Normally, games in a state like this leave me middled more than anything, but Nous Wave Studio’s first attempt at a premium, stand-alone JRPG in a gacha-saturated market, while a bold move, was a fruitful one. While the characters definitely need more seasoning and flavor, I especially would like to see the worldbuilding done a bit more elegantly than just dropping hot loads of info shovelfuls at a time. Yet, for all the problems I had with the worldbuilding and characters, the combat and general gameplay can carry Ex Astris alone. The visuals are stunning for a mobile game, the mechanics and systems baked in are so much fun, and the overall aesthetic designs of the world of Allindo are vibrant and unique. While off to a slightly rough start, I feel confident in saying that Nous Wave Studio’s first release has a lot going for it that makes it worth experiencing for fans of the anime RPG genre.

The quality of Returnal makes me enormously excited for what Housemarque can do with higher budgets and modern games. I just hope they learn some lessons here to make their next title even better. Arcade is dead. Long live arcade.

The overall experience is a game at war with itself. Triangle Strategy is a fascinating, yet flawed gem that will absolutely delight some while frustrating others in equal measure. It offers tactical depth, political complexity, and visual splendor, but demands patience for its sluggish pacing and incessant dialogue.

Despite its issues, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is a beautiful collection that modernizes these games in many compelling ways. In doing so, however, it loses the identity of the first game and only offers band-aids for the issues of the second title. These are still incredibly basic RPGs which will mostly appeal to long time fans of the series, but they’re likely the best versions of these classic titles.

PowerWash Simulator is one of the best in its genre; despite this, it continually gets better. Although the PC version with a mouse and keyboard offers more precision, the Switch version takes the pressure of finishing an entire job in one sitting off players. If you’ve always been curious about PowerWash Simulator but don’t have a PC (or the time to devote several hours to a single job), the Switch version of PowerWash Simulator cleans up nicely.

Anomaly Agent won’t leave you pondering its vast world or lore. Instead, it delivers a focused, high-octane blast of retro-infused action. The combat’s frenetic energy, the charm of its pixel art, and the genuinely funny moments of absurdity made it a blast to play from start to finish. While I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, those craving a quick hit of adrenaline-fueled, laugh-out-loud thrills will find Anomaly Agent a worthwhile escape. And hey, sometimes a little mindless, time-bending absurdity is exactly what you need.

Prodeus is self-consciously an old-school shooter, and it does a good job in replicating the frenetic, explosive gunplay and oppressive atmosphere of classic 90’s FPS titles like Doom and Quake. Sadly, beyond some interesting aesthetics, it doesn’t really stake out much of an identity of its own. The lack of any real story, worldbuilding or unique gameplay mechanics stops Prodeus short of being something really special. Still, if you’d like a game where you can switch off your brain and just exercise your trigger finger, Prodeus provides a great world to blast your way through.

Cthulhu Saves Christmas is a fun game with great dialogue, a combat system that’s more hit than miss, and an overall amount of content that’s way too short for its own good. If you’re hungry for some JRPG action, appreciate a well-written comedic story, and don’t mind something that’s a quick burn, this is definitely something that you’ll want to pick up this holiday season. Or, you know, sometime in November. Whatever works for you.

Is Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition worth picking up? It absolutely is for the price it’s being sold at. It’s a little over 30 quid/dollars and with the DLC and took me about 20-25 hours to get through with a young puppy in the house. It obviously includes the base game, but also comes with the story DLC that came out with the expansion pass. Both add new narrative beats to the game. But where Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition really lets itself down is the execution of the world it is based in. Sure, crafting an arsenal to butcher hundreds of faceless bandits is fun. But Metro Exodus’ complex post-apocalyptic world has such a deep lore, begging to explored properly.

Battlefield 6 has an enjoyable, but brief single-player campaign that ends just as it is getting really good. The campaign feels like an extended tutorial for the diverse systems in multiplayer, which provides a potpourri of vehicles and tactical options to do battle with, but doesn't exactly break the mould. Battlefield 6 just can't quite reach the heights of Battlefield 1 or add much spice to the decades-old, oversaturated contemporary military FPS genre. Battlefield 6 is a return to form, but not an elevation of that form.

Wayward Strand is less an active experience and more like sinking into a comfortable, worn couch. At first, you find the seat to be relaxing, but as time goes on, you find yourself sunken into its cozy depths, all desire to move from your resting place evaporated. The floating hospital becomes its own character, just like the colorful cast that resides within; soon, your goal to see the game through becomes less important than learning all you can about the airborne convalescent home. If you’re looking for a game that places more importance on the journey instead of the destination, Wayward Strand welcomes you aboard.

Stray has charm to spare and a wonderful world well worth exploring. It would have been nice to have a bit more variety in your objectives and to have to spend a bit more time actually thinking about what to do, but it’s never less than fun to play.

