Whether you’re a casual gamer with a soft spot for Indiana Jones or a fan of cinematic action-adventure titles, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has something for everyone. The game’s customizable difficulty settings and accessible mechanics ensure players of all skill levels can enjoy the adventure. However, don’t expect to spend hours cracking intricate puzzles and riddles — the Great Circle leans more into its action, narrative, and authenticity than brain teasers.

Fantasian Neo Dimension is the best way to play this Mistwalker JRPG. The sharper visuals and resolution make this truly pop in a beautiful way on the Nintendo Switch, where I played it. The story, characters, and fluid turn-based gameplay are high quality enough to feel like a classic spin-off of the Final Fantasy series. If you like JRPGs, don’t miss out on one of my favorite releases in 2024 during a year jam-packed full of thrilling releases.

ebut Project: Cooking Cafe is a silly, joyful game that encourages someone to be creative. Or to commit food crimes. It isn’t as varied as the Cooking Mama series when it comes to minigames. However, it makes up for that by letting someone be as unhinged as possible during certain steps of the cooking and baking process, resulting in the most ridiculous recipes. I really appreciate everything it does.

With a charming aesthetic that hearkens back to the mid-2000s and a gripping story, Matsuro Palette really surprised me with how much I liked it. It’s short and sweet, just difficult enough to provide a challenge, but easy enough that you can beat it in one day if you wish. While I don’t think I’d like a sequel of it, it did leave me wanting to see more between the painter and the girl.

Flare Nuinui Quest is a charming retro platformer that nails the look and feel of classic 8-bit games. Its simple mechanics, nostalgic design, and catchy soundtrack make it a joy to play, even for those with no knowledge of Hololive or Shiranui Flare. For fans of the Vtuber and the wider Hololive universe, the game is an even bigger treat, filled with familiar characters and references that add depth to the experience. While its short length and fan-service-heavy approach might limit its appeal to some players, the low price and polished gameplay make it an easy recommendation for anyone who loves retro platformers. Flare Nuinui Quest proves that even niche projects can deliver big on charm and fun.

Garden of the Sea attempts to be a laid-back life simulator as you roam around a deserted island. But, the absence of structured tasks or rewarding objectives may lessen its appeal over time. This is further not helped by gameplay bugs, which make some of these tasks more bothersome than they should be. Ultimately, I don’t know why you would choose to play this title in its current state over hard hitters in the genre, like Stardew Valley.

Beyblade video games have a reputation for not being too great. Although there are blemishes in the gameplay and the environmental spaces, which could have been improved, I think this is the best Beyblade game out there. But by no means is this game stellar, either. Ultimately, you will find redeemable characteristics to Beyblade X: Xone if you keep up-to-date with the franchise or have nostalgic memories of earlier generations.

Homicipher is an experimental visual novel that asks you to keep an open mind for the unknown. All that is gold does not glitter, and not all creatures that crawl on the floor in a terrifying manner are monsters. Only by making the effort to learn and communicating with them you might discover that the unknown might not be as scary after all.

SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky has its good points. The production values haven’t been skimped on, the setting is well-realized, and some of the characters are very interesting to get to know. Sadly, the writing on the whole is very uneven, leading to a lot of routes that don’t pay off properly and a couple really poor characters. There’s some potential here but the game ultimately fails to realize it, despite taking a very long time to get everything into position. It’s an inauspicious Western debut for such a beloved franchise.

The party members are a delight to spend time with and woo. The combat is some of the most fun I’ve had in a while with an action RPG. It is just a shame everything else falls short. The exploration is far too uninteresting, the story is haphazardly put together, and the mission structure is too linear. There is a good enough RPG to enjoy in Dragon Age: The Veilguard for diehard fans like myself, but this is certainly no second coming of BioWare. I have disliked each new Dragon Age more than the previous one and, unfortunately, The Veilguard continues that.

Ultimately, Goblin Slayer Another Adventurer: Nightmare Feast was an odd one. While I did enjoy the battles and most of the character interactions, it also didn’t do much to make itself stand out. It certainly has appeal for fans of old school RPGs, but I can’t help but feel it could be doing a lot more.

Death Note Killer Within is better than I expected it to be, but is also a game where your experience hinges on other people’s behavior and actually getting to complete a match. If you are only playing with people you know, everyone is on a PC, and you all are committed, it can be a lot of fun! If you aren’t, then good luck! My enjoyment tanked pretty severely once random players got involved in my matches, and I suspect it isn’t an isolated issue. If that problem gets fixed and we see more reaction to reports about bad behavior, I think it could be a solid 6/10. But because it becomes so difficult to actually finish a round, it might be better to wait for a patch.

