Hollowbody is a love letter to the survival horror genre of the early 2000s. It’s not without its flaws, particularly in combat variety and puzzle depth, but its strengths far outweigh its shortcomings. For fans of classic survival horror, it offers a beautifully atmospheric, tension-filled experience that feels both nostalgic and new. It becomes a game that you want to see through, if only to witness how far this rabbit hole goes. I’m looking forward to seeing more from this developer in the future.

New Pokemon Snap is there for fans who wish for a casual Pokemon experience with the only challenge being to take creative pictures of Pokemon. It recaptures much of what the previous entry offered with plenty of new systems and features to add depth, but it sadly doesn’t deliver on the sense of ownership over the pictures that I once felt. It’s all so fleeting in this digital age. Still, there are plenty of beautiful environments and Pokemon to take shots of. I wouldn’t mind waiting another 20 years for a sequel or having this be the last entry altogether.

Without A Voice is a well-written story that explores the relationship of two opposite individuals, which sometimes hurt the believability of them spending time together. Still, the themes of ulterior motives and mystery kept me engaged across its multiple endings. I should also mention that the game is free on Steam, so there’s no harm in trying it for yourself.

Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars provides a gratifying experience with a distinct presentation, delightful soundtrack, and remarkable storytelling stellarly utilizing its tabletop context. Even when accounting for its lack of challenge and questionable character focus, it still manages to be a welcoming turn-based RPG any intrigued party can dive into without fear of obstruction.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake successfully brings one of survival horror’s most unsettling classics back to life with improved visuals, refined Camera Obscura combat systems, and an atmosphere that remains deeply oppressive and memorable. While the remake largely respects the slow-burn pacing and narrative mystery that defined the original, a few uneven combat mechanics and missed gameplay opportunities keep it from reaching its full potential. Even so, the haunting village setting, disturbing Wraith encounters, and the uneasy bond between Mio and Mayu make this a compelling return for a cult horror franchise that still stands apart from modern genre trends.

Black Widow: Recharged is a welcome return of an Atari classic that kind of got lost in time. The original game was already an addictive and sublime twin-stick shooter, to begin with, and the visual and gameplay facelift in this release turns it up several notches. You can’t go wrong here, especially if you’re after an excellent shooter with great controls. The techno style and various challenges add to the replay value, and there’s always the appeal to burn a few minutes in arcade mode, especially if you’re going to have a place on the leaderboards. If you’re a fan of old-school gaming or have been picking up these Atari remakes anyway, then Black Widow: Recharged is a no-brainer as arguably the best release in the series yet.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus strikes, a perfect balance within its systems, and it makes for hours of exciting matches. The RPG mode is something to go through once and probably forget about, but that’s okay because Arcade and ranked online matches will be there for you time and time again.

Code: Realize Future Blessings is a fantastic addition and continuation of the base story as it gives players a chance to spend just a little more time with these characters across some excellent new scenarios. The game fleshes out plot points that its predecessor left on the table all without altering the best moments of the overall story. If you enjoyed Code: Realize Guardian of Rebirth, then I’d give Future Blessings a very strong recommendation. However, if you’re interested in these titles and haven’t played either of them, the dual pack is available called Bouquet of Flowers, which has both this fandisc and the original game on PlayStation 4 and the PS Vita.

Persona 3 Reload Episode Aigis -The Answer- is a definitive improvement over the original version of The Answer, thanks to its addictive dungeon progression, added character scenes, and emotionally driven narrative. However, the poor pacing can’t be understated, making the fascinating premise lose strength in the efficacy of its staying power. If you are a dedicated fan of Persona 3 Reload’s gameplay systems and narrative, especially the former, then this DLC is undoubtedly for you. Otherwise, you’re better off witnessing it played, especially given how pricy this added scenario is.

QV is one of those games that ticks all the right boxes for its particular niche. As an isometric puzzle platformer, there’s little else like it at the moment, and so it manages to have an audience even among so many video game releases. It’s a comfortable and well-designed puzzle romp complemented by some genuinely catchy tunes. The general vibe of it is charming and relaxing. It has something for everyone, whether you’re a puzzle fan or simply curious to try something different as a breather between the bigger releases.

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.

Kingdom Two Crowns makes for one of the more intriguing strategy games that I’ve played in some time. The mobile port looks and runs great, but suffers from a UI that doesn’t give the player enough unit information. Gameplay has a low barrier of entry and doesn’t require much to pick up and start playing. However, it’s trial and error experiences could have been retained even with a little bit of explanation to save the player an early death. Oddly enough, this is one of the more relaxing gaming experiences that I’ve had, which is why I find myself returning to my kingdom time and time again.