As someone who’s constantly striving for novelty in gaming, I really wanted to give LISA: Definitive Edition a higher score. But sadly, the game’s perplexing and unpredictable combat, combined with huge difficulty spikes, made that impossible. With that in mind, there’s still a really fascinating and darkly compelling story here and some unique gameplay elements. If you live for strange and unique experiences, you need to pick up LISA: Definitive Edition right now. Just prepare for the unexpected in this harrowing adventure.

Look Outside is a wonderfully eerie adventure with some of the most unique scenarios and sights I’ve seen in a horror game in years. While it makes a strong first impression, though, as time went on, I sometimes wondered if I’d be better off just looking outside. However, there are still enough strong moments to make it worth checking out for those who love horror games and RPGs.

I really enjoyed playing TR-49, but it’s too wrapped up in its characters for me to totally forgive the fact that I came away from it not caring about any of them. Still, the formula at the center of this one is a winner, and if you’ve already played some of the genre’s very best, TR-49 is absolutely still worth a look.

I really hate dunking on a cute, creative Metroidvania like DOOMBLADE, but I feel it just fails to make the game approachable and enjoyable. Much as I wanted to get lost in this dark, humorous world, the core mechanics never got more intuitive or fun, making the entire experience a slog. That said, there’s definitely a great game in here somewhere for those willing to push through the pain to find it.

Despite failing to live up to its name, however, what is here is largely excellent. Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story does a solid job of telling the story of the first half of Jeff Minter’s career and features a ton of cool games that weren’t easily available previously. I’m glad this collection is out there, and for players interested in Minter’s career, this is a must-buy.

With improved graphics and fantastic use of the DualSense, the PS5 is the best place to play A Plague Tale. This is a unique, interesting story which is well worth your time. I just with that playing it was more interesting. Long sections of the game are only saved by strong atmosphere and your connection to these characters. Linear gameplay and controls that don’t hold up well in intense moments lead to frequent frustration and a game which feels like it goes on longer than it needs to. If you know what you’re getting into, however, there’s still enough good in A Plague Tale: Innocence to be worth your time.

Braking Point 2.0 does offer some solid (if sometimes cringe-inducing) drama, the driving mechanics and presentation continue to impress, and generally, to an outlier, this is one fabulous F1 game. However, resting on your laurels only gets you so far, and F1 23 has failed to move the needle in regards to making F1 games even more compelling than they already are. By all means, pick up and relish another core EA and Codemasters F1 outing, but it's time the series stopped playing it safe and gave us something audaciously new.

Hero’s Hour may look like a simple game, and truthfully it can be if that’s what you want, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover some surprising details. And while it definitely deserves the comparisons it receives to Heroes of Might and Magic, Hero’s Hour unfolds into something all on its own if you let it speak for itself. Whether you want a casual or complex experience, Hero’s Hour provides both — wrapped up in a glorious pixel art turn-based strategy RPG.

Given that the bizarre, dreamlike world of Ghostpia Season 1 already took me to the halfway point, I’ll admit that I’m morbidly curious to see how things end. However, given how quickly things went from sweet to sour, I don’t think that I’d be too upset if that didn’t happen, either. Ghostpia Season 1 undeniably has some of the best visuals of any visual novel that I’ve seen in years, and its dreamy soundtrack compliments it wonderfully. Unfortunately, its strange choice of protagonists, tendency to focus on (seemingly) unimportant details, and habit of changing tone too quickly make it hard to digest all that easily.

And that’s perhaps how best to sum up my experience with this remake of Brothers – something is off. It’s the same great game at its core, but as a remake, it doesn’t do enough to justify itself, given that its headline addition of co-op play strips away the original’s biggest selling point. Even when played solo, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d rather be playing the original with its more fitting, painterly look. Having said that, Brothers is still a fantastic experience, and if this remake shines a spotlight on it again and attracts a new generation of gamers to Naia and Naiee’s touching tale, then that can only be a good thing. The story remains as poignant now as it did in 2013, and when enjoyed solo, Brothers continues to be a delight to engage with due to its novel dual protagonist set-up. On that basis, I’m glad this exists, even if, as an overall product and an attempt to reintroduce this world, it feels a touch misguided.

While Ib is not as fully fleshed out as many of the other pixel horror games, it’s certainly a strong entry in the genre. Its creepy atmosphere, well-timed and executed jump scares, and a delightfully unique setting make for an engaging, addicting game. There’s a decent amount of replayability as well, with a post-game bonus dungeon, multiple endings, and the True Guertena Exhibit, where you can examine every piece of art you discovered while playing the game. It’s not a perfect game by any stretch; it’s a little too short for my tastes, and it’s not very clear how to select answers to questions posed by the others trapped in the museum with you to get different endings, and I felt it was perhaps a little too easy. Still, Ib is a delight if you’re looking for a couple of hours to get your horror on.

