Plants vs Zombies: Replanted offers a faithful yet cautious return to PopCap's iconic tower defense formula. While the core gameplay remains charming and the co-op features add fresh appeal, the overall package feels underwhelming for returning fans. Enhanced visuals and accessibility are welcome, but new modes and questionable art choices muddy the experience.

Curios Expedition 2 is a roguelike that would probably be lots of fun to play on a video chat with friends, voting on actions as a group, and watching the chaos unfold. Otherwise, it’s an enjoyable exploration game with a host of unique features that lets you put your mind to the test without too much stress unless you want it to be.

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.

Tales of Luminaria would have benefited from a beta period where the development team could have heard and addressed concerns before launch, but they seem to be listening. The bigger issue is that you only get one first impression, and while the scope of this project for its platform is notably impressive, it’s just not much to write home about right now. Tales of Luminaria will be getting weekly episode updates, which is sorely needed because of the lack of launch content. Ultimately, it needs more polish and genuine care to shine as best as it can.

It can be entertaining, but you’ll probably want to play something else once the novelty wears off a year later. Due to the catering of this particular audience, the fact that there are no signs of this arcade cabinet ever coming West in an official manner, and the fact that a good chunk of Ace Angler: Fishing Spirit’s game modes are a matter of luck rather than skill makes this just a very frustrating game overall unless you aren’t bothered by the randomness of it.

Calamity Angels: Special Delivery is a charming new IP that blends board game inspired dungeon crawling with light JRPG combat. Its underdog story and expressive cast carry the experience, with strong voice performances and comedic writing giving personality to nearly every scene. However, shallow systems, repetitive encounters, and awkward quality of life decisions keep it from reaching its full potential. While the foundation shows promise, especially in its character work and unique structure, the overall package feels like a solid first step rather than a fully realized breakout hit.

Fate/Samurai Remnant Record Fragment: Keian Command Championship is really only for those really desperate for more content, as the DLC itself isn't particularly memorable in most of its gameplay or narrative applications. The few standout scenes and unique Caster route don't necessarily make it worthwhile.

Hotel Barcelona is a wild, unfiltered roguelike horror-action experience from the minds of Swery65 and Suda51. Packed with creative chaos, the game delivers a surreal narrative, inventive systems, and unapologetically janky gameplay that somehow keeps pulling you back in. Despite technical hiccups and clunky combat mechanics, its relentless pace and bizarre charm make it a standout for fans of experimental indies.

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.

SaDistic Blood is a visual novel that appeals to a very particular audience. I am not that audience. It’s a relatively short, horny, gory, torture porny VN made for people who, well, enjoy that. It gets points for having a strong visual style and being honest about it, but the target audience is exceptionally niche. Only enter if you want this, and expect your stomach tested. Those who wish to play without the gore can expect a patch to release soon, which removes those sections but leaves in the H-content.

STARBITES is a scrappy sci-fi JRPG with an engaging lead character, rewarding boss battles, and surprisingly rich worldbuilding beneath its rough exterior. While the turn-based combat system shows flashes of strategic depth, repetitive dungeon design, shallow regular encounters, and dated presentation prevent the adventure from reaching its full potential. Fans of shorter retro-inspired RPGs may still find charm in its heartfelt cast and bleak post-war setting, but the experience often feels stuck between nostalgic homage and underdeveloped ambition.

Gears of Dragoon: Fragments of a New Era offers a fascinating blend of adult content and intricate storytelling, accompanied by a somewhat complex RPG experience. While the game has its lows, such as a lack of tutorials and occasionally repetitive dungeons, it manages to leave a good impression with its well-written narrative, diverse characters, and captivating fantasy elements. Whether you’re here for the romantic entanglements, the challenging battles, or the intriguing character customization, this game has something to offer.

Strawberry Vinegar ends up being incredibly straight forward if not a little messy with some of its story elements. I thought the writing was comical and engaging, but then the pacing would be hurt by Rie’s unbalanced characteristics and overly mature attitude. In the end, it’s a visual novel about food and friendship, and you’ll get plenty of that here.

