Playing While Waiting made me look back at my own life and reminisce about the good, the bad and the things I’ve yet to or maybe will never accomplish. While the game is accessible for ages I feel like it certainly would help if you’ve got some years in to fully appreciate the game’s message.

Avowed is, as I noted above, exactly what you’d imagine a fantasy epic to be – and it’s all the better for it.

Ninja Gaiden II Black is absolutely the definitive way to play the classic and challenging title. With the stigma of how Unreal Engine 5 can treat modern releases, it is outstanding to see a game utilize the technology to recreate something lots of people have fond memories of that runs seemingly flawlessly. With availability on all modern platforms and the inclusion of its release on Xbox Game Pass, everybody has the chance to play it. Other than the camera still being quite whack, it’s a genuine must-play, especially if you’ve never had the chance before now.

Overall, though, Ys X: Nordics is a fine return to form for the series. Time will tell whether the already-announced sequel (expanded version?) is a worthwhile upgrade, but why wait until then? We know this version is good as it stands, and that’s more than enough to make it worth your time.

It’s undeniably a great game when it works, and everything that made it our GOTY a few years ago still stands. I’m sure the PC version will get there eventually, and when that happens it’ll be a must-play for anyone who loves big, open-world superhero games…but for now, you’re better off holding off, and giving the game a little more time to iron out the kinks.

Crown Wars: The Black Prince is a competent tactical RPG that fits squarely within the confines of its chosen genre, so if you want more X-COM-likes in your life, and don’t mind feeling like you’d get the same experience playing any number of other, similar games, you could do worse than checking it out.

As much as I feel I’m beating up DKC Returns HD, I do love the game, I just happen to love and appreciate Tropical Freeze more. Hopefully this means more platforming DKC titles are on the horizon when Nintendo launches the Switch 2, but until then I’m glad a larger audience of fans can still play DKC Returns.

It doesn’t do anything remotely interesting and there are plenty of other Star Wars games from the era that are available to play, so unless you have some very specific nostalgic memories tied to Jedi Power Battles, you’re definitely better off revisiting one of those other games and leaving this one alone.

Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered is probably a must-play if you were obsessed with it 25 years ago, but probably missable if you didn’t play it the first time around. It’s got some interesting ideas and it delivers on some of them, but overall, you’ll probably need nostalgia goggles to get the most out of it.

There’s plenty to like about Botworld Odyssey. It’s made the jump from mobile gaming to PC without feeling like it had to sacrifice much, and it offers players a nice twist on the creature-collecting genre in the process.

Overall, I think Metro Awakening VR is a worthy VR experience and a good Metro game, but it is not particularly groundbreaking on either front. I am thrilled to see more mainstream AAA titles getting VR releases that are more than just tacked-on afterthoughts. The quality that Metro Awakening manages to display is more than enough to justify other developers looking into making similar games and perhaps even a low-risk way to revive some other dormant franchises in VR (Resistance, please, I’m begging you). I hope to see more of this type of VR title in the future and am happy to see the medium continue to move forward.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins is a complete package of being the ultimate badass, with the impact and combat to really back that up. Combine that with a killer soundtrack and a surprisingly interesting story, and you’ve got a truly excellent action game package. It is worth a warning that some people might find the experience repetitive if you’re not a fan of this style of game, but if you’re a new player seeking an entry point, there really isn’t a better jumping in point than this new entry. If you’re looking for a “nothing but fun” game to start off the new year, look no further than Koei Tecmo and Dynasty Warriors: Origins.

If you are a hardcore Attack on Titan fan and simply want to immerse yourself in a passable facsimile of the world and kill some poorly rendered Titans, this is the game for you. If you are a passionate VR player who wants to experience everything the Quest store has to offer, you are another excellent candidate for this game. Short of those two things, though, I see very little reason to invest your time or money into Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable.

If you’ve been wanting to see more real-life Williams tables represented in Pinball FX, this is another really great pack of games that’s well worth checking out. If you’ve never played Banzai Run or Earthshaker! before, then you’re certainly in for a treat.

