OneShot: World Machine Edition is one of those experiences you want to try for yourself without reading too much of it. If a puzzle adventure with a mysterious storyline sounds like your thing, then this is a game that offers a sizeable journey and some measure of replay value too. It may not always feel ideal for playing on console, and the pacing can be a tad sluggish, but the meta-gaming motifs remain intact.

Lunistice is not complex or complicated by any means, and if you play a single, straightforward playthrough, it isn’t even that difficult. But it is enjoyable and addictive in its no-frills approach, and the positive vibes from its visuals and soundtrack encourage you to keep playing. It’s the indie gem that I hope gets the attention it deserves since every polygon’s love and attention on display are evident. If you’re a fan of 3D platformers or 32-bit throwbacks, then it’s a game you need to try for yourself, and at its low price point, there’s little reason not to.

Slow Damage is a game that I would absolutely not recommend for the faint of heart or if you’re not a fan of extreme violence and blood. Still, I can definitely see just how it shines as one of Nitro Plus’ best visual novels in the BL genre, even as someone who isn’t very familiar with it. The great translation combined with a story that packs a solid thematic punch and, quite frankly, a shockingly good soundtrack all made the wait totally worth it, even though I had my gripes with the typography and UI. I truly cannot truly describe the “feeling” I had when playing it, but if I had to pick two words for it, I would say it was “truly euphoric.”

Renai X Royale is another enjoyable visual novel from ASa Project and NekoNyan. It’s a great example of comedy, landing its jokes from start to finish. While its over-the-top nature makes the romantic and more nuanced side of the story feel a little lacking, this is an easy recommendation for fans of the genre.

Being such a short and simple experience, if the ending of a one-sitting game is bad, it inevitably taints the whole experience – and I would say that Goodbye World‘s pointlessly cruel and mocking ending goes several steps further than that. Rather than coming to the end of a thematic roller coaster, I was left feeling like I’d been casually thrown off of a cliff.

Finding Paradise is a worthy successor to To The Moon, which re-explores the themes of death and regrets in a new light, in an easy-to-understand way. This Switch re-release offers players the chance to play the game in the most visually impressive way it’s ever been and brings it to a broader audience. When I wasn’t interrupted by strange interactables, I was immersed in its grippy and mysterious narrative. Now all I have to do is wait for Imposter Factory. They made a third one of these! I need to play it!

Aokana EXTRA2 is an excellent return to Sprite’s work that manages to nail what is impressive about the original game. Not only is it great to see the cast again, but seeing Misaki and Masaya dealing with their inner demons makes for an impressive visual novel. Sprite went all out for this fandisc and made it a must-play.

The Forest Quartet is a gorgeously emotive game, one that explores the complex emotion of grief with empathy, nuance, and understanding. This jazz-inspired puzzle game is an experience to be relished, one that will live long in the memory.

Drago Noka is a very ambitious game trying to make its own identity in the life simulation genre. Although charming, poor interactions between NPCs and the economy can make players feel directionless. Compounding this problem is the fact that players must discover many facets. There is a lot for players to sink their teeth into with Drago Noka, but a lack of direction could cause most to lose patience before the world opens up.

There are numerous games from the Japanese Doujinshi scene to discover, and Graze Counter GM is one of the best examples from this underground gaming scene. It’s inexpensive, making it an easy recommendation to genre fans, but even a casual player will find the experience fun and easy to jump back into for repeated plays. Graze Counter GM offers plenty of content and an interesting gameplay hook for anyone seeking a little more thrill in their bullet hell.

Bacchanalia seems to be an otome game that would fit all the checkmarks of what you’d expect from the genre, and while it is available for a relatively low cost of entry, that doesn’t excuse the fact that it is severely unfinished. From its awkward, inconsistent translation to even the plot having more holes than Swiss cheese, this title clearly should’ve just gone full-on Early Access, and I hope the developers are true to their word with their promise of fixing it all in the coming months.

However, the dreadful method of narrative progression is enough of a turn-off for those not willing to sink in the time to engage with it. Furthermore, its locking of the new fantastically designed bosses adds greater insult to injury. Here’s hoping the following two DLCs don’t suffer from a similar grave failing when I experience them.

I had an excellent experience with The Symbiant, but my biggest gripe has got to be just how relatively short it is to go through it all. Nonetheless, I laughed a lot at the interactions with Brahve and Danya, perhaps even more than I should. The adult patch is not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re willing to be “brave” (pun intended), then maybe this short experience is just what you need.

Tristia: Legacy is a cute simulation game, and I enjoyed my time with Nanoca Flanka and her friends. However, its issues hinder the experience significantly, so most players are less likely to have a good time. However, if you are fond of simulations and cute girls with book smarts, this old-school classic may still be for you.

