Kizuna AI: Touch the Beat! is a disservice to the VTuber sensation. There’s not enough content to justify a repeat performance, and what is here makes for an underwhelming show.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl attempts to follow the Super Smash Bros. formula, but it just doesn’t take things far enough. There’s a general lack of polish to its presentation and its physics, making it hard for even the most diehard Nicktoons fan to get engaged. Not even Nigel Thornberry and his smashing antics can save this platform fighter.

Ocean Drive Challenge Remastered takes away a number of features that made SEGA’s Outrun so great, leaving behind a bland title that does nothing to stand out.

Metal Black S-Tribute is a bland port of what amounts to a bland shoot-em-up. Its leveling system is novel, but everything from its action to its feature play things far too safe to consider over greater entries in the genre.

Foreign Frugglers is a barebones package that just can’t dethrone Space Invaders. The gameplay is inoffensive, but what is present here is nothing too out of the ordinary.

Blasting through the higher difficulty levels with friends is great fun, and the initial few hours are a pleasure, but once you get into the meat of the game and its myriad of glaring issues, it quickly becomes apparent that this game is not living up to its own potential.

Fallout 76 feels like an early access title and should have been labeled as such. The game was not ready for launch, and even hardcore Fallout fans will have a hard time ignoring its problems.

Shard is an inoffensive platformer that doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Its floaty controls are far from game breaking, but they lack the level of polish found in the established leaders of the genre.

Gyro Boss DX was designed to be as frustrating as possible to all those who attempt it. What could have been a decent arcade-like title ends up being a less-than-stellar time waster that’s far too cheap.

Night Slashers: Remake is more lifeless than its undead horde, taking the charm of the cult classic beat-em-up and burying it six feet under. For those looking to throw down, look back to the original release of Night Slashers – this remake’s not worth saving.

PEOPLEDOWN wears its inspiration on its sleeve, blatantly copying Hotline Miami’s homework down to the letter. It’s just a shame they didn’t do a good job at it; the overall sloppiness of the presentation makes this a faded photocopy of the classic gamers have come to love.

Hinedere’s retro-inspired presentation can’t be beat, but both the story and the gameplay could use some fine tuning. There is a unique experience to be found here, but the lack of focus and the awkward parkour will alienate a number of players.

There is nothing inherently wrong with Alpacalypse, but there is nothing unique about this platformer either. It is safe and average through and through; a template that serves as a baseline and nothing more.

Though Who Are You, Mr. Cooper? channels the spirit of the choose-your-own-adventure books from long ago, the end result is less than stellar. Its heavy reliance on luck and rote repetition lead to a somewhat rough execution.

Unsung Warriors – Prologue does not bode well for the final product. Platforming could use a lot of work, and the current aesthetics leave something to be desired.

Light Fantastik has got an interesting premise, but the tweaks made to the platforming formula ultimately take away from the game. Those that can stomach its trial and error gameplay and odd quirks may enjoy what is present here, but the less patient among us are better off skipping this one.

SHINORUBI’s widescreen vantage point is certainly unique to the world of shoot-’em-ups, but this title proves there’s a good reason for that. Its lack of personality and cluttered playfield make this a hard pass for even the most hardcore shmup fan.

While BEHEMOTH sets out to hit those oh-so-important dopamine receptors, the end result is far more frustrating than fun. Randomness has its place, but not at the expense of the overall gameplay experience.

Project Pastorate’s world is one full of character, but the execution of its story could have used some fine-tuning. Those looking for something different can certainly find it here, but don’t be surprised if you end up checking the Velvet Book for notes on more than one occasion.

Puzzle Bobble2X/BUST-A-MOVE 2 Arcade Edition & Puzzle Bobble 3/BUST-A-MOVE 3 S-Tribute are barebones ports that deserve so much more. Those looking to play as Bub or Bob should look elsewhere.

Coffence’s unique take on the fighting game genre stands out, but its battles could use some fine tuning. It offers something new, but only the most diehard of fighters should drink up.

Enchanted Path has got a great concept, but it is not taken far enough. Despite its handful of challenging puzzles, it is far too short and full of filler to make any sort of impact in the puzzle platforming space.

If the developers could remove the tedious gameplay and bulk up the story more, The Flower Collectors likely could’ve struck a better chord with me. I can appreciate the experimental gameplay, but it is an absolute drag on what could have been a much more powerful plot.