Overall, Shattered is an excellent game that succeeds as both an escape room and a VR title. Shattered offers the perfect blend of VR horror and AR interaction, elevating itself above its contemporaries and bringing something unique and special to the table. I look forward to playing more, and sharing this experience with friends in the future.

Even if you’re a diehard fan of TMNT in its current incarnation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed is a stuttering mess that doesn’t deserve your money.

Does this mean that It’s Only Money is ready to instantly fill the void that Saints Row left behind? Definitely not – it needs to be a little more fleshed out before it can achieve that. But if you’re looking for that kind of game and wants something that scratches the same itch, you’d be wise to start your search with It’s Only Money.

It works as it should, which is always a plus (even if it’s a little baffling at times), and I have no doubt that if you sank a half-dozen hours or so into the game back in 2002, you should find that the game is probably the same now as it was then. I think that if you don’t have that sense of nostalgia you’ll probably find the game a little lacking, but as PS2 remasters go, you could probably do a lot worse.

It’s not quite enough to make up for the lack of a Party Pack this year, especially given how lousy the Jackbox Naughty Pack was, but if it had been included on a Party Pack it would undoubtedly be a standout game, no matter what else had been included. The Jackbox Survey Scramble is a very enjoyable addition to Jackbox’s impressive stable of party games.

It’s a great game and as I said before, it’s a great translation of the Arkham games into VR. I think it’s worth playing and if you don’t already have a Quest, a lot of the Quest 3 bundles include Arkham Shadow on purchase. VR is a growing market, so jump in and give Arkham Shadow a shot. You won’t regret it.

Fairly or unfairly, Chernobylite lives in the shadow of Metro and S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and there’s not much in this Complete Edition port that helps it get out from under the legacies of those series.

All in all, I recommend Alien: Rogue Incursion, but… not if you’re a newbie to VR or are prone to motion sickness. Play a few other games first to get worked up to this one, and then you can enjoy it with the rest of us. You won’t regret picking the game up if you’re an Alien fan.

Tri Breaker manages to iterate on brick breaker as well as throw in some other game play styles, fans of old school arcade will enjoy the title in that respect.

With a plethora of routines and motions to do, music to keep you engaged, and an easy and simple way to track your progress, I genuinely think that Fitness Boxing 3 is a great way to work on yourself and have a bunch of fun doing so. Game-ifying workouts is a surprisingly unique concept, and it’s good to see it’s done as well as it is here. If you’re seeking an entry into working out and improving your body, especially with a fun methodology, I don’t think there’s a better option.

All and all, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a quite enjoyable experience, although it falls short of the perch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge has made for itself. It would definitely be interesting to revisit the title when its online co-op features are implemented. Hopefully I can get one of my fairweather friends to go through this title…I would even be magnanimous enough to them select the Green Ranger. To circle back to the weird rant from the beginning of this review, here’s hoping that products like Rita’s Rewind will show that the fanbase will still come out when it’s created by people who respect and revere the IP. I would love to see what Digital Eclipse has in store for the title, perhaps we’ll even see the game inch closer to the title that stands at the pinnacle.

Even if the versions of Zeus, Hera, and Ares are a lot more pleasant here than they are in, say, God of War, there’s not really anything about that – or this game – that makes Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island worth recommending.

ININ has has done it again with Taito Milestones 3. The emulation is top notch and the selection of games is one of the best so far. I love that the finally added Runark/Growl and Warrior Blade, along with fun and interesting additions like Cadash and Champion Wrestler. I also like that they are still adding exclusive games not available in the eShop separately, but they do, however, need to bring the number of exclusive games up to say, 4 or 5, for the next volume if there will be one. All in all, a great collection of games with less disappointing additions over the previous volumes. Recommended for anyone looking to play some great classic arcade games without spending a ton of cash.

