Sailing Era is a beautiful game where the developers put a lot of thought into its presentation and historical enactment. Still, unfortunately, this title is constantly held back due to its frustrating gameplay loop, combined with a highly awkward machine translation. Unless you have a walkthrough on hand or have an immense amount of patience to fight your way through sheer trial and error, by the twelfth time you reset your save, you probably would’ve wanted to set aside time and play something else at that point.

Ebenezer and the Invisible World is a fairly middle-of-the-road metroidvania that, apart from its presentation and premise, doesn’t do much to stand out from the crowd. Its passable combat and exploration achieve the bare minimum, making its subtle flaws more noticeable. Players may find themselves invested in the strong writing of the main story, sidequests, and profiles, but these elements only go so far in an action-adventure game. If you’re eager for a new metroidvania experience, Ebenezer and the Invisible World is an option, but with the genre being so densely populated, your time might be better spent elsewhere.

From the constant localization mishaps to the design feeling like a copycat, I was constantly left with the urge to just drop the game and play something else, as it had failed to keep me engaged for more than a couple of minutes every time. Further, as much as I tried, I just couldn’t stop comparing it to Genshin Impact, which harms the identity it’s trying to pass as. And only time will tell if this will ever change in the future.

Valkyrie Elysium is an enjoyable action JRPG suffering from clear problems regarding its camera system and more granular details. Yet its core combat is undeniably stellar, with transparently depicted customization and upgrading. Additionally, its cast and narrative are light but effective, paving the way for a satisfying adventure if you don’t embrace critical presumptions. Despite my initial disappointments with this entry’s lack of clear connective tissue to the franchise’s origins, I genuinely love my time with this title. I hope its gameplay elements are used as a basis and improved upon for future installments.

Breakout Recharged might be the least interesting of all the games Atari has chosen to revamp. This is as basic as a video game can possibly get, as even the new bells and whistles added in this modern remake don’t do a whole lot to make the core gameplay feel any more interesting than what it was back in 1976. Unless you’re a retro enthusiast, you’re better off accidentally stumbling upon one of many Breakout clones out there for free.

Maneater is the equivalent of a satisfying popcorn flick. It promises all the gameplay one would imagine when assuming the role of a killer mutant shark. Thrashing helpless victims and dominating other vicious predators still make for a ridiculously entertaining adventure. Even acknowledging the graphical inferiorities, the foundation of Maneater’s gameplay is enjoyable enough for it to still be a pretty solid experience. If you are concerned about testing the waters on this deep-sea Switch port, don’t worry, there’s a lot of massacring mayhem to be had.

The Legend of Legacy HD Remastered brings together a renowned development team for an adventure steeped in exploration and discovery. While the game shines in its unique approach to map-making and the random skill learning system, it stumbles with its lack of clear direction and sometimes tedious gameplay mechanics. The HD remaster enhances the visual appeal, and the addition of a guidebook attempts to address the original's steep learning curve. However, the core experience remains divisive, catering to a niche audience that appreciates the challenge and depth of its exploration-based gameplay.

Dead or School’s combat can be fun in (very) short bursts, but it all ultimately falls flat hard and fast. It has the pacing of a freemium mobile game that’s dragging itself thin, begging you to spend money to speed it up. Except you can’t even do that to shorten your own suffering. With a larger budget and community feedback, I’m sure this team can deliver an excellent experience, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find that here.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX does a fantastic job of taking an already good game and adding a gorgeous fresh modern coat to it. The art design is beautifully done, and the option to switch between the redesign and 8-bit graphics adds to the nostalgic experience. While this remake is faithful for better or worse, there’s no denying that the quirky and challenging world of Alex Kidd is a side-scrolling experience unlike any other.

As beautiful and serene as After Us is, it tells a painful story of a world destroyed by the impact of humans. As you save each animal, the darkness that plagues the environment grows more pronounced, and you’re left wondering if this is a world even worth saving. This adventure will pique the curiosity of any player through its clever platforming sections, environment design, and strong narrative message.

Redout: Space Assault should have been a different game and not just a port-up of its mobile counterpart. Little went into resigning the UI or adjusting the gameplay experience for more powerful hardware, and the lack of speed makes it a strange fit within the Redout universe. I enjoyed the shmup direction, but auto-fire and short on-rail missions don’t make it even close to a memorable entry of this genre.