Where’s Baby and its tug-of-war concept has merit, but this battle proves to be a little too one-sided. It just isn’t fun cleaning up the mess of the critters, and the lack of balance ultimately takes away from the game.

Jurassic World Evolution is an okay game. There is plenty of fun to be had testing your ability to create large pens of dinosaurs living in harmony.

Exoprimal was clearly designed to be free-to-play, and much like Capcom’s other competitive multiplayer offerings, I kept trying to find a hook. It’s worth a go on Xbox Game Pass, but this dinosaur just can’t beat the kings of the genre.

Space God’s core mechanics are sound, but the gameplay present here is nothing too out of the ordinary. As a result, this title feels more like a tribute, rather than a trailblazer.

Music Racer has got an interesting premise, but the execution is somewhat lacking. Its generated setups could use some fine tuning, and the layout of each stage is detrimental to high level play.

Steel Vampire’s concept of on-the-fly difficulty settings has merit, but it proves to be far too challenging from the get-go. Its focus on offensive play ultimately puts players at a disadvantage, making it only worthwhile for the most hardened of shmup fans.

As a fan of the previous games, I enjoyed some of my time with Shenmue III. However, as a modern game that was aiming to encourage new players to get into the franchise, I cannot urge caution more strongly. For hardcore fans of Shenmue, this is an easy choice. It’s the continuation of a story nearly 20 years in the making, with the beloved characters, mechanics, and design that made the original games so popular within that niche. Unfortunately, for everyone else, Shenmue III is archaic in design, limited in content, and flawed throughout.

Die-hard Warhammer fans and those looking for a Necromunda fix are sure to enjoy some of what Necromunda: Underhive Wars has on offer. However, for anyone else looking for an exciting turn-based strategy experience, it may feel somewhat underwhelming.

The bad girls of idolYAKI are certainly bad, but for all of the wrong reasons. While this visual novel has got a novel concept, the execution and presentation prove to be too much of a has been to make an impact.

SNK HEROINES: Tag Team Frenzy quirky design choices ultimately take away from the game. It simply does not have the depth that put The King of Fighters on the map, and the reliance on Dream Finishers and items makes for an experience that feels disjointed and random.

Timber Tennis: Versus takes far too many liberties with the game of tennis to be enjoyable. Its simple control scheme may be easy to learn, but it proves to be far too basic for both casual and hardcore gamers.

World War Z has some moments that are an utter blast – the special zombie types and impending doom of a zombie tower bring pure excitement. However, these moments are few and far between, leaving a shell of game with very little content, a lack of creativity, a near non-existent story, and a disappointingly shallow progression system.

Coffee addicts might dig Cafe Crush’s setting, but most visual novel fans will be turned off by its poor voice acting and uninspired dialog.

The Imagined Leviathan tries something new with its monochromatic world and poetic prose, but the disjointed nature of its storytelling and its hollow gameplay prevent it from achieving the artistic vision the developers sought out to achieve.

Circle of Sumo: Online Rumble! could have been a great party game if it wasn’t nickel-and-diming you at every turn. As a result, it provides a cheapened experience that is more interested in your hard-earned cash than a fun experience.

Foodie Bear’s combination of roguelike elements and platforming has merit, but this chubby fellow’s adventure comes across as uninspired and sloppy.

Climb With Wheelbarrow has an interesting premise, but the controls and camera are simply not up to the task. Expect a healthy dose of frustration should you want to make the climb.

Cyber Pool bends the rules of pool a little too much to make it worthwhile. Diehard pool sharks will want something more realistic, while those looking for a more casual experience will feel like things are a little off.

Tank Battle pays tribute to Namco’s 80s classic Battle City, but it simply doesn’t have the underpinnings that made that title such a classic long ago.

Zombie Bitcoin Defense fails to bring anything new to the horde-based shooter genre, proving to be more generic than a B-movie romp.

Super Hyperactive Ninja feels phoned in. Though the Hyperactive Mode is a novel concept, the execution leaves something to be desired.

Owl Watch provides a hollow experience when all is said and done. Its distinct low poly aesthetics stand out, but the lack of content and short length prevent this title from making any sort of impact.

Though Dirty Harry’s Thunder Drive shamelessly copies Burnout’s Crash Mode, the end result lacks the polish that put Criterion’s title on the map.