Great God Grove is a great romp about the importance of good communication. If you enjoy puzzle games, the works of Double Fine, or Undertale, you’ll find a lot to love here.

While there is no denying that the heart of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake comes from another era, the level of quality across every aspect of this redo cannot be denied. If you love the original game, taking a trip through this version of its world is simply a must. If you’ve never played it, I can’t imagine a better way to experience one of the genre’s all-time classics. Its intentional adherence to the source might make some aspects of it hard for newcomers to swallow, but everything that could be done to make it palatable without changing it too much has been. It’s a true celebration, both of the game and the series.

Sadly, the charm of the writing doesn’t prevent Farmagia from feeling mediocre overall. It’s repetitive, disjointed and half-formed. If you want a game that better combines adventuring and farming, Marvelous already have an excellent alternative in the form of Rune Factory.

Tetris Forever is, ultimately, a well-crafted educational documentary about the franchise that’s a joy to work your way through, at which point it becomes a vessel for Tetris Battle Gaiden. The rest of the game library doesn’t offer much to modern players who could instead play Tetris Effect, Tetris 99 or Puyo Puyo Tetris! But the preservation aspect of the release is nice for its own sake.

You probably are still going to experience a lot of heartbreak going through Virche Evermore – EpiC: Lycoris-! Surprise! But I absolutely think it is worth it, especially considering the new Drifter storyline and Ankou route. The execution of the fandisk is also rather interesting, since it really does a solid job of taking us into the past, present, and future, with all of these extra stories and moments with the characters so well organized. That does mean that it is 100% not a standalone experience, but you have to expect that from otome game follow ups and Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- players will enjoy this for what it is.

Some minor quirks aside that could, in all honesty, be fixed by patches before too long, Core Keeper is a delight of a game that excels at offering options for being creative and tackling situations. It is easy to get engrossed in finding your way through the depths, establishing a settlement, and making progress, thanks to the intuitive systems in place. Core Keeper is definitely a game those who loved ones like Terraria and Minecraft should investigate.

Potionomics: Masterwork Edition makes me feel like someone coming to the Switch version is immediately getting access to the best version of the game. While there are some minor balancing issues remaining and someone might be as hit-or-miss on characters as I was, the changes and additions based on player feedback result in a markedly improved experience. It really makes it easier to appreciate Sylvia’s adventures in capitalism.

The thing about Slitterhead is that the main conceit of the possession mechanic is innovative. However, the story and one-note nature bog it down. Siren had a similar method of storytelling, in that it presented a comprehensible plot yet left enough things ambiguous that to this day, fans still discuss and debate on the finer details. The problem with Slitterhead, in my opinion, is that the story isn’t so gripping that it would have that kind of impact on the playerbase. I do really enjoy how the game feels and I’m still excited for future projects from Bokeh Game Studio though. This was a really cool debut from the studio. Despite its cult classic status and passionate fanbase, Siren got pretty middling reviews from critics at launch, so time will tell if Slitterhead is exonerated in the same way.

It took us some real adjustment to accept Mario & Luigi: Brothership for what it is, but once you do, there’s genuine enjoyment to be found here. You have to learn to follow its pace and accept its shortcomings, because it won’t change its ways and blossom into a top-tier Mario RPG. Still, the ride will be worth it for some to experience its bright points.

It is this general lack of memorable content, or downright terrible additions, that hold back Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 significantly. This could easily be the fourth best game in the series if it had the content and maps to match its gameplay. Even still, that gameplay is enough for me to have some fun and recommend this title to others. There is something so enticing about the Omnimovement system that I hope is in every non-jetpack title from now on. The incredible feel of BO6 is enough to keep me hooked for now until, hopefully, Treyarch gives us worthy content to enjoy.

As far as horror games go, Clock Tower isn’t exactly in my personal top five favorites, but it’s still such a highly influential and important work that I’m surprised it took this long for it to make its way out of Japan with an official English localization. While its dated graphics and gameplay may turn away some people, it’s definitely something to experience for yourself if you’re interested in this kind of history.

It’s hard to talk about Mouthwashing without giving away some of its more disturbing revelations and scenes. Yet those are the ones that stayed with me the most. The refrain in the game—that a person’s worst moments don’t define them or make them a monster—is something to keep in mind as the truth of what happened, along with the frayed mental states of the Tulpar crew, unravel over the course of the story.

Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a wild ride that embraces its weirdness. Offering a mix of campy horror and dark comedy that’s rarely seen in games. If this remaster gives a new audience the chance to experience Garcia Hotspur’s journey in 2024, then it has more than accomplished its mission. Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered is a welcome return for a cult classic that deserves another moment in the spotlight.

Life is Strange: Double Exposure would always have high expectations projected onto it, as the original is perhaps one of the best emotional and narrative-driven games out there. The sequel might not be on the same level as its predecessor, but there are a lot of admirable qualities here. It’s great to see Max Caulfield return to the series, as she is genuinely an exceptional character. I really enjoyed the overall story, and there are some phenomenal twists along the way which you may not see coming. However, I wish Max and Safi had more scenes together, because it would have meant those impactful moments would have carried more weight. As long as you accept that Life is Strange: Double Exposure will not provide the same emotional whirlwind adventure as other entries in the franchise, you will have a good time.

Shin-chan: Shiro and the Coal Town is a slow life simulation game paired with an engaging adventure involving the mysterious Coal Town. It’s a really relaxed and pleasant play, as a result. You can take your time with it and enjoy the ambiance. The only thing that might get in the way of some people’s appreciation or enjoyment of the experience is the presence of Shin-chan himself, as not everyone might appreciate his humor or the series’ character design. Still, even if you are apprehensive, it’s a soothing way to savor the last bits of summer before easing into winter.

Flowstone Saga is a charming blend of RPG and puzzle game with a zippy pace and lots of mechanics to engage with. The presentation is great, with colorful, detailed visuals and a strong soundtrack. The story doesn’t hit the same high notes as the rest of the game, but it does its job well enough to keep you engaged for the duration of this relatively brief yet enjoyable journey. In some ways, it feels like the game could have gone longer and explored some of its mechanics more thoroughly, but I give it credit for wrapping up before it got repetitive. If you’re looking for a lighter bite between all of the gigantic RPGs releasing these days, this should fit the bill nicely.

Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut is a fantastic horror game that you will think about weeks after you finish playing, as you will be captivated by the story and message the game is trying to portray. It’s the type of game where you’ll want to close the curtains, dim the lights and binge on for the evening alone or with a friend (if you can agree on options, of course). This is a perfect indie horror title to play during the spooky season and should not be skipped by avid fans of the genre.

The Switch version of Yakuza Kiwami might not be the absolutely ideal way to play the first game in the Like a Dragon series, but it runs quite well on the system and remains an absolute delight. The port is quite capable and runs better than I expected to. It would probably look better on another console or PC, but the joy that comes from actually playing an entry on a Nintendo system and see it go so well more than makes up for that.

We really like the premise of Wilmot Works It Out, and don’t mind a shorter experience! But the game really only hits its stride in the final chapters, leaving us wishing it expanded its later offerings at least a bit. Still, it’s charming, and if you want to really dig into the Marathon post-game, it could be worth checking out.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake ultimately did a decent job of bringing back a classic series entry by including newer features from the more modern entries, although it’s still not enough to convert me into believing this to be the best one among the series entries with personal viewpoints. (Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10 still holds that dear spot for me.) But while the Tales event triggers are a highlight, a number of glaring issues in its localization make it rather difficult to recommend this game over the prior entries unless you can play the game in its original Japanese build.

All of these systems come together to make for the first Romancing SaGa game I ever finished and truly enjoyed. Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a great JRPG in a packed year of them well worth checking out. Whether you are new to the series or a familiar veteran, there is something to enjoy. Sure, the 3D visuals are colorful and pretty, but nothing too spectacular, and the title certainly lacks the dedicated characters and plot of other JRPGs. However, it makes up for this with the fantastic focus on player choice that is uniquely rewarding and memorable.

Thronefall is an absolutely wonderful RTS game from Grizzly Games that pulls ideas from past strategy and tower defense titles, then executes them in a stylish, minimalistic manner. There are no overwhelming choices. Upgrade trees make sense. Stages are broken up into digestible chunks. The only downside is perhaps that there isn’t more of it, but at least we can replay the areas that are there on higher difficulties later.

While it may not have the immersive mechanics to be a great VR introduction, Batman: Arkham Shadow is fun to play and faithful to its Arkham predecessors. And yeah, picking off enemies one-by-one feels great.

Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream shines in some departments but flops in others. I wish the game had concentrated more on the primary campaign because the story here is terrific, and with a few tweaks to the open map environment and battle mechanics, it could have been a quintessential play for any fan. But the multiplayer feels so half-baked and unrewarding that only hardcore fans will enjoy the long, tedious grind to grab every morsel item.

