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.

Do I like Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition? Or do I like the idea of it? It’s hard to tell, but one thing’s for sure — I’m going to be playing this one for a very long time. The writing is superb, the atmosphere is spooky, and the gameplay is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Although I understand the design choice of making players learn competency through experimentation and that it was done well here, I cannot say it’s going to be fun for everyone. I’ve barely scratched the surface with Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition and I’m certainly not very good at it, but I can’t stop thinking about it. Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition beckons, and I feel compelled to continue.

Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood isn't a terrible game, but it's most likely not one that's going to stick with you long after the credits roll. It's mindless and repetitive, but if you're a fan of World of Darkness and feel like channeling your inner wolfman for the weekend, it just might scratch that primal itch. However, if you're on the hunt for an action-RPG with some meat on its bones, you're much better off sinking your claws into something else.

I’m positive the developer will be ironing out any kinks mentioned here and by other players, so I’m sure that in six months this will be a much more enjoyable experience; for now, Gods Will Fall falters slightly. I still really enjoyed my time with this one, but only after I brought out my controller and chose characters that didn’t walk at the speed of snail. There is so much potential here, so if you’re not sold yet, please either check it out on console or keep this one on your radar and revisit in a few months. Gods Will Fall has solid bones, and with a little more love and attention, it will achieve the greatness it seeks.

Habroxia 2 is a solid shooter but with unspectacular levels and bosses. Its mechanics and objectives result in plenty of shooting action, but it’s still missing a key component of the shmup experience. I enjoyed my time with Habroxia 2, and I do recommend that shmup fans check it out; however, hardcore arcade shmup fans might find the experience a little shallow. Still, this sequel fixed many of the original’s mistakes. Here’s hoping that another sequel can address what’s left.

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is, let's just come out and say it, pretty weird. But the most important question to me, however, is whether it's any fun or not. And, despite all of the changes, I think that it is. Would I want this to be the formula for every Ys game from here on out? Heck no. But a literal antithesis to Ys VIII's Seiren Island—which is absolutely what this game is—is really charming in its own way, and the fact that Falcom was able to add so many novel features while still keeping this game Ys-like at its heart is genuinely impressive. You'd think that basically being able to do whatever you want in this game would make it ridiculously easy, but I can promise you that it's not. It's hard, it's charming, it's enjoyable, and, despite Adol looking like a vampire lord, it's absolutely a Ys game to its very core.

Project Starship X feels fantastic in every sense of the word. The difficulty is tough but fair, the levels are wildly diverse with recognizable patterns, and there’s replayability for miles. I greatly enjoyed playing in on my PS4, although I think I would have preferred the more personal, mobile Switch version — there’s something about having all these flashing lights and phenomenal chiptunes up close and personal. Regardless, Project Starship X delivers no matter where you play it, which I strongly encourage you do. Whether this is your first shmup or your 400th, Project Starship X does not disappoint, providing an addicting, engaging assault to the eyes and ears you won’t be able to quit.

If you’re looking for a retro-style FPS that will kick you in the teeth, Writhe certainly fits the bill. It’s just unfortunate that it doesn’t offer much else apart from its considerable challenge. With only a small smattering of stages to choose from and enemy types to exterminate, it’s tough to recommend adding Writhe to your Switch library, even at its budget-friendly price.

Overall, Red Colony is a fun game, but not a great game. I think if the dialogue was polished up, if the weapon system was rebalanced some, and if the puzzles were just a little more challenging, this game could have been something special. Like a house in need of work, it’s got solid bones. It just needs to be spruced up a bit. As it stands, you can beat the game in under 3 hours. I was entertained during my hours with the game, and I got several enjoyable jolts of adrenaline for my troubles. If you can look past the flaws, I think you’ll find an enjoyable experience.

Curious Expedition 2 isn’t for those looking to relax at the end of a long day, rather for those looking for an 1800s adventure crazier than their wildest dreams. It’s a punishing experience in the vein of what it must have actually been like back in the day (sans the glowing purple fog and disappearing islands and all that), and one that will absolutely exhaust players as they lose track of time exploring the chain of procedurally generated islands. If you’re very fond of rogue-likes and want to try a unique spin on the genre, Curious Expedition 2 is very likely your cup of Earl Grey; anyone else may want to watch a let’s play or two before spending your hard-plundered riches here.

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.

Skul: The Hero Slayer is a fun little title whose cute graphics belie the tough challenges and grinds that lie within. Dying is all part of the appeal, and never once is it frustrating or unfair. You’ll want to keep returning again and again in order to get just a little bit further, or to perhaps secure a new type of outfit or skill. It deserves a place on your playlist if you have any sort of affection for old 16-bit RPG-brawlers.