Darius Burst Another Chronicles EX+ is a challenging and fun shoot-em-up; a must-play, I dare say. But personally, I saw monstrous red warning signs and heard boss sirens when I saw the price tag. This stand-alone may be a must-have for collectors, but The Cozmic Revelation collection seems to be the best way to experience Darius. If the series wants to make a splash, hopefully, we get a new entry.

Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 2 is a collection of leftovers and interesting oddities at best. Baseball and tennis are a lot of fun, but not for the full price of admission. If you’re getting into the Neo Geo Pocket library for the first time, then you’re better off just enjoying Vol. 1 instead. The handheld didn’t have a vast library, to begin with, and so Vol. 2 feels like slim pickings.

Toy Soldiers HD is a competent preservation of a classic Xbox Live Arcade Game. Even with an HD coat of paint, this release feels far less memorable than the game we saw over a decade ago. The single-player has plenty of content enhanced by a uniquely charming presentation and art style. Still, the tower defense gameplay can only stay fresh for so long before it runs thin. There’s hardly going to be an active online community for this one, so unless you’ve found some players to connect with, there won’t be much to keep you hooked.

Touhou: New World is an interesting Touhou Project adventure that builds out these characters’ personalities for a Yokai-infested adventure. The customization and narrative make up the best moments of the experience, while the combat is kept to a mindless button mash until you get to the boss and have to use your entire arsenal. While fans would enjoy the commendable character roster, there’s no rush to play this. So, pick it up today or in a couple of years; this game will wait for you.

Stonefly provides an intriguing premise that lends itself to strange and fantastical gameplay. With an emphasis on aerial piloting, the combat and exploration give ample control while not feeling too fast for the laid-back spirit. While it can be confusing to shuffle through the various materials, power-up formulas can be brute-forced when necessary. Stonefly smartly lets the player control its tempo without lingering for too long, which appeals to all kinds of gamers.

Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger’s Requiem is now preserved on modern hardware. The good and bad of it is that it hasn’t aged too well, but the challenge is up there for any masochist who wants to take on. But on that same note, you can play through on a lesser difficulty and enjoy the beautiful illustrations and gothic narrative. It’s rare to find a new gaming experience that borrows from early Castlevania titles, so if you’re eager to test your 2D action skills, you’ll find more than a few moments of fun here.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Remastered attempts to bring the 2002 classic back to life with improved visuals and a nostalgic storyline. However, the game’s archaic combat mechanics, clunky controls, and unrewarding bounty system may deter modern players. While fans of the original may find some enjoyment in revisiting Jango Fett’s journey, the overall experience feels outdated and lacks the refinement needed for a successful remaster. For most, this title might be better left in the past.

Atlas Fallen can be a welcome palate cleanser in the midst of large-scale releases, with resemblances to older action games. There’s a sort of nostalgia here for crowds who desire these experiences. However, while the exploration and sense of discovery are outstanding, most other elements, like the story, character writing, and excess customization, make it fall short, crafting a passable, if forgettable, experience.

In the game’s current state, Shadowgun War Games is incomplete. Really what this game needs is to rapidly push out whatever characters they have lined up or at least release them all at once. Additional game modes wouldn’t hurt either. The battle pass should probably be temporarily shut down as well since it’s not offering much. Oh well, time to play something else.

Metal Unit takes chances on the roguelike genre by making the player feel like an absolute powerhouse. The variety of different items, loadouts, upgrades, and exploration-based stages makes the experience enjoyable for hours. Although it has a nonsensical narrative with a control scheme that does become uncomfortable over time, it offers enough unique features to be a worthy roguelike.

Ikai is a light horror experience providing genuinely qualitative puzzle design. Unfortunately, its presentation is somewhat lacking, and its brief playtime may not be enough to satiate some crowds aside from scant collectibles. Regardless, if you’re yearning for a simple but effective horror title, you could do much worse than Ikai.

Front Mission 2: Remake is, unsurprisingly, a remake of Front Mission 2. If you enjoyed the original, you’ll likely appreciate the remake. However, there isn’t much else to justify this release. The story is intriguing, but even the most dedicated fans of clunky, slow-paced video games may struggle to endure the RNG-heavy combat. This is especially concerning, considering it’s supposed to be the second of three Front Mission remakes. After the quality of the first two, there’s skepticism about whether the remake of Front Mission 3 will retain its essence.

