There’s not much I can critique about FFVII Rebirth. It reminded me of everything I love and appreciate about the original game while granting a new perspective. It’s a wonderful action RPG with some addicting minigames to boot. I like the slight element of choice interspersed throughout the narrative as well. I can see where some of the more original aspects of FFVII Rebirth’s story could be divisive to fans of the original, but for my part, I felt they helped set the stage for what could be a wholly new experience (a rebirth, if you will). Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is a game I’m glad I played as a fan of the original and a newcomer to this remake trilogy, as it’s an excellent Final Fantasy title with its own merit. I’m now curious and eager to see how this game’s ending might change what’s coming next.

For better or worse, Deltarune is deliberately being developed in Undertale‘s shadow. So far, it’s doing an admirable job following up. I’m not sure if it’ll achieve the iconic highs, cultural impact, or effortless thematic unity, but it’s already got a lot to offer. Chapter 2 is more consistently engaging mechanically than Undertale, and there’s much more of this game on the way. If Undertale achieves the immaculate confidence and unity of Dragon Quest games, then Deltarune swings for the spectacle and multifaceted characterization of Final Fantasy. Perhaps it’s no coincidence how both games’ battle screens reflect those respective series. With that said, Deltarune’s first two chapters feel like a satisfying experience in their own right. Their combined length already exceeds an Undertale run, and with Chapters 3+4 on the horizon, we’ll have access to allegedly more than half of its overall content. That’s a lot of a great game! Unless you’re opposed to playing through a game begging for repeated visits more than once, or cliffhangers negatively affect your well-being, I don’t think there’s a reason to wait to acquaint yourself with this world. Chapter 1 and especially Chapter 2 have set the grounds for what I have no doubt will surpass Undertale mechanically. What remains to be seen is where this story goes.

FIGHT KNIGHT is a must-play for anyone seeking a high-quality, unique experience. So much of the game is odd, yet it plants itself in reality with gorgeous aesthetics, competent gameplay, unique mechanics, and level design that makes you feel smart while rarely frustrating. FIGHT KNIGHT is the exact example of why indies are important, because while the next AAA will reiterate the same old gameplay, here we have a title that isn’t afraid to change the way the game is played. And with style.

There is so much to love about Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, from its improvements to farming to its lovable cast and how its story calls back to previous Rune Factory plot elements. The game clearly loves its heritage just as much as it loves Japan, so it’s easy to love it back. Guardians of Azuma is by far the greatest Rune Factory game yet, thanks to its forward strides in farming and player expression. And while there are still some minor limitations to overcome, Rune Factory 6 has some massive shoes to fill. The best simulation games keep you coming back to maintain your personalized worlds, and Guardians of Azuma does just that, with flying colors of all the seasons.

I’m glad I finally played I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. Its concept very easily draws players in, and to an extent, I even enjoyed banging my head against its opaque puzzles, knowing that each subsequent episodic level would bring a refreshing protagonist and style. Besides an underwhelming finale and some questionable puzzle design, the game is not as misanthropic or depressing as it would seem. Instead, it will always be narratively remarkable as the sole video game in Harlan Ellison’s expansive body of stories, scripts, comics, and teleplays. Ellison passed away in 2018 at the age of 84 but may his morbid and gleeful performance as AM live on for at least another hundred and nine years.

All told, to a T maintains the illustrious creative bounty of its director Keita Takahashi and his team at uvula, crafting a lovingly told, fun, wacky, and relentlessly cheeky ode to disabled kids who are in search of their place in the world. It’s clear that it’s a subject that means a lot to the developers, and it’s handled with genuine care, affection, and a wry sense of humour, never punching down or sugarcoating anything to betray its central message: There’s no such thing as “perfect,” and that’s okay. Our imperfections make us who we are.

Maybe more than any previous Soulsborne title, Elden Ring Nightreign is a game of learning, of trial and error. You run through Limveld again and again, and you figure out which methods work best for you, which places are worth going, and which approach is going to help you be most powerful for the final test. Long before you roll credits, though, you are almost certain to learn these lessons, go through the same tired routines over the same tired plains and landscapes while fighting the same tired enemies just to get wrecked by the final test if the RNG gods don’t favor you. It feels like you’re being forced to learn on someone else’s schedule, and while that works for a little while, eventually you want them to get on with the lesson and deliver some excellent boss fights without the long, repetitive road beforehand.