I enjoyed Inti Creates’ approach to gameplay in Card-en-Ciel and appreciate how it built on the tactical deck-building found in the Mega Man Battle Network series. While it looks similar, it feels like its own thing. That’s great! Unfortunately, the actual story surrounding Neon and Ancie’s adventure is pretty weak and not handled well, and there’s no personality to any of the dungeons we explore. It’s a case where there’s some good gameplay we can sink our teeth into, but the style isn’t quite there even with colorful characters and some fun cameos. It can be entertaining, but lacks Mega Man Battle Network‘s charm.

Super Mario Party Jamboree is up there for the best in the series. It boasts the most amount of content from high-quality boards to characters to minigames. The variety is enough to carry this game on its own, but the quality of the core experience is exceptional as well with how each board works and the many different types of minigames. Though the additional modes, with the exception of Bowser Kaboom Squad, are all pretty much misses, they do nothing to take away from the top-tier solo and multiplayer party experience Super Mario Party Jamboree has.

Neva is a sweet little game that left a significant impression on me. Every frame looks like a painting, there’s a surprising amount of challenge and the way it builds these characters without saying a word is masterful. If you’re a fan of short, artful experiences in games, you need to play Neva.

Ys X: Nordics is a solid addition to the Ys series, but it should have stayed docked. The ship combat, which should have been a thrilling new addition, ultimately feels bland. Despite this, the game more than makes up for it with its land-based exploration and fast-paced, duo-driven combat. Fans of the series will no doubt want to pick it up for the continuation of Adol’s story and the exciting new setting. And if you’re new to the Ys franchise, this isn’t a bad place to start.

The Silent Hill 2 remake was surprising. It’s surprising in the way that I’m already playing it over for a second time. It’s surprising in the way that I enjoyed what the game had to offer, not being the biggest Silent Hill 2 fan myself. (Silent Hill 4 will always be my favorite, even if it isn’t the best.) Maybe that distance is what has allowed me to appreciate it more. Though I highly doubt it. The Silent Hill 2 remake shows that Konami is just as capable as it’s competitors in breathing life into their classic horror games. And I earnestly hope that other Silent Hill games will be given this treatment, or that it’s success means a certainty of more new stories in this horrible haunted town in the future.

As a whole, Metaphor: ReFantazio is quite charming and fun. It’s interesting to see so many familiar elements from Shin Megami Tensei and Persona in this sort of high fantasy game.

After being unimpressed with Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash and Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections, I was pleasantly surprised with Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero.

I really appreciate the chances that Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost takes, in terms of gameplay, because it is a solid rhythm game! The track listing is fantastic. It’s drawing from all the amazing Touhou Project music we love. I just wish the story was either handled better or more approachable for those who aren’t familiar with the series, as that’s going to be quite a barrier for most people to overcome if they give it a chance. Knowing you need to go through that to even unlock your songs is a lot.

I really appreciate Crypt Custodian for knowing its strengths and exploring them throughout the roughly 10 hours it took me to complete the game. The mix of Metroidvania and isometric platforming elements mix really nicely in a title where precision and readability are king. You won’t find a nail-biting challenge in this game, but some extra post-game boss rush modes can prove really demanding and give you that edge. And while the subject matter can be a bit much if you’re sensitive the same way I am to pet an animal death, Crypt Custodian made me look back fondly and remember my childhood pet and every animal I’ve ever loved.

The Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred expansion has me torn. I love a lot of the new changes, and I really wanted to say that I loved the story, but I don't.

I like the idea of I-Chu: Chibi Edition, as having a one-purchase version of a mobile game that grants you to access to almost everything is appealing. However, the way it forces you to unlock everything, the awkward localization, and the still frustrating gacha system hold it back. The music is good! The rhythm game element is pretty solid! Once you get some decent cards, you can make some strong teams! It’s just all of the other stuff surrounding it bogs it down.

9 RIP is another one of those Otomate otome games that experiments with what we expect from these sorts of dating sims, and it’s a great success as a result. The chance the developer took on storytelling means the love interests get more moments with the heroine and also feel like stars of their storylines. It involving urban legends and some horror staples mean we get some unexpected and fun romance options. Plus, the aesthetic is great. There are a few elements that might not be as appreciated people, but I feel like that comes down to personal tastes rather than actual failings on the part of the developer or game itself.

Keylocker was a frustrating experience. There’s some solid writing and a world that I’d love to explore further. Sadly, it’s buried under an unintuitive combat system and poor plotting for it to realize its full potential.

