Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World does a wonderful job of rekindling my love of the Monster World franchise and reminding me exactly why I fell in love with it in the first place. While the remaster doesn’t bring any new ideas to the table, it does put a wonderfully charming new coat of paint onto a game that deserves to be seen and enjoyed by a new audience. Old fans of this game should be pleased with the treatment it received, while newcomers can expect a classically crafted platformer adventure that’s short in duration but massive in charm.

For fans of the source material or just arena fighters in general, Demon Slayer’s incredible combat and substantial story mode make this a must-play. Sure, the exploration sections may disrupt the pacing somewhat, and the online functionality could use some patching, but these issues don’t detract too much from the stellar foundation which CyberConnect2 has put in place.

Mr. Saitou is a short but sweet romp through the universe of Rakuen, a silly little homecoming to a wonderfully whimsical world. Although it’s not as emotional as the first game, it’s not trying to be; with that being said, I still shed a few tears during the two hours I spent with it. If you listen to Mr. Saitou and set your expectations accordingly, you’ll emotionally relate to the realistic struggles of adult life while feeling healed by the cheerful innocence childhood has to offer. In the very least, Mr. Saitou offers a brief return to the world of Rakuen and the feeling of being hugged by a game.

There’s very little wrong with Splatoon 3. Almost everything it does is done well, and the few minor complaints I have are likely to be fixed or involve a card game that most players will likely ignore. Its plethora of quality-of-life changes means this will almost certainly be the best game in the series going forward and the place for new players to jump in. Right now, though, if I have to pick between those quality of life changes or the larger amount of content in Splatoon 2, that’s not as easy a choice as it should be because the gameplay hasn’t evolved in any major way, and little of the new content truly stands out. Which means that while I can easily recommend Splatoon 3 to series devotees desperate for new content and new players needing a good starting point, anyone who falls in between may want to wait for the game to be fleshed out before diving in.

As upset as I am about the censorship thing, I still can’t help but love everything that’s going on overall. The Chaos;Head Noah/Chaos;Child Double Pack is an enthralling, terrifying, and occasionally humorous double-dose of Science Adventure goodness. You’ve got to take the bad with bad with the good, and trust me when I say the good outweighs the bad by a considerable amount in this case.

I really enjoyed my time with this game. Older-timey without being stale, challenging without being a headache, and with a solid story, The Corruption Within has a lot to recommend it. There’s some replay value, too – there are several optional items to find in the game that will present you with a moral choice you make, which will, in turn, affect the ending of the game. Honestly, my only criticism is that the game is a little short, as I beat it easily in a single sitting. But, like usual, that’s probably just me being greedy and wanting more of a good thing.

It’s no doubt that the future of Deadlink is looking very promising, as Gruby Entertainment has laid out a solid foundation for a fantastic rogue-like. The only downside to all this is the content, or lack thereof, as there are only two levels to play through. The developers have stated that the next major update is slated for December 2022 so here’s to hoping for a fleshed out road map leading to a 1.0 launch. If you’re a fan of Doom Eternal mixed with Hades, drenched with a cyberpunk skin, then you will for sure love Deadlink.

Despite a few rough edges in terms of stage design and enemy variety, Evil West is a must-own experience for fans of the character action game genre. With a deep and engaging combat system, a meaty campaign, and a killer sense of style, it’ll leave you glued to your controller until the credits roll. If you’re a fan of Flying Wild Hogs’ brand of gory, in-your-face action, Evil West is a non-stop thrill ride through the freaky frontier that you won’t want to miss.

Minor issues aside, UnMetal is an absolute winner. With gut-busting writing and a great mix of retro-inspired stealth action enhanced with modern mechanics, it’s a game that warrants a spot in any classic Metal Gear fan’s collection. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we get to take control of Jesse Fox. He may not be the action hero we deserve, but he’s the one we need right now.

Tails of Iron is not for the fainthearted. It’s a bloody, brutal, blistering experience from start to finish. Its combat smartly mixes skill and strategy. The game will push you to your limits, but it’s hard not to have fun skewering and slaughtering your way to redemption. While the game’s scope is unfortunately a bit limited, I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we hear from Redgi.

Sniper Elite 5 opts for refinement over reinvention, and that’s absolutely fine when the building blocks of its predecessor were already stellar. Its tense sniping action and massive sandboxes are best in class for the series, allowing for creativity and player agency in a way that so few action games do. If you can overlook a narrative that suffers from fatigue due to its subject matter and the somewhat clumsy way in which Karl interacts with his surroundings, then Sniper Elite 5 and its open-ended approach to gameplay provide a stunning, experimental sandbox that you will likely find yourself returning to again and again.

Overall, I honestly loved Winds of Change. Stellar writing, great voice acting, branching choices, and gorgeous artwork make for an impressive visual novel. I definitely encourage you to look past what you think you know about certain online communities and not judge this book by its cover. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in this one.

This game isn’t entirely what I was hoping for from a Super Bomberman R sequel—it re-uses a lot of content, and its Story Mode could use a little work. Still, there’s definitely more good than bad when it comes to this game. So long as you aren’t bothered by its just-okay single-player experience and reliance on Super Bomber Man R Online content, Super Bomberman R 2 is a great game that’s sure to be a blast for you and your friends.