In its early moments, Windbound had my attention, and I was completely ready to discover more about this world. However, after the first chapter, I was left mostly disappointed with the lack of execution the game provides through the systems it introduces. A rather tedious travel system enhanced this feeling. Through its colorful scenery and a heartwarming soundtrack, are some decent experiences to be found, with the help of some fine-tuning. Perhaps in the hands of the more diehard survival game fans, Windbound may catch a breeze, but it never truly set sail for me.

Arrest of a Stone Buddha requires patience from its players; without that, it loses all of its core concepts. Still, getting passed the lengthy in-game day cycles are merely rewarded with shootouts full of cheap deaths and confusing mechanics. It attempts to add a layer of immersion that doesn’t really work as a game since the fundamental interactions with the world aren’t all that interesting...Sure, the soundtrack and art direction capture the depressing atmosphere, but other parts of the game aren’t as effective. There are definitely some good ideas and commendable risks taken here, but sadly they don’t come together to achieve the emotional impact intended.

Mazm: The Phantom Of The Opera is an extremely good adaptation that turns the classic novel into an enjoyable adventure game, and updates it for the modern audience. It faithfully recreates what the original story did well and improves upon what didn’t stick as much. Whether you’ve only heard the name of the story or you’ve seen multiple variations of the tale, you’re sure to get something out of this title, despite the strange lag.

Scars Above is a messy experience with some excellent sci-fi writing. I became lost several times due to the lack of direction and found the enemy placement haphazard and frustrating. The game fails in too many ways as a third-person shooter but does pass as an adventure with light puzzle-solving. Ultimately, it feels like a mixing pot of systems that don’t work together, but that challenge may be enough for some players to see through to the end.

Varlet is a short, stylish JRPG from FuRyu that mixes high school drama with dungeon crawling and light social sim elements. While its character chemistry and boss battles shine, predictable systems and uneven pacing hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Corruption 2029 is a tactical RPG that requires players to take their time during encounters. Meticulous planning and strategy are vital to overcoming enemies, but it’s this speed of gameplay that might deter fans of more in-your-face approaches to combat. Still, the game’s narrative fits the atmosphere for an excellent adventure worth the price of entry.

If you’re a prospective newcomer, I recommend playing the other titles before this one since its cast and depiction of the world are substantially better appreciated with context. Though, you won’t be lost if you choose this as your opening avenue.

Aragami 2 will surely scratch any itch that you’re looking for within the stealth action genre. Laying waste to unsuspecting enemies with your buddies and jumping from rooftop to rooftop provides a certain sense of satisfaction. Unfortunately, however, the other systems can’t keep up with this action, leaving the narrative, AI, and overall game loop to simply exist in hopes the play doesn’t get lost in the shadows.

Galeb, Emem, and Leysha have compelling enough stories to keep players invested despite these problems, even if it is difficult to find your next destination at times, or you find that you have built each of them in the same way. I know this game has the potential to rise above and give fans an exciting vampire narrative.

Despite its flaws, Seven Pirates H is an addictive and fun adventure. Underneath the fanservice exterior is a cute RPG, just don’t go into this expecting anything challenging or remotely intellectually stimulating and you’ll find yourself having fun.

Infliction has some decent moments of storytelling, and the themes that it highlights are impactful. But my interest in those aspects dwindled every time I encountered a glitch or audio cutout. Infliction tends to fall apart shortly after it begins since it's impossible to look past this poor quality.

Those who stick out Forspoken until the end may derive enjoyment from how certain elements were tackled like I did, though, ultimately, it’s all too little too late. At the very least, exploring the open world and completing optional tasks after completing the story can be fun, albeit in brief doses, since there’s not much of interest within the environments.

Hellpoint ends up being for Soulslike fans who are just dying for more experiences within the genre, but if that doesn’t describe you, then you’ll be disappointed. The sci-fi nature of the game and its story offering allows it to find its footing right before it ultimately falls apart from its uninspired gameplay. There’s a decent experience to be found during some late-game plot offerings, but that will require you to be invested past the first boss, which is asking a lot.

Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition is a unique, mystical adventure that will scratch the right itches for players who desire an artistic reprieve from the norm of tried and true action games. While the puzzles can become somewhat taxing and repetitious, the wordless story and enchanting world are more than enough reasons for open-minded players to jump in and see what this game is all about.