Botany Manor is a short but sweet exploration experience that serves to lower one’s blood pressure with serene garden sound effects, bright and airy visuals, and a relaxing soundtrack. The perfect game to play in a single sitting or boot up at random when feeling a little frazzled, Botany Manor is an experience that is easy to love and hard to put down until finished. If you’re looking for a Myst-like exploration experience but want one full of nature, whimsy, and peace, look no further than Botany Manor.

There’s no arguing that GRIME is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful Metroidvanias ever created, and it’s obvious that a lot of love was put into it. Unfortunately, the attempt to create some kind of compromise between Dark Souls and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow created a product that, while still undoubtedly fun, felt a little too lukewarm at times to truly be considered “great.” I think that if certain things got revamped, GRIME could be a totally killer Metroidvania. But, until then, it’ll just be “good.”

Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising ends up feeling a bit more like a large update than a true sequel, despite what some of those involved in its development would insist, but at the end of the day, I’m not sure I care. At its core, this is still a fantastic fighting game filled with content. Some of that content may not exactly be new, but when almost everyone missed it the first time around, I’m glad that it will get another chance to build a community. Outside of the strange changes to the story mode, this is a better game than the original in every way and well worth the time of fighting game fans.

Children of the Sun delivers a distinctly edgy experience, blending stylized graphics, shocking cutscenes, and quirky elements. While the narrative loses some steam and gameplay variety is limited, its core mechanics – precision sniping, bullet manipulation, and cleverly designed levels – remain consistently engaging. This makes Children of the Sun a worthwhile and uniquely visceral experience for fans of score-based shooters who enjoy a strong, satirical tone and strategic problem-solving. While it might not offer endless replayability, those who appreciate its offbeat nature will find a refreshingly different and satisfying gameplay loop.

At the end of the day, Barbearian isn’t too hard to figure out. It’s a slightly above-average, bite-size hack-and-slash game with a charm that feels incredibly Flash-esque. It’s not on my list of top contenders or anything, but it’s not something that I’d steer people clear of, either. If you’re looking for something fun, fast, mindless, and relatively inexpensive, there are definitely way worse things that you could play than Barbearian.

That’s actually a frequent issue with Darkest Dungeon II. I admire that the team at Red Hook Studios took a real swing here, trying new paths forward for the series instead of just tinkering around the edges and making an iterative sequel. The issue is that most of the game’s strengths are still the parts that came from the first game, with most of what’s new feeling fine but also like downgrades to what they’ve replaced. It leaves Darkest Dungeon II in a strange place where, on its own merits, it’s an interesting and well-made game that doesn’t quite live up to the example set by its predecessor.

I don’t want to be too negative because you could do far worse than to spend some time with Flynn: Son of Crimson. This is a consistently adequate game that, now and then, can reach a bit above that level. It enters a truly crowded market for its genre, though. Game Pass subscribers may be tempted to check it out, and with the game being included, there’s no real cost to do so. The service is filled with more exciting titles in a similar vein, though—games like Celeste, Dead Cells, Katana Zero. When you have options like that, it becomes more difficult to recommend Flynn. If you’ve already played them and want more, though, then checking this one out could be worth your time.

More than anything, I feel amazing Metroidvanias need to strike a great balance between combat and exploration, where everything you accomplish is constantly bringing you one step closer to reaching the end of the game. I don’t feel that’s the case in Ultros. The rewind aspect of the game, combined with constantly losing platforming abilities and combat upgrades, makes the entire experience a painful slog. So even though I respect the ambition and creativity on display, ultimately, that’s not enough to elevate this game beyond its peers.

Goodbye Volcano High is likely to appeal to those who want an uncomplicated and down-to-earth narrative experience. There are glimpses of goodness within Goodbye Volcano High’s grounds, but the bland writing, cliched characters and needlessly protracted scenes don’t do it any favours. The rhythm action sections are swell additions that break up the long-winded cutscenes, but they too are overstuffed with timed button press prompts, as they end up feeling too hectic for their own good. Goodbye Volcano High overstays its welcome in spite of its 5-hour length, lumbering along without any significant drama until the climax approaches, so it’s questionable whether you’d stay the course or find something more dramatic to satiate your appetite for good videogame yarns. If this is indeed goodbye to Volcano High, then its demise will shed only a shrug of disappointment.

Syberia: The World Before is a very mixed bag. With wonderful characters, terrific sights, and a beautiful story, there’s a lot to recommend about it. Unfortunately, that story relies far too much on happenstance, and the more you think about it, the less it makes sense, but if you can suspend your disbelief and just go with it, you’ll find a game that will please long term fans of the series and create some new fans as well.

Death’s Gambit: Afterlife isn’t without its share of perplexing decisions, but, all-in-all, it’s a fun Soulslike Metroidvania with just the right amount of challenge. Sure, finding your way around the game’s world can be a little frustrating, but at least it’s fun once you get to where you need to be—and that, in my opinion, is what matters the most.

