Tokyo Necro fits in perfectly with other Nitroplus-developed titles. This world of cold, zombies, and technology may have somber, darker undertones, but it’s also one of hope for people’s efforts to be their better selves. This contrast and the hype-inducing 3D action scenes make it a highlight in its genre and a must-play.

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a must-play experience. Sega has hit it out of the park with a Sonic-themed mystery adventure visual novel boasting captivating storytelling, fantastic character interaction, as well as a stellar presentation and soundtrack of similar quality. I had a big ol’ smile on my face from beginning to end, and can’t recommend this game enough. The fact that it’s free is almost criminal. Sega making another entry like this is wholly up in the air, but I’ll be hoping with all my heart that they do.

GrimGrimoire OnceMore is not a game for everyone. Even if you’re a fan of Vanillaware’s other works, this title’s gameplay approach is distinct, comprising a continual cycle of inevitable failure and growth that is not an all-pleasing cup of tea. Still, for those who manage to get into it, this is an addictive strategy RPG with numerous in-depth systems that make progress an always enjoyable affair. And the story is quite compelling, with an intriguing cast bolstered by a charming protagonist who you’ll find yourself rooting for. By the end, you’ll be wondering where all those hours went.

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.

Norn9: Var Commons’ Prologue is a bit rocky when introducing the narrative and suffers from several plot holes. However, it still manages to pull you in with its crazy plot twists and overall sci-fi presentation. This, combined with its clever tactic to tempt you into clearing every single route for each character, is possibly one of the most cleverly written stories I’ve seen thus far. I can’t wait for the Last Era fandisk to complement this extraordinary narrative.

From its charming storybook aesthetic to the beautiful presentation, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon culminated into a phenomenal experience that anyone, be they a series veteran of the Bayonetta series, or someone who has never touched the games as I did, can enjoy to its fullest. Perhaps its only sin can be attributed to its brevity. Still, I strongly feel that in this case, we’re talking quality over quantity as you learn about Cereza’s past, making for a great entry point for those who are ever so slightly interested in the series, as well as a narrative that manages to patch some of the questions fans might have in regards to some characters of the trilogy.

Vernal Edge balances the feel of old-school Metroidvanias while adding quality-of-life features you’ll miss when playing other games in the genre. Platforming has the right amount of difficulty, and there’s enough variety in combat to keep you coming back for more – even if that means fighting nearly identical enemies. The story won’t blow you away, though it’s passable and doesn’t take away from the action. And while you might get lost on Mossy Island or spend 20 minutes trying to remember where you saw that flower vendor, Vernal Edge will keep you coming back for more.

Hopefully, post-launch patches will arrive to remedy this experience to its best possible iteration because it deserves it. Underneath it all, 9 years of Shadows is a fantastic time assumedly hampered by developmental circumstances.

Terra Nil delivers an eco-based message with themes found in its core experience as you aim to bring Earth back to its glory days. Although terraforming each map can be difficult, even in zen mode, you’re encouraged to keep trying thanks to a relaxing gameloop. Its pacing allows players to focus on creating what is essentially a painting of a beautiful eco landscape which makes completing each area of the world worthwhile. From wasteland to beauty, Terra Nil delivers a much-needed vacation to players looking to sit back and create.

Assault Suits Valken Declassified is a superb package that not only restores and updates a Bonafide classic but comes jam-packed with worthwhile extras. The extras go beyond novelty as the strategy guide, interviews, and even a fully recorded perfect playthrough all help get the most out of this mech action game. The core experience is brutally challenging with a steep learning curve, yet it has never looked or played better than it does here. This is an easy recommendation to fans, and while it may seem intimidating to newcomers, there’s a lot to explore and discover here, and all of it is rewarding.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is the best entry in the series, hands down. Every system has been enhanced and perfected, with the additional Key feature melded expertly into the core narrative. Sometimes the world can feel a lot bigger than it is, causing some pacing issues within the story, and there are a few characters who could have received more of the spotlight, but I can’t stress enough how memorable this experience is. As sad as it is to say goodbye, GUST did right by Ryza with this finale.

Rance IX: The Helmanian Revolution is a good recommendation for fans of erotic games that don’t mind non-con content. Though its simplistic battle arenas may be underwhelming for veterans of strategic games, it’s a fantastic example of the Rance series’ compelling world-building and steamy scenes.

Tchia is truly a magical experience where players uncover the world through the eyes of a protagonist who is experiencing it along with them for the first time. The culture of this region is expertly woven into the gameplay systems, so you never feel like this is a learning game. Further, the fantasy mechanics of Soul Jumping work well alongside the emotional narrative that keeps players engaged from beginning to end. You may find yourself lost along the way, but there is so much to discover in this adventure that you’ll keep pushing forward.