Mega Man X DiVE Offline is an unusual game to review. I wouldn’t label it as “good,” and I wouldn’t recommend it to newcomers to the franchise. Given its nature as a collection of Mega Man characters, it’s evident that this game is designed for fans. Nevertheless, I can’t help but appreciate it on principle. For the sake of preservation and making the game accessible to those who dislike gacha experiences, Mega Man X DiVE Offline is a commendable effort, showing that all gacha titles should offer offline versions so that both contemporary and future audiences can enjoy them without the burden of excessive monetization.

Crysis Remastered is not the best way to play Crysis, but it isn’t a terrible port. Still, calling the Switch version a “remaster” is a bit of a stretch. You’ll have to look past the dated visuals of the experience and maybe a few technical bugs, but if you’re looking to play Crysis on the go you’re covered. However, if you can wait, it might be better to wait for a more powerful console release (or just play it on PC).

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.

Sonic Colors Ultimate‘s gameplay loop is enjoyable and boasts high replayability. However, the Tails Save implementation, boss battles, and some Wisp power utilization slow this speedy adventure down to a crawl. It’s undeniably fun, but never trips up the moment you find your pace. Here’s to looking forward to new Sonic adventures in the future...Yes, that was a plea for a new Sonic Adventures.

Boomerang X is a speedrunner’s delight, but it seems to forget casual action fans. After the first playthrough, you’re free to refine your skills, but there’s not much to do thereafter. The beautiful environments beg to be explored but offer no reward or discovery, which is a missed opportunity. There’s little denying how fun this game is, but I couldn’t help but want more.

It’s no doubt that Into the Pit draws heavy influence from the Doom franchise, with its old-school graphics, fast-paced shooting, and rock and roll heavy background music, but the core gameplay loop makes it hard to recommend as a rogue-like. It’s fully functional and fluid with snippets of fun thanks to its brief runs, but its lack of variation for dungeons, weapons, and bosses makes it difficult to stand out from others in the genre.

Ravenlok is a surface-level action experience but a memorable fantasy adventure. It does its best to balance these genres for seasoned gamers to appreciate, but the target audience will likely be younger players. That’s not to say I didn’t find beauty in this fairy tale. The characters and world design leave a lasting impression making this a great way to cap off the Voxel Trilogy.

Sadly, most of the time players will be spending with A New Power Awakens: Part 1 will likely be spent grinding senseless battles to get to the main event against Beerus. However, the fight and how the game presents it isn’t interesting enough to warrant going back to the game for. Unless you are really clamoring for more Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot content, it might be best to wait until the second part of the DLC is out for a complete experience.

Arashi Gaiden blends turn-based tactics with fast-paced ninja action in a bold, stylistic package. While its innovative hybrid gameplay and striking visuals shine, technical hiccups and unclear mechanics hold it back from true greatness.

Lost Ruins manages to stand out from others in the genre and establish itself as a unique experience. The masterclass of pixel artwork alongside the conceptually engaging gameplay ideas more than shows that much effort and care went into this adventure. Still, implementation is everything, and sadly, Lost Ruins doesn’t seem to have a clear idea of what it wants to be. Opting instead to throw everything at a wall and see what sticks.

If the Voice of Cards series continues, I hope they either refine the gameplay systems or undergo a major enough shakeup to breathe new life for returning players. Still, if you enjoyed the last two games, this one will likely be up your alley and is worth considering. Though, those who were not drawn in beforehand won’t find anything to compel them this time around either.

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.

Loop8: Summer of Gods is a gorgeous and ambitious JRPG that introduces unique elements to the genre but doesn’t know how to properly mix them to deliver a cohesive and memorable experience. The narrative gets insanely good, but I wish it didn’t take several loops to figure that out. Sadly, the limited quality-of-life features, strange battle system, and lack of character attachment make the entire experience more effort than it’s worth. However, if you look past that, you may find enjoyment in this one-of-a-kind JRPG that took some commendable chances on the genre.

While I’m sure plenty of people enjoy the constant references to the Fire Emblem series and the heavy use of tropes, the bulk of the experience wasn’t satisfying. I enjoyed the combat, even with difficulty, but the time mechanic added a surprising amount of stress that wasn’t enjoyable. In addition, for every character interaction I enjoyed, there were two that I found grating at best. Studio Daimon certainly did a great job forging a game they can be proud of as fans of Fire Emblem, but it will not resonate well with everyone.

