Death of a Wish offers a unique take on the action-adventure genre, set in a dream-like world plagued by nightmarish creatures. The game weaves a story of revenge and self-reflection through the journey of Christian, a fighter battling against a corrupt cult. Despite a narrative that takes its time to unfold and minimalistic "scribble" visuals that challenge navigation, the game's depth shines in its combat system.

Unicorn Overlord distinguishes itself in the tactical RPG landscape with its strategic depth and immersive worldbuilding. Vanillaware's creation shines through its complex combat system, where unit formations, skill settings, and strategic planning are key. Despite a sprawling cast that sometimes dilutes character impact, the gameplay's strategic intricacies and the detailed, visually rich environments ensure a compelling experience. This game is a notable entry for both newcomers to tactical RPGs and seasoned strategists, highlighting Vanillaware's mastery in blending beautiful art with deep gameplay mechanics.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley offers an immersive journey into the Moomin universe. The game artfully combines exploration, puzzle-solving with Snufkin's musical instruments, and stealth mechanics against authoritarian obstacles, embodying the spirit of adventure and rebellion. Through interactions with well-loved characters and visits to iconic locations, enriched by a hand-drawn art style and a captivating soundtrack, the game provides a deep, engaging experience.

The Thaumaturge immerses players in a rich urban fantasy set in pre-World War I Warsaw, offering a blend of RPG and detective elements through the eyes of Wiktor Szulski, a mystic with the power to uncover hidden truths. With a story that weaves together political intrigue, historical figures like Grigori Rasputin, and supernatural themes, the game stands out for its detailed world-building and complex mechanics of puzzle-solving, stealth, and combat. Despite its deep narrative and unique gameplay, the game occasionally suffers from overly guided investigations and uneven combat pacing. However, its compelling setting and innovative use of Thaumaturgy ensure a captivating experience, even as some narrative and gameplay aspects feel underdeveloped.

Fate/Samurai Remnant Record Fragment: Keian Command Championship is really only for those really desperate for more content, as the DLC itself isn't particularly memorable in most of its gameplay or narrative applications. The few standout scenes and unique Caster route don't necessarily make it worthwhile.

A Void Hope delivers a captivating adventure set in a dark, 1980s-inspired world, blending metroidvania elements with puzzles and exploration. The story, centered around a mysterious illness, unfolds through the journey of characters Gilda and Keegan, offering a mix of exploration, minimalistic combat, and environmental puzzles. Despite its brief duration and some navigational puzzles, the game's engaging narrative and atmospheric retro soundtrack create a memorable experience.

Skull and Bones is a decent experience and one that requires some longer-term analysis. As a live-service title, I disagree with the price point, but I expect that development costs factored heavily into it. Despite that, Skull and Bones has the potential to enter a golden age of piracy if it manages to usher in a wealth of new players. At its core, Skull and Bones is a fun tactical pirate ship experience, but it does need to continue adding content and bringing new players on board over time.

ASTLIBRA Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist provides a remotely similar experience to the base game that has become a smash hit in RPG circles. Yet, the roguelike structure, new protagonist, and reassortment of gameplay progression makes this just as, if not more addicting then the previous adventure. Fans of the original game should play this DLC followup as soon as possible, while those unfamiliar should give Revision a try first.

Slave Zero X rejuvenates a classic franchise with intense action and a challenging combat system in a dystopian future. The steep learning curve and intricate gameplay mechanics demand mastery, offering a rewarding experience. With its compelling narrative and immersive soundtrack, the game stands as a testament to the potential of modernizing dormant IPs, providing a memorable and engaging action-packed journey.

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island revitalizes the roguelike dungeon-crawler genre with a compelling blend of classic mechanics and modern gameplay innovations. This installment captivates with its challenging adventures, strategic depth, and evolving storylines, making each playthrough uniquely rewarding. Despite some balance quirks, the game excels in offering a rich, strategic experience that keeps players engaged through its intricate dungeons and diverse scenarios. A must-play for genre enthusiasts, it stands out for its satisfying blend of difficulty, discovery, and depth.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an exceptional sequel that surpasses expectations in nearly every aspect. It combines compelling storytelling, innovative combat, and a wealth of engaging content to deliver an unforgettable adventure. As a bold continuation of the saga, it sets the stage for the final installment, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what comes next. Square Enix has truly outdone itself, showcasing the depth and potential of the Final Fantasy VII universe.

Gunvolt Records: Cychronicle is all about the music, and these 15 tracks for $15 are what you’re getting here. The gameplay isn’t worth exploring due to the lack of in-game rewards or even a reason to play with everything unlocked from the beginning, so get this game for the concerts and root for the best girl, Lola. Sadly, even the quality of those concerts is hurt. The saving grace for the entire package is the music, and for that, I will say this experience passes because these are some of the best tracks in gaming.

Sympathy Kiss is a great otome game with its blend of romance and relatable experiences, with its office setting appealing especially to a more mature audience. While the faceless protagonist and rather compromised approach at some of the narrative beats are definitely its biggest gripes, it still manages to be a short and sweet story that both fans and newcomers to the genre can appreciate.

Nie no Hakoniwa: Dollhouse of Offerings is a visual novel that explores dark themes on a remote island setting, focusing on complex human relationships and societal issues. The narrative is rich in character development and intrigue, occasionally veers into graphic territory, sparking debate over its approach to sensitive topics. Visually and audibly striking, the game's presentation is notable, though not without its excesses.

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II enriches the horror genre with its blend of Japanese folklore and engaging storytelling. This sequel introduces side-scrolling exploration and simplified puzzles, making for a more accessible yet slightly less immersive experience than its predecessor. Despite these changes, the game shines through its strong character development, atmospheric sound design, and compelling narrative. While the new gameplay mechanics may reduce tension, the overall atmosphere, combined with a well-crafted story, ensures a captivating horror adventure.

