Those looking for a solid tactical RPG to dig their teeth into will find it with Jagged Alliance 3. But while you may acclimate to the slightly unhelpful UI, the combat barks and general writing can be more difficult to ignore. There’s going to be a good amount of replay value in different builds, trying different options and choices, and of course different combinations of the 36-odd mercenary characters. But whether you want to spend more time in this setting will depend entirely on how much you can listen to a Ice Williams talk about popping caps in people.

Ultimately, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a decent enough entry point for those looking to get into the series. However, it is hindered by the inability to remap controls and the implementation of a poor secondary control scheme. That being said, it couldn’t exist any in any other form due to its original release relying so heavily on motion controls. Despite its flaws, it still offers the quintessential The Legend of Zelda experience.

If you want to do well in Wax Heads, you need to pay attention to the people, writing, art, and music around you. There’s a line in the tutorial that suggests “records are like puzzle boxes,” and that’s very true. You never know when taking the time to actually look at the LP itself or investigate the back notes could result in finding exactly what the customer is looking for. Which, in turn, makes the experience all the more satisfying for you as a player.

Monster Hunter Stories 2 is not only a friendly way to ease into an otherwise imposing series. It’s also an example of a developer improving upon every flaw from the original game. The result is a game that is one of the best I’ve played so far in 2021.

Walking away from Resident Evil Village leaves me with mixed feelings. It wasn’t a game that I immediately disliked, and I can’t say that I didn’t have a lot of fun playing it. But a second playthrough made me more aware of pacing issues, and on harder difficulties the general spike that otherwise feels somewhat artificial.

Goodbye Volcano High is going to be an acquired taste. When it really gets going, it’s a meaningful exploration of finding meaning in friendship and the present moment, backed with a killer soundtrack. You just need to wade through a lot of technical problems and pacing issues to get to that heart.

Atelier Yumia is an extraordinary and highly surprising direction for the series. It retains the core alchemy and strategic combat, but builds upon everything in fascinating ways. While the world doesn’t have enough civilizations, it makes up for that with worthwhile content around every corner and a remarkable yet optional building system. The combat might switch fully to action, but it stands out with how uniquely deep and enjoyable it is. And then there is the story and characters, which is far and away better than anything Gust has done up until this point. This all comes together to make Atelier Yumia the best game in the series and the most widely appealing at the same time.

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.

SteamWorld Heist II takes the things that worked in the original Heist and, well, gives players more of them. It’s well-considered in so many ways, making sure you’ll have a good time exploring its ideas for as long as it holds you. It ain’t exciting or revolutionary, really, but it sure is fun.

Instead of getting a Pokedex at the beginning of the game you're given an enhanced Pokemon Navigator that contains more facts and information than the Pokedex. The game also supports the new wireless link so you don't have to carry a cable to trade or battle Pokemon. [JPN Import]

In Stars and Time is a novel game that makes a game about a time loop more manageable with some clever execution and a stylish approach. It looks and feels memorable, while still being simple and fun. If you appreciate adventure and narrative-heavy RPGs, it could be worth investigating.

At its best when its focus is divided, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a fun Bakumatsu sandbox. It doesn’t have the engrossing standout minigame like the cabaret or business management challenges of previous titles, and its time period means it also doesn’t pack a fun arcade. But its jack-of-all-trades approach still resonates.

Thankfully, Stellar Blade was worth the wait, as it's one of the best action-RPGs released since NieR: Automata.

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.

While I do wish it picked up the pace a bit, Tiny Bookshop is an absolutely delightful and cozy shop management simulation. I really appreciated the nods to actual literature. The ability to feel like a member of the community via some simple quests and character interactions is lovely too. I admit feeling a little stifled in terms of decoration and selecting stock, primarily due to some very minor pacing issues, but I still enjoyed running this quaint store and am eager to revisit it when I need to relax.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is a cinematic masterpiece that raises the bar of narrative games.

The Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny remaster is a valuable one, especially with Way of the Sword on the horizon. There are a lot of gameplay elements that help it stand out, like the ally system and how Oni abilities and adventure elements are tied to progression. The quality of life adjustments are welcome as well. However, the campy nature of the story might not be for everyone, and it isn’t the prettiest remaster I’ve seen in the past few years. It’s well worth playing if you love the series and Capcom’s work, but it might not be for everyone.

