It looks the part of a dystopian robot future, and I wish it had lived up to my hype. Ultimately though, Metal Mind wasn’t the rogue-like I was hoping for, nor the robot builder experience. While there might be a worthwhile adventure here for those willing to push past the punishing lack of balance, I feel many won’t have the patience to delve very far into this robot adventure.

A Very Bad Christmas Eve is exactly what it says on the tin. If you were hoping for a very good Christmas Eve, well… I’m sorry, but you won’t be finding that here. What you will find is a genuinely cozy depiction of Santa’s Workshop that is utterly charming for the first 10 minutes, followed by confusion and frustration for the rest of the experience. A Very Bad Christmas Eve isn’t exactly how I imagined I’d spend my Christmas vacation, but considering the price, Santa could have done a lot worse.

Nothing comes easy in Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX. These are fairly poor ports of two pretty good games, with the best part of them stripped out. I still had fun revisiting these games after so many years, and players able to overlook the poor interface and lack of guidance can still definitely find a good time here, but you’ll need to work for it.

Ultimately, despite my gripes, Ayo the Clown is a 2D platformer that I think does enough right to warrant checking out. With clever progression, tricky (albeit frustrating at times) level design and a delightful world with well-thought-out boss fights, there’s plenty to like for genre enthusiasts who can overlook the areas where Ayo the Clown stumbles. What developers Cloud M1 have created is a really solid foundation that could pave the way for a truly great sequel with a few lessons learned from Ayo’s first outing.

Atomfall’s commitment to player freedom is baked into its design, and it works really well. I’d love to see the team at Rebellion, or other developers, for that matter, iterate on its structure and build more games designed around this level of freedom. Even most open-world games aren’t even close. Atomfall itself, though, is a tougher recommendation. It isn’t that it does anything terribly wrong, it’s just that little about it other than the structure stands out. Once you get used to the flow of things, there’s not much else I can point at and say this is why you should play Atomfall instead of any number of other survival games. Still, it’s always nice to see a developer try something outside of what has become the accepted right way to do things, and for the most part, Atomfall succeeds on that front.

Cat Cafe Manager is one of those games you don’t know you need until you start playing it. It’s cozy, heartfelt, charming, and silly in the best of ways. And so soothing that you’ll find yourself still playing even after you’ve completed all the in-game objectives. Which is why it pains me to give this game the score that I did. Because, as thoroughly enjoyable as everything I’ve described above is, the game has some serious issues that need addressing.

Intruders: Hide and Seek is a decent addition to the growing library of indie horror games available on Nintendo’s hybrid machine. Mechanically, the sluggishness of the movement does begin to wear thin, which is exacerbated further by the frustratingly implemented checkpoint system, but overall, the tension and tone set in those first couple of hours make it worth stepping into Ben’s shoes for a few hours and helping him save his family from a desperate situation. If you’re a horror fan itching for an Outlast-style experience, then Intruders: Hide and Seek is a nightmare worth experiencing.

That’s a real shame because I love so much of the game Galvanic Games have created, but I don’t particularly enjoy the feel of actually playing it. There are enough cool moments and interesting paths that I still had a fairly good time overall, but the actual feel of the game is a crucial element that simply never clicked. However, players who this core gameplay resonates with will absolutely love Wizard With a Gun.

If you can poke past the horribly-paced and presented story, tedious and sometimes painful character dialogue, and bad design ideas for the open-world aspect, I can sincerely say that there is some legitimate Shock-like qualities in the better parts of the gameplay and in the awe-striking art style, to say nothing of the incredible music. If you enjoyed any of Bioshock‘s selections, or Arkane’s 2016 Prey, consider giving this communist dystopia a chance to show how close it got to nailing that Shock-like formula, even if you wind up coming out hating the phrase “Crispy Critters” as much as I did.

Empire of Angels IV is a perfectly fine game. But you may have noticed that’s a recurring theme of this review; the combat is okay, the story is okay, and the artistic direction is okay. The game does everything just fine, but it doesn’t particularly excel in any one area. If you’re looking for a nice casual game with a pleasant level of challenging content, but aren’t looking for anything deep and engaging, I think you’ll enjoy this game. You can pick up and play whenever without really forgetting much of the story or what you’re doing.