I keep bringing up competitors like Civilization and Humankind not just for obvious comparisons or to be cruel, but because Ara: History Untold sought to position itself as big mix up for historical strategy. And I want that! I love this genre, but only having a few big games flying that banner has led to it becoming a bit stale, and more competitors and new ideas could shake things up. But unfortunately, Ara doesn’t do much to really drive things forward. Most of the new additions have been tried before and the crafting system, the one actually unique part, fails to add much more than extra busywork and spreadsheeting. It’s still totally functional as a historical 4X, easily alluring me back into the one-more-turn mindset, but it doesn’t succeed in bringing much that is really new to the table.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom features all of the amazing hallmarks of the series, yet feels completely innovative, unique, and fresh.

Metro Quester: Osaka is an absolutely great game and follow-up to the original KEMCO and Thousand Games RPG. It maintains the same feeling of desperation as you strive to find resources. There’s the same thrill as you uncover new paths or helpful items. The battle system still feels really different and efficient. I highly recommend it and, if someone hasn’t played the original, might even say to play this entry if you only can pick up one of them.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography feels like the sort of edutainment game that you use in conjunction with other learning tools to help make learning a language more fun. It’s honestly a cozy tool! You explore the streets of a city. You get to see what can or can create a flashcard when you take photos. There are little tests of your knowledge. However, it does feel supplemental to a regular experience and, since it is more about building up a vocabulary collection, may not be enough for some people on its own.

Frostpunk 2 is a worthy enough survival city builder sequel. Like the original, it is absolutely stunning to play, though I do recommend against Steam Deck. It just doesn’t run as well and the input controls aren’t the best here. If you have a beefy PC or modern console, this is a real looker to play. With the complicated decisions, larger scope, and new Council Hall decisions, Frostpunk 2 is one of the most elaborate and complex sim games available.

I’ve been playing Reynatis on the Switch, so I can’t comment on other systems, but there are a few issues. Firstly, the game crashed on me a few times, which was annoying, but luckily, there is an auto-save system, so I never lost too much progress. The main issue was the camera angle, which in some of the cramped environments is just pure bad. If I were playing in handheld mode on the Switch, this would be even worse, and sometimes I wouldn’t even be able to see the character performing their move, so I always stayed playing on the dock. To its merit, the loading times were excellent and faster than I expected on the Switch.

When it shines, Space Marine 2 can be really good but there’s just a few too many irritating flaws to recommend it as much as I want to.

Of course, if you’re just here for a fun linear adventure, you’ll have a blast. The Plucky Squire is an imaginative romp full of joy and wonder despite how much it holds your hand in the process.

Dead Rising was great in 2006 and it continues to be great as Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. The tension of going through the main story cases, escorting survivors to safety, and trying to complete all side objectives all while managing your in-game countdown is as exhilarating as it was 18 years ago. Perhaps the most impressive thing this new remaster achieves is making me believe that this is how the original 2006 game played. The QoL additions are a game changer and I can’t imagine going back to the original control scheme. Unfortunately, some characters in the new English dub don’t sound as good as the original cast. On the brighter side, that is probably the only sore point I can find in the remaster.

We’ve called out a few examples, but we’re making a point not to explain absolutely everything, because a lot of the joy of UFO 50 is stumbling upon and exploring a new game. It’s best approached as a goodie bag, with discovery and learning through playing as its key tenets. The difficulty is perhaps a bit higher than we’d like in spots for some of the games, but overall it really is a can’t-miss release.

I appreciate what WayForward did with Yars Rising, as it incorporates the source material in some cool ways while doing something entirely new. It’s a solid Metroidvania, and bringing in Yars’ Revenge gameplay for hacking can be entertaining. I just feel that even with the unusual approach to hacking, some design elements and decisions feel a bit bland. It’s enjoyable, but I’m not entirely sure it’s very memorable.

I feel like Peglin is a fun roguelike game if either you miss Peggle or are okay with knowing how well you do might is completely up to RNG. It isn’t always demanding perfection in the same way as roguelikes like Hades or Dead Cells, where your skill is a big part of deciding how successful you are. It very much comes down to chance here. Which means if you’re okay with that and playing it in small doses, Peglin can be great! But since how much you can influence a run is limited, it can be very frustrating to often see yourself do everything right, but fail because you didn’t get the right orbs or relics and it ended up being unbalanced.

Since I tossed my scale ages ago for mental health reasons, I don’t know the effect Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku has on my weight or my waist line. I certainly feel better though! Compared to Ring Fit, it’s way easier to boot up, so I’m less tempted to skip a day or two out of sheer laziness. Though my review ends here, my fitness journey has only just begun.

