Nuclear Blaze is a brief, yet, almost therapeutic gameplay experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome, but it did have me wishing for more. Still, I’d much rather feel that than the opposing extreme. You could do much worse if you’re looking for a quaint lunch-long adventure with just a few spooks.

With a charming and polished presentation, engaging and challenging card-based mechanics, and a wealth of content to get stuck into, Dungeon Drafters is a real treat for card game lovers. The challenge might be off-putting for some, and a whole game centered around cards might not be the easiest to market, but the experience leaves itself open to those willing to give it a chance. Ultimately, Dungeon Drafters merges its ideas into a perfect, synchronous game that is easy and fun to learn while also challenging and satisfying to master.

Cassette Beasts was clearly made with love. It’s packed to the brim with places to explore, relationships to develop, and monsters to capture (er, record). The few issues are minor and hardly detract from the overall enjoyment. If you love monster collectors, retro RPGs, or just want to feel like a kid again, Cassette Beasts won’t disappoint you.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor provides one of the best action-adventure experiences ever. Aside from being a fantastic story within the Star Wars universe, its gameplay raises the bar for the genre to another galaxy. Every element of this package strikes a fine balance through puzzles, combat, exploration, and progression, which doesn't overshadow the masterful character writing. Further, the updates to map design do wonders for those looking to spend as much time as possible in this world. While some pacing dips are present, this is a must-play game that will make you a true believer of the force because it's strong with this one.

Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord is a solid tactical adventure with an endearing cast that delivers a charming narrative. The simple yet robust gameplay systems provide a satisfying experience where character growth and customization are at the forefront. For tactical diehards, Refrain Chord may not scratch that itch, but Fairy Fencer fans or those simply wanting to play an intro to the genre should give this a shot.

Strayed Lights is a strongly designed action adventure bursting with a melancholic atmosphere that is easy to get wrapped within. Additionally, the terrific boss battles, gorgeous presentation, and interpretive yet emotional narrative showcase how lovingly crafted this whole experience is. Even when considering potential issues one may have, like the low difficulty level, you’ll likely find yourself having a good deal of fun regardless. Strayed Lights is exceptional for a debut outing, and I’m eager to see what Embers works on in the future.

Strayed Lights is a strongly designed action adventure bursting with a melancholic atmosphere that is easy to get wrapped within. Additionally, the terrific boss battles, gorgeous presentation, and interpretive yet emotional narrative showcase how lovingly crafted this whole experience is. Even when considering potential issues one may have, like the low difficulty level, you’ll likely find yourself having a good deal of fun regardless. Strayed Lights is exceptional for a debut outing, and I’m eager to see what Embers works on in the future.

Trinity Trigger provides the essentials for a fulfilling JRPG experience. While the conclusion feels a bit rushed, with quests and character interactions losing their staying power, the adventure still manages to grab you. The area design and methods of progression add a significant amount of thought to making this title an addictive one. In all honesty, Trinity Trigger really does feel like a spiritual successor to Secret of Mana, meaning fans of that classic should give this modern outing a shot.

Homestead Arcana has an extremely charming visual design, but it ultimately fails as a farming sim adventure. Dungeon Crawling will consume most of your time playing, which would be okay, but even that aspect of gameplay fails to make an impact. Yuri Lowenthal’s performance as Huckleberry is brilliant, but that alone isn’t capable of weighing against the flaws that Homestead Arcana suffers from.

R-Type Final 3 Evolved feels more like an R-Type Final 2.5 than a full-fledged sequel. If you have a copy of R-Type Final 2, then it’s worthwhile exploring the updates made to that release first. If you are interested in the release as a PS5 exclusive, then it’s probably worth waiting a little longer to see how the promised features pan out. This game isn’t really a sequel, and it doesn’t quite feel like an evolution, either.

