Tales of the Shire sounds like an interesting take on a Middle-Earth game, with its priority on the mundane rather than the grittier aspects of the world’s history. However, it’s just kind of boring, which is a shame since a cozy Hobbit game sounds like it should’ve been a home run. Maybe the game would have gotten more interesting as I unlocked more areas and befriended more characters, but since my progression has stalled thanks to some bizarre bug, I guess there won’t be a Shire for me anymore.

If you're just looking for a goofy, mindless, let's-waste-some-time type of fun then you'll enjoy Futurama.

The appeal of WitchSpring3 Re:Fine is having an entry in the series on the Switch. The concepts behind it are fine. I had an okay time playing it, even if I didn’t feel terribly motivated to explore what the post-game had to offer. Some of the UI decisions don’t exactly feel comfortable, the localization isn’t great, and it isn’t terribly memorable. It’s not bad and people interested in the series will probably have a good time. But those with a passing curiosity may want to look at the more reasonably priced mobile versions instead.

The game shines graphically. Capcom uses a clever mix of 3D textures and cel shading. The backgrounds are full of vivid colors, the explosions are clear and there are even some neat shadowing effects.

While the open ended gameplay is a good concept, it falls flat because players often end up lost or on an incorrect path. Romancing Saga almost focuses entirely on being open ended and it neglects all the other RPG mechanics like a solid story.

It’s strange to say that I will more than likely continue to play NieR Re[in]carnation, despite already understanding that I could potentially cultivate an unhealthy relationship with the game. The story has drawn me in, in a way that no other mobile game, or even console title, has in a very long time. I love learning about these characters and I love this world, even if I’m barred from progression. However, there is no doubt in my mind that this game will become exceedingly difficult for new players to get into once the double rate up banners and experience point boosts disappear. If you’re looking into playing NieR Re[in]carnation, for better or for worse, now is your time.

It's a unique take on the FPS, RPG and action genres, but at the same time Dirge of Cerberus doesn’t execute either of these genres extremely well. If you’re willing to be patient with the game’s controls Dirge of Cerberus offers a new experience and more background on the Final Fantasy VII universe. [JPN Import]

The only saving grace this game has is for Ninja Turtles fans, but during a time when there are so many better games released you're not getting the same bang for your buck.

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.

Foamstars is a mixed bag of a game. The gameplay is fun, elevating itself above the inevitable Splatoon comparisons and doing something interesting with the concept. But the bland aesthetics and aggressive monetization are huge turn-offs that prevent this from fully reaching its potential.

Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is rather boring. There’s no adrenaline rush when I manage to make it into the final groups of players. The cosmetics are fine, but I didn’t feel a drive to unlock specific maze designs or items for my Pac-Man. While it is designed to feel competitive, it seemed like more people I faced were more concerned with dealing with the ghosts and eating pellets, rather than gunning for the top spot in any way. I honestly had the most fun when I’d play through Elimination or Ranked like I would any other Pac-Man game, without engaging in maze invasions, which probably defeated the point of a battle royale.

Sugardew Island is an almost entirely forgettable farming sim. The dated visuals, lack of responsiveness, and awkward gameplay makes it hard to recommend. That said, there is still something special in the shop management system, which is a (brief) joy to use. It’s a shame the rest of Sugardew Island fails to match the shop’s level of enjoyment.

Polish issues aside, Gungrave G.O.R.E. is a nostalgic trip to a certain era of action game design, dressed up in improved visuals and performance. Its anachronistic take on shooting gameplay and late-90s anime aesthetic won’t be for everyone, but the separation of years makes it clear that there’s nothing quite like it on the market.

As a package The Nightmare of Druaga offers a spin on the RPG and action RPG genres. Druaga offers plenty of monster slaying, treasure hunting and dungeon exploring.

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.

The only saving grace this game has is for Ninja Turtles fans, but during a time when there are so many better games released you're not getting the same bang for your buck.

One of the most salient problems with Full Metal Alchemist is the amount of repetition. After you get bored of the alchemy the game boils down to eliminate the enemies and move into the next room and repeat for the duration of gameplay.

Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise is exactly the sequel to Deadly Premonition a fan of the original should expect. This is a game that really respects the player’s intelligence, but puts a lot of faith into their willingness to keep an open mind.