There are too many moments of frustration in Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 that prevent the game from rising to the level of its predecessor. I still look forward to playing the promised third game in the trilogy, but after this one, it’s no longer the must-play that it once was for me.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does to Indiana Jones, what the PlayStation’s Spider-Man games did for Spider-Man, and what the early Arkham games did for Batman. My biggest worry was that MachineGames would try and replicate Uncharted, and it thankfully does not, nor does it need to. This game is a near-perfect love letter to any Indiana Jones fan. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers easy-to-pick-up gameplay, an engaging story, and sensational performances that will keep you busy for hours and unlock that inner explorer in you.

Crush House tries its hardest to make it all seem fascinating, but, ultimately, there’s just not enough here to make it so.

I Am Your Beast hardly breaks the mold as far as frenetic first-person murder games go. But it’s still a fun, stylish take on the genre, which means that you could do a lot worse than giving it a go.

Once again, this second IREM collection is solid, with three great games that are fun and challenging. Players old and new will definitely find something to like here, exactly like the previous volume. I hope these collections continue as IREM has a wide library of great games that will no doubt make for some more great collections. Great games, great challenge and a good price, IREM Collection Volume 2 is highly recommended.

It’d be easy to nitpick Red Dead Redemption, and wonder whether, 14 years later, it’s still worth playing. As its long-awaited Steam debut shows, the answer to that is an unqualified yes.

If Hannah looked as good in action as it did in its screenshots, it’s not hard to imagine it becoming at least a cult hit. Instead, we just have a 3D platformer that’s not as scary as it wants or needs to be, which isn’t what anyone needs.

I really wanted to get into Max Mustard as the PlayStation VR2 does not have a cool 3D platformer. It really reminds you of the fantastic Astro Bot Rescue for the original PS4 VR, and I absolutely loved that game. In it’s current form, Max Mustard feels more like a tech demo, or a largely unfinished game. Most of the game was entertaining, but too many technical issues and in-game inconsistencies really destroy what could be an awesome game. I sincerely hope that Toast Interactive sends out some updates and bug fixes so I can give this one another go. Keep in mind that I’ve only played the PlayStation VR 2 version and cannot speak for the Steam VR PC version, but as it stands, I cannot fully recommend Max Mustard until it receives some much needed patching.

As someone who loves Horizon: Zero Dawn and who loves LEGO games, I was really hoping that a combination of the two would be something special. Instead, we have LEGO Horizon Adventures, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why it exists.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D walks a tightrope of appealing to a brand new audience while also remaining true to the original that helped shape gaming as we know it today. This endeavor could have ended up a disaster in so many ways, but it ended up being nearly perfect. I fell in love with this series all over again and find myself more appreciative of the time-saving mechanics than ever. This is the best way to play one of the best games of all time, and it has catapulted my excitement for the upcoming HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest I & II into the stratosphere.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership takes far too long to get to the point, and the journey to get there isn’t nearly as interesting as it needs to be to make it feel worthwhile. Again, there are some great ideas here, and the game looks amazing, but unless you want your hand held for dozens upon dozens of hours, you’ll probably find yourself a little let down by it all.

Look I’m certainly happy to have a legal and portable way of Tetris Battle Gaiden, so even if I didn’t review it, this title would’ve been a purchase for me simply because of what a touchstone title Tetris is to me. If you’re a fan of Tetris consider giving this title a look, I’m certain you’ll learn something and have some fun while you’re at it.

UNO Legacy Edition is a welcome addition to the UNO franchise. At the end of the day, you can play only against bots for so long, and if you can pull together some friends online or join a random game then there are hours of fun to be had. UNO Legacy Edition is an affordable party game for consoles and PC, and great to give as any gift.

It’s a solid RPG and a great remake that I think a lot of people should check out. I’m glad to see Square Enix try to diversify their RPG catalogue a little more beyond Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, and if you’ve been curious about the SaGa series, this entry would be a great one to jump into.

Sure, it might look a little better than it did before, but when we’re talking about a fairly recent game that was already widely praised for how beautiful it looked, unless you’re pushing it to its maximum settings, you probably won’t notice a huge difference. But if this remastered version is what it takes to get more people playing a modern classic, then so be it – Horizon Zero Dawn is a great game, and this remaster just reinforces that every step of the way.