Summer in Mara is a whimsical adventure that doesn’t require the player to micromanage their days. The balance of exploration, discovery, and farming-sim elements make this a charming way to spend an afternoon. Still, the repetition of it all will make long play sessions dull. While direction and pacing can be confusing, this game is exceptionally approachable to anyone looking for a farming-sim adventure with a low barrier or entry.

Tales of Symphonia is a brilliant action JRPG that set a precedent for the genre. Even all these years later, its engrossing storytelling, vast array of side activities, character interaction, and layers of combative options all coalesce to make it a must-experience adventure. Yet, as a remaster, this specific release fails to hit the mark, ultimately providing a lackluster and disappointing resurgence that could have been so much more.

The Gex Trilogy will certainly not appeal to your everyday platforming fans, since not only is the protagonist not exactly conventional in his humorous appeal, but the games themselves haven't aged like fine wines, either. Still, those who can take the shortcomings in stride will discover that these titles have an endearing sense of honesty encompassing their level designs that you can't help but appreciate in retrospect.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a genuinely unique horror game with all the fixings for a campy and spooky gameplay experience. Like any horror movie, you'll be asking, "Why are you going in there!?" but it's all part of the show. The remastered efforts shine, even if the narrative isn't winning any awards. If anything, this game teaches you that only good-looking people can be ghost hunters.

There are definitely good ideas here that could be polished even further into a phenomenal game, but the state of it now doesn’t make me care about the island or the people who live in it. Instead, they feel like window dressing for a single mini-game that gets dull after a few hours in.

With a wave of retro-inspired games released, it seems only fitting that an actual retro game finally gets some needed attention after all these years. Ultracore is like a time capsule of what made this genre so fun and addicting, however, the platforming mechanics didn’t age as well as the shooting action. Still, it’s clear from the first moments that this release was a labor of love and I am glad to have finally had the opportunity to play it.

Arcadian Atlas is a brilliant love letter to the SRPG greats. While its inspirations are easy to spot, the narrative immerses players in this world across a story of love, honor, and loss. Every system lends to the depth of combat that evolves across the entire campaign. The result is an experience unrivaled in this space, where players are challenged during battles, but their emotional attachment to these characters keeps them pushing forward. Some quality-of-life updates are needed to fine-tune the menu navigation, but the wait for this release was genuinely worth it.

Kao The Kangaroo is platformer comfort food, not boasting any exceptional traits but still managing to be a genuinely enjoyable time for crowds desiring a simple, low-stakes experience. The engaging puzzles and varying aesthetics aid in keeping the stages somewhat diverse in execution, though the superficiality of the powerups and combat needlessly pads out these areas. Moreover, the subpar voice acting and lackadaisical narrative don’t ruin the package, though they’re certainly aspects players won’t be clamoring for more of as they progress. Regardless, it’s a fun time if you’re yearning to punch stuff as a kangaroo.

There’s a lot packed in Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness, but it will take someone willing to play through the 5-hour opening to discover it. However, the original story and challenging survival gameplay elements of Deep in Abyss will have you invested in your quest to be a White Whistle for hours. This is definitely a step in the right direction for game adaptations of anime, as the quality of the systems and added dub options make it a must-play for fans.

Spy x Anya: Operation Memories is a charming and engaging family game that captures the heartwarming spirit of the beloved anime series. With its photo-based gameplay, fans can enjoy adorable scenes and interactions with the Forger family, making it a delightful experience for gamers of all ages.

Dokapon Kingdom: Connect remains a friend-ruining RPG board game experience that mirrors its PS2 counterpart. The unique mini-games and systems return to bring this unconventional party game to modern players. Playing with friends is still fun over a decade later, and the online options make it even more accessible. Still, its nuanced systems and limited new gameplay features may make it more of a novelty than a game with significant staying power.

Chocobo GP isn’t the Chocobo racer from my past, but it is just as whimsically unique as ever. I’m still unsure if it’s a game for children or older Final Fantasy fans; maybe it falls somewhere between. There’s some balance needed, and the tracks have no identity, but you’re playing a game where a bird is wearing rollerblades, so find fun in that. Just be sure to turn down the volume when you get to the menu; oh god, now the song is stuck in my head again.