Meg’s Monster is a charming, adorable, and heartfelt adventure that provides an excellent indie RPG experience. The relationship between the main duo is the driving force, with the art and music complementing the tone. However, it lacks evolution by revealing its entire hand in the first few hours, delivering a weak second half.

Ib is not a game I would recommend to everyone since enjoying it requires the other party to have an affinity for not only the horror genre but also the pixel-like presentation. Ib’s strengths don’t transcend the bounds of who you’d expect to appreciate it, though, for those who do find themselves impacted, it will likely be an experience you’ll remember for as long as you’re able. The endearingly chilling setting, coupled with the compact well-written cast, creates something genuinely heartfelt that I’m thankful hasn’t been lost to time and has been made more accessible.

Resident Evil 4 remains a divisive entry in the series as it caters to fans of survival horror and action within a well-crafted gaming experience. The updated narrative, by far, makes this a solid entry as it fills in plot holes and provides character growth that wasn't present before. The atmosphere and level design only enhance the enjoyment, but the popcorn action structure of the final area hurts the overall pacing. Still, this is undeniably a stellar remake of an already fantastic game.

Have a Nice Death is a roguelike experience to die for. Its systems are intensely addictive to provide a reason to return to the grind and clock in for overtime. The action combat is some of the best I’ve ever felt, with compelling progression systems and fantastic enemy designs. While it may not stand out from its contemporaries, it approaches everything it touches with a brilliant finesse that makes it tough to put down.

We all know why you’re playing Alice Gear Aegis CS Concerto of Simulatrix, and I’m there with you. The mecha anime girl appeal is the main drawing point, which will entertain you for about an hour before you realize that you’ve let your feelings for these anime girls woo you into making such a bad buying decision. The lack of playable content ultimately brings this waifu mech to the ground, but some of you will likely stay fast with the ship like any good captain would.

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.

Record of Agarest War on Switch is the definitive way to experience this adventure. The portability allows you to take the level grinding and waifu relationship building on the go or to bed with you; I won’t judge. The nuanced battle system is unique and fun to experiment with as you face off against some truly tough encounters across several generations. Returning fans may not have it in them to see this war through until the end, but new players may enjoy the adventure.

Even going into the experience, fully intending to meme my way through the game, I actually had a stupid amount of fun. Whether or not the physics work as intended, it scratches a racing itch I didn’t know I had. With a market as lifeless as the motocross video game market, Milestone has a pretty solid idea of what they are doing. I didn’t try the online racing, so Monster Energy Supercross 6 is a fun time unless there are server issues. But then, you just have to look past goofy character designs.

Loretta is a fun (and sometimes disturbing) story of what happens when you try to bury the truth. Choices matter, and each comes with its own set of consequences. And while the puzzles and active gameplay are limited, the game doesn’t overstay its welcome. Gritty locations, haunting sound effects, and a seriously messed up narrative make this an adventure I’d happily play again. And maybe next time, I won’t die quite as fast.

Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries Of Honjo is a gripping and horrific adventure that branches outside of what genre fans would expect. It plays with your intuition and tests your deduction skills as you piece together each puzzle. Unfortunately, the narrative intermission brings gameplay to a crawl, but you’ll want to stick through until the end to experience everything this twisted adventure offers.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse is an excellent, beautiful horror experience that works on modern platforms. From a game design perspective, it works brilliantly to guide the players through the nightmare with minimal confusion. However, the gameplay hurts the pacing with slow-moving characters, control issues, and repetitive structure, making you spend too long getting through it all.

It’s worth emphasizing that this DLC is, at its core, meant for those who enjoy Dead Cells rather than strictly Castlevania fans. Playable Richter aside, the rest of this content is more Dead Cells greatness. Still, the highlights of the Castlevania franchise have been encapsulated and reimagined succinctly, transparently displaying the Dead Cells’ developers’ love for the classics that inspired them.

The intricacy of Trails rivals most gaming series you’ll find out there, and in a personal sense, Azure demonstrates that even if it stumbles with delivery, it still manages to comprise an unforgettable experience.

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.

ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is the kind of game you will inevitably cross paths with. You know, one that, over time, becomes a remembered cult classic within indie circles. The experience is worth it for the atmosphere alone, and while the gameplay loop may not be anything remarkable, the journey itself is memorable. If you’re after something Avant-garde and imbued with meaning, it’s worth going through the trials and tribulations to become the mightiest Oni.