Homebody is a solid enough experience that works better for puzzle fans than horror fans. The time loop aspect of the game degrades the limited scares to little more than an inconvenience, leaving a dynamic puzzle game that tests your mind and provides the satisfying reward of solving them. This game is a character study at heart, and provides a unique look inside the mind of an introvert racked with anxiety in an interesting way, though doesn't capitalize on all the potential that came with it.

Despite some issues, Spellcaster University is a fun, casual and unique experience that is worth trying for fans of its many genres. However, I could not help but feel that the small studio spread itself thin by mashing together different mechanics. As Sneaky Yak Studio will continue the active development of Spellcaster University for the foreseeable future, they will hopefully solve some of the issues that bring down an otherwise good debut game.

A fancy title must always be attached to a fancy game. Evan's Remains has a certain quality of intrigue to it that is evident from first glance. Gorgeous pixel detail, an isolated environment, and a keen focus on human psychology and heart. Suffering from some issues with landing the endpoint and gameplay prowess, it will inevitably be a selective title for many, notably those with the mindset that story always goes before gameplay. But for those looking for a thought-provoking, immersive game that costs less than a standard theater ticket, the search for Evan is definitely filling in those aspects.

NEO: The World Ends with You hits the highest of highs, but has its fair share of lows. At its best, it's a worthy follow-up to one of the 2000's most beloved RPGs. With style to spare, engaging gameplay, huge replayability and a strong plot, there's plenty to love with Rindo's trip to the Reaper's Game. Yet, we can't ignore the sheer tedium the game constantly displays, especially towards its back half. Repetitive missions, damage sponge enemies that are often stronger than bosses and an obnoxious time travel mechanic all bog down what could have been one of the best games of the year. If you're a longtime fan of the original, playing this is a no brainer. If this is your first time in Shibuya, you're better off catching up and keeping your expectations tempered.

The Shadow Government Simulator is a nice game with good potential and an interesting idea behind it. It's very immediate and quite fun from the beginning. However, it fails at giving depth to the gameplay which makes it simple and repetitive, thus likely to bore many players after a few hours. All in all, it's definitely worth a try if you're into scheming, conspirations, and conquering the world with subterfuge.

Parcel Corps is an intriguing concept of a game and has all the fundamentals it needs to be good fun. While I enjoyed the elements of gameplay, narrative and art style separately, I personally felt as though they didn't come together as planned. Gameplay was interrupted by the story, and the joy of barspins out of wallrides is soon lost to repetitive missions and accidentally opening your mobile before confidently launching yourself into the side of a lorry. That being said, are in the mood for some simple and fun gameplay, Parcel Corps may be the perfect package.

From a storytelling standpoint, there are few games that have affected me as much as this did. The themes explored are heavy but the game has a nice balance of optimism and dread. Music is used perfectly to elevate the emotional impact of the game. Where it falls short however is its gameplay. It's basic, but slightly sluggish controls and frame drops make it a bit of a mixed bag from a gameplay perspective.

The benefits of putting all in one is that nothing is left out. An obvious assessment to many, but it creates an unforeseen consequence of having the clearly better portions be a reward for braving a lesser product. If Märchen Forest were simply Episode 3 with an additional introduction period, this would be a more consistently good game. Though to some extent my own expectations with it, given my experience with the previous iteration, also likely affected the outcome. As it stands, it's 13-15 hours of a good game just after 7-10 hours of a mediocre game. If you can wait, there's definitely some fun to be had. Just take your time; no rush.

Do it for your mother. Moon Raider has the style and aesthetic of a memorable sci-fi action-adventure. Where it falters is in the department of innovation and experimentation, proving a little too complex for a developer historically known for mobile titles. Nevertheless, there is enough knowledge and polish to make for an entertaining journey to the moon and back, and if playing as a martian treasure hunter with a giant gun sounds appealing, there's little reason not to give this a... shot. Just watch for secret walls.

Ultimately, I feel the biggest issue with Fashion Police Squad, aside from the premise, is the playability. While it's pleasing to look at and listen to, the aesthetics don't altogether save it. If you're especially familiar with first-person shooters, and looking for something a little different, this has potential to be a very fun purchase; especially if it's on sale.

Gimmick! Special Edition is a re-release of the 1992 platform on modern systems but very much the same game as the one released in 1992. This re-release of the game brings some addition aspects which make the game more accessible while maintaining the original game's integrity. This means the game carries its best and worst aspects from its gameplay and level design to the arcade difficulty.

Akane has potential to be an indie great, but it feels as though it needs much tighter art direction, a lot of polish and a break from the monotony of the gameplay loop. The pixel art is great and the control are very convincing, but it can't escape the feeling that a little more was required to make it feel like a finished product. The fact that it has only one level and (even more bafflingly) only one boss puts a real limit on what the game is capable of becoming. The premise is pretty awesome, but awesome in a way that a 16 year old would enjoy it most.

Endless Memories is a great first attempt at a Metroidvania and has plenty of reasons to entice fans of the genre to try it out. While the game drags at certain points and ultimately outstays its welcome. Great combat, beautiful visuals, and an amazing soundtrack made it a worthwhile experience.

