Dead or School’s combat can be fun in (very) short bursts, but it all ultimately falls flat hard and fast. It has the pacing of a freemium mobile game that’s dragging itself thin, begging you to spend money to speed it up. Except you can’t even do that to shorten your own suffering. With a larger budget and community feedback, I’m sure this team can deliver an excellent experience, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find that here.

Teamfight Tactics is one of the more substantial auto chess games available. Given that there’s already a familiar player base from the League of Legends community, this title has the community and development backing to evolve with the genre, which shows up prominently in this mobile version. With the addition of crossplay and ranked modes, if you’re going to get into auto chess, this is perhaps the best the genre has to offer.

Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories features many over-the-top dramatized survival scenarios that are incredibly enjoyable. The resource management and systems kept me playing regardless of the low framerate and aged graphics. Each scene is cleverly written and features some memorable characters who make surviving through these natural disasters so very worth it in the end.

Exit the Gungeon made the smart move to take its adventure to consoles, and the result is a fun and skill-based gaming experience. The game can be enjoyed in small bursts or long play sessions as you hone your skills during each run. The only downside is the amount of things to do here is limited to what the mobile version could accomplish, which makes this entry come up a bit short. Regardless, I found this version to be the best way to play.

It’s clear Shinsekai was ported from mobile as many textures just don’t look right on the big screen, but aside from this and the few glitches involving NPC movement, it blew me away. Those looking for an addicting, charming, and, at times, unsettling adventure on the ocean floor will find precisely what they’re looking for with this game.

As a port of a game from 2015, Zombie Army Trilogy on Switch is a great way to play the wacky spin-off. It’s visuals take a hit, but the game runs wonderfully on the console hybrid. However, I would have liked to see some quality-of-life improvements addressed in this version. Sure, the shortcomings don’t make Zombie Army a bad experience, but it does show its age in many ways. Fortunately, the Switch takes nazi zombie killing on the go, and that’s more than enough reason for me to recommend it.

There’s very little that is grand about Grand Guilds, as I think the project was just a bit too ambitious for the developer. There’s too much to not like about the deck-building systems for the combat to be fun, and there’s not enough variety in the combat to make up for the inadequate systems. The game fails to capture what it is to be a tactical RPG, and while it’s always nice to try new things, it’s essential to stay true to the fundamentals of the genre.

Resident Evil 3 is a heart-pounding nightmare that blends survival horror and action elements perfectly with the help of its two protagonists. There's so much to explore and discover during every moment of this thriller that it's easy to forget about the horrors that await just around the corner. However, the limited puzzles and short length make it tough to justify the full price. But, like a zombie hungry for brains, I can't seem to get enough of this game.

Ara Fell: Enhanced Edition isn’t a terrible game; it just feels like one that I’ve played a million times before. The trope-filled story left much to be desired and, even though the combat can be fun, it is still the same turn-based combat gamers have seen time and time before. The game is clearly trying to have the impact of some of the excellent RPG classic of our time, but these clear inspirations are what make the game fall short.

Saints Row IV: Re-Elected on Nintendo Switch is a fantastic port of a good game. Though it has not aged all that well graphically, the hilarious story and addicting gameplay of the original release translate incredibly well to Switch. Those looking for a sandbox game to play on the go will find a great one in Saints Row IV: Re-Elected. However, its $40 price tag is a bit high for a seven-year-old game.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is a must-play for fans of the series, even if you aren’t caught up. The game shows just how varied a Musou title can get in terms of mission structure and map design. However, given the small number of playable arcs, it’s strange the story would waste two on arcs that were in the previous game. Still, this is one Pirate Warriors adventure that I was happy to go on.

Bleach: Immortal Soul can become a real mess once you really get into the various modes and currency upgrades. The learning curve is steep here, but at the same time, it’s a streamlined affair to those only interested in reliving a classic anime series through the story mode. The main point being, this experience is incredibly average, but fans of the series will most likely find an appreciation fo the narrative, world, and characters. Here’s to the return of Bleach.

OshiRabu: Waifus Over Husbandos presents a strange premise that ends up working thanks to the charming cast of characters. The writing for the characters was endearing and romantic as you find yourself immersed in this otaku group of friends. There are a few low points in the story where you feel like the plot takes a couple of steps back, but the conclusion makes it all worth it.

It feels as though Thomas Moon Kang had a clear vision of what One Step From Eden should be. Each system works well together to provide an experience that only this game can provide, even if another series influenced the core idea. It’s brutal difficulty surely won’t be for everyone, but roguelike fans will find a satisfying game loop of fast-paced action for many hours.

