9-nine-:Episode 4 is a great conclusion to the series that only stumbles in the pacing of a few points of the narrative. Honestly, I enjoyed practically every second of it. It enhanced the memories made in the previous entries while building a new timeline of events to provide a unique experience to readers.

Dogworld is a charming retro-inspired 2D Metroidvania that provides a unique gameplay experience through its aesthetic, story, and mechanics. However, the game suffers from mirroring its retro-inspirations too closely. Still, my general first impressions didn’t fail me, and I found a lot to love about this quirky adventure.

Blade & Soul: Revolution isn’t here to replace Blade & Soul on PC. The mobile offerings are commendable but provide very little above what you’d expect to find in an auto-battle MMORPG. The PVP and PVE offerings are there for players willing to go a few more rounds, but it borders on pay-to-win. While playing Blade & Soul on the go was fun, it sadly isn’t revolutionary.

8Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure is an excellent action-adventure that delivers a satisfying experience by using a few notable influences. Normal combat can become monotonous, but fights against bosses are deeply rewarding, mirrored by the sense of exploration needed to find everything the game has to offer. This is a game that’s perfect for any looking for a charming and unique Metroidvania experience, with added layers of difficulties for veterans of the genre.

Another Eden is worth checking out if you’re a fan of classic RPGs, but sadly the PC port doesn’t do the mobile experience any favors. You’re better off playing the mobile release while they update and optimize the PC version. It’s still playable and enjoyable for a free-to-play gacha RPG but definitely needs to break away from its mobile foundation.

Fantasy Tavern Sextet: Vol.3 Postlude Days is just more of the same. However, if you’ve made it this far then, you’ll be getting the best this series has to offer. At least we can say that it ended on a high note in terms of writing. However, the reused assets make this entry lack the grand finale feelings that I hoped for.

The single-player content is orthodox, but the combination of sly banter between the characters and the unlockable art and music keeps it fresh. The online lobby experience is satisfactory, but the lack of a true random player pairing system holds it back a little. Nonetheless, the true feature of Maiden & Spell, its multiplayer gameplay, shines through as a knowledgeable example of what fighting game players like, shipped in a unique bullet hell platform.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rising Hell is a standout roguelite that isn’t trying to break your budget. Those new to the genre and diehards alike will find plenty of depth to this challenging skill-based experienced. Its lasting power is yet to be seen, but bursts of gameplay provide enough to warrant multiple playthroughs as you try to get further. Rising Hell delivers a unique spin on the roguelite formula and creates a balanced experience for any who plays.

Quantum Replica is a broken experience. Its challenge stems from awkward control schemes and unfair systems, while the buggy and unresponsive maneuvering makes sure you’re rarely having any fun. As cool as this game may look at a glance, it quickly loses that qualifier after 30 minutes of gameplay.

The Blind of the New World is an emotional, metaphorical story about two isolated, misunderstood people discovering a connection. Although I wish the presentation weren’t so simple, the writing on its own is strong enough to hold your attention. The sci-fi and romance themes provide readers with a bittersweet edge to some memorable conclusions.

Wicce can be really rough in places, but you can find a short and sweet gem that shows love for the platforming and action genres in it. Still, some issues hinder the charm of this experience with needed quality-of-life improvements and additional playtesting. Regardless, I wouldn’t mind seeing going on more Wicce adventures in the future.

The LiEat trilogy presents a lite visual novel esque adventure with a charming duo of protagonists and through a whimsical narrative. While the questionable implementation of combat is puzzling, and the collectively 3-hour play-time for the entire trilogy can be understandable turn-offs, I find the characterizations and soundtrack more than enough to give these games a try.

Wing of Darkness doesn’t have enough time to really make its mark. Its 2-hour runtime and lack of customization or unlockables give little reason to return after the credits. It’s a shame because these characters are extremely likable and you can’t help but want to see their mission through. Here’s to hoping more comes from this series.

OPPAI Academy Big, Bouncy, Booby Babes isn’t going to win any narrative awards, but it does a decent job at being exactly what it wants to be. The overconfident protagonist isn’t cool, and the music will burn into your soul as the weird background to all types of sexual acts. Still, the UI is great, and the low-tension narrative makes this a no-brainer for fans.