The skill system and balance are fine-tuned to offer each side a chance of victory, but the current state of the game for this review does come with a few moments of crashes and glitches. None of these take away from the fun and anxiety-inducing matchups players are bound to have.

Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew can take a while for players to get used to, especially if stealth isn’t their forte. However, so much is here that allows the player to learn, and with a save system that encourages frequent reloads, newcomers won’t find themselves overwhelmed. Shadow Gambit exceeded my expectations and made me not only enjoy the strategic process but excited to jump back in after failing and try something new.

En Garde! is a delightful action title boasting strong enemy and combat design, a likable cast, and a stellar soundtrack. Still, the adventure felt a little too brief, resulting in the gameplay mechanics not feeling like they had reached their greatest potential. While you do unlock an Arena mode that offers additional opportunities to experience the combat system thanks to modifiers, it’s not as substantial as I would have hoped. Regardless, casual and diehard action lovers will undoubtedly have a memorable time with En Garde!, as I believe it elegantly manages to be worthwhile for both general audiences.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a love letter that undoubtedly does more than enough to captivate Jet Set Radio veterans and those who have no idea what it is. Between the contextually stellar soundtrack, fantastic movement system, and intricate narrative, you’re bound to find yourself attached to some part of this experience that boasts its heart on its sleeve. Even though the combat scenarios can overstay their welcome, and the pacing can be a turn-off, looking past those faults provides a one-of-a-kind skating dream.

White Album: Memories like Falling Snow is a curious title that focuses on a unique relationship dilemma and how a depressed young man struggles with it. It feels a little underdeveloped for what it could have done, but fans of Japanese adventure games will likely find it an endearing title. Here’s hoping the sequel also comes so we can see how Aquaplus further developed the concept into another drama.

When playing through Affogato, your brain becomes curious as there is a strong idea and concept to behold. However, the execution of each of these elements is unexceptional and doesn’t pull off anything memorable. The inspirations behind them are clear, but they don’t mesh well together in this format. I found myself loving the aesthetic, but the beauty fades before your very eyes as you trudge through the game, diminishing the experience over time.

Blasphemous II took so much of what made the first Blasphemous notable and heightened it from a pure-combat specialist to a memorable metroidvania. Not only are there improvements to combat and movement to feel both fluid and fruitful, but the experience is captivating and enthralling from all standpoints. Looking through every nook and cranny is enjoyable enough, but you’ll stay completely mesmerized by the gorgeous artwork and atmosphere. The Penitent One’s journey is arduous and demanding, but it is a hell of a time.

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.

Legend Bowl is one for the diehard football nerd. Whether you are looking for a quick game with friends or looking to study a screen full of statistics like it was Money Ball, this is a jam-packed football experience crammed full of content, customization, and engaging gameplay. If you’re burnt out on the bigger offerings and their micro-transactions, then Legend Bowl is a sports game with plenty of value.

Stray Gods is, as I expected, a game that will appeal to a particular crowd who will likely protect it fiercely but be difficult to explain to a broader majority. It’s best examined as more of an interactive film starring some of gaming’s best talent rather than a video game itself. With that in mind, the story is engrossing and emotional, the music pulls you even deeper into the world, and the presentation makes a lot out of a limited asset pool. If this looks like your idea of a good time, it definitely will be, and I encourage you to turn out the lights, put on your headphones, and let it wash you away.

Pseudoregalia is a must-play 3D platformer. The adventure boasts a lovingly crafted world developed with a strong sense of appreciation for the genre. Even the lack of a map and limited combat systems don’t get in the way of the experience that is fueled by clever environmental puzzles and platforming sections. For a $6 asking price and plenty of hours of gameplay to look forward to, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying this unique game.

WrestleQuest is a one-of-a-kind experience that takes the wrestling and fantasy JRPG genres to places neither of them have gone before. Its clever writing and humorous cast puts the smackdown on the player to deliver a piledriver to others who try to compete. While some systems and design choices weigh on the experience, a ton of charm is packed in this adventure to bring this game home. And that’s the bottom line because Noisy Pixel said so.

My Klutzy Cupid is exactly what you would expect from a rom-com visual novel. While it may not try to reinvent the wheel, it offers an enjoyable cast of cute girls and a cozy experience. It’s just as fun as it has to be, as long as you don’t go expecting the most transformative read of your life.

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.