Combining rhythm and fighting is a novel concept, but It’s Raining Fists and Metal just doesn’t have the music nor the gameplay to stand out in the arena brawler space.

The Crown of Leaves is a disjointed visual novel that lacks consistency, and its anthropomorphic animals will only appeal to a select few. The end result is something that feels more like fan-fiction than a fully fledged tale.

Aurora: A Child’s Journey has a strong message on the dangers of pollution, but the gameplay is far too ordinary to make it worth your while.

The stylish outrun aesthetics simply aren’t enough to hide the lack of polish in Cybershock: Future Parkour. The mechanics of this title have been done better elsewhere, and those who have played titles like Mirror’s Edge will be disappointed with its overall rigidity.

The fixie action of skidlocked seems solid on paper, but the drab city, relentless traffic, and lack of polish hurt it in the long run.

Devil Devour Alive DX works better as an art piece than a video game – and even that is a bit of a stretch. This title has the depth of a puddle, and while the graphics are true to the 90s, it also captures the worst elements of the time.

Speed Mazing and its overly basic nature makes this a tough game to suggest for those looking for multiplayer mayhem. Its overly simplistic control scheme and its lack of options means that players will be tired of this game faster than it takes to finish a single round.

The combination of shotguns and witches should make for a grand ol’ time, but the arena-based action of Shotgun Witch fails to impress with its lack of variety and short length.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD: Remake is an absolute disservice to the light gun classic. From the pop in to the loading times to the broken control scheme, this re-release would make even Dr. Curien cower in fear.

Though Dangerous Driving attempts to tap into Burnout’s lineage, its numerous bugs and lack of polish fail to capture the spirit of its inspiration.

Wheelchair Simulator has got a good heart, but it is simply too frustrating to play. Those looking for a touching story can find it here, but don’t be surprised if you want to smash your monitor in frustration before it is over.

Little Dragons Cafe falls far behind any other game in the genre by miles. There just isn’t enough here to keep people engaged long enough to make it worth the money.

For a game that relies heavily on its storytelling, my brother lives in a canyon fails to engage players. The acting and plot simply aren’t there, and this tale of brotherly love simply lacks the punch of the better walking simulators on the market today.

Casual racing experiences have their place, but Sparks – Episode 1 plays things far too safe. There’s simply no variety or flavor to each of its tracks, making the whole package feel drier than a package of saltines.

Trapped with Jester is a proof of concept and nothing more. The voice work is at the top of its class, but it serves as more of a portfolio than a real game.

Metal Division does not do anything out of the ordinary to stand out among its peers. It just doesn’t have enough content or variety to entice people, and proves to be an easily forgotten title.

Cube Mission’s rigid structure does not do it any favors. When paired with its poor optimization, this title quickly becomes a hard sell for even the most diehard of puzzle platformer fans.

Tiny Toy Tanks is overly simple at its core, which proves to be its greatest weakness. The formula simply isn’t taken far enough, and this rudimentary approach makes its many missions feel tedious before too long.

Voxel Baller may offer a new perspective in the brick-breaking genre, but it does not do enough to stand out. The generic look, awkward play field, and lack of mouse support means that only the most diehard of fans should give this one a go.

State of Decay 2 is going to be very hit and miss for a number of people. If you can ignore the flaws, there is a fun game to be had when played with a friend. That said, even if you ignore its flaws, you can’t deny that this game was not ready for release.

The aesthetics of Under What? make for an interesting showpiece, but the downtempo beats and solid art can’t hide its poor story and lack of direction.

Unplugged blatantly copies One Finger Death Punch’s tried-and-true formula, but fails to jot down what made that indie darling so great. With simplistic gameplay and game-breaking bugs, this title is a pretender more than a contender.

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit attempts to set the stage for Chris and his heroic adventures, but the execution is lacking. Its lack of focus, along with its robust “Awesome Things to Do” chore list, make its two hour runtime drag out far longer than it has any right to.

Micro Pico Racers has a lot of heart, but not the follow-through. Diehard Micro Machines fans are better off playing the classics rather than diving into this one.

The idea of dating the figurehead of KFC is a novel one, but I Love You, Colonel Sanders! is a joke with no punchline. Dipping into the absurd is fine, but the lack of follow-through makes this visual novel drier than the fast food chain’s biscuits.

