Card-en-Ciel is a highly addictive deck-building roguelite from Inti Creates, blending grid-based combat inspired by Mega Man Battle Network with fast-paced dungeon-crawling action. While the story may take a backseat, the dynamic gameplay and rewarding progression systems shine through. With excellent English voice acting and a perfect fit for portable play on the Switch, this underappreciated gem is one of the best gameplay-focused titles of 2024.

Unknown 9: Awakening is the best PS3-era adventure game released in 2024. It has everything I remember from the genre during that time, and it managed to hold my interest until the conclusion. While the story eventually comes together, the pacing getting there is plagued with flimsy character growth and world-building. The character dynamics and relationships are also lacking due to the genuinely emotionless design of this cast, which also affects the pacing. You eventually play for the combat alone, but even that becomes a repetitive mess. I hope to see more from this team because we don’t get enough of these classic adventure games.

Despite its quirky premise, Kamikaze Lassplanes offers a captivating mix of ecchi visual novel storytelling and shmup gameplay. With a solid narrative focus, emotional depth, and replay value through multiple endings, the game is sure to appeal to fans of both genres. The shmup sections are fun and strategic, though not without minor flaws, while the VN aspects surprise with compelling character development. If you're seeking a unique blend of action and story-driven gameplay, this hybrid delivers a satisfying experience.

Despite my moderate level of enjoyment, I’d still hesitate to recommend Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition unless you have a notable affinity with action games from the early to mid-2010s. Its drab and monotonous open world doesn’t do its bland exposition any favors. Nevertheless, the combat, customization, and puzzle design may win over the more patient types. Regarding this boosted port, it doesn’t warrant a replay for the average player by any means, but if you’re a veteran or new fan, there’s enough justification for giving this release a whirl.

The Fox’s Way Home is a decent dance experience. The low-stakes narrative and gameloop remove any tension or frustration you may have with a spot-the-difference game, and the cute fox girl makes it more worthwhile. You’ll know if this is a game for you after a glance, but whether you’re willing to pay full price now or wait for a sale is up to you. There are a few options and modes that I feel were left out that would make the post-game replayability easier to recommend, but as it stands, this game begins and ends too quickly

Disney Pixel RPG offers a unique blend of nostalgic art and Disney charm, drawing inspiration from titles like Kingdom Hearts and Wreck-It Ralph. While its writing and character interactions shine, the game’s biggest drawback is its lack of content at launch, with only three chapters available in story mode. Gacha mechanics and quality-of-life features work well, but the limited scope may leave players wondering what’s next.

It remains to be seen how post-launch updates and community engagement will shape Blazing Strike’s future. The game could evolve into a hidden gem with time and improvement, especially if it manages to build a dedicated player base. For now, unless you’re eager to support an indie developer or are curious about its unique mechanics, there’s little reason to rush into this title. Patience may prove rewarding if the game receives the polish it needs, but at present, it struggles to justify its place among the fighting game ranks.

Neva is a truly breathtakingly beautiful experience, abundant with gorgeous, artistic and symbolic landscapes. It tells a touching, emotional story about parenthood, struggle and fighting for a decaying world. It brought me to tears and is a deeply memorable experience. However, I found myself rubbing up against some issues with hitboxes and readability of the environment, which led to unintentional frustration.

Ys X: Nordics brings Adol Christin's youthful spirit to the forefront, offering a refreshing mix of action-packed combat, deep customization through the Release Line, and expansive exploration. With a gripping narrative and dynamic character relationships, this entry stands as one of the best in the series. While the sea navigation takes time to open up, the ship battles and adventuring more than make up for it. Ys X: Nordics will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Kind Words 2 by Popcannibal expands upon the original game's concept of spreading kindness through writing. With a new city to explore, players can connect with others in various ways, from sending letters and paper airplanes to engaging in poetry slams and word chains. The game fosters a generous community atmosphere, encouraging players to uplift one another through simple yet impactful interactions.

Europa offers a heartfelt adventure set on a forgotten utopia, where players control Zee, an android seeking answers on Jupiter’s terraformed moon. With intuitive jetpack-fueled platforming and an atmospheric narrative conveyed through diary entries, Europa excels in tone and immersion. While some may find its short three-hour playtime a drawback, the beautifully designed environments and engaging mechanics make it a memorable journey. For those looking for a brief but impactful gaming experience, Europa is worth exploring.

Last Time I Saw You is a standout narrative adventure that doesn’t force you to relate to the main protagonist, but instead weaves in the stories and struggles of a young group of friends and how they plan to tackle life. Following Ayumi’s lead down a quest for love is an experience I won’t forget anytime soon, but the path forward does require some personal pacing to avoid backtracking exhaustion. If you need a nice dose of nostalgia, you’ve found your game.

I CHU: Chibi Edition on Nintendo Switch offers rhythm game enthusiasts a gacha-free experience, preserving the gameplay of the original idol gacha game but removing in-game purchases and stamina mechanics. While the songs are fun and the game is packed with characters, the translation and visual presentation suffer from stilted dialogue and awkward transitions. If you’re a fan of the original Japanese version or idol rhythm games in general, I CHU might still be worth a look, but beware of some lingering issues from its gacha roots.