Just Dance 2025 Edition continues to be a franchise built on fun. If you’re a lifelong fan of the series you won’t be getting very much added to your experience other than the new songs. New players will experience the lore (yes, the game’s dancing avatars have lore!) Most importantly Just Dance 2025 Edition will make you move. No matter who you are, this game has something for you, and if you can deal with the price for the full experience (Just Dance 2025 Edition, Just Dance Plus and add-ons) then you’re really in for a non-stop dance party this holiday season.

If you really want to relive the old Choose Your Own Adventure books, you absolutely need to play Choice of Life: Wild Islands. It’s a fun update of that old formula, told in a way that gives you a little more agency over what happens.

Just because you’re not good at the game doesn’t mean the game is bad, in fact I appreciate the work that the developer put in to ensure the spirit of the franchise is present, even if the gameplay is completely different. As for me and my future with the title, I might hang back a little, see what strategies better players come up with, hopefully I’ll be able to complete a run and eventually unlock all the characters and their loadouts. I do hope the game sells well enough to warrant some form of DLC…because where the hell are the martians? It just doesn’t feel like a Metal Slug game without those tentacled extra terrestrials!

Nikoderiko: The Magical World takes a risk that pays off. Playing off the nostalgia of platformers of the past, Nikoderiko is a love letter to the mascot platformer. Clocking in at a little over 8 hours, Nikoderkio is one of the surprise hits of 2024. It is a game that will be loved by players of all ages, and with couch co-op, it should bring fun to friends and family. I hope we get more of Nikoderiko down the road.

An important note, this Puppet House has no combat per se as you are focused on exploration and puzzle solving. There are moments of quick time events sprinkled in which work for the moments they occur. And as you get deeper into the story, the darker the game gets. Overall, Puppet House was one I’m happy I didn’t miss out on, and even though the game is short, it’s worth experiencing with as little knowledge as you can. I would have loved for it to be a little longer but it’s still a satisfying experience.

Given the state that Virballs is in already, it feels reasonable to expect that it’ll continue to evolve into something worthwhile. And if it doesn’t? Then even in its current state, if the price were to come down, it’d offer an hour or two of fun. Here’s hoping, though, that it’s able to deliver on its clear potential. [Early Access Provisional Score = 75]

MechWarrior 5: Clans is a fun new entry in the MechWarrior franchise, even if you don’t know all the intricacies of the world and its history. Players can get lost trying to figure out how to customize everything from their characters, to their mechs, to what things to research — as there is a lot to unpack here. I do recommend the game, it’s one of the better MechWarrior games out there. If you enjoyed MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, don’t pass this one up either.

Depending on expectations, Dragon Age: The Veilguard can provide an enjoyable action RPG experience. If you’re seeking a worthy successor to Dragon Age: Origins or even Inquisition in companions or plot, it doubtless falls short, feeling more comfortably bland than outright terrible. The combat may be worth the price of admission if you’re keen on real-time action without too much thought for your companions beyond choosing which targets to detonate. Similarly, the visuals can be gorgeous, backed by incredible music, even as the facial animations, odd image quality, and voice acting can feel uneven. It’s nowhere near BioWare’s best, especially in the storytelling department, but after all its past failures and uncertainty, there are certainly far worse alternatives than “good enough.”

I would absolutely recommend checking out Voidwrought when you get a chance. It’s a fantastic Metroidvania with some inventive abilities, and doesn’t overstay it’s welcome at a fairly tight 10 hours or so depending on how thorough you are with finding everything. I was really happy with the game overall, and if you have any affinity for these types of games, then I think you will be too.

Everything good about the game is still just as good in 2024 as it was in 2011, which means that, as remasters go, this one has probably achieved exactly what it set out to do.

One thing I will proudly share about my experience is that, although the game heavily relies on licensed IPs, most of which I was already familiar with, it was Umbrella Academy that stood out. It had been on my watchlist for a while, but thanks to playing in the world of Funko Fusion, I was intrigued by the characters and the universe, and I ended up watching the entire series. I’m now a fan so I think the job they set out has been completed. For this reason and the extraordinary work that 10:10 Games has done since launch, my Funko Fusion score is more positive than first expected, and the current state of the game is recommended for sure.