An extremely entertaining game from start to finish with enough creativity to make this game stand out from other platform titles.

Catherine: Full Body is about the prices people are willing to pay, in more ways than one. In terms of story, we have to see what sorts of sacrifices Vincent is willing to make to accommodate his comfort, bridge gaps with people around him, and survive. With the port, we’re seeing what had to be done to get it working. If that means a little bit of blurriness and feeling like you might be due for a new prescription, especially in handheld mode, so be it.

It may be simple, but it's addictive. Add in a couple of friends to the mix and you'll be happy you picked this up. [JPN Import]

Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes is the sort of Musou game that not only gets what is special about Fire Emblem in general, but about Three Houses specifically. It’s a very involved title. The story gets quite detailed. So much so that folks who don’t have that Three Houses experience might not get the most out of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes. But it’s generally an incredibly solid Musou game and a lot of fun if you are aware of everything going on.

Dark Deity is a small game that understands its limitations. It delivers thought-provoking battles, if not necessarily the most balanced ones. It gives players a lot of tactical choice, if not in the most informed way. And it cuts clear corners, but it feels like they’re the right corners to cut. Because what’s here is a fun time.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined smooths out a lot of rough edges, but it loses some of the flavor of the original in the process.

Fire Emblem Engage is amazing and a wonderful way for Nintendo to kick off 2023.

Bayonetta Origins is a gorgeous look at another side of one of PlatinumGames’ most beloved characters. It’s a game that, at a glance, you might think wouldn’t work due to the unconventional control scheme. But it does, thanks to clever design decisions.

While getting the D&D license for this VR strategy game is nice, Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked’s appeal lies in it being an enjoyable multiplayer tactical adventure. There are a few cumbersome elements, like the hireling assigning issue, that I’d love to see worked out in later patches. But what’s here works well and is enjoyable, especially if you have at least one other person to play with.

I think whether or not someone will enjoy Atelier Sophie 2 comes down to how much they loved the original game and its characters. There are marked improvements from Atelier Sophie. It is clear Gust took what the team learned from more recent installments and applied it here. But it might not foster the same enthusiasm as other installments, due to its focus on certain characters. It might even leave you a bit frustrated when you need to perform certain actions to get needed recipes or run into inaccessible areas because you don’t have the correct “keys” to open those metaphorical doors. People who love Gust and Atelier Sophie will likely be all-in and satisfied to see Sophie and Plachta’s relationship grow. Everyone else may want to wait for the next entirely new entry.

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.

Some minor hiccups aside, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is both a solid game in the series and the kind of JRPG that incentivizes experimentation due to the range of characters available. I loved playing around with Digivolution and the DigiFarm to create some exceptional allies. It was a shame that there are some minor pacing issues and notifications might not do as good of a job actually notifying me about things. There’s a strong foundation here with a lot of potential to build well-rounded armies of Digimon to help you face all of the game’s challenges.

There’s clearly a lot of passion on display here, but I can’t help but feel there is a clash due to the enormity of their ambitions. The end result is a messy, occasionally frustrating and often tedious game that fails to live up to its many influences. Moonstone Island has the potential to be genuinely great, and it’s a genuine that it isn’t.

By setting the story in real life and in a time period that most players are familiar with, Fate/Samurai Remnant presents its fantastical plot in a grounded reality. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table in terms of gameplay or story. But when you’re making a musou game based on an IP with an established setting and lore, simplicity is the best answer. Even though I finished the game, I’m still looking forward to seeing Iori and the others in future DLC, and hopefully, in Grand Order.

Overall, Ubisoft has created a very entertaining Vikings game, one that will only get better with patches for the visual weirdness. As long as you don't expect Assassin's Creed Valhalla to be like past AC games where the Order is tantamount to everything the main character does, AC fans will find plenty to enjoy.

Ys IX had a lot of potential to clean up everything Ys VIII did wrong with the series, but instead, the developers decided to double-down on those previous decisions. At least in Ys VIII, the hideout where Dogi hangs out and the tower defense elements to protect it make some sense. In Ys IX, the hideout feels forced, and the tower defense element for the Grimwald Nox feels incredibly out of place and forced.