For a video game to demand the player derive their own meaning from it is asking a lot. This makes Sky: Children of the Light a challenging proposition even as a free release on Switch. For many, it may be a few hours of wandering about before they are put off by the aimlessness of it all. Still, at least for its niche audience, they will likely self-select into this unique gaming community. Sky is a pointless online video game experience driven by the player’s own subjective interpretation, but that’s perhaps the entire point.

Aquanox Deep Descent is a beautiful follow up to a series that many may have forgotten about over the years. However, it was clearly made on a budget, which seemed to hurt a few of the game’s more necessary modes. Boring supporting characters, lacking enemy environment, and a subpar coop mode won’t make any new series fans. However, those who truly dive into what this game offers will find a responsive and atmospheric submarine shooter with a deep level of strategy.

8-Colors Star Guardians + showcases a unique twist on RPGs utilizing its eight-color pixel art style. Despite its limited palette, character designs are surprisingly rich, though visual appeal isn't its main strength. The game challenges players with strategic encounters, utilizing distinct abilities of different heroines. While the concept is captivating and action is fast-paced, the overall experience feels brief, potentially underwhelming for seasoned RPG enthusiasts. Added humor and Sentai influences bring charm, but can't quite make up for the game's short length and limited scope.

Fantasy Tavern Sextet Vol.2 continues that adventure and won’t leave any significant impact on you after the credits roll. The scenarios are becoming repetitive, but the character development and world-building make this one of the more palatable eroge available. If you aren’t reading for the story, though, I’d definitely wait for the PC version.

Tales of Crestoria has a lot to offer fans through its cast of characters and plot that could rival other series’ entries. However, the technical issues will leave you stuck in a loading screen as you experience constant frame drops during every battle. It ultimately made me wish the game was just released on console because, as of right now, I don’t find these unfair gacha systems appealing enough to warrant sitting through the game’s technical complications.

Last Stop serves up a strong narrative, mixing existentialism with the lives of ordinary people, but it forgets to be a game at some points. The interaction and story bits keep you invested at the cost of choices and navigation segments that do nothing for the adventure. At its best, Last Stop should be enjoyed as a casual narrative-focused experience, but asking anything more of it may have you exiting before the end of the line.

Honey*Honey*Honey! doesn’t make the most of its premise, and the tacked-on bonus scenes don’t make up for a rushed plot. Still, the over-the-top comedy and quality artwork make it an enjoyable enough read for lighthearted high school romance fans.

Yumeutsutsu Re:After is an exceptional Fandisc as it really improves on the shortcomings of its predecessor. There was a definite amount of attention put into the writing to develop these characters out further and expand on their relationships. Sure, these short yuri stories may only be composed by wholesome shenanigans and adorable illustrations, but Yumeutsutsu Re:After ended up being an enjoyable experience that’ll give you a pleasant 20 hours of reading time to sit back and relax to.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is extremely fun to play once through with your friends, but when you’re expected to play the same stages multiple times, the gameplay wains on the player. It becomes more tedious than anything because the stages themselves just aren’t that interesting. Playing higher difficulties provides more challenge to your crew, but it gets repetitive. You’re expected to want to do this for more gun customization, but that’s barely interesting. Regardless, I have to admit, shooting down waves of aliens with friends sure is entertaining.

River City Girls Zero is a fine and largely inexpensive preservation of a long-lost title from the massive Kunio-kun chronology, even if the actual title itself is far from being a lost classic that you need to play. At best, the game serves as an interesting origin story. So unless you’re a diehard completionist, then you’re probably better off just waiting for the eventual launch of River City Girls 2.

Skull and Bones is a decent experience and one that requires some longer-term analysis. As a live-service title, I disagree with the price point, but I expect that development costs factored heavily into it. Despite that, Skull and Bones has the potential to enter a golden age of piracy if it manages to usher in a wealth of new players. At its core, Skull and Bones is a fun tactical pirate ship experience, but it does need to continue adding content and bringing new players on board over time.

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.

Love on Leave knows what it is and will find its audience through its ecchi gameplay systems and humorous writing. However, that comes at the cost of a repetitive gameloop that doesn’t require any thought to reach the game’s various milestones. Still, if you’re looking for a casual, relaxing experience, you can’t really go wrong here but don’t go looking for any significant attachment to the characters.