Unfortunately, this is sadly brought down by glitches and unwieldy controls, causing frustration and ultimately ruining the experience by breaking the game and preventing progression. Having only played the Steam version, I can’t exactly recommend this game. Still, the console version may run better, so it’s worth researching if you’re interested.

Tristia: Restore is fundamentally broken. It is one of the worst experiences I have ever touched in video games, and the first time in my life I have ever felt regret for playing one. I wish I had Nanoca’s skills to make a time machine and tell the developers to invest all their money in Tristia: Legacy instead. That game deserved more.

The Crimson Flower that Divides: Lunar Coupling is an interesting otome game that I would praise for its more mature plot, but it shows signs of having aged considerably from its original 2012 release. The issue with story branches happening inside other routes made the experience confusing due to the lack of a flowchart. Further, when it came to specific love interests, the chapter names made navigating the routes a chore. A bit more quality assurance would have also gone a long way to remedy some of the typos.

Alice Escaped! provides a colorful and concise adventure for Metroidvania fans. Although the enemy variety is lacking, the combat and abilities make progression exciting through its intuitive skill tree and charming environment. The plot is covered in silliness, with a few dark themes sprinkled in, but it all meshes well with the fan service-focused character designs. Although you may prefer a higher challenge, this makes for a great weekend game.

ONI: Road to be the Mightiest Oni is the kind of game you will inevitably cross paths with. You know, one that, over time, becomes a remembered cult classic within indie circles. The experience is worth it for the atmosphere alone, and while the gameplay loop may not be anything remarkable, the journey itself is memorable. If you’re after something Avant-garde and imbued with meaning, it’s worth going through the trials and tribulations to become the mightiest Oni.

Even going into the experience, fully intending to meme my way through the game, I actually had a stupid amount of fun. Whether or not the physics work as intended, it scratches a racing itch I didn’t know I had. With a market as lifeless as the motocross video game market, Milestone has a pretty solid idea of what they are doing. I didn’t try the online racing, so Monster Energy Supercross 6 is a fun time unless there are server issues. But then, you just have to look past goofy character designs.

Record of Agarest War on Switch is the definitive way to experience this adventure. The portability allows you to take the level grinding and waifu relationship building on the go or to bed with you; I won’t judge. The nuanced battle system is unique and fun to experiment with as you face off against some truly tough encounters across several generations. Returning fans may not have it in them to see this war through until the end, but new players may enjoy the adventure.

We all know why you’re playing Alice Gear Aegis CS Concerto of Simulatrix, and I’m there with you. The mecha anime girl appeal is the main drawing point, which will entertain you for about an hour before you realize that you’ve let your feelings for these anime girls woo you into making such a bad buying decision. The lack of playable content ultimately brings this waifu mech to the ground, but some of you will likely stay fast with the ship like any good captain would.

Rance IX: The Helmanian Revolution is a good recommendation for fans of erotic games that don’t mind non-con content. Though its simplistic battle arenas may be underwhelming for veterans of strategic games, it’s a fantastic example of the Rance series’ compelling world-building and steamy scenes.

Tokyo Necro fits in perfectly with other Nitroplus-developed titles. This world of cold, zombies, and technology may have somber, darker undertones, but it’s also one of hope for people’s efforts to be their better selves. This contrast and the hype-inducing 3D action scenes make it a highlight in its genre and a must-play.

My Girlfriend’s Special Place is a rather run-of-the-mill, predictable romantic story. Even so, it’s a short story worth a read if you only want a light experience. Considering the format, I imagine the upcoming volumes, Imouto no Seiiki and Gakkou no Seiiki, which Sekai Project has already announced, are similarly comfy products

Girls! Girls! Girls!? can be summed up as a crossdressing maid H-experience, and that’s all you need to know to know if it’s for you or not. If I had to expand on this, I’d add that it’s a fluffy eroge with animated characters and nothing really more. It could use some work on the consistency of its visuals and narrative, but it wasn’t advertising to be anything other than what it is.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 is a messy, delightful package that’s a decent bang for your buck. The four titles offer considerable content full of optional objectives and postgame events. The stories and characters, while hit-or-miss, become more engaging throughout the series. However, the lack of in-game maps brings forward a few issues, but if you can get past that, these are dense adventures coupled with celebratory Legacy Collection features that will assuredly delight any fan. Hell, there’s even online battling for the diehards.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 2 suffers from familiar faults found in previous entries. Still, the updated gameplay concepts, captivating stories, and endearing characters made this collection a grand experience. Even with Battle Network 4 being the low point, there’s still much to enjoy about each entry. Coming from a new fan of the series, you owe it to yourself to play through this adventure.