MLB The Show 22 continues to offer a solid baseball game that is a lot of fun to play. San Diego Studio has the basics down, and while they iterate on them each year, they don’t break what’s working. When so much around the core gameplay has grown stagnant, though, and players are being pushed to spend so much ongoing money to have the best experience, it becomes a lot harder to recommend to all but the die-hards.

I had hoped to give a glowing review of Dark Deity. After all, it does quite a bit right, and manages to streamline many things successfully. Unfortunately, it ultimately was held back by the various poor design choices, glitches, and copious similarities to Fire Emblem. While the latter didn’t bother me, I feel the game could have been a bit more original. That said, this is absolutely a game worth playing for any tactical RPG fan, especially once it’s been patched a bit. Here’s hoping the next game from this upstart team is the polished gem I thought Dark Deity could have been.

Fire Emblem Engage is a clear step backward for a great series. While the strategy gameplay at the core of it is perhaps the series’ best, everything else here feels weaker. I still enjoyed my time with the game, ultimately thanks to its gameplay which is some of the best in the genre, but after how great Three Houses with, it’s hard not to come away from Engage disappointed.

Moonstone Island is easily going to become the favorite game of many. When people rattle off games they’ve dumped an insane amount of hours into, Moonstone Island will fall somewhere between Stardew Valley and Potion Permit. While I do think there are a few aspects that are objectively holding it back (and a few that are subjectively distracting), the fixes to those issues are a few quality of life updates away. At the end of the day, Moonstone Island has done more than given players a chance at capturing cute creatures — it’s given them a chance to capture pure magical whimsy.

With deep and challenging combat and tight controls, F.I.S.T. often provides a welcome challenge. That’s why it's such a shame that slow progression and poor design choices hold it back from reaching its full potential. Still, at its best, F.I.S.T. is a memorable Metroidvania with variety and depth. If you’re up for the challenge and willing to deal with these issues, there’s definitely a good time to be had.

Despite its share of rough edges, Skate Story still won me over. It leans more on style than substance, but that style is some of the most striking I’ve seen in years, and it carries the experience far. The problem is that the game rarely finds inventive ways to use its own brilliance, leaving it feeling like a journey that peaks too early.

While I do feel its balancing could have used some work, and the overly busy visuals can sometimes make the action indecipherable, Jets'n'Guns 2 is tough to put down once it gets its hooks in you and you learn to look past its occasional shortcomings. With its excellent presentation and an upgrade system that encourages experimentation and careful planning, this one's easy to recommend to shmup junkies looking for a challenge.

For what is ultimately a walking simulator, The Gap is largely successful. Its story is moving and told in a compelling way. You feel for these characters, none of whom are villains. They’re all just trying to do their best in impossible situations. For some, that means pushing back against the seeming inevitability of their lives, while for others, it means accepting it and making the best of things. It’s a relatively short game, but that does stop it from wearing out its welcome. The Gap’s puzzles, while varied, rarely prove challenging or mechanically interesting. Only once in the game did anything take me more than a few minutes to figure out. Ten hours of this would be too much, but for a few hours where you’re consistently moving the plot forward and finding new information, it manages to provide a satisfying experience.

Almost everything that’s currently present in Them’s Fightin’ Herds is excellent, with the exception of a few platforming sections in the story mode. The issue is that even two years after initially releasing on PC, it still doesn’t feel like a completed game, nor have the developers been clear about when that will change. If what’s here sounds like enough for you, though, or you’re a big My Little Pony fan, you should absolutely give Them’s Fightin’ Herds a chance.

At its best, Ghostrunner provides truly thrilling action that feels alive. Rough level design and a few too many mechanics that don’t always fit together get in the way a little too often, though. There are definitely players looking for just what Ghostrunner offers, but they won’t find a smooth ride.

The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a fun action RPG whose portable origins shine through for better and worse. While definitely fun, its story and gameplay can feel a tad slight at times, especially as the game goes on. Still, fans of Falcom’s other titles will find a lot of what they love about the developer’s work here and should absolutely give The Legend of Nayuta a shot.

Potionomics is bubbling over with personality — in fact, this may just be the most charming game I’ve played all year. It has so many elements blended beautifully together that would make many different types of gamers happy. With some UI tweaks to highlight critical information to players when its desperately needed, Potionomics will undoubtedly receive even more positive attention than it’s already getting (which is saying something). If you think you have what it takes to be the very best potioneer that ever was, Potionomics is ready to soul-bound itself to you.

At times, it feels like Planet of Lana tragically works to oppose itself. For every bit of exquisite scenery and artistic richness, there’s gameplay that’s overly familiar, rote and unappealing. It’s a shame that such a stylistically spellbinding game is compromised by its dearth of exciting gameplay ideas. Planet of Lana is by no means a shoddy game. It’s actually pretty good thanks to a cocktail of challenging puzzles and pinpoint platforming. However, its lack of innovation, as well as its myriad of little kinks, stop it from becoming a true exemplar of the genre. For all Planet of Lana is, it really could’ve and really should’ve been so much more.

