There is a lot of excellent game design packed into the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection. With the added Z Chaser, save assist, and casual mode, the series is now more accessible than ever with added modes for returning fans. Any of the shortcomings of one title is made up for in the other, which makes it easy to say that that this collection is 2D action at its finest.

Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is a tense, thoughtful sequel that builds on Square Enix’s cult mystery with a more intimate setting and a culturally grounded curse rooted in Ise-Shima folklore. Through timeline manipulation, bad endings, and careful deduction, it challenges players to rethink assumptions while exploring grief, guilt, and tradition. Though fairly linear, its layered narrative, strong character work, and confident reliance on text over voice acting create a deeply immersive experience that lingers long after the credits.

Cupid Parasite is one of the most engaging experiences I’ve ever had with an otome game. From my second playthrough to my fourth, I found myself shaking in my chair, wanting to know what would happen next. Its comedic romance kept me up until the late hours of the night, and I haven’t had a game that made me feel like this in quite a long time. Aside from affected routes, the translation work is solid, and I’m looking forward to the developer fixing the present bugs.

Lisa: Definitive Edition is a title that I wish I had played years ago. It excels in a way that others struggle when juggling an in-depth battle system, modern features, and a mature narrative. The added content of this Definitive Edition makes it the perfect time to experience a game that may have flown under your radar. Still, you may find it strange to be enjoying such a painful and joyless experience; oh well.

Jusant marks a departure from Don’t Nod’s typical narrative-driven adventures, and it comes together brilliantly. As you ascend the towering landscapes, this journey reveals a mysterious world through intriguing hidden texts and captivating environments. Jusant strikes a harmonious balance between challenging gameplay and serene moments, allowing players to immerse themselves at their own pace. Despite occasional navigation challenges, the game’s overall design, ambient soundscapes, and subtle storytelling foster an experience that sparks conversation and contemplation. Jusant not only fuels your curiosity but also keeps you spellbound throughout its journey.

It’s the kind of singularly relaxing-yet-meaningful game that reminds you that you can take a second away from your daily stress and just step outside and breathe...Maybe even go for a little walk.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a warmly updated remake that blends traditional farming sim mechanics with modern quality-of-life upgrades, offering a deeply satisfying and endlessly charming cozy game experience for both longtime fans and new players alike.

A gentle, introspective adventure set in a snow-covered Moominvalley, Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth trades the lively energy of its predecessor for a quieter, more reflective journey about embracing the unfamiliar. By centering on Moomintroll’s discomfort with winter and gradual growth, the game delivers a heartfelt narrative supported by cozy exploration, light puzzle-solving, and meaningful character interactions. While its smaller cast and slower pace may not appeal to everyone, its charm, atmosphere, and respect for the source material make it a warm, inviting experience that lingers long after the snow melts.

Punishing Gray Raven joins the pantheon of high-quality gacha greats where only so few reside. Following a rocky launch, this game offers intense action gameplay, deep customization, great characters, and highly detailed designs wrapped in a decent free-to-play model. Even though the game doesn’t break ground in the genre, every feature creates a great mobile experience. I feel communication on future events is key to the survival of this western version, but everything I’ve played so far has me hooked.

Ys vs. Trails in the Sky: Alternative Saga brings Falcom’s cult PSP crossover to modern systems with surprising care, offering nostalgic charm for long-time fans of Ys and Trails. Featuring rollback netcode, new voice acting, and refined visuals, it’s a unique action-RPG fighter hybrid that excels in gameplay customization but struggles with its limited appeal and uneven storytelling.

Atelier Sophie 2 offers a heartwarming and nostalgic adventure. While most of the cast is new, the game doesn’t shy away from providing a narrative that both new and returning fans can enjoy. Its battle system is highly addictive as it evolves throughout the game, mirrored by the updated synthesis system with streamlined options and quality-of-life improvements. There are some low points in this adventure, but Atelier Sophie 2 proves traditional JRPGs can still flourish in this modern world.

Sanabi defies the conventions of the 2D-action platformer genre by prioritizing an engrossing narrative alongside its acrobatic gameplay. While the story scenes may slow the pace, they contribute to character development and add depth to the gameplay. Sanabi is a finely-tuned experience that puts an emphasis on speed and offers a unique blend of story-driven content and skill-oriented platforming, making it an excellent addition to the world of indie gaming.

Disc Room is a straightforward arcade game that is fun to sink a few hours in as you reach a heightened sense of being. Weaving in and out of blades that are inches from you and pulling off some split-second dodges is panic-inducing but also pretty rewarding to your gaming ego. Even with a repetitive gameloop and some not-so-useful abilities, I had a great time maneuvering through this daring adventure while solving puzzles and facing death head-on.

Pokemon Legends Arceus gives us the open-world Pokemon adventure that we’ve asked for, but on the terms of the developer. We had to trade memorable moments with our Pokemon party for an isekai adventure about completing a Pokedex, which is something I haven’t achieved since Pokemon Crystal. As such, this entire experience was enjoyable and exceeded my expectations about what a Pokemon adventure could be. This is something I would like to see more of and something worth playing now.

Mortal Kombat 1 is a welcome addition to a thriving fighting game landscape. The new systems build on top of the already established foundation created in Mortal Kombat 11 but in a more refined way. It doesn’t shy away from its gorey roots, and thankfully the Kameo system is far better than the voice cameos heard throughout the campaign. Essentially, this is Mortal Kombat done in a way that embraces more powerful hardware and delivers an experience that lives up to the legacy of the series.