I appreciate how easy Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is to pick up and play. I’d recommend it to fans of chasing high-scores in the arcade, especially if you liked the original Bubble Bobble. However, past the nostalgia, there’s nothing that will keep you playing for much longer after you get through this incredibly short experience. Throw in the high price tag, and I’d say that you’re better off blowing a few quarters at an actual arcade then bringing this experience home with you.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross is a unique experience in the mobile space. Its presentation and excellent UI give it a console feel, but they’ve also double-downed on a responsive and intuitive card-based battle system. While the PvP mode just didn’t really hold my attention, there’s enough in the story campaign to immerse yourself in the world of The Seven Deadly Sins throughout your daily commute.

Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure sets itself apart from other brick-breakers by not only having a narrative but also by including some unique systems. The multiple paddles add some new elements to the genre to put brick-breaker masters’ skills to the test. Regardless of the challenge, the game has a nice difficulty curve that makes it possible to pick up and enjoy a few levels at a time. Still, Twin Breaker lacks options and some quality-of-life features that could have made the entire experience more enjoyable. There are a few different modes here to keep you playing, but I can see most players just getting through the story and then quickly moving on to something else.

If the issues get fixed in a timely matter, I say Ori and the Will of the Wisp is a must-buy for platforming fanatics. The mechanics are smooth and intuitive without being repetitive. The well-made map layout, good soundtrack, and modern animated movie quality rivals what can be seen in high-budget titles. As the standard of mainstream gaming improves, Ori and the Will of the Wisps can be the game that raises the bar in quality, as long it’s playable.

DOOM Eternal has raised the bar of the first-person combat genre and has done it in ways that only id could pull off. The developers took time constructing a game loop of carnage and mayhem while pushing the skills of the player and providing them with all the tools needed to survive. It comes down to great game design, and I’m so happy to have experienced it. There’s a light at the end of all this death and destruction, but getting it isn’t easy. DOOM Eternal takes the player on a journey, and it’s one that I didn’t want to end. There’s no point in denying that this is a must-play title.

SeaBed really isn’t much of a game, but as a piece of interactive media, that is quite possibly one of the most enjoyable things I have had the pleasure of experiencing. The story tells an evocative narrative about self-reflection and actualization that seemed to enjoy breaking me down emotionally just as much I took pleasure in breaking down its themes and characters. All I need now is something to help with this overwhelming feeling of emptiness now that it’s over.

La Mulana 1 & 2 are some of the best Metroidvania games on the market. They aren’t for the faint of heart, however. While I think playing these games with a guide can still be fun, the fact that most players will need a guide to progress past the first area is really saying something.

Persona 5 Royal is everything I could want out of a re-release. The game's style and charm shine brightest in this version as it made an already great game even better. The balances and new additions were based on long-time fan criticisms, and it's evident that the developers used it as a foundation to update this adventure while still throwing in some quality-of-life changes that I didn't know the game needed, but ended up loving anyway.

My Hero One’s Justice 2 will satisfy My Hero Academia superfans but will leave fighting game aficionados wanting more. Still, this is an improvement over its predecessor, but it certainly won’t be blowing anyone away. Though, games like this don’t always need to be amazing; sometimes, a game that I can turn off my mind and play is just what I want.

Did I get frustrated? You bet your ass I did. And yet, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. It might not have been the first or second time against an enemy that I won, but as my knowledge of the systems improved, so did my skills of survival.

Yes, Your Grace’s clean presentation and likable plot elements do a lot to win over the player, but it’s not enough to stomach the bad taste left by vague objectives and arbitrary fail states.

Langrisser I & II is a faithful remaster that brings together two of the most important titles in the history of tactic RPGs. The updated visuals and illustrations of the collection make it accessible for new players, but the mechanics stay loyal to the originals for long time fans. Still, I would have enjoyed more differentiation between the two games because the similarities can be jarring at times. Regardless, this is a great game that offers hours of fun with unique characters and story that is affected by player-choice to dictate the tide of war. I could easily recommend it to anyone looking to scratch the retro SRPG itch.

Still the same dungeon-crawling RPG comfort food I remember from the DS version. However, the added systems change its core audience to include players of all ages, which make it the perfect entry point to the genre. Every moment of gameplay is met with a reward and the present game loop creates a substantial reason to return to dungeons countless times, across dozens of missions. While the remake doesn’t do too much in terms of changing the core formula of what the series is, there’s enough here to warrant an additional playthrough.

All Stars was made for fans of this series specifically, but outside of that, you might be hardpressed to continue your idol adventure. The admittedly complicated team preparation can be quite a turn off for some if you think this is just another rhythm game. However, RPG fans could find something substantial here, assuming you can embrace the idol culture. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll definitely love what All Stars has to offer. The game is regularly being updated with new content, including songs, costumes, and events, so try to hold onto your money while you can.