Paper Mario deserves better. The prestige of a Final Fantasy veteran appropriating his magic onto a handicraft world deserves better. The unforgettable wit and lovable cast expanding Mario lore deserves better. And we know that Intelligent Systems can do better than committing themselves to a misguided identity crisis.

Despite my issues with several elements here, I can’t help but feel fondness for Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World – Complete Edition. I absolutely never expected this game to make a comeback. And even though there are issues that still need addressing and fixing, I feel this is a game fans will still enjoy. Hopefully, Ubisoft takes the time to make some positive changes. If they do, this will go from an average game with amazing ideas to a truly great game. And honestly, I feel that’s what fans deserve after so very long.

When everything comes together, Rollerdrome feels incredible, but too often, things get buried under the weight of its many systems. While even at its worst, there is definitely fun to be had here, this feels like an incredible concept for a game where the developers needed to spend a little more time workshopping what aspects of it were really needed. It’s still a good game, though, and the foundation is in place for a sequel to be truly incredible.

So, will I be returning to Rainbow Six Siege X regularly? I’m not so sure. The wall to climb is steep, and it still doesn’t cater to the tactical, single-player-minded fan I’ve always been. Yet, I can’t deny that it’s a successful refresh. For current veterans or returning players who already know what they’re signing up for, this is the best version of Siege there has ever been. It’s a modern, polished, and brutally challenging tactical shooter. Just know that the fresh paint does little to soften the blows.

Despite my issues with the game, I really did enjoy New Pokémon Snap. Even after completing the game’s storyline, there’s still a ton more to do after the credits roll. To this old Pokémon fan, this is a must-own title. If you love photographing wild creatures and exploring a vibrant new region, this is the game for you. And if you really want to feel like you’re a budding photographer, play the game using the optional motion controls, swinging the Switch around like a giant camera. Now to spend hours and hours more to fill out my Photodex and unearth all the secrets of the Lental region.

Metal: Hellsinger is relatively short, and while there are additional challenges you can complete if you fell in love with it, that’s mostly a good thing. While its core mechanics are strong, and I love its soundtrack, it’s a one-dimensional game where you’ll have seen most everything it has to offer quickly. At that point, it’s just a matter of how much you enjoy the feel of it. While it won’t be for everyone, it’s absolutely a game those with Game Pass should give a chance.

I’d consider the smoother gameplay, more detailed story mode, and more interesting art style a fair trade-off for this extra content. There’s enough content in House Flipper 2 right now to keep players busy for a long time. I have a lot harder time accepting the major bugs the game currently features, though. In time, House Flipper 2 may well morph into one of the best examples of this sort of simulation title, but for now, there’s still work to be done.

Once Upon a KATAMARI is still really fun, but it doesn’t quite live up to the dream of what I wanted a new Katamari game to be. The developers clearly put a lot of thought into how they could mix up the series’ formula, and they did a great job of putting players in new situations, but too often, I just found myself wishing for more of the old style of stages. Still, if you’ve already played the earlier games in the series and want more, you’ll have a good time with Once Upon a KATAMARI.

Elden Ring Nightreign blends Soulslike combat with roguelike mechanics, resulting in a mostly dynamic cooperative adventure. However, the game’s lack of crossplay and duo support makes grouping inconvenient, and reuses too many assets while offering somewhat shallow progression.

Life is Strange: True Colors remains one of my favorite titles of 2021. Wavelengths isn’t everything I wanted when it comes to DLC. Being able to explore Haven Springs further, or at least bringing more of Haven Springs into the record store, would have provided a more satisfying experience. Still, Steph’s story is moving and does an excellent job exploring her character. If you’re a fan of hers, you’ll absolutely want to check out Wavelengths.

Once again, I enjoyed my time with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and would recommend fans of Don’t Nod’s other work give it a try when they get a chance, but know that some of the questions you’ll likely have throughout this story won’t be meaningfully paid off. I’m glad to say that at least the character stories are paid off well in an ending which I found moving and satisfying at times, even as I thought about my other questions, which were largely ignored. That’s what this game does best anyway, and that doesn’t change in Tape 2.

Anger Foot is the B-movie of video games: it’s loud, messy, and doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It’s the kind of experience you’ll either love or hate, depending on your tolerance for toilet humor and over-the-top violence. The game’s unapologetic immaturity might be a turn-off for some, but those who embrace its chaotic energy will find a surprisingly polished and addictive power fantasy. It’s a weekend fling of a game, best enjoyed in short bursts before the charm wears off. So, if you’re in the mood for a mindless, adrenaline-fueled rampage with a healthy dose of crude humor, strap on your kicking boots and let loose.

Still, despite a number of parts of Islands of Insight not connecting with me fully, what always did was the puzzles themselves. They’re so consistently engaging that I found myself ignoring the parts of the game that I didn’t love so I could keep engaging with them. Islands of Insight is a great game to jump into for ten minutes just to knock a few puzzles out before going about your day or to get lost in for hours as you try to solve every match 3 puzzle you can find.

