchise who aren’t usually RPG fans, this one is going to be fun. Tactical RPG fans who don’t generally play run-and-gun platformers are going to have fun with it. And if you’re a fan of both? This is a must-buy. It’s a sign of how you can do interesting things in a familiar space with novel implementation.

In a way, Life is Strange: Double Exposure felt like returning home. While it doesn’t quite overshadow the original, it delivers more of what made the series so special in the first place while having its own identity. Nostalgia can be a tricky line to walk. On the one hand there’s plenty of people who liked Max’s story from the first game and will be drawn back, but there’s also a risk of winding up like a few other series that are just remaking the same game over and over. I feel Deck Nine Games have successfully pulled off that tightrope trick, and have left the series in a place where it can only grow and thrive. I look forward to the next adventure.

Atlus clearly decided to mark their 35th anniversary with a bang. With Metaphor, they took one of their most fan-favorite formulas and transitioned it to an engaging, top-notch fantasy experience, with only a few, quite minor, stumbles along the way. JRPG fans the world over will delight in this well-crafted experience, even if a few of the most die-hard Persona fans might find issues with the battle system. I’ll take that a step further and say that this is a great JRPG entry point for Western players who are more used to the RPGs made in the States or Europe. It’s worth a play for almost anyone who can spare the potentially triple-digit hours needed to get through it.

At the end of the day this is an approachable and enjoyable entry into a genre that doesn’t really get a lot of love these days. If they manage to optimize things enough to fix the performance issues you could probably consider it a 9 from me, but as it is I can only mostly recommend it.

Neva is still an title that I believe most should dive in to. “Not being a revelation” is hardly a bad thing when what we have here is still a top-notch experience that was able to force feeling out of my dead heart.

For those of us that love engaging with punishing mechanics and feeling a tangible sense of improvement with each failure, Kill Knight is simply excellent. It offers a constant barrage of split-second decisions for the player to make, greatly rewards both heat-of-the-moment reaction time and preparedness in remembering which enemies are coming up next, and wraps it all up in an atmospheric pixelated hellscape. The result is an addictive twin-stick shooter playing out at a breakneck pace, and one very much worth your time if you’re looking for something that will let you notice tangible improvement with every attempt to clear its difficult stages.

In short, The Plucky Squire is a triumph, and if it looks fun to you and you don’t mind the slightly shorter runtime, you will find it to be delightful. And you will, I am certain, want to see how Jot’s adventure plays out. It’s a simple trick done without shame but with genuine warmth, and in the end, what more can you ask for from any video game?

While there are the occasional small flaws here and there, Sumerian Six is easily one of the best stealth games I’ve played. It’s easy to fall into a trap of making your stealth too easy or too frustrating, but generous player tools and the puzzle-like encounters help it ride that fine line to perfection. While I’m aware stealth games aren’t for everyone, and tactical stealth is a niche of a niche, if any of this appealed to you, Sumerian Six makes a great entry into the genre.

Overall, Love, Ghostie is exactly what it looks like on the tin: An adorable little slice of life full of charming characters you’ll get to know over the course of your adventure. While it doesn’t take long at all to reach the credits, the real fun comes from seeing all the various combinations, which greatly increases the run time. It’s not especially deep or demanding, but not everything needs to be that way. It’s cozy, and sometimes that’s precisely what one needs.

I don’t think Cat Quest III is going to blow anyone away, but I think it is entirely worthy to be in this franchise. Do you like fun action RPG games that focus on solid, simple game mechanics? Do you like cats? Do you enjoy exploring and finding things to do in the world, searching around for a bit, and then going through the game again? Then you’re going to get your money’s worth and more from Cat Quest III. In other words, like its predecessors, the game might be uncomplicated, but it’s the cat’s meow.

It has a very particular audience in mind, and if you’re a part of said audience, you’ll have a great time improving through every death. And if you’re looking to lessen that challenge a smidge in order to see a decent chunk of the content without investing dozens of hours? The game is more than happy to provide you with options to do just that, making it more approachable than ever without sacrificing the challenge intrinsic to its success. And the flaming sword power up is just as cool as ever.

If you’re looking for an engaging science fiction story about identity, mind, and personal values in a society that seems to value none of the above? I would recommend this one without reservation. Good work, Minds Beneath Us. You impressed me.

Riven is a game that demands your full attention, occasionally to its detriment. If you aren’t locked in and focused, it is easy to lose the trail the game is gently leading you on. But if you can give it your time and attention, it will take you on an unforgettable ride.

