If you’re on the fence about whether The Case of the Golden Idol is for you, I highly recommend giving its demo a shot. You may be surprised at how engrossing this off-kilter take on Mad Libs crossed with point-and-click adventuring is. It’s the perfect example of a game that takes established ideas and creates a unique identity for itself by frankensteining them together.

So, yes, Igarashi is a genius, and the brilliance of his Castlevania games still holds up. Is this collection perfect? No. Each game has different flaws, and there are some minor issues with the overall presentation. Nonetheless, the DS trilogy in the Castlevania Dominus Collection are all clean, tight experiences with just enough experimentation to make each of them excellent and unique, even in a market flooded with Metroidvanias. Put simply, even 16 years later, Castlevania is still a genre giant.

Overall, I found this nine-hour jaunt to be superior to Cat Quest II, which already wasn’t a bad game. As I suggested earlier, all the developers had to do was beef up the game slightly, which they did. This is the definitive comfy game that you can play with a spouse, friend, or child. If this trajectory is any indication of what the developers can accomplish with the series, I’m eager to see what they do next.

The story intelligently explores themes of grief and maturity while offering some valuable insights into its characters but is told too piecemeal to justify a playthrough alone. With that said, if you’re simply itching for more of Persona 3 Reload’s dungeon crawling or closure for its cast, there is a compelling 30 hours to enjoy behind this expansion’s flawed construction. For anyone curious enough, The Answer awaits.

Monster Sanctuary has been out a while, but if you missed out on its original release, it’s worth revisiting. The combination of light 2D platforming and turn-based combat is too good to ignore, and the vast number of monsters, skill combinations, and equipment options make it a strategist’s dream. The fact that the whole thing is presented in gorgeous spritework alongside a popping soundtrack only makes this an easier recommendation. Apart from a few minor quibbles around monster organisation and the endgame grind, there are very few weaknesses to the overall package. Do yourself a favor and make house with these cute guys for a while; they’ll give you an awful lot of enjoyment in return.

Celestia: Chain of Fate is a surprisingly detailed visual novel with more depth in its light fantasy tale than one might initially give it credit for. Plus, it provides a nice dose of romance on the side. Visual novel and otome fans willing to give the game a chance will find an enjoyable time if they stick with it, despite any initial hesitations with the game’s earlier chapters. I hope that “Book 2” releases sooner rather than later, and that’s a telling sign to me as to how much I ultimately enjoyed Celestia: Chain of Fate!

Entertaining for what it is, I don’t think Veritus is going to knock anyone over, but it doesn’t have to. The world was built for sevens, and if you want an old-school game that is reasonably fun, that’s what you get here. I love that the team made such an attempt to change up the formula from most games we see, but I wish more of it felt fun or engrossing. Storytelling’s tricky because going through the motions and delivering a ham-fisted story certainly feels tired, but if it lacks clarity, it’s going to be hard for earnest individuals to buy into your world. Still, Veritus charms, and those chasing nostalgia may actually be met with a tight, creative adventure.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War is a mobile game with mindless, monotonous fun in short gameplay bursts. I wouldn’t recommend playing it for long periods simply because you start feeling the drag pretty quickly. It’s disappointing that the entertaining Northern War side story is such an average game. Lavi and company’s journey deserves the proper treatment of getting a mainline The Legend of Heroes: Trails game. Given the script’s lackluster translation, it’s difficult to recommend this title to anyone because, aside from the Trails fanservice and high-quality new character art, this story has been presented better in another media format. I suggest watching the anime adaptation first, as you’ll get the same story but with actual subtitles that make sense! It’s still the ideal way to experience The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War.

With the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, Capcom has finally run out of old Ace Attorney games to put into modern packages. And as a final hurrah, the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is a massive success. Not only do we get a polished remaster of the solid AA Investigations, but we also get a “brand-new” game that might offer the best-written story in the series. Despite some control issues, this collection is the best version of these games we’ll likely ever play. And after 14 years of Collection releases, including Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, I am delighted that the entire series is fully available on modern consoles (barring a crossover game with a certain top-hat-sporting puzzle solver).