New escape sequences are the highlight of No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. It’s a shame that its low-stakes story makes it hard to really connect with the overall experience. If you just want to hang out with the series’ cast, you’ll get that here, and there’s definitely joy to be found in doing so, as a lot of members of this cast are fantastic. Despite this, the overall story ultimately feels held back by being stuck between two established stories, and the entire experience feels afraid to take any risks. Fans of the series will have a nice time with this one, but it certainly doesn’t offer a good point of entry for new players.

Even with flaws, and a few too many mechanics for me to truly get lost in, I had a surprising amount of fun with The Knight Witch. I wouldn’t have thought that a bullet hell SHMUP could fit so smoothly into a Metroidvania, but that aspect of the game worked for me. While its story and characters didn’t connect as strongly as I’d have liked, it has enough personality that players looking for an interesting take on the genre should consider it.

Golden Idol Mysteries: The Spider of Lanka isn’t easy to return to if you haven’t played The Case of the Golden Idol for some time, but once you get into it, it offers some of the best content in the entire game. Providing an interesting set-up for the main story and some of the best logic puzzles the developers have derived yet, those who loved the original game last year should absolutely consider checking this out. Those who can, however, should try to play these soon after completing the main game.

I went into the review hoping for the best. And while ChainStaff is undeniably creative and visually appealing, I really wish that Mommy’s Best Games spent more time fine-tuning the gameplay, mechanics, and level design. If you’re a fan of retro-styled adventures and aren’t put off by complex gameplay, you might find this is the alien parasite you’re looking for. Less patient gamers, however, will probably want to skip this one.

Lemnis Gate firing on all cylinders can be a delightfully cerebral experience, its time loop concept and diverse character roster paving the way for some truly spectacular moment-to-moment gameplay. It’s just a pity then that at launch, the majority of the player base, at least outside of the higher ranks, seem unwilling to embrace the whacky concept. Given time, though, once a core of dedicated fans develops, Lemnis Gate has the potential to provide a truly novel alternative take on the hero shooter genre.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana may not have been an essential re-release, but it’s nice to see a beloved game available to new fans, and it is absolutely the best version of the game available.

Trying to shove so many different gameplay styles for all of these guest characters was definitely ambitious and I applaud the developers for trying, but next time around I’d much rather they focus on moving this series forward and making the best Cotton game they can.

River City Girls 2 does a lot right. With fantastic presentation, an incredibly exciting soundtrack, and tons of creativity and variety, all of the elements are here for a classic beat ‘em up. Poor performance, though, really brings the experience down, being an almost constant thorn in your side. It’s by no means unplayable, and I still had a fair amount of fun along the way, but this feels like a game that wasn’t ready to release yet. Hopefully, after a few patches, we’ll be talking about it being the great game it could be, but for now, know what you’re getting yourself into.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers took a big risk giving a whole new look and feel to the EDF series, but it’s a gamble that pays off well. The more cutesy stylings and arcadey gameplay will turn off some, but many others will find it to be a fresh twist on the EDF formula. With a gigantic cast of international characters to play as, there’s plenty of chaotic joy to be had.

While many of your actions are said to have an impact on the game, in practice, that impact is fairly minimal. It all comes together in an ending that also feels far too convenient, not seriously reckoning with much of the themes the Road 96 brings up. In the end, it feels like Road 96 doesn’t have nearly as much to say about these topics as it thinks it does. It sticks the landing when it comes to its individual characters, but much less so regarding the overarching plot. Still, those character stories are engaging, the mini-games you’re thrown into are consistently fun, and Road 96 looks and sounds great. It all makes for a trip that’s worth taking, as long as you know what to expect.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a game that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to be anything else. It’s a chaotic, visually impressive romp filled with over-the-top violence and juvenile humor. If you’re looking for a mindless action game with a killer cat protagonist, it might just scratch that itch. However, if you’re expecting a deep story, engaging characters, or innovative gameplay, you’ll likely be disappointed. It’s a game that insists upon itself, doubling down on its particular brand of humor and spectacle whether you like it or not. For some, that might be enough, but for me, Gori: Cuddly Carnage was the kind of fun I forgot about as soon as I put the controller down.

While Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name undoubtedly suffers due to its smaller scale and a heavy reliance on the Akame Network to pad out its 12-hour story, there’s no denying how good it feels to see the Dragon of Dojima back in action – especially with the grab bag of gadgets he has at his disposal. And while this spin-off’s story is over a bit too soon, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s penchant for spinning a compelling narrative shines through, showing Kiryu at his most vulnerable and setting the stage for what’s sure to be a momentous follow-up when Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth launches next January.

Shut In had to grow on me. I spent an awful lot of time frustrated with it before I considered its original angle of conveying the emotions (or lack thereof) felt during quarantine, and that new perspective allowed me to look past the otherwise annoying issues. If you’re looking for a commentary on the effects of the pandemic on an already fragile psyche, Shut In just might be up your alley.