With fantastic writing, well-designed levels, great attention to detail, and a surprisingly challenging combat system, Undead Darlingsis a wonderful playthrough if you love zombies, dating sims, or dungeon crawler RPGs. Yet despite all these accomplishments, the game is severely hindered by its sloppy and often frustrating UI.

Re:Turn never really gets anywhere close to feeling conclusive. Rather than making its story into a proper “hill,” where there are both ups and downs, this game’s story is more akin to an endless upward slope; you want to know what’s on the other side, but climbing for so long with no end in sight is also tiresome.

There are so many different metaphors that I could use to describe El Shaddai‘s leap onto the Switch. It’s a bit of Heaven and a bit of Hell. It’s a rose with plenty of thorns. It’s a… well, you get the picture. Regardless of how many metaphors I throw out, the best way to sum this game up is to say that El Shaddai Ascension of the Metatron HD Remaster is a visual masterpiece that is, very unfortunately, bogged down by shallow combat and mediocre platforming. It’s too bad that they never made a proper sequel to this game. I’m sure that they would have perfected things eventually, given enough time. Ah, well. Maybe someday. Maybe someday…

I can appreciate what Sumo Digital Academy set out to do with Zool Redimensioned. It’s a solid remake of a platformer which, while not as well remembered as the titles from which it takes its inspiration, has its own place in the annals of video game history. The updated mechanics and quality of life features are great. Furthermore, with two modes to master, existing series fans will surely get their money’s worth. But as welcome as these additions are, they don’t do anything to remedy the issues that plagued the original release. With random stage designs and lackluster enemies and bosses, Zool just doesn’t do much to stand out from the crowded platformer pack. Still, if you already have a soft spot for the ninja from the Nth Dimension, don’t hesitate to add this one to your Steam library. If Zool didn’t do it for you before, however, Zool Redimensioned isn’t going to change your mind.

Highwater tells a fairly interesting story about a planet on the brink and offers solid, if simple, tactical gameplay, which I mostly enjoyed. Add in a great art style and a winning soundtrack, and there’s a lot to interest fans of the strategy genre. The rest of the world around all of this largely lets the game down but the players Highwater grabs will get lost in the beautiful tragedy of it all.

While it took its time getting its hooks into me, once TopSpin 2K25 grabbed me, I grew to understand the appeal of this more technical tennis experience. It’s not for every fan of tennis games, but I know there are players who are going to love it, and I eventually had a really good time. That good time was fleeting, though, thanks to its repetition and lack of content. TopSpin 2K25 is only recommended for players who plan to put a lot of hours into competing online.

Backbone gets off to a great start and it definitely has a lot to say. Great visuals and a stunning soundtrack made me want to give it the benefit of the doubt, to ignore its issues. As it goes on though, Backbone loses everything that made it interesting in its early hours. What replaces it is so different that its hardly even the same game. Different doesn’t have to mean bad, but the changes and ideas thrown around in the second half are too underdeveloped to overlook. Perhaps a sequel can allow the development team to further delve into its many themes. I liked enough of Backbone that for most of its running time I was enjoying myself. In its current state though, it’s hard to enthusiastically recommend.

Weapon of Choice DX is a wild ride with a lot of ambition. While I don’t feel it quite lived up to its potential, and felt that Shoot 1-UP DX was the better game by Super Soul, there’s still a lot here for fans to enjoy. If you miss Contra and want something similar, I’d give Weapon of Choice DX a shot. Just get ready for one insane rollercoaster of a game with a zany plot to match.

Felix the Cat is certainly a mixed bag; both literally and metaphorically. If you’re a diehard fan of Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer’s iconic anthropomorphic cat or just want to settle down for the afternoon with some easy retro platforming, you’ll probably enjoy Felix the Cat. Its repetitive tendencies, dull level design, and overall lack of challenge may put most others off, however. I’m not totally sure who wanted Felix the Cat ported to modern consoles if I’m being honest. But, it’s like I’ve already said—I’m always in favor of saving old games from obscurity.