Where the game does shine is in replay value. Like other games there are plenty of weapons to collect. The Game Boy Advance version has them hidden so well that you'll need to explore every space to find them all.

The variety of stages and the variety of pranks is what makes Panic Maker such a fun experience. In what other game can you throw pies at a casino waitress, exorcize zombies and use spring loaded punching gloves to knock people into walls? The quirkiness of "Under the Skin" goes far. [JPN Import]

Even though Naruto: Saikyo Ninja 2 is a good playthrough it doesn't have anything special to make the game stand out.

Library of Runia is a fantastic game. The voice acting is top notch, the story is intriguing enough to entice players who otherwise may not be interested in deck building games to give it a shot, and it forces the player to engage with its systems to meet each challenge. However, this means that it won’t be for everyone. Those that have gotten tired of fiddling around with the same deck builders for hours on end may find Library of Runia enticing, especially with its heavy emphasis on story. Overall, I had a blast with the game, even if I’m still figuring out just how to optimize my deck some thirty hours in.

Isn't quite the RPG it originally promised to be. However, the great fighting engine and deep character customization makes Virtua Fighter Cyber Generation [Virtua Quest] stand above the average 3D brawler. [JPN Import]

A single player Mario Party isn't really a party and there aren't enough mini games to even put this title in competition with games like "Wario Ware Twisted."

Astro Boy: Tetsu Won Atom's greatest falling is that it is short, too short...This doesn't mean that Astro Boy isn't an engaging game. From beginning to end Astro Boy is entertaining, although simplistic and easy.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour works fine. It’s totally functional and educational. It just isn’t fun in the same way games like Nintendo Land and Astro’s Playroom are.

The thing about Danganronpa S is that as I play, I can think of how it could be better. Giving a player all N-rank cards at the start would have been nice. Especially since there are four variants of each character and nine Hype Card upgrades for each of them. Not to mention 30 presents are there. It’d mean you’d be able to build people you like immediately. Even if they wouldn’t be great. Also, given that people are paying $20 for this, the gacha rates shouldn’t be so terrible. Rather than play Danganronpa S, I’d suggest people get Danganronpa V3 and play through its minigames (and review its story) again. Given it’s $29.99, compared to Danganronpa S’s $19.99, it is worth it. As is, I can’t help but feel like this should have been a free-to-play game.

If you’ve always wanted to try out a Harvest Moon title, then Harvest Moon: One World is a great entry point. As I can attest, no prior knowledge of previous games is required. So go forth, farm, and save the world, one crop at a time.

There are times when Sports Story can be fun. The script can be quite humorous. The sprite work is fantastic. The concept is generally sound. Golf Story, only more seems like a winning prospect. It’s that being overambitious undid any goodwill here. I wouldn’t be surprised too if there’s an element of it all being rushed, with the proper amount of time not being dedicated to eliminate issues and more cohesively tie everything together. With patches, there could be something here! While it wouldn’t hit the heights of Golf Story, I think Sports Story could still eventually be an enjoyable game. It will just take two or more months for that to happen.

Makee definitely knew what it wanted Rise Eterna to be. I applaud some of its ideas, like how the developer tried to implement a crafting system and skill tree. But on the whole, it doesn’t offer the same balanced challenges as its contemporaries. The resulting game is filled with maps that are too large and enemies that stop feeling threatening. There’s effort here and it tries, but it doesn’t leave you feeling like you accomplished anything.

Despite my gripes with the lack of closure in its narrative, and referential writing, Harvest Island can be a fun horror RPG/farming sim hybrid. The gameplay loop is simple, perhaps to a fault. However, the character writing and moment-to-moment story beats evoke the vibe of classic RPG Maker games, such as To The Moon, The Witch’s House, or Ao Oni. While Harvest Island is a flawed game, it shows a lot of promise in developer Yobob Games, particularly when the game is focusing on telling an original story, and exploring a detailed and engaging environment.

