As it stands, these core design problems, coupled with a host of technical issues (frequent crashes, bugs that softlock the game, textures loading improperly half the time, etc.), leave me unable to give a wholehearted recommendation. Perhaps if the developers tweak the combat system and iron out some of the technical problems, a trip to Zoz will become one worth taking. For now, it’s better to spend your summer vacation elsewhere.

While a few flaws make The Adventures of Elliot fall slightly short of a perfect experience for me, it’s still a bold experiment. It is filled with characters that, although sometimes lacking in complexity, win you over with sheer heart, especially Casper and his companion Mao, a troubled woman from a feline beast tribe. It’s never less than a good time, and it doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Ultimately, LumenTale: Memories of Trey is a fascinating and occasionally frustrating experiment. It represents a bold new evolutionary branch for monster-collecting RPGs. Time will tell whether this specific branch can survive the harsh ecosystem of the genre, but its successful mutations give it some strong fitness factors. A highly commendable first outing for Beehive Studios.

Like a swarm of Bydo filling the screen, R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos is beautiful and compelling, but difficult and overwhelming at times. It’s evidently a huge labour of love, and long-time fans who know their Arrowhead from their Cerberus will have a lot of fun with the game’s clever nuances. For the standard strategy RPG enthusiast, it will require a significant time investment and a willingness to overlook clunkiness in the UI, as well as a rather threadbare story, even in the sequel, where the branching plot points and enhanced characterization are welcome. All those years ago, R-Type initially challenged gamers with, “the fate of two races depends on you. Blast off and strike the evil Bydo Empire!” You’ll have to decide if that fate truly compels you to the far reaches of space and back again. Buckle up: you’re in for a hard fight.

Birushana: Winds of Fate is a strong visual novel follow-up to an excellent otome. Its strength lies in letting returning players see what happened after the credits rolled in the first title through five epilogue stories. Players can also experience the main story again from four wholly different, yet fully fleshed out, new character arcs. All are immensely enjoyable in their own ways. Shanao is a nuanced main character with a captivating personal quest, and her tale features many interesting and memorable characters. Revisiting them is wonderful, making Birushana: Winds of Fate a follow-up with quite the strong wind behind its sails. It’s a must-buy for established fans, and even newcomers might find charm in the new story routes.

Soulsy in difficulty yet beautifully accessible, I find Mina the Hollower an outstanding amalgamation of other titles. Yacht Club Games has poured heart and soul into this title, and the genre change has allowed them to flex their muscles and showcase what they can truly do; Mina the Hollower makes Shovel Knight‘s 2D sidescrolling feel like training wheels in terms of game design. DLC’s inevitable, but I honestly just can’t wait for their next big title that I hope crosses genres once again.

If you consider yourself a fan of Love-de-Lic games or RPGs like Earthbound, Undertale, OFF, and Hylics, play this game. Stray Children is nothing short of a masterpiece, and while it won’t appeal to everyone, it’s essential for its intended audience.

Coffee Talk Tokyo is a delightful return to form for a heartwarming series, seamlessly celebrating the quiet moments and connections we build in life (and even beyond). The game is relaxing, cozy, and altogether touching—like the third sip of a much-needed cup of coffee, meant to soothe a weary soul. Furthermore, the new setting and characters help make this title approachable for series newcomers, serving as a comfortable home away from home during a video game outing. Coffee Talk Tokyo is one refill you shouldn’t miss!

If you own all three games but never got around to them, this collection is not worth the extra money for a few new playable characters and additional episodes. It’s difficult to justify the full price when YouTube has the character episodes and added characters are playable in other Ryza games (e.g., Serri in 2, playable in 3 via DLC), and the episodes themselves only add up to a half-dozen hours. For people who have yet to dive into the games, or stopped midway through Ryza 1, the proposition is much more attractive. Mercifully, the Atelier series went from rarely ever having sales to being on sale frequently as part of publisher sales on Steam and seasonal sales, so fans and newcomers won’t have to wait long if they want to save some cash on the definitive versions of three of the best Atelier games to date.

Galaxy Princess Zorana is an addictive, choice-heavy visual novel with a compelling, though sometimes frustrating, gameplay loop and excellent replayability. I initially struggled to learn the mechanics, but I always enjoyed myself. After my first successful run, I immediately began planning alternative decisions for my next playthrough and wishlisted Long Live The Queen. If that doesn’t show the stellar appeal of Galaxy Princess Zorana, I’m not sure what will. This game absolutely has my vote!

Traysia is no Phantasy Star or even Vay. It is an absolute slog that’s only playable if various cheats and exploits are used. A few good pieces of music are not enough to save Traysia from itself. Even if you have morbid curiosity about obscure 16-bit RPGs and/or poorly reviewed games, there are far better games to spend your time and money on than Traysia.

Starbites is derivative, almost to a fault. Much like its protagonists’ scavenged mechs, it finds a way to bolt on different parts from established systems and influences to create a close approximation to many of the original inspirations. But it’s only an approximation, and while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Starbites might have had its time in the sun. You might feel the need to explore a fresher experience. But for those who’ve never had the pleasure of bathing in a JRPG light, they could do a lot worse than take Lukida and the gang for a spin.

What troubles me about Zero Parades is that its journey to release is more typical of the industry: numerous canceled projects, mass layoffs, all culminating in an almost entirely new team building a new game using the tools and design template established by creatives long since disposed of, meant for an entirely different world and built for an entirely different purpose, repurposed for this title. In that context, it’s a miracle the game is as competent, humorous, and well-realized as it is, despite not fully standing on its own or carrying the torch for what made Disco Elysium so special.