World of Warcraft The War Within is an excellent start to The World Soul Saga and I’m genuinely interested to see where the story goes next. Hero Talents add some interesting effects and skills to specific classes, which adds a greater variety of how you can play your character, and the narrative, while straightforward, is a lot of fun. The War Within has made me love MMORPGs again, and if Blizzard Entertainment keeps going in this direction, I can see myself playing this game for years to come.

Hollowbody has a pretty fascinating atmosphere and really strong vibes, but fails to deliver a fleshed-out survival horror experience. The game is clearly inspired by classic PS2 titles in the genre, but this comes at the expense of the game offering unique mechanics or a thoughtful narrative. And while I have pretty strong feelings about Hollowbody, I still want to jump back into New Game+ and try to get other endings and find answers to the mystery, no matter how vague they might be.

Though I would prefer more open levels in the future, Astro Bot cements itself as PlayStation’s premier platforming series. This game solely brings back the golden era of PlayStation platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. The sheer number of brilliant cameos show the right mix of nostalgia amidst expertly-crafted level design. If you’re looking for the purest form of video game fun but with modern mechanics, this is it.

Celestia: Chain of Fate is an okay enough otome game for those in search of a game with Harry Potter-like academy, magic, angels, and demons. However, it doesn’t really do much to stand out otherwise. The character designs aren’t as striking as those in its contemporaries, there is awkward phrasing in the script, the story involves some common situations and tropes, and there are certain absent quality of life features.

Umamusume: Party Dash has the cute horse girls and engaging story of the original game, but lacks replay value unless you have friends or are willing to play against random people online. It’s strange to judge a party game on its “replay value,” I understand. But even if I were to invite a bunch of friends over for Party Dash night, I doubt we’d play it for too long. The small number of mini-games really holds back what could be an awesome spin-off title.

Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection is just a highly impressive collection of some of the most over-the-top and fun fighting games that have ever been made. By creating easier controls, it allows all of those button-mashing newcomers (like I once was) to hop in and have a great time. With its new practice mode, it allows those of us trying to get serious a means of practicing so we don’t get annihilated by the stone cold killers who’ve been playing the game for decades. It’s just a celebration of some of the greatest titles in the genre.

It means that Pico Park 2, much like the original game, is a “your mileage may vary” title depending on who joins you when you play. If you have a group of four people who can all be in the same room together, it might be absolutely incredible. Especially if they are all familiar with the series and experienced with how games like this work. If you’re only playing with one other person, it could still be great! But you won’t get the full experience and might be frustrated sometimes. I 100% suggest not playing this with random individuals. Even though the in-game messaging system is competent and I had a decent ping playing on the Switch against others, randos are a nightmare in Pico Park 2 and ruin the experience.

While this foundation is great, though, it only goes so far. Despite having the potential to be my next online gaming obsession, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions will, unfortunately, take a backseat for now until more worthwhile content and modes arrive.

Fairy Tail: Dungeons feels like a straightforward, but still nicely tactical, deck-building game. Being able to play a few quick hands in a fight was great for moments when there wasn’t much time to play, and the ability to dive right in and pick up the rules in seconds made it easy to just jump right into. Even so, the systems underneath had enough depth that it kept pulling me back in to reshape my strategies for the next run.

Fate/stay night is a great read and introduction to the Fate franchise, and all three routes maintain the same quality in terms of the plot and themes. Personally, I don’t think any route was bad. It just falls to personal preference. Compared to Type-Moon’s newer games or stories, yes, it can be overly wordy. And yes, it looks dated in both Takeuchi’s art style and in the Powerpoint-like transitions. I honestly found it charming though, and it works in the context of such a classic game. So rejoice, Fate fans. Our wish has finally come true.

Basically, Castlevania Dominus Collection is another fantastic compilation of Castlevania games. The three DS titles returning here are all wonderful games in their own ways, and they play quite well on the Switch thanks to M2’s efforts. Haunted Castle and Haunted Castle Revisited feel like a fun bonus and a way to bring the Belmonts into a collection that otherwise focuses on other heroes fighting Dracula and his forces. It’s a worthwhile bundle of titles, especially on the Switch.

Ace Attorney Investigations is a fantastic port that looks and plays beautifully on modern consoles. I’m so happy that people can finally experience the second game with an official localization! So happy that we can finally see that little wiener Eustace in HD glory! It strikes that perfect middle ground between the old Ace Attorney (the original trilogy and I argue even the fourth game) quality and the new Ace Attorney (Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice) zaniness that most fans of the series can enjoy it, so long as they suspend their disbelief. Just pretend you’re watching something like Criminal Minds.