There’s an analogy to be drawn here from comments made by the in-game characters about the appeal of idols. It’s not just about becoming a fan of someone who’s already talented and successful; it’s about following an idol as she develops her career. As someone who first played Idol Manager as a finished product, I don’t have that kind of emotional investment in the development process. But as in the game, hardcore and casual fans are attracted by different things, and that’s okay.

WWE 2K22 gives players a ton of content right out of the box and is backed by the lavish assets from the WWE archives. If you’re a wrestling fan, chances are you’re probably going to have fun diving into the various modes and match types. Although there’s no shortage of things to do or ways to play, having too many ideas often means that most of them aren’t executed to their full potential. At the heart of it all, this is a wrestling video game experience that feels inherently cumbersome, buggy, and dated.

Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~ is very much the product of love, and it shows in the story and character relationships that develop over this adventure. Each new area offers more challenges to overcome, but the biggest of them all will be navigating the menus and dealing with overpowered enemies. There are some significant quality-of-life updates needed here, but I can still see it infecting a few dungeon crawler fans through its difficulty and narrative.

For the most part, Startup Panic is clean, competent, and amusing. I wish I could say more than that about it, but I don’t feel like the game goes in hard enough on its premise. It’s fine if you’ve been looking for a new company-tycoon title (particularly one that does not involve you developing video games), but if what you’re looking for is biting satire of capitalism, it doesn’t commit hard enough to being that, and that wasted potential is what’s left me struggling to find anything to say about it.

Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection is a lovingly curated yet brutally honest preservation of one of gaming’s most chaotic mascots. Packed with extras and accessibility features, it faithfully captures every quirky, frustrating, and occasionally charming moment of Bubsy’s retro reign, frustration and all.

Risk System is a decent Switch shmup that offers short and sweet stages and unique boss encounters making it perfect for the console hybrid. Still, its boasted risk system could have been better implemented without the need for unfair deaths as you learn its nuances. Regardless, the challenge is addictive, albeit repetitive, and the lack of credits only forces you to jump right back in and try again.

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.

Sleepover: reWake is a heartfelt reimagining of the 2010 BL visual novel, modernized by BLits Games with updated visuals, voice acting, and a more emotionally grounded story. Despite its short runtime and some frustrating gameplay mechanics, reWake offers a worthwhile experience for BL fans seeking an intimate, character-driven story with a fresh presentation.

Far: Changing Tides offers a unique experience sailing across a drowned world. The world itself is beautiful and can draw you into it with its colors and mystery. Regrettably, the shallow gameplay, no story to speak of, and long periods doing nothing mar an experience that could have been memorable. Nevertheless, there is something here for those who want a calming adventure with little action. Sadly, I can’t see myself ever coming back to revisit this drowned world.

Root Film is an incredibly stylish and beautiful adventure visual novel held down by a few flimsy opening chapters. The pacing takes a dramatic hit due to a lack of direction, which caused me to step away several times. However, the second half is where the stars align and provide a solid and memorable conclusion to those who stick around.

Living in the Ending World is a neat concept and idea as it creates a survival experience within the classic text-based adventure genre. However, it ultimately feels like a demo that could potentially be a much bigger game someday. While it adds some unique ideas to the narrative adventure genre with survival and crafting elements, the entire experience is short-lived with fast RNG systems that work better on mobile devices. Living in the Ending World is a neat idea that I would love to see expanded more on.

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.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus offers a few new scenarios with these characters to warrant the price tag for fans wanting to spend more time with these characters. However, it was much easier to overlook the flaws in the writing and short runtime when the game was free. Although the twists and relationships are notable, I couldn’t help notice by the lack of direction of this updated content that added little to the experience.

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.

Abyss of the Sacrifice is a strange game because it’s got so many elements I absolutely adore. It’s a story-heavy experience with multiple protagonists and a unique setting but manages to constantly interrupt progression and not take advantage of its own systems. The puzzles are fun, but they were integrated only to hinder the overall pacing. You’ll probably have more fun if you want cute girls starring in a puzzle game instead of thinking about its other elements.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash packs fun moments across its limited set of mini-games. While I wish there were more content, what’s here has enough quality to warrant a few hours hanging out with Tokai, I mean the Horse Girls. The pixel art is gorgeous, and the in-game rewards with new characters on the way showcase that there are plenty of ways to enjoy this chaotic party game.

