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.

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.

The Outer Worlds: Murder on Eridanos has everything that fans loved with a little extra to make it the proper send-off for this title. The whodunit direction was a smart way to focus on the amazing writing this game offers while causing the player to break down the possible suspects and solve this mystery. This expansion is Obsidian at their best and compliments this entire experience so well. It’s just sad that there won’t be more.

Are there already much better games of similar gameplay style out there? Absolutely, but Asterigos can still surprise you if you’re after something different and far less punishing.

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.

Norn9: Last Era is a fandisk that nicely expands on the narrative. Still, if you did not enjoy Norn9: Var Commons, then you’ll find it very hard to enjoy Last Era, and it becomes clear that the targeted audience for this title is clearly those who have already consumed Norn9 in some form of medium, be it the previous game or the anime. Some of the systems in the Western release also share the same issues, such as the awkward text lines, which diminish the experience a bit. Furthermore, half of the content that’s available just isn’t up to snuff when compared to other fandisk releases from Idea Factory.

No, I'm Not a Human is a haunting psychological horror experience that masterfully blends paranoia, morality, and surreal storytelling. Through tense decision-making, unreliable information, and eerie visual shifts, Trioskaz delivers a uniquely disturbing game that challenges your instincts and sanity, even if some mechanics frustrate.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered offers a nostalgic revisit to Lara Croft's first adventures, packaging the iconic original trilogy for modern audiences. The collection preserves the essence of exploration, puzzle-solving, and cinematic set pieces, despite dated 32-bit graphics and some new but underwhelming modernized visuals. Players have the option between classic tank controls and an updated control scheme to suit their preferences. While the remaster lacks additional content beyond the games, it remains a cost-effective way for both new and veteran fans to explore the series' roots. Lighting inconsistencies and a sparse remastering effort aside, this collection stands as a tribute to the enduring legacy of one of gaming's most iconic characters.

There is nothing quite like these unique games, especially when in top form like Banana Mania. Their prowess at granting addicting stages and a constant desire for self-improvement are borderline unmatched. Quite honestly, seeing this revival is legitimately miraculous. I implore fans and even those who are vaguely interested in getting this collection and giving it a shot to let Sega know that classic Monkey Ball still has a thriving, dedicated market.

OPUS: Echo of Starsong – Full Bloom Edition is the most complete and definitive way to experience this emotionally-charged sci-fi adventure. If you’re going to be picking this up on Nintendo Switch, make sure to play through the other games in order if you haven’t done so before. Collectively as a trilogy, OPUS is among the most memorable and essential experiences on the platform, and the latest shows how a humble vision can evolve into something amazing over time.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is Call of Duty at its finest in terms of settings and overall gameplay. You won’t have an emotional attachment to the campaign, but you’ll find excitement in late-game missions. Multiplayer and coop missions are where the fun lies, but sadly, it all feels more of the same with prettier graphics and sound design. Nevertheless, it’s Call of Duty, and if that’s what you’re here for, then you have two great years ahead of you until the next release.

World Heroes Perfect returns as a chaotic and stubborn slice of SNK’s arcade legacy, blending a bizarre historical roster with fast, punishing combat that feels both dated and oddly refreshing. This updated release adds meaningful modern features like rollback netcode, Practice Mode, and expanded online options, giving the 1995 fighter a better chance to connect with today’s audience. While its brutal AI and unforgiving pacing may push away newcomers, there is a scrappy charm in its weird characters and high-risk matches that keeps it engaging. It is not a lost classic reborn, but it is a fascinating, frustrating, and occasionally rewarding relic that now has the tools to be appreciated on its own terms.

The main takeaway is a reassuring reminder of the importance of having any form and size of a support circle because no matter how tough times, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. But, unfortunately, despite such a grand message, it does very little to make an impact, especially in owning such themes and presenting them in their own new and refreshing way since these have been done repeatedly and to a far better standard. It is wildly unique and creative if we are talking about its aesthetics. Furthermore, it is its most memorable aspect since everything else is either middle of the road or falls completely flat.

Samurai Shodown’s fighting system of reading your opponents moves and responding to turn the tide of a match, no matter your skill level, allows it to stand out in the genre. Matches are a bit slower-paced than other fighters, but it still manages to pack a punch. On Switch, the game runs well at the cost of a visual downgrade. All-in-all, the only thing I could have hoped for was a proper story tieing together this unique roster instead of a glorified Arcade Mode. If you’re wondering, Shiki is best girl.