Read Only Memories: Neurodiver is a rare instance of great execution when the “when it’s done” attitude is adopted. Anchored mostly by its great presentation and story, this sequel easily meets expectations while also remembering what genre fans like about the series. New fans and old will enjoy what Luna’s story brings to the table, and I’m looking forward to what’s coming next for the Read Only Memories franchise. Cyberpunk fans should walk away from this with a big ‘ol grin on their face, and I’m one of them.

If you’re fan of snappy, unique puzzle gameplay and short time commitments, Children of the Sun is going to absolutely be your jam. By consistently introducing new gameplay twists and building on its complexity, it creates an addictive gameplay loop where each stage asks the player to do a new kind of problem-solving and utilize the tools they’ve unlocked in a different way. Your mileage may vary depending on how much you enjoy trial and error, and the game could certainly have kept the ball rolling for longer than it does, but Children of the Sun remains a highly unique experience that’s well worth your time.

I expected a bit more out of Pepper Grinder than I got, but none of that is really a mark against the game. There are definitely things about the game I dislike – boss fights primarily, or the general brevity and simplicity of the game – but that’s also judging a game I didn’t get rather than one I did, and the title isn’t priced like a big sprawling adventure. At a $15 price tag, it feels like a light weekend thing, something you can drill through in a few nights of idle play and then pick up again whenever you have a hankering for something similar...That’s… what it wants to be. And so I have to kind of give it up for that. There are frustration points, sure, but if you like this style of platformer it simultaneously doesn’t feel like something that’s been done a dozen times before and is fun to play start to finish. Not every game manages that.

Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is an odd game that you will either really like and have a lot of fun with or it is going to frustrate the heck out of you, but I think ultimately I have to err on the side of it trying new things even if I don’t think it totally sticks the landing. Take that with the appropriate header.

TimeMelters is a very intriguing game, one which takes an unusual gameplay self-cooperation mechanic (which I have actually seen before) and takes it in a totally new direction. It has been a lot of fun to play, and while there was some frustration, it was mostly the good kind that makes you determined to succeed. There is a good amount of game here too, between the solo campaign and the extra modes available, which could keep you busy for many hours. While the visuals are somewhat lacking and a few quality-of-life improvements might be needed, overall I had a lot of fun, and I highly recommend TimeMelters to anyone who loves having their brain melted by action-oriented puzzles.

But far from being the simple note-for-note reprise of the original that it could have been, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth swings for the fences to be a big and original thing that feels like a full game even while it is, functionally, the middle. It has weaknesses like combat I'm not wholly sold on and maybe a bit too much start-and-stop through gameplay, but if you've been looking forward to the game, you will not be disappointed.

So at the end of the day, despite everything that made this look like it was going to be a disaster, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is not just an alright game. It’s a really good game, a delight in terms of action RPG gameplay, and easily a title that you can start sinking a huge amount of time into whether you know this crew or not. I’m excited for the prospect of more, from more characters to more stories. And if you’re looking for a new RPG to sink your teeth to at the start of the year, you already have a strong example.

Taking into account the long tail of support for the original, the promise of more characters, and the surfeit of extra modes, this is almost a definite buy for fighting game fans, especially if you are a longtime fan of the original game. But it’s also a good buy if you’ve always loved fighting games but dislike threadbare stories or struggle with the controls. And with the sheer breadth of extra modes available, odds are good you’ll find stuff to love in here.

The story isn’t perfect, but still spins a tale worthy of the Dragon of Dojima. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name may be a shorter game, but there’s a surprising amount of depth in that brevity. It’s been a good year for Like a Dragon, and a game that celebrates their leading man like this is worthy of your time and money. Go ahead and devour this, and get excited for Infinite Wealth.

If you are tired as heck of roguelike games, this is not the game that’s going to change your mind. But if you like solid platforming action and are willing to learn the game’s systems, crack the bones and sink into the marrow? You’ve got a heck of a game on your hands, and many exciting runs ahead of you. And that’s even before you unlock your third characters.

I want to emphasize that I absolutely *do* recommend this title. It has replayability and a unique enough theme that you won’t feel like you’ve played it before. If you’re a fan of the mystery genre this is one you won’t want to miss. Lastly, I want to give a quick shoutout to Lowbirth Games. They are a studio trying to bring light to issues faced by marginalized groups through their games and that’s a cause I can get behind. They did a fantastic job with This Bed We Made and you can bet on the fact that I will more than happily pick up anything else they put out.

If you like first-person shooters, you will have an absolute blast with Roboquest. The game scratches the itch for a satisfying and active shooter in a way that few other titles manage, and you can expect to spend hours just ducking back in for another round of shooting and jumping in the hopes of reaching the end this time. I can’t recommend this one highly enough.