Island Diary is never incredibly moving or particularly hypnotizing or eventful. However, it still manages to be a casual-laid back time with a sense of distant urgency, regardless of its efficacy of utilization. The four characters in this title have enticing relationships and exchanges as they are undoubtedly the crux of the package at large. If you desire a quick, wholesome time with some cute girls overcoming petty and relationship-defining conflicts, this is the visual novel for you.

Tristia: Legacy is a cute simulation game, and I enjoyed my time with Nanoca Flanka and her friends. However, its issues hinder the experience significantly, so most players are less likely to have a good time. However, if you are fond of simulations and cute girls with book smarts, this old-school classic may still be for you.

Neko-Mimi Sweet Housemates Vol. 1 is a relaxing and vanilla adventure about one man, his “pet,” and her companions. Still, it offers little new to the genre, and yet, it was still an enjoyable narrative. I’d recommend it to fans of light-hearted romance and supernatural elements and those that feel like a wholesome rom-com.

Clocking in at around 4 hours of playtime, In His Time is clearly a labor of love, packed with themes and messages important to the developer. Its little puzzles are charming and do a good job of conveying a touching story despite a few issues in the sound choices and emotional moments getting lost in translation. However, should the particular thematics of In His Time not speak to you, this might not be the title for you.

Fantasy Tavern Sextet: Vol.3 Postlude Days is just more of the same. However, if you’ve made it this far then, you’ll be getting the best this series has to offer. At least we can say that it ended on a high note in terms of writing. However, the reused assets make this entry lack the grand finale feelings that I hoped for.

Slobbish Dragon Princess Love + Plus won’t change your mind about the series one way or the other, but it does well at providing quick and cute outings with these characters. It also establishes a nice support system for Takeru as his friends become closer and more understanding of their unique situation. It’s low-impact for sure, but if you couldn’t get enough of this slobbish dragon, well, here you go.

As a live-service title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will depend on consistent post-launch content to keep players coming back for more. When looking at the different aspects of the game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is fundamentally solid, though marred by a couple design choices. While the enjoyability of the genre and narrative are subjective, Rocksteady Studios does a solid job in balancing the story with the live-service aspect.

Knockout Home Fitness ultimately sets out and accomplishes what it’s trying to do. It’s a pretty entertaining workout experience that actually breaks a sweat. While I wish there was more to unlock and movement accuracy isn’t always consistent, it still had me invested in a daily workout. However, while Knockout Home Fitness isn’t on the ropes, it is not the undeniable champion either.

Bleach: Immortal Soul can become a real mess once you really get into the various modes and currency upgrades. The learning curve is steep here, but at the same time, it’s a streamlined affair to those only interested in reliving a classic anime series through the story mode. The main point being, this experience is incredibly average, but fans of the series will most likely find an appreciation fo the narrative, world, and characters. Here’s to the return of Bleach.

RPG Time: The Legend of Wright is a game that has already had a difficult time finding an audience on the Xbox. That can partially be blamed on the deluge of titles coming on Game Pass, but having now played it, I would also say that it’s a game unable to make it clear who it’s supposed to be for. There will absolutely be a niche community that bands around it for its charm and the genuine fun that can be had if you can manage to become immersed in it. It’s a unique and at times, genuinely charming and imaginative experience. But I think that many children will likely be turned away by an excess of dialogue and many adults by an excess of hand-holding. It leaves me torn between singing its praises and being frustrated by its shortcomings.

KukkoroDays is an incredibly average story that puts in a little bit of effort not just to be an ecchi visual novel. However, it’d be tough to catch that thanks to the game’s incredibly fast pacing. If you’re here for the qureate illustrations, then this is some of the best work they’ve put out, but the rest of the game will have you wishing that their storytelling was as good as their artwork.

I wanted to come away from The Artful Escape feeling inspired and changed, with a story to really mull over. I came into this four-to-five-hour experience with expectations set by early gameplay, and while some of them were met, I don't know that it does enough to really justify its choice of medium. It has got more than enough in terms of eye candy and audio bliss, but I can't confidently say that any of the other pieces manage to come together in this space oddity.

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.

