The Humbling of a Holy Maiden is an explicit, niche, kinky visual novel through and through. While the writing is somewhat bearable, it’s later eroded to adjectives and fleshy nouns. This becomes a rather messy Nukige, where it’s tough to connect to the characters. Sure, it hits a lot of different kinks, but it mostly feels like it’s just checking off the boxes then attempting any natural flow for its narrative.

The Kids We Were is an adorable adventure about family, friendship, and personal growth. The game sophisticatedly fuses the supernatural tales with real-world events where each chapter feels like an episode of an anime. It’s brief in some aspects, which highlights its minimalist presentation. And, sure, the story becomes almost insanely haphazard and heavy-handed through its science fiction-based narrative dumps, but it comes together nicely as a package.

Halo Infinite is science-fiction storytelling at its best. The best thing about this entry is that it knows what it is. This is a story of a hero, and whether you self-identify with him or not, you’re going to immerse yourself in his resolve. While upgrades and the lack of a co-op campaign limit some enjoyment, this is the game Halo fans have been waiting for. It’s a proud day for Master Chief, but mostly developer 343 Industries, for putting together such a memorable experience.

Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon has enough content to keep players interested, whether they are puzzle aficionados or roguelike veterans. Unfortunately, the game suffers from over-complication of simple concepts but manages to stick the landing with addicting gameplay and a refreshingly simple story.

Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani is a decent otome, but not one that I would recommend to everyone. While I appreciate the English release, the story fails to find its footing in the early moments, which is a shame because the conclusion is exciting. Further, the romance comes off more platonic than genuine on some routes, but I enjoyed the ghostly premise and charming cast.

Re;Lord 2 ~The witch of Cologne and black cat~ is a terrific erotic visual novel excelling in engaging storytelling coupled with standout, compelling characterization. Further, the appealing sound design and simple yet addictive combat solidify the quality of this experience. Even with potential monotony that may arise during the mindless gameplay loop, it’s damn enjoyable. Still, playing the first game is highly advised to get the most out of this sequel, so be sure to check that out first if Re;Lord 2 interests you.

Clockwork Aquario at times feels pretty average, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be entertaining. Playing with a friend can actually heighten your experience if you revel in messy and chaotic gameplay. While short and lacking on a ton of additional features, it does present what is advertised; a gaming experience nearly lost to time, completed as close to what was originally intended. So for those looking for classic arcade gameplay, there is certainly some fun to be had here, especially with a competitive friend by your side.

While I do enjoy a good romance, the lack of visual flair combined with Miracle Snack Shop’s inability to pull out any sort of immersive writing had me bouncing off this title hard. I’m sure some people would like it for its low-stress setup and waifu elements, but ultimately, I never felt like it had the writing chops to get people invested in its cast or narrative.

Love Flute‘s gameplay is dull, and the lack of connection between a story about music and the music in the story feels like a missed opportunity. Taken purely as a visual novel, though, the good balance of slice-of-life comedy to heartfelt dramatic moments, driven by skillfully voiced characters, does make for an enjoyable short read.

Solar Ash is a delightful experience boasting a continually engaging gameplay loop coupled with enticing sound design and narrative beats. Even with its oddly paced story, problematic camera, and occasionally dull boss battle implementation, it’s a joyous, memorable game that any intrigued party should dive into. Moreover, its digestible gameplay length and ambitious voice quality go a long way into making this a standout title of the year.

DoDonPachi Resurrection is the kind of experience that fully represents what the series and its developer are all about. This Switch release is complete as it contains an excellent port of the main game and several other variations that feel like entirely different games. In short, you are given a lot of choice and customization. If you own a Switch, then you cannot go wrong with adding this game to your collection.

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is a very fun game that requires some patience to discover everything it has to offer. However, these systems are timeless and exceptionally balanced to provide nearly endless enjoyment. There are plenty of ways to spend your time playing with no wrong way to enjoy raising your monsters and proving your skills in tournaments. Nostalgia might play a role here, but I think these games are a blast.

Wolfstride is a stylish RPG for people who love the atmosphere from old-school anime such as Cowboy Bebop, Ashita no Joe, and its recent-ish spin-off Megalobox. Its story goes from unabashedly comedic to dramatic in a heartbeat and manages to remain consistently compelling. While the gameplay could have offered further variety, this is one title where the story and atmosphere are enough to make it resonate with practically any audience.

