Lost Soul Aside is indisputably not for everybody. But for those who click with its systems, they're in for a compelling gameplay-driven time reminiscent of PlayStation 2-era hack 'n' slashes. If you have been actively following the development of this title since its announcement, then I can undoubtedly understand the sheer disappointment you may feel. Yet, those not burdened with that level of expectation can vibe with Lost Soul Aside's messily ambitious combat-first heart.

Habroxia 2 is a really entertaining shmup that presents itself in an accessible way for more casual gamers or those newer to the genre. Unfortunately, at times Habroxia 2 feels like it reuses too many enemies from its predecessor and is also a bit on the short side. Still, I really enjoyed my time blasting away enemies in space, especially with the game’s fun and response controls and upgrades. If you’re interested in some shmup action that isn’t overly demanding, Habroxia 2 may be the experience for you.

Cozy Grove definitely lives up to its namesake as a cozy gaming experience, one designed for short bursts of play, where playing a little each day allows you to get more out of it than longer play sessions. The basic gameplay loop is limited, but the charm of the game world and the basic premise provides a relaxing sense of achievement. While it doesn’t replace Animal Crossing as your next time-sink, it does enough to provide a lighter and less demanding alternative.

The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny is an easy to pick up but tough-to-master fighter that does more than expected with only two-buttons. This creates some unique matchups, but the shallowness of the overall design leans heavily on unlockables and rewards for the time you put in. It’s definitely not something that will keep your attention for more than a weekend, but it a significant title to experience.

Souldiers is great for those looking for a new action platformer with a dose of challenge. Unfortunately, the game’s easy mode does very little in the way of making the experience, well, easier, so there’s some serious difficulty here. Sadly, there’s nothing in terms of story or character to ground you in this adventure, but if you’re into the gameplay systems, be sure to enlist.

The Wonderful 101: Remastered has its ups and downs. It features a fantastic story full of humor, likable characters, and enjoyable boss fights, but its outdated graphics and less than stellar controls hold it back from being the hero that we all wanted it to be.

Turrican Flashback is a retro gamer or wannabe retro gamer’s dream. A re-release of classic titles with some ways to even the challenging playing field makes this a go-to title for anyone who’s actually played games on the Commodore 64 or someone who would like to get a taste of some stylish games from the very early ’90s without being bombarded in strange mechanics or dodgy translations.

If you have the option to play The Outer Worlds on any other console, I suggest you do that. If you don’t have anything other than a Switch and still want to check out the Halcyon system for yourself or simply want to play the game again on the go, this port gives you a chance, though don’t expect the best version of the game.

Journey to the Savage Planet’s gameplay could have benefitted from Hot Garbage’s additions if it wasn’t made to be a separate experience. Mechanics like boosted Jetpacks and Underwater Boots would have been great to use on the planet of AR-Y 26. Instead, planet DL-C1 is a self-contained add-on that provides new equipment along with new ways to use old abilities. With its low cost of entry, the value of extending some good gameplay is always a solid choice.

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.

Maquette is a beautiful game with a compelling narrative that is a perfect weekend experience. Across its four-hour runtime, I was able to feel emotionally invested in this relationship as I begged to see it through until the end. The puzzles hinder progression, but the lack of interaction with the environment limits any additional playthroughs or unique playing experiences.

Amairo Chocolate 3 delivers a cozy, low-stakes visual novel experience that stays true to the series’ slice-of-life roots while expanding its content with split routes and generous after stories. It functions as both a sequel and a farewell, offering relaxed pacing, strong voice performances, and comforting character moments, even if its structure and tonal shifts occasionally undermine immersion. Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers should know this entry prioritizes warmth and familiarity over narrative ambition.

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.

Best Served Cold is a detective game with fairly limited means, but it nonetheless makes the most of them to weave a compelling story of alternate-universe Prohibition. Excellent, natural-feeling diverse representation is a bonus on top of world-class world-building, keeping things light on detail but giving just enough info that the player feels the reality of the world outside the speakeasy. Just don't expect an explosive finale, and have patience for a few bugs.

Superliminal offers unique gameplay elements for a fun evening, but the experience won’t leave an impact. Its perspective features turn out to be more of a novelty or a practical tech demo than a way to create an engaging narrative. While that alone might make it worth giving a try if you’re looking for an interesting experience, the idea of Superliminal works better on paper than in execution.