If what you want in a game is a simple, relaxing cycle that doesn’t require more from a player than their time and doesn’t offer much more than the enjoyment of playing it and the satisfaction of completion, Powerwash Simulator might be perfect. Of course, it’s not for everyone, but if it hits right, you too might find yourself up late into the night, looking for that last…little…spot.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers offers enough zany action to shine through any flaws presented during the hectic missions. The story keeps itself in the absurdity of Tokusatsu that sells the overall experience. Still, the combat system can be frustrating, which shows up more given the enormous amount of playable missions, but it’s undeniable this content will keep you playing for hours to come.

The lore-heavy narrative also becomes increasingly compelling thanks to a multi-faceted and charming cast. When throwing in a new game plus and even a brand-new difficulty into the mix, Visions of Mana is a refreshing modern classic that can hook you for a gripping 60-70 hours without relenting.

Despite being well over two decades old, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny has aged remarkably well, boasting terrific action combat bolstered by memorable bosses and cleverly designed puzzles that are all consistently gratifying. Admittedly, the bulk of the narrative and character writing is relatively weak. However, they’re still an improvement over what the debut entry provided, personally giving me hope for the later titles. Moreover, the newly added Hell Mode and easily accessible minigames make this return a meticulous one. Here’s hoping the rest of the franchise receives remastered treatments before Way of the Sword finally graces us.

The challenge I described at the beginning of this review is capably met by Homeworld 3, even if its story felt a little simplistic. Its lightweight story did not stop me from being captivated by its depiction of the endless, beautiful void of space. The frustrating, difficult-to-master control scheme has been both modernized and preserved for those who crave the classic experience. It's easily beautiful and satisfying enough to meet the standards of classic players and entice a brand-new crowd of interstellar heroes.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is a must-play for fans of the series, even if you aren’t caught up. The game shows just how varied a Musou title can get in terms of mission structure and map design. However, given the small number of playable arcs, it’s strange the story would waste two on arcs that were in the previous game. Still, this is one Pirate Warriors adventure that I was happy to go on.

The Angry Video Game Nerd: I & II Deluxe is the definitive version of these challenging platformers. There’s more to love about the game for fans of the Nerd, which might make some of the jokes and references go over some heads. Although you also have some throwaway stages and unmemorable boss battles, this makes for a pleasant way to spend a weekend. Just try not to break your controller.

Ys: Memories of Celceta is a game where it’s more about the journey than the destination. Every portion of the map presents a new discovery, and that becomes wildly satisfying across the 20 hours runtime. The story elements and flimsy side-missions don’t always help with the overall engagement, but that doesn’t really matter when the battle system is just so much fun. Still, if you’re looking to play the best version available, I’d point you to the PC release, but either way, this is one adventure that I encourage you to go on.

Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is an excellent sequel to an already delightful game, taking what its predecessor already did marvelously and improving on it even further with more locations to explore. Even if you don’t know a single shred of the Doraemon series (don’t worry, I don’t either!), you can still enjoy the cute interactions between Noby and his friends since it’s fundamentally Story of Seasons, but with a couple of tweaks and enhancements to fit the aesthetic.

Star Wars: Outlaws is, despite some narrative shortcomings, an absolute blast. It’s big enough that I couldn’t even hope to 100% it before launch, but not so massive as to make me question what I’m doing with my life (looking at you, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla). It’s the first game in over a decade to allow players to live in and properly interact with the Star Wars universe.

Luna: The Shadow Dust is a nice nod to classic point-and-click puzzle games. Everything melds together beautifully, and it provided me with a solid puzzle experience. Despite my aversion to this genre, I found the experience pleasant overall. Some of the puzzles left me stumped, but after getting through them I felt accomplished in their defeat.

The Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack may not offer enough for old fans to double-dip in the adventures, but there's so much here for new fans to discover. Not just in terms of gameplay, but the evolution of this series and the characters that paved the way towards its current popularity. The extra content and quality-of-life features are just added bonuses to the adventures that await.

Beyond Blue is a concise experience. You can finish it in about two to three hours, and you can 100% it in less than five. While I really enjoyed all of the educational value that the game provides, if you don’t happen to be interested in the real-world ocean, there isn’t any reason for you to play this game. So, if swimming around for two hours scanning fish, watching educational videos, and learning more about the ocean sounds up your alley, Beyond Blue is perfect for you. However, the game’s subpar graphics, terrible technical performance, and melodramatic plot make it tough to enjoy the surreal adventure under the sea.

I initially approached Under the Waves with the intention of conquering a fear I’ve harbored since childhood. Instead, I found myself confronting parts of myself that I hid not only from others but also from myself. It was one of the most discomforting experiences I’ve ever had playing a game, but it’s an experience I know will stay with me for years to come.