The core of the experience is an intense strategic puzzle, even if the game occasionally mumbles its instructions like a poorly dubbed transition scene. If you are happy to forgo a deep plot or memorable characterization in favor of a challenging combat system rewarding meticulous min-maxing, this game could easily become your next obsession. For those who live for the tactical dance and the glow of a well-animated explosion, Nitro Gen Omega is a mecha well worth the investment. PJs and Sugar Puffs optional.

Vultures – Scavengers of Death proves that strategy and horror can coexist and even thrive when paired together. The uncertainty derived from hit percentages and fog of war complements the tense exploration and foreboding atmosphere of the carefully crafted horror locations. I’d love to give a firm recommendation to survival horror fans and turn-based strategy veterans alike, but only under the condition that you wait for the technical issues to be ironed out. There is a real diamond in the rough here, but only if you wait for the cleanup crew to wipe away the blood and viscera first.

Directive 8020 is that perfect short experience that can break up your gaming rut, with its eight episodes of intense storytelling, each around 1-2 hours in length. You can stop there or go back for more, exploring alternate pathways in a way I’m rarely drawn to, but I immediately felt compelled to do after reaching one of Directive 8020’s conclusions. You can play the game multiplayer if you wish, either in couch co-op or online, although the former is obviously the way to go for the ultimate communal horror experience. However you choose to play, please do, as you don’t want to be the one left behind on this doomed planet once the Cassiopea starts its voyage.

Shadows of the Afterland is a better point-and-click adventure than the bulk of adventure games in the ’80s and ’90s, though it never quite reaches the heights of the giants of the genre. Its puzzles are simple, sometimes to the point of dissatisfaction, but it makes up for this with its setting and, to a lesser degree, its plot. To play it, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to… well, not quite heaven or hell, but a place between.

Death by Scrolling is a functional game. It controls well, is feature complete, and is mostly bug-free, but it lacks the spark needed to make it truly compelling. Recent updates have added new content and breathed some life into the experience, but the core remaining so bare still makes it a difficult game to recommend, unless you’re specifically looking for a stripped-down, low-commitment take on the genre.

So would I recommend Starfield? It depends on what you want out of it. If you’re chasing that perfect, seamless space fantasy, the kind where you lose yourself in the stars and never see the boundaries, this won’t get you there. If you’re here for the Bethesda loop, the busywork, the side quests that turn into five more, the slow creep of “one more thing” turning into another hour, this might help pass the time, though there are far better games for it. It barely gives me enough reason to keep going. It almost works, and then it crashes again.

From its engrossing and entertaining plot to the detailed and multifaceted gameplay, I had fun throughout my entire playthrough of the original Ys: Memories of Celceta, and I also had fun picking up this enhanced Switch version years later. Adol’s story has always been about the excitement and sense of adventure one gets when losing themselves in a journey, and Celceta captures that feeling poignantly. Ys Memoire: Revelations in Celceta might not be the most extensive remaster, but the original was such a solid ARPG experience that it still stands strong, despite its more dated graphics. Returning players may or may not be convinced to replay the game, but Ys Memoire: Revelations of Celceta is certainly worth newcomers trying out if they haven’t yet experienced the Celcetan journey.

Homura: The Crimson Warriors is an otome that Western audiences missed at launch, but it shows how timeless a good VN can be. Even without many extras, the game holds its own among the Switch’s strong otome lineup. If you’re a Hakuoki fan, Homura is worth a look, but it’s also a must-buy on its own merits.

Where To the Moon spoke to me when I struggled with the looming risk of my father’s death, Fishbowl speaks to me as I struggle to come to terms with it. I’m thoroughly impressed that two first-time designers made such a good game, especially during a pandemic, and I hope to see more in the future.

OPUS: Prism Peak is an outstanding adventure. Like its spiritual predecessor, OPUS: Echo of Starsong, it pairs a thought-provoking, emotional story with polished gameplay. At times haunting yet hopeful, it reflects life and reminds us how we grow from experience. I teared up often—sometimes from sadness, and sometimes from the bittersweet yearning to reach for something more, no matter the winding paths we take. The open-ended resolution of Eugene’s journey is moving and lingers with me. Developers SIGONO has once again created an artistic video game masterpiece with OPUS: Prism Peak.

Ultimately, Dosa Divas is aiming to be a snack-sized delight, but like an amuse-bouche, it still needs to offer enough flavour and texture for you to come back for more. You may find yourself leaving this one on the plate.

An average playthrough of Arcadia Fallen II takes roughly eleven to twelve hours. I genuinely had a blast with mine. Despite a slow start, I find Arcadia Fallen II to be even stronger than its predecessor. It brings us back into an evolving fantasy world where your choices feel impactful. The ending is satisfyingly conclusive and sets the stage for future adventures in a colorful landscape full of memorable characters and heartfelt bonds. Arcadia Fallen II is sure to delight both visual novel and RPG fans.

Like a great album, People of Note is all killer, no filler. It’s an excellent antidote for RPGFans who may be tired of repetitive, overly long experiences. Don’t be fooled by its puns and Disney-ish charms—People of Note is thoroughly challenging and thought-provoking with its gameplay. I truly hope that when talk comes about for great turn-based combat, this game is in heavy rotation.

For anyone looking to try a visual novel with a unique premise, cast, and gameplay, Gnosia is a great choice. It does require a fair bit of patience to make it to the end, as even if you know how to make progress, actually fulfilling the requirements can be quite difficult. But in my opinion, the highs are much higher than the lows are low.

As much as I admire Felvidek’s consistency across concept and execution, I do wish it took bigger swings in its design. It’s an RPG for players who appreciate the genre as a basis for vibes over mechanical evolution. This makes it an easy recommendation for such players and a tougher sell for anyone seeking a meatier game. As for me, I knocked it back like a bottle of plum wine, savored the distinct taste, and will look back upon its intoxicating experience fondly.