Sword and Fairy Inn 2 reveals its gameloop within the first few hours. Outside of the event scenes, you’d have experienced everything the game offers in that time, with new areas and menu items only making your daily checklist longer and more monotonous. The cafe sim features aren’t present and are coupled with a capable auto feature that, if anything, gives you a break from playing. Sword and Fairy Inn 2 is cute enough to want to check in, but you’ll be checking out just as quickly.

Radiant Tale was an absolute treat to play. The fantasy elements that it introduced were properly utilized, and besides a few translation issues, it had a well-paced narrative that didn’t drag itself out and properly ties the knot on its main plot points. While the romance does take a bit of a backseat, all of its characters are unique and well-written, so if you were looking for a good otome game for this Summer, then why not watch as CIRCUS perform their number for you?

Disney Illusion Island is the perfect introduction to the Metroidvania genre. Every moment of my time playing was fun, and I’ll admit there are some challenging moments, but the accessibility options for each player to fine-tune their experience make the adventure approachable to any who play. This is a game that could have easily coasted on the fact that it has Disney characters in it, but no, this is a fully fledge adventure that makes these Disney characters even cooler.

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons may seem like a side dish to the main course, but it still manages to be a fun beat ’em up experience. The combat mechanics are responsive, and the ever-growing challenge across each stage makes subsequent playthroughs unique, further defined by the characters you choose. One thing is for certain, even after all these years, Double Dragon remains just as cool as ever.

The gameplay of Xuan-Yuan Sword: Mists Beyond the Mountains is an unoptimized mess. There is no attempt at balancing or scaling, with the only positive being a unique presentation. When it comes down to it, this has the capacity to become truly and unironically great, but the translation and mechanics need to be rebuilt from the ground up. As it is now, you’re better off not wasting your time and money.

Pikmin 4 is one of the best Switch experiences I’ve had. There’s an addictive gameplay cycle where every moment spent playing is rewarded with vast new areas to explore and tools to discover. Further, the added Dandori Battles for multiplayer and rankings provides appreciated replayablity. The expanded narrative isn’t overbearing on the experience, and Oatchi only adds to the overall charm found during every moment of gameplay. Sure, the lengthy opening tutorial isn’t completely necessary, but getting past that reveals one of the most wholesome gaming experiences you’ll have this year.

Cross Tails is a disappointing game because it has all the components of a masterpiece. However, between flat characters and nonsensical story planning decisions, it fails to leave an impact as anything more than a missed opportunity. Which is also a shame because of how finely the combat is crafted. I enjoyed that and hoped to see it in something with better furnishings.

Remnant II is a challenging, addictive, and exciting experience. It’s a sequel that has improved on all the shortcomings of its predecessor but also carved out many new systems that only add to the enjoyment. The incredible depth of the customization systems allows players to fine-tune all aspects of their experience while also being able to share this adventure with friends through co-op. Even after many hours, I can’t wait to play more.

Lisa: Definitive Edition is a title that I wish I had played years ago. It excels in a way that others struggle when juggling an in-depth battle system, modern features, and a mature narrative. The added content of this Definitive Edition makes it the perfect time to experience a game that may have flown under your radar. Still, you may find it strange to be enjoying such a painful and joyless experience; oh well.

Viewfinder is as serine as it is challenging. From the very beginning, this game will captivate you through its unique image manipulation puzzle design and narrative. The explorable areas complement the experience as the situation becomes more complex as the narrative is revealed. The clever and unique puzzle designs set the stage for a very special adventure.

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.

Gravity Circuit redefines the 2D platforming action genre with attention put on melee action systems that benefit all other aspects of the experience. Your skills are constantly being pushed to the test, but you aren’t allowed to get too comfortable as new abilities are unlocked with ever-changing level gimmicks keeping you on your toes. One look at this game in action, and it’s no surprise that it’s a must-play release of 2023.

Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg offers players a chance to discover the roots of this beloved series. The updated menus and graphics give this adventure a chance to be enjoyed by new and returning players, but the simplicity of it all might limit any genuine player investment. It’s a bite-sized Atelier experience that provides moments of charm alongside some frustratingly simple gameplay mechanics.

Oxenfree II is a wonderful ghost story in more ways than one. The ending depends on the person telling it, it takes place on a dark and stormy night, and there are literal ghosts involved. I, unfortunately, can’t currently compare it to its predecessor, but what I was hoping for out of this one was a spooky-vibes adventure that was a decent mind-screw. I’m happy to say that Lost Signals delivered on that with an extra spoonful of charm on top, and I can’t wait to experience it all again.