Date A Live: Ren Dystopia is an engaging visual novel that series fans will enjoy. What Date A Live fan wouldn’t want to experience hijinks with their favorite characters and meet a new one who could potentially become a favorite? The game is hollow without prior exposure to the Date A Live light novels, anime, and especially the Rio-Reincarnation visual novel (with all its included extras), so I recommend Ren Dystopia to established fans only.

At the end of the day, no matter how many glossy coats of paint you put on it, this is a game from another time. It feels old, outdated, outmoded. However, within this game is an amazing history lesson or two about game design and excellent storytelling, something that Brian Fargo and his inXile team have been offering up time and again for all of us to enjoy. Does war never change? Wasteland Remastered doesn’t use the trademarked phrase explicitly, but there is certainly something timeless about this game. It may only be valuable to hardcore Fallout fans or gaming history nerds like myself, but the journey is still worth it. Good luck, rangers!

Thank Goodness You’re Here isn’t for the faint of heart. At this point, you probably know if this game is for you or not; it really comes down to your sense of humor, and if you’re not into this sort of potty humor, then this isn’t for you. If it sounds entertaining, though, then there’s absolutely no doubt the game is worth a purchase. For sheer quality reasons alone, this is an experience worth having, and I enjoyed nearly every second of it.

Detective noir has rarely felt so authentic in a video game; I can’t even think of a title that does it more genuinely. If that’s your bag, then this is an easy recommendation, but the journey can feel rocky, disjointed, and dissatisfying. Regardless of grievances, I fell in love, though briefly, with James and Sara. I wish they had a better go of it.

A wonderful return to form for the Mana series. Visions of Mana will have longtime fans grinning from ear-to-ear.

I can’t help but wonder how much better Gestalt would have turned out with a couple more months in the oven. From the story to the combat to player progression, every aspect of actually playing the game feels more than a couple of iterations short of reaching the magnificent polish of the visuals. That being said, for scratching the occasional Metroidvania itch, Gestalt: Steam and Cinder is a worthwhile eight-hour investment.

It wouldn’t be wrong to label Fairy Tail: Dungeons as Baby’s First Roguelike, though that might be selling the surprisingly crunchy gameplay experience short. Veterans have plenty to dig into, even if they might ultimately breeze through it. It can also be an entertaining entry point into the niche roguelike genre, which can be an acquired taste. I wish there were more of it, so here’s hoping there will be someday.

If you have the slightest interest in Journey to the West, Asian philosophy, or want to broaden your horizons, then this is an easy recommendation. Aside from being an exceptional, accessible game to play, the references to works you may not be familiar with will instill an appetite to learn more. I know it has in me. All of this coming from a studio I had never heard of before (GameScience), though I hope it finds great success after their effort here. If this is an example of what they can achieve, I can’t wait to see the next project.

It’s a little bit tough to discern where Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate lands. It delivers on replicating much of the Hades experience game in the TMNT universe, to the point where it’d be surprising if Marvel? Disney? Star Wars? other huge IPs aren’t looking into producing their own. But it also feels like Splintered Fate falls short, teasing so much that it doesn’t follow through on.

Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse shows just how good a remaster can be if handled with love by the original people who made it (along with the previous two remasters). At first glance, the game seems exactly as I remembered it, but in reality, it’s way better. It plays smoother with a much-improved control scheme. The graphics are sharper and prettier, with markedly better lighting. The result is the most playable version of The Devil’s Playhouse imaginable and one I was delighted to experience.

Dustborn is a game with a lot going for it, especially if you’re a fan of choice-heavy narrative adventures with a core cast of likable characters who develop a genuine and touching found family dynamic as they travel. It isn’t a perfect game, especially with its limiting combat component, but its strengths make it compelling. I came to care about Pax and her merry band the more I played, and that’s reason enough for me to recommend the game to those interested in it. The power of language and words can be frightening, but the tales they sometimes tell can also be wondrous and moving. Admittedly, Dustborn might not be for everyone, but it provides an enjoyable ride for those it does resonate with.