With Sea of Stars, Sabotage set out to create a spiritual successor to 16-bit JRPGs of yore, succeeding in some ways but failing in others. With this DLC, you will find the exact same strengths and weaknesses as in the main game. Throes of the Watchmaker is a very good piece of DLC for a very good game! Though the combat system and visual presentation are triumphs, the story and characters might leave you feeling underwhelmed. It would be interesting to see how Sabotage could improve on this solid RPG foundation, but I suspect they plan to move on to other pastures. Much like how they declined to make a sequel to The Messenger, my money says that their third game will also be a completely different genre and likely outside of our coverage. Given the baffling number of Super Punch-Out!! references present (yeah, the game is still meta), maybe they will be diving into a new take on that classic SNES title! But as this studio consistently delivers mechanically engaging, visual treats to the eyes, I am willing to explore whatever direction they take next!

Maliki: Poison of the Past feels to me like a bouquet of flowers, with the occasional thorn hidden within its attractive exterior. With the air full of the enticing aroma of blooming petals, you easily forget the one or two moments of discomfort you suffer to appreciate its best qualities. Load it up, take a deep breath, and enjoy.

There’s nothing wrong with developing the game you want and knowing what you have while hiding the limitations. Empyreal is all about the combat and loot, and it shows in the solid combat and in tinkering with your loadout. That’s clearly where the effort went. If this game is trying to be part Destiny and part Souls-like with a nod to old-school games, then it doesn’t fail, but it doesn’t succeed either. The only problem with eschewing story and other elements is that it comes off as cold and bland. I think those who dig the combat will love Empyreal, but others who want more out of their experience may find it less than sublime.

Phoenix Springs is not for everyone, and I’d venture to say most people won’t care for it; that’s also the benefit of strong visuals, though. No one’s going to look at screenshots or videos of this game and complain that they got ripped off thinking this was Gears of War. If my rambling and the feeling you get looking at Phoenix Springs doesn’t get you licking your lips, then this might be a pass for you. Others: enjoy food for your artsy fartsy soul.

When all is said and done, I can’t help but feel disappointed with The Chapter of Markus since it is what closes out the three DLC story expansions for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. I wouldn’t say it’s exceedingly terrible, as at the end of the day, it’s more Eiyuden Chronicle, but it doesn’t live up to its inherent potential either. If you’re already getting the DLC by backing the title, I’d say it’s worth playing. But if you’re debating purchasing the DLC separately, I’d recommend waiting for a hefty discount. As it stands, I just can’t recommend paying the steep full price of around $9 USD for what you get here.

Despelote‘s short length will put some people off and the finicky controls could use some fine-tuning and extra settings to adjust. But if you’re even a little intrigued by trailers, the demo, or indeed this review, you’ll find a truly charming and sincere little odyssey with a sweet story to tell and a unique, engaging way of telling it.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered does what every great remaster ought to: it recaptures the fun and silliness of the original, quietly removes some underlying flaws, and makes the whole experience look as beautiful as memories seen through rose-tinted glasses.

With its long journey, wonderful characters, and a plethora of choices, Rosewater is truly an impressive achievement among point-and-click games. If you have the slightest interest in graphic adventures or the Western genre, this is an experience not to be missed!

Overall, Penny Blood: Hellbound presents a world I’m eager to make my home address in (at least in a video game sense), with neighbors I’d like to get to know better while remaining utterly terrified the entire time. The roguelike gameplay can be fun, but its best features are yet mired in balancing issues. Though its personality is magnetic, as a roguelike, it doesn’t stack up well against others like it. If the point of releasing Penny Blood: Hellbound was to whet the appetite for Penny Blood, then it’s served its purpose. That’s good for now, but once Penny Blood proper is released, I suspect Penny Blood: Hellbound will ultimately be for completionists.

The Hungry Lamb: Traveling in the Late Ming Dynasty is a VN with great potential. It has all the foundations of an engaging story about the darker side of the human condition during times of pure and utter desperation. But it struggles to deliver on the promise of its characters, leading to a relatively flat reading experience overall. For its price point, I think it’s worth a shot if the aesthetic or setting piques your interest, but those seeking a deeper, more fleshed-out roster of characters might find themselves disappointed.

