What Comes After doesn’t go much further than “Remember happy memories” and “It’ll get better with time.” I just don’t feel that’s enough to really examine this topic. However, the presentation is charming enough, and the entire experience can be completed in less than an hour, to which it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Perhaps more time would have allowed them to explore the themes they introduced further.

If you’re wondering if Protodroid Delta lives up to the games that it draws clear inspiration from. Truthfully, it does in many ways, not only in concept but in the execution of the core mechanics that truly defined those games. However, in the same breath, it doesn’t really make its own mark on the genre. Instead, we get a few unforgettable characters and a handful of bosses that beg for unique attack patterns and weaknesses to make them more interesting. Unfortunately, Delta stands in the shadows of her predecessors, whom she can’t dash away from.

Princess Maker 2: Regeneration is a nostalgic life simulation game where players guide an adopted daughter from ages ten to eighteen, helping her grow through various jobs, classes, and social interactions. Despite its charming visuals and diverse gameplay mechanics, the game suffers from repetitive tasks and occasional translation issues. Players must balance their daughter's health, stress, and interests to ensure a fulfilling life, making it a mix of nostalgia and repetitive challenges.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl recaptures the franchise's signature blend of emergent gameplay, atmospheric design, and hardcore survival mechanics in a stunningly realized Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. While the game is packed with content and breathtaking visuals, its glaring technical issues and unpolished systems hold it back, making it a game worth revisiting after future patches.

Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion is mainly for the fans. Those who wish to tie up loose ends and experience a condensed narrative will find that in Shadows of Rose. The additional content is likely there to sweeten the deal, which makes the entire package worth it in my eyes. As reluctant as I was to return to these places, I felt Rose was a great protagonist, and I’m eager, if not happily terrified, to see what comes next for the series.

Even with ambiguity and brutal difficulty, R-Type Final 2 is an entertaining shoot ‘em up. Some levels and sections can be downright infuriating, but it’s also what’s expected from this series and genre. Switching up jets and applying various upgrades will totally change up your playstyle and have you thinking strategically throughout your entire playthrough. For space cadets looking for a masochistic and humbling experience, R-Type Final 2 is a voyage worthy of exploring.

Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered delivers a stronger version of the series’ ambitious finale, polishing camera controls and character models while preserving the dark, fate-driven story of Kain and Raziel. Though its linear level design, uneven pacing, and simplified combat show their age, the remaster enhances playability enough to make this a worthwhile return to Nosgoth for longtime fans and a solid entry point for committed newcomers willing to catch up on the lore.

Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song Remastered breaks the rules of traditional JRPG systems. There’s a gorgeous experience waiting to be unearthed, but this requires player patience to enjoy it fully. This might be a big ask, considering other titles are much more accessible, but I can’t help be enjoy every playthrough, no matter how challenging. What’s missing is a modernized tutorial prologue for new players, if only to help ease them into the experience, but what’s here is an RPG masterpiece.

SD Gundam Battle Alliance is an entertaining crash course in the Gundam series. It’s approachable no matter your level of fandom as it offers remixed historical battles with the added context of the true matchups. There’s so much to unlock and enjoy across each mission, but the repetition can weigh on the experience. Regardless, this is an addictive action game that mobile suit fans everywhere will enjoy.

Fobia isn’t perfect, but it’s through those imperfections that I see a game that loves what survival horror was and tries to capture that magic. Even though enemies are quickly dispatched and the dark lighting can be detrimental to the puzzles at times, fans of the genre will enjoy their time rummaging through the halls of the St Dinfna Hotel.

While Paradigm Paradox doesn’t stick the landing when it comes to setting up its premise, once you’ve gotten deep enough in its tale, you’ll start to appreciate and create a sense of fondness for each character. Even though the individual routes sometimes had some somewhat unfavorable endings, in my opinion, not to mention the countless editing mishaps, I enjoyed and even laughed at the interactions between the love interests. All of the different points of view were amusedly worded.

Cloudpunk is a morally conflicting cyberpunk experience wrapped in a grimy and glitzy aesthetic. The gameloop of exploring the world as a delivery driver and discovering everything it has to offer provided to be a unique enough angle that held my attention from beginning to end, even if the pacing felt off at times when switching between flying and walking. Those looking for an over-the-top Sci-fi adventure, Cloudpunk definitely delivers.

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.

The TakeOver has next to nothing special about it. Aside from its stellar soundtrack, everything else about the game screams “mediocre:” its gameplay, its art style, its modes… nothing about it stands out. While it isn’t necessarily bad, it has the makings of a game that will be completely forgotten about in a few days. Unless you are simply dying to play another beat em’ up on the Switch, The TakeOver probably isn’t worth your time.