After spending time with Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia, I can see where WayForward tried. It attempted to create a world for players to inhabit, one alive with both Bakugan brawls and more common activities. It tries to offer customization options, both for our avatar and the characters in the party. It even attempts a competitive scene with online matches. I’d imagine fans of the anime adaptation or toys in general might be really pleased with this direction, especially if they’re on the younger side. Like Pokemon, but Bakugan could be a thing fans would eat up. But it isn’t for people who are older or aren’t involved in the scene.

Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed is far from perfect. It doesn’t look great and you’re constantly running into annoyances that result from bringing a budget PSP game in 2021. But I suspect that the people who might pick it up will be willing to overlook that. This is about completing a set and seeing the inspiration for other titles. If anyone would want to experience this particular series at its best, I’d point them to Akiba’s Trip: Undead & Undressed in a heartbeat. But this release, flawed as it is, does give people who enjoy the series a way to see how it all started.

As Redfall lacks any actual depth in terms of narrative or gameplay loop, it’s a hard game to recommend. But who knows, maybe six months to a year down the line, it could be a completely different and more engaging game. That’s just the time we live in.

Despite iffy monetization choices and the general feeling that the game might not last long enough to become a permanent part of your rotation, Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a frantic and fast-paced interpretation of a genre otherwise saturated in horror movie tropes. Steeped in fun Dragon Ball in-jokes and goofy humor, there’s there’s a lot of slapstick joy to be found in the game, so much so that it wouldn’t be out of place if the Benny Hill theme kicked in every so often.

Isn't quite the RPG it originally promised to be. However, the great fighting engine and deep character customization makes Virtua Fighter Cyber Generation [Virtua Quest] stand above the average 3D brawler. [JPN Import]

Overall, Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos is a strange game, and not necessarily in a good way. The concept is fun but poorly executed thanks to muddied visuals and unsatisfying driving mechanics. Fans may enjoy the character interactions but may still be put off by how much of a departure it is.

I was streaming the game, and it wasn’t until someone came in and told me what I needed to do to find the keys to the exit that I could eventually make my way to safety and the end of the game. And honestly? It was worth it. Silent Hill: The Short Message isn’t a game about retribution like Silent Hill 2, and maybe that’s what people wanted or were expecting. Instead, it ends with a tearful conversation between Anita and Amelie that lends itself to the final sentence of the content warning you will see time and time again.

The gameplay can be summed up in two words "hit square". The bulk of the game has you hacking and slashing your way though one faceless enemy to the next. [JPN Import]

A horrible fighting system, PS1 like graphics and horrible computer controlled characters ruin this title. [JPN Import]

A mindless brawler with shoddy control... An interesting experiment with the Tekken franchise. Too bad it plays like a train wreck.

All of the story is forgettable. Maybe it's the flat voice acting or that it's so convoluted. Thankfully this doesn't deter from the game's strongest point, which is sheer action. [JPN Import]

There is just a lot to do in The Good Life, which means that players can potentially sink upwards of forty-plus hours taking pictures or running mundane, everyday tasks. And while I like life simulators, I don’t like them when they can barely run at over 3 FPS. With a story that lacks focus and with these elements largely feeling like padding, The Good Life doesn’t stand out in any significant way.

A joyless experience.

Loop8 squanders its goodwill. This is a game Marvelous and SIEG Games clearly want to be poignant and important. However, its frustratingly obtuse, the pacing is problematic, and it wears out its welcome with tedious interactions. I love the concept and the idea of wandering around Ashihara. Some characters are memorable too! But after a few loops and constant Musasa intrusions, I was tempted to let the Kegai win if it would shut that squirrel up.

Varlet suffers from a lack of originality and meaningful activities, and the JRPG relies too heavily on concepts from Persona 4. It’s so bland and hollow compared to other Furyu games, with even The Caligula Effect titles doing a better job of telling a story, offering engaging gameplay, and showing off original characters and concepts. The battles are boring and involve repeated types of enemies. Most characters feel like folks we’ve seen before. There’s no real sense of exploration, as the SSS activities are basic, and I didn’t feel like I connected to anyone in its version of “social links.” Even if you enjoy Furyu JRPG releases, this might be one you may want to skip in favor of replaying one of The Caligula Effect games again instead.