Norn9: Var Commons is one of those otome games that shows Idea Factory isn’t afraid to try things, and the Switch release is the best version of it. However, while it is enjoyable, it also happens to be a game that can be a bit scattered due to how much it attempts to do. Some of the routes can be really enjoyable and the whole of the story is fun if you don’t get too bogged down in the details. However, know going in that if you want all the answers, you’ll eventually need to basically fall in love with everyone.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a game that grows on you. People accustomed to farming simulations like Story of Seasons or even Rune Factory will find themselves forced to suddenly pay way more attention to the process of growing crops than before, then be patient since it will be in-game years before you “get good” at growing crops. Folks coming in because the combat seems satisfying will have to understand this is a game where constantly revisiting areas and keeping up with farming will be necessary to make any sort of significant progress. And everyone will have to deal with the fact that the lighting system and fonts will sometimes make you strain your eyes as you try to get things done. It definitely builds into something enjoyable, but it takes its time getting there and makes you work for it.

At the end of the day, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is everything I wanted it to be. There’s classic Guardians snark, bickering, and epic fight scenes scored with tunes from my youth. It just needs a little more polish to make it really sing.

Crystal Chronicles is more a kin to the mana series rather than the Final Fantasy series.

I’m usually a sceptic about remaking influential video games. However, I think Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake walks a fine line between revamping an old title, with its improved systems and added side stories, and keeping everything that made the original PS2 game a special and deeply influential experience at the time. It remains a very special game, and there’s more to chew on for fans.

Impostor Factory is a surprisingly beautiful game that questions what it means to have a meaningful life. It tells a cyclical narrative that still manages to feel honest and emotionally raw. It works best if you go into it with as little information as possible, so I won’t say much more than that on how the story unfolds. It is a bit predictable and slow moving. Still it tells incredibly competent story that surprised me with how evocative it was. In the end, the bits of sc-fi and the explanation of an AI-driven time loop were the perfect additions to a game so deeply entrenched in human emotion. Impostor Factory knows what it’s about and delivers on that point.

If only for the exceptional combat, solid party members, and beautiful, vibrant world, I highly recommend existing and newcomer fantasy RPG fans to give Avowed a try, especially since it is available through Game Pass.

In the case of Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Sunblink did so much to the Sanrio game since its Apple Arcade debut that the Switch release genuinely feels like a bigger, stronger, and better Animal Crossing like game.

Either of these two games, weighing in at several dozen hours each, would be worth the price of admission alone, but to see Saviors of Sapphire Wings and Stranger of Sword City Revisited packaged together raises the value proposition considerably. If you’re jonesing for an original satisfying dungeon-crawling experience, or even a way into the wild world of dungeon RPGs, Experience has put together an “experience” that’s easy to recommend.

What you get out of Remnant 2 will ultimately depend on how much you can put into it, and how many friends you have around to play with you. A strictly solo player may find the game frustrating, even hostile in places, whereas with a posse of friends it can become a loot-chasing romp through science-fantasy worlds.

A Tiny Sticker Tale is a short and sweet game. It will never get too challenging, aside from a situation where timing and a small object might be involved. The concept is fun enough, and the character direction is adorable. It also never wears out its welcome, providing the perfect amount of time to enjoy its adventure. As long as you don’t go in expecting complexity from its puzzles or story, I think you’ll have a good time.

Thirsty Suitors is a thoughtful and whimsical story that balances light-hearted humor with a legitimately emotional tale about family, love, and self-acceptance. The game only took me nine hours to finish (even with the restart). But at the end of it, I felt like I’d known everyone in Timber Falls my whole life. Despite how ridiculous the game’s premise and battles are, the characters and their struggles all felt so real. This game wasn’t on my radar at all, but it’s a true hidden gem.

Radiant Tale: Fanfare is a delightful follow-up to the original otome game and really relies on you loving the characters. The entirely new epilogue storyline with Jinnia and Liyan as the main love interests feels like one of the best and most refreshing parts of this new adventure. However, the additional stories with Tifalia in established relationships with the original five characters also does well with building up on those stories. If you enjoyed the original, it’s worth returning for this sequel.