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-Bit delivers a nostalgic tribute to the AVGN legacy, offering fans a familiar mix of crude humor, retro platforming, and deep-cut references. While it nails the atmosphere and tone of the Nerd's universe, the experience feels more like a short-form homage than a fully fleshed-out game. It’s fun while it lasts, but may leave long-time fans craving more chaos and challenge.

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.

Blade Chimera is a compact and ambitious 2D action game from Team Ladybug, blending a story-heavy sci-fi narrative with inventive gameplay mechanics. While the game shines with its satisfying exploration and strong protagonist, its overpowered mechanics and underdeveloped supporting cast prevent it from reaching its full potential.

As far as celebratory packages go, Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections gets the job done, but not much more than that. The story implementation is lacking, with awful recapping of the original content, while the rest of the game is simply more Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm. If you’re a diehard fan of Naruto and the Ultimate Ninja Storm games, then what’s here will likely engage you, but there’s little reason to return to these if you’ve played through them before.

Nevaeh is a fast and fun puzzle platformer that doesn’t bite off more than it can chew. However, its lack of direction makes the adventure feel soulless. Nothing challenges the player, not even the boss encounters, making this more of a comfortable and cute indie puzzle experience to play in short bursts.

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.

Those Who Remain leaves much to be desired and never pays off, no matter how many notes you read. Sure, there’s a decent narrative to discover within the game’s dark themes, but that is overshadowed by the sloppy structure and poor control scheme. It’s a shame because I really felt like there would be some kind of pay off at the end of this supernatural mystery, but I was left in the dark.

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.

Tasomachi is an atmospheric 3D platformer collectathon that succeeds in the area, but there’s a massive lack of polish, making me feel like it’s wasn’t ready to be released. I can see what this experience was aiming for, which is said as an accomplishment to the single developer who created it. However, a lot of optimization and options need to be added for this adventure to be considered finished. Still, it’s possible to have fun and overlook the flaws, but they are glaringly apparent by taking a step back.

Looks aren’t everything. And unfortunately, Recompile is a prime example of that sentiment. The potential was there to make a joyful experience, one where you would look forward to trying out the various biomes and tackling the challenges in each of them. The narrative and design lured me in, as the plot choices and stylish flair of the Mainframe was engrossing. But, unfortunately, most of the actual gameplay took me right out of the experience and made it a disappointing endeavor.

Touken Ranbu: Online is a decent game, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of unique elements that set it apart from anything you’re probably playing right now. Given its 2015 Adobe Flash origin, you can forgive it for its dated UI, but its strange installation and pay structure makes the experience more frustrating than enjoyable. But hey, at least we have the anime adaptation.

The concept behind Evertried is compelling as an idea. You get to strategically fight your way to determine what becomes of your afterlife. In addition, you can maybe learn about what happened to you in your past life as a warrior. But the gameplay and execution leave much to be desired. The art style and music shine, but the combat mechanics are limited in nature, and there aren’t many reasons for me to click “Ascend” and replay the game.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership brings a nostalgic return to the beloved RPG series with engaging combat, charming presentation, and heartfelt sibling dynamics. However, its lackluster story, forgettable characters, and technical hiccups hold it back from being a true masterpiece. While it has moments of fun and familiarity, it struggles to stand out in a year brimming with excellent Mario RPG releases.

Archetype Arcadia takes a courageous leap into the intricate world of isekai fantasy, offering a unique look at a post-apocalyptic world. While the game’s substantial runtime and large cast tend to dilute the experience, patient players will find a rewarding narrative that eventually weaves together its many plot threads into an epic conclusion. With charming art and useful features, it’s a journey worth undertaking for fans of the genre; just be prepared to navigate some lengthy scenarios and awkward pacing.

Everybody's Golf Hot Shots brings classic arcade golf gameplay to modern platforms with smooth mechanics and plenty of modes, but stumbles with bland visuals, uninspired character design, and an overreliance on AI-generated assets that sap the series’ trademark charm

The reboot of the final chapter in the Modern Warfare trilogy deserved better. The half-baked campaign and recycled multiplayer maps make it seem like a lazy cash grab at an exorbitant price. Nonetheless, the refined gunplay and fun in the competitive PVP and cooperative Zombies modes keep Call of Duty’s strong points alive.