Drawn to Life was, at best, a game of mediocre quality to many but it did resonate with some. Writing this review feels like delivering bad news to this latter group, which has had to wait over a decade for a new game. They had to weather the collapse of THQ, the now defunct publisher of the original Drawn to Life games. On the plus side, the game released at the low price point of $9.99 and there is, arguably, ten dollars’ worth of solid content hidden amongst the more questionable choices. Unfortunately though, Drawn to Life: Two Realms lacks the freedom and novelty of its predecessors, and even though it takes strides to create a satisfying new experience, the end result feels unimaginative.

Dragon Takers is an RPG that is aggressively okay. The story is serviceable, but offers no surprises or interesting twists.

If all you wanna do is smash buttons and beat up spirits from the anime, Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is serviceable. That’s about it. If you’re looking for any more depth in any way, the game simply does not have it. Combat is overly simple, and when you try to make it anything more, you just get thumped for your efforts. The support characters actively hinder you. The story is doled out in the worst way I can think of. The online is barren when it’s not lagging horribly. It’s just a flat, tiresome game that is only good for some mindless action for those absolutely itching for anything to do with the anime.

It isn’t necessarily that Tamagotchi Plaza is bad, as I do think it could be fun for kids or someone who really loves Bandai Namco’s virtual pet line. There are just some awkward decisions made that make it a little uncomfortable to play at times. And even if you do overcome that and work things out, it can feel like there’s not too much to do. Especially since you can’t even bring it out as “the early Switch 2 multiplayer minigame collection” due to how few games actually involve more than one person. For the right person, it could be fine, but it caters to a very specialized (and probably forgiving) audience.

Tokyo Scramble is a mess of a game, and it’s not even a situation where it is so bad that some element of it is in some way enjoyable. The story is bad. The script is terrible. The stages can involve areas that are poorly designed or feature massive difficulty spikes. The multiplayer basically makes it impossible to survive. I wasted about five hours on this game that I will never get back.

It’s a game that seems like it’s for hardcore The Lord of the Rings fans, considering its playable character and the lack of recent releases for the franchise, but even diehard fans couldn’t enjoy this unexpected journey.

Since the game does provide some laughs and is fun when a friend is over $20 isn't too bad for the game.

Balan Wonderworld is not comfortable or fun to play. It isn’t memorable. If you want to understand everything happening, you have to buy the ebook and go to that outside source for an explanation. It is bland, repetitious, and has design choices that are the opposite of ensuring a good quality of life. It is a clear example of a situation where you should read the book, rather than play the game. There are times when it feels like a fever dream, something too weird to actually be true, as it fades from your mind. But then you look at that icon in your system’s Home menu and know it really happened.

Since the game does provide some laughs and is fun when a friend is over $20 isn't too bad for the game.

I haven’t played any otome game like Palais de Reine before. It is a wholly unique and fascinating experience. I very much appreciate that it not only exists, but is available in English. And yes, once I finished an initial (disastrous) run and came back better prepared, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. There’s an incredible amount of depth and nuance. However, getting to it involves an investment only the most dedicated might commit to.

Gothic Murder: Adventure that Changes Destiny is the sort of adventure game you play when you need a break between massive games. It’s a reprieve that will make you think, but isn’t terribly taxing. Its story is also interesting enough, with a heroine who exhibits both common sense and intelligence.

Robotics;Notes Elite is an immersive visual novel that does its best to bring you into a world where it really feels like a group of teenagers can not only build an impressive mech, but make a difference in the world. We have characters who are well written and dealing with all sorts of challenges, while still occasionally getting chances to occasionally be teenagers. It’s continuing the Science Adventure tradition of having subtle means of guiding the story, unexpected takes on the floundering school club genre and twists into territories you wouldn’t expect. The only downsides are it really does require some prior knowledge of the series’ world and formula, but odds are anyone interested more known understands what they’re committing themselves to.

Unreal Life is a special sort of adventure game. It’s hauntingly beautiful, with a story that is more touching than you might expect. Especially when some of its primary cast members are an amnesiac young woman, an AI traffic light, and a anthropomorphic penguin. But it’s very much a tale of personal growth and discovery, with the journey to the truth of the situation being an emotional and weighty one.

Immortals Fenyx Rising probably has more playstyle customizations than any other Ubisoft game.

