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.

My Girlfriend’s Special Place is a rather run-of-the-mill, predictable romantic story. Even so, it’s a short story worth a read if you only want a light experience. Considering the format, I imagine the upcoming volumes, Imouto no Seiiki and Gakkou no Seiiki, which Sekai Project has already announced, are similarly comfy products

Road 96: Mile 0 is a deceptively dark adventure game that centers around player choice and questioning those in power. We see this world through the eyes of two unique protagonists who keep you invested in the overall narrative. There are some hiccups with pacing at times, and the writing can be a little forced, but the conclusion makes the entire experience worth it. Pair that with a musical runner and way too many minigames to count, and you have an excellent adventure just waiting to be your next game.

Tokyo Necro fits in perfectly with other Nitroplus-developed titles. This world of cold, zombies, and technology may have somber, darker undertones, but it’s also one of hope for people’s efforts to be their better selves. This contrast and the hype-inducing 3D action scenes make it a highlight in its genre and a must-play.

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a must-play experience. Sega has hit it out of the park with a Sonic-themed mystery adventure visual novel boasting captivating storytelling, fantastic character interaction, as well as a stellar presentation and soundtrack of similar quality. I had a big ol’ smile on my face from beginning to end, and can’t recommend this game enough. The fact that it’s free is almost criminal. Sega making another entry like this is wholly up in the air, but I’ll be hoping with all my heart that they do.

GrimGrimoire OnceMore is not a game for everyone. Even if you’re a fan of Vanillaware’s other works, this title’s gameplay approach is distinct, comprising a continual cycle of inevitable failure and growth that is not an all-pleasing cup of tea. Still, for those who manage to get into it, this is an addictive strategy RPG with numerous in-depth systems that make progress an always enjoyable affair. And the story is quite compelling, with an intriguing cast bolstered by a charming protagonist who you’ll find yourself rooting for. By the end, you’ll be wondering where all those hours went.

The potential for Curse of the Sea Rats was high, and the opening moments were exceptionally promising. Unfortunately, it fails to encourage players to explore the world with repetitive questlines and a lack of skills. The diverse cast does little to move the narrative in any way, which is a shame because they have the potential to be more than pallet swaps. Still, the experience is gorgeous, and the combat animations deliver a nostalgic punch to keep you pressing forward.

Norn9: Var Commons’ Prologue is a bit rocky when introducing the narrative and suffers from several plot holes. However, it still manages to pull you in with its crazy plot twists and overall sci-fi presentation. This, combined with its clever tactic to tempt you into clearing every single route for each character, is possibly one of the most cleverly written stories I’ve seen thus far. I can’t wait for the Last Era fandisk to complement this extraordinary narrative.

From its charming storybook aesthetic to the beautiful presentation, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon culminated into a phenomenal experience that anyone, be they a series veteran of the Bayonetta series, or someone who has never touched the games as I did, can enjoy to its fullest. Perhaps its only sin can be attributed to its brevity. Still, I strongly feel that in this case, we’re talking quality over quantity as you learn about Cereza’s past, making for a great entry point for those who are ever so slightly interested in the series, as well as a narrative that manages to patch some of the questions fans might have in regards to some characters of the trilogy.

Vernal Edge balances the feel of old-school Metroidvanias while adding quality-of-life features you’ll miss when playing other games in the genre. Platforming has the right amount of difficulty, and there’s enough variety in combat to keep you coming back for more – even if that means fighting nearly identical enemies. The story won’t blow you away, though it’s passable and doesn’t take away from the action. And while you might get lost on Mossy Island or spend 20 minutes trying to remember where you saw that flower vendor, Vernal Edge will keep you coming back for more.

Hopefully, post-launch patches will arrive to remedy this experience to its best possible iteration because it deserves it. Underneath it all, 9 years of Shadows is a fantastic time assumedly hampered by developmental circumstances.

Terra Nil delivers an eco-based message with themes found in its core experience as you aim to bring Earth back to its glory days. Although terraforming each map can be difficult, even in zen mode, you’re encouraged to keep trying thanks to a relaxing gameloop. Its pacing allows players to focus on creating what is essentially a painting of a beautiful eco landscape which makes completing each area of the world worthwhile. From wasteland to beauty, Terra Nil delivers a much-needed vacation to players looking to sit back and create.

Assault Suits Valken Declassified is a superb package that not only restores and updates a Bonafide classic but comes jam-packed with worthwhile extras. The extras go beyond novelty as the strategy guide, interviews, and even a fully recorded perfect playthrough all help get the most out of this mech action game. The core experience is brutally challenging with a steep learning curve, yet it has never looked or played better than it does here. This is an easy recommendation to fans, and while it may seem intimidating to newcomers, there’s a lot to explore and discover here, and all of it is rewarding.

Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key is the best entry in the series, hands down. Every system has been enhanced and perfected, with the additional Key feature melded expertly into the core narrative. Sometimes the world can feel a lot bigger than it is, causing some pacing issues within the story, and there are a few characters who could have received more of the spotlight, but I can’t stress enough how memorable this experience is. As sad as it is to say goodbye, GUST did right by Ryza with this finale.

Rance IX: The Helmanian Revolution is a good recommendation for fans of erotic games that don’t mind non-con content. Though its simplistic battle arenas may be underwhelming for veterans of strategic games, it’s a fantastic example of the Rance series’ compelling world-building and steamy scenes.

Tchia is truly a magical experience where players uncover the world through the eyes of a protagonist who is experiencing it along with them for the first time. The culture of this region is expertly woven into the gameplay systems, so you never feel like this is a learning game. Further, the fantasy mechanics of Soul Jumping work well alongside the emotional narrative that keeps players engaged from beginning to end. You may find yourself lost along the way, but there is so much to discover in this adventure that you’ll keep pushing forward.

Meg’s Monster is a charming, adorable, and heartfelt adventure that provides an excellent indie RPG experience. The relationship between the main duo is the driving force, with the art and music complementing the tone. However, it lacks evolution by revealing its entire hand in the first few hours, delivering a weak second half.

Ib is not a game I would recommend to everyone since enjoying it requires the other party to have an affinity for not only the horror genre but also the pixel-like presentation. Ib’s strengths don’t transcend the bounds of who you’d expect to appreciate it, though, for those who do find themselves impacted, it will likely be an experience you’ll remember for as long as you’re able. The endearingly chilling setting, coupled with the compact well-written cast, creates something genuinely heartfelt that I’m thankful hasn’t been lost to time and has been made more accessible.

Resident Evil 4 remains a divisive entry in the series as it caters to fans of survival horror and action within a well-crafted gaming experience. The updated narrative, by far, makes this a solid entry as it fills in plot holes and provides character growth that wasn't present before. The atmosphere and level design only enhance the enjoyment, but the popcorn action structure of the final area hurts the overall pacing. Still, this is undeniably a stellar remake of an already fantastic game.

Have a Nice Death is a roguelike experience to die for. Its systems are intensely addictive to provide a reason to return to the grind and clock in for overtime. The action combat is some of the best I’ve ever felt, with compelling progression systems and fantastic enemy designs. While it may not stand out from its contemporaries, it approaches everything it touches with a brilliant finesse that makes it tough to put down.

We all know why you’re playing Alice Gear Aegis CS Concerto of Simulatrix, and I’m there with you. The mecha anime girl appeal is the main drawing point, which will entertain you for about an hour before you realize that you’ve let your feelings for these anime girls woo you into making such a bad buying decision. The lack of playable content ultimately brings this waifu mech to the ground, but some of you will likely stay fast with the ship like any good captain would.