In Sound Mind is a case of a great idea hobbled by flawed execution. It has some fascinating mechanics and an engaging story to tell. However, to experience the game’s best parts, you’ll have to suffer through a lot of moments of frustration. If you’re up for the challenge, this might just be a psychological horror title worth checking out. For anyone else, you might want to wait and see if developer We Create Stuff can iron out the kinks first.

Aeon Must Die is a complex and sprawling beat ’em up. Even with its initial learning curve, there is no denying that it presents a genuine evolution of the genre and for that, it should be applauded. The beat ’em up genre is one that seldom presents ideas and concepts as fresh and punishing as this, so on that basis alone, Aeon Must Die is something that is definitely worth checking out for those with even a passing interest in the genre.

I think that Sludge Life is a great example of video games as art. It’s much more concerned with sharing its style than being a cohesive whole. Which isn’t to say it’s all nonsense, I don’t think it is. But what it actually is? That’s entirely up to your interpretation. If nothing else, I appreciate Devolver Digital continuing to share their brand of unusual and quirky published games. And as a longtime Nintendo fan, it’s nice seeing something this crude and mature on one of their consoles. I just still don’t know how highly I can recommend the game. But if you want to take a chance on something unique, look no further.

God of Rock has some solid ideas with some really cool gameplay elements that will certainly interest the fighting genre fans; however, I fear there wasn’t enough attention given to the rhythm aspect to equally draw the music games crowd. I’d be curious to revisit God of Rock after several rounds of updates to see how it improves over time, but as it stands I don’t think it’s going to be anyone’s favorite game right off the bat. Once God of Rock gains its balance, however, it’s over for us bitches.

Spending time with the citizens of Shelmerston is incredibly charming and makes I Am Dead worth a look. With an unsatisfying conclusion and gameplay, which quickly grows a bit one-note, however, this won’t be a game for everyone. Still, if you want a charming little game to spend a quiet afternoon with, you could do far worse.

I like the Neptunia series. It has plenty of potential, and it’s shown itself capable of creating genuinely impressive titles. That’s exactly why its recent string of spinoff mishaps has worried me so much. Still, its most recent iteration has given me some hope. Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution is far from perfect and feels years behind where it should be, but its dedication to improving various aspects of its long-standing elements, particularly its dungeons, has given me some hope. I’m not sure that I can recommend Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution to the average JRPG fan, given its questionable quality. If you’re a pre-existing Neptunia fan, however, you’ll probably dig it.

Fatal Fury: First Contact isn’t a bad game by any stretch. However, when you compare it to SNK’s more recent NGPC ports to the Switch, its lack of content is hard to ignore. It really shows its age with its slower pace (and frequent slowdown). And with only one single-player mode to experience and a pair of characters to unlock, you’ll likely find yourself burning through everything it has to offer in a single afternoon. Of course, the ability to play against a friend adds a bit of replay value to the package. But given that you can buy the superior Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 for the same price on the eShop, it makes this entry a little tough to recommend to all but the most ardent SNK fans. At the end of the day, Fatal Fury: First Contact isn’t wildly ambitious. But if you’re looking for a quick and dirty 8-bit fighter to add to your Switch library, it gets the job done.

While the game’s lack of challenge and severe lack of enemy variety undoubtedly keep it from being as memorable as it could have been, Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero still manages to be a fun ride while it lasts, and even though I don’t see myself revisiting it again any time soon, I’m glad it’s no longer confined to the dustbin of gaming history. If you’re a fan of the Shockman franchise or just want to step back in time to experience a small slice of what Nintendo’s long-forgotten Satellaview service had to offer, Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero just might be worth adding to your library.

While Wildcat Gun Machine is a worthy first attempt by Chunkybox Games, it nevertheless doesn’t do much to elevate itself beyond the games that obviously inspired it. I wouldn’t say it needs to be a rogue-like, but there are so many elements of the game I feel would have been improved if it were. And while I don’t mind the challenge, it can get pretty unforgiving, which is sure to turn off many gamers. But if you’re a fan of twin-stick shooters and bullet hell and love hideous monsters, this might be for you.