Persona 3 Reload is a highly-anticipated remake that doesn't deliver on all fronts. Still, it tries to do so with plenty of meticulous care. The added character scenes and new activities make the experience even more compelling, while the modernized visuals and new English voice cast live up to this classic's legacy. However, some of the new gameplay features make the experience too easy and forgiving. Additionally, the exclusion of some elements, like The Answer from Persona 3 FES, make this launch less definitive than it could have been.

Phantom Abyss offers a thrilling gaming experience, but it won't keep you hooked for hours on end without a group of friends to tackle the temples alongside you.

Anomaly Agent offers a succinct gaming experience, combining platforming and combat within a sci-fi narrative. As Agent 70, players address global anomalies, facing challenges that require both strategy and skill. The game balances its story, combat, and platforming elements effectively. However, repetitive boss fights and a simple upgrade system are questionable. Despite these issues, its design and mechanics make it a notable indie game, with enough depth to encourage replayability.

Another Code: Recollection is an absorbing experience from start to finish, one that will keep mystery fans comfortably engaged thanks to it's relaxed atmosphere and enjoyable cast. Lacks a little special something, but it's got a lot of heart.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth epitomizes the challenge of meeting diverse fan expectations. This ambitious entry skillfully balances legacy and innovation but occasionally falters, resulting in a multifaceted narrative that excels in character development and thematic depth but is marred by pacing issues and an incomplete conclusion. Despite these shortcomings, the game's combat enhancements and engaging side activities, set against the rich backdrops of Hawaii and Japan, create a compelling experience. For series enthusiasts, Infinite Wealth may not tick every box, but it stands as a heartfelt homage to the franchise's enduring narrative, offering a glimpse into its exciting future.

Tekken 8 is a masterpiece of a video game, fighting game, or otherwise. It isn't even a question of being a fighting game purist, as this is a title that needs to be part of any gamer's library, irrespective of skill level or genre preferences. Tekken games were always about the thrill of combat and discovery, with a memorable graphical and musical presentation and a larger-than-life story mode starring some of the most iconic characters. Tekken 8 is the kind of game designed for heavy mileage, a game that's easy to come back to time and time again for years to come.

Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami delivers a competent yet familiar dungeon-crawling experience, blending light-hearted anime storytelling with engaging roguelike gameplay. While the narrative is enjoyable and predictably steeped in anime tropes, the game's real strength lies in its challenging gameplay and strategic depth, particularly in its item management system and the unique Resonance Hot Spring feature. However, the game's themes and visuals lack innovation, and the PC port disappoints with its limited options and subpar controller support. Despite its solid mechanics and charming narrative, the game struggles to distinguish itself in a genre filled with more compelling titles.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is a package featuring unconventionally gripping character arcs and quintessential Ace Attorney shenanigans. The compelling strife of protagonist Apollo Strife is the throughline pushing everything forward, alongside an engaging multi-faceted central cast that makes the world immensely more well-rounded and full of depth. Despite the inconsistent quality across this release's several mysteries and episodes, some of the franchise's best are showcased here in newly defined form. Further, the trilogy-exclusive features, such as the extensive art gallery, music player, and ease of accessibility with plenty of playable languages, make this another Ace Attorney homerun. Still, those who have strong attachments to the original trilogy may find it difficult to become endeared to these experiences.

Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk just feels too incomplete to recommend at this moment in time. There's the likelihood that the game will improve as new updates are finished and added, and I really hope that will be the case. But currently a mess of frustrating mechanics spoils this retro throwback.

Fans of the previous Reigns games will enjoy this new title which improves on certain aspects from it's previous entries and adds new mechanics to keep the series fresh. With new deeds and goals to reach, Reigns Three Kingdom will cause players to spend countless hours completing every task at hand as they live through the final years of the Han Dynasty... If they manage to live that long.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an unapologetically stylish and sleek Metroidvania action adventure that boasts magnificent movement and brilliant boss design. Aside from setting itself apart from other entries in the Prince of Persia series, it also stands toe-to-toe with some of the genre's giants. While the narrative isn't comparatively engrossing, this one-of-a-kind journey will undeniably satisfy both beginners and veterans of the franchise. The never-mundane gameplay loop full of ceaseless reward and discovery is one that shows clear, meticulous thought poured into it. At its core, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown redefines what Prince of Persia can bring to the table and proves that it can still shine in the modern age if given enough polish and opportunity.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell caps off the beloved series with its signature blend of Metroidvania-style exploration, challenging combat, and enchanting storytelling. This final entry not only concludes the series' narrative arc but also enhances its gameplay with new twists and deepened character journeys. The game's non-linear exploration and customizable combat system offer players a rich and rewarding experience, despite some navigational challenges. Bombservice delivers an intense and memorable adventure, leaving fans hopeful that this isn't the end of their creative journey.

8-Colors Star Guardians + showcases a unique twist on RPGs utilizing its eight-color pixel art style. Despite its limited palette, character designs are surprisingly rich, though visual appeal isn't its main strength. The game challenges players with strategic encounters, utilizing distinct abilities of different heroines. While the concept is captivating and action is fast-paced, the overall experience feels brief, potentially underwhelming for seasoned RPG enthusiasts. Added humor and Sentai influences bring charm, but can't quite make up for the game's short length and limited scope.

Card Detective marries noir and comic aesthetics, unraveling a murder case entangled in corporate corruption. While the narrative starts strong, it falls short on character depth and conclusive storytelling, with many characters feeling forgettable. The game's innovative card-based mechanic for uncovering truths and lies adds a unique twist to the detective genre, though it suffers from unbalanced difficulty and predictability. Despite these flaws, Card Detective remains a captivating, if not replayable, journey for fans of narrative-driven detective stories.