Pretty Princess Party might feel more like “interior designer party” sometimes, which might make it more fun. There are a lot of options here, new customization items unlock at a steady pace, and it isn’t difficult to earn the Lumina needed to unlock requirements and acquire new recipes. It can be very simple and doesn’t demand too much, but people who let themselves get carried away could probably create some pretty cool castles.

Even though some of its tasks get repetitive, I can’t get over the joy that playing Everyday Today’s Menu for Emiya Family brings me. In a time when “wholesome” is thrown a lot to describe things, it… is genuinely that. You’re sitting down with (virtual) people you’ve known and loved for years to talk, make a meal with them, and enjoy each other’s company. It has that same sort of feel good quality as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood does.

Weaving Tides is a pleasant experience and goes all-in on its theme. You can tell the atmosphere is prioritized here. While that’s great news for things like puzzles and traversal, it can lead to some combat segments not feeling as tight. And the story seems like it is there more as an excuse to let us roam this beautiful world. Which is fun, as I’d take any excuse to ride these dragons.

Time is this game’s worst enemy. It truly does not fare well for long play periods. Maybe that’s the point, though. Maybe it really is just meant to be the game you pick up for a quick hour of fun before going to bed or getting back to the real world. That may bother some. For me, that realization shifted my perspective and shifted how I truly feel about games such as this. It’s marketed as an easy game for tired people, and it works as that. It doesn’t have complex mechanics or deep world-building. Here Comes Niko provides you with just enough to enjoy the time you have with it and move on.

Oink Games has indicated that more games could join this collection, and we’d be all for it if the conversions are as high-quality as these.

Knotwords is clever. It is the kind of game that regularly gives you a reason to return to it. There are minor variations to make it more challenging or accommodate people learning how to play. It’s also rather accessible, in terms of the UI, offering hints, and visibility. It is definitely a game folks who enjoy Wordle, crossword, and KenKen puzzles should check out.

Even if Tempest is one of those Switch otome games that dares to be different, in terms of its gameplay, story, and tone. I appreciate what it does, even if that does mean I needed to spend a lot of time with it to unlock routes and endings. It’s just a shame that I encountered so many crashes. I spend more time saving to ensure I wouldn’t lose progress than I did making sure trials went as planned. Still, it is fascinating and a good addition to the system’s library.

Fishing Paradiso isn’t the fishing game for folks who want something technical or realistic. It’s the one you get if you like fishing in Animal Crossing or Story of Seasons. Which is fine, because a lot of people could probably use that kind of game. It is simple and sometimes not the most polished, but it is enjoyable.

RWBY: Arrowfell is a game that suffers from odd mechanics and strange decisions. It also can’t seem to decide if it wants to be for the core fans or for the newcomers. The story is easy to follow and generic enough that anyone can dive in, but it also remains woefully unfriendly for those unfamiliar with the source material or genre.

The Devil in Me is a great game for horror fans, as well as those who enjoy true crime. As soon as I recognized H. H. Holmes from the prologue, I felt excited about what was in store. Its characters are inoffensive — some may consider them bland — but the plot helps to make up for them for the most part. With its relatively short play time, it’s an easy game to loop in order to achieve the best ending. Or, perhaps you can channel your inner Holmes and attempt to kill them all. Like the Curator says in the beginning, the choice is in your hands. You’re culpable for who lives and who dies.

Raptor Boyfriend is a fairly interesting game, though the premise loses its appeal after a while as it becomes a straightforward visual novel. Its linear nature and lack of meaningful dialog options, as well as the frankly generic and trope-filled characters can make it difficult to play more than once unless you like collecting things. Overall though, it is a pretty smooth experience, albeit with some bumpy grammar and consistency. It does a good job at portraying issues like social anxiety and PTSD in a grounded light. Unfortunately, its dour mood and lack of meaningful player choice make it a forgettable experience despite its unforgettable name.

Neptunia Sisters VS Sisters is a surprising return to form for Hyperdimension Neptunia, a game that seems to show fans that Compile Heart still remembers what made its little franchise so endearing in the first place. It’s just a shame that a lack of care for spaces threatens to undermine that sense of renewal.