While Winter Burrow doesn’t shy away from the darker sides of survival games, it’s also a charming and calming anthropomorphic mouse life sim. Yes, trying to get by in a big, cold world when you’re a teeny, tiny mouse with very little is tough! But if you take your time, plot out a reliable routine, and keep pushing forward, you might be okay.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is another example of the incredible work the people at Arc System Works can do. It perfectly captures the spirit of both Persona 3 and 4, all without pandering or feeling unnecessary. It’s incredibly robust. It looks and plays well on the PS4. It is considerate of people coming to it who aren’t well-versed with fighting games, yet also ready to challenge people who know what they’re doing. The only thing that might deter some people from getting invested is how heavily it relies on the source property. It really does mean knowing and loving Persona 4, at the very least. But even if you don’t and just appreciate a solid fighter, it is worth someone’s time.

Time Flies is definitely novel, and it offers a lot of freedom to explore a tiny sandbox for a little while. It does get you thinking about lifespans, which is part of the point. It looks quite stylish too. The only downsides are that it is incredibly short and there aren’t as many secrets as I expected or hoped there’d be.

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a surprise indie hit this year. If you like games like Mouthwashing that come out of nowhere, this is one to check out. The hook is the incredible graphics. It feels like what we remember a 1980s or 90s anime to look like. But it goes beyond that with minimally challenging gameplay, memorable characters, and witty writing. While I did run into some problematic bugs, I look forward to the next story in this sci-fi universe.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has visuals and characters that draw in your attention and plenty of systems in play to make every fight feel interesting moment-to-moment. Whether you’re playing ranked online or battling through the hours of content in the single player Episodes of South Town modes (although I wish these were more exciting than just text and battles against nobodies), there’s lots to do and learn while playing this solid fighter.

Even though it's almost ten years old it's still a brilliant platformer.

I like the original Final Fantasy, but I honestly haven’t touched it since the PlayStation release. I have tried to pick it up here and there, but find myself getting bored of the grind and the pace. The auto-battle injects so much energy into it that I couldn’t put the game down. Combined with the visuals and music, I just wanted to spend every minute playing Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster. It’s an excitement I haven’t felt for the original Final Fantasy in decades, and I hope the other entries capture the same feeling.

Olympia Soiree ends up feeling awkward for many reasons. The class system, the focus on getting the heroine married and pregnant, and the information dumps get to be so much. Once you do finally get to a route, the pacing improves, but before that it is just so much to take in and process. I do think some people might end up enjoying Aksys’ newest Switch otome game, as there’s a solid localization and some characters are lovable. But I feel in the long run it will end up being one of the company’s more forgettable localizations, like Period: Cube or Bad Apple Wars, rather than a captivating and memorable one like Code: Realize or Collar x Malice.

Ryza is back and, well, good news! If you liked her debut adventure, then you’re going to also love Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy. It does a lot of what made the original game great. We have characters who are easy to love and face realistic problems. We have lots of materials to gather and things to make. There’s also more intrigue, since there are multiple ruins to explore. It’s also a lot more active than before though, with a new progression system for recipes, which might not be exactly what you’re looking for.

Even with some flaws, Lunar Remastered Collection is a great way to play these two JRPG classics. If you haven’t played them before, I strongly recommend doing so. Those who have played them probably don’t need me to give them a push. Welcome back, Lunar.

Consume Me is fantastic at making the player feel things. Frustration at Jenny’s situation. Joy at actually managing to accomplish goals or get through a lunch session while staying under the “bites” count and leaving no “hunger” sections behind. Relief when you manage to check both standard and optional objectives off her list for the month. Anger when you can tell Jenny doesn’t need to put herself through this, is fine how she is, and shouldn’t torture herself for the sake of other people’s (incorrect) opinions. It’s an important game and I’m glad it exists, even if trying to succeed in it sometimes frustrated me more than Bennett Foddy’s Baby Steps.