Black Ops 6 is a stellar entry to the Call of Duty franchise, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s coming in future seasons. I’ve had a ton of fun playing multiplayer and zombies with my friends, as well as running through the campaign. If this is how the expectation of quality is set for how the series should continue, then consider me hopeful for the future.

Vertigo Games has made a fantastic remake here. All of the updates, DLC packs and fixes found in the sequel are all here in one great package, and I wish my original experience was more like this when I played the first release. I was unable to revisit the original due to not having a PSVR system when they finally decided to patch things up. I am so glad I was able to check Arizona Sunshine Remake out as it has completely erased my original experience. This is a great title for the PlayStation VR2 (and other VR platforms) and should more definitely be in your library alongside the fantastic sequel.

Unless you desperately want to be able to draw a few penises and argue about stuff that’s way less sexier than it sounds, you’re better off ignoring The Jackbox Naughty Pack entirely and sticking with any of the previous ten Party Packs.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is genuinely a genre-defining release. Atlus has once again proven that they are kings in the genre (get it?), showcasing decades of effort and development history culminating in what I think is a deserving Game of the Year contender. Between Katsura Hashino’s direction, Shoji Meguro’s compositions, and everyone else that’s part of Studio Zero, Metaphor truly shines even in a year, and arguably decade, full of such excellent JRPGs. As an absolute must play this year, Metaphor: ReFantazio really blows it out of the water as something you should get your hands on if you’re a fan of the genre, and stands out as a premier entry point to the genre if you’re unfamiliar.

It’s not going to be making very many year-end lists in a couple of months. But The Smurfs – Dreams is good enough for what it is – which is to say, a 3D platformer that’s aimed at a younger audience – that if you give it a chance and don’t expect too much, you’ll probably have a good time with it.

As a Switch title, Yakuza Kiwami is perfect and feels right at home on this hardware. It is important to keep in mind, however, that Kiwami is a title from 2016, and is just a direct 1:1 port, so don’t expect any additional quality of life changes from the previous releases. That said, again, it is incredible and highly worth your time, and is an excellent starting point to jump into this zany franchise. If this does well enough, I can totally see RGG Studio (Rya Ga Gotoku Studio) porting the other games to the Nintendo Switch, whether this rendition or the upcoming successor.

Unknown 9: Awakening feels like it wants to be greater than it is, which is a big shame given how much effort was seemingly put into it. Having an extended out-of-game universe is really neat, but I think it unintentionally hurts enjoyment of the game when you go to play it. I specifically wanted to avoid the external media of the game going in to see what it would be like, and it makes the game feel like it’s following up on something we should already have knowledge of as the player. Combined with subpar combat, glitches resulting in cutscenes being wonky, and hit-or-miss performance on PC, it definitely hurts Unknown 9. If Bandai continues to work on this franchise (can you call it that yet?) I think they can really knock it out of the park, but as a first entry it really fails to hit its mark.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is everything that makes the series so loved and so hated. There were times when I wanted to ragequit and throw my Switch at the wall, and there were times when I cheered at unexpected good fortune in minigames and star placements – and those times often came in quick succession. Super Mario Party Jamboree shows that Mario Party is still a blast to play nearly three decades into its lifespan, which is a pretty neat achievement however you want to look at it.

For its price point, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a true value for hardcore Sonic fans and fans of platformers alike. With high replay value, and even with some control hiccups, Sega reminds us of what they can do with their blue hedgehog and his edgy counterpart.

I would certainly recommend checking out Kong: Survivor Instinct when you get a chance. It’s a fun way of making use of the Legendary roster of characters without actually putting you in control of Kong, Godzilla, or the rest. I was far more impressed with it than I expected to be, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it too.

I was already a Blumhouse fan and now I’m a Blumhouse Games fan. Fear the Spotlight is an easy recommendation for any retro survival horror fan.

