Bustafellows is a great representative of the fascinating stories visual novels can tell. The narrative features a strong lead and a cast of handsome boys with dark pasts that create this endearing tale. Still, it’s a story on society’s shortcomings, which makes it relatable in many ways as we ask ourselves what would cause us to take matters into our own hands. While some design choices seem odd in this release, this otome is an easy recommendation from me.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is an excellent experience. It's challenging yet rewarding, and the core gameplay and solid design fundamentals make it an absolute blast to play. This ninja action platformer takes one of gaming's most legendary action sub-genres and makes it relevant again for 2023.

Pocky & Rocky Reshrined is a fantastic remake of an acclaimed classic which deserved a wider audience, and this latest release is a great way to bring in new and old players alike. The story mode provides a satisfying and challenging experience where you come to grips with a diverse cast of characters and play styles, before diving into the endless replay value of two-player coop. Modern or retro, this is just a fun game to come back to again and again.

The presentation feels like a Saturday morning cartoon, and you can tell it was made with great care and affection. For those looking to recapture the feeling of those 90s arcade cabinets, or who are simply looking for a fantastic beat ’em up, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge provides a radically fun time.

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is a gorgeous Metroidvania that tells a much better story than any anthropomorphic narrative has a right to tell. It's emotional and engaging during each scene brought together with challenging moments of action and puzzle-platforming. This game respects your time, but some moments can drag on due to limited fast travel and some confusing objectives. Who cares though, you're a rabbit with a robotic fist attached to your back; how cool is that!?

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim makes its mark on the adventure genre by expertly telling a story through 13 protagonists. The time-traveling segments don’t leave the player in the dark as it pieces together everything using a unique adventure-based system. This game has a story to tell, and it rolls it out perfectly; the added strategic battle-system only makes it clear what this group is up against and what’s at stake if they lose.

Variable Barricade was a great experience that subverted my expectations multiple times. From its unique flowchart system to the constant comedy punchlines, I could not stop playing. The interactions across every route kept me playing for hours. I said this once, and I’ll say it again: An otome game truly gets my high praise if it manages to make me lose track of time and keep going nonstop until I feel fatigued. And, Variable Barricade managed to check all of those boxes. So, if you’re looking to wind down with a comedic romance, look no further.

GTA V is the high-water mark for the developer as a whole. Playing it feels almost as new and refreshing on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 as it did when playing it on the console’s grandparents. The upgrades are gorgeous, the city is alive, and this game is still fantastic.

Lumines Arise modernizes the classic rhythm-puzzle formula with striking visuals, a reactive soundtrack, and polished gameplay that captures the spirit of its PSP roots. The game's core mechanics remain simple yet addictive, while its audiovisual design deepens the emotional impact of each stage. A few design decisions limit passive enjoyment, and the difficulty curve can occasionally spike, but Lumines Arise still offers one of the most engaging puzzle experiences in recent memory.

Arc Raiders is a standout third-person extraction shooter that delivers intense PvP, strong co-op potential, and a surprisingly thoughtful gameplay loop. Embark Studios blends dynamic combat with world-building that supports unpredictable player choices and high-stakes encounters. While the menus and quests falter, the overall design and audio atmosphere push the game into must-play territory for shooter fans.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a must-play mystery adventure that sticks the landing with its gameplay design, compelling mysteries, and character writing. The soundtrack is also quite catchy. If you’re someone who missed out on the game’s original DS release, then you owe it to yourself to give this remaster a shot, especially if you’re an Ace Attorney fan. I’m thrilled Capcom decided to give this title another chance, so here’s hoping it excels this time around.

Cris Tales is a fantasy adventure akin to a fairy tale in both narrative and setting. It’s an amazing experience accompanied by memorable characters, an addictive battle system, and wonderful discoveries. Every moment of the gameplay pushes the RPG to new heights, which is only hindered by lengthy load times and lack of direction for some missions. However, if you’re looking for a callback to retro RPGs, this is one game you absolutely need to play.

While Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster is an undeniably unusual choice of a Switch 2 launch title, I'm glad that this turn-based classic, boasting a stellar combat system, a lovable main cast, and one of the best soundtracks ever composed, has been made readily available to a new generation of players. Even over a decade later, this is still an absolute must-play JRPG, but if you've already experienced this on 3DS, then there's not much reason to revisit it.

Clair Obscur is a genuine standout RPG, driven by courage, sacrifice, and the powerful bonds formed in the midst of tragedy. It pushes you to confront loss and hope in equal measure, resonating long after the credits roll. This is a beautifully tragic expedition that demands your emotional investment, repaying it with a story and characters that will reward the time it takes to develop the skills of not taking any damage in combat. This may be a divisive game within the community due to its skill-based combat system and a few questionable choices with the direction of the story, but all I can tell you is that this is one tragedy you're going to want to see through.