Sleep Awake is a moody and inventive psychological horror game that experiments with storytelling and visual style. While it offers a unique blend of mixed media aesthetics and surreal atmosphere, its gameplay lacks depth and its narrative pacing often stumbles. As Katja navigates a fractured reality where sleep means death, the game’s haunting tone and inventive moments keep players intrigued, even as structure and interaction falter.

Yars Rising revitalizes the classic Yars' Revenge with a fresh Metroidvania twist. WayForward has modernized the gameplay, introducing dynamic puzzle mechanics, engaging platforming sections, and charming character writing. While some elements like backtracking and combat variety could use improvement, the quirky protagonist Emi and the game’s clever integration of hacking puzzles make it a fun experience.

Felix the Cat serves as a trip down memory lane, offering a compilation of classic platformers starring the iconic animated character. While the games themselves are faithful to their originals and showcase the charm and variety of Felix's magical adventures, the overall package feels somewhat lacking. The absence of innovative gameplay and additional content, coupled with the limited appeal of Felix to modern audiences, might make this compilation more suited for nostalgic fans or collectors interested in video game history.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light provides a look back at the humble beginnings of this SRPG series that continues to find new fans to this day. It shows its age in systems and visuals, but the added options to speed up the experience and save anywhere makes it accessible for non-seasoned retro gamers. This is a game that I’m glad made it to this generation, at least to preserve its official western release.

Alone in the Dark is the best thing that has happened to this series in a very long time. It presents this supernatural and strange narrative in a modern light that doesn't overshadow the campy and over-the-top presentation of the original. Still, I feel like the developers are playing it safe here with the gameplay systems, including the underutilized dual protagonist concept. Regardless, the low barrier of entry ensures that anyone playing feels immersed in this world, and a sequel can build on the excellent foundation of this revival.

Mythwrecked presents an original take on the Greek pantheon that turns them into likeable, relatable people with grounded issues, and a very solid gameplay loop that makes the entire thing go down smoothly. Unfortunately, it's hampered by a lack of narrative emphasis and a main character that doesn't get much of her own development.

Edens Zero is a flawed but endearing action RPG that blends heartfelt storytelling with expansive exploration and light RPG mechanics. While hampered by dated visuals and performance hiccups, its character-driven charm and rewarding gameplay loop make it a worthwhile experience for fans and curious newcomers alike.

Romero Games’ step into this strategic genre is a brave and bold one that has certainly paid off. Empire of Sin perfectly captures the feeling of Chicago in the 1920s and delivers a tight, tactical experience that plays itself in such a way that this title will easily be spoken about in the same light as XCOM – but perhaps even beyond that, due to the deep, unique tycoon elements, it has to offer.

The potential for Curse of the Sea Rats was high, and the opening moments were exceptionally promising. Unfortunately, it fails to encourage players to explore the world with repetitive questlines and a lack of skills. The diverse cast does little to move the narrative in any way, which is a shame because they have the potential to be more than pallet swaps. Still, the experience is gorgeous, and the combat animations deliver a nostalgic punch to keep you pressing forward.

SkateBIRD is a serene and meditative experience but relies a little too heavily on nostalgia with its design while removing any real challenge. Controls hindered the opportunity to get more out of this experience, and I found my bird spent more time rolling on the ground than around on the skateboard. The mission, dialogue, and overall narrative were fun to uncover but isn’t there enough to sustain your interest after completion, essentially clipping the wings of replayability.

Madden NFL 21 is a strange beast. It is the same fun football experience that millions of players have come to love, yet I still expected a little more from it. While it features refined gameplay and fun game modes, its lackluster story mode and plethora of graphical glitches don’t reflect what a game releasing this year should look like. The online modes will keep you playing through various simulation and customizable options, but most of this is just more of the same in comparison to what has already been delivered. If you’re a seasoned Madden fan looking for your yearly fix of football goodness, I doubt Madden NFL 21 will disappoint you, but that doesn’t mean it’s a flawless experience.

Ogre Tale is more than just your standard everyday beat ’em up as it has some of the best character writing in the genre. It’s a game that you can take at your own pace and will consistently provide you with new items and upgrades after each mission. The game could use some difficulty balancing and additional controller support, but nothing really takes away from the overall fun experience. The saddest part is, when it’s over, your left wishing you can hang out with these characters just a little bit longer.