It’s not hard to recommend TOHU — if you love busy, hand-drawn environments and puzzles that will really make you rack your brain for solutions, this is absolutely up your alley. It may have elevated my blood pressure for the few hours I spent with it, but I don’t regret the shortening of my lifespan in the slightest. If you gave this short but sweet little gem one glance and immediately thought fondly of Machinarium, I don’t have to tell you twice that TOHU was made for you. Be sure to pick it up on your puzzle platform of choice as soon as possible.

I think I've hit my legal limit on flowery language in this review already, so I'll keep it plain and simple in the end; The Medium is a fun, unsettling atmospheric horror game that is guaranteed to knock your socks off if you even remotely appreciate artistic design. It's not a "traditional horror game," but, then again, none of the Bloober Team games I've ever played have been traditional horror games. If you have a day to spare and want to spend it with a game guaranteed to draw you in (even if it takes a few hours to do so), then I don't think you'll regret taking The Medium out for a spin.

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout was a great start, and Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & The Secret Fairy does an excellent job, for the most part, of building on what was already there. Is it perfect? No, it's not. But that's okay. Looking past the fact that this, plain and simple, is a fun game, Atelier Ryza 2 once again keeps my faith alive in GUST being on the mend. I don't know if there's going to be an Atelier Ryza 3, but I hope that there will be. And if there is, then I know that it will be even better than the two wonderful games that have made up the trilogy so far.

The Space in Between can be completed in less than an hour, but it’s the quality of the writing, the beauty of the aesthetics, and the importance of its message that make it feel like a much longer experience. How the team managed to condense two lifetimes of pain and trauma found within the Asian-American community into a 30-minute experience is beyond me. If you’re looking for a wonderfully sweet depiction of a healthy relationship or want to play more games exploring the Asian-American experience, look no further than The Space in Between — the only cost is 30 minutes of your time (and maybe some tissues).

After playing Orwell’s Animal Farm, I found myself gobbling up every analysis I could find on the original work and ultimately settling into bed with a copy of the book found online. From the subversion of politics through the subversion of language and logic to reducing complex ideals to meaningless catchphrases, it was truly eye-opening just how Orwellian the past few years have been — although not the way in which the word has been thrown around after January 6th. The team’s unique history with totalitarianism made them competent candidates for the game version of this compelling allegorical tale, and I find myself still trying to wrap my head around the experience with these additional layers of context. If you’re looking for an incredibly memorable and surprisingly emotional refresher on this all-too important story, look no further than Orwell’s Animal Farm.

Golden Force is an enjoyable romp, but its steep difficulty and straightforward design prevent it from rising above the trappings of the games that inspired it. It’s definitely worth a look for anyone who enjoys the run ‘n’ gun style of the games of yore, even if it can be controller-throwingly difficult.

Though it can get more than a bit challenging at times, I’d heartily recommend this to any fan of the classics. Even if you don’t appreciate NES games of yore, this is still a tremendous adventure full of mystery and danger. Kudos to Mechanical Head Games on developing Cyber Shadow, and many thanks to Yacht Club for helping it reach its full potential.

I still think that there's more than Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- The Prophecy of the Throne could have done to help itself stand out a bit more from the original Re:ZERO timeline, but, at the end of the day, it's still a solid spinoff, and I think that fans of the series will like it.

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.

With all around fantastic gameplay, graphics, design, and just overall fun, I’d argue that under different circumstances, this could have even been considered a game of the year contender. I never realized just how much the Sony PlayStation had influenced my life until I played this game.

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.

With everything the world has been through in the last year, Tadpole Treble Encore is the game we need. It’s nothing but feel-good, charming, moving fun. I cannot recommend this game enough for any music lovers out there. I’ll certainly be revisiting this game a lot in the near future. In fact, you can probably find me spending an inordinate amount of time trying to recreate the bassoon music from Turtle Pipes.

When The Past Was Around feels like playing a cozy cup of tea on a rainy day, despite its sad nature. The aesthetics are far too comforting to make players stay depressed, especially considering its overall uplifting, positive message about grieving after the death of a loved one.

Legends of Ethernal is a starting point for an even grander game. All the pieces are in place. The compelling narrative, captivating visuals, and engaging soundtrack all help to create a vivid and living world that’s enjoyable to experience. While the gameplay can lag at times, the aforementioned elements admirably make up for these small deficits.

Overall, I was left a bit perplexed by my time with Sense. I don’t regret playing it, but I also don’t know that I would go out of my way to play it again. With the story largely told through journal entries and letters that you pick up along the way, and with so many references to folklore I simply had no knowledge of, I was left without a particularly satisfying conclusion.

My genuine review take of Drunken Fist is it’s funny for sure, but it does get old fast. It gave me quite a few quality laughs and I think its proclamation of being a ‘totally accurate beat’em up while drunk’ is genuinely honest. For a $3 dollar price tag on Steam, I absolutely think that’s exactly what this game is worth, but I wouldn’t pay 7.99 for the base PS4 version.