Bandle Tale offers a refreshing, exploration-focused departure from the traditional League of Legends gameplay, emphasizing crafting, community building, and personalization with your own Yordle hero. Its unique approach, combining a serene gameplay experience with strategic elements like base placement and emotional well-being progression, makes it stand out. Despite some repetitiveness in quests, the game's charm, engaging narrative, and vibrant world-building ensure a captivating experience.

Tomb Raider I-III Remastered offers a nostalgic revisit to Lara Croft's first adventures, packaging the iconic original trilogy for modern audiences. The collection preserves the essence of exploration, puzzle-solving, and cinematic set pieces, despite dated 32-bit graphics and some new but underwhelming modernized visuals. Players have the option between classic tank controls and an updated control scheme to suit their preferences. While the remaster lacks additional content beyond the games, it remains a cost-effective way for both new and veteran fans to explore the series' roots. Lighting inconsistencies and a sparse remastering effort aside, this collection stands as a tribute to the enduring legacy of one of gaming's most iconic characters.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden intertwines fantasy and romance in a narrative-driven adventure set in 1695. As Banishers Red and Antea, players tackle spirits in New Eden, facing moral choices between duty and love, especially when Antea becomes a ghost. Despite a combat system needing refinement and initial weak portrayal of the protagonists' relationship, the game shines in storytelling, offering a deep cinematic experience influenced by player decisions. Exploration and investigation add gameplay variety, though combat and navigation aspects could be smoother. This title reflects Dontnod's successful venture into combining engaging narratives with action and investigative elements.

Dragon Quest Builders arrives on Steam, presenting a unique building adventure set in Alefgard, where players tackle the role of the Builder to rejuvenate a darkened world. The game's charm lies in its construction mechanics and Free Mode, offering endless creativity despite the absence of multiplayer support. The PC version enhances the experience with included DLCs and customizable controls, yet its late release and comparison to its sequel may influence its recommendation at full price.

Alisa: Developer's Cut" offers a fresh take on classic survival horror, combining campy storytelling, retro graphics, and engaging gameplay. This console port introduces players to a blend of nostalgic and modern elements, including tank controls, a unique currency system, and enhanced features like auto-aim and New Game+. It's a compelling experience for fans and newcomers to the genre, delivering both challenge and charm in a modernized package.

Ultros distinguishes itself in the Metroidvania genre with its novel gardening mechanics, intricate time-loop narrative, and a unique nutrient-based upgrade system. This innovative blend of exploration, strategic combat, and character progression set on a mysterious planet makes it a compelling experience. Ultros redefines the genre, promising to become a classic for both speedrunners and casual players.

Let’s School is a charming take on the school management sim that is hard to put down once started. The freedom of choice can lead to some hilarious circumstances that the player is almost always in control of. The lack of controller support can be a bit of a detriment for those looking to game on the go or prefer a controller in their hand over a keyboard. However, this title is a must for those looking for a new management sim to add to their collection.

Under Night In-Birth II [sys:Celes] delivers as a solid sequel, tying up the narrative and introducing fresh characters and gameplay. Its unique combat system, stunning pixel art, and new training features make for a deeply engaging experience. Despite initial online hiccups, the game's stable rollback netcode ensures smooth matches. It's a standout choice for both newcomers and series veterans seeking intense fighting action.

Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Refrain is an essential visual novel for any fans of the genre. Its theme of memories forms a fascinating exploration of the meaning of life and being human. A thoroughly poetic experience that proves to be thought-provoking and emotionally resonating.

As a live-service title, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will depend on consistent post-launch content to keep players coming back for more. When looking at the different aspects of the game, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is fundamentally solid, though marred by a couple design choices. While the enjoyability of the genre and narrative are subjective, Rocksteady Studios does a solid job in balancing the story with the live-service aspect.

Konosuba: Love for These Clothes of Desire captures the spirit of the series in a visual novel that's as quirky as its characters. The story, centered around crafting clothes to avoid jail and reverse a curse, provides a perfect backdrop for the series' trademark humor and clever writing. With spot-on voice acting and the chance to deepen relationships with characters, fans will love the extra screen time with Kazuma and the gang.

Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior is a fresh take on tactical hack-and-slash, blending simple yet clever combat with a rich, well-voiced narrative. The game's unique system, where you team up with past versions of yourself, adds a cool twist to battles, pushing you to think ahead and strategize. While the fights are thrilling and addictive, they can sometimes feel a bit repetitive. The world is beautifully built, packed with lore and ancient civilization vibes, but the exploration is pretty straightforward. Overall, Lysfanga doesn't hit every note perfectly, but its innovative combat and solid storytelling make it a solid pick for those after something new in the strategy realm.

Silent Hill: The Short Message diverges from traditional Silent Hill experiences, offering a brief, two-hour narrative focused on character Anita's personal struggles and insecurities. Set in the eerie Kettenstadt building, the game attempts to blend psychological depth with the franchise's hallmark uncanny atmosphere. However, it falls short in gameplay depth and environmental interaction, especially when compared to predecessors like PT. The game's simple exploration mechanics, predictable narrative twists, and lack of engaging puzzles lead to a somewhat detached experience. Despite decent graphics and an attempt to tackle complex themes, the game's execution and lack of immersive elements leave it feeling underwhelming. While it represents an experimental approach by the developers and is commendable for its ambition, Silent Hill: The Short Message ultimately fails to deliver the profound impact or memorable gameplay that fans of the series might expect.