Bloodrayne Betrayal Fresh Bites is a title that deserved this re-release to get it in front of new players. Combat is initially fun and easy to grasp, and the gorgeous art is enough to get anyone into the door. However, once you are there, the slightly inconsistent art style of the protagonist and easy trivialization of the combat; makes this title hard for me to recommend outside of players looking to give themselves a challenge intentionally.

While it doesn't necessarily break new ground compared to its genre contemporaries, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is a well-crafted action roguelite that wholeheartedly embraces its strengths. Alongside an exceptional combat flow and meaningful weapon customization, evocative character arcs shine with memorable individuality. Even if the title's greatest avenues of potential, namely the boss variety, aren't reached, this is still a worthwhile triple adventure for action enthusiasts.

Survival Kids on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a charming yet highly simplified co-op adventure aimed squarely at young children, offering basic problem-solving and guided exploration that may leave older fans of the original series feeling underwhelmed.

God of Rock is a unique experiment in taking two highly technical genres and mixing them up. Though it’s sometimes an enchanting title, the frustrations can be tremendous as it hardly offers any leeway for newcomers to get into the meat of the game. The game may annoy even those familiar with the genres due to how convoluted this unlikely hotpot ends up, but this is still a unique experience you won’t be able to find anywhere else, and it’s worth a try.

Hood: Outlaws and Legends can be a lot of fun. The heist gameplay is best when you have a party of friends who communicate and coordinate the attack, allowing the multiplayer heavy game modes to provide much of the enjoyment. Still, there’s a lack of polish in this adventure, but more importantly, a lack of content. Adding new weapons, levels, collectibles, and challenges could add value to the experience. For what is, Hood: Outlaws and Legends delivers an innovative multiplayer experience, especially for all those heist aficionados out there.

If you’re new to roguelikes, Lone Ruin’s brevity and simplicity might make it worth a look; if the price is right for you, that is. Unfortunately, its issues with variety and a lackluster arsenal of spells, items, and upgrades hamper the experience. Nevertheless, it tried its best to strike that balance of elements, and I think it’s a commendable effort from a small dev team. To me, though, this doesn’t excel or evolve the roguelike formula in any unique or engaging way and, overall, comes across as a bit hollow and unremarkable.

Poison Control is an unexpected enjoyable gaming experience. The result is a game that only lacks in areas where I wanted more, including enemy variety and stage layout. However, that doesn’t hinder just how addicting this adventure is, which I hope acts as a foundation for a sequel. I may not be the biggest fan of shooters, but Poison Control takes the genre and presents it in a way that could expand the fanbase. If you can’t get behind that, well, the cleaning aspect is just as satisfying.

Lost Ember is a great narrative adventure that acts as a wonderful game to play over an evening. However, the Switch version lacks the beauty found in the other versions. It’s ultimately something that holds this version back because the visuals are a key feature of what makes this such a memorable game. Ultimately, Lost Ember is a game that you should play, but maybe not on the Switch.

Disintegration seemed to be in a hurry to introduce itself to the world, and this ended up hurting its campaign. The plot won’t hold your attention, but the unique gameplay mechanics of FPS and RTS systems will surely keep you invested across each map. When it works, Disintegration is a hell of a fun time. Here’s to hoping that the multiplayer mode evolves with the community.

Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue is fun for about an hour. Then you’ll realize that you’ve seen much of what the game has to offer and must now focus on upgrading and surviving. The rollout of the narrative is appreciated, but this game does have a pacing problem. It doesn’t know if it wants to be a pick-up and play arcade firefighter game or a simulation time sink where most of the fun comes after multiple hours. There’s no doubt some potential here, but I’d wait for a few updates before rushing into this burning building.

In brief moments of gameplay, Potion Party is a lot of fun. Going in expecting more than satisfying short burst of excitement might be a letdown. Its charming visuals and addicting gameloop provide enough to warrant mixing up a few potions and opening up shop, but I couldn’t help but want a bit more variety in the core design.

Mugen Souls Z may be a product of its time, but the West has finally received the full experience. The story is downright insane in a brilliant way, but the gameplay has definitely not aged well. The added DLC and mini-game definitely make this a release for all niche JRPG enthusiasts, as your 10-year-long wait has paid off, and you can finally take these hilarious girls to the bathhouse.

Never7: The End of Infinity Remastered brings Kotaro Uchikoshi’s early work to a new audience, blending romance, mystery, and mind-bending twists. While it may not be as polished as later Infinity titles, its influence on the visual novel genre is undeniable, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.

