Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Wrath of the Druids is an excellent extension of what the base game offers fans. Its focus on uncovering a mystery is embedded in the campaign and missions. Roaming around Ireland provides a new playground for fans to explore but at the cost of a few empty areas. Still, there's so much to discover here that just being able to spend more time in this world is reason enough to return.

Subnautica: Below Zero offers an amazing world of discoveries through a mysteriously captivating campaign to uncover. Every moment exploring is rewarded through stunning environments, and I wanted to continue my adventure if only to see a little more. There are some moments of confusion through resource management, but once you dive in, Subnautica: Below Zero won’t have you coming up for air any time soon.

The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass is a mixed bag of a visual novel. The early chapters and a weak cast weigh on the experience, but it builds upon that with a strong narrative direction and presentation. It all comes together to provide a decent mystery that really finds its footing after the opening chapters.

Touken Ranbu: Online is a decent game, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of unique elements that set it apart from anything you’re probably playing right now. Given its 2015 Adobe Flash origin, you can forgive it for its dated UI, but its strange installation and pay structure makes the experience more frustrating than enjoyable. But hey, at least we have the anime adaptation.

Girls in Glasses doesn’t do anything particularly notable or memorable, but it’s an enjoyable read as an average lighthearted high school romance. And if you like cute girls in glasses, you probably won’t find a visual novel with a higher concentration than this.

Resident Evil Village is like a reunion of all the previous games in the series. It takes what worked and gives it to fans in small bites across this horrifying adventure. Tension is created in multiple ways that force you to adjust on the fly, but as scary as it, the thought that answers to all your questions lie beyond the next door will keep you playing long into the night. Resident Evil Village isn’t having an identity crisis. It’s fully aware of what it’s doing. Somehow, the blending of these systems produces the most entertaining nightmare you’ve ever had.

Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition is an amazing upgrade that no one will think they wanted until they play it. The free nature of it allows fans to return to a more immersive world, while those who have yet to play can experience the best version available. This is the way Metro Exodus needs to be played. Sadly, the PC requirements are high, but those who can play will be treated to some serious eye candy.

Angels of Death revolves around its puzzle gameplay loop complemented by a great cast of characters and story that provides a compelling experience to players. One playthrough will deliver everything you need to know, which takes away from replayability, but makes it a great weekend game. Through its depressing story beats and clever design, Angels of Death wears its RPG Maker horror themes on its shoulder for fans of the genre to immerse themselves in.

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.

If I could offer any advice, stay away from SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off. Its laughable $30 price tag had me thinking I was hallucinating as it is borderline robbery. These colorful visuals may catch the eyes of series’ fans, but it’s all a facade for a shallow and limited experience that is first and foremost a free-to-play mobile experience brought to Switch for a premium price.

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.

Sutekina Kanojo no Tsukurikata could easily be enjoyed by fans of yandere and yuri themes who aren’t looking for a fluffy romance. The game’s darker moments can be impactful and may be interpreted differently depending on the players, but the message comes together in the end. There’s a lot to digest, though, and that may limit those willing to stick with it through its several routes.

If you haven’t been playing your VR device lately, Star Wars Pinball VR is the perfect reason to charge it back up. This is perhaps the closest you can get to experiencing these tables in real life and they translate so well in the VR space. Even if you’ve played Star Wars Pinball before, I think this version provides enough of a unique experience that warrants an additional playthrough. [Oculus Quest 2]

Musicus! brings with it an experience to remember and keep close to heart. Just like how its characters talk about the way music can emotionally move you, this is the kind of story that can deeply connect to anyone willing to dive into it.

Disgaea RPG represents your typical mobile gaming experience, for better and for worse. It offers a ton of content around this exceptionally large cast of characters for fans of the series to dive headfirst into. However, it borrows many core elements from other mobile games when it should have relied more on the deep strategic planning the series is known for. Still, the game is undoubtedly addicting, and I’m excited to see how this western release evolves.

Livestream understands that less is more when it comes to aspects like music, inviting players to concoct their own terrible images of what lurks in the depths. Ironically, the aspects that expand it into something more than a horror game end up dampening the experience. Livestream is a solid study of horror fundamentals, which is satisfying on its own.

World End Economica Complete is a fine example of a genre staple when it comes to visual novels. This is a great release as a complete collection as each part complements the previous entry. While the pacing of the narrative can feel a bit slow at times, the expression and flow make the journey worth investing into. Further, the visuals and music don’t always shine as much as they should, but they still manage to create atmosphere and provide the cast of characters with vibrant personalities. Above all, how many other visual novels can claim to be a sci-fi economic thriller?

Smelter scratched any itch I had to play a new and fulfilling platformer. Through its tight and responsive controls, challenging level design, and non-intrusive combat, this is a must-play title for any who desire a new experience in this genre. The strategy elements can either be a turn-off or further enhancement depending on the player, but I still think the game is worth playing with that risk in mind.

Judgment on next-gen consoles provided a completely new experience through some amazing visual updates. I was genuinely immersed in the world and felt more attached to the narrative than I have ever been before. If you have yet to experience this game, then do yourself a favor and play this version. On the other hand, if you're looking to run around Kamurocho again as a Detective Yagami, then this is the perfect way to replay the adventure.

The Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack may not offer enough for old fans to double-dip in the adventures, but there's so much here for new fans to discover. Not just in terms of gameplay, but the evolution of this series and the characters that paved the way towards its current popularity. The extra content and quality-of-life features are just added bonuses to the adventures that await.

Nier: Replicant ver.1.22474487139... is a beautiful experience and exactly how you should play this amazing game. Upon finishing, it's easy to say that it is unequivocally one of the best games I have ever played. This story emotionally moves players with the help of its character-writing, intense action, and somber tone, making it easy to immerse yourself in their world.

Touhou Hyouibana: Antinomy Of Common Flowers is a decent tag-team fighter with tight and enjoyable gameplay. The lack of an in-game move-list is confusing, but the fighting systems come naturally after a few matches. In execution, this is a bullet-hell fighter, and it provides that experience during every match.

MAMIYA is a game I’ll have a hard time forgetting. Going through it all again may produce additional layers of interpretation and knowledge that didn’t click the first time around. It’s a dive into a depressive, sorrowful and mad world that breaks people, one that I can even see myself coming back to from time to time.

By using the shortness of procedurally created dungeons without any positive unique skills or mechanics, Shachibato just ends up feeling like an RPG that ends way too quickly, without any reason to continuously play it.

To truly do this game justice, mechanics needed to be updated to make the overall experience more enjoyable. Faster pace and more fluid gun gameplay could bring new audiences. The game should be played by anyone who has never experienced the series and are interested enough to visit the Darkside themselves. I’m sure longtime fans will feel that nostalgic love, playing this occult hit exactly as it was published two decades ago but personally, I feel it could have been left on the shelf.

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.

Years after I first played it, DRAMAtical Murder remains one of the most gorgeous visual novels, with striking character and set designs, dynamic art direction, and attention to even small details in the UI. The soundtrack, particularly the OP and ending songs, are incredibly catchy. I fall in love with the characters more every time I replay it, and even though the plot has some weak points, it’s still an intriguing exploration of themes of humanity, technology, and identity. Highly recommended for fans of boys’ love, of course, but I think many visual novel lovers would enjoy it.

Say No! More does a great job in giving the player some casual and lighthearted fun. With some satirical and colorful scenarios about corporate work culture, the adventure provokes themes of self-advocacy and helping those around you. You can easily tell the game is full of heart and humor. Despite its shortcoming of being a one-time deal, Say No! More is an experience worth picking up.