If the arcade scene is your niche, you've found a surefire winner. Jetboard Joust will likely not find a large audience due to its arcade inspirations, which is evidenced by its mechanics and structure choices. Nevertheless, those looking for a brutal game to harness their skills, there's certainly a lot to like here. Colorful explosions, juicy crunch, and fluid animations will ensure that you'll pay attention for a good while. How much longer will depend entirely on your taste for its overall control and adherence to the retro mantra.

Batboy attempts to mimic the success of other retro-styled action platformers like Shovel Knight, The Messenger, and Shantae. Unfortunately, it is a flawed game that is marred by numerous game breaking technical bugs, wildly sporadic difficulty, and uneven mechanics. There are elements of a good game here, and some may be able to look past its problems. However, if you are looking for a polished and satisfying adventure, it is look elsewhere.

While Lunacy: Saint Rhodes succeeds at crafting a horror game full of interesting ideas and cool locations, it's a game that comes off as dull. It's unpolished in many areas and attempting to play it comes off as incredibly frustrating. With more time, it's possible that these issues could be remedied but as for now, only hardcore horror fanatics will be able to find enjoyment in this.

Overall, the game will probably satisfy anyone who is already a fan of the genre, but it doesn't do anything to win new fans. I found myself occupied for hours with the game, but I was never certain whether it was because I was truly engaged or just because even the simplest jobs were considerable time commitments. It has a certain zen quality to it, but there are too many little annoyances and shortcomings to really enjoy myself.

Forgone is definitely a good game, with every inch of the combat feeling just as good as it looks. I just feel like this game could have done a lot more with what it had. There is a tight, Souls-like loop, great locomotion, and satisfying combat. But the forgettable narrative and somewhat generic aesthetic made me not too interested in what was going on outside of the core gameplay loop. That's definitely okay, but stops this game from being much more than a competent Souls-like experience.

ITT-A good time. Bullet hell is not a hard genre to screw up, but even those versed in this type of gameplay will find some enjoyable qualities to indulge in. If only the focus on the personal aspect of the game's roots had more prominence throughout, which could've pushed this game's impact to rare heights. Nevertheless, the core aspects of ITTA are more than enough to give it the credit it deserves.

The Forest Quartet is a musical narrative game which bends its puzzles with its great atmosphere. The game is a visual and atmospheric treat, while it may lack in terms of its gameplay with its simple puzzles. The game, on the whole, themes itself really well across the various stages to have a breezy and fun experience through its short run time.

It seems absurd to complain about a lack of content in a game that has an endless amount of player-created levels. But for Meet Your Maker, it fits very well. This could be an amazing game, but the limited set of tools available at launch restricts the amount of fun that can be had by both raiders and builders. I'm sure it will be awesome in a year from now, however. With more content and tools, only then will Meet Your Maker truly shine.

Shelter 3 delivers the wildlife walking simulator experience, with a dash of danger on the side. The lush forests with hidden hazards promise a narrative that's teeming with life and death. Despite its strong premise and beautiful art direction, the slow pace of the game and the middling character of the animals in the journey weigh the piece down.

Although No Longer Home offers an emotionally reflective narrative that will resonate with it's players, I personally feel there were areas which could have been explored further. The game is passionately written with relatable characters, yet the ending felt abrupt and as though I was left waiting for more. Overall though, the laid-back gameplay and simple controls make for a chilled couple of hours, and is a strong first game with clever ideas from developers Humble Grove.

Hogwarts Legacy is littered with small niggles which, when stacked together, make the game feel like it was released over a decade ago. While the castle is a large enough area to explore, the monotony of repeating quests and tasks makes the game feel last-generation and boring over time. Hogwarts Legacy could already use some DLC's in order to expand the size of the world, add more complex spells, and introduce a wider array of enemies. If you are a power-nerd looking for a new and complete RPG, you will have to wait for Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, coming in April 2023. While most critics agree that Hogwarts Legacy is near perfect, due to the incomplete feeling of the game and lack of a solid story arc, it feels more Muggle than magic.

They call it "Bright," but it's more of a "Sufficiently Visible" memory. The crowning achievement of Bright Memory: Infinite is that it even exists. A one-person studio working with creating the work from top to bottom, with only minimal help from outside sources. While flaws certainly show themselves at an alarming rate, the core idea is satisfying fun. While more for those already engrossed with the everlasting FPS phenomenon, it's commendable just for the attempt.

Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed has its heart in the right place. It looks, feels, and sounds like Ghostbusters, and with some friends, you can relive the days of playing pretend Ghostbusters. However, it doesn't do much with its gameplay formula beyond the bare minimum. It's great in short bursts, but wears thin after several matches.

The Fridge is Red is an ambitious take on the surreal horror genre, with a mix of good and bad elements. It effectively conveys a sense of madness and nightmares with a simple but good story. The game looks and sounds wonderful even with the blocky retro elements. Ultimately The Fridge is Red falls short of great because of the gameplay. It has some good moments, but there is too much running in circles, especially for such a short game. All that said, if you like this kind of horror, it is still worth checking out.

Button City at its core is a cute, charming story about the trials of life (and how cool arcades are). With a memorable roster of identifiable characters and a unique style of presentation, it's easy to buy into its initial hype. Digging deeper in, various aspects aren't quite as polished as the surface allows witness to, especially those looking for a more varied gaming experience. Those willing to bear the brunt of passing time leisurely won't mind, though players craving a little more may be left disappointed.