Swords & Souls: Neverseen has a constant stream of humour, looks fantastic and is a breezy ten hours or so of thoroughly entertaining action.

In Sound Mind excels at its atmosphere and characterization of Desmond and the delusions of his patients. Combat can feel a little lackluster, and the story structure is formulaic. However, there is a love of horror on display found in the environments and core design of the experience.

Chronos: Before the Ashes is a solid action-adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome or try to be something that it isn’t. If you’ve played the VR original, you’ll find quality-of-life improves, but this is still the same challenging adventure that you’ll remember. The gameplay is tight, responsive, and consistently fun; there’s nothing more I could really ask for from an action-adventure game.

Plants Vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville opens the door for Switch users wanting to get into the competitive shooter genre. Still, everything is fairly standard here, which is best when experienced in short bursts. The hardware limitations creep up every once in a while, but overall this is a worthy port of a charming competitive shooter.

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is releasing at a precarious time for mobile games. What it’s promising is enticing, and I’ve had a lot of fun with it thus far. But when Square themselves just recently shut down multiple other titles, some less than a full year into service, it’s hard to be that optimistic about its future. I hope their gamble here pays off, and this becomes as big a hit as they’re clearly looking for because it’s one of the best in its genre of the year.

SKALD: Against the Black Priory is a narrative-rich adventure that takes everything great about creative 8-bit RPGs and heightens the experience for modern players. It’s enjoyably grim and sometimes grotesque, but through strong game design, I was rarely confused about how to progress amidst an experience that doesn’t hold your hand. The combat also sees some depth through character customization and job classes that each focus on unique loadouts and abilities which complement the strategic battles. I’m glad this game exists and I had a great time playing, so maybe keep it on your radar if you’re in need of a weekend adventure through the unknown.

Fabledom is a whimsical city builder that combines fairy tale themes with relaxed gameplay, making it perfect for newcomers to the genre. While it may lack the complexity and challenge of other city builders, its beautiful visuals, simple mechanics, and light-hearted humor create a delightful and engaging experience. If you're looking for a game to unwind with and enjoy building a magical kingdom, Fabledom is a charming choice.

Dragon Quest Treasures is a fun time with plenty of adventuring to be had. Its charming writing expected of the series, and the endearing cast creates a distinct, inviting ambiance, even if the story isn’t exactly compelling. Of course, there are plenty of tasks to complete and items to find to keep busy as well.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles features some incredible storytelling moments, but that’s mostly because it’s an exact retelling of the excellent source material. On top of this, you get to experience some of the most significant fights from the series firsthand. However, this comes at the cost of lengthy cutscenes and a game made for fans of anime and not necessarily fans of fighting games.

Dimension Tripper Neptune: TOP NEP feels like an appetizer of a full game, but it’s a damn tasty one. Boasting five defined stages, well-designed boss battles, and remarkable sound design and art direction, this on-rails shooter is an experience that can be easily enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike. Still, more incentivization for replayability aside from reaching higher scores would’ve been appreciated. Moreover, simply having more content would have been ideal since 15-minute playthroughs can be a tough sell, even when accounting for intention. Still, at least at the end of the day, I can say that Neptunia seamlessly stuck the landing for a first genre attempt.

Rhythm Fighter finds a good home on Switch as it melds together music and mayhem for short bursts of gameplay. The sheer variety with all of its characters, randomness, and potential systems make it a perfect fit for the handheld. Still, the gameloop isn’t as addictive as I could have hoped for, with some mechanics not leaving a lasting impression.

Visage requires patience as you progress through some truly horrific chapters, rewarded with even more nightmares as you encounter many supernatural elements. There are some beautiful environments to investigate, but the reused assets and unused space only hurt this game’s immersion. In many ways, this works as an adventure inspired by PT, but it’s defining elements are found in its unique features.

Dream was a surprise escape room title that I’m glad didn’t escape my interest. It provides a decent layer of challenge as you make your way through detailed set pieces. The narrative may be full of exposition as the story shoves breadcrumbs in your face, but that doesn’t take away from its more compelling puzzle designs. This is truly a hidden gem that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

This title is ideal for those actively yearning for a new type of Paper Mario experience or newcomers to the genre. If the sense of humor is in your style and you don’t mind the simplicity, then Born of Bread is a definite must-play. Otherwise, you’re better off pursuing other inspired journeys.