Silent Hill 2 Remake by Bloober Team is a modern masterpiece in survival horror. The remake revisits James Sunderland's journey through a nightmarish Silent Hill, with stunning visuals, enhanced combat, and immersive environmental design. The story explores deep psychological themes while maintaining the fear-inducing gameplay that fans of the series remember.

Sword Art Online: Fractured Daydream is an SAO fan’s dream and an action RPG fan’s nightmare. While the rewards provide a nice dose of dopamine across each match, there’s not enough content here to justify fans of online action games to invest themselves in. The story might hold you for around 10 hours, but after that, you’re looking at hours and hours of grinding across the same handful of maps and missions, completing uncreative daily quests and begging for something new. Still, the action gameplay is incredibly addictive, but the support needs to show up as fans did on day one to witness the cringy emotional drama of SAO, one more time.

In just about every way, Metaphor: ReFantazio checks all the boxes for a masterful fantasy epic. Between the addictive gameplay design, endlessly strategic combat, and gripping narrative propelled by a compelling cast, this is an undeniable must-play that's guaranteed to be Atlus's next big hit.

Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is an absolutely addictive delight, firing on all cylinders, and is the dream Dragon Ball game for fans worldwide. While the story mode contains poorly implemented retreading, the high number of what-if scenarios more than makes up for this shortcoming.

Echoes of Wisdom is yet another stunning entry in the Zelda franchise and those looking for a new Zelda experience but also clamour for something different should give this title a definite try.

9 R.I.P. is a unique otome game that explores horror elements to create compelling backstories and circumstances for our protagonist to face. With the usual quality we’ve come to expect from Otomate, this is a great experience throughout.

Mouthwashing delivers an unsettling, cinematic spacewreck horror experience with a unique narrative exploring leadership and mental exhaustion. While the puzzles offer little challenge, the gripping storyline and atmospheric PS1-inspired visuals create an unforgettable psychological horror. Ideal for fans of walking simulators with a twist, this game explores disturbing themes that you won't easily forget.

Elsie offers a fresh take on the roguelike bullet hell genre, packed with challenging mechanics, boss fights, and unique customization options. While some systems feel underutilized, its intense combat and Mega Man X-inspired platforming shine, making it a must-play for genre fans.

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed brings back the iconic 2010 Wii platformer with a fresh coat of paint. Though the nostalgia is undeniable, the gameplay mechanics and morality system feel outdated, leaving much to be desired. Its charming premise and art style may appeal to diehard fans, but performance issues on PC further dampen the experience.

Reynatis, the latest action RPG from FuRyu, combines intriguing world-building and fluid combat but falters in storytelling and gameplay depth. Despite contributions from Yoko Shimomura and Kazushige Nojima, the rushed narrative leaves the experience feeling incomplete. The combat mechanics are engaging but lack challenge, while repetitive dungeons and lackluster side quests drag down the pacing. With some polish and deeper storytelling, Reynatis could have been something special, but as it stands, it’s a fun yet flawed journey.

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.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster allowed me to re-write the past where I once passed on the franchise. Surprisingly, even in 2024, this insane combination of genres holds up. Discovering the various ways of using items and navigating this mall over multiple runs was consistently fun, capped off by some of the most insane psychopath bosses I've ever fought against. Dead Rising was released almost 20 years ago, making it a product of its time, but I feel the changes to the script were unnecessary and hurt the uncomfortable impact these characters were meant to deliver. The updated visuals and controls may entice modern players to this release, but the core systems that make Dead Rising a must-play have been here since the beginning, and I'm glad to be able to join in the hype surrounding this series.

Cricket: Jae's Really Peculiar Game is a very personal story that touches on modern and nuanced social issues under the umbrella of loss, which we all struggle with. A deep sense of nostalgia fuels the experience through the colorful turn-based battles and imaginative boss encounters, providing older gamers with a familiar stage and giving newcomers a chance to enjoy an RPG from beginning to end, regardless of their skill level. While the overall experience could have been more focused, with less time spent on half-baked systems, it's an enjoyable and charming adventure that will easily find its audience.

Hollowbody is a love letter to the survival horror genre of the early 2000s. It’s not without its flaws, particularly in combat variety and puzzle depth, but its strengths far outweigh its shortcomings. For fans of classic survival horror, it offers a beautifully atmospheric, tension-filled experience that feels both nostalgic and new. It becomes a game that you want to see through, if only to witness how far this rabbit hole goes. I’m looking forward to seeing more from this developer in the future.

Ultimately, Fairy Tail: Beach Volleyball Havoc has an interesting premise, but it struggles to deliver a polished and enjoyable experience. The chaotic, magic-infused volleyball matches have the potential to be fun, but the lack of control and balance holds it back. Fans of Fairy Tail might appreciate the effort to bring something new to the franchise, but as it stands, the game feels more like a missed opportunity than a solid addition to the series.