All that being said, Trine 5 is still a fine old time for puzzle platformer fans, even if it does feel like a series that needs to evolve going forward. Its reliably refined puzzle platforming combination can still be a joy to get lost in, and that eureka moment when you finally stumble across a neat way in which to combine the abilities of its roster never fails to delight. Fans who just want more Trine will feel right at home with Trine 5, and if the goal of Frozenbyte was to continue to appease the core fanbase with another solid entry, then I think they’ve successfully achieved that.

As much as I enjoyed my time with Curse of the Dead Gods, I feel it’s a bit unbalanced. I’m not averse to a challenge, but I am against unfair difficulty. And honestly, the whole game is weighed against the player. If you’re not patient and willing to put in the time to master the mechanics, this can be a bit of a painful grind. And the boss fights, while cool, can be more than a bit frustrating. More than anything, I really wanted to get lost in the lore of the game, but that’s pretty much nonexistent. The only exception is info found in the bestiary.

There’s a solid space shooter buried beneath Chorus’ many bumps and bruises. Unfortunately, however, I’m not sure many players will be willing to dig beyond its myriad technical issues and more frustrating moments to find it. And honestly, that’s a real shame. Because with a bit more polish and refinement, Fishlabs’ latest offering could have been a space opera to remember with its unique story and exciting blend of sci-fi action and creepy occult mysticism. If you’re willing to overlook its problems, Chorus offers about a dozen hours of dogfighting action to keep you busy. But you’re going to need plenty of patience if you hope to break the Circle.

I’d like to applaud Imagine Earth for what it’s attempted, which is to create a city-builder that stresses the importance of a self-sustainable civilization despite a seemingly never-ending supply of Earth-like planets. Fostering a future that asks humanity to consider its carbon impact before its capital gains is one we’ll need to see if we’re to thrive in the 22nd century and beyond, and it’s great to see a game where such a simulation can play out positively. Although the characters can feel a bit robotic and the peripheral mechanics could use better explanations, Imagine Earth is absolutely worth adding to any city-builder fan’s library, and that goes doubly so if Alpha Centauri and Civilization IV were your jam.

I had a lot of fun during my time with Blue Reflection: Second Light. A colorful world filled with interesting characters and some of my favorite JRPG combat in a long time makes for a consistently entertaining play. I just wish the main story ever really became interesting. As a slice of life RPG, Second Light succeeds. As an apocalyptic epic, though, it falls short. This leaves a total package that lies somewhere in the middle.

A lot of players will find Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered International to be overwhelming, myself included. Even for those who don’t, if they played the previous version and don’t need one of the new language options, there’s little need to double dip. Still, if the idea of an open world that lets you create your own adventure is appealing, then this is a fascinating game that is worth a look.

There are a ton of games in the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, but because the six titles have so little to differentiate them from each other, it’s hard to see anyone but the most hardcore of fans wanting to run through the entire series. I enjoyed revisiting these games from my youth but came away ready to leave them in the past. For those who just want to dip their toes in, Capcom has provided the option to purchase only the first or second half of the series separately instead of buying the entire larger collection. While it’s not quite as good of a deal on a per-game basis, for those who just want a quick nostalgia hit, that may be the way to go.

Loco Motive is a fun enough point-and-click adventure with a strong cast that gets off to a great start. As it goes on, however, it loses a lot of momentum thanks to focusing on less interesting or well-developed characters. Thankfully, it comes together in a strong conclusion that ties its various elements into a satisfying ending. Those who long for the point-and-click adventures of the early 90s will find a lot to like, even if it feels like it doesn’t fully meet its potential.

With 32 games included, most players are going to be able to find a few titles to fall in love with in Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium. With more duds in the lineup this time around, though, combined with a higher percentage of the collection being featured in recent collections you may already own, the value proposition is a lot harder to judge. Thankfully, this time around, Capcom are letting you buy just the individual games you want from the start. Most players with a love of classic arcade games will want to grab at least a few titles from this collection, even if the collection as a whole isn’t quite the no-brainer some of Capcom’s recent classic offerings have been.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble offers a great single-player experience, and if that’s what you’re looking for, I would absolutely recommend it. However, Monkey Ball has always been at its best during multiplayer mayhem, and that side of this release, despite offering some fleeting fun, feels like a missed opportunity. It’s great to see Super Monkey Ball back with a new game, but hopefully, any future entry will fully capture what made this series so beloved in the first place.

In many ways, Steel Assault is the best current example of a true arcade-style experience I’ve played. It’s full of action, style and is challenging enough for fans old and new. It even made me fondly recall games like Contra Hard Corps and Blazing Chrome. My biggest quibble with the game is that it’s shockingly short, which makes the price tag a bit hard to justify. That said, any fan of arcade games and the 16-bit era owes it to themselves to check this out.