Despite feeling generic and not offering much to set itself apart, Sugar Style manages to be a fun romantic comedy. Its character dynamics are charming, and it never tries to be something it isn’t. Each route features humorous exchanges that will likely be enough to warrant a full playthrough.

I want to stress that despite all I’ve said, I do still like Oblivion Remastered. This has been a largely middling review because the game is middling by today’s standards, but it’s still a mostly successful remaster. Many of the things I’ve complained about couldn’t reasonably have been fixed without significantly more work, and I can’t ignore them entirely…but they certainly don’t mean that I’m not having fun. Ultimately, I believe that a person’s enjoyment of this remaster will depend more on their nostalgia for the original or desire to experience a foundational title than on the game’s quality in its own right. But I do think that the game has enough merit to be worth the effort – don’t expect it to have entirely stood the test of time.

KartRider Rush+ presents a racing experience that’s been profoundly lacking on mobile devices. It’s packed with great courses and challenging gameplay fueled by a truckload of content to unlock. Still, you can expect to find pay-to-win systems. This sadly hurts the game’s free-to-play model, which drifts heavily towards those who pay for a head start.

Relayer is an exceptionally niche SRPG that may slide under your radar if you aren’t explicitly looking for it. I would say it’s a game made for fans of the genre, but the mechs and sci-fi narrative open it up to a broader fandom. The SRPG features are accessible, and the systems for customization are deep enough to enjoy, no matter how familiar you are with these games. However, the narrative and pacing are weak, which weighs heavily on the enjoyment as it requires a level of investment that you will likely never have.

There’s a good game here to sink your time into, and I look forward to doing so. I just wish Bandai Namco had poured a little bit more special sauce onto it to differentiate it from the pack. There’s a ton of potential with a property as massive as Gundam, and I can’t help yearning for a game that did little more than just meeting my expectations.

Elsie offers a fresh take on the roguelike bullet hell genre, packed with challenging mechanics, boss fights, and unique customization options. While some systems feel underutilized, its intense combat and Mega Man X-inspired platforming shine, making it a must-play for genre fans.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is a genuinely unique horror game with all the fixings for a campy and spooky gameplay experience. Like any horror movie, you'll be asking, "Why are you going in there!?" but it's all part of the show. The remastered efforts shine, even if the narrative isn't winning any awards. If anything, this game teaches you that only good-looking people can be ghost hunters.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes emerges as a commendable homage to the beloved Suikoden series. It excels with a rich narrative full of intricate character dynamics and an engaging war story, supported by a vast character roster and beautiful, modern-traditional art design. Strategic gameplay elements add depth, though the game’s tendency to autopilot and underutilized open world might not satisfy players seeking a more interactive RPG experience.

The stellar character designs, wholesome cast, and home base divergences add some well-appreciated flavor. Admittedly, I did find myself growing somewhat bored at points because of the short and repetitious gameplay loop. Still, it gets the job done, managing to be an ideal game for those yearning for a not overly committal experience.

Diablo IV is the spark to rekindle the flames of this series’ greatness. The enemy variety and combat don’t hold up when to its predecessor, but over time I believe this will evolve into the best entry of the series to date. The option to mix up builds with enhancements and skill points adds a high level of customization to the experience and keeps every moment unique. However, we may need this game to cook in hell a bit longer for it to be the Diablo we’ve been waiting for.

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.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is the perfect winter adventure that can not only warm the hearts of League of Legends enthusiasts but also provide an enticing opportunity for those seeking a charming platforming experience with a touching narrative. With its endearing characters, compelling story, and meticulously crafted world, this game stands as a nice addition to the League of Legends universe that only stumbles with a few confusing systems.

FREERIDE is a charming game full of wonderful and lovable characters and while its story doesn't quite knock it out of the park, it certainly leaves a lasting impression. Its approach to a personality test is intriguing and while it might leave a little to be desired there as well, it certainly makes for a journey you'll want to take time and time again.

Fitness Circuit is a charming game that might be limited in its promised effectiveness but delivers on presentation. By offering total flexibility towards a player’s personal goals, perhaps the only bottleneck is the lack of overall accuracy and how it is unable to properly track your training progress, but then again, it’s doing what it can without the need for yet another weird required accessory. Your legs and closet full of Ring Cons and Balance Boards will thank you.