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms is a low-stakes 2D adventure that offers a varied array of customization options to influence its beat ’em-up combat. As explained previously, there isn’t exactly a well-kept balance, but there is genuine fun here for those simply seeking an experience where they can turn off their brain. Moreover, the narrative can be seen as an enjoyable adaptation of the Three Kingdoms in spite of its rapid pace, acting as a loose entry point. The repetitious gameplay loop likely means long play sessions won’t be the norm here. Still, there’s a decent chunk of content dedicated fans can pursue.

Summer in Mara is a whimsical adventure that doesn’t require the player to micromanage their days. The balance of exploration, discovery, and farming-sim elements make this a charming way to spend an afternoon. Still, the repetition of it all will make long play sessions dull. While direction and pacing can be confusing, this game is exceptionally approachable to anyone looking for a farming-sim adventure with a low barrier or entry.

Labyrinth Legend doesn’t offer much in the way of a story, and gear drops leave much to be desired. However, it makes up for this with delightfully simple gameplay and brief stages, making this a solid experience for every Switch owner.

Madden NFL 22 is meant to deliver a simulated and engaging experience to fans of football. Its animations are great, and you’ll likely only gravitate to one mode that you prefer over the others, but it all acts as a way for fans to connect, and sometimes a rare glitch won’t impact that. There’s a lot of demand for some growth of the series, and this game has a long way to go, it seems, but seeing my dad pick up a gaming controller for the first time in years and can’t be overlooked.

Edens Zero is a flawed but endearing action RPG that blends heartfelt storytelling with expansive exploration and light RPG mechanics. While hampered by dated visuals and performance hiccups, its character-driven charm and rewarding gameplay loop make it a worthwhile experience for fans and curious newcomers alike.

Kaiju Wars can be an unforgiving experience, from missions that take all of your stamina to a story requiring familiarity with the source material. However, the gameplay is deep and nuanced enough to be exciting and rewarding. I am confident that Kaiju Wars will become a cult classic amongst a niche group of fans, much like the films that inspired it.

Secret Agent presents a fusion of futuristic technology and classical ninja and knight tropes that deliver an engaging visual novel experience that will resonate with fans of the genre. While the story occasionally sidelines this compelling backdrop, it manages to offer a refreshing take on the possibilities of augmented reality. With its endearing characters, well-executed character routes, and thoughtful quality-of-life features, Secret Agent provides a comfortable and enjoyable read. Despite adhering to some familiar romance-focused visual novel conventions, the charm of the game’s protagonists and the intrigue of its narrative make it a worthwhile addition to any visual novel enthusiast’s library.

Café Stella and the Reaper’s Butterflies is great at telling a narrative about a group of friends running a café. However, its casual disregard for the actual plot is a missed opportunity. You may come for the supernatural premise, but you’ll stay for the cute girls and comedy. I think the character writing is reason enough to play through this game, especially if you’re a fan of Yuzusoft titles, but if you’re looking for a compelling story, you may want to try one of their other titles.

Slave Zero X rejuvenates a classic franchise with intense action and a challenging combat system in a dystopian future. The steep learning curve and intricate gameplay mechanics demand mastery, offering a rewarding experience. With its compelling narrative and immersive soundtrack, the game stands as a testament to the potential of modernizing dormant IPs, providing a memorable and engaging action-packed journey.

Lost Ember is a great narrative adventure that acts as a wonderful game to play over an evening. However, the Switch version lacks the beauty found in the other versions. It’s ultimately something that holds this version back because the visuals are a key feature of what makes this such a memorable game. Ultimately, Lost Ember is a game that you should play, but maybe not on the Switch.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires is a great representation of the Empires series with a few modern elements to entice seasoned players. Its strategic systems are addicting, with combat being delightfully simple, instilling the gratifying sense of mayhem the franchise is known for. It’s a moderately enjoyable time-sink, yet it lacks an identity that can make it difficult to recommend to casual series fans who want more out of their experience. At the very least, Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires isn’t an erroneous existence like the original Dynasty Warriors 9 since it provides genuine entertainment, even if not sincerely lasting.

Compared to other Japanese-themed visual novels I’ve played, Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei didn’t impress me as much. The story did manage to find a middle ground with its visuals and cutscenes. but I left yearning for more character development, which is something its contemporaries in the genre are generally known for. However, if you’re the type that prefers a more bittersweet fantasy-style story, you might be able to look past its imperfections and see it as not an otome game, but a very-well made visual novel.

Neoverse doesn’t have a reason why these women jump through portals to fight monsters, but who cares with a deckbuilding roguelike system this addictive. Its high difficulty will force you to stay on your toes, but there’s enough here to keep playing for hours. Still, if you can’t get past the lack of narrative, uninspired rewards, and design, then you might want to play something else.