Overall, the Until Dawn remake is a stunning game, however it does have its flaws which will hopefully be corrected with future updates. Gamers playing it for the first time will enjoy the storytelling and structure of the game, and those returning will appreciate many of the upgrades and added scenes. I can’t say if it was a necessary remake as the original game is only nine years old and still holds up, and at this point I recommend holding off on purchasing it until the price gets an adjustment and the current glitches are corrected.

The upside of lightUP making essentially the same game over and over again is that they generally know what they’re doing, and their games generally work as they’re supposed to. If you just want another metroidvania, you’ll find that here. But you could also find it in most of their other games, which makes it hard to see why you’d pick this one specifically.

All in all, I’d definitely recommend giving Yars Rising a go, especially if you enjoy Metroidvania style games in general. It won’t be the best one you’ve played in the genre, but it’s a good time throughout despite some annoying sequences that slow down the action. It also has a great soundtrack featuring a number of notable synthwave and game music artists like Megan McDuffee, FLOOR BABA, Chiyoko Yamasato and many more. I definitely enjoyed my time with it, and I think you will too.

I’d say G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra can be fun, provided you can get some friends together on the couch to play through the game with you. If not, as a single-player experience, there’s far better options on the market nowadays. It’s a good looking game, again I really did dig the design of these classic characters, but there’s not a lot else supporting the experience that would keep me coming back again and again.

UI issues aside, I have been enjoying my time with Throne and Liberty, and do plan to play more of it post-review. I’m still not entirely sure the end-game content is going to be for me, but NCSoft seems to be putting out steady updates and has a solid content plan in place so far which seems promising. Even without engaging in the PvP side of things I still feel that I have plenty of other things to do within the world, and provided you’re not just mainlining the story to hit level cap as quickly as possible, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by how much Throne and Liberty has to offer right out of the gate. Considering it’s free-to-play, I see no reason to not check it out whenever you have a chance.

If you want a game that evokes the spirit of Jet Set Radio but on a different method of transportation, Parcel Corps delivers that. It’s hardly a unique spin on the genre, but if all you want is arcade-y gameplay and driving around a vividly coloured environment, you’ll get that here.

At the end of the day, your mileage with Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO will vary. I found myself bored as often as I was excited and frustrated as often as I was exhilarated. For fans who simply want to relive the glory of their childhood with Budokai Tenkaichi, there might be enough here to draw them in. For folks looking for a continuation of the depth that FighterZ added or the beat-em-up fun of a Kakarot or Xenoverse style game, I do not see Sparking! ZERO scratching that itch for you.

The Land of the Magnates borrows from so many games that you can’t accuse it of being a clone of anything. On the one hand, it makes it feel like innumerable other 2.5D platformers. But on the other, it means that you can’t go the lazy route and say it’s imitating Prince of Persia. That’s hardly a ringing endorsement, but you could probably do a lot worse.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is a love letter to Ace Attorney fans. You can unlock different concept art from each game with every accolade completed. You are also treated to some orchestrated piece not released in the US. This game is both great for returning fans and newcomers to the series. It will make you want to scream HOLD IT and OBJECTION during every twist and turn. The humor and the vast array of emotions you’ll truly gives this game its day in court.

Even if I don’t enjoy God of War Ragnarök’s cutscenes, having this second chance to play the game now that it’s out on PC has at least made me realize that the newer version of Kratos isn’t as much of a reboot as I previously thought. I wouldn’t say I love the new games as much as I did the originals, and I definitely would’ve enjoyed this game more if it felt a little more focused on action and less on dialogue and characters, but God of War Ragnarök is, at the end of the day, a pretty good continuation of Kratos’ saga (and one that runs very well on PC).

I cannot recommend this enough to fans of the series and anybody new curious about jumping into Silent Hill as a series for the first time with this remake of Silent Hill 2. This is an absolute must play for 2024.

There’s a lot to enjoy about The Plucky Squire. It really is a gorgeous game, the art design is stellar, the voiceover work for the narrator is well done, and again it just nails the storybook presentation so well. While the puzzles aren’t particularly hard, they are inventive, making use of the 2D to 3D space extremely well. There’s certainly room for improvement in The Plucky Squire, but at the same time I think it’s a game worth checking out when you get the chance.