The Crimson Flower that Divides: Lunar Coupling is the equivalent of the tawdry romance novel you pick on sale or at a second-hand store. You probably won’t proudly admit you enjoy it or read it in public. Instead, it becomes your problematic secret you’ll sneak off to play. You’ll find a favorite character or characters and savor certain segments. Just know going in that this is absolutely a “mature” story with triggering themes.

There’s something appealing about that. I really appreciated The Smile Alchemist being I could play for a few minutes to get that boost of positivity, then completely step away knowing it’s fine and I don’t need to get too invested. It can get repetitive and the localization is a little rough, but it has heart. It’s like what if we distilled what made an alchemist simulation down to its most base qualities, ensured it was completely colorful, and rolled with it? The result is this, and it’s a delightful diversion in small doses.

Though Alice Gear Aegis CS Concerto of Simulatrix won’t wow mecha fans with its storytelling, its substantial content base and appealing characters make it a pleasant distraction, and a showcase for top-notch mecha musume designs.

ONI: Road to Be the Mightiest Oni is a messy, yet clearly heartfelt, experience. There is a lot that’s worthwhile here, between the gorgeous visuals, interesting mechanics, and superb storytelling, you just have to wade through a lot of samey content to get to it all. Might be best experienced in short bursts.

Record of Agarest War is a generic take on a generational RPG. The experience feels dated even for 2007. While combat can be fun, the game is a slow burn, and it is difficult to ignore its more questionable content. Considering the price mark for a game that is sixteen years old, and the overwhelming length of the game, I would only recommend it to someone interested in a crunchy, slow combat system, looking for quantity over quality. Considering that the game received a prequel and two sequels, it surely has enough public.

Being a free game with a small roster and beginner-friendly slant, I can see Idol Showdown being a great entry point into fighting games for Hololive VTuber fans. If fighting game veterans, attracted by the allure of rollback netcode, end up endeared to the characters, then the game could serve as a nice gateway between the two communities. Those outside those camps may find its appeal limited, but such is the nature of games targeted at such a specific crossover of audiences. Despite that, Idol Showdown is a worthy addition to the growing list of Hololive fan-games that stand on their own merits.

Pocket Mirror: GoldenerTraum is a beautiful blast to the past that hearkens back to the glory days of the indie RPG Maker scene. What makes it shine is in its cast of colorful characters and its heartwarming message. Though I commented that its vagueness is detrimental to emotionally connecting with the story, it does linger with you as you ponder upon its meaning. Video games are art, and Pocket Mirror: GoldenerTraum is one of those games that can prove it.

It’s a shame that the experience of actually playing Bunhouse feels so off, because it’s a cute game with a lovely, laid back atmosphere and it’s a clear labour of love from Reky Studios. It’s just that for all the charm points and rabbits in hats, the simple things can bring you right out of the experience. Fighting unwieldy controls, a molasses slow camera, and unclear visuals makes the game often frustrating to play, rather than the relaxing experience that was intended.

If you are looking for a short, gentle and surprisingly thoughtful game to relax you for a few hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon, this is a superb choice. Smushi Come Home is a charming little adventure with a big heart that sadly may be over a little too soon.

Pretty Princess Magical Garden Island is a very pleasant experience. Especially if you enjoy the idea of customizing a whole area and games with relaxed farming elements. It doesn’t always offer the depth of an Animal Crossing installment, but there’s a novelty to going through some tasks, waiting a 15-30 minutes, then gradually building up and decorating Carrot Isle.

Lakeburg Legacies is an unconventional approach to a city management simulation, and it’s one that works quite well if you’re the sort who can get invested in virtual characters’ lives. What matters here is keeping an eye on characters, pairing them up, finding the perfect jobs for them, and essentially being an incredibly nosy neighbor. The actual simulation element isn’t as taxing, unless you choose high difficulty modifiers, with resources arriving at a steady pace. Instead, the fun comes from seeing how these people interact with each other and watching how the matches you make and townsfolk you select for certain relationships or responsibilities end up.

I really loved playing Picontier on the Switch! It’s a lot of fun, and it does a lot of streamlining that makes farming and exploring feel different than other life sims like Stardew Valley, Rune Factory, and Story of Seasons. The ambiance is interesting, as is knowing that something is off and “happened” while Pico was napping. The pacing could have been a bit different and equipment durability changed, but it’s still worth people’s time and attention.