The Casting of Frank Stone is an interesting attempt at feeding Dead by Daylight fans more lore through different means. I think there’s a lot of potential there, but so much of the game could have just remained on the cutting room floor, tightening up the tension and overall experience to make it a more engrossing B-horror flick. Because there isn’t anything wrong with bad or corny, it just isn’t enough to be so bad that it’s good. It’s just kind of there, and it’s a game I won’t be playing again.

I was absolutely fascinated by My Lovely Empress during my first run, when I tried to avoid as much bloodshed as possible and search for a healthy ending. I was shocked the second time around when things got much darker. It can be intriguing, even when it starts to get repetitive, and I appreciated the new approach GameChanger Studio took with the My Lovely series this time around.

WitchSpring R feels like it is the comfort food of JRPGs. It isn’t too taxing. There are some typical JRPG story elements. Its turn-based battle system is sound. The story starts a bit slow, due to a tutorial holding your hand through every gameplay element. However, there’s some fun stuff happening with the lore and Pieberry’s story can be entertaining.

Even with the pacing problems, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is the best entry in the series yet. The puzzle-like investigative gameplay is straightforward, doing just enough to challenge the player without overwhelming or being too obscure. It all complements well with the excellent but a bit unique storytelling. This tale is not for every Switch player, being a bit too dark at times, but it is highly rewarding for those it appeals to.

Going into Gundam Breaker 4, you need to accept that it’s the type of game that will involve grinding missions for experience and parts. I felt like the ensuing Gunpla I’d create and opportunities to collect even more customization elements was worth it! Especially since the combat system is tight and it all looks really good. If you’re not up for replaying a lot of assignments and dealing with occasional hurdles in fights that might feel better balanced for multiplayer, it might be wise to look at an older entry. But it can be a really good time, especially if you love the Gundam and this spin-off series or have a crew you’ll be playing it with.

Visions of Mana doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it knows damn well what makes a wheel work. It plays like a game we all remember from childhood, but with all the modern frills. The game delivers a beautifully crafted, nostalgic JRPG experience that’s worth checking out.

With an oversaturated market for open-world games, Star Wars Outlaws keeps things varied, fast-paced, and constantly rewarding. Developers at Massive Entertainment focused on variety and quality over quantity, and didn’t skimp on visual spectacle. There is always something for Kay Vess and her Trailblazer crew to do, whether it be treasure to find, some gang territory to sneak into and rob, an Imperial space base to assault, or even some card games to play. For a true space scoundrel there is no limit in the galaxy.

Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch feels designed to keep you captivated by the events of Hikaru and Lilun’s lives as they deal with the odds that are stacked against them. Every win for them is one for the reader as well. It takes its time to show how these young people develop and find their footing, and it’s great when we get to see them succeed.

The Crush House is an interesting game that combines FPS elements with exploration, time management, and strategy, all with a narrative that makes you want to marathon the game all the way to the season finale. It’s a game that can only ever be a game, as the impact of the story wouldn’t be the same in another format. While enjoyable, I do suggest having something else to do on hand. Once the audience gets what they want, the drama of reality TV loses its luster, leaving nothing but vapid and repetitive content behind.

With Muv-Luv Alternative Remastered, Age tells such a striking and emotional story. The events of it stick with you, especially if you put in the time and went through every part of the adventure. The only downside to it all is that it really does demand that dedication. The pay-off is fantastic if you are willing to go through Extra and Unlimited first. I would still say it is a great story if you don’t, but the character development and hints leading up to what happens here builds in a great way and results in a fascinating sci-fi story.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain really does do a good job of giving us a Kiki’s Delivery Service sort of game, and it’s often quite relaxing too! Mika’s a fun protagonist, and the island is this vibrant setting filled with big personalities and life. Sometimes the broomstick-riding can feel a bit fiddly, but it’s genuinely a delightful simulation about being a courier witch.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Isekai Chronicles is one of those anime games that I’d say is more than serviceable, but isn’t extraordinary. People who like TenSura a lot will definitely get more out of the game than someone who is completely unfamiliar with it. I’d even say for the right price, someone who enjoys the Tales of combat system might even want to consider it. That really is the draw of the title, and it’s fun to take advantage of characters’ unique traits. While it isn’t trendsetting or amazing, it’s perfectly fine.

I appreciated what Johan Vinet accomplished with Castaway, as it really does capture the same vibes as a GBC Legend of Zelda game would, but just wish there was more to it. The adventure mode feels like it cuts off way too quickly, with no resolution. The Tower is entertaining, but focuses on the weakest part of the experience and strips away the light puzzle solving and boss fights. It feels like Castaway is a teaser for something bigger. What’s here is fun, but strangely unfulfilling.