As criticisms go, that’s hardly a terrible one: saying that a game gives you freedom to play it as you want to is probably something more games should aspire to. That The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom gives you all that freedom without ever feeling unfocused or overwhelming is evidence that it lives up to its iconic lineage.

Metal: Hellsinger VR is another solid rhythm game for VR headsets, while also being a solid VR re-release of a previously flat title. If you had no interest in Metal: Hellsinger originally, there is nothing here that will sell you to check out the VR version, but if you were a fan of the flat release and have the hardware to check this new version out, I would strongly recommend it.

The story is well-told, with a tight cast of memorable characters that help deliver the tale really well, in addition to limited animation during scenes to keep you entertained, and a hefty payoff with an epilogue chapter that helps tie everything up neatly. I’d certainly be down to check out more games in the series, whether that’s the older ports on Switch Online, or possible future entries down the line. If you get a chance to check out Emio, whether you’re into visual novels or not, I think you’ll enjoy your time with it.

Nothing in Elsie makes it seem very original. It’s borrowing heavily from games that are decades-old without putting any real spin on any of it. If you just miss Mega Man and want a slightly more modern take on that game, you’ll get that here, but you won’t see anything new.

Honestly, it’s kind of a relief that Epic Mickey: Rebrushed turned out so well. It’s not uncommon to have fond memories of an older game that turned out to wildly inaccurate in terms of remembering how good that older game actually was, so playing a remake like this, that shows Epic Mickey was just as fun as I remember it (even if it has an obvious new coat of paint), brings some a welcome feeling. Will Epic Mickey: Rebrushed garner the same kind of cult following that the Wii game got? Probably not – but hopefully that’s because being on more platforms allows more people to play this delightful game.

Overall I’d reckon that Final Fantasy XVI’s PC port IS a good one, albeit with the caveats that it has some beefy requirements to run at higher frame rates and resolutions. It’s a phenomenal game that is now available to a wider audience, so I’d highly recommend checking it out if you’ve got the hardware. Otherwise, if you’re on a bit older hardware (such as myself) from early 2020 or before, I’d definitely recommend holding off and getting upgrades first, or deal with reduced visual quality, resolution, and framerates. I for one wouldn’t want to buy the game to have to play at 720p for 30fps in 2024. Final Fantasy XVI is definitely a great game and a great port if you’ve got the hardware to run it, though I do wish it ran better on slightly older hardware.

I absolutely enjoyed my time with Ara: History Untold, and I think anyone that’s enjoyed a round or two of the Civilization series will feel right at home with this. It also has a solid tutorial to help on-board new players, so even if you’ve never touched a 4X game before, I think you’ll find that Ara is friendly towards new players too. There’s a ton of different ways to build out your empires, and the use of a Prestige system as an option to victory, wherein you gain points for various actions taken, is a solid way of deciding a winner even if you have multiple nations still standing at the end of a game. Definitely check Ara: History Untold out when it launches this week, you won’t be disappointed.

It would be nice if there was more content (and you have to be okay with a little straying from the source material), but as it stands, the game is a chaotic – if all-too-brief – good time.

If you’re after a solid stealth game it delivers, provided you can live with feeling like the game could’ve been a little bit more.

As someone who had plenty of experience with M.A.M.E. (that’s Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator to you young’uns!) has a MiSTer, the Antstream service isn’t something I absolutely need. However if you are not interested in performing questionable legal activities, researching front ends…or gasp run command line (it’s been a while since I’ve used MAME, ok). Antstream is a perfectly fine off-the-shelf product to sate your retrogaming needs. The platform definitely has plenty of room for growth and improvements…perhaps after my year is up, I might revisit the platform to see if I’ll renew for another year or permanently add it to my PlayStation library.