Metro Quester reimagines RPG gaming by putting numbers and statistics at the forefront, leaving behind flashy graphics. Set in a minimalist post-apocalyptic Japan, players must survive by collecting resources and food while taking on monsters. Its user-friendly interface makes it a perfect portable RPG, offering strategic combat and a laid-back gameplay loop. For RPG enthusiasts in search of a gameplay-focused experience reminiscent of classic text-based RPGs, Metro Quester hits the mark.

Snowman Story is a delightful blend of touching narrative and engaging puzzles, set in a nostalgically pixelated winter world. Following Chris, a snowman on a quest to avoid melting, the game offers an emotional journey through beautifully crafted landscapes, with a soothing soundtrack that enhances the experience. This heartwarming, introspective adventure is perfect for a peaceful afternoon, resonating with its simplicity and emotional depth.

Despite minor translation issues and a somewhat rushed ending, the game succeeds in delivering a satisfying narrative that emphasizes resilience and personal growth.

Nope Nope Nope Nurses elevates the series with intriguing new characters and a richer narrative. Diverging from the first game's male-centric focus, this sequel introduces the OG Three nurses, each with distinct personalities that range from obsessive to psychopathic, adding depth and intensity. The game broadens its appeal with the inclusion of female-on-female domination scenes alongside its core masochistic content. Central to the story's evolution is the character of Mochizuki, an innocent nurse whose presence introduces emotional complexity. Despite minor typos, the game's ambitious character development and narrative twists make it a compelling addition to the Nope Nope Nurses trilogy, setting an exciting stage for the final chapter, Nope Nope Nope Nope Nurses.

Sonic Dream Team manages to be a notable Sonic experience perfectly suited for Apple Arcade. Its levels are thoughtfully designed for fast-paced exploration, though they are best navigated with a controller rather than touch controls. The game cleverly incorporates a variety of gimmicks and alternate paths into its design, ensuring that each level remains engaging even upon multiple playthroughs. This game is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Sonic franchise, offering a nostalgic yet fresh adventure that both new and long-time fans will enjoy.

Trinity Fusion made excellent use of its Early Access period, combining elements from some of the most popular roguelikes and infusing them with a sci-fi twist. The variety inherent in the action systems shines through, offering plenty of customization alongside a responsive and intuitive control scheme. Although the game’s presentation may not entirely match the quality of its gameplay, I found Trinity Fusion to be a notable release within the roguelike genre. Moreover, I have no doubt that future updates will only enhance the overall experience.

Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger’s Requiem is now preserved on modern hardware. The good and bad of it is that it hasn’t aged too well, but the challenge is up there for any masochist who wants to take on. But on that same note, you can play through on a lesser difficulty and enjoy the beautiful illustrations and gothic narrative. It’s rare to find a new gaming experience that borrows from early Castlevania titles, so if you’re eager to test your 2D action skills, you’ll find more than a few moments of fun here.

Even in such a crowded space, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a quality fighting game and comes in a generous package with no shortage of single-player and multiplayer content. It looks the part and performs remarkably well where it matters most. Whether it carves out a consistent online community remains to be seen, but even on its own, this is the next best thing to a new BlazBlue release.

There may not be a lot to say about Final Fantasy XVI Echoes of the Fallen, but that doesn’t necessarily signify a lack of quality. Its few hours of gameplay offer an enjoyable dungeon experience with memorable enemy encounters that rival and even surpass those in the base game. While the narrative may not be the main attraction, it does set the stage for The Rising Tide DLC, which has been confirmed to be a more substantial experience. Ultimately, Echoes of the Fallen is a worthwhile addition for fans, while those who are more hesitant should exercise caution.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince is a worthy resurgence for this beloved spinoff series. While the messy narrative pacing and poor framerate bring the adventure down a few notches, the addictive and rewarding gameplay loop with player freedom at its core more than offsets those flaws. You can spend countless hours making your ideal team to your heart’s content and engaging with the post-game content after clearing the main story. Further, Dragon Quest IV fans will get more out of this journey than most, but newcomers who exhibit patience can still find themselves invested and enthralled. Ultimately, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince proves that this series can prosper, and with the promise that they’ll continue, we’re excited to see where it goes from here.

If the change had happened much sooner, with enough time to properly convert this game into the “premium” product that Gameloft intends for it to be now, I think there would have been a lot more changes. But, if you’re the kind of Disney fan who can look past a few oddities and inconveniences to see your favorite characters chatting it up in a cafe or hanging out with you while you tend your farm, it’s got enough magic to be worth it.

There are definitely good ideas here that could be polished even further into a phenomenal game, but the state of it now doesn’t make me care about the island or the people who live in it. Instead, they feel like window dressing for a single mini-game that gets dull after a few hours in.

This title is ideal for those actively yearning for a new type of Paper Mario experience or newcomers to the genre. If the sense of humor is in your style and you don’t mind the simplicity, then Born of Bread is a definite must-play. Otherwise, you’re better off pursuing other inspired journeys.

Tevi stands as a testament to the creative brilliance of developer Crespirit. It seamlessly blends the bullet-hell and Metroidvania genres into a captivating and immersive gaming experience. With its non-linear narrative, intricate gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals, Tevi is a must-play title that deserves recognition within the genre. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to Metroidvanias, Tevi offers an adventure that will keep you hooked till the credits.