Rusted Moss is an enjoyable Metroidvania with clever level designs and an intriguing world concept. Traversal with a grappling hook ends up being a tricky but satisfying mechanic. There’s also a comprehensive list of “difficulty changers” that can even break the game’s challenges entirely if the player wants. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone looking to swing into this niche genre.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a must-own collection that unites the origins of a collective JRPG powerhouse. Regardless of your feelings on modern Final Fantasy’s direction, you can’t go wrong with the tried-and-true classics. With the options to make each experience more accessible, swappable soundtracks, and the inclusion of a more legible font, the console versions are the new go-to. There’s no better time to be a Final Fantasy fan.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is a must-own collection that unites the origins of a collective JRPG powerhouse. Regardless of your feelings on modern Final Fantasy’s direction, you can’t go wrong with the tried-and-true classics. With the options to make each experience more accessible, swappable soundtracks, and the inclusion of a more legible font, the console versions are the new go-to. There’s no better time to be a Final Fantasy fan.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is truly a delight, and I only wish that it was longer. It builds on what made the first entry so memorable while delivering a unique narrative of its own. While returning fans will find a few familiar story beats, the updated items on the menu keep things fresh and engaging. This is one brew you’ll really want to savor.

Lunark is one of the best 2D cinematic platformers I’ve ever played. Regardless of its retro inspirations, it makes its own impact on the genre with fun action, story delivery, and puzzle design. Much like a classic sci-fi film, I was immersed in this experience from beginning to end. Don’t miss out on this truly standout video game.

Dead Island 2 is all about breaking skulls and bones, but it won’t be breaking any bloody records. At the end of the day, it’s just dumb old fun, killing zombies in a badass gory fashion with your buddies. The high asking price and frustratingly unbalanced gameplay prevent me from recommending this as a day-one purchase, but I have confidence it will find its bearings among its zombie-slaying fans someday.

Astlibra Revision is the most unconventional JRPG I’ve ever played. Its story is absolutely wild and unpredictable, making the experience a captivating one. Even when considering translation faults, this plot will strap you in for the long haul. Further, the gameplay systems are refined, giving rise to cathartic growth and customization. On top of that, the soundtrack is masterclass.

Minecraft Legends became an enjoyable and addictive experience for my return to this franchise. That could be because it was essentially a very fined tuned and comfortable RTS experience, but plenty of Minecraft charm is still found throughout the campaign. It pushes your knowledge of the systems and strategy during the later levels and is likely not for younger fans, but I enjoyed the challenge and expanded lore of this series.

Cannon Dancer: Osman is a wild ride with high replay value, showing off some of the best of the 90s’ in its outlandish presentation and precise 2D action gameplay. It’s a great game to have restored and preserved for a new audience and is a fascinating missing piece in the Strider continuity. That being said, it’s a short and sweet gameplay experience that feels far too expensive as a home release, especially given the lack of meaningful extra content. This is one definitely worth picking up on sale.

Rendezvous is a very messy experience. I wondered when it would be over, a feeling one shouldn’t have while playing a game. It’s possible to become hypnotized by the dazzling display of futuristic cyberpunk Indonesia, but that facade doesn’t last long after the first hour. There’s clearly passion put into world-building, but beyond that sphere of craft, there’s no substance within the gameplay or narrative. As a result, Rendezvous is dry, and its flavor profile leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

Hunt the Night is an incredibly challenging and fun action game. Progression relies heavily on the player’s skill and understanding of enemy attack telegraphs to avoid damage. Sure, you’ll die a lot, but the knowledge gained from each encounter will keep you alive until the boss fights. Puzzle also has some depth to them, requiring players to be immersed in the world to solve the trials. Luckily, this is easy, thanks to the detailed lore found throughout the game world.

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.

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.

GhostWire: Tokyo A Spider’s Thread enhances the base experience, adding a new mode and refined systems. It gives players a reason to return to the adventure to finish for the first time or play through again with new missions and added story context. A Spider’s Thread mode also tests player skills through creative challenges and adorable interactions with cats.

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.

Infinite Guitars fails to establish a cast of characters you care about, which is enhanced by the gameplay that puts the spotlight on JJ, leaving the supporting members to be the backup dancers. There’s little staying power for the cast, and the respective nature of various systems causes tour fatigue much too early. You’ll stay for the punk rock presentation, but you won’t be requesting an encore.

Process of Elimination is a wild emotional rollercoaster. Despite the story’s initially weak pacing, the narrative manages to deceive you so thoroughly that you’re led into a loop you may not see coming. Similar is the overall gameloop, where the strategy segments don’t improve until you’ve spent a few hours understanding the nuanced systems.

For a relatively low-stakes casual adventure with delightful dialogue, Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories ticks all the right boxes. The way the cast, premise, and text coalesce creates an experience that’ll become a collectively sweet memory as you reflect on the over-the-top quests encountered throughout the journey. Issues with navigation and vagueness aside, you won’t regret spending a day with this witty game.