Onee Chanbara Origin is a hack-and-slash that does nothing more than any other hack-and-slash available. It’s best moments are the fluid and fast action when you’re cutting through hordes of enemies at a smooth frame rate with oceans of blood spraying all over. The series seems to be having an identity crisis about how it wants to continue. It needs to make a choice, keep the bikinis and have a bit of more campy fun with these characters, or lose them entirely and create a more polished action experience.

If you can get through the fetch quests and borderline walking simulator elements, then The Good Life has an intriguing narrative for you to unravel and enjoy. It’s charming and unique in its own way, with its goofy presentation and silly supernatural elements. Maybe it’s the good life that SWERY65 had always imagined.

Infinite Guitars fails to establish a cast of characters you care about, which is enhanced by the gameplay that puts the spotlight on JJ, leaving the supporting members to be the backup dancers. There’s little staying power for the cast, and the respective nature of various systems causes tour fatigue much too early. You’ll stay for the punk rock presentation, but you won’t be requesting an encore.

Lost Soul Aside is indisputably not for everybody. But for those who click with its systems, they're in for a compelling gameplay-driven time reminiscent of PlayStation 2-era hack 'n' slashes. If you have been actively following the development of this title since its announcement, then I can undoubtedly understand the sheer disappointment you may feel. Yet, those not burdened with that level of expectation can vibe with Lost Soul Aside's messily ambitious combat-first heart.

World’s End Club is a product of some of the greatest minds in adventure storytelling. The story of the Go-Getters Club will emotionally move you in many ways through the narrative, only to be held back by unresponsive and limited platforming gameplay segments. It acts as a way for this team to step outside of their comfort zone while still being influenced by their strengths to create an unforgettable story of friendship and hope. Sadly, it requires players to look past quite a bit to fully enjoy.

Slitterhead exemplifies what an indie developer with ambitious ideas can achieve within limited means. Where one system falters, another aspect of the game steps up, maintaining a balance between innovation and feasibility. While more resources could have enhanced the combat and voice acting, Slitterhead ultimately succeeds as a character-driven horror game with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere. For fans of narrative-driven horror, Slitterhead is a captivating experience that breaks the mold.

Fatal Fury: First Contact may not make you a fan of the NeoGeo Pocket fighters due to its lack of additional content, but there is a rather enjoyable fighter for those looking for a nostalgia trip. The animations and pixel designs are gorgeous, but I couldn’t help but want more to do.

Monster Menu: The Scavenger’s Cookbook mixes survival, rogue-lite, and strategy RPG in an experimental product that’s just the sort of thing we come to expect from NIS. Unfortunately, the repetitive nature of the level design, the limited crafting systems, and the slow character evolution hinder the experience a little and keep it from shining as the unique, innovative rogue-lite it should have been.

Creature Keeper stands next to the solo-developed indie greats that came before. The synergy of systems that all work seamlessly together across the entire adventure shows an unnatural talent to reel in indie ambitious and focus on what makes this game fun and unique. The narrative rivals other retro adventures that open with an unassuming quest that uncovers so much more about the region and characters, creating a playing experience that I will gush about for years to come. Menu navigation and other quality of life adjustments are needed, but I can’t deny that I was having an amazing time discovering Creature Keeper. Now, time to listen to the soundtrack again.

Mato Anomalies is a unique and messy experience from beginning to end. You’ll never know what the narrative is going to throw at you. I felt no connection to the main protagonist or his quest to save this city, but I enjoyed the battle system and dungeon-crawling aspect enough to stick to Chapter 7, which wasn’t easy. However, there are a few solid gameplay mechanics here, and I hope the developers use what works to create something more focused.

Souls of Chronos is in desperate need of quality updates. However, the core of its RPG tabletop narrative design is the highlight of the adventure. Still, the entire gameplay experience becomes a chore, and you’ll find it hard to care during the late-game plot twists because you likely stopped reading hours before the credits rolled. Hopefully, the developers refocus on what they do well, which happens to be storytelling. Drop the action and give us a murder mystery visual novel.

Despite its flaws, Lust from Beyond is an inspired adventure horror game that utilizes its atmosphere to deliver a unique experience. The world itself is compelling, and the horror is great up until the conclusion. For the price of admission, I would say that this is still worth your time as long as you enjoy the journey more than the destination.