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.

Neversong is an aesthetically pleasing platformer with absolutely killer sound design and overall presentation. The six-hour adventure doesn’t overstay its welcome and is full of clever puzzles and interesting boss encounters. However, if you plan on playing this for the narrative, you’ll discover a decent set up that never pays off.

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.

Long Live The Queen is a deconstruction of the princess trope for what you will eventually discover about its world and characters. It takes time, effort, and patience to see the best that it has to offer. Those looking for another Princess Maker experience will probably already know not to look any further than here. For everyone else, the main caveat is that it takes a lot of commitment to see the worth of Long Live The Queen, but as a triumph over adversity tale and one that runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch with its touch screen making reruns all the more seamless, Long Live The Queen will undoubtedly surprise you one way or another.

Re:Call busts out the gate with clever gameplay systems that deal with memory manipulation and puzzle solving. It’s an additive affair as you attempt multiple times to get the story straight and progress the narrative. However, the balance of gameplay and storytelling is lost in the final chapters as the narrative is the true highlight of the experience. Make this your next weekend game; you won’t regret it.

Mamorukun ReCurse wasn’t on my radar, but it earns its place with sharp twin-stick action, solid preservation work, and a weird charm that sticks. City Connection brings this 2008 arcade shmup back with a package that feels both respectful and modern. The unique, non-scrolling stage design and multiple gameplay modes keep things interesting across skill levels. Some features like rewind and clearer visual cues are missing, but what’s here still delivers a satisfying and memorable run. It’s a welcome revival that makes the upcoming sequel feel worth anticipating.

Darwin's Paradox! delivers a striking cinematic platformer that pairs expressive, wordless storytelling with demanding, precision-based gameplay, resulting in a short but memorable adventure that balances emotional tone with mechanical depth. While its inventive movement and environmental design consistently shine, a few uneven mechanics and late-game frustrations hold it back from absolute greatness.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is merely an iteration on a game that already knew what it was doing, but it's hard to argue that it needs to be more than that. There's a massive wealth of content here for those curious, but if all you're looking for is the best Tetris or Puyo party experience to date, that's also here for you to spend unlimited hours in. The only puzzle game on the Switch 2 is very easy to recommend.

Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is an awesome entry in the series that brings forth new characters and 3D graphics. The battle animations and tactical systems are as prominent as ever, with a cast that carries the story campaign from beginning to end. There are some moments of growing pains found in this updated graphical direction and added auto systems, but I still found plenty of enjoyment taking down the God of Destruction and showing my SRPG skills. Too bad so many Prinnies had to die along the way.

Dead Island 2 is all about breaking skulls and bones, but it won’t be breaking any bloody records. At the end of the day, it’s just dumb old fun, killing zombies in a badass gory fashion with your buddies. The high asking price and frustratingly unbalanced gameplay prevent me from recommending this as a day-one purchase, but I have confidence it will find its bearings among its zombie-slaying fans someday.

Watch Dogs: Legion Bloodline is a great story expansion that highlights how much better this series is with a true protagonist leading the charge. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same hindering hiccups of the base game and lacks true character growth, but there’s something for fans of the series. I was surprised by just how much content is here, making this reunion with Aiden a welcomed one.

Cassette Boy is a cleverly designed indie puzzle adventure that uses perspective as both a visual gimmick and a core gameplay mechanic. With a lo-fi aesthetic and cryptic progression, it invites players to experiment, explore, and interpret its world without handholding. Though its minimal storytelling and subtle design may not suit everyone, its creative puzzles and environmental twists offer a uniquely rewarding experience for those who embrace curiosity over direction.

Otxo is a stylistic and action-packed top-down roguelike that stands out with its unique visual style and dynamic gunplay. Developed by a solo developer and offering a challenging yet rewarding experience, it captures the essence of intense action and strategic combat. The game’s focus on weapon swapping and the strategic use of the focus mechanic for precision targeting introduces a layer of depth that keeps each run exciting.

World’s End Club on Apple Arcade comes across as a hollow and unfinished experience. With a platform advertised as hosting high-quality games, it’s strange that we are only getting half of the story here. Still, what we do get are a few decent gameplay elements that pull together this charming cast of characters with some unique moments of platforming. However, I’d highly recommend waiting for the Switch release as it seems to be holding onto better parts of the story. You may find fun in this version, but I can’t recommend that anyone go out of their way for an Apple Arcade subscription for it.