Pets & Purrs Pet Shop is not a shockingly detailed store management simulation, but it also isn’t a mediocre minigame collection. There’s actual thought put into it, with the Story Mode being a genuinely pleasant and even cozy opportunity to care for cute animals and find them homes. It pleasantly surprised me. So while not every minigame is going to be great, they’re often so swift that it doesn’t matter and you can focus on the enjoyable elements.

Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed is not a game that has aged well. Its combat is repetitive, its map is too restrictive and its dialogue sometimes leans into the worst tropes too sincerely to be called parody. However, it’s clear that there is an audience for this out there, or it wouldn’t have gotten this remaster. If you can put up with the game’s many issues, it may be possible to lose yourself in the absurdity of its concept and enjoy its more successful satirical moments.

With pank0’s Usagi Shiima, it really feels like the developer understood why people loved Neko Atsume and designed the game to build on that.

Simply put, Mon-Yu is an enjoyable adventure and exactly what people familiar with Experience will expect. It’s handled well and offers a lot of strategic options and challenge, if you’re looking for it. Likewise, the pleasant atmosphere, occasional silliness, and quality of life options like easier difficulty and ability to save anywhere make it more inviting to a newcomer. It’s generally a solid entry in a genre that either attracts people who expect specific sorts of challenges or are looking for an approachable entry point.

Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils is one of those sorts of platformers that I didn’t expect to be as charming and rich as it is. It perfectly captures the ambiance of an era. Likewise, it manages to blend its story and personality well into the experience, giving it a more distinct identity.

It took some time for me to warm up to Mega Man X Dive Offline, but it’s reached a point where I have a hard time putting it down.

It’s an unassuming little title, but one that rewards patience and paid attention with some really solid strategy gameplay. So if you’re looking for something that can scratch the dual itches of tactical RPG’s and roguelike progression, Sigil of the Magi is a hearty recommendation.

I liked how tangible my improvement was as I played the game. In the beginning, I was always lost and had trouble balancing on smaller platforms like cattails. However, I quickly learned to navigate from character to character on the map. As I became more familiar with the grove, traveling from area to area took me no time at all. It was a fantastic feeling. The only thing that I felt could have used a bit more work was in the interactions with the characters. The conclusion of the game felt a little weak and unsatisfying, because the Mail Scout and the residents of Grumblewood Grove didn’t seem that close to me. Yet the game presented them like they’re all best friends for life, which felt at odds with what I experienced in the story proper.

Even if Tempest Dawning Connections is a Switch otome game just as attractive as its predecessor. Anastasia is still a strong, incredible heroine. The four love interests are still well-rounded and appealing characters. Their routes still have the investigation elements from the original game. Plus, the supporting cast members that may have appealed to players also get their moments. Top it all off with lots of CGs and no bugs, and it’s a fantastic follow-up to a fun game.

In this interactive fiction game, you will revisit the 90s and play an elementary schoolboy who lacks the courage to give a card to his favorite classmate. In the endless loop of the last day of 1999, you find out the secrets of your classmates, your friends, your family, and help everyone to have their “perfect day.” Nintendo Switch version reviewed.

Coral Island is a brilliant, cozy game and essential for any fan of the farming sim genre. It’s got a huge, lively town with spiritual aspects that add an interesting twist to its premise. There are more than enough quality-of-life additions that make its gameplay loop incredibly satisfying. It just might be worth waiting for its bug problem to be sorted out first, though. Once that’s done, feel free to add an extra point to the score.

While the Iron’s Hot is an interesting take on a blacksmith simulator, but it feels like the game can be a tedious chore sometimes. I enjoyed it, but only if I also took regular breaks, made sure I did absolutely everything, and tried not to get rid of any items that had any chance of being useful down the line. I appreciate the concept, but the execution isn’t quite there.

The base game of Disney Dreamlight Valley is fantastic and heartfelt, reawakening the magic of childhood wonder and exploration.

LEGO Fortnite could be truly special with more villagers, better quality-of-life features, and a general sense of direction. For now, it remains a solid but incomplete foundation. It is great fun for a time, but it will need some improvements and additions before it becomes a more permanent video game home for me to live in.