Despite some disharmony, overall, I really enjoyed Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. Yes, it’s a short burn, and yes, some minor issues held it back. But it’s still a charming, retro, GuitaR-PG with a lot of heart. If you’re in the mood for an epic Battle of the Bands with a likeable hometown hero, look no further.

Everything in NUTS revolves around discovery. Discovering what these strange, fascinating squirrels are up to; what secrets are hidden in the ancient Melmoth Forest; discovering the past, as well as the future. Short without feeling short, simple without feeling simple, this game is as odd as it is beautiful. Go out on a limb and give it a try. You won’t find anything else like it.

Despite a bit more repetition of songs than I would have liked and the curious lack of a VR mode in a game that seems perfectly designed for it, Fresh Tracks is a blast to play with a killer soundtrack and incredibly well-designed mechanics. Any fan of rhythm games should absolutely check it out.

Despite some balance issues and the one aforementioned glitch, overall, I had a blast with Kitsune Tails. Though it purportedly can take anywhere from 15 to 20 hours to beat, I’d say hardcore platformer fans can beat it in half that time. Just don’t expect it to be a simple task because some of the stages required me grinding for coins and buying the right transformations just to have a fighting chance. That said, if you enjoy retro platforming and are looking for a rainbow-colored take on the genre, you can’t go wrong here.

With its blend of familiar mechanics and innovative challenges, it’s hard not to get addicted. Though it might feel daunting for FPS novices, for those who thrive on challenges and quick reflexes, this is a must-play. I walked away, hand cramps and all, with a sense of satisfaction and an itch to dive back in. For its maiden voyage, Dream Powered Games has crafted a compelling and adrenaline-fueled experience. Whether you’re here to race, shoot, or both, Warstride Challenges awaits.

I mentioned at the start of this review that the improvements found in PGA Tour 2K25 are mostly found in the margins. They’re more evolutionary than revolutionary. There are enough of those changes, though, that this release represents a giant step forward for this series and modern golf video games. It may be my favorite golf game ever made and is a must-play for anyone who enjoys the genre.

My nitpicks aside, there’s still a great game in Alina of the Arena, especially for hardcore fans of rogue-like deckbuilders and tactical warfare. The biggest hurdles to get past are the game’s UI quirks and the overall difficulty, but if you’re willing to persevere you’ll find a deep and satisfying combat system and a good amount of replay value. It’s especially fun for handheld gaming on Nintendo Switch.

It's been said that good things come in small packages, and WitchSpring3 Re:Fine is about the best JRPG equivalent of that saying that you're going to find. Eirudy's adventure around Derkarr is a full JRPG experience boiled down to a breezy 10 - 20 hours, depending upon how you play and what kinds of things you'd like to do. If you're itching for adventure but don't have much time, or just have an appreciation for cutesy, easily digestible JRPG action, WitchSpring3 Re:Fine is probably worth your while.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster still plays really well, but the gameplay feels a little bit less special than it once did, if only because so many popular games have taken its innovations and run with them. The good news, though, is that it still plays well and its atmosphere still stands out even after all these years. System Shock 2 asks more from players than most modern shooters, and a few of its systems could have used a bit more of an overhaul to work better with a controller, but if you’re willing to explore and really dig into the mystery here, you’ll find an incredibly compelling experience.

I really was hoping Cyber Citizen Shockman 3: The Princess From Another World would continue the positive trend of the last game’s success, but sadly in some ways this felt like a small step backwards, at least in terms of gameplay. That said, this is a very ambitious and visually striking entry in the series, and even though the balance isn’t great, you can always use the cheats to make life easier. If you’re curious about the series, I’d still say it’s worth checking out.

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.

Haunted Lands is a bloody slice of shareware-era nostalgia that knows exactly what it wants to be. There are some rough edges that hold it back from greatness, but the craft is impossible to ignore, especially since it was created by one person.

I really wanted to love Section 13, and while I did enjoy it, it was held back by the incremental pace of the game as well as the brutal difficulty of enemy encounters. This is a very, very grindy game, and while I don’t mind spending time with an adventure, I do wish this particular game were on Switch 2. I find portable play is ideal for rogue adventures, and I feel I would have had much more success were that an option.

For better or worse, Digimon World: Next Order has all of Bandai’s best ideas mixed together in one complex title. As a game, this can be huge and intimidating, but it can also be someone’s comfort game to melt into at the end of a long day. As a port, Digimon World: Next Order should be praised for its continuous improvement as it jumps from one platform to the next, but its pricetag hasn’t improved in its 7 year run, which can put off some players who have become accustomed to purchasing ports at a lower pricepoint. Digimon World: Next Order was an overwhelming first foray into Digimon, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was blown away by the complexity, nuance, and depth the series has to offer. Perhaps Digimon truly are the champions after all!

It may not be the smoothest experience and I’m certainly missing some quality of life updates that would have made quite a difference, but that didn’t stop Neighbours back From Hell from being the low-brow, low-effort kind of fun that doesn’t take itself seriously.