Jusant is not a game for everyone, but if you expect it to be one you’ll appreciate, it probably will be. Its noteworthy climbing mechanics are kept fresh throughout the adventure by asking you to utilize them in different ways, its ponderous atmosphere is top notch, and the environmental storytelling within its detailed world really gets your imagination going to a degree I hadn’t remotely expected. But it isn’t perfect. It’s more traditional storytelling elements are weaker, it doesn’t challenge the player very much, and it runs short at about six or so hours long. These detractions end up being minor disappointments in the face of a very successful adventure game, but they’re still there all the same, and it’s a shame Jusant doesn’t eschew them to become something even more special than it already is.

Gordian Quest is a straightforward and fun game. I liked it all while I played. But I also kept wishing I was playing on my PC, which is… probably the game’s biggest weakness. It feels like a PC game ported to a console (which, let’s be real, it is) and it is a bit limited as a result of that. However, if you want the game in portable form and don’t have (or want) a Steam Deck? It’s a great addition. Sure, you will have to wrestle with the game’s interface a little bit and there will be the odd moment where you feel like something should have worked but you couldn’t see a bit of text that indicated otherwise. But the game is good enough that a bit of interface jank hardly pulls it down, in the end.

In short, fans of atmospheric horror owe it to themselves to pick this up. This is absolutely one of the best horror games I’ve played, and while there are a few little issues here and there, this isn’t even the end of development. There’s a more tailored scenario gameplay mode already on the horizon for a later update, and I expect things will only go up from there.

If you enjoyed the base game, it’s hard to see you being dissatisfied with this expansion. And even if you aren’t enticed by any of the new content on offer, Update 2.0 has brought net improvements to the overall gameplay that make it more than worth taking another trip through Night City.

If you like your graphics pixel-perfect, your scenery bloody, and your gunplay fast and tactile, you’ll have a blast with Gunbrella. It is a game about a gun which is also an umbrella.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is one of those games I wish got made more often. Rather than spending dozens of hours simply being ok, it chooses to spend what little time it has being fantastic. It’s the kind of game that sticks with you for ages after you’ve put it down.

Now, I’m not saying this game will be for everyone. There’s quite a few rough edges that are just part of the classic FPS genre, but this is still a sterling example of how to do a remaster. Everything from the original has been kept, made easier to access, and optional new content has been added. What’s not to love?

It’s smaller than its inspiration, a bit simpler in some ways, and I am very deliberately leaving out some of the places it goes simply on the basis that it’s worth seeing it for yourself. If you’re like me and have been looking for more FFT for the past two decades, this game will not sate your hunger completely, but it’ll be damn filling. You will walk away satisfied. That is high praise, and a testament to how good the game actually is.

I would have preferred to be granted new gear at a quicker pace and have more direct control over my build options in a first playthrough, but the positives otherwise coalesce into a very addicting (and fairly challenging) co-op shooter that’s difficult to put down.

If you enjoy a bit of RPG and strategy in a game and enjoy yourself a match-three game, you will be well-served by Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes. I can’t tell you how well it stacks up compared to the DS version, maybe, but now it’s available on more modern devices and it’s still fun. What more could you ask for?

Stellar and surprisingly customizable combat, a masterfully written and engaging storyline, and beautiful audio visual presentation. It's a nearly complete package, but with a few annoyances that keep it from being the perfect game…That said, even with those frustrations in mind, Final Fantasy XVI is an absolute return to form for the mainline franchise, and easily a reason to get yourself a PlayStation 5 if you've yet to.

Really, the minimum expectation for me when it comes to remakes is to make a good game better than it used to be. I feel confident in saying that We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie does enough to fulfill that requirement, and is priced in a way that makes it a no-brainer to pick up. It’s the best version of this game to date, and it gives me hope that seeing these being brought to modern platforms may be the spark that gives us brand-new titles. But for now, I’m fine with getting a well-crafted remake of a damned fine game with the kind of quality-of-life updates and additional content that help the low barrier of entry go down even easier than a straight port ever could. Go roll up some stars, man. You’ll enjoy it.

The Tartarus Key is the rare game that’s able to faithfully recreate an older, chunky 3D aesthetic while still establishing a unique voice of its own. Its brainteasers won’t pose much of a challenge to seasoned puzzlers and its endings are rather abrupt, but the intriguing mystery, variety of puzzle types, and brisk pace work together—much like the characters trapped in the mansion themselves—to ensure a ride worth taking.