Card Shark is a game that made me feel daring, and I was glued to my Switch trying to outsmart my opponents. Yes, every once in a while I’d come across a con I didn’t enjoy as much as the others. But considering the assortment of tricks you learn and the way the challenge grows, it still can feel very satisfying. Especially since the story that happens while taking advantage of marks is so compelling.

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.

Can a game show significant improvement over its predecessors while further entrenching itself along the wrong path? Origami King certainly tries, making a game that’s a blast to read and gorgeous in screenshots but just not that fun to play. In many ways, it delivers the quality and polish you expect from Nintendo. As a full package and a time investment, it’s hard to recommend.

Each of the levels can be completed without much thought. Even though Kirby: The Magic Mirror may be fun for people of all ages it's designed for kids. The simplistic gameplay, lack of challenge and short game length suggests that this was Hal's intention all along.

Overall, DNF Duel is a great fighting game. It appeals to casual players, while still offering a fair bit of complexity to keep more experienced players entertained. It’s definitely a title I’ll go back to from time to time. Ultimately, it feels like a game that could develop a consistent following in the years to come. If it gets the right opportunity, that is.

Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is another win for Capcom game preservation efforts. It grants us access to elements unseen outside of Japan. We get complete control over the experience, with opportunities to make it easier or more difficult. We choose exactly how it displays, making the two-screen game feel as comfortable as someone would like. I’m still a bit disappointed with some font and HD filter appearances. But if you love Mega Man, this is another lovely tribute to an enjoyable spin-off series.

Scarlet Nexus is the sort of game where not only will its combat sell it, but the story and spoilers packed into it will too. It is a title where I was constantly thrown by elements. Sometimes it was an exceptionally clever application of a power. It could be a great enemy design. Or maybe a twist would get me. Even when I wasn’t exactly thrilled with how something might work, I found myself wanting to talk about it.

Over the course of seven chapters, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II spins a terrifying and intriguing yarn that leaves you wanting more. Even if you use its accessibility features to remove the gore or jump scare, it remains a suspenseful read. As a new fan of the series, I’d love to go back and see Yashiki and the other Mark Bearers’ previous adventures as I wait for the next installment.

Tavern Talk accomplishes everything it sets out to do: it has coziness in spades and plenty of entertaining characters to encounter. If you enjoy a gentle ride and the odd tabletop RPG, Tavern Talk will feel like ordering a favorite drink from your regular watering hole. It won’t challenge you, but it might be just what you need to refresh after a long day.

I really enjoyed playing Sunderfolk, and I would love to go through a second time with a larger group and different characters. Though honestly, I’d also be equally happy to go again with the same avatar (I love my Pyromancer) and make different choices. It’s a lot of fun, and the nature of its additional objectives, varying missions between the campaign quests, and possible party compositions means it is the type of title that could be worth replaying with different folks or on varying difficulties. Sunderfolk works quite well and I’d recommend a it for a series of game nights.

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.

Fans of old school shooters should rejoice... However, it doesn't have as much shelf life as many other games unless you're up for the challenge of unlocking all the ships. [JPN Import]

What we have here is a situation where everything true about Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars largely remains true about The Forsaken Maiden. The story is different (and engaging), but the mechanics remain largely the same. Which means what might have been an issue before still is now. I think it did a good job of telling its story and getting people to care about the characters. Its tale builds tension well with foreshadowing and asides. Between its use of cards, its narrator, and aesthetic in general, it’s pretty great at establishing a mood. If you enjoyed the previous installment, odds are you’ll like this one too.

Homura: The Crimson Warriors feels like an otome game for folks who loved Birushana and Hakuoki. The narrative and themes all follow similar courses. However, it does feel unique and like its own thing even with the whole supernatural enemy, warriors fighting back and rebelling, all while the sole female member of the group ends up being the sort of woman all of them could fall for. It’s a fun story for folks who like a little history and supernatural side to their love stories.

Cuisineer is fun and I genuinely enjoyed my time playing it. However, it constantly reminded me of a game that you’d play on Facebook back during the mid-2000s, or something like Mabinogi. There’s no life to the town with how little you get to know everyone. Though I personally had fun with it, I enjoyed it as a de-stressing kind of game precisely because I hardly had to think while playing it. There were no consequences whatsoever to anything, so there was no need to worry about my debt or dying. Therefore, its simplicity and lack of deeper content may make Cuisineer a little dull for another’s palate.