White Shadows doesn’t miss a beat and has players uncover its dark narrative through clever platforming and light puzzles. There are moments where the pacing slows down, but the nightmare of this adventure is expertly delivered without heavy dialogue. By the end, developer Monokel had me questioning what the hell I had just experienced, but I engaged during every moment.

Castle of Shikigami 2 has always been an obscure title in the shmup genre, but this new release shows it at its best. I enjoyed the added modes that go beyond a simple Arcade Mode, and the updated localization makes it easier to take this title seriously. Of course, the challenge is high in the later levels, but this is one shmup that I’m glad to see thriving in this new generation.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl have definite improvements over Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. And while I did have fun, I was constantly reminded that I’ve played a better version of this game, Pokemon Platinum, and that’s been around for 13 years.

There’s a synergy and balance between the story, controls, and gameplay that make this a genuinely standout space adventure perfect for any fans of the genre.

Archvale is a lite-bullet-hell that grants players a satisfying gameplay loop fraught with consistent upgrading and intriguing customization. Its narrative is practically non-existent and forgettable, and the dullness of progression can be a bit off-putting, but you can do far worse with a cutesy action adventure. Further, there’s a noticeable level of standout polish here from the delectable sound design, which alone makes it worth experiencing.

Kimagure Temptation is a surprisingly solid title that offers not only erotic antics but also a compelling mystery, golden pieces of humor, and cute interactions. This is a complete package that, despite its short length, was rather enjoyable. It may only have one heroine, but Anneliese plays the role valiantly and becomes all one needs, but perhaps I’m just under her spell. Oh, well.

The Oath of the Dark Magic Queen serves as a competent visual novel for those looking for a cliche fantasy narrative with lewd interactions. There’s a low price of entry for a quick read, but this one won’t last long in your memory bank. There’s a lack of world-building and a substantial plot that makes this all about Omaylas’ assets, but I feel that that’s why any would read this in the first place.

When it comes down to it, Danganronpa Decadence is a must-play, even if you don’t consider yourself a visual novel fan. The enticing overarching mysteries and superb character writing are reason enough to give them a shot. Unfortunately, the 10th-anniversary edition contents, essentially just a gallery feature, might not be enough to warrant a full playthrough from seasoned fans, but the portability of the Switch and the ease of accessibility makes this one of the best collections available on the console to date.

Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp is an odd experience to recommend because its inclusion within Danganronpa Decadence makes it approachable to all purchasers of the package. Further, its base standalone $19.99 price point is fair, if only for hardcore fans of the genre to spend a little more time with these characters. Those who found enjoyment in the Ultimate Talent Development Plan minigame will find a familiar experience, but there’s nothing really here to keep you engaged outside of a sub-par board game with gacha systems.

Ninki Seiyuu: How to Make a Pop Voice Actress is an interesting visual novel based in reality to provide readers with a look at the behind-the-scenes trials that some voice actors could encounter. The characters and situations are relatable, but there’s still a sense of coincidence to sell the romance and plot. The routes themselves are largely uninteresting, but the characters and supporting cast really carry this experience, which is only made better by the beautiful designs.

If you have never had the chance to play Final Fantasy V before, the Pixel Remaster offers great value. This is a good version of a great game that shows clearly why Square is highly regarded for their expertise in RPGs. However, as a long-time fan of the game and the series, I sincerely wish they had gone the extra mile into making this version the most comprehensive and definitive edition it deserves.

Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a competent narrative adventure for fans of the base game, but it barely scrapes by as a standalone game for newcomers to the series. The turn-based combat mechanics are refreshing, and the story elements are there. Still, the number of outdated gameplay components and flagrant unpolish that make progression borderline impossible ultimately makes this an engaging spectacle than an enjoyable playable experience.

It’s the kind of singularly relaxing-yet-meaningful game that reminds you that you can take a second away from your daily stress and just step outside and breathe...Maybe even go for a little walk.

Dying Light has found a new home and is worth returning to for both veteran fans and those touching down on Harran for the first time. Playing again made me excited for the sequel’s release and made me appreciate this title even more. This and more is what a port should do, so good luck and good night.

What Battlefield 2042 lacks in a single-player campaign, it makes up for in the sheer amount of content that it delivers to fans from all generations of the series. It’s a walk down memory lane that provides hours of that Battlefield action that you’d expect. You may have to spend a few of those understanding the UI and gun customization features, but with the inclusion of Hazard Zone and Portal, the possibilities of enjoyment here are endless.