The Crimson Flower that Divides: Lunar Coupling is an interesting otome game that I would praise for its more mature plot, but it shows signs of having aged considerably from its original 2012 release. The issue with story branches happening inside other routes made the experience confusing due to the lack of a flowchart. Further, when it came to specific love interests, the chapter names made navigating the routes a chore. A bit more quality assurance would have also gone a long way to remedy some of the typos.

My Hero One’s Justice 2 will satisfy My Hero Academia superfans but will leave fighting game aficionados wanting more. Still, this is an improvement over its predecessor, but it certainly won’t be blowing anyone away. Though, games like this don’t always need to be amazing; sometimes, a game that I can turn off my mind and play is just what I want.

Sigma Star Saga DX revives WayForward’s unusual blend of top-down exploration and shoot ’em up combat with a mix of charm and friction, offering a story-driven sci-fi adventure that feels both dated and strangely compelling. While its improved features help smooth some of the original’s rough edges, repetitive shmup segments, unclear progression, and heavy backtracking can test patience. Players willing to embrace its retro design philosophy will find a unique hybrid that still manages to stand out, even if it does not always fully come together.

While Detective Pikachu Returns is undeniably enjoyable, its only standout feature is its somewhat decent storyline, which ties up loose ends from the original 3DS game and provides moments of laughter as Tim and Pikachu interact with each other. However, it suffers from several issues, such as somewhat dated graphics for this day and age, a short playtime, and very easy difficulty. Nevertheless, it’s a game I’d recommend during a potential sale, allowing you to comfortably unwind in bed while enjoying Pikachu and Tim’s misadventures in Ryme City.

Hardcore Mecha provides you with all the tools needed to scratch that mech action itch. While the main campaign lacks narrative and creativity, the core gameplay is solid, which finds its way into the boss encounters and multiplayer mode. There’s definitely room for quality patches that would improve the experience, but a few hours of fun are packed into this title for mecha fans.

Considering the story’s weakness and the high gameplay to story ratio, I can’t recommend Quantum Protocol to visual novel fans looking for a decent story with a bit of gameplay. Still, I would recommend it to fans of strategic card games. The difficulty could use a few tweaks to make it friendlier to beginners, but experienced players looking for a challenge will certainly find one.

At its core, Nanotale is certainly enjoyable. The simple act of typing being morphed into an RPG format sets a sturdy foundation for a fun experience. Further, the adventure is one that I genuinely felt attached to. It’s a shame that so much weighs on this, though, from soft locks to unoptimized systems and choppy framerates, a handful of offputting implementations hinders this overall decent idea for an adventure.

No Straight Roads is such a good game in concept, but the mechanics hold back this gorgeous adventure from being something great. The world feels empty, and the level designs become a repetitive mess. However, if you can look past that, then you are rewarded with some stand-out character writing and fantastic animation work. Call me when No Straight Roads gets its own Netflix series.

Cursed to Golf has so many good ideas that never truly come together. I never really cared about the story; all I was left with was a zany roguelike golf game. Random glitches aside, I could help but feel cheated no matter how much time I invested. Still, it’s undeniably clever, and the puzzle nature of the courses have you mastering your form to get through purgatory as quickly as possible.

Piofiore: Fated Memories is a game that drips in style and premise, but unfortunately doesn’t really know what to do with it, so it ends up making base appeals to those who like dark, edgy, and more morally questionable entertainment. If you liked the developer’s most recent western releases, you’d be disappointed with the lack of plot in this mafia narrative, but if you were more into Amnesia, this might be right up your alley.

The thing with sitcoms is that they’re implied to keep going unless we’re told otherwise. If a show ends on a cliffhanger, the audience expects that unless the series is canceled, there’s more to come, and eventually, things will end on some kind of satisfactory note. If not, they’ll be left speculating what will happen next. When placed next to its influences, Fall of Porcupine is a mostly-pleasant time despite technical shortcomings, but the ending feels like the network brought down the axe a few episodes too early.

Idola: Phantasy Star Saga could have been great, but its more promising early content slowly turns into a standard waifu collector RPG within the first few hours. There’s a unique raid system woven in with the Idola themes that make for some fun moments of gameplay, but everything else feels almost too familiar. I wish the developer did more with the Phantasy Star brand instead of simply reusing mechanics that we’ve seen before. It may still be worth it in the end, though, because the gacha drop rates for 5-star characters seem to be really high, or I’ve been insanely lucky.

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.