Black Desert Mobile operates as a typical MMORPG, which unfortunately isn’t saying much. Yes, the battles are fun, leveling up my character and equipment is mindless entertainment as with many MMORPGs, and the visuals look great when not zoomed out, but I was hoping for a more engaging experience. If anything, I’m now more inclined to get the PS4 version of Black Desert Online to see all this game has to offer.

VenusBlood Frontier International does have some faults when it comes to accessibility and menu organization, but after a few hours, it’s a bit easier to understand. There’s a lot here, and thankfully Loki’s determination and cunning schemes make the story all the more gripping as his army grows, and he is closer to his goal.

Orangeblood has some really nice ideas, but the execution can feel lacking at times. However, the soundtrack and battle system is robust, which made getting through the game pretty entertaining at times. However, the confusing story and excessive padding keep Orangeblood from reaching its full potential. Thankfully the coolness of these characters might allow some players to look past that.

Taisho X Alice is a beautiful game, filled with fantastic characters. Each fairy tale is presented in a way that makes them unique, even if you think you’ve had enough of the source material. I’m glad to see the game finally receive a proper localization as well as a focus on character growth. While traversing the game’s routes can get tricky, it doesn’t hold the game back too much from presenting it Otome offerings wonderfully. I’m eager to continue the adventure as new chapters are released.

Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls is a port, and that’s pretty much where it stands. It doesn’t add anything new to the franchise or to dungeon crawlers in general, but it’s still a decent and entertaining game. The well-balanced RPG systems make this a high starting point for the Wizardry series, which doesn’t get enough attention in the west. The adventure retains its originality from almost ten years ago and opens the possibility of other ports in the future.

Pascal’s Wager brings a little bit of everything to the table. You’ll be faced with challenge after challenge, but overcoming those challenges never ceases to be satisfying. The game emphasizes tight combat and quick responses from the player to survive and it works well on a mobile device. Still, the best experience requires the use of a controller, but it’s tough to look past all the great elements of gameplay that this title presents. Those wanting to jump in without the confines of the mobile device can look forward to the PC and console release in the future.

It could have easily punched below the belt with some of its themes but was able to stave off dreariness in favor of a heartfelt story that has you think about the moments in life that matter. The only question left is if they can find paradise? Oh, wait, that’s the sequel.

This is a must-play visual novel for fans of the Chuusotsu! 1st Graduation, as it not only creates a new scenario that builds on the events established but also gives you more time with this charming cast of characters. Sadly, there isn’t too much outside of that, which has me waiting for a proper sequel to take the series to new heights.

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore has some amazing RPG systems with a lackluster story.

As great of a collection as Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha is, shmup fans would probably already own each of the titles on Switch. However, this does allow them to own them all in one physical collection. There isn’t anything added to the collection either, so you’re pretty much just getting the games. Still, I’d say this is an excellent collection of the games, and the Strikers series makes it worth it in the end if you don’t already own them.

The straightforward nature of the quests might make the later parts of the game predictable, but the story delivers in the end. Developer Devespresso should be proud of the adventure horror that they’ve created here, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

The game offers a nice balance of discovery and battles as you find yourself deeper into the strange environments. Sure, the animations and AI can be a bit wonky, but it doesn’t hinder the game’s sense of fun. While the main adventure can take around 10 hours to complete, those who set off the beaten path will get the most out of this very savage planet.

If you’re longing for more Kingdom Hearts, then Kingdom Hearts III Re:Mind is what you’re looking for. The developer has provided the player a new look at the conclusion of the game to hold them off until more questions are answered, they are ever answered. Thankfully for fans of the series, what’s new in this DLC contains the best of what Kingdom Hearts has to offer, and I’m incredibly glad to have experienced it. If you’re looking for an even greater challenge, then make your way to the secret boss battle featured in the DLC.

There’s a lot to love about Arknights. Within the game’s story, base-building mechanics, and resource collecting side missions, there’s a ton to experience, but I was hoping for a little more. A PvP mode or event story modes would have worked well here as well as have it more in line with other mobile games available.

Anything good about the game is immediately overshadowed with the things that players need to look past, which is terrible because I really enjoyed the dark premise of this game. As unique as Arc of Alchemist tries to be, and as much as it stands out in the lineup of games that Compile Heart has produced, I believe this a huge step back for the developer. Still, if you are just trying to fight monsters and look at cute chibi characters save the world, then this is the game for you.

Prison Princess provides hours of enjoyment and two of the cutest princesses you could be trapped somewhere with. I didn’t know what I was expecting when I began my adventure, but I came out of it with a more than pleasant experience.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics ends up doing just enough for fans of both The Dark Crystal and fans of tactical RPGs. It has enough features that allow it to stand out when compared to other titles available. Sadly, the pacing of the story and battles are relatively fast, which means that you’ll continually feel rewarded, but you won’t have an attachment to the characters.

Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 3 may not be what the hardcore simulation gamers wanted, but it opens the door for rookies and fans of the sport looking to play out their riding dreams. The new gameplay features come with a learning curve, respecting old and newcomers alike. With the official 2019 calendar of riders available, dedicated servers, new features on career mode, and various new additions, I really feel like everyone is invited to this race.

The Blind Prophet is a gorgeously dark journey with a stunning aesthetic and captivating narrative that will stay with me for quite some time. The point-and-click elements pared with the game’s dark tone immersed me for the entirety of this adventure. Any gamer looking for a morbidly afflicting experience will find it here.

Top-tier gameplay with captivating ideas is a fun approach to a genre that needs as much creativity as it can find. Different difficulty options welcome all types of players and significantly lets one grow and aim for yet, another challenge.

Kunai is a thoroughly fantastic game, taking some of the best elements of the genre and putting them into one parkouring package. It’s apparent that a lot of care went into fine-tuning weapons and Kunai to make your actions feel as instinctual as they are fun. Kunai is one of the most unexpected and delightful gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time.

This game pretty much does the bare minimum of what a 2D action game should do, and even then, they couldn’t get the text to fit inside the boxes. I adore these characters and their adventure, but there is just too much lacking in this zany adventure for me to recommend it.

Summer Pockets ended up being the visual novel that I didn’t know I needed right now. The game can take anywhere from 30 – 40 hours to complete, but along the way, you’re in for some excellent moments of narrative storytelling. Be sure to have a box of tissues handy if you’re sappy on love stories. You’ll need them.

Azur Lane: Crosswave has plenty of fun elements about it, but know that this is simply the mobile game brought to a 3D space. There are aspects of the game that I feel fell short, but I did enjoy the challenge, and the after story offerings are enough to want to continue playing. Plus, I never had to worry about burning money on gacha rolls.