Cafe Enchante is refreshing. Every character is special in their own way, with personalities that complement each other. The story is structured in a way that you see a relationship naturally develop between the heroine and each of the bachelors. It also takes the time to provide insight into what these otherworldly realms are like, so we have some idea of what we’re getting into even before the more serious conflicts develop. I suppose the best way to describe it as well-rounded.

The whole game is a pleasant surprise. Given the premise, I wasn’t sure if I’d take to it. I mean, a grandfather deciding his high school-aged granddaughter is ready to be engaged and sending her to live with four suitors he selected? It gave me pause. But I really loved how things turned out. Hibari is a fantastic heroine, the bachelors are often a lot of fun, and its great pacing means Variable Barricade is a great way to spend some evenings.

Pepper Grinder is an action-packed 2D adventure blending traditional platforming with an alternate drilling mode that allows you to dive in and out of the earth like a dolphin swims through water. Switch version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes. Pepper Grinder is a game with a good idea that generally works well.

When Astlibra Revision is at its best, it is an impressive action game with fun characters and a story filled with thrilling plot-twists. At its worst, the game falls for the trap of unnecessary fanservice, being too raunchy, and not taking its female characters seriously enough. I wish I could look past these moments, but in such a story heavy game the text makes a concerted effort to remind the player every so often that some characters are only there to be a sexual “joke.” If you’re able to stomach this type of tropey writing, the story has very surprising turns, and the gameplay is fun, albeit its systems can be a bit bloated at times.

Fishbowl is a heartfelt story about dealing with many different life changes and traumas at once, all while finding a way forward. How we do so depends on choices we make. Not just responses to people around Alo, but how she chooses to live her life and push forward. While some of that routine might feel a little boring, that too feels like a commentary on life and how difficult it might feel to keep moving forward when seeing tangible results takes time. It’s one of those games where you start to really see how important actions are once you’re a few hours into it.

The two new dungeons are a nice addition for fans, but they may not be enough to warrant another purchase of the same games. [JPN Import]

The best thing about Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana is simply that it gets this immensely enjoyable action-RPG onto more modern platforms.

Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, at the time, felt like a poignant throwback after installments like Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards and Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. Now in 2023, Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe’s revival results in an entry that feels like a more introductory experience to be enjoyed with a small group of newcomers to the series.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie, ultimately, doesn’t feel like the most required game in the series. Despite pushing the world and its characters forward into a new direction, its scope is a bit too large at times. The gameplay remains as sharp as ever and the Reverie Corridor is a fun new addition, but it would have benefited more from a tighter story about C and his group.

Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is the third entry in the deceptively cute Yomawari series of horror games and continues an effectively frightening tradition. Fans of J-Horror will likely appreciate the slow and atmospheric situations, but there are plenty of jump scares to keep you on your toes. The story is simple, but effective, and the unique way it goes about conveying the tale will keep you glued to the screen. Just make sure you don’t look away, though. There’s no telling what you’ll see in the dark.

It’s hard to imagine someone who would play Carto and have a bad time. It’s that committed to low-stress, just-engaging-enough fun and a world you’ll like traipsing about for a couple of hours. It doesn’t transcend to something that will be many players’ all-time favorite, but few games do. As it is, maybe you want a game that restores just a bit of your faith in community. That bolsters your hope that things will work out. That makes you feel like you are going to multiple different places that are not your home. Carto is great for that.

QQQbeats is an entertaining puzzle game with rhythm elements, but I find I didn’t enjoy it as much as its predecessor Touhou Spell Bubble. It’s great that online multiplayer is present right away, as well as both competitive and cooperative options. There’s a pretty strong selection of songs too. The story isn’t great though, and the selection of characters don’t feel as versatile as the previous game. If you did already pick up and love Touhou Spell Bubble, then QQQbeats is worth your time. If you didn’t, then I’d suggest you start there first.