I loved my time with Cat Quest 3. Exploration is joyful, combat is a lot of fun and the story is silly and charming in all the right ways. If you want a small but dense pirate adventure full of good humor, Cat Quest 3 is for you.

I didn’t like Elrentaros Wanderings, and the things wrong with it are such that patches to fix the localization or adjust other elements wouldn’t salvage it. It’s a tedious game that doesn’t offer the sort of substance to make it feel in any way satisfying. There are better isekai adventures. There are better loot-based dungeon-crawlers. There are better titles where you can connect with people in the nearby village and perhaps even fall in love with them.

Black Myth Wukong is a gorgeous game that has taken great efforts to make an interesting and exciting reimagining of one of East Asia’s most popular myths. The game is solid, and outside of frame drops, otherwise performs very well. And it’s probably one of the best action RPG I’ve played all year.

Muv-Luv Remastered, as a whole, sets up a foundation for one of the most intriguing visual novels to come out of Japan. This means that what you’re experiencing is happening for a reason. Muv-Luv Extra might feel a bit trope-heavy and as though the dynamic nature of character portraits and movements are the only thing setting it apart, due to it laying groundwork regarding characters. Muv-Luv Unlimited is when it starts getting interesting and we get into the meat of things, due to the new mysteries being introduced and way what we learned in the first game shapes the lives of characters like Takeru and Meiya. Put together in one package with Muv-Luv Remastered, and we get a solid start to Age’s story.

Love, Ghostie is basically a game for folks who play games like Fire Emblem or The Sims because they want to pair characters up in relationships. It’s incredibly compelling! I beat it in a single sitting over the course of a few hours. It’s relaxing! There’s no pressure. It’s also got a ton of replay value, even though there are only 12 characters, since they can all get together.

It may seem like I’ve been unduly harsh to Creatures of Ava, but that is because there are some excellent ideas here, but the execution has missed the mark. Nothing is wrong with a creature-taming title stepping back from a traditional combat system and embracing a pacifist approach. If anything, exploring this avenue can provide an opportunity to craft a distinctive identity in the genre, but you need to make sure other aspects of the gameplay are compelling. I often found myself going through the motions rather than wanting to see what was next. Strangely, I think the game tried to be too smart for its own good and backfired. It packed too many ideas, and there was little thought on how these mechanics would benefit one another. If you like some of the concepts that Creatures of Ava dabbles in, you will find some redeeming characteristics which might be worth your time. However, I don’t think I’ll return to Creatures of Ava anytime soon.

Ultimately, what hurts the most about launching in the long shadow of Balatro is the expectation of a wide possibility space and near-endless depth. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is more of a diversion than a new avocation, with interesting ideas that play out fairly quickly and funnel toward a few very specific viable strategies. It’s fun! Briefly.

I love the concept behind Exhausted Man and feel like it is a genuinely clever game, but the nature of some of the tasks mean it’s best played in short bursts. Going into too many challenges at once, especially if you end up with a forced task or one that ends up being more annoying than expected, might even feel a bit stressful. Still, the concept is sound and I do recommend it! Just take your time and don’t rush.

Minor missteps aside with controls side, Those Games 2 can be a genuinely strong minigame collection. It gives a perfect amount of games for each fake mobile game ad, so you don’t feel like they wear out their welcome. They do get genuinely challenging after the first 10 levels, in many cases. It’s a fun game to play when you just want to take 10-15 minutes to play something and feel smart, and doing so in short bursts helps keep you from noticing that some levels can get repetitive.

Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid launched at a time when I really needed it, and that made me appreciate this cozy life sim even more. The older we get, the rarer it is to enjoy weeks of freedom, discovery, and joy. I get so caught up in work, especially around summer events when there are events back-to-back. Millennium Kitchen and Toybox really captured the magic of a peaceful summer where you can live at your own pace. Everything is new and an adventure. It’s refreshing and rejuvenating.

For both positive and negative reasons, Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom is a classic otome. The quality of the story and the characters are really good, and I can understand why people loved it. But playing it in 2024 after so many other otome games (and from Otomate to boot), it’s hard for me to see what made Hakuoki the special juggernaut it was at the time. Is it good? Oh yeah, if you’re big into otome or historical fantasy games. It’s great that you get both the Edo and Kyoto arcs in one convenient package without having to pay for two games like in certain releases. This is a game that stands very well on its own. But those curious about the legendary reputation of Hakuoki may come out of it scratching their head.