Flying Red Barrel – The Diary of a Little Red Aviator is a fairly average shmup that doesn’t do too much other than let you shoot down endless enemy ships. Outside of its charming presentation and unique boss encounters, there’s not much here to return to after you play through it a few times, even with the multiple endings. Still, if you’re a fan of 100% Orange Juice, then you’ll probably enjoy the change of pace.

Seven Knights: Time Wanderer is a rather straightforward attempt at a JRPG with the inclusion of a unique active battle system. There’s a ton of room to grow here in terms of improved dungeon design, less repetitive encounters, and a more interesting gameloop. Still, the story is rather good, and the character interactions are reason enough to see the adventure through until the end.

Ashwalkers provides a great first impression through its atmosphere and mechanics, but each playthrough weighs on that experience. The repetitive nature of this adventure simply has you playing until you wear yourself out after so many of the different endings are similar to each other. These 2-hour game loops had me wishing for longer paths or something else because there’s a good foundation here but it’s repetitive nature ultimately leaves the adventure unfulfilling.

Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls is a port, and that’s pretty much where it stands. It doesn’t add anything new to the franchise or to dungeon crawlers in general, but it’s still a decent and entertaining game. The well-balanced RPG systems make this a high starting point for the Wizardry series, which doesn’t get enough attention in the west. The adventure retains its originality from almost ten years ago and opens the possibility of other ports in the future.

The Walking Dead Onslaught is an awesome VR experience that centers around these characters that mean so much to fans of the show. The developer did a great job adapting the narrative of the show with an original story that feels like it could be its own episode. Killing Walkers has never been more fun, and I would happily go on another supply run again, even if it means encountering some random glitches.

Panorama Cotton isn’t a fun game, and what may have once been a technical showpiece for the Sega Genesis simply has no relevance today. This probably isn’t something you want to play; regardless of the cute character sprites, enjoyment takes a dive moments into the experience. You’re better off playing Space Harrier.

The enjoyable moments become dampened by the inane control scheme and inconsistent pacing. It’s unfortunate that there was such a tug-of-war between immersion and complete disengagement. In a way, Daydream is a fitting name, as my moments of joy and peace kept getting interrupted as I popped back to reality, making this experience become a gradually-fading memory.

Digimon World Next Order feels and plays fantastically on the Nintendo Switch. But unfortunately, it relies on you being familiar with its established gameplay mechanics, which can be daunting for newcomers. Despite the newly added Beginner Mode and Dash features, I feel like this iteration of the digital world is targeted toward longtime fans or new ones who have a lot of time to learn its many nuances. Still, the portability of the Switch makes this perfect for western gamers raising Digimon on the go.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires is a great representation of the Empires series with a few modern elements to entice seasoned players. Its strategic systems are addicting, with combat being delightfully simple, instilling the gratifying sense of mayhem the franchise is known for. It’s a moderately enjoyable time-sink, yet it lacks an identity that can make it difficult to recommend to casual series fans who want more out of their experience. At the very least, Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires isn’t an erroneous existence like the original Dynasty Warriors 9 since it provides genuine entertainment, even if not sincerely lasting.

Deiland Pocket Planet Edition is a shallow farming sim that provides you with very base-level quests that don’t really amount to anything memorable. The monotony of completing the quests and watching over crops never becomes more complex or challenging, weighing on the adventure’s lasting factor. There’s little here to experience after a few hours of gameplay, but it’s still a charming indie offering that doesn’t grow into the rose that I had hoped for.

Double Dragon Revive attempts to modernize a legendary beat’em up franchise with a story-driven approach and expanded mechanics, but stumbles due to its inconsistent execution. The game features flashy illustrations and an enjoyable combat loop, yet suffers from imbalanced systems and technical roughness that undermine the experience. While fans may appreciate the nostalgic elements and replayable content, the lack of polish makes it hard to recommend over more refined alternatives.

What Happened gives you very little reason to even care about answering that question. The narrative is consistently flimsy as you dive into the mind of an unlikeable protagonist. There are very few moments of redemption with some well-detailed environments and clever transitions, but that is not nearly enough to keep you invested. If the motion sickness doesn’t get you to turn the game off, then the self-deprecating storyline and in-your-face symbolism will cause you to roll your eyes to sleep in no time.