Planet of Lana II is a confident and carefully crafted sequel that expands on the original’s cinematic puzzle adventure with smarter systems, deeper mechanics, and a more personal story. By blending machine control with Mui’s new possession abilities, the game delivers layered puzzles that grow naturally in complexity while maintaining its quiet, wordless storytelling and striking visual atmosphere. Though it occasionally loses some of the original’s sense of journey and features a few minor technical hiccups, this sequel refines what worked and builds something richer, more ambitious, and consistently rewarding for returning players.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined offers a bold reinterpretation of the classic JRPG, blending nostalgic structure with modern design tweaks. The revamped pacing, deep Vocation system, and charming diorama-style visuals bring new life to a lengthy adventure, though the experience may feel diluted for longtime fans. While some structural gripes persist, newcomers will find an accessible and feature-rich entry point into one of the series' most divisive chapters. Then again, the added conveniences, combat features, and other new incorporations still make this a satisfactory, and admittedly by-the-books, classic JRPG through and through. I suppose that, if there's one facet to be constant, it's that Dragon Quest VII will remain at least semi-controversial, no matter what version is played.

The ultimate question —whether the Atelier Ryza Trilogy Deluxe Pack is worthwhile —entirely depends on your personal interest and investment in the series. If you’re a complete newcomer, then this package is an unquestionable must-play, comprising three densely customizable adventures with endearing casts. On the other hand, veteran fans will have to consider if these added systems and interactions warrant replays. Regardless of how much you may love these games, the lack of an upgrade path from the original releases, the hefty price point, and the fact that these titles tend not to go on massive sales make this decision a hard-fought one. Still, if you decide on picking up the Atelier Ryza Trilogy Deluxe Pack, know that this is a phenomenal collection you won’t regret, with the numerous add-ons, whether they be old DLCs or new content altogether, making them some of the most comprehensive JRPG experiences you can ever ask for.

Cairn is a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant climbing game with a thoughtful narrative and immersive mechanics. Players control Aava, a world-class climber ascending the mythical Kami mountain in a journey marked by physical endurance, existential reflection, and environmental storytelling. With its intuitive limb-based climbing system and well-integrated survival elements, Cairn delivers a harrowing yet rewarding experience, despite some technical hiccups in its pre-release build.

The Plucky Squire was truly a delightful and charming adventure, filled to the brim with clever jokes, beautiful graphics and a range of fun gameplay mechanics. It does not overstay its welcome, and instead offers a polished experience from start to finish. Even though it sometimes holds the players hands a bit too much for my taste, I had a fantastic time and wish I could play it for the first time again.

Buried Stars came out of nowhere but it has become one of my favorite visual novels of this year. The titles’ fantastic presentation paired with the gripping narrative for unique experience within the genre. The localization can seem flat at times, but this is well worth the time of any adventure fan.

Virche Evermore ~ErroЯ:Salvation skillfully blends a tragic story with unconventional romance. It’s not without its flaws, as the forced bad endings and the lengthy common route can be a minor inconvenience. However, the heart-wrenching ending route is so mesmerizing that it makes it worthwhile, provided you have the emotional resilience to endure the bad endings.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless represents the best execution of the series’ trademark combat and level systems to date. It’s a showcase of features that have been perfected over the past twenty years to be enjoyed by players, both new and returning. While there are a few new concepts that could have used more work, and it’s a shame that the Switch version is noticeably compromised, it’s a major step back in the right direction for a long-running franchise that’s got a legion of loyal fans for a good reason.

MIO: Memories In Orbit is a visually striking and mechanically rich metroidvania that rewards patient, experienced players with its challenging combat and vertical mobility. Set aboard a derelict spaceship with a hauntingly beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic, the game delivers a memorable sci-fi journey bolstered by fluid movement and smart encounter design. While some systems fall short of their potential and the storytelling remains minimalistic, MIO offers a distinct experience for fans seeking depth and atmosphere in their exploration.

Infernax is more than just an ode to black sheep titles that it’s paying homage to. With well-crafted platforming and combat, it surpasses many of the games that inspired it. Further, it is intentionally challenging without relying on cryptic padding or cheap deaths. Those looking for a retro action-adventure without the dated feel will have a bloody great time with Infernax.

Forza Motorsport is a gorgeous racing experience across each and every lap. The title excels in rewarding players during every race, and the legendary amount of available cars and tracks at launch means there's plenty to enjoy right from the starting line. The gameloop is addictive, with a more than generous layer of accessibility options to create formidable racers out of anyone. The real meat may be the multiplayer modes, but it never overshadows what is offered in the single-player career mode. Here's to hoping the live-service model works for this release, with the launch state looking like a great starting point.

Code:Realize Guardian of Rebirth is full of beautiful set pieces and fantastic characters. The writing paired with the extremely impressive visual style will give any visual novel fan an immersive fantasy experience. It helps that the adventure is filled with great writing for the large cast of public domain characters as the fuel for the entire story.

Crown Trick is a roguelike that isn’t afraid to make you feel overpowered through its systems. However, it’s also not afraid to test your skills by introducing powerful enemies and traps. No matter what, though, there are plenty of ways for the player to take on the challenge. It’s this design that makes Crown Trick a must-play for both dungeon-crawler and roguelike fans. Even as I’m writing this, I just want to play more, which is the first time I’ve ever wanted to be in a nightmare.