Alan Wake Remastered isn’t a purchase that anybody already owning a copy of the original needs to make in its current state. Still, it is a very welcome release for PlayStation owners who missed it the first time. Apart from the faces, every aspect of the original has aged beautifully in the time since, and its twisty, American-literature-flavored plot still holds up as well. It would have been nice to see some of Control featured here, and the fact that American Nightmare has been left out is disappointing, but if you’ve never experienced this journey for yourself, it’s a perfect time to jump into the cold waters of Cauldron Lake.

Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga brings Falcom’s cult PSP crossover to modern systems with surprising care, offering nostalgic charm for long-time fans of Ys and Trails. Featuring rollback netcode, new voice acting, and refined visuals, it’s a unique action-RPG fighter hybrid that excels in gameplay customization but struggles with its limited appeal and uneven storytelling.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon has enough content to keep players interested, whether they are puzzle aficionados or roguelike veterans. Unfortunately, the game suffers from over-complication of simple concepts but manages to stick the landing with addicting gameplay and a refreshingly simple story.

Artis Impact delivers a warm, character-driven RPG experience with charming worldbuilding and delightful side moments, but its unbalanced combat and uneven late-game pacing keep it from reaching its full potential.

Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden provides an engaging tabletop adventure fueled by a fantastical narrative. However, there is little to no challenge to be found in the encounters along the way, which weigh heavily on the epicness this story could otherwise provide. Still, this is an undeniably fun experience and stands out amongst any other title released today.

It feels as though Thomas Moon Kang had a clear vision of what One Step From Eden should be. Each system works well together to provide an experience that only this game can provide, even if another series influenced the core idea. It’s brutal difficulty surely won’t be for everyone, but roguelike fans will find a satisfying game loop of fast-paced action for many hours.

OshiRabu: Waifus Over Husbandos presents a strange premise that ends up working thanks to the charming cast of characters. The writing for the characters was endearing and romantic as you find yourself immersed in this otaku group of friends. There are a few low points in the story where you feel like the plot takes a couple of steps back, but the conclusion makes it all worth it.

B.ark shines. The traditional 2-D animation is stunning, and gameplay gives off that retro shoot ’em up feel with modern sensibilities. Some features go underutilized and crowd the screen, but that doesn’t take away how excited and diverse the gameplay is. This feels like a Saturday morning cartoon and offers multiple difficulty options and characters to approach the shmup experience no matter your skill level. B.ark happens to be as strong as its bite, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.

Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 3 may not be what the hardcore simulation gamers wanted, but it opens the door for rookies and fans of the sport looking to play out their riding dreams. The new gameplay features come with a learning curve, respecting old and newcomers alike. With the official 2019 calendar of riders available, dedicated servers, new features on career mode, and various new additions, I really feel like everyone is invited to this race.

Pokemon Legends Arceus gives us the open-world Pokemon adventure that we’ve asked for, but on the terms of the developer. We had to trade memorable moments with our Pokemon party for an isekai adventure about completing a Pokedex, which is something I haven’t achieved since Pokemon Crystal. As such, this entire experience was enjoyable and exceeded my expectations about what a Pokemon adventure could be. This is something I would like to see more of and something worth playing now.

Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind takes a surprising expedition into the investigation portion of detective games. Providing more robust options to fully explore a scene empowers players to embolden their explorative horizons. Both the voice acting and Live2D models offer a lively setting even within the text-heavy genre. As a remake, Detective Club rediscovers both itself and what makes detective games fun.

Until Then offers a compelling coming-of-age story infused with supernatural elements. Set in a post-disaster town, players follow high schooler Mark and his friends as they navigate personal challenges and mysterious occurrences. Despite some narrative pacing issues and a lack of supernatural exploration, the game's immersive setting, relatable character dynamics, and unique visual presentation make it a captivating experience.

Prison Princess provides hours of enjoyment and two of the cutest princesses you could be trapped somewhere with. I didn’t know what I was expecting when I began my adventure, but I came out of it with a more than pleasant experience.

Road 96: Mile 0 is a deceptively dark adventure game that centers around player choice and questioning those in power. We see this world through the eyes of two unique protagonists who keep you invested in the overall narrative. There are some hiccups with pacing at times, and the writing can be a little forced, but the conclusion makes the entire experience worth it. Pair that with a musical runner and way too many minigames to count, and you have an excellent adventure just waiting to be your next game.

There’s a lot to love about Arknights. Within the game’s story, base-building mechanics, and resource collecting side missions, there’s a ton to experience, but I was hoping for a little more. A PvP mode or event story modes would have worked well here as well as have it more in line with other mobile games available.

Dying Light has found a new home and is worth returning to for both veteran fans and those touching down on Harran for the first time. Playing again made me excited for the sequel’s release and made me appreciate this title even more. This and more is what a port should do, so good luck and good night.