Dream Tactics is an enjoyable journey, and the tactical nuances and the promise of new cards and equipment kept me interested throughout. The aesthetics are pleasant too, and the little details and animation really bring to mind the glory of its retro inspirations. The dream does begin to fade with the boss battle difficulty, and over time, the sheer number of cards and equipment becomes difficult to sort and a frustration to manage. For those of you who like card-based systems and aren’t afraid of a clunky UI and spotty difficulty spikes, this pixel adventure might be just the thing to spend the evening with. Sleep well!

Overall, there isn’t much critical I can say; Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom combines the series’ two “most complete” titles into one lengthy adventure, easily making it the definitive edition of Hakuoki. Newcomers and those who’ve only played the PSP port of Hakuoki should try this version of the groundbreaking otome VN. Still, those who’ve played Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms in their entirety might not find enough new content here to warrant a second purchase unless they want to play on the Nintendo Switch. As it stands, Chizuru’s adventures with the Shinsengumi remain powerfully compelling.

Dawntrail’s story itself is a bit of a letdown, but the foundation has been laid for future expansions, and I know Creative Studio III can make the most of it. Meanwhile, the gameplay is fantastic, the graphics update is lovely, and the music continues to impress. Dawntrail may not reach the bar set by Shadowbringers and Endwalker, but it’s still a lot of fun to play.

For me, I wish the game had a bit more bite to it. The optional content was more my speed in terms of puzzle solving and felt satisfying to crack. Most of the game felt a touch on the easy side, and while easy isn’t the same as bad, I was left wanting. That said, Arranger’s story, chill atmosphere, and unique art style make it an adventure worth trekking.

SteamWorld Heist II continually impressed me throughout my roughly 30-hour playthrough. Thunderful has done a wonderful job carrying over the immediacy of the engaging sidescrolling combat mechanics while expanding upon the design in meaningful ways. The addition of character classes adds a new dimension to building your crew, and the expanded approach to the world design had me exploring every nook and cranny for more secrets. Captain Leeway’s seafaring adventure is a must-play for any turn-based strategy fan.

Tengoku Struggle is a good, but not outstanding, game. It plays with all manner of expectations, with some successes and missteps, resulting in an above-average experience. Its memorable high points don’t reach the same heights as other otome titles, so it doesn’t feel quite like a must-play game. But it’s a good enough experience for those interested in its core concepts, which feature a fun blend of lightheartedness and earnestness with modernity and tradition. Playing with expectations and mixing together unlike elements can have a great payoff when done right, but Tengoku Struggle -Strayside- falls just short of greatness. It doesn’t leave you disappointed so much as it leaves you wishing the story had followed its own inclinations a little more. If it had either balanced out the romance and action or went all-in on the romance, it could have risen above the sum of its parts. Despite its shortcomings, it’s still an enjoyable experience as unique as the disparate elements it tries to unify.

Vay‘s 2024 incarnation is far from perfect and still rather old-school in many regards, but has enough modern quality-of-life features to offer a rosy nostalgia trip. I’ve always had a soft spot for this often-overlooked title and am glad to see it nicely updated like this. Vay is not a game for everyone, even those nostalgic for Sega CD RPGs, but seeing a solid version of it readily available and easily accessible is a wonderful thing.

Ultimately, Stellar Blade met most of my expectations, though it did fall short with the story and pacing. The combat, music, and world design are something special, and the monster design feels straight out of a cosmic horror game. While Stellar Blade is heavily influenced by NieR: Automata, it fails to take its crown. To end on a painfully unoriginal pun, Stellar Blade is ‘NieR enough‘ to tide fans over until Yoko Taro manages to extort more money out of Square Enix. It may feel unfair to constantly compare Stellar Blade to NieR: Automata, yet with such blatant influence, it would be a disservice to ignore the developer’s clear and beloved inspiration.