If you’re looking for a new Soulslike experience and willing to tolerate some notable negatives all the while experiencing a very unique setting, it’s a decent time. It’s a bit difficult to recommend to a more casual audience, but if you’re seeking a challenge, albeit not necessarily intentionally, Enotria is a decent time. Enotria: The Last Song has its share of issues, but I’d wager it’s a great first step for Jyamma Games in this style, and I can only imagine they’ll make something even better with the next release.

Everything about Gori: Cuddly Carnage is simply amazing. It delivers absurd, over-the-top action in a package that’s tailor-made for anyone who holds a soft spot for ‘00s gaming, and as far as I’m concerned it’s one of the best games of the year so far.

My concern overall is, will the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster do well enough to ever help justify a new game? The fans are out there, but after part 4, and a canceled sequel, I would remain cautiously optimistic. This is still a remaster that respects its roots in most ways as something that is a product of its time. If you can get past the time management frustrations and balance issues, and make sure to use all your save options, it’s still a bloody and entertaining experience worth the price of admission.

STARWAVE is not necessarily a game I see myself spending a ton of time on in a single sitting, but that is how I feel about all of the rhythm games on VR. I enjoy hopping on, playing a few songs, and then moving on to something else. The daily challenge mode is a fun way to get me engaged with the game each day, with enough time to enjoy myself but not so much that it takes up the entirety of my very limited VR playtime in a given day. With continued support and some additional songs down the road, I can see myself returning to STARWAVE again and again as time goes on, even after unlocking all of the constellations.

As a complete package, Castlevania Dominus Collection is definitely worth playing. I’ve played on both PC and Switch without any noticeable issues, and I’d imagine most platforms will fare the same. Switch may win out a bit due to the option to actually use touchscreen controls, but I wouldn’t call it a requirement to enjoy these games. All three of the original DS games hold up extremely well, and M2’s track record with excellent classic ports remains intact here. Absolutely pick this up when you get a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

Overall this compilation is a fantastic package, it’s really hard to find flaws in it. Although I did wish in offline mode there was a way to quickly reset the game instead of having to go back to the game selection to restart. It’s certainly a minor nitpick. With a Capcom Fighting Collection 2 already set for 2025, let’s hope we’ll get other Quality of Life changes and this might be a pipedream, but perhaps Capcom can take a page out of Jackbox’s playbook and put out a single launcher for their various collections. I mean the company sure has a lot of retro compilations (I’m counting 3, Arcade Stadium, Fighting Collection and Beat’em Up Bundle).

It really pains me to say that Akimbot is as bad as it is. It started out with so much promise, and it drew from some of the best influences imaginable. Unfortunately, as this end result shows time and again, good influences don’t automatically lead to good outcomes, and Akimbot is pretty far from anything that could be called a good outcome.

Overall I think Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass – Episode Aigis is a great follow up to Persona 3’s story, albeit with some minor caveats that will affect each player differently. The new music is great, the new “dungeon” backgrounds are just as fantastic as the remade Tartarus in Persona 3 Reload, and as expected the voice cast is just as excellent. Metis is a great addition to the party, even if she’s effectively the gap closer between your lower-tier abilities against enemies that are scaled a bit above you. I think my main gripes are just quality of life things not found out of Steam as a PC player for this review, and that the mall significantly hits my framerate (EXCLUSIVELY in the DLC I might add). The expansion pass costs $35, which is a big turn off for some people I’ve noticed, but Episode Aigis is very much a standalone experience worth the money. It offers another multiple dozen hours of gameplay and story with all the core draws of Persona 3 Reload, so if you’re a fan of the base game I highly recommend it.

Mika and The Witch’s Mountain is pleasant enough that you probably won’t hate it, but it’s far from being a must-play. [Early Access Provisional Score = 65]

If you enjoy platformers and you have an inkling of interest in learning more about Japan, BAKERU might be the perfect package for you

If you’re a diehard racing game fan who prefers racing against yourself rather than others, that may put the game squarely on your radar, but if the allure of racing games is facing off against other people – be they bots or a Player Two – then this game may leave a lot to be desired.

It’s a strange game that’s probably not going to appeal to everyone’s sensibilities – but if it appeals to your sensibilities and sense of humour, there’s a good chance it might be your game of the year.