While it’s hard to ignore some of the gameplay issues (some of which EA has promised to address as of this writing), the overall experience of EA Sports PGA Tour is very impressive as far as golf games go. The graphics and audio are top notch, as is the golfer creation and the wide range of options available. This game is a sim and not a super easy game, but the developers clearly wanted a wide range of players to be able to enjoy it with the assistance features, and it does a pretty good job of that. Combine this with the huge amount of content and the many ways you can use it, and you have an experience that, despite some stumbles, is near the top of its class. If you’re looking for an immersive golf experience, look no further.

Rare is the sequel that shifts genre from its predecessor, and rarer still is the sequel that lands said shift in a successful and seamless way, but this is exactly the case with Everspace 2. It’s packed to the nines with twitch shooting to keep you engaged, a satisfying loot grind bolstered by diverse item choices, a gorgeous rendition of space to zoom through, and a sizable amount of unique content. Moreover, it’s all wrapped up in a well-executed (if somewhat familiar) science fiction narrative. There’s certainly a blemish or two—chiefly the title’s struggle to pace non-combat sections—but Everspace 2 provides so much of a good thing that it’s hard to mind.

For RE4 newcomers, it’s a fun game that turns up the action of the Resident Evil 2 remake and has a similar inventory to Resident Evil Village. To those that played the original in 2005 however, it’s a nostalgic love letter that you can tell was made with care, and respect to the original.

If any part of 9 Years of Shadows looks appealing to you, you owe it to yourself to pick it up. This is an amazing game made by a heretofore unknown team, and I can only hope that Halberd Studios has plans for a follow-up. They deserve to be showered in praise, and this game deserves your time and attention.

I would definitely recommend this title to anyone who is a fan of open-world adventure games and is looking for a fresh perspective. If anything, it’s a must-play just to experience the amount of love and detail the creators packed into it. There is also just so much to do that I feel it’s totally worth it for the price.

While this game is largely an incremental upgrade to past versions, its improvement make Supercross 6 the perfect time for newcomers curious about the sport to hop on board. I somewhat wonder where the game can go from here, because it really checks all the boxes now and carries my recommendation for fans of real racing experiences. Given how I have so little negative to say, I feel it has most certainly earned a score bump.

If you’re a Castlevania fan who hasn’t played this game for some reason, you owe it to yourself to buy this now. And even if you’re not, it’s still more super high-quality content for an awesome game that clearly is standing the test of time, made with clear and demonstrated love by independent developers, and you should buy it anyway.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an impressive iteration for Team Ninja. It’s a more accessible title without sacrificing the challenge intrinsic to its success, it features one of the developer’s most satisfying combat systems to date, and it accomplishes this in levels that sport more verticality and exploration than ever before. It falters more than it probably should with regard to storytelling and graphical presentation—a somewhat consistent shortcoming in Team Ninja games—but it’s an exceptionally easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys more tasking action RPGs.

In the end, Grim Guardians: Demon Purge is an absolutely solid action platformer. Annoyances at needing to go through a second time aside, I genuinely enjoyed the stages, the characters were amusing, and each new sub-weapon altered my approach to combat in ways that kept things fresh. There’s a lot of heart and soul poured into the details, it’s one of those retro titles that truly remembers what made those classics fun in the first place. There’s a few small issues here and there that keep it from being truly amazing, but it’s certainly worth your time.

Longtime fans and curious newbies will find a lot to like about this samurai epic, and maybe those newbies might branch out and see what all the fuss is about the drama in Kamurocho. I’m just hoping that there’s enough momentum in this game’s sails to carry Kenzan! to our shores, too.

I especially recommend it if you’re a fan of adventure games with a lot of puzzles. You definitely won’t be disappointed given how plentiful and unique they are. Overall I am happy I got to play this gem of a game and am looking forward to more from Mojiken.

While I wouldn’t use the word “perfect,” Mahokenshi offered a truly fun experience that far exceeded any expectations I could have had. It has restored my faith that there is room for innovation in its genre. This game is fun, not too easy or too hard (nor too long or too short), offers a compelling world for its gameplay, and overall is something I feel quite comfortable recommending to anyone and everyone who likes mixing cards with video games, but it also has potential for people outside of this genre as well. Check it out!

The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a clever and creepy indie game that isn’t afraid to show how much love they have for this style of storytelling. It may not be the kind of game that will please everyone, but it will satisfy those looking for an old-school experience wrapped up in eldritch horror. Switch owners looking to expand their adventure game library will find a solid experience here, and the low price point will work in its favor. Thomasina’s misadventure is a story worth playing, so long as you go in ready to tussle with the old-school quirks of the genre.