In lieu of a traditional conclusion, I’ll just say this: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the single most impressive debut RPG I’ve ever played. If this were a Final Fantasy title, it would easily rank among my all-time favorites. I can’t recommend it enough.

I certainly didn’t dislike my time with Old Skies, but I didn’t love it, either. What a wonderful ending that almost made me forget and forgive the longest fifteen hours I’ve experienced in a game recently. The last chapter is absolute chef’s kiss stuff. Somehow, though, a story with a mysterious organization with limitless resources, a thoughtful ruleset, and time manipulation didn’t excite.

The 2025 remake of Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy is a worthwhile journey whether you’re returning to its familiar rivers and jungles, or if it’s your first time strapping into a Hydrafloat. You will best enjoy it if you take your time and let it sweep you into the well-thought-out pace retained from the original game’s designer, the late Benoît Sokal, who passed away in 2021. From intro to credits, it is an unabashedly classic adventure.

From the beginning of the game, I wanted to complete Those Who Rule to learn the fate of the Rangers and engage with more of the tough battles and varied objectives. There was enough to keep me going in discovering new characters, unlocking new classes, and contemplating new map effects or strategies. The interplay of the combat design and the importance of positioning and managing aggro is deeply satisfying. That said, the fiddly UI and rather limited management options do take away from the experience. Some may also be turned off by the relatively basic enemy variety: there are no lions and tigers and bears here. But I can’t deny the game has a lot of heart and soul. For those who have a soft spot for political drama between warring nations nestled around a challenging turn-based combat system, it might pay to be king for a day.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy might take a bit to grow on you. It doesn’t have the most elegant start, and there are many rough edges even after it gets going. And yet, with all that in mind, the sheer variety and ambition still make it something special for fans of both its directors and those looking for a decidedly unconventional experience. For what it’s worth, I’m both, and I can recommend it easily. There’s definitely a lot to unpack with this game, and I know it will have a hold on me for a while.

Overall, Battlefield Waltz is a delightful visual novel to immerse yourself in, especially if you’re looking for character-driven romantic fantasies. It doesn’t do anything inherently wrong, save for having a far too-lengthy common route. The robust story map makes for easier replayability, which is fantastic since one route’s progression might make you want to see how another route will affect characters differently. Battlefield Waltz is an otome that fans of the genre should appreciate we finally have localized.

If the game mechanics of Anniversary Edition don’t click with you right away, 2G is different enough and beginner-friendly enough to satisfy, and the reverse is true if you find the beginning hours of 2G lacking in tension or difficulty. Neither game is a masterpiece, but combining both games into one affordable package was a great idea and makes this collection a worthwhile purchase, especially since 2G had such a limited Western release. I appreciate PQube giving this oft-forgotten series a new lease on life and look forward to where they take the series next.

Overall, there are not many negatives regarding The Chapter of Seign. As far as the current two Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes DLC expansions are concerned, it’s the stronger one if only by a slim margin. I enjoyed it more than I initially thought, enough to lament it being far too short. Grace, in particular, is an excellent addition to the cast, even though it’s disappointing that she joins the main game so late. While I’m still unsure if it is worth the current price, The Chapter of Seign is one DLC I could see picking up at a discount. It’s certainly a step in the right direction for Eiyuden Chronicle‘s story expansions. I can only hope that the third and final one will be even more of an improvement.

Maybe the most important thing a developer can do when remastering a game is choosing not to fix what isn’t broken. For the most part, that’s exactly what GungHo did here; they kept the remaster simple, but not because this is a cheap port. Adding a bunch of fancy bells and whistles would diminish the purity of these games. Simple is the point. And if simple is what you need right now, then spin up the Lunar Remastered Collection. You’ll be in for a good time.

Remember that weird Japanese PS2 game you picked up on a whim in 2004 because it had an interesting cover and the description on the back caught your eye and it turned out to be one of your favorite games of all time? Yeah, that’s Promise Mascot Agency.

While SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered is a massive improvement over the original, and well worth playing, I remain cognizant of its flaws. The story is highly interesting and definitely fun to dive into, pondering to oneself, “What isn’t being told? What other dynamics are at play?” And yes, the new localization makes the plot far easier to comprehend. But there is a sparseness to the story’s presentation. Nearly 100 years pass and we’re just getting snapshots, vignettes for a handful of characters. That might be a little thin for players who prefer dialogue-heavy RPGs. This ain’t that.