Triangle Strategy is a terrible name. It tells little about the game besides that it has something to do with triangles and strategy. This name ultimately fails to share anything that implies the adventure offers an incredible narrative, fantastic combat, and possibly the best implementation of choice and morality I have seen in a video game.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a lovingly crafted remake that modernizes a beloved JRPG while preserving its emotional core, offering a vibrant, voice-acted journey through Liberl with standout character dynamics, rebalanced combat, and welcome quality-of-life updates that make it the ideal starting point for newcomers and a heartfelt return for longtime fans.

SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays is as over-the-top as you’d expect from a semi-political mech game where teen pilots bite off more than they can chew. Every mode and option is there for the player to immerse themselves into this experience, and I simply couldn’t get enough of it. I hope to see more of the SD Gundam G series come west, but for now, this is the perfect introduction for those who haven’t played it yet.

The Yakuza Remastered Collection on PC comes off as a gift to PC players looking to continue their Yakuza experience on the platform. It doesn’t contain any enhancements compared to the console release aside from a few added options, but it is still a damn good time. It may not be worth double-dipping, but rest assured, if this is your first time with this collection, then you’re getting the very best it has to offer.

Ghost of Tsushima makes it easy to immerse yourself in this dark and historical setting. The story’s pacing is expertly tuned to how the player wishes to take it on, and the controls allow actions to be both fluid and responsive. The enemy AI could definitely use some attention, and the menus are exceptionally vast, but in the end, I was glad to find something that reminded me I was playing a video game because there were moments I forgot.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a no-brainer, assembling some of the best games from Capcom’s fighting catalog into one impressive collection with plenty of features and extras to boot. These are entertaining games, and so whether you’re a casual fighting fan looking to explore a diverse library of fighting games or just a tournament enthusiast looking to dive straight into Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with all the handy training modes, this collection needs to be a part every gamer’s library, fighting game and pop culture enthusiasts alike.

I find Rewrite+ to be a masterful visual novel through and through. From its charming characters, tense narrative, and quality sound design. Any fan of the genre should experience this title. Even when taking the western release version into account, patches will surely fix the issues, but that doesn’t limit the pure joy this game offers...Hopefully, Harvest Festa releases sooner rather than later and is in a polished state.

Phoenix Point is, without a doubt, one of the best strategy games to come out in the last few years.

Assassin's Creed Mirage wants players to experience its story to the end, and you'll be glad you did. There are plenty of nostalgic set pieces that replicate early entries of the series, but Mirage manages to create a genuinely unique experience that could very well shape future entries. This can easily be played as your first Assassin's Creed adventure, but long-time fans will be rewarded with connecting plot points and thrilling moments of gameplay.

The Riki 8Bit Game Collection brings two charming retro-style games, Kira Kira Star Night and Astro Ninja Man DX, to the Nintendo Switch. With vibrant 8-bit visuals, addictive arcade gameplay, and an outstanding chiptune soundtrack, this collection offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic gaming. The included music players, complete with interactive animations, elevate the package into a celebration of retro gaming culture.

Strayed Lights is a strongly designed action adventure bursting with a melancholic atmosphere that is easy to get wrapped within. Additionally, the terrific boss battles, gorgeous presentation, and interpretive yet emotional narrative showcase how lovingly crafted this whole experience is. Even when considering potential issues one may have, like the low difficulty level, you’ll likely find yourself having a good deal of fun regardless. Strayed Lights is exceptional for a debut outing, and I’m eager to see what Embers works on in the future.

Tales of Xillia Remastered is a strong return for one of the series' most character-driven entries, enhanced with meaningful quality-of-life improvements and modern conveniences. While the dual protagonist system remains underwhelming, the fast-paced combat and beloved cast shine brighter than ever in this refined update.

Strayed Lights is a strongly designed action adventure bursting with a melancholic atmosphere that is easy to get wrapped within. Additionally, the terrific boss battles, gorgeous presentation, and interpretive yet emotional narrative showcase how lovingly crafted this whole experience is. Even when considering potential issues one may have, like the low difficulty level, you’ll likely find yourself having a good deal of fun regardless. Strayed Lights is exceptional for a debut outing, and I’m eager to see what Embers works on in the future.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder ushers in a new era for Mario games, injecting a dose of zany fun with its vibrant visuals, catchy tunes, and diverse character lineup. The game’s unconventional levels and the option to team up with friendly apparitions while playing with others outside your core group add an extra layer of enjoyment. It’s a delightful addition to the Mario universe, bringing a fresh and thrilling twist to the 2D Mario series, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.