Golf Club: Wasteland frustrates me because there’s so much about it I like. With tighter controls, a few tweaks to certain levels, and a better-integrated narrative, this could be a truly special game. As is, it never comes together and is hard to recommend.

If you’ve got a mean streak and have always wanted a safe environment in which to find out what it feels like to have people unquestionably devote themselves to you and your cause, well, firstly, you should be on a watch list somewhere, and secondly, you should absolutely check out The Fabulous Fear Machine.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code improves after a slow start with some truly fascinating mysteries in later chapters. However, a central pairing that never quite works and long mystery labyrinths that are almost entirely uninteresting stop it from being all it can be. Fans of the Danganronpa series will still want to check it out, but most others should find another mystery to dig into.

Observer: System Redux weaves a moving story, both fascinating and relatable. With fantastic updated graphics, stunning audio, moving voice acting, and a memorable environment, this is a tale worth experiencing. I just wish it actually played better. The few times you actually have to do more than walk from room to room, the game falls apart. Thankfully they don’t make up a huge chunk of Observer, but they grow more common as you get deeper into the game. If you’re okay with that, though, and have time for an interesting cyberpunk story, Observer is worth your time.

Ultimately, Luminous Avenger iX 2 is an attractive and challenging action platformer that nevertheless fails to learn key lessons from the previous game. That said, if you’re a fan of the Gunvolt series or a platformer enthusiast, this is very much your game. If you’re not in that camp, you might wanna skip this confusing side adventure.

Evertried does a lot right — fans of roguelites who have played them all and want to explore something novel might enjoy this unique spin on turn-based tactical gameplay. It definitely instills that “one more turn” kind of feeling from the get-go, eagerly inviting players to die, die again. If Into The Breach was your cup of tea and you’re looking for something with that kind of flavor, Evertried is here to take you to new heights.

If you enjoyed the original game, the content here is good and it makes a nice excuse to return to this world, if only for a little while. The price is right for what’s offered, but this prologue is hardly essential even for fans of the original game. If you missed that original game, this release serves as a reminder that it’s well worth your time.

Omno will provide most players with three or four pleasant hours. Despite a few frustrating moments, I really enjoyed most of my time with it. For a short game though, which doesn’t do much new and which doesn’t quite reach the level of similar titles like Journey or Arise, that can make for an uneasy recommendation. That’s the joy of Game Pass, though. When considering what to spend your money on, a few pleasant hours may or may not be enough. For those who can play it for no extra cost however, that makes this an easy game to check out. Players on other platforms may need to think about whether this is the right title for them, but Game Pass subscribers should give Omno a chance. I think you’ll be happy you did so.

Overall, I’m still quite pleased I got the opportunity to review Olija. Devolver has a knack for publishing quirky and unique fare, and that tradition continues here. I just wish it wasn’t so short. Because the world of Terraphage is a fascinating one, and I really wish I could have gotten more lost in it. But those complaints aside, this is still a very solid game worth checking out. Here’s hoping the next project by Skeleton Crew Studio is a bit more robust.

I don’t want to leave you with the impression that Moons of Darsalon is a horrible game. It’s not, but I really wish the indie developer had put in more time streamlining the game mechanics instead of programming snarky one-liners for my crew. If you can absorb the complex controls and manage your finicky teammates, you’ll find an enjoyable puzzle-platformer here. But for those looking for a fast and smooth experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

I’ve never been a big fan of games that require you to invest huge amounts of time before they get good. Our time is valuable and while Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord does eventually get good, the uninteresting grind along the way and lifeless world didn’t do much to pull me back. Fans of the series will still have a great time and if you are willing to invest your time you’ll definitely be rewarded for it, but its frustrating to see so much potential for an even better game left unrealized.

I admire Pearl Abyss’ quick response to some of Crimson Desert’s issues, and I think there’s a real chance that it will eventually feel decent to play. At the moment, though, it simply doesn’t, and even with updates, I have my doubts that it will ever give me a world that’s engaging for anything more than its impressive visuals. There’s a lot to do in Crimson Desert, but so little that I actually wanted to do.

Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic is a cute, competent hidden objects game full of whimsy and wonder. It has so many charming scenes that delight while keeping things casual yet mildly challenging. Although I wish the hint system was a bit more refined and the music more calming, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with this wholesome hidden object game. If you think you’re good at finding metaphorical needles in haystacks and want to put your skills to the test, you can’t go wrong with Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic.

There are a few excellent moments scattered across its approximately eight hours, particularly its boss fights. It all comes back to your investment, though. If you can play this game on Game Pass, it feels like an easy decision. There’s plenty here for me to recommend you do just that. If you’re dropping money specifically on this experience, though, it feels like you deserve to expect a little bit more. That some part of actually playing this game feels truly interesting instead of just fine. I very rarely got that during my time with South of Midnight. Still, with a solid enough foundation, I’d love to see the team at Compulsion Games try for a sequel that builds on its strengths and does more to provide a great overall experience.