Fortunately, in the end, Dawntrail balances out for a solid, but not necessarily ground-breaking FFXIV expansion. Though it starts rough, Square Enix brings it all together quite well by the second half for a satisfying conclusion. The consistency of the actual gameplay content throughout at least ensures it is enjoyable to play from start to finish. In the end, FFXIV Dawntrail is a shaky, but ultimately positive step in a new direction for the best MMO of all time.

Dynasty Warriors Origins is heading towards the right path to revitalize the gameplay actions and presentations, but the numerous corners cut in the lore and character roster will sour the experience for long-time fans.

New Pokemon Snap isn’t perfect, but it’s smartly-built and worth the time it asks of you.

I had a fine time on Snaktooth Island with Bugsnax, but like Young Horse’s Octodad, I don’t feel a need to return anytime soon. And that’s okay, because a launch gaming library definitely needs a pleasant, concise sort of adventure like this.

Getting to an goal is such a chore, despite the incredible visuals. But once you get to the primary objective in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you will find the best combat, story, characters, and setting in an Assassin’s Creed game yet. If it was more enjoyable to roam around the world, which is, sadly, how a large portion of your time playing, this would easily be the best overall entry in the series to date.

KOF XV is pretty great, especially at launch. It is responsive, it looks great, and it offers a large roster of characters. I would have liked more to do on my own. Especially since I’m a big fan of the characters and would like the Story mode to have more… well, story to it. But SNK clearly put a lot of work into getting it right, and it shows.

If you’re a fan of this genre, I don’t think you could find a better game in it than House Flipper 2. Some of the edges need a little sanding, but that polish could come from patches or future DLC. However, these hiccups don’t hold the game back and it’s still a blast to sink hours into.

Without the, ahem, near-infinite wealth of content of its predecessor, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is unlikely to be anyone’s favorite Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio game. But as a side story? It’s a great time.

I’m genuinely impressed with Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei. It presents an intriguing take on historical events in an easily digestible way. It presents players with love interests who are interesting both due to their backgrounds and nature as warriors, as well as romantic partners. Shanao is a strong heroine. It looks great. Not to mention with the “if” routes, it ends up feeling even fuller. It’s another great Switch otome game.

Everything Ultros sets out to do as a game, it does well. The combat isn’t the most elaborate, but it’s not boring or poorly done either. The navigation and level design excel, yet they fall short of being the most memorable aspects of the game. The art style and design of the game may overshadow the game itself, but it’s not due to poor execution. The Metroidvania genre as a whole has a lot of familiar, but not quite tired, gameplay elements and that is true of Ultros as well. All in all, Ultros is a solid Metroidvania game with a ton of style, and if you are a Metroidvania fan it absolutely deserves a little of your time.

Arcadia Fallen II feels like it tells a stronger story than its predecessor, and it’s one that feels quite relevant. The character development is handled well. Choices feel like they matter, and we can see results of certain actions. However, since this is still a story where there’s no wrong answer, the storyline will mostly follow the same path until later in the tale when those big decisions play out. Given the range of choices you can make, I could see it being with at least playthroughs to get an idea of the different outcomes.

Some minor quality-of-life ideas aside, Is This Seat Taken is a relaxed game filled with generally pleasant logic puzzles. Is it as difficult as I would have liked? No. However, the experience is so pleasant and the concept is so strong that I felt fine with not being really pushed to work out complex solutions. The concept is great. It looks quite stylish. It’s just fun.

Toem is an utterly delightful Switch photography game that is filled with personality and doesn’t wear out its welcome. It rewards you for taking your time and paying attention. Which doesn’t mean you can’t rush through and finish it in a single weekend if you’d like. But it is the sort of adventure that goes out of its way to make someone feel comfortable. And with all of its little details, I imagine a player might be able to return a few times to check out little extras they might have missed.

Wanderstop tells a fascinating story and very much captures the stress, anxiety, and pressures that come from being trying to meet all these expectations and not fail. Especially when you try to stop doing that. However, I often found myself wishing this was a short animated series or movie, rather than a game. Alta’s journey and many of the characters around her are fascinating, and I love watching them. But this ended up being an unexpectedly stressful, inconvenient, and broken sim at some times, and that got in the way of my enjoying everything. I believe there are many people who will love and identify with Wanderstop! I just found it clunky, broken on the PS5 at launch, and far from cozy.