The Grandmaster is overly simplistic by design, but this clicker proves to be too repetitive for its own good. It serves as a serviceable time waster, but it lacks the staying power to keep people coming back.

It is good to know that we already know the worst game of the year in May. Do yourself a favor and forget about The Lord of the Rings: Gollum – it is anything but precious.

If you’ve got the slightest interest in the horror genre, you’ve already seen what Night Book has to offer. The idea of a full motion video tale with multiple endings is a noble one, but the poor acting and breakneck pace ruin its chances of ever standing out.

Hardcore JRPG fans will likely enjoy customizing the base, upgrading the facilities, and perhaps even the simplicity of the combat. However, for anyone looking for a worthwhile RPG experience, Arc of Alchemist is not it.

Infinity Racer XD takes pride in its simplicity, but the rampant bugs, repetitive stage layouts, and lack of variety hurt its chances of ever standing out in the arcade racer field.

SPAGHET feels like an inside joke that has no punchline. Even though there is not much to the gameplay, what is here feels like it was thrown together and does not always work as it should.

Devil Guns is an uninspired shooter with a mountain of bugs. Even the most diehard fans of the genre can safely pass on this one without missing anything of significance.

Another Sight – Hodge’s Journey drops the ball when it comes to both its level design and its platforming mechanics. Though it is short, it proves to be far too frustrating in the long term to get invested in.

Black Bart's attempt to immerse the player fails miserably due to its poor storytelling, muddy graphics, and wonky engine. Its Western world is unique, but the execution leaves something to be desired.

The endless checklists and pandering gameplay of Strange Creatures makes it an easy pass, even for those desperate for a new co-op multiplayer title.

Impasto has a great premise, but that’s the only thing this walking simulator-stealth hybrid has going for it. A glorified fetch quest at its core, this title is downright insulting to players.

Driftpunk Racer’s small selection of tracks and poorly designed controls take away any semblance of enjoyment this game may have had. Don’t be fooled by its futuristic aesthetics – this racer’s a relic.

One Gun Guy blatantly copies Mega Man’s homework and yet still manages to fail the assignment. The idea of the entire game being one screen has some merit to it, but that’s all it has going for it.

A very select few might appreciate the back to basics platforming found in Speedrun Squad, but most people will be turned off by its simplicity and lack of effort put in its design.

Analog Party Sim fails to be the life of the party, feeling more like a chore than a blowout bash. The short length of each playthrough and the constant attention guests require proves to be an annoyance, rather than a jolly get together.

JJBoom is a one-note title that lacks any semblance of balance or character. Not only is there a lack of things to do, what is here proves to be far too underdeveloped.

Between its short length, poor platforming, and frustrating combat mechanics, Marvin the Hatter is a hard pass for even the most diehard of platforming fans.

GoatPunks is an incomplete game. Not only is most of the game left unfinished, there is zero balance in the one mode that it does offer.

Siren Head: Awakening might feature a new urban legend, but the gameplay is something horror junkies have seen countless times before. It simply doesn’t do justice to the horrific creature.

Dare Course’s broken physics and bad camera deserve a big red ball to the head. Traversing its obstacle courses proves to be a royal pain and is, put simply, no laughing matter.

Dead Dungeon fails to capture the platforming magic that made its inspiration so great. Even the most diehard fan of games like Super Meat Boy can pass on this one without missing anything of importance.

D.H. Zombie Zone lacks the creative touches that have made more popular zombie shooters stand out. Fighting against the endless waves of the undead quickly proves to be a mindless affair, something that resembles its zombie horde.

While everybody loves the game of skee-ball, Extrorb does not make a compelling case to switch to the world of video games. Do yourself a favor and stick to the analog version of the game.

Ball at Work completely misses the ball by messing up its physics engine. As a result, it can be hard to do the most basic of tasks, making it broken at a fundamental level and an easy pass.

Peekaboo Lite’s hide and seek premise looks good on paper, but the awkward execution and hardcore paywall kill any of its potential.

Drift86 makes an attempt to capture the racing spirit of Initial D, but the poor mechanics in place cause this title to crash right out of the starting gate.

Retro Racer does the bare minimum needed for the racing genre. The vaporwave aesthetic has been done to death, and the lack of any sort of meaningful content makes this an easy pass.